We were neglected, Ahis claim

THE Ahi community leaders are accusing the Morobe provincial government for neglecting them.
The Ahi community, being blamed for lawlessness in Lae city, say the provincial government failed to endorse the implementation of the Ahi land mobilisation programme.
Ahi landowners association leader Jonathan Saing said they initiated the project in 2000 for the peri-urban villages of Butibam, Hengali, Kamkumung, Yamga, Wagang and Yalu.
But he said the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Luther Wenge failed to support it.
“Wenge has engaged Mape Kupo as Morobe government land consultant known as Yumi Land. This body has been selling land left, right and centre and yet blaming us Ahi people for this,” said Saing.
According to the provincial division of lands and mines, the road construction and cadastral survey of allotments alone would cost K70 million – plus additional infrastructural cost.
“Had this project been supported by the provincial and national government, we would not be where we are today,” Saing said.
He said the Ahi people submitted their interest and offered to assist the provincial government in providing bus service with the purchase of 30 buses and to buy government stores for business activities.
But Wenge declined both offers. He said three vehicles were bought and operated as the Lae Bus Service. And the government store was sold to Steamships properties.
“The current violence is purely a law and order issue relating to pick-pockets and street sellers harassing and attacking people at Eriku,’’ he said.
“It is  a political leadership and law enforcement problem. It is not a land issue tied in with the Lae City land case the outcome of which is still pending.”
Saing said the Ahi community sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives. He maintains that the Ahi people do not have any ill-will against any ethnic groups from Morobe, Highlands or Papua New Guineans living in the city.
They are mindful that people are renting blocks on their customary land and that Morobeans are also living in five highlands provinces.
“So whatever actions are taken here in Lae against other ethnic groups will have repercussions on our own Morobe people,” said Saing.
“The Ahi community leaders shouldn’t be left out of any negotiation processes, talks on progress and prosperity of the city because as indigenous people, this is the heart land of faith and industrial development.”