Manam village chief apologises to reporters

National

A MANAM islander says he and others had to assault reporters covering the recent volcanic eruption to draw Government attention to their 15-year fight to be resettled.
Baliau village chief Kukurai Peter Sukua apologised to the reporters after he and others were brought to the Bogia police station by officers. Sukua was the Madang provincial elementary coordinator at the education office before he retired.
In a mediation with reporters at Bogia police station on Monday night, Sukua said the villagers had grown tired of experiencing the same lifestyle – struggling to find food and waiting for long hours before relief supplies were sent to them every time the volcano erupted. “Where is the Manam Bill and what has happened to it?” Sukua said. He admitted releasing his frustration on a female reporter to draw the government’s attention to the seriousness of the issue confronting them.