The Papua New Guinea Opposition Leader Belden Namah has branded the current government's lockdown as “nonsense” because it is worsening the people’s hardships instead of stopping the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) in West Sepik. “My people of Vanimo-Green River electorate, which borders Indonesia, are dead against the lockdown as it will cripple our livelihood, businesses and affect our children’s education,” Namah said. Namah said the Covid-19 had existed in the country for around two years “but it is not decimating the population as predicted by some people”. “My people are most at risk than any other people in the country because they share the common border with Indonesia where the Covid-19 Delta variant is widespread,” he said. “But my people are not falling over everywhere and they are far more aware of Covid-19 protocols and the new normal routines than others because we had our teams doing awareness right from the start.”
He said he had just returned from Vanimo on Sunday after visiting his home at Bewani. “Everyone at home is just fine,” he said. “Today, they continue life as normal while observing the new rules.” He claimed that soldiers and policemen had been going about Vanimo town assaulting people at bus stops and road sides for not wearing masks “The restrictions, lockdowns and security forces harassment are causing more problems than the Coronavirus itself,” he said. He said the few people who died in Vanimo had asthma, TB (Tuberculosis), diabetes and other respiratory diseases. “The time for lockdowns is long gone. When the pandemic was first declared around March 2020, I called for a lockdown of PNG’s land and sea borders, entry points and ports,” he said. “I called for resources to be given to the two border provinces – Western and West Sepik. “Those calls were met with silence and scorn. “The Government promised resources for the border provinces but never sent them. Statement Next : One Of PNG's Senior Statesman Sir Pita Lus Dies Comments are closed.
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