As soon as the welcoming ceremony of the newly appointed Internal Security Minister, Mr. Peter Tsiamalili Jnr had come to a close, he did not waste time to address the public to inform the nation of his first steps as Minister. Speaking of the Code of ethics of the police he said that there may be challenges within the workforce that has allowed many of the police personnel to drop their guard. “I have already made it clear that he [Police commissioner Manning] sets the bench mark. I will have expectations that we need to then go back to having…
Author: Helen-Jennifer BUBUWAU
The Commissioner of the Correctional Services, Mr. Steven Pokanis has welcomed the formation of the new cabinet and welcomed the idea of working closely with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary under the introduction of the new Ministry, which is the Internal Security, and will be headed by Peter Tsiamalili Jnr. Commissioner Pokanis stated that he sees a lot of good with this arrangement as traditionally, they have been working closely with the Police Force and taking this option to merger both security forces under one ministry, he noted that he sees a lot of opportunities in this venture. “I…
The hard working staff of the Western Provincial Health Authority are working hard to combat the spread of misinformation around Covid-19 and the vaccination. Director for Public Health WPHA, Mr. Mathias Bauri and the Manager for the Covid-19 response unit, Mr. Segela Kagole who is responsible for conducting surveillance activities with regards to covid testing & vaccinations. Advised that Community and engagement activities for awareness and education, advised that they are conducting awareness and education for counter-attacking the spread of Misinformation and the myths surrounding Covid vaccinations and Covid itself. “It is evident in Western Province that misinformation is a…
Fighting has erupted in Mendi Town after it was alleged that ballot boxes for the Southern Highlands Regional seat were burnt at 3am yesterday morning. It is also alleged that the combatants are supporters of various regional candidates and those of sitting Governor William Powi. Due to the sporadic fighting in town, schools were closed down and students sent home. According to Mendi Secondary School Principle, Mr. Paias Mario advised that fighting erupted between both factions at 8am yesterday morning. “Roads were blocked and half of the number of students were present for classes, so I had to suspend classes…
Even though extra time has been allocated for counting to wrap up in areas where counting is still on going, NCD is making history as the most delayed and disrupted electorate in the country. Yesterday Quality Checks had to be halted before the resumption of count 19 due to the scrutineers demanding the serial numbers for both the ballot boxes and the papers, which according to the counting officials should not be the case. Benjamin Wapa, an Assistant Returning Officer from the North-West electorate, assisting the counting for the Regional seat, explained that as per the advice from the Election…
BSP Group CEO, Robin Fleming upon confirming this said, BSP Sub Branches in Koroba, Kabwum, Mutzing, and just yesterday Chuave, have closed their doors due to security issues related to the 2022 National General Elections while, BSP Porgera branch was closed last month following tribal fighting in the Porgera valley. Fleming said, “We closed BSP Chuave Sub Branch yesterday after the office complex, which BSP operates from, was ransacked by supporters of losing candidates. We also had to close BSP Mendi branch earlier this week due to election related unrest. Mendi branch is now open for business, however, we are…
“Nobody is above the law.” This was the exact stance taken by Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Welly on the arrest of incumbent EHP Governor, Peter Numu yesterday. The Governor was arrested alongside 133 of his supporters and a close protection officer, after the supporters instigated an altercation with the security personnel whilst demanding the early declaration of the MP. “Well obviously nobody is above the law and basically we just have to process everyone of them, let them go to court and let the courts deal with them,” Supt. Welly said. Meanwhile, security in the province is…
Supporters of the incumbent and former governor for Western Highlands Province, Paias Wingti have retaliated and burnt down houses in the village of Togoba after the declaration of WHP Governor-elect Wai Rapa on Friday. Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent John Sagom has advised that they have attended to the situation and addressed the community members and leaders and asked for normalcy to prevail in the village. He advised that after a clash between supporters of the incumbent and former governor with other villagers, the fight was taken to the village towards the early hours of yesterday morning and it was determined…
Over a hundred supporters of incumbent Eastern Highlands Governor, Peter Numu and the Governor himself have been arrested and put into police custody. 133 supporters are now being detained at the Goroka Police Station. Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Welly advised that the 100+ supporters were arrested after lunch yesterday afternoon, after attempting to stop counting for the regional seat and demanded that the incumbent Governor be declared. “Just after lunch my security personnel had to move in and arrest the supporters,” he said. The Supt. further stated that this was a culmination of emotions over the past week or…
Provincial Police Commander for the province of Milne Bay, Superintendent Peter Barkie, has commended the people of Milne Bay for their civility and understanding in this year’s National General Elections. Three seats have already been declared, the Kiriwina-Good Enough Open, Samarai-Murua Open and the Esa’ala Open seats, with only the Alotau Open and the Milne Bay Provincial seat yet to be declared. He anticipates that by early as today, they might see counting concluded and declarations done. Apart from that the people of Milne Bay Province have something to smile about after a rough 2 months of the challenging 2022…