The Fatima land issue surfaced early this year when the Andpang Karerem tribe of North Waghi demanded K14 million land compensation from the state.
On Fatima sits the Fr. Peter Secondary School, Fatima Primary school, Fatima Good Shepherd seminary, the TVET, along with a health clinic and a church.
The landowners estimate the value of what the church was providing in Fatima to be at K13 million and are claiming compensation from the state for this amount.
The health and education services faced some form of interference from the landowners. However, an understanding was finally reached following open dialogue with the provincial government and police.
After a month, the landowners maintained that they had not given up on their battle and continue to demand a payment from the state.
Mount Hagen’s Archbishop, Bishop Douglas Young, in an earlier statement, said it is the desire of the Archdiocese to honour its original side of the agreement made with the landowners.
He said the church would want to continue to preach the gospel through religious, educational and health services.
The landowners, however, are saying that their patience is running out.
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