Families facing eviction

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
ACTING National Housing Corporation (NHC) managing director Elizabeth Bowada has distanced herself from the proposed eviction of families from a former NHC land portion in Port Moresby.
Bowada said the portion 116 lot 101 at Gordon Ridge was allegedly sold off under the previous NHC administration.
“I don’t know the process of how that portion was sold off,” she said.
“So I can’t help the families who are now facing eviction by the new title holder.
“My advice to the affected families is to get a lawyer and get a restraining order against the new title holder from evicting them.
“Then they can come to us and we can help investigate the manner in how the title was sold to the new title holder.”
Bowada said this yesterday after the affected families expressed concern because they were expected to be evicted tomorrow.
“The affected families came to my office on Wednesday to seek my assistance,” she said.
“But then, it was very late to help them.
“I understand that they got the eviction notice maybe three months ago.
“Had they come at the time that they got the eviction notice, then we could help them investigate how the title was sold to the new title holder without the hassle of them engaging a lawyer to help them.”
Meanwhile, one of the residents who requested anonymity, said five homes with 34 residents, would be affected in the eviction exercise.
“We have been living on this portion since 1977 and we call on Lands Minister John Rosso, Housing Minister Justin Tkatchenko and acting NHC managing director Bowada to clarify how the title was sold to the current title holder,” he said.
“This portion belongs to the NHC and was purposed for a self-help housing scheme and a residential lease zone awaiting subdivision to be granted to sitting long time NHC tenants.
“How could a sole proprietor qualify for a residential area of 0.34 hectares meant for subdivision while we are been deprived and face eviction?”