Extra holidays

By HELEN TARAWA and GYNNIE KERO
TWO public holidays are being planned for November to restrict the movement of people in Port Moresby while world leaders are holding their Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.
This was revealed last night to members of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. by PNG Apec Coordinating Authority chief executive Chris Hawkins.
The public holidays will be on Thursday Nov 15 and Friday Nov 16.
Hawkins said the two public holidays had been confirmed and awaiting the endorsement of Cabinet and Government House before they were gazetted.
Major roads including the Kumul Flyover, Sir John Guise Drive, Waigani Drive, Wards Road, Poreporena Freeway, Stanley Esplanade and the Paga Ring Road will be closed to all traffic on Saturday, Nov 17, and Sunday, Nov 18.
Hawkins said that while there would not be a total traffic shutdown in the city, there would be minimal movements on “secured roads and areas”.
“Only on Saturday and Sunday when the world leaders are moving around, road access will be closed off to the public,” he said.
“The central business district in downtown will not be closed but security and movement in that area will be restricted as some of the world leaders will be residing in hotels in town.”
There will be a reduction in international flights but domestic flights will continue.
Business Council of PNG president Robert Nilkare told The National last night the council would “support Apec and the Government in implementing a successful event”.
Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc chief executive Rio Fioco told The National last night the business community needed such information from the Apec authority now so that businesses could start making plans.
“It’s good that we’ve found out about these dates so we can plan ahead. It’s not going to affect businesses too much in the downtown area of the central business district because on Saturdays and Sundays, most businesses will not be operating,” he said.
“The only businesses will be the restaurants. Hopefully they will attract a lot of businesses (from overseas visitors) to come and eat there.”