Illegal squatters at 9-mile Bush Wara served with seven days notice to vacate NSL land
Illegal squatters residing on Portions 2156, 2157, and 2159 at Nine Mile, Bush Wara in Port Moresby were once again served with the seven-day notice yesterday to voluntarily vacate the land before the eviction exercise commences next week.
The settlers as of today have only six days remaining to vacate the land.
The acting commander of National Capital District and Central Province Assistant Commissioner of Police, Peter Guinness, confirmed that police and sheriff officers were on location at the three portions of land distributing the seven-day notice to the people to vacate the land before next week Thursday.
He said while serving the notice they also came across people who were removing their houses.
He said those that are removing their houses and other valuable properties are doing the right thing.
“Police officers also approached some of them who were removing their houses and mentioned that they had been living there for more than a decade but had no choice but to move out because there was a court order in place," ACP Guinness said.
"The families who took heed of the awareness and are voluntarily removing their properties are commended for doing that."
He said police officers have been on site carrying out awareness and, informing and reminding the squatters.
He said on 12 March 2024, the Waigani National Court granted leave to Nambawan Super Limited [NSL] to issue Writs of Possession to illegal squatters at Bush Wara.
The Court gave a 120-day grace period for the illegal squatters residing at the three [3] portions to voluntarily vacate the land.
“From that 120 days, 114 days have already gone and only a handful of people have taken heed and voluntarily vacated the land," he said.
"The others who are still residing there must start to move now before next week on Thursday when the eviction will start.
"My police officers and the Sheriff officers have been doing awareness since April 07th, 2024, which is good.
"By now all the illegal squatters residing there have been informed of the grace period and eviction exercise that will commence on Thursday, July 11."
ACP Guinness further added that the Supreme Court, on June 26th, had dismissed an appeal filed by the illegal squatters regarding the court order dated March 12.
He said the police are preparing to act on the court orders and will continue to carry out the awareness until Wednesday, July 10 which is the final day of the grace period.
He said with only six days remaining, the people must listen and move out to another location.
He encouraged them to not listen to people claiming that they could keep them on the land as the Court had already dismissed the appeal.
He urged them to start dismantling their properties and materials now so that they do not get destroyed during the eviction exercise.
ACP Guinness once again reiterated that the eviction exercise will commence on July 11, which is next week Thursday.