Madang gears up for 2018 Apec meeting

National

By DOROTHY MARK
Authorities in Madang are taking steps in designing and planning security operations for the 2018 Apec meetings.
More than 80 participants who would be involved in security operations during the lead-up meetings for Apec in Madang graduated yesterday with certificates.
Assistant Commissioner of Police for Northern command Peter Guinness officiated in the graduation at Madang Resort Hotel and presented the certificates to the participants who included police officers, members of security firms, PNG Customs staff, firemen, National Airports Corporation staff,  aviation industry representatives and hotel staff.
Facilitators of the security course were from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, Australian Federal Police and Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
The course covered bomb searches, aviation security and risk-management training.
Guinness said at the last Apec preparation meeting in Port Moresby security was an important agenda raised.
“Security was the main agenda raised so that is how important your course is,” he told the participants.
“Madang is one of the provinces chosen to host part of the Apec meeting in the coming months. Lae  and Goroka are two other centres that will also play some roles in hosting the meetings.
“All in all we will have 15 meetings that will take place under the Northern command so when you look at the course that you have taken, the significance of it is very important,” Guinness said.
He stressed that the level of security of the international executives who would attend the lead -up meetings to the main event in Port Moresby was very important.
“We will be expecting people like the President of United States of America Donald Trump.”
“Trump is actually coming to Port Moresby.”