Two-mile evictions expose urban planning failures
Abau MP and Shadow Minister for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Sir Puka Temu, says the recent evictions at Two Mile are the result of long-standing failures in urban planning, land administration and governance, not a sudden or isolated event.
In a statement, Sir Puka said the National Capital District had failed over many years to properly manage city planning, allowing illegal structures to grow unchecked into full settlements due to weak enforcement and poor coordination between agencies.
"When authorities allow illegal developments to become entrenched over many years, sudden evictions become inevitable, and the human cost is borne by ordinary families rather than those responsible for the failures,” he said.
Sir Puka also criticised the lack of practical planning for vacant State land in Port Moresby, noting that large areas remain undeveloped despite growing demand for affordable housing.
He said informal occupation was allowed to take root instead of organised housing development.
He stressed that illegal settlements must be dealt with responsibly, calling for proper social and land-use studies before evictions take place, and for relocation to serviced areas with access to water, sanitation, roads, schools and health services.
The Shadow Minister also called for closer collaboration with Motu Koita Assembly leaders to formally declare customary land and grant appropriate State titles, particularly in areas such as Taurama Valley and Gerehu.
Sir Puka voiced strong support for the Parliamentary Committee on Customary Land and urged Parliament to pass customary land legislation during the March sitting, describing the reform as long overdue.
He also backed the proposed Vagrancy Bill, saying urban drift is driven by lack of services and opportunities in rural areas.
“Evictions alone are not a solution,” Sir Puka said,
Sir Puka said, only strong urban planning, land reform and rural development will prevent similar situations in the future.