An eviction exercise involving 24 families at Bomana, Port Moresby, ended peacefully on September 1, with prayer, worship, fellowship and a commitment from the Central Papua Conference (CPC) to assist affected families with resettlement.
The families have occupied a portion of land at Bomana for several years. The land is titled to the Papua New Guinea Adventist Association (PNGAA) and has been identified for future church development.
CPC officers, accompanied by three police officers, visited the area to formally serve the families with three-month eviction notices. The exercise followed earlier discussions between CPC, local church representatives and the occupants regarding the church’s plans for the property and possible relocation arrangements.
CPC leaders explained that the church was seeking a peaceful and compassionate approach to the situation. CPC has been engaging with landowners in neighbouring communities to acquire or purchase land that could be subdivided into smaller portions for families who wish to relocate.
“Our approach was not simply to ask these families to leave. We wanted to find a peaceful and compassionate way forward. We are working with neighbouring landowners to identify suitable land for those who wish to relocate, while also allowing the church to move forward with its plans for this property,” said Pr Lonnel Winnie, CPC president.
The families have been given three months to vacate the Bomana site. Those who would like CPC’s assistance with resettlement have been asked to register their interest during September, allowing the Conference to organise the necessary arrangements.
The offer was received positively by the occupants, with many expressing their willingness to relocate if suitable land could be arranged.
“We are happy with the way the church has approached us. We are willing to move, and we appreciate that the church is also considering our situation and helping us find a place to resettle,” said a representative of the affected families.
Of the 24 families, approximately five or six are Adventist, while the others are not members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The families are from the same ethnic community.
The peaceful nature of the exercise also stood out to the police officers who accompanied the CPC team. The notices were received and signed without confrontation.
Following the signing, CPC representatives, church members, police officers and the occupants gathered for prayer and worship. Church members then shared refreshments and lunch with the families and police officers.
With the three-month notice period now underway, CPC will continue working with interested families and neighbouring landowners to explore suitable resettlement options.
