Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Papua settlers face eviction from PNG homes

Posted at 22:53 on 18 September, 2007 UTC

More than 500 settlers from Indonesia’s Papua province living at the 8-Mile Settlement outside Papua New Guinea’s capital are likely to be evicted today by the owner of the land.

The owner, former Maprik MP Sir Pita Lus, is believed to have written to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Immigration giving 14-days notice for the settlers to move off his land.

The 14 days notice expires today.

Benny Augus, vice-chairman of the West Papua community in Port Moresby says the settlers have nowhere to go if evicted.

He says the settlers have pleaded unsuccessfully with Sir Pita to reconsider his decision to evict them.