Governor Allan Bird urged to address hardship from boundary shift

Villagers in Angoram are appealing directly to East Sepik Governor Allan Bird to intervene in the ongoing dispute over the newly created Middle Sepik electoral boundary, warning that the changes will bring hardship to their people.

Community spokesperson Libert Sangundi said the boundary shift has left families anxious about losing access to services and representation they have relied on for decades.

"Our people are worried that being moved into a new district without consultation will make it harder to access government services, schools, health facilities and even basic infrastructure support," Sangundi explained. "We are calling on Governor Bird to hear our concerns and ensure that our voices are not ignored."

The Kanda communities argue that the decision to place their customary land into the Middle Sepik District was made without adequate consultation, despite petitions submitted last year and again in March 2026.

They say the lack of response from authorities has deepened frustration and uncertainty.

Villagers fear that the boundary change could disrupt their livelihoods, especially those who depend on Angoram Station for trade, transport and administrative services.

Sangundi noted that many families already face challenges with road access, market opportunities and health care, and the boundary shift risks worsening these conditions.

"We are not opposing reforms, but we want to understand why our people were moved without being consulted. If this decision stands, it will create unnecessary hardship for ordinary families who depend on Angoram for survival," he said.
The communities are urging Governor Bird to step in and facilitate dialogue between the Electoral Boundaries Commission, the Angoram District Development Authority and the affected villages.

They say his leadership is critical to restoring trust and ensuring that development priorities are not undermined by administrative changes.

NBC News is in communication with relevant stakeholders to gather their responses regarding the unrest and the concerns raised by the Kanda communities. Their comments had not been received at the time of publication.