The Farmers and Settlers Association expresses our gratitude and appreciation to the Minister for Police, the Commissioner of Police, and the Management for two recent events or activities. We acknowledge the presentation of 50 vehicles to Mobile Squads in the regions and the purchase of a new fleet of police vehicles.
This will reduce the cost of vehicle rentals and increase police visibility, presence, and their response to the safety and security of our communities. It is a step towards addressing issues of lawlessness, controlling rent-seeking behavior, and improving the mobility and visibility of RPNG Constabulary.
The Farmers and Settlers Association has often raised concerns about law and order and lack of enforcement by Police in the media or public forums. We have highlighted the law and order challenges facing the agriculture, livestock sector, and rural businesses. On April 16, 2022, we wrote to the Minister and Commissioner to set up a Special Police Taskforce for commercial agriculture, based and operating out of Aiyura, EHP.
The commercial agriculture sector provides a bulk of employment opportunities, such as New Britain Palm Oil (28,000), Ramu Agri Industries (6,000), Zenag (1,500), Galley Reach (1,200), and others. Any disturbances, stealing, or illegal trespassing must be addressed promptly, as these businesses provide employment and have a significant economic impact.
On April 20, 2025, we communicated with the Minister and Commissioner, based on our assessments and feedback from our members operating large businesses in rural areas. Our recommendations include:
1. Increasing and relocating police personnel to strategic areas like Aiyura (EHP), Doa, Upulima, Moreguina (Central), Gusap, Walium, Karkar (Madang), Zenag, Watut, Mutzing (Morobe).
2. Establishing a Police Taskforce at Aiyura to handle criminal investigations and prosecutions related to stealing, rent-seeking behavior, and illegal trespassing on state lease land for plantations and commercial agriculture in specific regions.
3. Establishing a Police Taskforce at Doa to monitor Gulf and Central provinces.
4. Utilizing District Courts at Kainantu, Gusap, Bereina, and Kwikila to process cases.
5. Increasing Reservists at mentioned stations, including those already working in the public/private sector, to enhance police presence during after-hours or weekend shifts.
We have often called for improvements in law and order without specifying the details.
We believe that focusing on specific areas and establishing a Special Agriculture Taskforce and utilizing reservists will yield positive outcomes in the agriculture sector.
By trialing these initiatives in EHP, Morobe, and Central, we can assess their success and replicate lessons in other regions with large-scale agriculture projects and plantations.
Once again, we commend the Ministry, Commissioner, and management for their efforts, and we look forward to more focus on the economic sector to address social and economic issues.
Wilson O. Thompson, CPA, OBE, ML
President