The incident of January 10th, 2024 left many suffering in different ways, with shop owners losing their businesses, employees losing their jobs, and the public losing shops that they once called gardens to go to when they needed food.
That’s from the new Commander of the National Capital District and Central Province acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Turi, when speaking at the re-opening of the Papindo shopping Complex at Gerehu this morning, further urging the public to cooperate with police to maintain law and order in Port Moresby city.
ACP Turi also stressed to everyone who gathered there that he would come down hard on police regarding their roles and responsibilities as well.
He said police officers must maintain public order and safety, enforce laws, prevent crimes, and respond to emergencies, accidents, and disasters. Stressing this, he said police alone cannot do that as they will depend on the public to help support them in fully realizing their roles.
“I therefore urge everyone to step up as responsible citizens to maintain peace, order and safety of our shops in Gerehu and Papindo is one of them. It is our responsibility to look after all the business houses in Port Moresby,” Commander Turi said.
Mr. Turi while recalling the incidents of January 10th said it was a sad day for him and his family plus everyone in Port Moresby as they stood and watched shops that they used to get food from go down in flames.
Furthermore, he added that among the numerous shops that were destroyed, Papindo was notably affected. This company, which has been serving Papua New Guinea for fifty years, is a significant employer and a contributor to community services, benefiting many citizens.
“Seeing it re-open today brings great joy and hope for our Gerehu community. Papindo is not just a shop, but a part of our community; the late Sir Soekandar, together with his wife Lady Susan Tjandra, founded the Papindo Group of Companies in Lae in 1974. With that, it is 100 per cent PNG owned. It is one of our local businesses and the testament to that is that the Late Sir Soekandra was laid to rest in Lae, Morobe Province where he initially established Papindo,” stressed ACP Turi.
Commander Turi acknowledged the presence of the NCD Governor who officially cut the ribbon to open the shop, Including the presence of all the guests from Indonesia and PNG who worked for Papindo Group of Companies.
He further assured them that police in the city would work closely with them to make sure that such incidents won’t happen again.