People are moving into Port Moresby for their own reasons, which each individual only knows. However, where they will settle to achieve their aims is another problem, as they are moving onto vacant land without the permission of traditional landowners or the title holder of the land.
This morning (Saturday, November 29, 2025), a group of illegal settlers was given seven days’ notice by Central Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Joseph Salle and his team at Siraka, outside Gerehu Stage Seven in the Moresby North West District. According to the police, the land that the settlers are occupying is traditional land that belongs to the people of Central Province.
PPC Salle said the landowners were surprised to see buildings going up without their knowledge, which made them approach the settlers and question them about why they were moving in there. PPC Salle said that upon questioning them, they found out that a man had advised them to move in, claiming that he had purchased the land and that it belonged to him, allowing the people to settle there.
“I am now calling on the settlers who purchased the land from the third party who claimed to be the landowner to come forward and file a formal complaint so the police can arrest him. Since the traditional landowners have come forward and stated that they never sold land to anyone and did not allow anyone to settle at Siraka, those who are settling there are illegal settlers and will be removed after seven days. I want them to come to the Central Provincial Police Headquarters at Gordons and file a complaint if they received the notice and paid money to the third party who claimed to be the landowner,” PPC Salle said.
He further added that most of those who went there are individuals who had been evicted from settlements around NCD.
PPC Salle further called on people who are purchasing land from individuals claiming to be landowners to verify the land documents to ensure they are dealing with genuine sellers. This way, they will not regret having to vacate the land they are residing on in the future.
PPC Salle and the team served notices to illegal settlers identified by the landowners, instructing them to move out before the seven-day period lapses, or they will be forcefully evicted.
End.
