National unity dying: Awesa

WORKS and Implementation Minister Francis Awesa says it is sad to see disintegration of PNG’s sovereignty and national unity into  fragmented ethnic and factional groups.
He condemned the killing of a first-year male engineering student at the University of Technology (Unitech) in Lae, Morobe on Saturday.
Awesa, in a statement, described the killing as “very primitive, barbaric and a cowardice act” by criminals lacking regard  for human life.
He said the Unitech administration failed to take proactive steps including inviting police to protect people’s lives and property on campus.
“It is a very unfortunate and most regrettable that the situation has been allowed to deteriorate, resulting in the death of a young university student from my electorate,” Awesa said.
“The perpetrators, financiers and masterminds behind the prolonged university students’ boycott nationwide have blood on their hands.
“They are totally responsible for the chaotic situation and must be held accountable for all injuries sustained, loss of life and damage to property worth millions of kina in taxpayer funds.”
He said the ring-leaders and perpetrators of the current situation not only have individual responsibilities as citizens, but more importantly moral obligation to see an immediate end to it.
Awesa called on the public to provide information to police so that the murderers were dealt with by the law.
He welcomed the Government’s move to impose a curfew in the universities and urged for total public support as it was in the country’s interest to uphold the law, good order and peace.
“In the 21st century, we can’t allow a band of senseless murderers, whose acts are totally criminal and primitive in nature, to unjustly take away innocent lives,” Awesa said.
“It is saddening to see an apparent disintegration of PNG’s sovereignty and national unity into small fragmented ethnic and factional groups.
“As responsible leaders and citizens, we must rise and protect the pioneering thoughts and visions of our forefathers who crafted our Constitution, which promotes, protects and guarantees our national unity.
“The very constitutional guarantees of a united Papua New Guinea is eroding fast by acts of senseless cowards creating disunity and disintegration among our people and nation.”
Awesa said the underlying objective of those using innocent students as fronts was to gain power by toppling the Government and taking control of the nation’s wealth, including proceeds of the PNG LNG.
Meanwhile, he has urged students from Southern Highlands and Hela provinces studying in universities and other tertiary institutions to remain together and continue their studies.