By Quinton Alomp – EM TV, Port Moresby
Moresby North East MP, Labi Amaiu said settlers occupying state land in his electorate must be given special consideration before eviction notices are served on them.
His comments come after Lands Department issued warnings to settlers occupying state land at nine mile outside Port Moresby to voluntarily vacate the land.
But Mr Amaiu hit back saying relocation should be proper rather than forcing people in a mass eviction.
One reason the North East MP claimed was that public servants, corporate employees and their families are residing in settlements and have built properties over time.
“Nearly 70 to 80 percent of the population in my electorate [are living] in settlements. So it would be improper to evict them because we have government employees, engineers, teachers, health and private sector employees living in there [who] all contribute to the development of NCD,” Amaiu said.
“I have identified a land for relocation but I have to negotiate with the Lands department to find a solution,” he said.
He said converting settlements into urban villages brings that bring inwater supply, electricity, health and education facilities closer to the people is an option he would like to pursue.
The Lands Department last month requested settlers on state land portion 939 and 217 opposite the nine mile cemetery to voluntarily vacate the area for planned city expansion.
Meanwhile, Amaiu said he will launch the biggest water supply project at the eight mile settlement in the coming months.
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