Enga Province

Second roadblock set up along highway

Earlier this morning, the Yakuman tribe dug up a section of the Highlands Highway in protest over the removal of a semitrailer that was involved in an accident, where eight young men had died.

Of the eight, six were from the Yakuman tribe, while two were from the Maini tribe of Pausa.

Locals at Pausa have now used a semitrailer to block off the highway, only allowing selected vehicles to pass.

Fraud team arrests Engan man

Pengal Isaac, 34, was arrested on the 19th of July in Port Moresby.

It is alleged between the 1st of July 2018 and 18 July 2018, he was employed by OM Holdings Limited as admin officer.

His responsibility involved preparing timesheets and assist the camp manager in any administrative roles.

During the period in question, Isaac falsely did timesheets for two former employees of the company who had left a year ago. 

He submitted the timesheets for K1,268 to the payroll section for payment.  

Tribal fighting erupts again

Provincial Police Commander, George Kakas, said the fighting subsided last Wednesday when Enga’s Mobile Squad (MS11) withdrew from Southern Highlands with a section of military personnel stationed at strategic locations on the border of the two warring tribes. 

On Monday, the peace and good order committee, escorted by police, visited both tribes to foster peace agreements, but one tribe refused.

This morning, PPC Kakas said fighting erupted again with the Kii tribe launching an attack on the Kala tribe.

Stop tribal fights, embrace coffee: Ipatas

“We must embrace this gesture in the form of coffee funding rehabilitation and stop tribal fights so more or similar assistance can come into the province.”

Sir Peter also urged his people to work together, invest their time in income generating ventures and more young people to take on initiatives such as this coffee project.

The governor was officiating at the launching of a tool and material distribution ceremony held at Winikos Village in Kompiam District on Wednesday, 21 February. It was attended by over 2,000 people.

Magnitude 6 aftershock rattles Highlands region

Emanating closer to Porgera, Enga Province, the quake was picked up by the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory’s Manam station in Madang Province.

An official from the RVO told Loop PNG that aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur after a previous main earthquake.

“The tectonic plate is just settling back into its position,” explained the RVO.

“Our Manam station picked it up because it was of a larger magnitude.

“Based on experience, aftershocks will continue for at least 5 days.”

Enga Governor wants sorcery accusations stamped out

Sir Peter Ipatas says: “This week alone there have been two more incidents of sanguma accusations in Enga Province and more than 20 innocent women, within the space of a month, have been victims of this accusation based violence, including a young child who was tortured near Sirunki.

“I condemn this violence and these false accusations. The accusations must stop now.

“The torturing and murdering must stop now. Enough is enough.”

Sir Peter says accusing someone of sorcery is against the law of PNG, including the torture and murder based on such accusations.

First from Enga to be declared

The People's Nationa Congress member polled 22,074 votes after the 24th exclusion to reach 50.1 percent of the total number of ballot papers from the district, to win back the seat he had held for three terms.

Candidate John Kaeo collected 7,600 votes to finish second.

Pundari thanked electors, election officials and security personnel for working together towards his peaceful victory.

More than 28 candidates contested the Kompiam-Ambum Open seat.

Counting for other seats, including the regional seat, are continuing.

     

​Tensions over delayed ballot box extraction

Enga Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent George Kakas, confirmed that roadblocks have also been set up to stop the extraction of the ballot boxes.

Kakas said because of the delays, candidates and supporters resorted to attacking each other.

Kakas also confirmed that a policeman was also wounded in Wapenamanda whilst trying to extract ballot boxes from Tsak valley.

The policeman, who is attached to the Mobile squad 4, has been airlifted to Port Moresby for treatment.

He said the matter is now a criminal matter and police are still investigating.

​Man arrested in POM for multiple voting

Erik Pps appeared at the Waigani Committal Court today following his arrest on June 30 at the Five-Mile Ridge polling booths in NCD.

Police apprehended the man from Tsak Valley after scrutineers caught him around 2pm on Friday.

He admitted to voting three times when caught.

He was arrested and charged under section 100 of the Criminal Code, for voting more than he was entitled to.

Polling in Enga delayed

Provincial election manager Anton Iamau confirmed that polling officials are now doing pre-counting of ballot papers in Wabag Town.

Iamau said earlier that all 1,156 ballot boxes arrived in the province last week.

He said there are enough security personnel of both police and defence force on ground to provide security during polling. 

Enga consists of five electorates, 411 polling teams, 364 Wards and 18 LLGs.

After the pre-counting is done, the ballot boxes will be distributed to the five electorates.