Eviction unnecessary, says Parkop

NATIONAL Capital District Governor Powes Parkop says the eviction of squatters from Morata One in Port Moresby is “unnecessary”.
He said he had to challenge the Supreme Court order of July 25 on the eviction “to prevent such outcomes”.
“I am absolutely disappointed and saddened by the unnecessary killings caused by the eviction,” he said.
“I tried my best to prevent this sad outcome by taking the matter to the highest court of the land.”
Parkop said despite the stay order granted by Senior Provincial Magistrate Alex Kalandi on the eviction on Monday, he was not informed that the Sixth Estate company had set it aside.
He said he was equally disappointed with police for enforcing the warrant of possession issued in 2016 which was valid for only 14 days.
“Despite all those efforts, police chose to enforce an order that had lapsed for reasons known only to themselves,” he added.
“Police summoned much firepower and resources to the eviction (but) could not arrest one single person involved in the killings at Erima last weekend.”
He relayed his disappointment to Internal Affairs Minister Peter Tsiamalili and Prime Minister James Marape and was assured police would withdraw from Morata. But they were still there at land Portion 2377.
Meanwhile, National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Gideon Ikumu said he was yet to get the full details of what transpired at Erima.
He said from the report, he would confirm if civilians were killed during the eviction.
Parkop said a request to revoke the land title from Sixth Estate was before Lands Minister John Rosso.
“I appeal to police to withdraw from carrying out the eviction until the matter on the title is sorted,” he said.