EHP people urge firms to contract locals firms

By ZACHERY PER
MANY Eastern Highlanders last week converged on Peace Park in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, calling for greater spin-off benefits from businesses operating in the province.
The call followed Air Niugini not renewing the contract of the local Night Owl Security Services (NOSS).
The national flag carrier has engaged Maximum Security Services (MSS), an Engan firm, to look after its airport terminal at Goroka.
On Feb 18 a confrontation erupted when Guard Dog Security personnel attacked NOSS guards.
That saw several NOSS vehicles damaged and a number of guards suffering injuries.
That led to calls by spokesmen from the eight districts of Eastern Highlands for Air Niugini to reinstate NOSS because they wanted locals to enjoy greater spin-off benefits.
They petitioned Air Niugini to engage an an Eastern Highlands-based company to look after security at the Goroka terminal.
“This is widely practised to recognise local landowners to participate in development and business activities,” NOSS managing director Winchlee Oibotee said.
He said they had given the Air Niugini management seven days from last Thursday to respond to their demand.
In a reconciliation meeting between Guard Dog and NOSS staff at the Goroka police station last week, NOSS reduced its demand for K218,000 compensation to K40,000.
That came after the Guard Dog management accepted to take responsibility for all damage to vehicles, injuries to people and offered to lend a vehicle to NOSS to use pending the repair of its vehicles.
A reconciliation ceremony is set for this Wednesday at the Peace Park.
Oibotee will give cash to Guard Dog to compensate its staff who suffered injuries in the conflict.