Cop calls for greater security

 A POLICE officer says there is a need for greater police presence in Menyamya, Morobe, to monitor polling and counting in the district.

Cpl Arnold Kisa, based in the area, was speaking in Lae last Thursday after escorting local level managers from Wapi, Sakanu Norape, Kapao Nande and Awate the previous night to Lae.

Kisa said the situation at Menyamya station was unpredictable and likely to get out of hand after two senior public servants, district business development coordinator Tali Yanga and administration officer Heboling Mulaso, were assaulted last Monday.

Kisa said Yanga and Mulaso had been assaulted by a group of men alleged to be associates of a politician.

Polling in Wapi and Kapao, which began last Monday, is progressing well with the problem being names missing from the common roll.

Sakanu said five teams had been dispatched into 15 wards and the polling in Wasoka, Kwakape and Wiyama had been completed. 

Awate said in Kapao, five teams were dispatched into 16 wards and they had completed polling in wards one, two, four and 11, where councillors had been declared.

“However, a shortage of ballot papers and common seal ink forced us to travel to Lae to pick them up and return on Friday,” Awate said.