The Central Provincial Member Rufina Peter has expressed her shock and dissatisfaction on the decision made by the Police Commissioner David Manning, to transfer the Central Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Laimo Asi in the recent reshuffle.
“I saw this in the papers on Thursday and it came as a shock and a great disappointment to me, to the Central Provincial Government (CPG) as a whole and the people of Central Province, basically we have a very good relationship with former PPC Laimo Asi and we have programs and initiatives planned already to undertake during the course of this year and next year. The sudden removal, and what seems to be a demotion of our PPC and positioned up in the Highlands in Banz is a slap in the face of the people of Central Province.” Madam Peter stated.
An important initiative of PPC Asi includes the Peace and Reconciliation program in the Goilala District resulted in the youths of Popole village laying down their arms last week after at least 3 years of crime and violence in the Woitape LLG of Goilala District.
“The leader of that group Emmanuel Amo created that rapport with former PPC Central Mr. Asi and because he was on the ground in the community when the youths were laying down their arms and they have now established their understanding and because of that Emmanuel is now liaising with other groups in the LLG to also lay down their arms to allow for development initiatives. This process is critical for the youth of the LLG and for Central Provincial Government as Popole case can be used by PPC and his rank and file below him to extend to other districts in the Province, and for this initiative to be brought to a sudden halt has significant law and order implications and as such, as the Governor of the Province, I am very disappointed.” Peter said.
According to Police Commissioner David Manning the deployment of senior police officer is to further strengthen the delivery of security services as the RPNGC continues to rebuild.
The Commissioner said it is essential that the Police Force has the right personnel in roles that draw on their experience and capabilities to more effectively provide for the enforcement of law and order.
“While it is the prerogative of the Commissioner of Police to make these decisions we (CPG) would have accepted common courtesy in discussing or at least making the intentions known so we could present our position.” Peter stated.
Currently Central, Enga and East Sepik Provinces do not have Provincial Police Commanders which leaves a huge void to be filled and the Central Provincial leader has called on the Police Commissioner, Police Minister and Prime Minister to review their decision on former Central PPC Laimo Asi, as law and order issues differ throughout the country only an experienced and senior police officer from Central who has built up a network over many years can react and respond to the unique law and order issues of the Central Province.
