Air Niugini and PNG Air have suspended all flights into Nadzab and Kiunga starting tomorrow (1^st September).  

This follows a notice from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to the National Airports Corporation for failure to compile and meet administrative regulations.

NAC Managing Director, Rex Kiponge said CASA had accused NAC staff of not completing the Fit and Proper Person Test, which was an administrative matter.

“To put on record, the Airport Manager for Nadzab had passed the FPP Test and was certified by CASA. While for Kiunga, the Airport Safety Manager has submitted his application for FPP Test which is with CASA awaiting schedule of his test,” said Kiponge.

This afternoon, PNG Air issued a statement saying the suspension of flights will remain indefinite because airport regulation works on resolving this issue relates to both aerodromes. While Air Niugini stated it will resume services as soon as the airports are reopened by CASA.

Meanwhile, Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt has confirmed that both airports will be closed starting tomorrow. The Minister said an update will be posted tomorrow (1st, September) and has urged CASA and NAC to solve the issue swiftly.

A policeman in Kimbe was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison for the death of a known criminal.

29-year-old Darryl Yakali from Avatip in the Ambunti-Drekikier District of East Sepik Province was convicted on the charge of murder on the 22nd of August, 2022.

The National Court in Kimbe heard that on 25th June 2020, Yakali and other policemen went searching for Dale Benny at Section 15 Area.

Between 4:30 pm-5 pm, they saw Benny Torua, Dale Benny’s father. Yakali spoke to Benny and told him to bring his son to the police station the next day with K500. Soon after, gunshots were heard around that same area. Dale Benny was shot and injured and taken to the hospital. He later died that evening. 

Yakali had pleaded not guilty but admitted to shooting Dale Benny in the defence of self-accident. However, the court found that there was no evidence to support Yakali’s belief.

From the post-mortem report submitted in court as evidence, Dale Benny sustained fractures to his left and right lower bones in the leg (tibia) and both his artery had been severed.

Yakali also argued that the deceased was listed in the most dangerous person category of the Kimbe Police.

Dale Benny was said to be involved in an armed robbery at Biala and was arrested on 19th August 2019. However, while in police custody, he escaped through the cell ceiling. Whilst on the run, Benny was said to have broken into JJ Mart in Kimbe Town and Yakali was tasked as the case offer to that case.

Benny was also said to have had countless cases of phones and bilums snatching and attempts to catch him were unsuccessful because he was harboured by his community.

Justice Panuel Mogish in his judgement said, despite the deceased being a Person of Interest to the Police, he was entitled to the full protection of the law.

“The offender was a policeman at the time of the offence. He held a position of trust to the community he served and that was to protect life and property. He abused that trust when he killed the deceased,” said Mogish.