Stop selling land

I AGREE with the article published in The National on Aug 5, titled “People urged not to sell land, allow settlers in” (Pg7). It quoted East Sepik police commander Supt Albert Beli discouraging locals in Wewak district against selling their land or allowing settlers onto their land.
Supt Beli also noted that people from the province’s rural areas migrated into town and settled on State and customary land.
Some of these areas highlighted include Wewak Hill, Kreer Heights, Meni, Sepik Timbers and Saksak compound, among others.
Supt Beli blamed the movement of people as a contributing factor to the recent rise in social issues and lawlessness in East Sepik.
Take Meni village, for instance.
One no longer feels safe when taking a walk or enjoying their time out at the beautiful Meni Beach, right in the heart of Wewak town, because we have settlers-cum-opportunists who prey on the public.
They act as if they own Meni and the road leading all the way to the run-down Windjammer Beach Motel.
The same can be seen at Saksak compound.
It’s no longer safe. Locals in Wewak, let’s not allow settlers to grow in numbers.
Let’s not give away our customary land.
Lease it if you want but avoid selling it.
Let’s reserve our customary land for our future generation.

Wewak Observer