Thursday 18 July 2024 – Member for Hiri-Koiari Hon. Keith Iduhu has cautioned the Government not to give false hope to the evicted illegal settlers of the 9- mile bushwara.
Mr Iduhu said this in light of Prime Minister James Marape announcing that he has given instructions to the Minister for Lands and the Member for Moresby Northeast to look for solutions for the settlers. Mr Iduhu said: “The grand proclamation and promise by the PM is counterproductive and purely political point scoring.
Although I have been suggesting and advocating for proper land formalisation policy, it appears that ad hoc promises take precedence over long-term solutions.
“Hiri-Koiari and Central Province continues to be subjected to the encroachment and expansion of Port Moresby and the spill over of illegal settlers.
“I concur with the sentiments of Central Governor Hon. Rufina Peter who has urged commonsense and a zero tolerance stance against illegal settlers.
“While we sympathise with the hardship being faced by those evicted, we must also
be responsible with our statements and responses to this situation. The onus is now on the government to apply proper land and housing policy to this situation and not dish out promises.
“The government must provide proper housing for its citizens. We must PLAN and not PROMISE. We experience so many issues with living standards because we are letting our people become city planners, electricians, water suppliers and road constructors.
“The people of bushwara have been given promises thus far.
And the promise land
for illegal settlers always seems to be Central Province and Hiri-Koiari. It is time the lands of provinces and districts be respected and not be subjected to state sanctioned land grabbing.”
Mr Iduhu also urged the people of Koiari not to cheaply and illegally give away land in the hopes for quick money.
“We have seen the damage caused in both long and short term due to the illegal sale of land. The social issues that come with urban drift, the increase in crime and social disorder, and the lack of services because of overpopulation.
“I urge our people of Koiari not to give in to land deals that will only cause more problems down the line. Let’s develop the land, invest in the future and see a return on these investments,” Mr Iduhu said.
ENDS
Approved for Release:
HON. KEITH IDUHU, LLB, MP
Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Justice | Trade and Commerce | Administrative Services
Member for Hiri-Koiari
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