Following the recent cabinet reshuffle, two senior ministers have confirmed their appointments this morning at Government House during a swearing in ceremony.

Governor General of Papua New Guinea Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae officiated the swearing in ceremony for the two new State Ministers.

They are Daulo MP Pogio Ghate and Sohe MP Henry Amuli.

Pogio Ghate has been appointed by Cabinet as Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change. He takes over from former Minister Wera Mori who was recently de-commissioned by the Cabinet.

Mr. Ghate had served as Vice Minister for Agriculture in charge of the Coffee Industry and Coffee Industry Corporation.

MP Henry Amuli takes over the ministerial portfolio of Commerce and Industry left vacant following the passing of the late Goilala MP William Samb.

Amuli had served as Vice Minister for Agriculture in charge of Oil Palm Industry, Cocoa, Copra and Vanilla.

At the swearing in ceremony, both Ministers recited before the Governor General the Declaration of Office.

Prime Minister James Marape also attended and witnessed the ceremony.

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The West New Britain Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel has given his assurance to take all necessary steps to curb the increasing law and order problems faced in and around Kimbe Town.

This follows a 5-page petition presented by health workers from the Kimbe Provincial Health Authority last week. Governor Muthuvel said the WNB Provincial Government has been funding Police with 10 police vehicles purchased under the PSIP funds.

Muthuvel said with huge funding allocated and provided every year he wants to see policing improved in the province.

“Last year K500,000 was parked with the Chamber of Commerce for easy access by police to support its operation,” said Governor Muthuvel.

Another half a million kina will be given this year he added.

He said the WNBPG is funding the current renovation of the Kimbe Police Station.

Muthuvel said all of this shows the effort of a concerned government to address law and order in the province.

Governor Muthuvel also urged parents and communities in Kimbe Town to take responsibility and provide information to arrest those currently causing havoc in the urban areas. The West New Britain Governor said effective policing will only be achieved if all stakeholders work together.

“We know, the Community knows and police know who are the criminals,” said Muthuvel.

He said these issues are not only unique in Kimbe but is being faced by many urban areas around the country as well.

“We will not let this issue go away, we all will work together and fix law and order in Kimbe Town and in the province,” added Muthuvel.

Meanwhile a Mobile Squad Unit (MS18) have been flown into the province to assist local police as fighting continues in the Gigo and Laleki area just outside Kimbe town.

According to locals more than 10 homes were burnt down during the fight with police exchanging gun shots during the fight. Two have died with many injured as police arrest over 30 youth in that area alone. There were also reports of fights in residential areas like Section 10 and Section 1 within the Town perimeter.

Governor Muthuvel said the Peace and Good Order Committee has met with a few recommendations decided on to deliberate.

“This includes night curfews to begin with,” said Muthuvel.

He also warned those who are instigating fights that WNBPG will throw its support behind police to arrest those responsible.

Morobe’s Senior Provincial Magistrate, Pious Tapil made time available yesterday during the Easter Public Holiday to hear almost forty cases including twenty-seven summary offenses and four committals.

The special hearing follows the overcrowding at Lae’s Police Station cell in the month of April.

The Summary offenses include the use and sale of illicit drugs like marijuana and homebrew known as ‘fire-wara’ and street vending in public places.

Senior Provincial Magistrate Pious Tapil said, drugs and homebrew will not be tolerated by the District Court, following the offenders’ responses as a means of survival.

Tapil further stated that ‘making ends meet’ in selling the illicit drugs is a lazy way of sustaining lives and is a health risk imposed on others.

Tapil said this when sentencing almost ten offenders for 12 to 18 months imprisonment in possession of drugs and homebrew, whilst street vendors and those drinking in public places were given a fine of K300, or three months imprisonment at Lae’s Buimo Prison.

Meanwhile, the Senior Provincial Magistrate called on the Police to conduct awareness in public places to inform the public not to buy from the street vendors, or they will be penalized when caught by Police.

Tapil further stated that public places including the bus stops and market places must be free from street vending or ‘black market.’

He said this practice may cause opportunists to take advantage of the situation and in turn involve themselves in illegal activities such as petty crimes such as ‘pickpocket.’

New Ireland Police and other disciplinary forces have signed a partnership agreement with the Catholic Church.

This was done during the visit by Apostolic Nuncio (Ambassador) in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, Fermin Emilio Sosa Rodriguez during a recent visit to Kavieng.

The partnership will see the police and correctional service work together with the Church in order to identify effective service in the province.

Rodriguez was given a welcome parade upon his arrival at the Kavieng Airport before heading to the Catholic Diocese Cathedral. His visit to the province is to open dialogue and celebrate the Chrism Mass under his leadership.

The Chrism Mass is one of the most solemn and important liturgies of the Christian Calendar where the holy oil used for sacrament and Holy Orders are anointed and the consecration of alters and dedication of churches are conducted.

Ambassador Rodriguez was impressed with the warm welcome and thanked New Ireland Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat for the partnership between the Church and disciplinary forces.

“It’s a historical occasion for disciplinary forces and the people of New Ireland,” said PPC Nebanat.

“I am greatly grateful and truly humbled to see this partnership forged,” he added.