Dispute body, village court set

By JIMMY KALEBE
SETTLERS living on customary land from 9-Mile to 14-Mile and parts of Markham Bridge in Huon Gulf, Morobe, will now have to abide by laws or face the consequences.
This comes after the launch of the Waril clan dispute settlement authority and village court.
During the launch, principal landowner of Busanim village and Waril clan incorporated land group (ILG) chairman Bob Sagaling declared the launch of their by-laws.
“These by-laws are created by the clan to safeguard the settlers and the landowners from the law and order issues that we face today,” Sagaling said.
The by-laws will be signed by each block holder and will go together with the tenancy agreement that settlers will have to abide by purposely to create respect and good living among different settlers on customary land.
“These laws will be given to each block holder, those extra people should be controlled or move out,” Sagaling said.
“If they cause any problem and go against the by-laws, they will have to face the consequences and if it’s serious, they will have to move out.”
Currently, many leaders in Morobe have urged locals not to sell land to outsiders without proper laws binding the agreement.
Morobe rural commander Chief Insp John Daviaga, while speaking on behalf of police commander Supt Alex N’Drasal, stressed the importance of law and order together with development.
“Communities need effective law and order enforcers to create a conducive environment for development to take place,” he said.
He told officials from Waril this was the best way forward to make sure people occupying their land lived peacefully and that there was order in the community.
Meanwhile, the Waril clan announced that village court sittings would operate in a building which was set for court hearings.