Western Highlands Police have warned drivers to take all necessary measures to avoid accidents especially along the four lane highway in Mt Hagen City. Provincial Police Commander John Sagom said care must be taken as freeways provide fast movement of vehicles especially during rush hours during mornings and evenings. “Police will not hesitate to enforce traffic laws on road traffic offenders.” “PMV drivers must at all times be mindful of the fact that they were carrying passengers and utmost care must be taken when transporting them.” He said in the recent past, there have been frequent accidents occurring and this was due to unnecessary speeding. “Drivers are now warned that police will strictly enforce traffic laws on traffic lawbreakers.” PPC Sagom further added that pedestrians on the road are also urged to be cautious as accidents do occur anytime, so don't be absent minded whilst walking on pathways. This warning was reiterated after a vehicle accident this morning along the four lane highway at Kimininga, Mt Hagen city which resulted in a careless driver detained at Mt Hagen Police station. PPC John Sagom stated that the 25 seater bus drove out from Koglamp road whilst a 15 seater bus drove from the city and was heading to Kagamuga Airport. Both PMV buses were loaded with passengers when they collided, however fortunately, no one was injured. PPC Sagom says all drivers should know that Mt Hagen City now has increased number of vehicles unlike the past, and traffic laws must be observed properly. The driver of the Coaster bus was allegedly at fault by underestimating the speed of the 15 seater bus and turning out onto the freeway without care. Police attended to the accident scene and from statements by independent witnesses, the driver of the coaster bus was arrested and formally charged for driving without due care and attention.

The Enga Provincial Government Enga Mioks is set for a tough match against Mendi Muruks this Sunday at Aipus Oval in Wabag. Mioks will be banking on it's defence and attack, led by veteran Supa Kokote who led the victory against Goroka Lahanis last weekend. Muruks will be coming back from a 1-point loss, while Mioks will want to maintain its lead on the ladder for Pool A with seven straight wins so far in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup competition. With the recent landslide at Pausa being cleared, supporters are expected to flock into Wabag town.

A huge landslide at Pausa, near Lai Bridge in Wapenamanda, Enga Province has completely blocked off the highway to Wabag town and rest of Enga Province. The disaster happened Sunday afternoon near Lai River bridge, blocking the highway completely. The incident was confirmed by Enga Police in an interview with PNG HAUSBUNG. Vehicles can not get to Wapenamanda and Wabag towns and those on that side cannot pass through to get to Western Highlands Province. Military personnel are on sight ensuring the safety of travellers and passengers who are crossing the debris on foot to get on vehicles waiting on either side. It is understood that the huge boulder had come lose, causing the landslip of the whole mountainside. Clearance is expected to take two to three days.

Police in Mt Hagen city have confiscated an unregistered M-16 rifle from a drunk police officer who resisted arrest and escaped on foot this morning.  According to Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander John Sagom, the incident happened at Mt Hagen market, where careless driving pointed the suspect out.  The identity of the suspect is known, and he is said to be a policeman in Jiwaka Province.  Upon confrontation with Hagen Police he evaded arrested and escaped, leaving behind the vehicle he was driving along with the gun that had its serial number scratched off.  PPC Sagom said they will use the firearm as court exhibit, clarifying that it was a military issue one and not of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC). 

Member for Wapenamanda Mickey Kaeok has plans to build a fly-over bridge across a dangerous section of the road in his electorate. Mr. Kaeok, who is the Vice Minister for Works and Highways, said his District Plan included the district’s vision to build a fly-over bridge, over the existing road from Pausa to Wapenamanda over the fast-flowing Lai river. The plan was revealed during the launching of the District five-year development plan officiated by Prime Minister James Marape this week at Wapenamanda. Marape congratulated Kaeok for a simple but visionary plan. The electorate was also privileged to received K15 million out of a total of K28 million presented for various projects in Enga province. Meanwhile, Marape took the opportunity at the launching of the five- year plan to also encouraged the people of Wapenamanda to get into agriculture and SMEs. Marape told the people that the work on the Lumusa Wapenamanda road would see more opportunities for local farmers because fresh garden produce and livestock production can be increased.

Bus crews for Highlands Highway PMVs will soon have  regulations when at Mt Hagen City bus stops. Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander John Sagom said that he would be advising his men regarding security of travelers and passengers at the bus stops in the city. The announcement follows complaints about the so called "K5 Boskru," a term used for street youths who temporarily engage themselves with PMV drivers and crews to collect passengers in order to receive tips. It is a daily happening that timid passengers and travelers were  forced into buses by the "K5 bus crews" without even giving them opportunities to decide for themselves. The new regulations will see genuine Bus Crews with permits, and to have only bus crews themselves do their jobs. This is also to get petty criminals away from bus stops. More information  on this regulation will be announced in the coming days.

