Madang authorities concerned about billboard

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
A BILLBOARD erected in Madang town is worrying authorities because of the political message it carries.
Deputy town mayor Chris Tomango said the billboard erected on Modilon Drive could be viewed by the public as “early campaigning”.
Tomango had sought the view of the electorate office on the legality of such public displays.
“This as can be seen by the general public as early campaigning,’’ he said.
The Electoral Commission had recently taken out a full-page newspaper advertisement warning people against early campaigning.
The billboard was erected by a person known to the authorities and whose party affiliation was well known.
It had nothing to do with a commercial product, Tomango said.
“As you can see, betel-nut spit has been smearing the face of Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the party Belden Namah – twice,” he said.
“The first was cleaned off but it took less than a week before it was defaced again.”
Tomango said the erection of the billboard itself was done without the consent of the council’s building board.
Election manageress Emily Siamoli said the billboard was illegal and police should investigate and make arrests.
Siamoli wrote a letter last week to the provincial police commander Junior Anthony Wagambie.
He is yet to respond.