Central Governor Rufina Peter visited displaced Goilala families now sheltering at Kassman Residence in Badili, following their recent eviction from 2 Mile in Port Moresby city. 

During her visit, the Governor questioned the handling of the eviction and drew comparisons to a similar exercise at Baruni last year.

“Back in the previous eviction in Baruni, the incident happened but the police did not carry out thorough investigation and used the opportunity to go and destroy the place and within a week they let private sectors fence up the place,” she said.

“What is the motive there, are we waiting for an opportunity? And it’s exactly the same situation that is happening here.”

Governor Peter also raised concerns about resettlement.

“In the way that it is treated and the way the resettlements are done and with no Goilala people from Rabiagini given places to resettle — it’s an evident of deliberate target discrimination,” she stated.

However, she acknowledged limits to her authority.

“It’s not my jurisdiction, that is why I didn’t come out to speak on the matter.”

Community leader Atu Laian also appealed to authorities.

“So, that is why I am asking the national government to seriously look into this, because I am 54 years old, and I was born here, I was educated here and I never know Goilala and how it looks like because I don’t have a place in Goilala and I understand the fact that I belong to Rabiagini and this is where I’m going to stay and going to die,” he said.

He questioned whether relocation plans exist for affected families.

Governor Peter urged calm and responsibility within the community, encouraging peaceful coexistence as discussions continue.

No formal relocation plan has yet been announced by the city authorities.