By Mickey Kavera – EM TV, Port Moresby
Landowners of Girua Airport in Popondetta, Oro Province, have given the national government and the National Airports Corporation (NAC) 90 days to respond to their petition.
This morning the landowners wanted to close the airport but resorted to a more diplomatic approach presenting their petition to the Acting Provincial Administrator, John Pai.
The Girua Airport compensation issue has been ongoing. However relevant authorities have failed to address it.
They have never been recognised in any compensation payment from the government and the NAC.
Former journalist Simon Eroro, who is from the province, questioned why the government has not paid attention to the plight of landowners of Girua.
He was frustrated that Oro and other centres continue to be overlooked, with attention paid “only on the Highlands region”, he said.
However, normal flights into the province were not disrupted.
The national government and NAC can only comment once the petition is received from the provincial administration.
