An aerial view of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Photo: Supplied/ MSchlauch - public domain
When Papua New Guineans marked their independence at the weekend the Prime Minister James Marape told them they have a lot to be proud of.
He said in the years of independence from Australia, PNG has faced many challenges but it has also achieved much.
Marape said not the least of these is that a nation made up of 1,000 tribes using 800 different languages, which some had predicted wouldn't last, has got to its 48th anniversary.
"Many wrote us off. Many thought we would not survive the test of time. Many thought the assembly of many tribal nations into one country, one people, one nationhood would not last. To the contrary, to testament of our own ability as a people that is resilient to many challenges, we have survived the last 48 years," he said
But the prime minister also told the people that they have a major role to play in overcoming the lawlessness afflicting the country.
James Marape says Papua New Guineans have a major role to play in overcoming the lawlessness in the country. Photo: Facebook.com/PNG Office of the Prime Minister
Marape said the country's economy has to grow to support its rapidly expanding population and restoring law and order is part of this.
His statement came as the country prepares to commission the Wafi-Golpu gold mine near Lae and re-commission the Porgera mine in Enga Province, but ongoing violence could hamper these developments.
The prime minister said the country's citizens have a key role to play in this development.
"The citizen's role in development is, number one, respect the rule of law. All of us, Papua New Guineans, from those in the villages, those in the urban communities, those of us who are working, to those of us in leadership, if all of us together can respect the rule of law then much of our country's tension is brought to ease," he said.
Marape called for the people to step up, saying two years away from the 50th anniversary it's time for the new generation to meet their obligations to the nation.
"And I ask every one of us to 'Ask not what your country can do for you' as JFK pronounced in the USA in 1961. I ask Papua New Guineans the same 'Ask not what your country can do for you but what can you and me do for our country' and if you do not know the answer, I have just told you the answer already, respect the rule of law."
Crime on the rise - police chief
The PNG police commissioner David Manning, speaking alongside the prime minister, warned of the impact of the growing lawlessness.
He said in last year's extremely violent election the RPNGC had become aware of a co-ordinated nationwide effort to destabilise police operations, which he said is ongoing.
The commissioner also spoke of the proliferation of high powered weapons being smuggled into the country and the need to better resource his officers, "we have taken steps in the constabulary to better resource our people, especially in the front line, who are working tirelessly, 24/7, to ensure the communities we serve remain safe, but at the same time too, we are well aware of the risks of carrying out that role."
"We have taken steps to ensure that our people can not only be responsive but also respond as safely as possible."
He said PNG is becoming more than a transit point for drug markets in Australia and New Zealand, saying more locals are using cocaine and methamphetamine.
"We can ill afford to have our young population be abusers of meth and cocaine. You only have to look at the situation in America and even in Australia. Those of you who have gone to the major cities in Australia you will see that they have a significant problem. Jurisdictions in Australia continue to be severely challenged," he said.
The commissioner said these matters have prompted research of the constabulary's enabling legislation to allow for a more effective response, and the planned legislation on domestic terrorism is a key part of that.
He said police see the trend of crime types increasing in both frequency and severity.
"A domesltic terrorism act has never been considered in this country. We have looked across many jurisdictions of similar government and legal frameworks as we have in Papua New Guinea and we believe that the domestic terrorism bill is the best way to best secure our country going into the future."
He said police hope to have a counter terrorism group, called Kumul-23, in place within two to three months.
David Manning says the trypes of crimes are increasing in both frequency and severity. Photo: Supplied/ Royal PNG Constabulary
Meanwhile, he also spoke about the decision taken some months back to allow police to use lethal force in certain situations.
Manning said it is a recognition that there are some individuals who will only be neutraliised through a greater use of force.
"W do not for once make any apologies for that use of force, as long as it's being used, and I say lethal force, as long as that lethal force is being used in compliance with law, of course relevant to the situation, any particular situation on the ground. But, most importantly, acting in good faith."
He said those who criticise the decision to use lethal force as giving police licence to shoot to kill, are misconceiving the RPNGC's intent.
