Chamber wants State of Emergency declared in Enga

Business

THE Porgera Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Enga is backing the call of Police Minister Bryan Kramer for a State of Emergency (SOE) to be declared in the district because of safety concerns.
Chamber president Nickson Pakea said having a state of emergency would do a lot to restore peace and order in the district.
Pakea said that on behalf of the business houses in Porgera, the SMEs and the informal sector who make up a population of more than 60,000 people would bring many benefits, especially in law and order.
“Porgera has witnessed unprecedented incidents of lawlessness compared to other parts of this country where women and children are living a life free from all sorts of threat and violence,” he said.
Pakea said law and order crises, including the build-up of firearms via Tari in Hela was destroying the image of Porgera and its people.
He said the gun amnesty declared for Tari should also include Porgera and Paiela in Enga.
“Because of firearm build up in the Porgera valley, we have seen an increase in crime and recklessness, something we have not experienced in the past 30 years.
“Recently we have witnessed a shooting of a Barrick PJV employee and in retaliation with loss of innocent illegal miners at the mine pit,” Pakea said.
He said most of the law and order issues were triggered by alcohol consumption.
Pakea said since the mining licence expired on Aug 16, people, especially youths, from other districts in Enga had flooded into Porgera to take part in illegal mining.
“We are also witnessing students going to the mine pit to take part in the illegal mining.
“These are the problems faced by the people of Porgera and we welcome aSOE to take place immediately,” Pakea said.
He said even community leaders were not taking ownership of the entire situation.