Four-Mile compound residents to be resettled

Port Moresby North-East Member and Minister for Urbanisation and Housing, John Kaupa, is looking at resettling the Four-Mile Works Compound residents.

This will be the first resettlement from within the city to the proposed site at ATS.

This will be followed by other occupants who are residing temporarily on other state lands.

He emphasised that the city development and expansion has little impact on the customary landowners.

Kaupa said the current arrangement is to ensure the traditional inhabitants, including the Motu-Koitabuans, do not just give away their land, which is an important asset.

He said he will not repeat the mistakes of the Taurama customary land that has seen landowners sell their land randomly without proper consultation with the Urbanisation and Lands Department. This was for service lines such as water, electricity and other government services.

He added that once this arrangement is formalised by all stakeholders, the Moiha clan (ATS) leaders will see proper amenities put in place for residents.

“More importantly, Moiha clan as the custodian of the land will take ownership and get full benefit from all its development planning,” Kaupa said.

After a number of court battles, the Moiha clan chief, Manga Kauka, has welcomed the initiative by the Member for Moresby North-East.

Moiha clan has 1,709 hectares of land, mostly uninhabited.

They received their Incorporated Land Group (ILG) certificate from the Lands Department on August 2, 2017.

Author: 
Annette Kora