By Serah Aupong – EM TV, Port Moresby
A group of Manam Islanders living in Port Moresby fronted up at the EMTV News bureau this morning to air their disappointment and frustration over the deferral of the Manam Resettlement Bill in the last parliament session.
The islanders say politicians should stop playing politics with the lives of the people living at both the care centres, and on the island.
They said they have been in contact with their traditional leaders who are concerned that the bill has not been tabled in parliament, despite promises and assurances being made well before the last parliament session.
While the bill was mentioned in parliament, it was deferred to March, which saw a disappointed Madang Governor, Jim Kas, boycott the rest of the parliamentary and budget sittings.
The islanders say word from their families on the island is that women are returning empty handed to their families from their gardens.
There are now two bills before the government, one is geared towards restoration, the other is for resettlement.
The islanders say that restoration is not an option.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7C7N520o3RM%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
