Police officers in the city of Port Moresby continue to carryout awareness reminding Illegal squatters residing at Bush Wara in the Moresby North- East electorate that they have less than 35 days remaining to vacate the land before the eviction scheduled for July 11th commences.
The eviction is directed towards settlers on land portions 2156, 2157 and 2159 at Nine Mile belonging to the superfund, Nambawan Super.
Due to no major movement observed, the police officers conducted another motorized awareness last week Friday, 7th July throughout the Bush Wara area.
The Police informed the illegal squatters the 120-day grace period offered to squatters will effectively end on July 10th according to the Court Order dated April 9th, 2024.
The Acting Commander for National Capital District (NCD) and Central province, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Peter Guinness, confirmed that police officers continue to carry out their duty of informing the illegal settlers to vacate the land portions as the days continue to count down.
“The people must obey the court order and move before July 11th.”
ACP Guiness stated, “If we don’t execute the court order in place, my officers and I will be liable for contempt of court. We drove awareness since the start of the 120-day grace period encouraging the squatters to vacate during the grace period.”
“Awareness will continue in the remaining days leading up to the eviction. However, people should not wait until the last minute and then get upset that their materials and personal belongings have been destroyed.”
“The squatters now have less than 35 days remaining,” ACP Guinness added.
ACP Guiness also emphasized that police will not do any more awareness after July 10 and will commence the eviction exercise swiftly on July 11th as more than enough time was provided to people to move out.
He further added that police had also received information about certain individuals who are moving around the properties telling people not to move.
Police are now investigating the matter. He stressed that there is a Court Order in place and that people must respect the decision of the Court and adhere to it by moving out now.
ACP Guinness also added that people who are issuing threats to or are harassing the employees of Nambawan Super and or the police officers conducting the awareness, must refrain from doing that.
He said several reports have been received, and police are closely investigating these and will not take the matter lightly.
“We all must respect the decisions of the Court and adhere to it. The only place to challenge this Court Oder is in Court. Affected parties and individuals should follow this process, instead of resorting to threats.”