Due to the increasing number of customary land cases in the northern islands, the Customary Land Management Office (CLMO) in Luganville has opened a new office to improve its work and services. RT reports.
Because of the rising number of land cases in the northern provinces, the CLMO office in Luganville has relocated to a new office with more space to accommodate people who bring their land cases.
The Minister of Justice, Hon. Job Andy, officially opened the new CLMO office building. The office will oversee the northern islands and aims to make work easier and provide services to people dealing with land disputes.
National CLMO Coordinator, Mr Damien Boe, said the office was moved due to the increasing number of land cases. He said the new office has more space.
“The office moved here because of the number of cases and issues that are increasing. The north needs a bigger office to deal with land issues.
Yes, there are offices in the provinces, but this is the main office. Because Santo is a big island and has the largest number of customary land cases, this is the number two office after the national coordinator’s office in Port Vila.
This is why we had to find a proper location with enough space to facilitate all the processes to identify land ownership.”
In his address this morning, Minister Job Andy spoke strongly about the importance of the office. He said the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity together with the trade sector are working on a new policy to help grow the government’s economy over the next five years. He said resolving land issues is important for economic growth and national development.
“Facilitating this does not depend only on agriculture and trade. It depends on all of us here today to stand up and take the lead.
Once we facilitate agriculture, it will run, trade will run, and the people of Vanuatu will be able to say that we have achieved economic independence.”
Mr Boe encouraged officers and stakeholders to work together to help people with their land issues.
“We must work together, especially with the Malvatumauri and the chiefs on the islands, to deal with customary land. This will ensure the process is effective and efficient, and that land ownership reflects what is stated in the Act.”
The new CLMO office is located at Second Canal, near the Police CID building in Luganville.
