Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has today (04.07.23) strongly condemned the violence and looting that occurred at Koki early Monday (03.07.23) morning, while indicating that the Government would be stepping up on identification-based residency in all major urban centres starting in Port Moresby and Lae.
This will be running side-by-side with looking at problematic settlements and relocating settlers to alleviate social and Law & Order problems inside cities, he said.
“I condemn strongly the lawlessness that happened yesterday and I want to apologise sincerely to those who have been exposed to the violence and have become victims in the rampage,” PM Marape said.
“Strong instructions have now gone to the Police to arrest those involved and to prevent and eliminate these acts of lawlessness going forward.
“I want to point out strongly to youths: do not come into the city thinking you will cause problems and get out. Police have been instructed to make sure that those of you who caused problems on Monday are arrested.
“We will be stepping up on identification-based living in our major urban centres. The Government will soon demand for NID from all our residents in the city. Priority will be Port Moresby and Lae.
“Every person living in the city must now have an identification including a valid reason to live in the city. We want to account for all our people in cities. We want to know who you are, where you are from, where you are, and what you are doing here.
“Those settlements that continue to cause problems in our cities, we will be working with the city municipalities to relocate the settlers, including those from any unplanned settlements growing up around cities.
“I appeal to settlement leaders to take control of your youths. I note that Badili/2 Mile area continues to have problems. You will be the first area to target.
“We will be doing this as fairly as possible by moving you into proper planned allotments and residential areas with known addresses so we know who you are and what you do while you live in the city.
“For those who continuously demonstrate they cannot live in peace with each other in an urban setting, we will relocate you back to your place of origin.”
PM Marape appealed to the youth to turn to second-chance education and SME as a path out of lives of lawlessness.
“I want to give you the assurance that your government is not resting. We looking at all possible avenues to ensure that we are not just putting out the fires but we are dealing with the root causes of lawlessness, which are unemployment and semi-education,” he said.
“We looking at education and SME as solutions, including developing all parts of our country. These are work in progress for the medium to long-term going forward.
“Incidentally, our new Medium-Term Development Plan will be launched later this week. It embraces our mid-term and long-term strategies to deal with lawlessness and restlessness of our youths.
“What is evident in our country as well as in our urban areas, as seen in yesterday’s incident, is an indication of the youth not fully educated and properly engaged.
“Your government has put second-chance learning and SMEs as a pathway for the young people. This is a special area of interest for the Pangu-led Government.
“I ask for our youth and all out there doing nothing, do pick up a second-chance education and/or an interest in micro or small business enterprise. We have help for you there,” said PM Marape.
