Mendi Valley

Mendi town calls for peace

By ANDREW ALPHONSE in MENDI

PUBLIC servants in Mendi town last Tuesday staged a peaceful protest march against increased lawlessness in the Southern Highlands provincial capital, Mendi. Led by Mendi General Hospital staff and joined by Department of Works and PNG Power Ltd staff, the workers marched with placards from Tente, through Mendi town before presenting their petition to Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru and local the MPs at the Momei Oval. The public servants said they were fed up with the prolonged violence, theft, harassment, assault and abuse against them by criminals in Mendi. They warned of packing up and leaving the province if leaders failed to address the law and order situation. The public servants blamed local police of being ineffective in addressing these problems that seem to be chronic. Mendi hospital staff told the leaders of their ordeal at nights of being constantly held up and harassed by gangs while the 15-seater night-shift bus for Mendi hospital was stolen early this year. Nurses said they fall prey to criminal attacks when walking to and from duties at night. Department of Works staff said that the criminals constantly attack them and steal vehicles from the public transport yard at Magani. Mendi MP Ps Isaac Joseph condemned the actions of the criminals while an irate Imbonggu MP Francis Awesa said the youths that harass and terrorise public servants were "stupid and mentally retarded". He also challenged the local community to protect and respect public servants and government properties which serve them. Komo Margarima MP Francis Potape and Tari MP James Marabe said the Hela people would not tolerate the behaviour of the Mendi people and would to conduct their business elsewhere from Mendi if this lawlessness continues. Governor Agiru apologised to the workforce in the province and called on the provincial police commander and police to address these lawlessness problems. "I have no time for criminals in the province. "I have time to build new infrastructure and bring change into the province," Mr Agiru said. Mr Agiru also announced that the provincial government would purchase a new 25-seater bus for Mendi hospital to transport night-shift nurses to prevent further harassment when walking home at night. He said told the Department of Works and PNG Power staff that he would require their service and expertise in building infrastructure for the province and urged them to remain to work.