Ownership of illegal firearms has become part of Hela culture, says Hela Gimbu Association deputy chairman Habia Babe.
He said this has illustrated the dangers in the build-up of weapons in resource rich, Hela Province.
The province houses the multi-billion Kina LNG Project operated by Exxon Mobil.
Babe said the ownership of illegal firearms have increased gun violence which resulted in the National Government funding a K11 million security operations to curb the guns build-up.
He said it is common knowledge that guns had replaced bows and arrows, and the security personnel must work with the local police, churches, and locals to confiscate the unlicensed firearms.
“We need to work together to maintain investors’ confidence.
“At the end of the call-out, there must be a detailed recommendation to find a way forward and find a solution to the law and order problem,” Babe said.
Meanwhile, the official launching of the Hela call-out security operation happened on Monday in Tari town, with the key message of surrendering illegal firearms whilst working together with Security Forces to restore law and order in the province.
The amnesty period for surrounding of unlicensed weapons will lapse on 28th of February.
File picture.