NCD Governor Powes Parkop and the MPs from the Moresby South and Moresby North-East have contributed K40, 000 in cash to help families of the two men killed in the Erima shooting incident with funeral expenses.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop told hundreds of people who gathered at the haus krai (mourning place) that though the deceased were from Hela province, Prime Minister James Marape does not have to visit the haus krai.
“The prime minister should be excused he doesn’t need to visit the haus krai, he is the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. I am your Governor, I will come at a later date. Together with your MP, John Kaupa and Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko, we have contributed K40,000 to assist with funeral expense” Powes said.
The leaders had accompanied Prime Minister James Marape on a visit to the Haus Krai late yesterday afternoon.
Roy Amburi, a community leader said a petition they presented last week outlines two demands to the national government.
This included calls to suspend police officers involved in the shoot-out and seek financial support from the government to repatriate the bodies.
“I want to know if the police officers have been suspended and if the government will fund the funeral expenses,” Amburi said.
The two deceased have been identified as 22-year-old Tami Takali and 30-year-old Tavali Kopaya, both from Hela province.
Upon receiving the contribution, the families of the deceased are now making arrangements to have the bodies returned to Hela Province.
As a sign of peace, the Hela community in Erima during the visit, raised their hands to show their support towards Prime Minister Marape’s call to end violence in the city.
It has been 17 days since the incident occurred.
According to the police hierarchy, five police officers have been suspended as part of the investigation.
A large area under the Kumul Fly-Over has been marked as a crime scene with Criminal Investigation Officers still collecting witness statements.
By Theckla Gunga, EMTV News, Port Moresby
