By Rayon Lakingu – EMTV News, Port Moresby
The Joint Security Task Force has identified restricted areas to ensure the safety and security of the visitors and delegates during the APEC leader’s week.
The restricted areas include certain areas from the sea, and on land.
The Joint Security Task Force Commander and Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, urged the general public to take note of the restricted areas to avoid confrontation with the Joint Security Task Force.
Road movement within Port Moresby will be disrupted during the APEC Leaders’ Summit, as world leaders begin to arrive for the summit, while public access in the immediate vicinity of the meeting venues, will be closed to the public.
Restricted areas from the town area, include; APEC Haus, Ela Beach hotel, Grand Papua Hotel, the Crowne Plaza, and Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, at Waigani, the restricted areas include the Sir John Guise Stadium, The Stanley Hotel, Laguna Hotel, Sanctuary Hotel, Dream Inn, Hilton Hotel, Morata House, Mirigini Haus, and the International Convention Centre.
Restricted areas at the Boroko area include Caritas Technical School, Taurama Aquatic Centre, and the Rita Flynn Courts.
The Primary route which will be taken by the visiting delegates is from the Jackson International Airport to the APEC Haus.
The new Tokara June Valley route, including Independence drive, Somare drive, and Lawes road will be on lockdown thirty minutes before the motorcade convoy and will be open to the public again after the convoy. Unauthorized personnel or vehicles found within the vicinity of the restricted area will be stopped, searched and arrested.
The Joint Security Task Force Commander explained that these areas will be closed down to allow safe passage of the VIP motorcades.
As for public concerns, if the city will be closed down, he said no shops will be closed and the public are free to move around.
“Members of the public can still go out to buy food, in whichever shops, as long as they are aware of the fact that the route that they are taking, if it’s going to be closed down, they must make sure they do not use it within the thirty minutes before or they might find themselves being told to wave off on the road,” said Mr Baki.
Meanwhile, several hotels in the city that will be used to accomodate the visiting guests also fall in under the restricted areas. The Hilton Hotel, Stanley Hotel, Airways Hotel, and Grand Papua to name a few, will be closed to the public during this time.
Access to the T- Wharf, Old Container Wharf, and the Motukea Port will also be restricted during the summit.
