Manam Resettlement Authority

He made this statement in response to Madang Governor Peter Yama’s comment that Madang police could have dealt with the re-arrest of the eight individuals implicated in the misappropriation of monies belonging to the Manam Resettlement Authority. 

Eight officials – four from the Madang Provincial Administration and another four from the Madang Provincial Government’s business arm, Ramu Development Foundation – were recently re-arrested and charged for conspiring to defraud the State of K6 million.

Minister for Finance, Renbo Paita, stated this in Parliament last week after being questioned by Bogia MP,  Robert Naguri.

Member for Bogia,  Robert Naguri, questioned on the floor of Parliament on the status of the funding for the relocation of the Manam people.

MPSDA chairman, Henry Konaka, said: “It is unfortunate that despite Fairweather’s well intentioned decision to accept the Chairmanship, financial and political support was lacking. It is a relief and good news for the displaced people as we start the New Year 2020. There has barely been any progress since the enactment of the MRA in April 2016, apart from the slow process of board member appointments and the interim management arrangements.”

Nevertheless, Konaka thanked Fairweather for his leadership during the last twelve (12) months.

Initial improvement and construction work is expected to get underway at the Bogia District administration headquarters, which is anticipated to also house the operational office of the Authority.

Priorities for the Manam Resettlement Authority are the establishment of the Bogia station and commencement of civil works on the section of the access roads to the Andarum Resettlement area.

Chairman Ken Fairweather said contracts for these two priority areas have been awarded.

The bill was to be tabled in parliament in July however Madang leaders were asked by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to have the bill refined and then presented when Parliament sits on October 27^th.

More than 10, 000 Manam islanders continue to live in care centres on three plantations in Bogia.

They have been waiting for resettlement for 11 years.

The proposed Manam Resettlement Authority functions as stated in the bill are to:

•Identify and acquire land for resettlement of displaced persons, including negotiating with landowners in Anduram: