DEAR EDITOR, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation has once again erred in his interpretation of the High Court decision that claimed to give rise to dual ownership of Lolo land.

In your issue of April 4, the PS’s story was not only erroneous but it showed a lack of understanding of the subject matter.

The PS’s story referred to a consent order of the High Court of 1999.

It is doubtful whether the PS has read the consent order and understood its content or simply parroting someone else’s ignorance.

In fact the High Court ruling on March 1, 2017 concluded that the consent order of 1999 (the consent order) was final and conclusive of the dispute between Paul Maenu’u and Gabriel Ramo.

The consent order alone speaks volumes about the land dispute between the parties.

The consent order has six orders. To name a few for instance, order one states “the parties hereto acknowledge that they are both members of the Lolo tribe which owns Lolo/Ngwalulu disputed land and that their respective lines have beneficial interest in custom in the use and enjoyment of the natural resources on the said land;”

When one reads the above mentioned order, the following inferences can be drawn:

 

1. Paul Maenu’u and Gabriel Ramo said that they were both members of Lolo Tribe.
2. Lolo Tribe owns the Lolo/Ngwalulu disputed land
3. Maenu’u’s and Ramo’s lines have beneficial interest in custom to use and enjoy the resources on Lolo Tribal land.

 

When one considers the wording of the abovementioned order one, it is crystal clear that only Lolo Tribe owns the land previously in dispute.

There was no mention of Aebusu Tribe as dual, joint or equal owner of the land.

The order clearly stated Maenu’u’s membership of Lolo Tribe and benefits from such membership no more no less.

Court decisions and records have attested to the fact that Lolo land is solely owned by Lolo Tribe.

Further note that never at any time the Aebusu tribe had contested ownership of Lolo land against Lolo tribe.

Order two of the consent order talks about the formation of a Lolo Tribe’s Board of Trustees in which Paul Maenu’u and Gabriel Ramo shall be members.

There is in fact a Lolo Board of Trustees in existence. But unfortunately Maenu’u and Ramo are now deceased.

While still living, Maenu’u never pursued the formation of the Board.

There is nothing in the order that says any relative of the late Maenu’u or Ramo by right should be appointed to replace them when the Board comes into existence.

Order three states that Maenu’u and his line shall “assist Ramo and his line in ensuring that any developmental activities planned for the tribal land proceeds undisturbed”.

Regrettably, development activities planned for Lolo Tribal land could not proceed because one side of the dispute has not given their assistance.

It ought to be stated that Lolo Tribe comprises people born of the male and female lines of the tribe.

Our custom determines how our people live and interact with each other as well as the use and enjoyment of our land resources.

No member or line could dictate or impose itself upon other members of the tribe.

In conclusion I state the following, (1) The Manaoba Airport development is on Lolo Land (2) Based on custom and the law, Lolo Tribe is the sole customary land owner of Lolo Land on Manaoba Island, North East Malaita. (3) It is Lolo Tribe that signed the MOU with the government because it has proven claim of ownership.

Further to that, the PS must be impartial in the deliverance of his official duties and not allow his ego to be manipulated by certain attachments.

The PS must be strong in implementing Ministerial responsibilities and not easily succumbed to duress and threats.

Yes, the Lolo land Trustees are taking appropriate action to address this legal discrepancy.

 

Chief Frank Daoga

Lolo Tribe