NEC to decide who gets Apec motorcycles

THE National Executive Council (NEC) will decide which disciplinary force gets to keep the motorcycles used at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit last year, chief executive officer Christopher Hawkins says.
Responding to questions on why some of the motorcycles were being kept by the PNG Defence Force, Hawkins told The National: “Just like ambulances and fire engines, these have no civilian use but were important assets for emergency services to serve the public.
“The decision will be made by the NEC on the allocations. Military police in many countries use motorcycles.
“Ultimately, the NEC will decide in the coming weeks as the Apec Authority winds up,” Hawkins said.
Traffic directorate Acting Chief Supt Joe Joseph had said only 20 out of the total 70 motorcyles donated by foreign agencies for Apec were in use for police traffic duties at traffic junctions in Port Moresby.
He said the future of the rest of the machines would be decided “when Police Commissioner Gari Baki discusses the matter with the relevant authorities”.
Joseph said the motorcycles parked at Murray Barracks were specifically designed for police work, equipped with sirens and more suitable for flat surfaces and not military use.
PNG Defence Force Commander Gilbert Toropo said the motorcycles were given by China which will be used by military police nationwide.
Apec Minister Justin Tkatchenko told Parliament in January that a full and detailed Apec report had been delayed by the Ombudsman Commission. He said the report would show that the summit was a success and that it did not cost K5 billion as claimed.