The illegal settlers residing on the three portions of land belonging to Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) at Bush Wara in 9 Mile just outside the city of Port Moresby have less than 120 days to voluntarily vacate the lands or be forced to move out.
It was announced today that an eviction notice was issued last month on Tuesday March 12th following a refreshed court order that was issued by the courts to NSL, which kick started the 120 day grace period that will end on Wednesday July 10th, 2024.
NSL Chairman Mr. Reg Monagi said the court order grants NSL the authority to seek assistance of the police and the Sheriff’s office to have the illegal settlers removed after the grace period expires, which will be on Thursday 11th July.
In giving a brief background on the matter surrounding these portions on land, Mr. Monagi said NSL purchased these lands in 1990, but following the years after the time of purchase, the matter was later disputed by settlers for some time until in 2019 when NSL won the case over its own land in court, and the title was then handed over to the superfund company.
He said during the three year period of the case, settlers increased in numbers on those portions of land and since NSL has exhausted all efforts and used up all its resources to remove them after receiving the title, they have now come to this final option.
The three portions of concern are portions 2156, 2157 and 2159. However, there is also another piece of land belonging to NSL within the area, but that is still being disputed in the courts.
“NSL is taking steps to lawfully secure the vacant possession of its fourth adjacent land portion 2158,’ said the Chairman.
NSL represents 228, 000 members’ interests in those portions of land to develop them, so to have some form of return on investments that would go to its members in the years to come.
Mr. Monagi said NSL plans to build a new mixed suburb including an industrial area on the portions of land, aligning its development plans with the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) city plans for Port Moresby.
“The development will benefit a wide range of people including our members. It will create jobs and also improve the economy of the country in the long run,” said Mr. Monagi.
He added that the value of the three portions of land together is worth K90 million.
However, unfortunately Mr. Monagi said most of the settlers continue to defy the instructions to leave and continue to build infrastructures on the potions of land, hence NSL hopes that this time after officially receiving the final eviction notice, they leave peacefully so to avoid any further issues.