Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has acknowledged the hardship faced by residents affected by recent eviction exercises in Port Moresby and assured the public that the Government is implementing a long-term, planned approach to address unplanned settlements while protecting citizens who have lived and worked in the city for generations.

Responding to a question from a journalist, the Prime Minister apologised to families and individuals experiencing distress as a result of ongoing evictions, noting that while some actions occur at municipal level, the national government remains mindful of the human impact involved.

“I want to apologise to our people who are facing duress under the evictions that are taking place,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Where land is not properly titled, people must understand that evictions can occur, but that does not mean government will abandon its responsibility to plan properly for our citizens.”

Prime Minister Marape said the Government has already begun addressing long-standing urban housing challenges through a structured land acquisition and suburban development programme, in partnership with the Port Moresby North East District and relevant authorities.

“We do not want Port Moresby to become a city of unplanned settlements,” he said. “It is in our national interest to properly plan how people live in our capital city.”

The Prime Minister emphasised that many residents affected by evictions are second-, third-, and even fourth- generation Port Moresby citizens whose parents and grandparents have lived in the city for decades.

“These are citizens of our country,” he said. “If they are employed or have called Port Moresby home for generations, they are entitled to proper lease arrangements and secure land tenure.”

Prime Minister Marape said no previous government had adequately addressed this issue, but the current administration has committed significant funding to correct the situation.

“We have already committed more than K20 million for land mapping, clearance and identification,” he said. “Work is progressing to create between 5,000 and 7,000 properly planned residential allotments, including in areas such as Nine Mile and Six Mile.”

He said he would receive a full briefing on the current eviction situation and would meet with the National Capital District leadership to ensure relocation is handled in a humane and orderly manner.

“We do not want to relocate or isolate citizens completely,” he said. “Those who have lived here for generations or are gainfully employed must be properly allocated land, not pushed into informal or unsafe locations.”

Prime Minister Marape also acknowledged the concerns of communities already relocated, including residents from Garden Hills and West Papuan communities, saying these groups would be prioritised in discussions with city leaders.

At the same time, the Prime Minister urged recent migrants to Port Moresby to seek opportunities in their home districts, noting that government funding has been fairly distributed nationwide to support education, small businesses, agriculture and job creation.

“Your first point of reference should be your district,” he said. “Do not congest the city unnecessarily when opportunities exist across the country.”

Prime Minister Marape said the Government will announce a permanent, national plan to eliminate unplanned settlements in Port Moresby and create properly titled residential allotments before the end of the second quarter of 2026.

“We ask our people to bear with us as we go through this phase,” he said. “Our intention is clear — a properly planned capital city where citizens can own land, build homes, and live with dignity.”