_{by Charley Piringi}

Leader of the Parliamentary Independent Group, Peter Kenilorea Junior, has reminded the government about the importance of safeguarding customary land amidst ongoing land reforms and registration efforts. 

Speaking in Parliament this week, Kenilorea stated that improper land registration could undermine traditional customs, despite supporting boundary registration.

“Customary land is more than just an economic asset,” Kenilorea said.

“If it is something just to be for economic purposes, then maybe we’ll need to rethink it carefully because our customary land is more than just a commodity,” he added.

Kenilorea was responding to Governor General David Tiva Kapu’s earlier address, in which Kapu outlined the government’s land reform agenda. 

Kenilorea called for a cautious approach, saying that while land recording and registration are being considered, the government must prioritize preserving cultural values. 

“We should not change our customs to a ‘Panda’—to some economic Western concepts like banking, security, and collaterals. Registration of land is not our custom,” he remarked.

Kenilorea also highlighted the need for clarity in land reform policies, warning that rush decisions could lead to bigger problems in the future. 

“Let’s have the foresight to think more deeply about what we’re trying to do with our customary land, which is a safety net for us,” he added.

Acknowledging the Governor General’s speech from the throne, of the proposed creation of a “customary land perpetual estate”, a policy designed to secure customary land under the Constitution and the Lands and Titles Act, Kenilorea stressed the significance of land as a cultural safety net.

“We don’t have any other safety nets except for our land. Our land, customary land, is not just an economic commodity.”

In his earlier speech, Governor General Kapu outlined the 2023 land reform policy framework, which aims to secure land ownership for traditional landholding groups while allowing them to unlock land for investment and development. 

A key feature of the reform is the introduction of the “customary land perpetual estate”, which ensures land remains with traditional landholding groups across generations while preventing its sale.

The land registration process has been piloted in parts of the country, including West Guadalcanal, and has been ongoing for several years. 

Land reform is a top priority for the current Manele-led GNUT government.