Jayapura, Jubi – Residents of Port Moresby and citizens across the country have been urged to stop unfairly branding the Goilala people in a negative light.  That’s the call from the Prime Minister.

His office, Thursday, issued a statement, wherein Prime Minister James Marape says he strongly rejects these ‘attempts to unfairly label or stereotype the people of Goilala following recent incidents of lawlessness in the National Capital District [NCD].

The Prime Minister says its just the actions of a few individuals, and should not be used ‘to brand an entire district or community’.

His statement comes following the recent eviction at Two-Mile Hill in the metropolitan city.

“The people of Goilala, as a whole, cannot and must not be branded like this,” the prime minister’s statement goes on to say.

“A few individuals in the city may engage in unlawful behaviour, just as happens with people from other parts of the country, but that does not mean all Goilala people are bad or involved in criminal activities.”

This comes after the country celebrated its 50 years of nationhood, a country unified through multiple diverse ethnicity, culture, tradition and languages.

The Prime Minister said such generalisations only create division and undermine national unity.

“I strongly discourage this type of branding,” he said.

“We must stop painting our people with one brush and instead hold individual troublemakers accountable for their own criminal actions.”

The Prime Minister’s statement goes on to state that he will personally meet with Goilala leaders soon.

“I will personally reach out to Goilala leaders and their people, including the Governor for Central Province, Rufina Peter, and the Member for Goilala, Casmiro Aia,” he said.

“We will work together to resolve the present issues and put in place long-term solutions in close coordination with NCD leadership.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape has announced plans to personally meet with Goilala leaders to find a solution to the displacement of Goilala people following the recent Two-Mile Hill eviction in Port Moresby.

The Prime Minister’s intervention comes amid public debate and growing concern after some Goilala people were unfairly labelled as criminals following law and order incidents linked to the eviction.

Marape has strongly rejected this narrative, stressing that an entire district must not be judged by the actions of a few.

He said such generalisations deepen division and undermine national unity, particularly at a time when many families are facing uncertainty after being displaced.

The PM said people of Goilala have long played a key role in building the nation’s capital and deserve fair treatment.

“Goilalas come from this part of the country whose sweat, blood and labour have helped build this city,” he said.

In response to the current situation, Marape confirmed he will take a hands-on approach by engaging directly with Goilala leadership.

“I will personally reach out to Goilala leaders and their people, including the Governor for Central Province, Rufina Peter, and the Member for Goilala, Casmiro Aia,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the National Government is working closely with the National Capital District Commission [NCDC], under Governor Powes Parkop, Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko, Moresby
North East MP John Kaupa and Moresby North West MP Lohia Boe Samuel, together with city authorities.

“We will work together to resolve the present issues and put in place long-term solutions in close coordination with NCD leadership.”

He said discussions will focus on managing settlement growth, addressing law and order concerns, and ensuring displaced families are treated with dignity, as the government works towards a coordinated and humane solution.

“For those who are legitimately employed in the city, we will ensure proper and lawful resettlement arrangements,” Marape said, adding that, “For those who are not employed, we will work with respective provincial governments, including Central Province and others, to assist our people to return home in a dignified, coordinated and humane manner.”

Meantime, the local MP for Goilala has been urged to identify a safe and suitable location for the evicted settlers of 2-mile.

The call comes from a Goilala Community leader Sakias Mana, who said the evicted communities desperately need security and freedom at this time.

Speaking in Port Moresby, Mana said, “We plead with you to act swiftly with empathy and allocate a temporary venue or location for our distressed families including our mother’s, daughters, children and elders from the cruel police, and provide them the protection they desperately need at this time.”

He says despite the discrimination against them as non-law-abiding citizens, “what has happened is in the past, now we seek security and freedom”.

“We know you have been silent since the cruel eviction, your intervention will bring relief to our broken hearts and save our loved ones from further hardship,” he said. (*)