Settlers and landowners of the Gomosa Sipo settlement at June Valley are protesting over a seven-day short demolition notice for the construction of the new freeway in Port Moresby.
The new road construction, which will link Hanuabada village and Waigani/Tokarara area, has been held off with the settlers and landowners (LOs) of Motu-Koitabu claiming that they were given a demolition notice instead of an eviction warning.
This morning, the Iduhu Motu-Koitabu and owners of Baruni village, who claim to be the rightful landowners, showed up at the area with the settlers and protested that the traditional land was grabbed through false claims by an Engan man (unnamed), who is married to a Hanuabada woman.
Iduhu ILG chairman Gaudi Guba told Loop PNG that the land, which was traditionally known as Uguhadubu (June Valley), was falsely claimed and given for the construction of the new road.
“We are not stopping the development of the new road but we plead to the responsible developers to come forward and address us (landowners and settlers) professionally rather than giving the settlers a short demolition notice,” Guba said.
“We also would like to know who signed the papers for the development since us, as the Motu-Koitabu landowners, haven’t signed any documents regarding the development.”
Guba says since it is a customary land, local landowners should be taken into consideration regarding its use.
“I believe it was a land grabbing act that is taking place right here in the city,” Guba stated.
Meanwhile, settlers also condemned the act as an unlawful eviction and demanded government action to address the issue.
