FORIEGNERS in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have been screened and scrutinised by a joint task force in the region.
The joint team comprising of the Buka Town Council, Police, Customs, Immigration and the Labour Office executed the operation in Buka two weeks ago. And then moved over to Arawa and then to Panguna to screen Chinese working in the mine tailings area.
Team leader and also Buka town Manager Edward Kenai told PNG Loop in Buka alone they checked all NGO’s and foreign owned businesses operating in Buka town, for work permits, and trading licenses Certificate of Compliance from the Internal Revenue Commission.
And so far two from Asian origin have been deported and one believed to be from Korea has been locked up in the Buka police station cell, and one Chinese owned bakery has been ordered to shut down operations, due to non-compliance of health regulations.
“In collaboration with other very important stakeholders and also with the help of some of our veterans we were able to identify screen and scrutinise foreigners living and working around Buka town, to make sure they have proper work permits, passports, visa, and are compliant to our Buka town regulations as well as the regulations set out by the PNG Government,” Kenai said.
“My appeal now to the general public on Bougainville is to report any illegals living in your community or village and surrounding urban areas,” he said.
PIcture: A recent riot in a Chinese store in Buka. They are now being properly screened.