Discrepancies found in relief work

THE Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Emergency has found discrepancies in the way Government is responding to the February earthquake damage and has recommended an extension of two months to the State of Emergency.
Committee chairman Dr Kobby Bomareo tabled a report yesterday on an independent assessment of the damage done to assets, the psychological trauma, the losses sustained and the general impact of the disaster in the provinces. It noted discrepancies which needed to be addressed immediately, in particular the lack of coordination among government agencies.
It pointed out the breakdown of communication in relief efforts.
It said people worst affected by the earthquake had not received food and medicine because the areas were remote and had no roads.
Others are not getting relief supplies and frustration is building up, the report said.
The committee also noted that despite the killings in Hela, no arrests had been made.
The committee called for a “full defence force call-out” to provide assistance to the police and civilian authorities during the national emergency declared especially in Hela and Southern Highlands to curb crime and restore law and order should there be a need.
“This is because there is no proper authorisation for a call-out for the PNGDF to restore law and order in Hela and affected areas in the Highlands provinces. They are only involved in relief supplies, protecting state assets and assisting the police,” Bomareo said.
The committee also recommended that the state of emergency be extended for a further two months and the appointment of the controller must be from the disciplined force who must be present on the ground in the affected provinces and not operating only in Port Moresby.
The committee have also recommended for an amendment to be made to the Western, Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela Restoration Authority Act to include West Sepik and Gulf provinces.