A former senior public servant has described the proposal to move displaced Morata Suburb settlers outside of the National Capital District and potentially onto Central Province land as “most ridiculous and preposterous.”
Former Secretary for the Department of Information and Communication, Henao Iduhu, said this in response to Opposition Leader, Don Polye’s assurance to facilitate and push for the relocation of the settlers.
“This proposal if ever approved and actioned by the National Government will not only be a deliberate “act of disrespect” (and) but total ignorance of the fundamental lands rights of the people of Central Province,” he said.
Iduhu says he is extremely concerned about where the settlers have sought to be relocated which they have indicated to be in the Central Province.
He says land is a sensitive issue and relocation or migration of squatters should be given more careful thought and not be used a political rhetoric.
“As a concerened leader of the people of Motu and Koitabu tribes, it must be noted that we have given up enough of our land for national development and anymore would be a continual deprivation of the land rights of our children and their childrens children. Enough is enough.”
On Sunday December 11, Polye visited the displaced settlers after they were evicted from their homes by a developer with the aid of police.
Polye told them he will push for the relocation of displaced settlers and will write to NCD Governor, Powes Parkop and Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill to have an alternative plan to help resettle the displaced residents.
He said he was saddened to see citizens of this nation mistreated in the name of development.
“Basic human rights have been abused, displacing mothers and children in the name of development,” Polye said.
Iduhu says the settlers should repatriated back to their home provinces where they too have customary land where they can be assisted to toil.
He called on NCD Governor Parkop, Central Governor, Kila Haoda and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, to be diligent and responsible in responding to the POlye’s statement.
“Papua New Guineans are not without land and these settlers should simply be assisted to return to their home province,” Iduhu says.
Loop file photo