Administrator warns against illegal market

 By ELLEN TIAMU

THE Morobe provincial administration has given vendors at the Voco Point beachfront until the end of this week to vacate the area. 

Vendors have been using the Hilmar Wong Park built by Lae resident and businessman Hilmar Wong to sell their items.

Voco Point is used by people travelling by canoes and dinghies in and out of Lae from as far as Finschhafen, Siassi and Oro province. 

It is a popular recreational area for Lae residents and visitors. 

Acting provincial administrator Geoving Bilong has asked police to warn vendors of the impending closure of the unauthorised market, saying it allows criminals to cause law and order problems.

“We will not allow perpetrators to harass, intimidate and threaten lives of innocent people,” he said.

Bilong said the Lae Urban Local Level Government was the only authority under the law to establish markets in the city.

Police will move in on Friday to move the vendors out.