Tkatchenko calls for COI into Paga Hill land acquisition

Hon. Justin Tkatchenko with Paga Hill settlers . Photo supplied . 

PNG  Minister for Sports and member for Port Moresby South, Justin Tkatchenko says he will  be writing to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, for the establishment of a Commission of Enquiry into details surrounding the Acquisition of the Paga Hill land, and the manner in which this process took place.

 "Over the next couple of days, I will also be pointing the United Nations to the horrific conditions that our resettled Paga Hill community have had to struggle to be content with, over the last 5-6 years". he said.

"While the Resettlement Program has been hailed a model program for displaced communities, conditions on the ground are far worse than the picture that has been painted.
Serious humanitarian particulars have been breached, at the cost of the lives of 36 families, and justice must be demanded" . .he said

He says, politics has been  involved in the acquisition of the land and  he accused the head of the Paga Hill Development Company for playing politics.

"Additionally, the latest actions of Gudmunder Fridrickson - Head of the Paga Hill Development Company must also be questioned.

Mr Fridrickson apparently invited a key member of the Moresby South Development Team to a meeting, and pledged K1mil support for him to contest the Moresby South seat. The reason for his pledge apparently, was to drive his ultimate intent to ensure that I was not voted back in the upcoming elections, and prevent my constant attacks on the Paga Hill Development

I am not one to back down from a challenge, however when a foreigner goes to such extreme to prevent opposition for such a controversial project, we have to be very concerned.
We must ask the tough questions, when an Individual or Organization commits to such actions, as it says a lot about their real motive and priority.

What has transpired will not deter our efforts, and we will continue to commit to the fight for justice and a fair go for our people, against the greed of individuals with motives aside from goodness for our people". he said.