Call-out on hold

The National Main Stories

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK and GYNNIE KERO
THE security forces have threatened to pull out of the Government-sanctioned Hela call-out if funding is not forthcoming, says acting Police Commissioner Raphael Huafolo.
The Government approved the exercise – to cost K11 million – two weeks ago to address the escalating tribal fights in the province.
Huafolo said Hela was a high-risk area and funding was vital to provide the joint police-military contingent with “full logistic support”.
“We don’t want to have any casualties. Right now there is no police communication network there. The troops are on stand-by awaiting the Government to allocate the funds,” he said.
Finance Minister James Marape could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
But he told The National after the Cabinet meeting on December 15 that he would be in Tari the following Friday to preside over the K11 million.
Hela Governor Francis Potape (pictured) also confirmed yesterday that the Government was yet to release the K11 million.
He said the start of the operation would have to be deferred to when the police officers and soldiers were on the ground.
He said only one police unit had arrived in Tari.
Huafolo said yesterday, they knew how to conduct such security operations.
“We are only waiting for the Government to provide the funding to execute our plan before we deploy our troops,” he said.
Hela police commander Superintendent Michael Welly said a police mobile squad from Laigaim in Enga arrived on Tuesday night.
“A Defence Force reconnaissance unit was here last week but returned to Port Moresby,” he said.
“They are expected to come back here next week with four more mobile squads.
It is understood that the operation was to have been launched yesterday.
Cabinet approved the call-out following the increase in violence and concern over public safety in the home province of the Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas project.
Potape said the biggest challenge for the call-out operation was Hawa jail.
“It is high time the Correctional Service Minister and Commissioner to open up Hawa Jail in Hela to help address the increasing tribal fights in the province,” Potape said.