Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands

Koitabuans' cause wins PM's backing

MORESBY North-East MP Caspar Wollom has called for a separate electorate for the "greatly disadvantaged" Motu-Koitabuans who are the traditional landowners in the National Capital District.

And Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has thrown his weight behind the call, saying he would raise it with the independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) to consider. Sir Michael also affirmed that there would be amendments in the National Capital District Commission Act to restore the Motu-Koitabuans voice back through their NCD MPs and the Motu-Koitabu Local Level Government.

Mr Wollom, a former army officer and businessman who is originally from Duke of York Islands in East New Britain, supported mainly by the strong Highlands community in the North-East electorate, raised the issue in Parliament on Friday. "The nation's capital is made up of a multi-racial community residing in the land belonging to the people of Motu-Koitabu," he said. "Because of these, the real landowners have been greatly disadvantaged. These groups of people have their own land, culture, tradition and most importantly identity of a community in PNG. However, the political structure in the nation's capital does not recognise the existence and importance of this people in the nation's capital."

He asked if Sir Michael could direct the EBC to create a special electorate for people of Motu-Koitabu, including the possibility of splitting the Kairuku-Hiri electorate into two. "If this is not possible, can the Prime Minister further amend the NCDC Act to give more political and financial autonomy to the people of the Motu-Koitabu?" Mr Wollom asked. Sir Michael sympathised with the plight of the Motu-Koitabuans and others like the Aihis of Lae city and the traditional Hagen people in Hagen who were often marginalised by the influx of other people.

"I've always believed that in the interests of the Motu-Koitabu people, NCD should have been divided and more say would have been given to NCD. I think there were plans and there were legislation in place," Sir Michael said, adding the previous Morauta government had changed the Act.

He said the impact was that the Motu Koitabuans' right to this representation was taken away and the legislation made it "impossible for the Motu-Koitabuans to be recognised". "I'd like to give the assurance to the House that after when everything is settled, I would be looking at the possibility of looking at making a re-introduction - making a repeal or an amendment - so that Motu-Koitabuans can be represented in first the city," Sir Michael said.

He said that neither he as Prime Minister nor Parliament could legally direct the boundaries commission to create a new electorate for Motu Koitabuans "What I can do is raise your matter with the EBC and of course, that's something that's entirely up to them," he said, assuring the MP that he would do that. He said the concern applied to all those owning land where cities and towns stood.

Source: Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, 10 December 2002

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