Landowners told to make claims in writing

A GROUP of Motu-Koita landowners from Kirakira village complaining about the eviction notice served on them by a company has been advised to submit their concerns in writing to City Hall.
City manager Bernard Kipit ,when meeting with the landowners at Kiriakira yesterday, told them that he was not aware of the eviction notice and advised their committee to formally raise their concern in a letter to the NCDC.
The landowners claimed that a foreign-owned company issued the eviction notices to people living along the Gavamani Road and Scratchley Road in Moresby South. A four-lane road is to be built there.
The landowners organised a peaceful protest on Monday, blocking traffic into Kirakira and Sabama. The roadblock was lifted after talks with NCDC officials.
Kipit told them that there was no immediate plan to move them to make way for the road expansion project.
He said there were some issues to be addressed and told the people to put their concerns in writing through the committee formed by the landowners.
Landowner representative Babani Maraga claimed that land at Kirikira and Sabama were traditionally owned and not State land.
He told the NCDC to provide evidence that the land was bought by the State.
He wanted the NCDC to provide them the plan of the proposed road to make sure the traditional landowners were not affected.
Lawyer Eava Geita said the Government should not force its way but establish dialogue with the people before pursuing the road project as it was customary land according to documents they have.