Madang town

Provincial administrator Frank Lau made an appealed to the Police Commissioner and Internal Security Minister after the unrest which was sparked due to the barbaric killing of CID police officer.

This caused much damage to residents, business houses and citizens which police could not contain in the province.

Lau stated that police men and women despite their offices and barracks being condemned, still continue to live and work in desolate environments.

It is heading towards mid-year now and there seems to be no indication of sealing soon and in the meantime, commuters and vehicle owners are frustrated with the condition of the road.

This is true for many vehicle owners who complain about having to continuously buy parts (shock absorbers, tyres, bushings and wheel bearings) for their vehicles which shouldn’t be the case if the road conditions were fixed.

The road works is under the Madang District Works overseen by Albert Ului the Madang District Chief Executive Officer.

Maintenance on the five kilometre road has been ongoing for well over a year with many people already raising concerns and queries about its completion.

Former Works Manager and Civil Engineer, Daniel Muturam, is a long- time resident of Madang town. He says the Department of Works and Highways has a lot of questions to answer regarding the current work on the road, which he describes as sub-standard.

Town mayor, Peter Yalsy said youths when employed would keep them busy and out of trouble.

He was responding to the increasing law and order issues in the province. 

Yalsy said in other centres where there are factories, farms, poultries, and big companies operating there is less trouble because the people are busy working to earn their living. 

He said in Madang, there are many companies but they are not recruiting many young people to work that is why youths are roaming the streets and involving themselves in unlawful activities.

Madang Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang said according to police report, it was alleged that last Saturday at around 10pm armed criminals held up a Chinese family at their residence at Masingun.

The criminals used a harmer and broke open the gate and entered the residence to rob the expatriate family K60,000 in cash and valuable items.

PPC Rubiang said the police went to the scene but robbers had escaped. The police later searched for the criminals after a tip off.

Feeder roads need major upgrades. That’s according to drivers who frequently use them. One vehicle owner who asked to remain anonymous, said leaders who were ordered by the National Court Judge to work on the roads, have not done any physical work for the streets within the town.

According to Madang Police, the passengers were taken to the Mero Dump along the highway and robbed at gunpoint, while four male passengers were wounded.  

Madang Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang, said police were alerted and arrived at the scene but the criminals had escaped.

He said the police officers then transported the wounded passengers to the Modilon General Hospital for medical treatment.

Madang Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang said police were present to contain the situation by cautioning drunkards sending them home. 

"The cause of these were all cheap alcohol related. I had been stressing more on the sale and consumption of these cheap alcohol that people who own liquor shops in the province are selling. I want the authorities to address the issue of cheap sales of liquor,” Rubiang said.

The town is usually packed with locals from all over the province, however, this is not the case as many of these frequent town goers cannot travel in; even the bus stops to the main highway were absent of PMV trucks – especially the Bogia bus stop.

The bridge, which collapsed on Thursday, January 04^th is a link that serves many villagers from parts of Sumkar, Karkar and locals from East Sepik who travel via dinghies from Angoram to Bogia and other boat stops.

The once beautiful Madang Town has lost its way, but this is about to change.

Madang MP Bryan Kramer is adamant to take matters into his own hands, with his first order of business to address this issue and additional matters that have dragged the reputation of the town down and continue to destroy the lives of the people.

“My first order of business is to cancel the land title – public land belongs to the people; it doesn’t belong to the private sector,” says Kramer.

“My second agenda will be to address pick pocketing and loitering as well.”