Christmas operations

As part of its proactive measures, additional emergency ambulance crews were strategically deployed to meet the anticipated surge in incidents during the extended Christmas weekend.

From Friday evening to Tuesday at 6 am, 17 ambulances were on duty across critical locations, including Lae, Kokopo, Kupiano Bereina, and Port Moresby. Responding collectively to 370 emergency incidents, the St John Ambulance (SJA) Christmas operation, spanning from Sunday evening to Tuesday morning, saw dedicated ambulance crews attending to 162 emergency cases.

Madang Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent David Seine Jr addressed police officers in Madang town police station in a parade. He called on his officers to work ethically and professionally during the festive season operation. 

PPC Seine Jr who was in the provinces for the last 14 days was pleased with how the police officers had been working. He had witnessed good responses from police regarding a recent robbery. 

With that, PPC Seine Jr told officers and the MS officers to maintain their good work during the festive season operation. 

A parade consisting of regular Policemen and Policewomen and reservists from Malalaua and Kerema Police Station marked the official opening of the operations. 

The host parade was led by Gulf Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector Jeffrey Lemb. 

Kerema Open MP, Thomas Opa and Southern Acting Assistant Commissioner Clement Dalla were also present to witness the occasion. 

PPC Lemb said, “The operation will ensure mothers, children and communities enjoy the festive season period peacefully.” 

The festive period operations began a month ago and according to Police, residents of Port Moresby have maintained peace.

Three main road blocks have been set up to achieve their plan of bringing a peaceful festive season.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Perou N’Dranou, said with the record of this year’s operations, he is happy the city is responding to their message of adhering to law and order.

Superintendent N’Dranou also said they have successfully completed the second phase of the operations and will be completing the next phase.

Metropolitan Superintendent Commander Perou N’Dranou says cooperation from residents as well as social groups, like neighbourhood watch groups created by youths from the suburbs, have been major contributors to the success of the second phase of the police festive operations.

In a briefing yesterday, the Commander stated that he is pleased with the outcome of the operations.

He said this is just another phase that has been completed and the police now await the New Year, which they believe will be very challenging.