“If the Government is serious about taking back PNG then the government should start by taking back the people and the land and not letting the citizens of this country become refugees in their own land.” The displaced settlers of ATS first block, land portion 695 outside of Port Moresby are now voicing their concern for a relocation plan as soon as possible. Long time settler Mrs Mary Moru from Manus Island said they were given a 120 day eviction notice until March 27 which was the deadline - the eviction took place two days after on the March 29. Mrs Moru said a long 10 year court battle came to an end on 29th of March when Police SSD Units escorted a Bulldozer that came in and demolished houses and properties. Fences and power poles were bulldozed, trees and plants uprooted and even water and electricity cut off. Pit Toilets and makeshifts were also bulldozed down. Mrs Moru described the scenario of the eviction exercise as a heart breaking moment for over 5000 settlers, whereby most people have spent their life savings to make permanent high post and double storey houses but stood in dismay as they watch in despair everything they spent so much on destroyed. The eviction left all of them displaced and hopeless, with nowhere to go and no idea as to how they can pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. Mrs Moru said the eviction has also affected the education of all their kids, because all their kids do not have a place to sleep, no water to wash their clothes and uniforms, no electricity to do study and no more hope left to go to school when there is no home to come back to. “Mipla nogat hap long go so nait mipla silip long graun, said long remeinin blong ol haus blong mipla.” “During the day, it’s really hot and there is not water to wash or drink and there is no shade too, na mi kisim taim tu long side blong Toilet,” said Mrs Moru. “We have nowhere to go so we are just lost here!” “Gavman plis luk sawe long mipla na risetelim mipla.” Mrs Moru raised concerns that since the eviction took place there was no single visitation from the NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Member for Moresby North East John Kaupa or any representative from the government to the people of ATS 1st Block Potion 695 or even a rep from the foreign development to assure them if there will be any relocation for the displaced. All these people here pay tax, all these people here voted for the leaders to be in the House of Representatives and why a silence treatment when they are in dire need of relocation, said Mrs Moru. “If the Government is serious about taking back PNG then the government should start by taking back the people and the land and not letting the citizens of this country become refugees in their own land.” Evictions are happening every where , and foreigner developers are winning every piece of land available and it seems like we can never be economically independent and this country will not move forward when every time citizens are becoming refugees and migrants in their own country and looking for a place to settle down. “If the government can address housing and land issues that is a very big issue in this country then settled citizens can be in better positions to contribute effectively to the growth of this nation.” Mrs Moru further highlighted that many employees of the government and private sectors are living on rentals and what will happen to them when they retire or lose their job? They will either end up in the settlements or back in the village, but every time citizens try to build their home they get evicted and displaced with no place to go and no money to rebuild. “Mipla come long painim gutpla sindaun, gutpla edication na wok money tasol long arere em gavman still feilim mipla ol pipol.” “Please we appeal to our good governor Powes Parkop, Member for Moresby North East John Kaupa and our Prime Minister James Marape to hear our cries and allocate a piece of land for all of us who are now displaced to stay on”, said Mrs Moru.