Border ops to continue

By REBECCA KUKU
THE Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) will continue to maintain their presence at land and sea borders during the general election, says commander Major-General Mark Goina.
Goina said the defence force took pride in their role as the custodian of the country and their duty
was to protect the air, land and sea borders of the country to ensure the protection of citizens at all times.
He said the defence force would continue to maintain their presence at the land borders in the Western and West Sepik areas.
“We also have three ships out
at sea and will continue normal operation, protecting our seas,” he said.
“We have already deployed three teams to the western end of the Highlands for pre-election operation and will deploy more teams for the polling period. “At the same time, as we support our brothers in the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Correctional Services in creating safe environment for voters to vote and deliver a safe and trouble-free election, we will have teams at our FOBs (forward operating bases) and border posts who will continue normal operations.”
Goina said the defence force would continue to maintain presence at the country’s major project areas.

Liquor ban for East Sepik

POLICE in East Sepik will clean and reorganise the Wewak station starting today in preparation for the general election, a senior officer says.
Provincial police commander Supt Albert Beli said they would start using holding cells at the station in town in order to free space at the cell at Caltex.
Beli currently has a strength of 399 policemen and women and is expecting additional manpower from outside the province.
He reiterated yesterday the provincial liquor licensing board’s decision on the restriction on sale of liquor during the election period.
Beli, who is the board’s deputy chairman, said by Thursday only hotels would be allowed to sell liquor.
“We (provincial liquor licensing board) are mindful of small business owners who may be affected by the ban, but it is only for the short term,” he said.
“Anybody (outlet) who defies the restrictions or ban will be severely dealt with.”

CS announces deployment of 500 officers for election duty

By MELYNE BAROI
THE Correctional Services will be deploying 500 officers from the provinces to the joint security task force for the general election.
According to CS in a statement, the Highlands remains an area of concern in terms of safety and security.
“The Highlands is an unpredictable area when it comes to national events so we will be sending most of the officers there,” the statement said. Polling sessions will be conducted within each provincial prison facility as well to cater for inmates.
“We have not confirmed the number of eligible voters for this election but as any eligible citizen of Papua New Guinea the inmates will cast their votes as well.”
A review of the funding for the deployment is underway as preparations commence for selected officers to travel to Port Moresby. About K1 million would be allocated for the deployment operations.
The CS clarified that correctional institutions around the country would operate as normal with the help of respective provincial police during the period.