Permanent land titles for Manam Islanders

The National Government through Prime Minister James Marape has apologized to the people of Manam, in Bogia, Madang Province - for the neglect over the years regarding their proper resettlement.

The Manam volcanic eruption in 2004 has seen thousands displaced and temporarily settled across 3 care centres across the mainland.

Mr Marape says the Government is working with the district development authority to look for land to give permanent land and titles to these Islanders, after honoring a 10-million-kina commitment made on 24th May.

The PM says he wants similar arrangements to what was done with the displaced people of Mt. Tavurvur and Vulcan in East New Britain, after the 1994 eruptions, which saw about 200 titles given to them.

Marape says, the same will apply for the Kadovar people of East Sepik, following the eruption in 2018.

He was responding to a series of questions from Madang Provincial MP Ramsey Pariwa in Parliament this week.