Stop squatting on others’ land: PM

PRIME Minister James Marape has warned people to stop squatting on land they have no title over, although no more evictions will be allowed in Port Moresby until resettlement solutions are found.
Marape was responding to Moresby North East MP John Kaupa who questioned the eviction notice given to the people living at Saiwara and Erima by the National Airport Corporation (NAC) under the Aerodrome Act.
According to the NAC, the houses were not directly in the way of aerodrome operations.
“The NAC has been asked to put on hold that proposed eviction, but we will work towards finding a permanent solution for the people there,” Marape said.
He said efforts were being made to resettle the people evicted recently from Garden Hills and the NAC land where people had been living for years.
“The Garden Hills (eviction was bad) as far as the humanitarian (aspect) is concerned,” Marape said.
“But the court order was there and a legitimate title was there.”
He said people should learn from that.
“No more settling on (untitled) land as far as State land is concerned and no more settling on customary land if you are not from (there),” Marape said.
“Follow the law go through the legitimate process.
“We are trying our best to stop evictions based on humanitarian grounds.”
He said because schools would be opening soon, the Coronavirus was around and people were suffering, “we were saying no to evictions until proper planning is made to convert settlements to suburbs beginning in the National Capital District and Lae”.