Madang

Madang MP Bryan Kramer says one of his 2017 election campaign policy was to address urban drift, hence the exercise.

Once known as the ‘Pearl of the Pacific’, Madang town has now become one of the most notorious centres in the country.

Now into its second week, the social mapping program was rolled out to address the escalating urban drift and lawlessness that has plagued the once peaceful town.

“We’ve started social mapping…up to 300 houses already in one area of Madang where there’s a settlement that turned up in the last 5 years on church land,” stated Kramer.

The pair appeared before Senior Provincial Magistrate Josephine Kilage yesterday with their lawyer.

They were arraigned or had their charges read in court before their case was adjourned to July 19.

Arresting officer Charles Kukari, accompanied and assisted by Kila Tali of Boroko Police Station, were also in court.

Both defendants are out on K4,000 bail each.

The senior officials were arrested and charged with abuse of office and misappropriation of K400,000 belonging to the Madang Provincial Administration.

Madang Governor Peter Yama is confident that sharing of resources among the APEC economies will benefit everyone in the APEC region.

Yama, who hosted a gala dinner for the APEC Senior Finance Officials delegates recently at the Madang Resort, raised this concern.

Governor Yama told APEC delegates that foreign direct investments must be encouraged in APEC economies as it provides funds to economies, supports infrastructure programs and creates job opportunities.

The men were arrested on June 8 and June 10 respectively.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector Ben Neneo, confirmed their arrest today.

PPC Neneo told this newsroom that the arrest of senior provincial officers should serve as a warning to those that are involved in corrupt dealings.

He clarified that the two senior officers were arrested and charged with two counts of dishonesty under section 383, subsection 1a of the amended Criminal Code Act, and abuse of public office under section 87, subsection 1a of the Criminal Code Act.

Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Ben Neneo confirmed his arrest to this newsroom today.

PPC Neneo said Aloi had been charged for dishonestly using the Madang Provincial Government funds for his personal use and official corruption.

He is currently out on a court bail of K4,000.

More updates to follow…

He said being a former Governor and Minister of the state, he always refrains from making comments on sitting MPs but urged them to work together and develop the province.

He said the MPs have been elected by the people and they must bring services to the people who mandated them.

Meantime, Sir Peter also raised concerns that Madang and the country as a whole is not really attracting good investors into the country.

He said the influx of Asians in Madang have raised eyebrows as to how they have entered the province.

Sir Peter however, exclusively told this newsroom that Madang has never been getting good media attention on what is happening in the province.

“The image of Madang has suffered very much over the past years.”

He said Madang deserves better as it is a very beautiful province in the country and such bad publicities cannot help in terms of tourism benefits to the province.

“I was very happy for the Prime Minister, who kept his promise and allowed for the APEC meeting in our province.”

Secretary Wereh said Madang is such a huge land area with a huge potential for growth and investment, and roads play a crucial role in connecting people and providing access to markets and basic services.

Secretary Wereh outlined that they had very fruitful discussions on the quick commencement and completion of the Banab Bridge and Bogia bridges which will start immediately by a local contractor to restore normal access.

The PPC said Madang Town is quiet at the moment as the meeting is underway.

He urged the residents to continue to maintain that.

The said Madang Town residents have cleaned up the town and whole heartedly welcomed the guests.

He said the town right now is full of security personals as well both police and defence force covering the land, air and sea.

Those who step out of line will be dealt with these security forces.

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.

It is believed that the infrastructure was over 60 years old, and collapsed under excessive weight caused by a semi-trailer transporting an excavator.