Ipatas calls for help to address lawlessness

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By ELIAS LARI
ENGA needs special attention and intervention from the Government to deal with the rising law and order problems affecting the province, Governor Sir Peter Ipatas says.
Sir Peter raised this concern yesterday in Enga during the launching of the Hela Opene Polytech institute in Wabag which was attended by Prime Minister James Marape.
Sir Peter said Porgera was in turmoil after violent clashes last week between landowner clans which resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.
He added that tensions were still high and fighting was continuing.
Sir Peter said last week another man was killed by enemies at Wabag police station.
The 63-year-old said Enga needed outside support like the Australian police to address law and order in the province.
He told Marape that Enga had several multi-million kina developments and projects that were being threatened by law and order issues.
“As I’m talking here now, Porgera is burning with lives lost and this must not go on, the law must catch them.
“Another killing just took place at the police station in Wabag town which is unbelievable and I need the national government’s intervention on Enga’s law and order situation,” Sir Peter said.
Sir Peter said he had raised concern on crime and violence in his province for eight years but had not seen an adequate response from the Government.
He asked Marape to address Enga’s law and order issues by considering the deployment of Australian police into the province.
Sir Peter said provincial police and its leadership had proved ineffective and unable to address the law and order needs of the province.
“Police are not even going after those warlords to arrest and sent them to jail.”
He said the country would not progress when law and order was a major issue.
“We are not undermining our police personnel but what I’m saying I need real policing for my province.”