Local businessman and lands consultant Joe Tonde has backed Prime Minister James Marape’s call to slow down mass evictions in Port Moresby, while maintaining that a complete halt is necessary until proper processes are followed.
He said his position supports the Prime Minister’s concerns but goes further in urging authorities to immediately stop all evictions in the National Capital District.
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Prime Minister Marape in a statement has called for a slowdown of evictions, emphasizing that due process and fairness must be upheld.
“Evictions must be carried out in a proper, lawful and humane manner, with full respect for the rights of our people,” he said, warning that rushed or unlawful evictions could worsen hardship for vulnerable communities.
Mr. Tonde in a statement has called for the immediate suspension and halt of all mass evictions in Port Moresby.
He stated that evictions must be stopped due to serious concerns over process and impact on communities in the city.
Mr. Tonde’s announcement follows the submission of a letter to the Ombudsman Commission for investigation last Friday.
Mr. Tonde outlined key reasons for stopping the evictions:
■ People are being evicted from sections and allotments without proper process.
■Multiple land titles exist for some areas, leading to disputes and court cases.
■Evictions are proceeding despite ongoing court processes.
■Some evictions may be driven by personal interests; and,
■Court orders are being misinterpreted or ignored.
Mr. Tonde stressed that evictions should only proceed after proper verification of land titles.
He acknowledged the work of acting ACP for Central and NCD Command, Benjamin Turi.
Tonde called for authorities to ensure proper checks are in place before evictions.
He proposed a coordination process involving key authorities to review eviction cases and ensure legal requirements are met.
Mr. Tonde warned that evictions are causing hardship and displacement, with 25 deaths recorded in his data.
He called on leaders and authorities to follow proper processes and stop evictions without due process.
“The country is facing challenges like kina value dropped, grey listed, and more. We must contribute to nation-building with honesty and transparency,” Mr. Tonde said in a statement.