Police announce security boost for festival venues

 MORE than 6,000 police officers have been tasked to ensure a successful, secure and crime-free Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture, acting Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki says.

They will deployed in Port Moresby and the satellite towns of Kokopo in East New Britain, Mount Hagen in Western Highlands, Alotau in Milne Bay and Wewak in East Sepik.

Vaki  is appealing to all citizens “to come together over the next two weeks and make our visitors feel safe and secure.”

“In the true spirit of Melanesia, let us be good hosts. Regardless of countries, tribes and clans we say we are from, we are really one people,” he said.

Vaki said the police officers would “provide a safe and secure environment for our visitors”.

Meanwhile, festival organisers have also ensured that security at the festival venues were intact.

In Port Moresby, security guards at both entrances to the festival village have been conducting searches on bags to make sure people did not carry weapons or betel nuts into the venues.

Senior Police Officer Dick Dole said no serious incidents had been reported since the festival opening last Saturday.

At the festival village, a display of traditional art and craft at the Madang House attracted visitors.

Kalibobo village Rachael Kumbre said she and seven other women flew from Madang to display and sell their craft.

The women make bilums, traditional necklaces, arm-bands, head-dresses and paintings.

Other paintings on display at the Madang house were done by Albert Kandi.