School issue, concerning: Wapunai

Ambunti-Dreikikier MP Johnson Wapunai says land issues affecting Ambunti Secondary School have been ongoing for more than 15 years.
Wapunai added that last year, he tried to relocate the school, however, not all stakeholders agreed.
He was reacting to comments made on the school among other issues regarding the electorate.
“I would challenge our elites in these two (Koma and Manab) tribes in taking the lead in this issue, once and for all,” he said.
“For the short term, the DDA (district development authority) has put down some money for land mediation, it will take place very soon.
“DDA can facilitate, however, it’s an ownership issue and I challenge you leaders not to explain on Facebook and WhatsApp, go home and help fix these issues.”
Wapunai admitted that the DDA had failed to deliver and pay for some services on time and this had frustrated service providers.
“We are in the process of rearranging our district management for the good of our district.”
Wapunai, who is also the Shadow Minister for Lands and Physical Planning also responded to Prime Minister James Marape’s media statement titled “PM to help people own land” as irresponsible.
He said he was concerned that Marape had made a general statement to allocate land in the urban areas like Port Moresby and Lae to the public and allow anyone to acquire land titles and build houses.
Wapunai said this would potentially worsen the current law and order situation, overcrowding and over population, encroachment on traditional land, and encourage more urban drift to take place.
“What the prime minister should do is not just plan but prioritise helping the working class or public servants who are currently residing in settlements because of the high cost of rent in the urban setting.”