Illegal Squatters of Portions 2156, 2157 and 2159 located at 9-Mile, Bushwara have three (3) days, from Monday 8 July 2024 to voluntarily vacate the lands. This includes the removal of all building structures, makeshift houses, fences and personal belongings.
The Supreme Court's dismissal of three (3) Supreme Court Review Applications filed by illegal squatters of Portions 2156, 2157 and 2159 on Wednesday, 26 June 2024 reaffirmed Nambawan Super's rightful ownership to the Land Portions.
The Court's dismissal allows the Sheriff's Office together with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) to proceed with executing the Eviction Order for Portions 2156, 2157 and 2159, to secure vacant possession and return to NSL who own the land in trust, on behalf of its 228,319 Members.
Illegal squatters on these Land Portions were granted a 120-Day grace period that will end on Wednesday, 10 July 2024. There will be no further extension to this grace period and the Eviction Exercise will commence on Thursday, 11 July 2024, in accordance with the Orders of the National Court issued on 14 March 2024.
NSL requests the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, to ensure the carefully planned Bushwara Eviction Program for Portions 2156, 2157 and 2159 is implemented in a safe and peaceful manner. All illegal squatters are strongly urged to immediately dismantle their personal property and voluntarily vacate within the remaining three (3) days. As a Trustee, Nambawan Super Limited cannot use Members' funds to assist illegal squatters. Those would like assistance should speak to the Police located at the Site Office at Bushwara.
Background
The 9-Mile Bushwara portions 2156, 2157 and 2159 combined, represent over 200 hectares of land with illegal settlements, and an estimated population of 5,000 illegal squatters. NSL has followed all legal requirements to lawfully secure the titles of its Land Portions, including its fourth adjacent Land Portion 2158.
NSL acquired the lands in 1990, but has had to defend its title in Court until 2019, when the Court found that NSL was the owner to these portions of land. Whilst NSL was defending its titles in Court, these portions of the land were left unsupervised, leading to settlement by illegal squatters.
Since securing its rightful titles in 2019 (a period of almost 5 years), NSL has exhausted all possible options to reach a win-win outcome for itself and the illegal squatters, that would allow it to secure vacant possession. Substantial time and resources have been expended to date to secure vacant possession of these assets.
In the last three years, NSL has gone so far as to establish a project office on site to address any queries, a Police outpost, and monthly community awareness meetings to continue to remind illegal squatters to relocate voluntarily. On Sunday, 7 April 2024, NSL through its Project Site Manager, provided illegal squatters a final awareness session, reiterating the grace period provided by the Court and the need for the to commence relocating immediately.
Future Plans for 9-Mile Land
NSL is focused on protecting and growing the retirement savings of its 228,319 Members, which comprise workers in both the public and private sectors. These Members include; police personnel, teachers, nurses, correctional service personnel, and other public and private sector employees.
NSL's intentions for the site remain consistent with those from 1990, and that is to build new mixed-planned suburbs, catering to the needs of the growing Port Moresby population, creating job opportunities and injecting much-needed capital into the economy.
