VILLAGERS BLOCK OFF ROAD AFTER LAND EROSION

For the people of Hanuabada village in Port Moresby city, this isn’t just about a blocked road—it’s about survival, displacement, and unanswered cries for help.

Three weeks ago, signs of a slow-moving landslide began to appear in our village. At first, it was just water trickling down the hillside. But with each passing day—and every rainfall—our land began to slip. Cracks widened. The ground shifted. And now, a large section of the road just past the Konedobu Tunnel bypass has completely split.

“We couldn’t wait anymore. We had to act.”

“Our leaders made the decision to block off the road from the Kouraway roundabout and the roundabout near the tunnel. It wasn’t an easy call, but we did it to protect lives—yours and ours. Vehicles traveling from Kouraway, Baruni, Lealea, and Tatana were at risk. The road is no longer safe.”

This is not just a road hazard. Families are losing their homes. Some of us have lived here for 40 to 50 years—now we’re forced to leave everything behind. Even renters have had to pack up and go. One by one, we’re watching our neighborhood vanish under the weight of collapsing soil.

“We didn’t think it would come to this. But now, our homes are sinking. What choice do we have?” said a resident who has already moved out.

“We’ve been writing to the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) for weeks. Letter after letter, asking for urgent help. Nothing came. No one came. Not until today—when the damage became impossible to ignore—did officials from the NCDC, the Motu Koita Assembly, and the National Weather Service arrive.”

“Why did it have to get this bad for anyone to show up?”

“We understand that nature can be cruel, but silence from those who are meant to protect us is even harder to accept.”

“This is our home. These are our people. We’re not just asking for help—we’re pleading for it. Stabilize our land. Rebuild our road. Show us that our lives matter as much as anyone else’s.”

“To the public traveling through this area—thank you for your patience and understanding. This isn’t just a detour. It’s our community, and we’re doing everything we can to keep everyone safe.”