Resettle those in disaster prone areas

THE Government should look at resettling people who were forced out of their land after it (land) was voluntarily handed over to the State for development purposes.
People from the Ukuni Oiamb clan and those from the two neighbouring villages, Geg and Ukuni, were badly affected by the landslide on Jan 4.
People vacated their homes in fear of the landslide.
Most of their land was taken over by the State during the colonial era and they were forced to live near mountains and along the river banks.
Others who live along the river banks are facing problems with floods.
Most of their lands, ideal and fertile for farming and settling are occupied by the State.
That is why they are facing many problems with natural disasters.
For us, our prime lands such as the fertile Baiyer Valley is owned by the State and we are left with nothing.
Houses, livestock and crops were buried.
Water sources and gardens are covered by mud.
It was our fathers and forefathers who made the decisions without knowing and planning for the future.
We live in areas that are prone to natural disasters.

James Tem,
Antinga Ward Councillor,
Baiyer, Western Highlands