700-plus settlers repatriated

AROUND 700 settlers have been sent back to their own provinces by the West New Britain government since the exercise began on July 7.
Ward two councillor Nick Tupi said the families living in Section 21, Batbat and Cherries were sent back to their homes in the Highlands via Lae.
On May 19, the National Court in Bialla ordered the eviction of the settlers living on State land.
On Monday, 200 people left the Kimbe port.
Another 210 had left on Sunday.
The next trip is scheduled for end of this month.
“This is the fourth ship leaving and I want to thank the provincial government for compensating those who have left,” Tupi said.
Tupi requested the provinces to accept the families back.
“If West New Britain can repatriate families, I don’t see why other provinces can do the same,” he said.
“Accept your own people.”
The repatriation exercise covers only those who had taken the provincial government to court.
Following the court order, both groups agreed to the repatriation exercise.
The WNB government is paying them compensation for their properties and is also meeting their transport costs right up to their home villages.
They are also provided food for their trip home.