By JOEL K. ANDREW
Northern Governor Garry Juffa has raised serious concerns in Parliament today over the growing weaknesses within the country’s immigration and public service systems, following recent revelations of repeated illegal entries and large-scale financial outflows linked to foreign criminal activities.
Speaking during the Parliamentary Grievance Debate, Governor Juffa said the nation’s public service machinery was “non-robust and poorly functional,” particularly in critical institutions such as the Immigration and Citizenship Authority.
He highlighted a disturbing case involving a Nigerian national who was deported twice from Papua New Guinea, yet managed to re-enter the country a third time. Authorities later discovered that the individual had established a family and was living freely within PNG despite his prior deportations.
“This shows the serious loopholes that exist within our immigration system. How can someone deported twice make a third illegal entry and live freely here? We must urgently address identity management and border control issues,” Juffa said.
His comments came after the deportation of 109 Chinese nationals earlier today, who were found to be involved in illegal alluvial mining activities in Bulolo, Morobe Province. Juffa argued that deportation alone is not a sufficient deterrent, calling instead for formal prosecution of foreign offenders.
“It is time we start laying proper charges against these individuals and allow them to face prosecution under PNG laws. They should serve their terms at Bomana Detention Centre before being deported. That will send a clear message to the world that Papua New Guinea is not a playground for illegal immigrants or those who abuse our work visa system,” he said.
Juffa also revealed that illegal business activities, particularly in the mining and logging sectors, are draining the country’s economy, with at least K4 billion being siphoned offshore annually through unaccounted and unlawful transactions.
“These activities go unnoticed and unmonitored, yet they continue to rob the country of much-needed revenue. We must act now to strengthen oversight and enforcement mechanisms across all relevant agencies,” Juffa stressed.
He called for immediate reforms within the Immigration and Citizenship Authority, Customs, and Police to ensure tighter coordination in monitoring, investigating, and prosecuting illegal foreign activities within the country.
Governor Juffa concluded that the protection of PNG’s sovereignty, economy, and rule of law depends on the government’s willingness to enforce its laws and hold both local and foreign offenders accountable.