By Kelvin Joe and Gynnie Kero in Port Moresby
Two widows and their children were among other Papua New Guinean squatters who had to dismantle their homes as the eviction exercise started at portion 2157 at Nine-Mile’s Bush Wara this week.
Agnes Kamak, 52, from Jiwaka’s South Waghi, and Jen Emeke, from Enga’s Wapenamanda, said they had lived and raised their children in the area for the past 10 years since the death of their husbands.
Kamak, who was employed as a cleaner with the Health Department, said she did not know where her family would go to seek refuge and rebuild their lives after they were evicted on Thursday.
“My two sons, daughter and I slept in the open last night [Wednesday] after we dismantled our home because we did not want the earthmoving machines to destroy our housing materials today [Thursday],” she said.
Kamak said she saved the money while working as a cleaner in various companies and bought a piece of land for K10,000 (NZ$4200) in 2013 from a man claiming to be from Koiari and a customary landowner.
“My late husband and I bought this piece of land with the little savings I earned as a cleaner,” she said.
“My second son is currently doing Grade 12 at Gerehu Secondary School and I do not want this situation to disrupt his studies.”
12 years in Bush Wara
She said she could not bring her family back home to Jiwaka as she had lived and built her life in Bush Wara for almost 12 years.
Emeke, who also worked as a cleaner, said she bought the piece of land for K10,000 and has lived with her two children in the area since 2016.
“After my husband passed away, my two children and I moved here and build our home,” Emeke said.
On March 12, the National Court granted leave to Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) to issue writs of possession to all illegal settlers residing within portions 2156, 2157 and 2159 at 9-Mile’s Bush Wara.
At the same time, it granted a 120-day grace period for the settlers to voluntarily vacate the land portions.
Most squatters had moved out during the 120-day grace period granted by the National Court for the settlers to voluntarily vacate the land.
The National witnessed the remaining squatters voluntarily pulling down the remaining structures of their homes and properties as earthmoving machines started clearing the area yesterday.
5400 squatters
It is understood that a survey conducted two years ago revealed that the total population squatting on the NSL land was about 5400 with 900 houses.
Acting commander of NCD and Central Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Peter Guinness said he was pleased with both the police and squatters who worked together to see that the first day of eviction went smoothly.
He said there was no confrontation and the first day of eviction was carried out peacefully.
Assistant Commissioner Guinness said settlers who were still removing their properties were given time to do so while the machines moved to other locations.
“I want to thank my police officers and also the sheriff officers for a well-coordinated awareness programme that led to a peaceful first day of eviction.
“The public must understand that police presence on-site during the awareness and actual eviction was to execute the court order now in place.
“We have families there, too, but we have no choice but to execute our mandated duties.
“The 120-day grace period was enough time for everyone to move out as per the court order,” Guinness said.
Awareness for the eviction exercise started three years ago.
Kelvin Joe and Gynnie Kero are reporters for PNG’s The National. Republished with permission.
