Tatana leaders air frustrations

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 11, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

LEADERS from Tatana village in Port Moresby took the opportunity to express to the prime minister on their lack of participation in project developments along the capital city’s coastline for many years.

Their concerns were made during the opening of their secretariat building of the Tatana-Araira Development Association (TADA)- where both the TADA chairman and his deputy spoke of the time to take what is rightfully theirs.

Deputy Chairman and village councilor Tom Lancan said his people have owned their land for centuries, and they are now determined to recover their losses from the new port development through land and environment impact claims.

“We have sacrificed for too long our land in the name of development and the expansion of this city. As you can see our lifestyles have never changed and your (Prime Minister O’Neill) presence here hopefully my people can hear some good from you,” Lancan said.

In addition TADA Chairman and Acting Motu Koita Assembly Chairman, Opao Udia stated their intentions to have a broader look from the traditional compensation methods to more sustainable business arrangements.

“While as a community our original issue was to protest the relocation of the port of Port Moresby to Motukea in Tatana Bay, which is where our village is located.”

“In response to the public announcement by Micah we have taken a broad look at the future. The port relocation is a hectic move on top of the enormous social and environmental impact, and past development activities have had on our lives.”

“Right before our eyes in bright daylight the government and the private sector in separate marriages took away the very source of livelihood- sea passages, shores, reefs, land and others.”

He said that despite there being no consultation, compensation, partnership, and participation- they like many quiet people in the Papuan Region did not react because the strong arm of the government threatened and deprived them of their undeniable rights.

In his response to the concerns- Prime Minister O’Neill stated that he understood the wrongs done to the villagers, adding that the deeds were done by previous governments.

“I know that there have been many wrongs in the past. I cannot speak for other governments.”

“I was not there to represent our people in some of those discussions, but I can say today that this government’s focus is on the welfare of our children.”

“It is about legacy and what you leave behind for the future generation. What we can leave for the future of our kids.”

“Today we are on the right path and I know that other businesses that have operated in the area have not developed strong partnership with the community,” O’Neill said.

He said that it is time government owned enterprises take the lead first and then we will encourage other investors to follow our example of fair settlement and compensation.

“Making sure that the participation of ownership and making sure that our people get the right compensation for what is rightfully theirs,” he said.