What is happening to Koiari petition?

TEN weeks ago, one Koiari resource owner named Bagua Watti took a strong stand against illegal settlers at Hohola, opposite PNG Power Ltd headquarters after a Koiari was killed by thugs.
Watti made local and international headlines when he shut down water and power supply from Rouna after the government, NCDC and police did nothing over the murder.
He then presented a petition to NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Central Governor Alphonse Moroi and Kai­ruku-Hiri MP Paru Aihi.
The petition, among other things, demanded K1.5 million compensation from the NCD governor for failing to address illegal settlement and a rise in law and order problems in the city as a result of illegal settlers; Eda Ranu gives the Koiari people a substantial equity in the water business and PNG Power to relinquish its Rouna business component to a competent private power company.
It also highlighted the continuous negligence and disrespect of resource owners by Eda Ranu, PNG Power, NCDC and the state for a long time.
Parkop and Aihi commended the Koiaris for their petition and assured them they would look into their grievances while they return the keys for water and power to be restored.
Watti responded when Parkop gave K200,000 as bel kol money and another K300,000 to establish a technical task force team to look into translating outstanding and existing memorandum of understan­ding into a memorandum of agreement.
Watti took the cheques and disappeared from the radar.
The Koiaris who took part in the petition and people from other parts of Central who supported their cause are now in the dark.
The government has yet to inform the Koiaris its response to their petition.
And why is Watti so quiet all of a sudden?
Being a lower Koiari from the Goldie area, I call on resource association president Ogi David and interim chairman Watti to tell us the progress.
Parkop must also make known his stand.

 
Aloise Inara Daura
Port Moresby