War zones at Jackson

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
POLICE have detained about 100 security guards for a disgraceful display of violence, turning the Jackson International Airport’s domestic terminal’s car park, airport office and tarmac into fighting zones yesterday morning.
In the running battle, melee and fracas between armed guards of two security firms, three people were injured and thousands of kina worth of property were damaged or destroyed.
And Prime Minister James Marape has expressed anger on the fighting and ordered for the arrest of all involved in the attack and an immediate investigation to determine what happened at the airport.
Marape said: “I am not running a Government for breaking rules, nepotism and fighting for positions or contracts.
“And the National Airport Corporation (NAC), as a State agency, must rise above this sort of nonsense, because work place safety is important for travellers, business and communities.
“The investigation will be headed by Thomas Eluh of the Independent Commission Against Corruption with senior officers from the PM’s Department, police, Transport Department and State Solicitors Office.
“Other departments like Finance and Auditor-General would be called upon to assist when required.”
Marape said this should take one or two weeks where appropriate actions would be taken to restore credibility to the once proud NAC.
Civil Aviation Minister Segi Agisa said he supported outside investigations to ascertain what happened.
The fight was believed to have been caused by an argument outside the airport’s outer perimeter between two local security firms providing services at the airport.
NAC acting managing director Rex Kiponge was livid with the actions of the security firm, saying “there is an immediate suspension of the firm’s contract with the NAC”.
“I condemn the actions taken by the firm,” he said.
“I cannot say why they took the action they did but for the NAC, the action delayed many flights and was uncalled for and unwarranted.
“Their actions breached airport rules and regulations.”
NCD/Central commander ACP Anthony Wagambie Jr told The National that the police were now helping NAC with the investigation.
“Police rushed to the airport shortly after receiving a call about the fighting that started at about 6.30am,” he said.
“The guards from the security firm that launched the attack were rounded up by police and taken to the airport police base, where management of both companies, as well as the NAC management, met.
“Police will now be in charge of supporting NAC security to keep watch at the airport while the issue of the security provider is sorted out.
“We will not let this go down easily.
“Investigations will be done, leading to arrests.”
Allegedly, workers from both security firms got into an argument yesterday as passengers were making their way into the terminal to check-in.
From the videos sent to The National, several men were armed with sticks, iron bars and anything else they could get their hands on and surrounded a NAC vehicle.
Several more men from one of the firms broke the sliding door of the departure lounge, shattering the glass, ran inside and overpowered the guards inside after injuring him in the face as he tried to protect himself.
They then went into the NAC head office, breaking a glass inside and ran outside to the tarmac where they chased Air Niugini ground staff.
Several aircraft that were ready to take-off were grounded as passengers in the jet watched the guards chase staff. Flights were delayed from 6.30am to 10am.
ACP Wagambie said investigations revealed that the fight between the firms could be over a change of the security contract by NAC.