The President of the Porgera Chamber of Commerce and Industry has petitioned the Assistant Commissioner of Police Western End to address the ongoing law and order crisis in the Porgera Valley of Enga province or risk having business houses shutdown operations.
In an official letter dated 17th April 2025 addressed to the Controller of the State of Emergency in Enga, the President Mr. Nickson Pakea plainly stated that Porgera businesses are no longer safe in an environment that is now extremely dangerous.
The recent incidents along the main transport routes have raised significant concerns regarding the safety and security of businesses and their assets along the road from Laiagam to Maip.
“In the last three years, we have witnessed a total of eight (8) twin steer trucks loaded with goods valued at K2.4 million being looted along the road between Laiagam and Mulitaka and the ineffective action by the responsible authorities has triggered us to declare this road is no longer safe and vulnerable to loss more of the store goods in years to come,” he stated.
This alarming trend not only threatens the livelihood of local business owners but also undermines the rule of law along the national highway.
Just recently on April 15th, he witnessed for himself another twin steer truck being looted before police arrived to disperse the thieves. After seeing this he sadly admitted that these culprits might never be apprehended by police or for such criminal action to be prevented in the future.
“This inaction has left the community and the business owners feeling vulnerable and unprotected. To exacerbate the situation, the culprits have been demanding K5, 000 in cash to release the second container since security forces intervened.”
He said this is indeed degrading the value, dignity and integrity of the independent state of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Royal PNG Constabulary (RPNGC) and security forces.
In light of this serious issue, he said the business houses have opted to protest in the form of closing their doors; a stop- work to draw the attention of the urgent need for intervention and support from the authorities.
“As from now and into the future, we want businesses and lives along the road guaranteed by the hierarchy of the police,” he further stressed.