The resettlement or relocation of the largest Motuan village of Hanuabada was a misleading statement published in one of the daily newspapers, according to the Hanuabada Fire Appeal Committee.
Community Representatives, Dadi Toka Jnr and Lohia Bohe Samuel, speaking to the media today, described it as misleading, and has caused a lot of stress and grief to the fire victims.
The Hanuabada Fire Appeal Committee ironed out issues in regards to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s brief while presenting K250,000 to the affected victims of the recent Hanuabada blaze who lost houses and property worth millions of Kina last week.
Community Representatives Dadi Toka Junior and Lohia Samuel while discouraging the newspaper article said the prospect of relocation or resettlement of Hanuabada village was never mentioned by the Prime Minister.
They were disappointed that the media had not asked them saying discussions like this require wider consultation from them, the fire victims and the entire village.
Lohia Samuel said it has caused grief to the Hanuabada people, and the fire victims calling on the particular media outlet to be more responsible when reporting.
Hanuabada has been the original village for around 250 years.
The clearance and reconstruction phase is underway at the location where new houses for the fire victims will be rebuilt from cash donations.
