By Lucy Kopana – EMTV News, Lae
Lae Police Boss Anthony Wagambie Jnr has reiterated that the working committee setup to address illegal settlements, will concentrate on the new settlements in the city that have been contributing to law and order issues.
Over the past few years, a number of new and illegal settlements have been formed; some of them occupying state land.
Wagambie said this was a concern, because they are often responsible for inciting law and order problems in the area.
He says the majority of petty crime offenders come from those areas further adding that these settlements have to be removed before they become permanent.
The Provincial Physical Board Chairman and Menyamya MP, Thomas Pelika, has indicated that the board is also leaning towards the notion of removing the newly established settlements.
Mr. Pelika said there are however plans for the older settlements to be developed like the Tent Siti area, so that the provincial government can also create revenue. He says because there a lot of working class people who live in these older settlements, they have to be fixed.
Lae MP John Rosso said working in partnership is the way forward to deal with these problems. While he supported Mr. Pelika’s suggestion to developing older settlements he says, the newer settlements have to be dealt with.
Lae Police will proceed to identify areas of concern, before consulting with the Lands and Physical Planning Board and the district authorities, to take further action.
