The lack of capacity and a shortage of police resources in Morobe province is making police work difficult when it comes to cracking down on sea piracy.
Crime has been on the increase and is putting pressure on police to establish a water police unit.
In the efforts to minimise law and order issues, the provincial government has purchased two boats each set with a 75 horsepower outboard engine motors at the cost of K66,000 each.
The two boats will go towards assisting the Salamaua Local Level Government (LLG) in combating law and order issues as well as policing sea piracy matters.
Police in Morobe are looking at deploying more officers along the coast to deal with the increase in sea piracy and other marine related matters.
In the last 12 months piracy cases have risen with many coastal villagers falling vicitim. But, limited capacity and resources is making police work difficult when it comes to cracking down on sea piracy.
Today the Morobe provincial government presented boats to the Salamaua LLG. These boats will assist in law enforcement.
“Police in the province definitely need a lot of assistance in terms of logistics, transport and manpower and we are working together with the police,” said Governor, Kelly Naru.
Crime has been on the increase in the province, and in the Momase region. This is putting pressure on police to establish a water police unit.
The unit will be responsible for marine policing and will also take charge of other sea piracy matters.
Naru says police will require all the assistance they can get from the provincial government and key stakeholders.
“It’s also a good call to alert the MPs to this aspect so members funds from their DSIP as well as the provincial government’s support, together we can roll out assistance to the police because they definitely need our assistance,” said Naru.
