Nothern Province Governor Gary Juffa has called onthe government to seriously addressthe growing law and order problem inthe country.
The governor madethe call after having to calm down his tribesmen who hijacked several New Beitain Palm Oil trucks in Oro Province in retaliation tothe shooting ofthe Governors driver, Tony Torovi.
He says, law and order is also a hindrance tothe government’s year of implementation.
Mr. Juffa in an interview with EMTV News yesterday, was concerned aboutthe law and order situation inthe country.
Police man power is down throughoutthe provinces andthey work under trying conditions to carry outtheir duties.
The Nothern Province is supposed to have 375 police personnel. However, it has only 67 policemen onthe ground.
The ratio for policemen to people in PNG is 1:1400, this is far belowthe UN recommended ratio of 1:450
He says,the Prime Minister as Police Minister, must act to address this problem.
The escalating crime inthe country is also costly and could hinderthe government’s year of implementation he says.
Mr. Juffa, in his capacity as governor, has helped to combat crime in his province. Bet he wantsthe government to take an active role in assisting provincial governments.
