The Namatanai Rural Airstrip is now a war of words between the Namatanai District and New Ireland Provincial Government.
In a statement by the Provincial Government this week, the National Court has ordered a permanent injunction on development and usage of the old Namatanai Airstrip.
According to the statement, the land was allocated for a new technical college but the Namatanai District claims the District Court struck out the National Court Order, due to the legal framework of the application. Thus the Namatanai DDA passed a resolution to upgrade the airstrip and provide an alternate form of transport for the people.
The airport had been closed for nearly 20 years.
