Evicted families forced to leave

SIXTY families evicted from Kimbe, West New Britain (WNB), following a court order, are facing family separation and disruption to their children’s education, spokesman Patrick Zonk says.
Zonk said the families arrived in Wewak last week, some leaving behind their parents and relatives who had jobs in Kimbe.
The 60 families were among those who were involved in a court case against the provincial government in 2009 over land ownership.
Most are from Wosera-Gawi, Yangoru-Saussia, Maprik, Wewak and Ambunti-Dreikikier districts.
Zonk said the students were unable to obtain their transfer cards and other school documents to help them find school in East Sepik. They were given cash ranging from K50 to K300.
Buses and trucks were waiting for them at the wharf when they arrived.
East Sepik Governor Allan Bird said the 60 families underwent Covid-19 checks before they were allowed to travel to their villages.
“Apparently they were illegal settlers squatting on government land. The WNB government had given them enough funds to return to their villages,” he said.