A settler at one of the illegal settlements in Lae city, has expressed frustrations over the government’s move to evict them.
Her concern comes a day before hundreds of settlers will be evicted in the city. Eviction and demolition notices were given a month ago, advising them to leave the state land.
With less than 24 hours remaining before the demolitions and evictions are carried out on these illegal settlement, those who had been given the eviction notice shows no sign of moving out.
But while most of these settlers show no signs of moving out, a family at the 1mile creek on the outer suburb of Lae city, had already started demolishing their small house.
Gabriela Eric is from the Gulf province. She is married to an Engan man who works at the Frabelle Fish Cannery. She says the government is mandated by the people, and should consider the people’s welfare. During the time when the notices were served, their banana trees were chopped down.
Threats were issued to them that their house will be burnt down too, if they don’t move out by tomorrow. The number of eviction refugees is expected to increase following last month’s eviction in other illegal settlements around the city.
Provincial authorities on the other hand have remained silent on the issue. Attempts by EMTV to talk to authorities on their plans on repatriation of the settlers were unsuccessful.
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