Eviction notices issued

THE Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (PNGICSA) has issued an eviction notice to one accommodation block for refugees following a request by the new owner of the property.
PNGICSA did not indicate if some of the refugees had been evicted but said that the remainder of the clients had not been served with notices to move.
“Should this occur, PNGICSA guarantees that alternative accommodation will be provided,” it said.
The comment was made following recent media reports on PNG’s humanitarian programme for refugees.
“The clients were given a month’s notice of the need to move, they were provided with replacement accommodation that is self-contained, apartment-style accommodation of the standard required by PNGICSA.
“They were provided with transport to the new accommodation, given K2,000 vouchers to Brian Bell for new household goods, and there is in-house security provided at the new accommodation,” the PNGICSA said.
HOMA Security Service personnel were engaged with the clients to help them in understanding the need to leave.
“However, one client demanded K5,000 in cash before he would agree to comply with the lawful direction from the landlord and when this was refused, he made threats to use the gas bottle as a bomb.
“Police involvement was required to defuse the situation and the client complied with the lawful direction to move,” it said.
“This is the family referred to specifically in the article.
“PNGICSA understands that there may be some miscommunication regarding this matter, but officers are engaged to reassure the clients who will continue to be provided with accommodation.”