Lae City

The team of seven specialist doctors ranging from a Neurosurgeon, Urologist (Urologists diagnose and treat diseases of the urinary tract in both men and women), Neonatologist (a doctor who specializes in caring for newborns with complex or high-risk health problems)

Assailants entered the Parer Street premises under the cover of darkness, incapacitated the lone guard and ransacked the newly opened centre.

Marie Stopes PNG Centers channel manager, Mellisah Agigo, and the Lae Centre team were on sight to inspect the damage to the new facility and account for the assets.

Ms Agigo said around K12,000 worth of items were taken, including laptops containing files for clinical quality that MSPNG highly maintains.

The new centre has a ramp for people with disabilities, a spacious reception area for waiting clients and two private rooms for clients; one with a standard obstetrics bed.

On the home front, their families live in some of the most rundown and uninhabitable dwellings in the country.

In Lae City, ‘Loop PNG’ visited 17 police families who are living in condemned student dormitories at the Three-Mile Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL)’s old training centre.

With family sizes averaging between 1 and 5 children, cramped living spaces are the least of their concerns; they have no water, no electricity and only one pit toilet for everyone to use.

Three shops were held up within a week, with Lae’s acting police boss urging drivers to be cautious as vehicles were being hijacked to aid in the criminals’ escape. 

The most recent incident was on Monday, February 12th, where a group of armed men, wearing school uniforms from Bugandi and Lae secondary, held up the CHM Tech Haus at Top Town. They took laptops, cameras and mobile phones, putting them in what is commonly called ‘market bags’; woven polypropylene sacks that were initially cut out from rice bags or chicken stockfeed.

Following that, Member for Lae and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso, extended the concerns to the Secretary for Department of Works and Highways (DOWH). 

“This road has been initially contracted and supervised by the DOWH,” said Rosso. 

“As a result, the DOWH conducted investigation and assessment on the failed sections and have responded by getting the contractor who built this section to rectify the failed pavement at cost to the contractor. 

“Hence, the contractor has commenced reconstruction work on the failed sections of the road pavement as of Wednesday. 

Assistant Commissioner of Police for Northern Command, Peter Guinness, clarified that the message was clear; remain at home or within your premises.

So far, Lae police have confirmed five deaths and six injuries.

“Why did they come out to the streets? What was their intention and what was their purpose for coming and joining the group to cause trouble?”

Highlighting the Port Moresby rampage on Wednesday, January 10^th, ACP Guinness said people thought they could capitalise on the situation in other centres of the country.

Residents started hearing gunshots at 7am on Thursday, January 11th, as members of the Royal PNG Constabulary fired warning shots to deter the growing number of would-be looters.

This did not work at Kamkumung as the large crowd rushed at members of the disciplined forces and the private security firms who were assisting, throwing stones and objects at them. 

Police officers had to retreat and wait for backup. 

Residents and the business community may have been aware or impacted over Christmas by a dispute from the Lae City Council, which restrained municipal functions and collections by court order 336/2023 of December 12^th, 2023.

This order has now been set aside in its entirety and LCA resumes all functions and collections.

“I would like to commend the people of Lae for respecting the rule of law and ensuring that celebrations were held in the true spirit of peace and unity.”

"Christmas is a time for families getting together, going to church, sharing joy and love and welcoming the New Year and this year was outstanding for our residents," says Rosso.

Rosso also commended community leaders, police and St John Ambulance and health workers for their tireless commitment to ensuring that residents celebrated their Christmas and New Year peacefully without major incidents.