Better plans for settlers needed

NATIONAL Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Gideon Ikumu believes a better urbanisation plan will help settle people in the Koki-Badili area and prevent ongoing trouble and fights there.
Ikumu said police did not remove settlers unless there was a court order to do so.
He said there had been numerous fights in the area which caused inconvenience to the neighbours, travellers and business houses.
“The fights are usually caused by a particular group of people from Goilala,” he said
“These people have been living in the heart of the city causing inconvenience and many have been arrested and detained consistently but there has been no change.
“Whenever fights arise, police are always there to contain the situation but as soon as they leave the fight arises again.”
Ikumu said police were not able to address the issue alone.
“The NCD and Moresby South MP should have better urbanisation plan to settle these people,” he said.
“These people reside in the settlements and come out causing problems to the public.
“Police are doing their work all the time to stop this problem.”
Ikumu said there was also a fight between people from Hagen and the same group of Goilala people.
Now these issues have been happening every day and leaders and police should work together to address the issues, he said.
Last year, 23 Tari men were arrested and detained for possession of firearms in the area.
Ikumu said those men had served their time and signed their form – village court orders – restraining them from further fights.