The Member (MP) for Moresby North- East John Kaupa, who is now the new Minister for Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change, is urging police to pursue proper procedures before evicting alleged illegal settlers.
The MP, who was addressing the 9-mile eviction in Port Moresby city that saw the removal of 98 homes at Portion 1155 - 1156 at Kema early this month, made a call to Police for better coordinate with electoral members office for future evictions, so that they can assist the people in their electorates with relocation, instead of them being forced to move.
Speaking during the visit to the eviction site yesterday- Sunday July 19th, under humanitarian grounds, Kaupa said communication is essential to ensure affected families receive assistance before losing their homes.
Addressing the displaced residents, Mr Kaupa appealed directly to the NCD and Central Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Turi, the NCD Metropolitan Superintendent and police personnals , to formally notify local Members of Parliament and the National Capital District (NCD) Governor before enforcing eviction orders.
He said while police are carrying out court orders, elected leaders should also be given an opportunity to prepare humanitarian support and alternative arrangements for affected communities.
Mr. Kaupa said eviction notices often provide residents with 14 or 21 days' notice, and this period should also allow leaders to engage with affected families.
Furthermore, Minister Kaupa highlighted that police must understand that there are 4 thinking compliances to guarantee an eviction exercise to proceed.
They are:
- Eviction order or notice must first and foremost reach the District MP and NCD Governor
- Clear land title with Court Order
- Registered Plan of the land title- whereby the investor or the owner of the land must go into the area with a surveyor carry out demarcation of the correct boundary before bulldozing the arear
- Warrant of execution
All this is very important because failure to follow these four steps will only lead to conflict and greater loss of property.
Mr. Kaupa stressed that many of the people affected by evictions are Papua New Guineans who have lived in their communities for years and even generations and they deserve to be treated with dignity.
"They are not foreigners. These are our own people who have invested their lives in these communities," he said.
He acknowledged that while land ownership disputes are ultimately determined by the courts, many residents have invested significant time and money to building homes and raising families on these lands.
Mr. Kaupa said police, government agencies and elected leaders should work together to minimise the humanitarian impact of future evictions.
He reiterated that his appeal was not intended to stop lawful court orders but to improve communication so vulnerable families are not left without support.
