Fiocco: Crime affecting businesses

BUSINESSES are waiting for the Government to improve police capacity in Port Moresby to address law and order issues, according to the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Chamber president Rio Fiocco told The National that anecdotally, crime had increased in the city which had effected business activities.
Fiocco said the increase in law and order issues was in part due to the onset of the coronavirue pandemic which had impacted the national economy.
He said the number of police officers in the city should be increased.
“This is a reflection of the limited number of recruitment being done in the constabulary,” according to Fiocco.
“(There also) is the limited amount of vehicles available to police to patrol the city and respond to situations.”
Prime Minister James Marape recently said the rising law and order issue was the most pressing concern for businesses and the people which must be the addressed before the 2022 general election.
“Criminal activities and the law and order situation are a direct result of the lack of institutional capacity and capability, absence of political leadership at all levels of government and ineffective governance,” he said.