Security sent to Madang

POLICE Minister Bryan Kramer says security personnel have been sent to Madang to assess the situation there after the provincial government shut down all businesses there.
Kramer, who is also the Madang MP, said the Cabinet decision was that only the provincial borders would close.
“So three ships were turned away from Madang, these ships were providing critical services, including fuel, to Madang and other provinces,” he said.
“A letter was sent to the governor (Peter Yama) but he didn’t make himself available to receive that letter.
“So they served it to the provincial administration.”
Yama said: “I am surprised that five senior officers from Port Moresby, including two lawyers, have to travel to Madang on chartered Air Niugini carrying the letter to deliver it to me.
“It would have been less expensive if the letter was given to me by email, via the PNG Government WhatSapp group, call me or by the Air Niugini pilot to deliver to me.
“If any issue or concern arises in my province, I should be the one consulted.
“And it should be from the Health Department, through the prime minister, down to the provincial coordinating team and the technical response team comprising doctors, Customs officers, National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority, police and military officials and not through any other short-cut protocol.
“I am answerable to the people of Madang who elected me into the office.
“Their interest is of paramount importance to me.
“There is no state of emergency as yet declared by Parliament.
“Only Parliament can enact legislation and declare the state of emergency in PNG as required under the Constitution.
“Parliament is scheduled to meet (yesterday) to address the state of emergency issues and appropriate funding to cover for necessary costs on the enforcement of state of emergency throughout Papua New Guinea due to coronavirus.
“I disagree with the allegation made by Police Commissioner David Manning that my government was misleading the people and causing inconvenience to the public.”
Kramer said the team met with officials from the local court and police, among others, for further assessment in Madang.
Yama said he was pleased with the work of the technical response team in the province to contain any possible infection and or spread of coronavirus.
He said the team received K250,000 from the provincial government and an additional K250,000 from the Madang health authority.
“It is in the best interest of the people of Madang that no coronavirus is detected in Madang,” he said.