Wau-Bulolo plans to help displaced people resettle

By EHEJUC SESERU
Eight years of hardship and trauma for East Sepik settlers in Bulolo, Morobe, may finally come to an end.
The Sepiks were displaced after their houses were burnt to ashes in May 2010 after an ethnic clash with locals.
They have since had no permanent houses and have been living like refugees in makeshift shelters.
This has caused a huge social problem which authorities have failed to deal with.
Authorities have now decided that the displaced Sepik community of Bulolo will be placed among different tribes.
The Watut and Bubu people of Waria, who were involved in another ethnic conflict in 2013, will also be absorbed by local tribes.
Wau-Bulolo Mayor Sogga Gaumina said 1300 families would be resettled: 900 from the Sepik community and 400 Watut and Waria.
“We are trying to fragment them into a Sepik, Waria and Watut family to live together in diversity,” he told The National.
“Priority will be given to those who have lived in Bulolo for generations.
“Resettlement is not for those who just came in after the ethnic clashes.”
A survey team is currently surveying the old Karanas area previously occupied by Yuaruma, Maramba, Kapriman and Tambunum communities, from a K300,000 funding from the district.
“Since 2010 there has been no resettlement,” Gaumina said.
“It is one of my dreams and was captured in town council’s plan.
“Surveyors are now on the ground sub-dividing the old wasteland area, previously occupied by some of the community.
“I believe many changes are going to happen in the town with resettlement. They previously occupied the area and settled at their own will, but now we will sub-divide the same areas.
“Everyone will be resettled and given titles.”