The Chief Administrator of the Papua New Guinea area of Bougainville says a split among local landowners may have led to the closing of Buka Airport this week.
A group from Ieta, Village occupied the runway and sent a message to the authorities of the airport's closure on Tuesday.
The occupation was against the wishes of a rival faction of landowners.
Chris Siriosi negotiated an agreement to reopen the airport and he says they want to know that compensation for the land is coming.
The PNG and Bougainville governments have been given two weeks to prove that over 2-million US dollars is available.
But Mr Siriosi says the money will only be given to one united group.
"Our commitment is for us to make the money available. Now it's a matter for them to unite. We may have to enlist the help of other regions of Bougainville to work with the chiefs of the village and their landowners to try and unite, using both custom and common sense."
The Chief Administrator of Bougainville, Chris Siriosi.
