Security more important than fences

IF you thought this has gone off the radar, it is back.
The National Capital District will recommence the enforcement of the Fencing Policy next month.
The last time this issue was debated on was in 2015 with NCDC explaining that the fencing regulation was approved in 2006.
Unfortunately, the “fence applications” after 2006 did not comply with the changes in the types of fences.
The policy sets out the specific controls that will be applied to all fencing proposals within the NCD boundary, which are considered by the NCD Physical Planning Board.
The desired outcome under this policy is to ensure fences contribute positively to the public domain, complement and conserve visual character of the street and neighbourhood while providing security for the property owners and respond to the architectural character of the building that they front.
Under the policy, solid fences such as colourbond or sheet metal panels and continuous brick fences will be discouraged.
In addition, razor wires are also banned right throughout the city because they go against the desired outcomes spelt out under the policy.
The NCDC team from the Regulatory Services Division will be moving throughout the city to create more awareness leading up to the actual enforcement of the policy.
In 2015, NCDC’s attempts to remove razor wires above fences around properties in Port Moresby received a lot of resistance from businesshouses and residential owners. At that time, Governor Powes Parkop said the crime rate in NCD had reduced by 60 per cent.
Many people then feared their homes and properties would become more vulnerable to criminals if the razor barbed wires were removed.
And the same is expected to be expressed this time around.
Why should residents risk their lives and properties so that NCDC can improve the physical image of the city?
Despite the protest, NCDC moved around town with its contractors removing razor barbed wires. The fencing policy requires residents, tenants and landlords to have the fence facing a public street changed to a spiked fence.
The exercise will definitely affect business houses and residents as far as security is concerned.
Security fencing with razor barbed wire is a consequence of the high rate of crime in this city.
It is therefore illogical for City Hall to now blame property owners for breaching its fencing policy.
To remove high security fencing is to put people’s lives and properties at risk to hardcore criminals who continue to roam the city streets and suburbs at will.
While we agree on the uniformity in fences, why wasn’t this policy enforced in 2006 when it was passed?
NCDC will not be going through all the justification as to why this fence has to be removed as
it will have been common knowledge.
The safety of Port Moresby residents and visitors should never be compromised by the NCDC in its efforts to improve the physical image of the capital city.
We agree on the fact that some fencing in the city have gone to the extreme of building brick walls and corrugated fencing about four to five metres high.
We are mindful of the Apec meeting in November and the need to make Port Moresby ‘user-friendly’ but the removal of razor barbed wire on security fences is likely to endanger the lives of many residents and visitors.
It’s not worth the risk at this point in time.