An eviction exercise by National Housing Corporation in Port Moresby turned violent as tenants clashed with Police and security guards.
Tenants at Waigani Hostel refused to vacatethe area that led to verbal exchanges where a scuffle broke out leaving a tenant with injuries.
Housing Minister Paul Isikiel saidthe property has been sold for K11 million and has a new owner.
Housing Corporation staff and police personnel moverd intothe NHC property at 11am yesterday. Tenants werethen demanded to leavethe premises. Tenants refused and demanded NHC to providethe court order.
After a very long waitthere were still more demands fromthe tenants to see evidence of court order and eviction orders.
When EMTV news crew returned tothe compound after an hour, it was learnt thatthere was a heated exchange and a tenant says he got bashed up when trying to protect his wife
The police hierarchy says it is not aware ofthe arrangement in place for police to assist inthe eviction.
The Housing minister says he’s concerned over what has transpired; however, saysthe eviction will still go on.
NHC Managing director John Dege says NHC has lost millions in this property andthe tenants have failed to meetthe tenancy agreement.
Police are still guardingthe property andthe actual eviction is expected anytime today.
Michelle Amba, National EMTV News
https://youtube.com/watch?v=F9rU7zEMI0Y%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
