Let common sense prevail

 THE National Capital District is facing a major fuel crisis because roadblocks set up by disgruntled Motuan villagers at Hanuabada, Tatana and Baruni since last weekend are stopping tankers from the accessing supplies at the Mobil Oil and Puma Energy fuel depots.

While most residents sympathise with the villagers, especially the families of the two Hanuabada men allegedly shot dead by police last Friday, the capital city should not be held to ransom over demands for compensation.

The villagers are demanding that the National Government pay K22 million compensation before the roadblocks can be lifted.

Motu-Koita Assembly chairman Miria Ikupu may have put his foot in his mouth when he told villagers on Monday night the Government had agreed to pay K20 million in compensation for the deaths of Nicholas Rarua and Toka Gaudi, both from the Hohodae clan of Hanuabada.

Another K2 million is for compensation for injuries to other people during the clash with the police.

However, the villagers are adamant that they will not be fooled again by the Government after it had promised to pay compensation for homes burnt by Defence Force soldiers over a domestic problem.

Despite the good news he had relayed to the villagers, Ikupu was still shouted down when he appealed for the roadblocks to be lifted. 

“Please remove the roadblocks and let the general public move freely,” the MKA chairman said, hoping for a compromise and an end to the dispute. 

“Lasi” (no), yelled the defiant villagers as they continued to maintain the roadblocks throughout Monday night. 

By 10am yesterday, the situation had reached crisis point, with fuel stations around the city shutting down and turning away vehicles.

Among the first victims of the fuel crisis was PNG Power, which began rationing electricity supplies at the weekend after the roadblocks prevented new supplies of fuel to be carted over to the Kanudi power station.

Most parts of the city were without regular electricity supplies yesterday as PNG Power continued power rationing to save fuel for its Kanudi and Moitaka power stations.

Standby generators were working over-time for many business houses and some residential premises yesterday as Prime Minister Peter O’Neill instructed Chief Secretary Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc to begin peace talks with the village leaders.

Following their meeting, Sir Manasupe said he had “very fruitful discussions” with the delegation from Hanuabada but did not reveal the outcomes.

We understand the meeting reached agreement on a number of issues discussed and will be announced today after consultation with the immediate relatives of the victims.

It was left to the villagers to decide whether to remove the roadblocks before the results of the meeting are announced.

While we respect the sensitivity of these issues, the situation was of little comfort to the hundreds of thousands of city residents who were plunged into total darkness last night. 

As well, thousands of motorists were left stranded without fuel yesterday after fuel stations closed.

Of real concern yesterday were potential medical emergencies where lives of people were put at risk by power cuts and fuel shortages. 

Hopefully, no lives have been lost overnight.

Without doubt, the contentious issue is the K22 million compensation demand.

Hopefully, the meeting agreed on appropriate compensation packages for the immediate families of the victims.

While Nicholas Rarua and Toka Gaudi didn’t deserve to die like this, it is not in the interests of the country for the Government to succumb to a K22 million compensation demand.

Such a decision will only open the flood gates for high compensation demands.

As it is, the victims’ families have legal avenues to pursue against the police and the state. 

Let the criminal court decide on the fate of the suspects, while the families can seek appropriate compensation in the civil court.