KAGUA-ERAVE District Administrator Ludwig Orapawa has called on people throughout the district to surrender illegal firearms and ammunition under the 2026 National Gun Amnesty, warning that enforcement operations will follow once the amnesty ends on September 16.
Orapawa said the amnesty in Kagua Erave begins today, August 21, and is aimed at removing illegal weapons from communities and restoring lasting peace, security and normalcy across the district.
His appeal follows the Southern Highlands Provincial Government’s decision at its fourth Provincial Assembly sitting on August 19 to support the nationwide gun amnesty initiative.
Orapawa said Kagua Erave would fully participate in the program as part of the wider provincial and national effort to address illegal firearms and gun-related violence.
“For too long, the proliferation of illegal firearms has fuelled tribal violence, destroyed families, threatened our communities and held back the development of our district,” he said.
“Today, we choose a different path.”
He called on people possessing illegal firearms, homemade guns, unlicensed weapons and ammunition to voluntarily surrender them during the amnesty period.
Weapons can be surrendered at police stations, the district office or designated surrender points established by the Joint Security Task Force.
Orapawa said people in remote communities could also work through their ward councillors and LLG presidents to have weapons handed over to police at Kagua or Erave.
He said the purpose of the amnesty was to encourage voluntary surrender rather than punishment during the designated period.
Under the announced arrangements, Orapawa said people voluntarily surrendering illegal firearms during the amnesty would not be charged in relation to possession of the surrendered weapon, while questions would not be asked about how the weapon was obtained and identities would be protected.
He described surrendering firearms as an act of courage and responsibility towards families and communities.
«”Surrender your gun for the common good and peace,” Orapawa said.»
“To surrender your gun is to protect your children and your community.”
He said surrendered weapons would be registered before being destroyed by the State through a transparent process.
The amnesty is expected to culminate with the National Peace and Security Summit on September 16, on the eve of Papua New Guinea’s 51st Independence anniversary.
Orapawa said the summit would bring together national leaders, churches, traditional leaders, women, youth and security forces to discuss measures aimed at bringing an end to gun violence and establishing lasting peace.
He warned that the voluntary amnesty period would end on September 16 and urged gun holders not to waste the opportunity.
According to Orapawa, after the amnesty expires, Kumul 23 and other security personnel are expected to participate in coordinated enforcement operations targeting illegal weapons.
Those subsequently found unlawfully possessing firearms would be dealt with according to law, he said.
Orapawa particularly appealed to fathers, mothers, young men and tribal leaders throughout Kagua-Erave to take responsibility and support the peace initiative.
“Bring forward the guns. Choose peace. Choose your family. Choose Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“Let us enter our 51st year of Independence as one people, united and gun-free.”
Orapawa said removing illegal firearms from communities was essential if Kagua Erave was to put tribal violence behind it, restore government services and create an environment where families could live safely and development could progress.
“The message for Kagua-Erave is simple: surrender the guns for the common good and choose peace,” he said.