By HARLYNE JOKU
ROUNA landowners are threatening to stop the flow of water supply and power to Port Moresby city residents.
They are claiming that the Government, PNG Power and Eda Ranu are treating their outstanding land compensation demand of K40 million as a joke.
According to the landowners, they have sent a warning notice dated last Dec 18 to the chief executive officer of PNG Power Patrick Mara and copies to Eda Ranu and the Prime Minister’s office to protest on the issue.
Spokesperson for the Rouna Land Group Inc, Bagua Watti from the Ianari clan told The National last Friday that members of four clans – Ianari, Madeka, Narime and Omani – who are the genuine landowners of the Sirinumu dam and power stations would carry out the threat.
Mr Watti said that their actions was because of outstanding land compensation claims of K40 million which had fallen on deaf ears.
He said the landowners were giving the stakeholders until Jan 31 to respond to the issue.
“Our notice time is short because the National Government has not been genuine in addressing our concerns to date.
“It is treating this issue as a joke.
“There were numerous memorandum of agreement signed between the Government and landowners since 2001 which all have come to nothing,” the notice letter read.
The letter was signed by 29 members of the four clans.
“On the Jan 31, 2008, the Rouna landowners will pull the plug stopping electricity and water supply to the city of Port Moresby.
“However, this action is not necessary if the National Government comes good to address the landowners’ concerns in a permanent way,” the letter stated.