Plans to protect businesses from crime

 THE Milne Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be taking measures to protect business houses after concerns of a rise in criminal activities in the province.

This followed an armed robbery at a Digicel outlet in Alotau last weekend, which had affected operations of some businesses in the town.

Chamber president Jeff Abel said the increase in these activities was a concern for most businesses and local people, and with the lack of police support, opportunities for businesess in the province were being discouraged.

“We’ve had consistent holdups on some of our major businesses houses here.

“Early this morning, the Milne Bay Digicel office was broken into after armed men held up guards 

and about a month ago Papindo Hagita also fell victim to similar activities.

“It is also being eminent that restaurants are becoming the main target.

“Last week armed men went into Driftwood resort, held up staff and it got physical with staff sustaining injuries.

“Motorised dinghies and canoes have been used to commit these crimes.

“These are organised criminal elements who may be made up of local boys with the influence from outsiders.

“Police support has been a bit weak and businesses have now resorted to ensuring their own safety by increasing their own security systems as precautions.

“It is becoming a cause for concern for business and public and it is also becoming risky.

Abel said the Milne Bay Chamber of Commerce would have a meeting with businesses to raise their concerns that would later be provided to provincial government to look into and address.