By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
GULF Province and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) made history in PNG for having a female Provincial Police Commander for two years, new Gulf Police Commander Jeffrey Lemb says.
“As far the United Nations and the International Community’s Advocacy for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality is concerned, she has put Gulf and PNG on the world map,” Lemb said.
“It is a very proud history for the province and the country.
“Let me say this with utmost sincerity and pride that the outgoing Gulf PPC Superintendent Maria Johns has made history by becoming the first ever woman PPC in the history of the RPNGC.
“And of all provinces, she was appointed to the Gulf Province.
“And so, you the people of Gulf are going down in history with her.
“This is a wonderful and remarkable achievement well noted in the Constabulary, around the country, and if I may add, the entire world.
“PNG should be proud of this achievement,” Lemb said during the hand over takeover ceremony in Kerema on Thursday last week.
Unfortunately, Madam Johns was unavailable for the ceremony due to administrative mishap.
However, the ceremony proceeded with Lemb stressing that:
“Now Gulf Province has to move forward.
“This is a new era and a new chapter for Gulf Province.
“Times are changing and we have no choice but to change with the times.
“Technology has changed, laws have changed, places and people have changed, and we must change and accept change as an impetus for growth.
“If we do not change, we get left behind.
“I’m not saying that we discard some of the good old traditions, good old ways and proven systems.
“But the ability to change is the ability to embrace the old and accept the new.
“Hence, my aim for Gulf Province is to build your police capacity to a reasonable standard whilst still keeping to the basics of policing.
“With due respect to my outgoing colleague, I must praise her remarkable achievements.
“With very little or no resources at all, she has tried her best to move our province forward in terms of law and order.
“In conclusion, I want to wish to thank Madam John’s for keeping the fire burning here in Gulf for the last two years and I want to wish her God’s blessings and protection in her new position.”
