Now deal with criminal elements

 THE new K80 million market at Koki, which is scheduled to be completed in December, is good news for Port Moresby residents and visitors.

An initiative of National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop and Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko, the new-look market is sure to enhance this dreary part of the capital city.

“We will have the best marketing facility,” Tkatchenko boasted during a visit to Koki last Thursday.

He was accompanied by Parkop, who was obviously pleased with what he saw and expressed a desire for Port Moresby to become a business hub.

The new Koki market will have many sections for fresh food and fruits, 36 shops and a car park to cater for 80 vehicles. Added attractions include restaurants, gift shops and barber shops as well as classrooms for literacy programmes for youth and women.

A footbridge will be built across the busy Koki road to ease traffic congestion and minimise road accidents.

Since Parkop and Tkatchenko teamed up at City Hall about seven or eight years ago, the nation’s capital has never looked back. 

Their development initiatives and beautification projects have completely changed Port Moresby’s image from a large country town to a metropolis, arguably the largest in the South Pacific Islands region.

We commend our two leaders for their latest initiative at Koki but point out a particular issue that needs their immediate attention and prompt action.

The Koki market and the neighbouring Badili and 2-Mile Hill bus stop areas are infested with all kinds of criminals who have terrorised passengers on public buses and private vehicles for years.

Many innocent people have fallen victims to these criminal elements with several deaths and serious injuries reported in recent years.

Hordes of youths roam the Koki, Badili and 2-Mile Hill bus stops to wait for opportunities to snatch bags, mobile phones, cash and anything else from innocent women, girls, children and even men.

They show no fear for the law and no mercy for their victims.

These criminals continue to thrive because of the total lack of law enforcement by the police and other relevant authorities.

An obsolete police hut at Koki market is a stark reminder of the half-baked efforts by police to control crime in this hotspot.

Although the nearest police station in Badili is a short distance from these bus stops, the long arm of the law seems out to be out of reach.

Nonetheless, some drastic measures need to be done to rid the Koki market, Badili and 2-Mile Hill bus stops of these criminals.

The Badili police station commander needs to be awoken from his slumber and ordered to put his men on foot patrol along this treacherous stretch from Koki Point to the top of 2-Mile Hill.

It would be in the interest of city residents for Parkop and Tkatchenko to intervene and flex their political muscle to get the police moving.

With a multi-million kina redevelopment project underway at Koki, the two leaders should not allow criminal elements to undermine their initiative by chasing potential customers away.

It is imperative the two leaders and police draw up a plan of action to curb crime in the Koki, Badili and 2-Mile Hill areas.

Such a plan should include regular police patrols and community awareness programmes. As well, the settlers who live in these areas should be warned of possible eviction if they continue to condone criminal activities by members of their communities.

Commuters and motorists have been terrorised for too long along this treacherous stretch from Koki to 2-Mile Hill and something drastic needs to be done to rid these areas of criminal elements.

The onus is on Parkop and Tkatchenko to ensure that their latest handiwork at Koki does not come undone.

All efforts should be made to stop the pick-pockets and hardcore criminals from crashing the celebrations at Koki in December.

It is only when people can move around freely and safely to use the market will Parkop and Tkatchenko’s handiwork be hailed a true success for people of the city.