Port Moresby Looting

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Tkatchenko shows support to rebuild Port Moresby

By Inside PNG 18/01/2024

Moresby South MP, Justin Tkatchenko says there is no time to waste on the blame game, instead let’s move forward to rebuild Port Moresby.

In a recent statement, Tkatchenko said he was sad to see his electorate go up in flames and described the actions of the looters appalling and pathetic.

“These actions of those looters and civilians is going to cause innocent Papua New Guineas of Moresby South great despair and grievance and harm over the next months and years ahead,” stated Tkatchenko.

He said not only has this impacted the jobs of some good, honest, hardworking individuals; the repercussions will affect the greater community of Moresby South and all other residents of Port Moresby.

“These buildings and infrastructure are going to take years to rebuild and restock, and most business houses now do not want to come back and rebuild again.”

Tkatchenko has extended his full support in helping NCD Governor, Powes Parkop and Prime Minister, James Marape to clean-up and rebuild Port Moresby city and restore peace and order back into communities.

“It’s not going to be easy, but we must all work in partnership together, this is not about politics any more but about getting our services back to our people that truly deserve it.”

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Recovery of Stolen Items

By Inside PNG 14/01/2024

The recovery of stolen items taken during the looting in Port Moresby on January 10th is underway as security personnel are out in the streets retrieving the items.

Acting State of Emergency Controller in NCD Donald Yamasombi has advised looters in NCD and Central to return all stolen items to the stores they were taken from.

While the specifics of the SOE Orders are still being put together, acting controller Yamasombi says there will be no curfews but restrictions on movement of people.

InsidePNG understands in the next several hours, the SOE guidelines will be made public, enabling security staff to execute SOE directives.

Police have advised that all stolen property from Brian Bell must be brought back to the warehouse yard at Gerehu where it was set on fire.

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MPs resign from Government

By Inside PNG 11/01/2024

FOUR more members of parliament from the Southern Region are the latest to resign from Government following yesterday’s destruction and looting of shops in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby.

Member for Abau and ODP Leader, Sir Puka Temu; Member for North Fly District and PFP Leader, James Donald; Member for Ijivitari, David Arore; and Member for Middle Fly, Maso Hewabi in a joint statement expressed their disappointment in the way senior Government leaders sat by, while shops and property were looted and set alight in Port Moresby.

The four MPs’ in a joint statement said the turmoil, destruction and civil unrest in Port Moresby led them to lose confidence in the Government, and the leadership of Prime Minister, James Marape.

Earlier this morning, two other MPs’ resigned from the Marape led government; Pangu man, James Nomane and major coalition partner in government from United Resource Party, Keith Iduhu.

While Chimbu MP Nomane’s video went viral of his decision to quit government ranks, Hiri MP, Iduhu penned friend Marape of his decision to leave, labelling his leadership as being incapable.

“With all due respect, yesterday’s events have demonstrated to me that your leadership and the leadership of senior ministers and officials are incapable of fulfilling the sovereign duty of maintaining the rule of law and welfare of our people,” Mr. Iduhu said.

He added, “The core issue surrounding the grievances raised by the disciplinary forces was completely avoidable had it not been for bureaucratic negligence. And the ensuing events even after the Government was made aware of the situation displayed a lack of care for the potential for the situation to spiral out of control.”

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister who was schedule to visit East New Britain today, cancelled his trip as the situation throughout the country remained tense following riots in several parts of country.

NCD Governor, Powes Parkop on Talkback radio expressed disappointment at his city residents’ behaviour yesterday despite investing millions of Kina into the healthy mind and body yoga programs.

He was seen in a viral TikTok video with fellow Governor, Allan Bird driving around to show physical presence at Hotspots to curb any lawless behaviors from the public.

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Governor Wenge : Recall Parliament to repeal New Income Tax law

By Inside PNG 11/01/2024

MOROBE Governor, Luther Wenge has called upon the Prime Minister James Marape to quickly call a parliament session and scrap the new income tax law.

Wenge says the recent protests in Port Moresby are a direct result of the new tax law enforced by the Internal Revenue Commission in 2024.

He emphasized that no one has ever stood up against such an unfair law, and called on the Prime Minister to address this issue by immediately convening a parliamentary session.

Wenge blamed the IRC for implementing the law and insisted that the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament act swiftly to review and change it for the benefit of the nation.

He called for a halt to the improper imposition of taxes by the IRC, emphasizing the negative impact on businesses and citizens.

Wenge discouraged illegal activities like property destruction, however, he encouraged citizens to voice their concerns through elected leaders like himself.
He further added that it is important to address these issues through proper channels.

Governor Wenge explained the different income tax rates outlined in the 2024 Budget Amendment Bill of 2023, arguing that the ongoing situation is a direct outcome of the law and not a mistake by the IRC.

Wenge highlighted the economic challenges faced by the country, such as the devaluation of the kina, which lead to increased import costs for businesses, prompting a spike in the prices of goods.

He pointed out that this, coupled with existing loans has affected the salaries of public servants and those in the private sector.

Governor Luther Wenge expressed deep concern over the current situation, foreseeing significant hardships for the people of Papua New Guinea. He stressed that there is an urgent need for parliamentary intervention to amend the law and ease the burdens upon citizens.

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