Push made to reopen probe into missing scientists

THE Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PMGIMR) is preparing to negotiate with new Police Minister Jelta Wong to reopen investigations into the five scientists who went missing near West New Britain seven years ago.
PNGIMR director Dr William Pomat confirmed yesterday the Goroka-based institute’s position regarding the scientists who went missing between mainland West New Britain and Vitu Islands on Aug 1, 2011.
“Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research will bring the issue up with the new police minister to see if funds can be allocated to continue investigations for conclusive evidence to be provided to PNGIMR and families by the coroner,” Pomat said.
He said the institute continued to mourn for the missing researchers and appealed for closure to the event.
The coroner’s report states that “evidence is inconclusive”.
Pomat said it was likely the five were dead given the time they had gone missing.
He said an investigation report was presented in 2015-2016 to former Police Minister Robert Atiyafa who pledged support for investigation.
“However, I believe lack of funding to continue the investigations meant that very little has been done to date, but PNG Institute of Medical Research will take it up again with the new police minister for a final conclusive investigation,” Pomat said.
The missing are George Dogoya, from Lufa, Eastern Highlands, Tanya Oakiwa, from Kerema, Gulf, Gibson Gideon, of mixed Enga and Eastern Highlands, Lydia Petrus, from Ialibu-Pangia, Southern Highlands and Leonard Vavana, of East New Britain. Reuben Yaoma, a spokesman for some of the relatives, said although the coroner’s report was submitted to the government in April 2014, none of the recommendations was carried out.
“Relatives are still in mourning, we want the attorney-general to consult the State for immediate consolation payments to be made to families to put to rest the mourning,” he said
Yaoma represented the family of Dogoya and other represrentatives Maso O Raks (Oakiva) and Peter Guna (Petrus).