Leader urges islanders against returning to island

By SAMUEL BARIASI
A MANAM leader is calling on his people at the Mangem care centre not to return to Manam Island despite the recent calls to do so.
Iabu local level government (LLG) president Kenny Boli said the island was not stable and could erupt anytime and returning to the island was risky.
“The Government has relocated us to care centres on mainland Bogia and no one has the right to evict us,” he told The National.
Boli said he spoke to representatives of host communities at Mangem and they agreed to settle their differences with Manam people at Mangem peacefully.
“I am appealing to the Government to clearly establish boundaries between Manam care centres and host communities to avoid conflicts over land and resources.”
He said all other care centres were peaceful except Mangem which had been affected by ongoing conflicts.
Manam People’s Sustainable Development Association chairman Henry Konaka explained in a press statement that the care centres were established by a government decision and only the government could decide on an eviction.
“The 2004 restraining order taken out by Young Wadau Lawyers against the eviction of Manam Islanders in the care centres still remains in force. Any attempts to evict will be in contempt of this order,” Konaka said.
He said a recent meeting with Bogia people in Port Moresby revealed that even non-Manam islanders were frustrated and concerned about the prolonged suffering of Manam islanders at the care centres.
“Bogia mainlanders have committed to support their Manam brethren in pursuing the cause in establishing dialogue towards peace with traditional landowners and eventual permanent resettlement.
“The Bogia community in Port Moresby also seeking dialogue for increased stakeholder consultations and call for a clear strategic plan on how to kick-start resettlement work,” he said.