Late Vele Gavu’s Family Receives Land Title

In a quiet yet profoundly meaningful moment on Wednesday August 13th, Betty Gavu and her 22-year-old son Solomon, sat in the boardroom of the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) office.

Their expressions revealed a mix of excitement and emotion as they returned to the building where their husband and father once worked. Across the table, MRA Managing Director Jerry Garry, accompanied by his executive team had an important document one that would shortly be handed to Mrs Gavu. It was a land title.

In 2022, the MRA acquired parcels of land for staff members who had served the organization for 15 years or more, under its National Staff Home Ownership Scheme.

Mrs Gavu is the widow of the late Vele Gavu, a long-serving MRA employee who sadly passed away in 2024. He was among the first 18 recipients out of more than 150 staff awarded land titles through the scheme. With his passing, the title was reissued in Mrs Gavu’s name, prompting her visit to the MRA for the formal presentation.

During the handover, Mr Garry paid tribute to late Gavu for his dedication and service to both the MRA and Papua New Guinea. He noted that until his untimely passing, Mr Gavu was the longest-serving staff member and one of the most committed employees, having joined the authority in 2007 when it first became operational. At the time of his passing, he held the position of Deputy Mining Warden.

Mr Gavu devoted over 30 years of his life to public service in the mining sector’s regulatory space. His career began in the 1980s as a Mining Warden under the then Department of Mining & Petroleum (DMP), which later evolved into the Department of Mining (DoM), and eventually became the MRA. Through each transition, Mr Gavu remained steadfast in his commitment to the nation.

A man of few words, Mr Gavu was known for his humility and kindness. He built strong relationships with colleagues and acquaintances alike, earning widespread respect through his gentle demeanor and unwavering professionalism.

Mrs Gavu expressed her gratitude to Mr Garry and the MRA for their efforts in securing the land title for her family, a gesture that honors her late husband’s legacy…

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