Land row shuts school

BY PEARSON KOLO

The tussle between two clans in the Jiwaka Province over rights to the land where Fatima Secondary School is located has resulted in numerous roadblocks in front of the school.

The two clans of Banz involved are the Kulaka and the Andapong clans, which are blocking the road into Fatima Secondary and Catholic mission station.

The clans have lodged a K13 million compensation claim for the land with the Government and are still waiting for the payment to be made.

Jiwaka provincial police commander Joseph Tondop confirmed that there is a dispute between the two clans on who should be the legitimate one to receive the money.

Mr Tondop said the issue is very sensitive and urged interested parties to deal with it through proper ways.

“The Fatima Secondary School is situated on the land of both clans and therefore the dispute and roadblocks have arised,” Superintendent Tondop said.

“Who is really the legitimate landowner and who is not or how the compensation money will be fairly distributed must be discussed and reached.”

Supt Tondop called on the Jiwaka provincial executives and leaders to deal with the issue in a way that a peaceful agreement can be reached.

Meanwhile, a community leader from the Banz area has lashed out at Jiwaka provincial administrator Michael Wandil for a media statement attributed to him (Wandil) that the land belongs to the Andpang clan.

The leader, John Mala, said it is not appropriate for the provincial administrator to make such statements in the media and stir up trouble. The road into the school is still blocked.