The governor of Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby says more needs to be done to accommodate West Papuan refugees in the country.
Rainbow settlement in Port moresby, Papua New Guinea, where West Papuan refugees have squatted for years. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
Powes Parkop is in the process of securing 10 hectares of freehold land at Red Hills in Gerehu for more than a thousand West Papuans scattered across the National Capital District.
Governor Parkop said for decades West Papuan refugees have squatted in various locations around Port Moresby only to be evicted and moved around from place to place.
Powes Parkop, the governor of Papua New Guinea's National Capital District. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
He said the new tract of land would give West Papuans a home away from home and hopefully allow them to coexist with dignity in PNG.
" The concept is to not just provide a venue for refugees. We are going to build a West Papuan City. It is a cultural place for them an identity for them a place where they can celebrate themselves as West Papuans. Thinking about where they come from and what their future would be. This is the vision that I have."
NCDC Governor Powes Parkop