Mt Hagen rangers complete viability course

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday 16th April 2013

 By ELIAS LARI

THIRTY two members of the Kei Doa City Rangers in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, received certificates last Tuesday after attending a two-week personal viability course.

The training was aimed at assisting the rangers understand themselves and their jobs before patrolling the streets of the city, encouraging people to change their attitude in public places.

The Rangers was formed early this year by the tribes living near the city. The tribes are Moge, Jika, Kemi, Kukluka, Kemi, Elti, Pinambi, Rurka, Kungnuka, Yamka and Kopi.

Last week at the New Town Lodge in Mt Hagen,tribal leaders witnessed the graduation ceremony for the 32 men.

The course was sponsored by the tribal leaders to protect the image of the city and make it a safe and peaceful place to live in.

“The land where the city is was given to the state by our fathers.

“And now we, as the landowners of Mt Hagen,are ashamed when we see that the place is filled with rubbish, petty crimes, pick-pocketing, fighting and is quite filthy,” chairman of Kei Doa City Rangers Nicholas Ninzi said.

Ninzi said it was time they did something to ensure the city was properly maintained and managed.

“We will not arrest or charge people for littering, fighting, committing petty crimes, pick-pocketing. Our campaign is to educate people. Arresting people is the job of a police officer.”

“We will not collect silly fees like what many youths are doing.”

Deputy chairman and Moge-Nambuka-Milimp-Palimp-Two councillor John Kama said the group was not involved in politics.

He said their job was to help the city council and police maintain law and order.

Kama said it was a registered group and they would publish phone numbers which people can call.