Residents and block holders of Wildlife Zone One in New Erima have raised serious concerns over an eviction notice issued by NCD Central Commander ACP Benjamin Turi, questioning its legality and the processes behind it.
Speaking through the Wildlife Zone One Community Development Association during a media conference held on Sunday, March 29, community leaders outlined a long-standing land dispute and court battle dating back to 2016.
Community spokesman Pastor Nathan Johnson Buka provided a detailed account of the legal history, stating that the association, led by chairman Thomas Irai, successfully challenged Nett Holdings Limited in court. According to Buka, the National Court, presided over by Justice Rayleen Thompson, ruled in favor of the association on November 4, 2019.
He emphasized that the decision was never appealed within the required 40-day period, making the ruling final and legally binding.
Following the court victory, the land was given back to the state, cancelling the land title held then by Nett Holdings Limited. The association then moved to formalize land ownership by submitting documentation to the Department of Lands and Physical Planning. They also engaged with the NCD Physical Planning Board, which advised them to resolve land title issues first.
However, the association later discovered that Natt Holdings Limited had already been issued a land title, which is an action they allege was done improperly. This led to a fraud complaint involving the Office of the Surveyor General, with investigations still pending.
Buka further revealed that their submission has since been vetted by the Minister for Lands and Physical Planning’s technical team and deemed compliant. A ministerial directive was issued on November 2, 2025, by Minister John Rosso, instructing the Lands Department to process the submission. A similar directive was also issued by then National Chief Physical Planner, now Director of the National Mapping Bureau, Billy Lainus.
Despite these directives, the association claims no action has been taken to date.
Chairman Thomas Irai strongly criticized the recent eviction notice, describing it as questionable and lacking proper legal backing. He called on ACP Turi to provide official court documents, including transcripts and formal orders, to validate the eviction.
“This is the second eviction notice served using the same court orders from 2016,” Irai said. “We are now testing its legality and legitimacy.”
He further alleged that the land title granted to Natt Holdings from New Erima Primary School to Wildlife Zone Two was issued fraudulently, adding that supporting documents have been submitted to authorities including the Ombudsman Commission and Transparency International PNG.
Irai also raised concerns over the lack of prior notice or consultation with affected residents before the eviction order was issued.
In closing, the association is calling on key authorities including the Department of Lands and Physical Planning, the Office of the Minister for Lands, NCD Governor Powes Parkop, and Moresby Northeast MP John Kaupa, to intervene and facilitate the issuance of an Urban Development Lease (UDL), which they say has been under dispute for more than 15 years.
The Wildlife Zone One Community Development Association maintains that it is a registered entity with the Investment Promotion Authority and remains united in its fight to secure rightful ownership of the land.