Yama raps Madang leaders over ethnic clash at Bogia

National, Normal

BUSINESSMAN and former Sumkar MP Peter Yama is calling on the Government to immediately look into the ethnic clash between Bogia mainlanders and Manam islanders in Madang province.
Praising the recent humble and brave visit by Inter-Government Relations Minister Job Pomat, he said the fight would not have worsened if the provincial leaders, together with the police, were present on the ground to control the situation.
“Where are Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet and Bogia MP John Hickey? The clash has been going on for the past two weeks,” he said.
Mr Yama said the two ethnic groups would not have fought to such an extent if the leaders were there quickly to pacify the feuding parties.
“The Manam islanders were displaced by a natural disaster and the Government was well aware of the situation and was looking for options to relocate the people,” he said.
“Millions of kina had been spent by the Government on the Manam Restoration Authority (MRA) when it was under the chairmanship of Sir Arnold from 2005 to 2007, prior to the elections.
“Were the funds used for the long-term benefit of the Manam people by carrying out proper consultation with landowners of the mainland to lease their lands to resettle the islanders?
“If proper agreements were reached between the people of Bogia to allow the people of Manam to settle in care centres, then such problems would not arise,” he said.