K1mil paid to landowners in Kavieng, PM responds to civil unrest

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
PRIME Minister James Marape says the Government has paid landowners K1 million as part of its commitment to the upgrading of the Kavieng airport in New Ireland.
Marape was responding to a peaceful protest organised by the Portion 49 landowners after Kavieng MP Ian Ling Stuckey had told them he had no time for them.
He told them to deal directly with the National Airport Corporation and the provincial government.
New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan said he was not surprised by the landowner’s reaction because he had demanded that the Government compensate them fairly.
He said K3 million was given to them on July 15 last year during a ground-breaking ceremony for the Kavieng international airport but the cheque was dishonoured by the bank.
“In fact the cheque was changed to K1 million but it still bounced back,” Sir Julius said.
“I did not agree with the ground-breaking going ahead unless the landowners were paid K10 million-plus on July 15. In fact I put in writing to the aviation minister and prime minister that the sum of K15 million (be paid) as compensation.
“That was my demand because our landowners deserve more from the Government after being denied any land compensation for 10 years for the extension of the airport.”
He said some landowners decided to separately broker a deal with Ling-Stuckey and Marape for an initial payment of K3 million to be paid.
“I was caught out. So I respected their decision and I hope now they can see that I have been fighting alongside them all along,” he said.
The Kavieng airport was reopened on Monday.
PNG Air has stopped its flights.
Only Air Niugini is continuing its flights to the province.