By Godwin Eki – EMTV News, Daru
Security at the border continues to be a concern for provinces that share a border with other countries. Such is that, for the Western Province that shares a land border with Indonesia, and sea border with Australia.
With little assistance, Acting Provincial Police Commander in Western Province, Inspector Saiwa Ricker, says it’s a challenge having to deal with human smuggling, drugs and illegal fishing along the borders.
Situated just north of Australia and West towards Indonesia, is the Island of Daru that becomes subject to criminal and illegal activities.
A lot of illegal activities includes illegal fishing on both PNG and Australian waters, and the exchange of drugs but that’s not all, concerned locals on the ground say with the beachdemer season now on, sightings of buyers from Indonesia are illegally entering the province, to buy sea cucumber from locals.
Backing Inspector Saiwa, Daru Town Mayor, Samuel Wingu, is also calling on the national government, to take action, as the situation on the ground is of national concern. He says it is of high importance and the government needs to step in quickly and do something.
Inspector Saiwa says support from government agencies, from Quarantine, fisheries, immigration, and Military is very much needed on the Island, to protect its people and its borders.
