Security in Lae

This was an article in June 16 National Newspaper. It has it all: attacking the national government, giving reasons for the security problems, blaming the criminals and even attacking the churches. I love the hiring of Menyamya archers (Menyamya is a remote region of Morobe Province located near Southern Highlands).

Wenge, Khay vow to rid city of Hooligans

Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and Lord Mayor James Khay have taken a step to clean the streets of pick-pockets, street peddlers and hawkers and win back some peace and order into the city.

They have authorised a security force of Menyamya archers to rid the city's hot spots of Eriku, Top Town and main market bus stops, of the notorious street peddlers.

"Lae city belongs to Papua New Guineans and the international community; there is no place for these petty arrogant rat-like perpetrators in public places and disturb and frighten people, harass women, children and the old people," Mr Wenge said.

Mr Wenge and Mr Khay were speaking at the Abunaka market at Nine-Mile, where more than 1,000 people had gathered to formally launch the Menyamya-Morobe Security Service Company last Friday.

A similar force of mainly Menyamyas, called the Maus Morobe, was set up in the mid-90s to police law and order when crime had risen beyond "the capacity of law enforcement agencies.

In recent months, the street hawkers and peddlers have been accused of stealing, stabbing and rape.

Their capacity for wanton destruction was seen at its worst during last month’s riots against Chinese traders at the main market and Eriku.

"Morobe is preaching too much of Christianity and Good News for the Grace of God…Grace…and this Grace paved the way for the wild dogs to start inflicting pain and suffering upon Christian flocks," Mr Wenge said

"Nau mi rausim karamap bilong bainat na putim em ples klia. (I am now removing this bayonet from its sheath.) God shall bless this bayonet" Mr Wcnge said metaphorically.

"Why should human beings suffer, fall prey and die from the hands of those reckless lazy people scavenging city streets … while the National Government fails its constitutional obligation to fund law enforcing agencies to implement duties effectively for a peaceful society?” Mr Wenge asked