Landowners stopped when trying to damage office

POLICE managed to stop landowners from damaging the Petroleum Department office in Port Moresby on Wednesday, according to the National Capital District/Central police commander Assistant Commissioner Donald Yamasombi.
“A fight between two landowner groups at Konedobu at about midday was believed to be over the frustration of the delay to their royalty payments,” Yamasombi said.
“Police were called in and they dispersed the crowd and some arrests were made. They have been detained at the Badili police station”.
Meanwhile, acting Badili police station commander Chief Sergeant Paul Angua said 32 landowners were arrest and detained without being charged for two days. “Although it is alleged to be breaching their human rights, we cannot release them unless the complainant, who is a Petroleum Department officer, writes to us to release them.”
However, Hides Petroleum Development Licence 7 umbrella chairman Erick Hawai said 32 landowners were detained at Badili.
“The issue got out of hand and the department staff injured and properties were damaged when a Hides project coordinator allegedly provoked the landowners,” Hawai said
He said hurtful words were uttered which angered the landowners and service providers resulting in a rampage.
“There were exchanges of stones, sticks, irons bars and fists, most of the landowners were injured and taken to the accident and emergency ward at the Port Moresby General Hospital”.
Hawai is appealing to Petroleum Minister Dr Fabian Pok and the acting Department Secretary Kepsey Puiye to intervene and settle the issue.
“This must be done within this month before more problems will emerge here n at Hides PDL 7 Project site in Hela,” Hawai said.
Angry landowners from PDL 1-6 entered the main gate in two truckloads and started throwing stones on the building, sources said.