With Independence around the corner, Police in Gulf province have advised that they will be keeping an eye out for commuters along the Hiritano Highway just to ensure that the road safety rules are being observed and to monitor suspicious movement of vehicles transporting illicit substances. Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Inspector Jeffery Lemb said that they had devised their plans for a special independence operations but are still waiting on funding to be granted by the Provincial Government to commence operations. “For the moment, we are still waiting on the Provincial Government to provide funding, but our men will be on the road to monitor suspicious activity, especially disturbances on the highways.” He said they currently have 13 police personnel from Kikori moved down to Malalaua station and will be assisting their police for the moment, while awaiting funding. The PPC mentioned that issues relating to illicit substance abuse and lawlessness along the Hiritano is the main reason for police conducting road inspections. The pre-independence operations were supposed to start in August and lead into September for 3 weeks, but due to the delay in funding, they will continue to observe the highway.