New police station planned at market

By GABRIEL LAHOC
RIBACK Stevedoring and the Ahi Hope Foundation will build a new police station at the Bumbu market  to help curb lawlessness in Lae.
The station, to be manned by reserve police officers, is an initiative of the indigenous Ahi people of Lae, who, like the general public of the city, have been affected by the increased lawlessness and poor policing recently.
Foundation spokeswoman Cecily Gegalagi said they made the decision in light of the recent uprising and looting by locals.
She urged other Lae business houses to provide resources and funding to ensure peace and good order were maintained.
Riback Stevedoring is a major employer of the Ahi people and wants to ensure that the industrial hub provides a conducive environment for multinational, international and local business houses.
“We will work with the appropriate authorities to make our commitments produce the desired results,” she said.
The foundation will ensure that Ahi youth are engaged in education, sports and culture.
The joint approach is in line with the policy spelt out by National Planning Minister and Bulolo MP Sam Basil, who favours the business community partnering with the government to improve policing and curbing lawlessness.
Basil’s concept will cost K2 million. That will cover recruitment, infrastructure, mobility and logistics.
Ahi women’s leader and foundation advocate, Loujaya Toni wants locals to respect the business community in Lae.
She appealed to local businesses to affiliate with the Indigenous Business Council led by Sir Nagora Bogan.
Toni appealed to the Highlands entrepreneurs to open their business without fear.