Police in Kagua, Southern Highlands Province have arrested and locked up four men who were under influence of home brew known as Paiawara. The four suspects from Porane village, outside Kagua station were apprehended at Kagua Police station and taken to Ialibu Police cells on Wednesday evening. Local Police Officer Gene Mathew said it is a warning to all citizens of Kagua Erave that Police will not tolerate marijuana and home brew in the district. The arrest comes a week after Kagua police issued a strong warning to people in the area to refrain from consumption, production and selling of marijuana and home brew after police uprooted huge gardens of marijuana at the Yaguri and Mapata wards . The four suspects were charged at Ialibu Police station. Kagua Police warned that anymore fire wara/homebrew suspects will be transported out of Kagua as soon as they are taken in by police. This means there is no escape through bribes and enticements to police.

Police in Kagua, Southern Highlands Province have warned the people not to cultivate, consume or sell Marijuana or face the full force of the law. Last week, Kagua Police led by the Highway 21 Officer In Charge Gene Mathew and Francis Puri entered parts of Aiya LLG upon requests from local leaders. The unit entered identified marijuana gardens in Yaguri and Mapata Wards and uprooted the plants. Police said the wards around Wabi Lutheran Mission in the Aiya LLG are known to have people there having big areas growing with marijuana plants as well. The police and district law and justice leaders from those council wards are expected work together to reduce the crime of marijuana and home brew consumption giving rise to social problems. It is understood that marijuana bags are also used in exchange for firearms with illegal traders along the borders of Western and Gulf Provinces. Southern Highlands Eastern End Police Commander Philip Kumo has been commended for the efforts in the fight against the illicit drug. Meanwhile few of the suspects involved in cultivating marijuana in Kagua were taken to Ialibu Police cells yesterday while police continue to crackdown on the use of the illicit substance.

Air Niugini flights out of Kagamuga Airport in Mt Hagen to Port Moresby had to be cancelled this morning. This is due to the fuel supplier Puma Energy being unable to access US dollars to purchase Jet A1 fuel to supply Air Niugini and other airlines around  the country. This newsroom checked at Kagamuga Airport this morning and flights PX  181, PX 183 and PX 185  for this morning had been cancelled. A notice at the airport gate has advised customers to rebook their flights at the Air Niugini office in Mt Hagen city. It is not certain if there are going to be any flights in the evening and the next day.

New Year celebration in Mt Hagen city, Western Highlands was pretty peaceful. Unlike past Christmas and New Year periods, the current liquor ban and show of police presence instilled control of sorts. It began with a convoy of police vehicles that drove around Mt Hagen city in a show of force and followed by routine patrols around the city. There were minor alcohol and traffic related offences attended to in the night but police maintain that most streets in the city were empty by nightfall. It was further observed that the liquor ban also resulted in many residents remaining sober this festive season and keeping the disturbance to a minimum.

Southern Highlands Police have enforced a liquor ban for the Christmas and New Year operations. Provincial Police Commander Joseph Puri told this newsroom that his men were also doing Christmas and New Year operations under the code name, Silent Night for Southern Highlands Province. PPC Puri said there has not been any support from the provincial government for enforcement of liquor ban though it is in place. The PPC says he had planned for a bigger awareness on peace and good order but due to lack of support, has to proceed with normal policing during the festive season. PPC Puri further urged all Southern Highlanders to celebrate the festive season peacefully and safely into the New Year.

Western Highlands Police will have a toll free (hotline) number in the New Year, to assist the people effectively in terms of Law and Order. The plan according to the Provincial Government is already underway, with the toll free number 2222 (twenty two, twenty two) already secured. Executive Officer to the Provincial Government John Bak made the announcement to Mt Hagen Police recently, while presenting a cheque for the Christmas and New Year operations. Mr Bak said the toll free number will be printed on the three new vehicles to be presented to Western Highlands Police soon. He added that with K70,000 raised for the toll free number operations, the provincial government would also renovate and improve facilities at the police station. Meanwhile, on behalf of the Provincial Government, Bak commended Mt Hagen Police for improvement in attending to ethnic clashes within the city and cooling tensions within reasonable time.