East Sepik Province

Ward 2 Wewak Urban polling free, fair and safe

After being turned away for not having her name in the common roll, she sat outside the polling area together with many other women and young men and women who stayed around all day hoping the officials would somehow create some way for them to vote.

She was not alone in this. Another concerned voter, Peter Maru who was able to vote but was concerned that a very small number of voters only were able to vote.  

Two found dead in tunnel

Provincial Police Commander Albert Beli said the deceased pair had allegedly gone there with another friend, to look for gold. The deceased were identified as John San 23, from Wingei 1, Yangoru District, and Jacob Aikon 40, from Kreer Village in Wewak.

According to police reports, the three men went to the tunnel on Sunday 19 June. They took with them a water pump and a metal detector. The third man however felt uneasy and refused to go into the tunnel. He told police he left his two friends at the tunnel and returned.

Accidents on the rise along Sepik Highway

East Sepik Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Albert Beli said there had been increase in traffic accidents along the highway in the recent months.  He said with election campaign going on, the movement of vehicles has increased. Road users are being asked to apply caution when traveling.

Man On The Run After Murder

East Sepik Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Albert Beli said that the suspect had gone to his brother’s house while under the influence of liquor, and insulted his sister-in-law. She reported the matter to her brothers.

The next day, the suspect sent his wife to question his sister in law as to why she reported him to her brothers. Police allege that both women started arguing. The deceased went to stop the two women but ended up being chased and attacked with a bush knife by his older brother. He eventually died from his injuries.

Police Outnumbered As Fighting Continues

Police in Wewak are yet to confirm the number of people killed in the clash. East Sepik Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Albert Beli said the situation was tense yesterday with police outnumbered, as trouble escalated. 

He said they tried their best but the situation got out of hand with number of deaths unknown. PPC Beli said an urgent call has been made for additional manpower and back-up is expected to be sent to the fighting zone.

Cataract Outreach Treats Over 500 Patients

Senior ophthalmologists David Pahau of the Fred Hollows Foundation said the team screened over a thousand patients.

The ophthalmologists performed 30-40 operations daily and at times worked late into the night.

“Our expected target was 300 successful operations by the end of the outreach. But we have exceeded that target and by the end of the third week of the outreach, we would have treated over 500 patients,” Dr. Pahau said.

The outreach came about as a result of cataract screenings which has been ongoing for the last two years in the province.

ESP Police strict with liquor ban

From May 12 to May 19 only hotels will be allowed to sell alcohol. The PPC added that from May 19 to July 29, there will be a complete ban on the sale of alcohol.

Beli who is also part of the Liquor Licensing board in the province said, “We (Provincial Liquor Licensing Board) are mindful of small business owners who may be affected by the ban, but it is only for a short term.”

“Anybody (outlet) who defies the restrictions or ban will be severely dealt with.

“Police will also be keeping a close eye on homebrew producers.

ESP Police ready for Election

The PPC said from police records, alcohol was one of the main cause for problems. The ban on the sales of liquor will make some difference during the election. He said he will discuss this with the provincial liquor licensing committee and other stake holders on how best they will address this before the actual dates of the ban are issued.

BSP thriving in East Sepik

East Sepik’s BSP Wewak Branch has been in operation since 1977 and while the province’ s economic activities has picked up in recent years since the establishment of the Sepik Economic Zone, so has BSP SME products offering.

Wewak Branch Manager Robert Jomino said Financial Literacy Training in the province has also picked up momentum because of agricultural development and business opportunities, but the service that is on demand in the province, is its SME Loan products.

East Sepik gets eight new police vehicles

Governor Allan Bird said the purpose of these vehicles was help the police carry out their jobs effectively throughout the province and in parts of the West Sepik as well.

Governor Bird said East Sepik has the second largest population of 800,000 and with only 170 police personnel, it is quite difficult to service the wider population given the limited resources.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations Donald Yamasombi thanked Governor Bird for seeing the need in resourcing police in the province, to cover more areas in the province and enforce law and order.