Member for Port Moresby North-East Electorate, Hon. John Kaupa, MP, has issued a strong warning to all settlements within his electorate, stating that lawlessness, ethnic violence, and serious crimes will no longer be tolerated as authorities move to restore order and transform settlements into planned suburbs.
In a statement released today, Mr. Kaupa said recent events at Two Hill Settlement must serve as a clear lesson to communities that continue to disregard the rule of law.
“As leaders of Port Moresby City, it is incumbent upon us to provide firm and responsible leadership to create a safe, secure, and better city for all our residents,” he said.
Mr. Kaupa made it clear that crimes including ethnic clashes, murder, harassment, rape, and other forms of lawlessness will be dealt with decisively across the Moresby North East Electorate.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to formalise and upgrade settlements through land subdivision and titling, noting that significant progress has been made over the past four years. State lease titles have been secured at several locations, including 8 Mile, 9 Mile, Morobe Block, Bomana Turn-Off, the back area of 9 Mile Cemetery, and parts of Saivara. In addition, 117 hectares of land at Farea from the Moiha Clan and 200 hectares at 14 Mile have also been secured.
Mr. Kaupa acknowledged that subdivision and titling is a long and complex process, dependent on funding availability, and appealed to residents to remain patient.
“This is a massive undertaking and nothing happens overnight. What is important is that land portions are properly titled,” he said.
He reassured law-abiding residents that they will not be evicted, but warned that individuals who break the law will face firm action, including forced relocation if necessary, as demonstrated at Two Mile.
“Our vision is to create better suburbs for hardworking people in the public and private sectors, as well as small and medium enterprises who respect the rule of law and pay their taxes to NCDC,” Mr. Kaupa said. “We will not accommodate vagrants or individuals who continue to cause problems in our city.”
The MP also clarified that there are no immediate plans to relocate individuals evicted for lawbreaking into the Port Moresby North East Electorate and urged residents to remain vigilant.
“I strongly appeal to all residents not to accommodate known lawbreakers in their communities. Such individuals should be reported immediately to my office or to the police,” he said.
Mr. Kaupa commended the NCD Police Command for what he described as a job well done and reaffirmed his continued support for law enforcement.
“Similar actions will be taken against any settlement that continues to defy the law. We can no longer tolerate lawlessness in our city,” he said.