Baki upset officers get wrong ID cards

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
POLICE Commissioner Gari Baki is disappointed that security officers engaged for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation operations have been given identification cards for the wrong venue.
“I was also given wrong access cards as well. So all of us with wrong access cards have handed them back. And I have instructed the people involved in producing security cards to fix them up so that officers of the Joint Security Task Force can be stationed at their correct designated venue,” Baki said. “So these correct cards are now been processed and it is under control”.
Baki, who is also the commander of the Joint Security Task Force, yesterday called on all Papua New Guineans to embrace Apec.
“Let’s all work together and help the security force deliver a successful Apec. It’s not a job only for the security personnel engaged for Apec security operations but all of us should be involved in providing security for our international guests.”
Meanwhile, Baki said that it would be business as usual in the city with businesses allowed to operate this week. “Shops will remain open but certain restrictions on the use of roads to be followed by the Apec leaders will be enforced.”
But Baki warned residents that certain roads would be “locked down 30 minutes before the motorcade” passed through, and reopened straight afterwards. This is in force now until Nov 24.
“Venues for Apec meetings and hotels will also be restricted,” he said.
“Any unauthorised personal vehicles, vessels or drones within the vicinity of the restricted areas may be stopped, searched, detained or even arrested.”
Roads in downtown affected are the Ela Beach Road, Mary Street and Douglas Street, Old Container Wharf, Lawes Road and Motukea.
Roads in Waigani are the Sir John Guise Drive, Waigani Drive, Pitpit Street in North Waigani, Waigani Crescent, Wards Road, Independence Drive, and Somare Drive.
Roads in Boroko are the East Boroko Road, Taurama Road.
Other Apec routes include Tokarara to June Valley Road.
The restricted areas in town are Apec Haus, Ela Beach Hotel, Grand Papua Hotel, Crowne Plaza, Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Pacific Explorer (flotel), Pacific Jewel (flotel) and Sea Princess (flotel).
In Waigani, they include the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex, Stanley Hotel, Laguna Hotel, Sanctuary Hotel, Dream Inn, Holiday Inn, Hilton Hotel, Morata Haus, Mirigini Haus and the International Convention Centre.
In Boroko, they are the Caritas Technical Secondary School, Taurama Aquatic Centre and Rita Flynn Netball Courts.