Mobile squad deployed to Yonki plant

National, Normal
Source:

Report and picture by ZACHERY PER

A SECTION of Mt Hagen-based mobile squad 7 has been deployed at the Ramu hydro power plant in Yonki, Eastern Highlands province, after angry landowners threatened to sabotage the plant.
The mobile squad was engaged to assist Yonki-based police to monitor security surveillance to protect the vital establishment that supplies electricity for the five Highlands provinces, Madang and Morobe provinces.
Assistant Police Commissioner for the Highlands region, Simon Kauba, visited the policemen in Yonki and met with the PNG Power Limited (PPL) management there as well.
After a brief meeting, PPL agreed to support the police, especially the mobile squad, with two vehicles.
“The deployment was to assist in containing threats issued by disgruntled landowners to sabotage the power plant.
“We sent extra manpower to maintain security in Yonki,” Mr Kauba said.
He said the Ramu plant was an important facility that supplied electricity for the entire Highlands region and Madang and Morobe provinces.
“The plant serves thousands of business establishments, Government and private institutions.
“We will not play monkey business with the Yonki plant, anyone wants to play up with the system in Yonki, police will get tough on them,” Mr Kauba said.
He said Yonki would come under the spotlight of the police, especially during the special Christmas and New Year operation, and any so-called landowners trying to take the law into their own hands would
be dealt with accordingly.
Mr Kauba commended the policemen under the leadership of Sgt Patrick Waldo (MS07 commander) and Sgt Ambros Mara (PSC Yonki).
It is understood that landowner group in Yonki which has been petitioning the Government over outstanding benefits, made threats to sabotage the facility.