Deputy Opposition Leader and Member for Bulolo, Sam Basil passed his condolence to the families, relatives and the communities of the people, alleged to be shot by members of the Royal PNG Constabulary. He said that the Government seems focussed at Hanuabada which is next to the Police Headquarters but it must seriously stop adhoc decisions and statements about refresher courses, training and rules of engagement.
“This has been an ongoing problem that emanates when people do not respect the rule of law and do not want to maintain order. We seem to blame the policemen but there are many endless lists of law and order issues affecting the whole community. People have been shot in Lae, Wau, Tatana, Jiwaka and Hanuabada but these are those reported”. “Police personnel have also been attacked in Mendi, Mt Hagen, NCD and elsewhere. It requires a total relook at the law and order issues. Even prisoners are escaping at will and there must be reasons that are deep rooted within the country and must be addressed”. Mr Basil said that the people of Motu Koita are hurt and have shown their frustrations by blocking roads, we cannot threaten them to apply Emergency Laws as proposed by Minister Micah to remove roadblocks. The rule of law does not allow disciplinary forces to fire indiscriminately in a village. It appears that we are developing a norm to attack each other without respect and to follow the rule of law”. Further, I want to advise Hon Ben Micah, Minister for State Enterprise to stop threatening people with his newly acquired State of Emergency powers under the Essential Services Act. PNG Power is supposed to fix up Rouna Power system, Moitaka Station and even have reservoirs of fuel for emergency situations. “When the emergency powers were announced, I denounced it that PNG Power is in a problem caused by its failure to conduct its business in commercial sense. Essential Services are protected by State of Emergency when there are disasters, emergencies or riots that affect transmission of power, water etc. “ Mr Basil said that the PNG Power has recouped its monies and the list it used to enable Mr Micah with Emergency provisions was based on an Arrears List that was outdated and obsolete. Therefore the whole exercise should be taken with caution. It is almost a month and that the rationale used was based on faulty Arrears List, half or most has been collected with majority defaulters being State Agencies. Mr Basil asked the National Executive Council to immediately end the State of Emergency because there is no need and also a person such as Micah can abuse these provisions outside of the intended purpose as he is seen to be saying and doing. We cannot allow individuals to turn into tyrants. Next News Headline
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