A Conceptual Framework for Multipurpose Land Information System (MPLIS) Application for Land Management in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

This study is an investigation of the weaknesses of the current Land Information System (LAGIS) used for land management in Papua New Guinea under the policy directives of the National Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP). A questionnaire survey of 50 randomly selected users of LAGIS, including key heads of sections within the Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP) was conducted in August, 2015, following a visit by the authors to the Department in Lae, Morobe Province, to undertake physical inspections of LAGIS infrastructure. Findings from the analysis of the first research question revealthat, improper management of land information, slow speed of information retrieval; outdated information, poor information dissemination, and poor user convenience are the major challenges facing LAGIS. However, the second research question directed at technocrats and professionals familiar with IT and GIS revealed an overwhelming agreement that Papua New Guinea is sufficiently endowed with most of the manpower resources needed for creating a sustainable database for a modern, integrated and multi-purpose LIS (MPLIS), and for maintaining it in the long term without having to heavily depend on foreign assistance. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the current LAGIS be overhauled by the DLPP and replaced with a sustainable ‘MPLIS’ for the benefit of all land information users in the country.