New Hanover people in New Ireland urged to take ownership of law and order issues

The people of New Hanover in New Ireland are being urged to take control of their own policing and community affairs.

The New Ireland Provincial Government has issued a statement.

Governor Sir Julius Chan made the call at Ungat during his last visit on Sunday  April 28. His visit was a result of a murder committed on Saturday April 27, following fighting between villages in the area. New Hanover is known to be a volatile area historically, with much of the fighting attributed to revenge killings.

According to a police report the deceased Sition Michael, of Neikaukai village was beheaded. He had previously also murdered another person namely, Passinganrina Laitis of Tabotakalas village, South Lavongai.

“There are two fighting groups that are in these remote areas having access to weapons of their choice, using them for paybacks from nearby villages. There was destruction to food crops, pets, 7 houses were burnt and another 2  were badly damaged,” reported Provincial Police Commander Gideon Ikumu. 

Again recently more senseless violence and destruction of private property has occurred leaving some 20 children and adults homeless after homes were burnt.

Sir Julius told locals that if they want lasting peace it had to come from themselves through change in their attitudes. He urged the people to value life.

“ God created and you destroyed. What you did is against the 5^th commandment “ Thou shall not kill”. 

There is no use dispatching police here, what will it solve? You leaders and the community have to take a tough stance. Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.” expressed Sir J.

He said the local population has grown but there has been very little to show in terms of physical infrastructure on the ground. This is attributed to the lack of responsibility by the locals to look after infrastructure which included the Digicel communication towers.

“ The population is growing but you have nothing to show. Lavongai is still the same as when our forefathers were still around. We have to think about the future generation, what will we leave behind for them?”

The 60km Unity road, which is 25km complete, is the vision of Sir Julius to unite   the North and South of New Hanover. He said next time he returns to New Hanover in August, is to open the road.

“This road has received the biggest funding allocation of the 2018-2019 budget with K7.5 million spent so far, the total cost after the road is complete is an estimated K20 million,” said Sir Julius.

Responding to a query by the President of the Lavongai LLG Mathew Makapa about the government assisting with funding for start up Small to Medium Enterprises, Sir J said, “ My Government has authorized K200, 000 for all 10 LLG Presidents to fund approved projects and K30, 000 to your ward members, you can submit your proposals to them.”

Sir J said this is the biggest allocation ever to restore the third tier LLG Government and is in line with his government’s policy of decentralization of Powers.