LATA AIRPORT STILL CLOSED

The Lata airport in Santa Cruz. Photo credit: TV New Zealand.

Lata airport is still closed off from flights and will remain closed until landowners receive a positive answer from the Government, says Temotu Premier Father Brown Beu.

Premier Beu told SIBC News today all flights to Lata will be closed until the government assures landowners of a settlement to their grievances.

Premier Beu however said, following a recent meeting with government authorities it has been found that the government does not have legal mandate to pay money to landowners at the Lata Airport.

He explains this is because it is the Commissioner of Lands who holds the land title for the airport.

SIBC News understands the Temotu Premier met with the Permanent Secretaries for Lands and for Aviation, the Commissioner of Lands, legal counsel for the Lata Airport Landowners and a representative from the Attorney General’s Office in Honiara yesterday to discuss the matter.