Morobe province

33 imprisoned for Finschhafen clash

Late in July, a man was allegedly killed following a disagreement over landowner identification, believed to be related to a major hydro project at Burum local level government.

Burum LLG president, Philip Polly, said the incident occurred at Serembeng village.

“Gagidu police went and arrested 40 suspects and took them to Gagidu,” said Polly. “While they were still processing the suspects, the family of the deceased got on three vehicles from Lae, went to the village and torched the houses.

Lae residents urged to take ownership

Lae city is moving forward in terms of infrastructural development, economic growth and quality service delivery under the leadership of Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso.

Rosso outlined that ambulance services, rubbish bins, street lights and classrooms all cost money and are provided for the benefit of people living in Lae.

Wantoat abductees yet to be found

Morobe rural police commander, Superintendent David Warap, said when a Mobile Squad 13 section went to Gumia village to contain the situation, there was no one present as people had fled their homes following the July 12th confrontation between the gang and a resistant group.

During that time, a member of the suspected cult group was beheaded while another man from the resistant group was killed.

New St John Ambulance presented

Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso, emphasised on the importance of the emergency medical response service provided to Lae residents.

This is why since the signing of a three-way agreement between SJA, the Lae City Authority and Morobe Provincial Health Authority in December 2020, LCA has been supporting the ambulance service with K500,000 every year.

“Because of this partnership, the Lae City Authority, every year, supports St John with half-a-million-Kina to partner with St John to ensure that we provide this vital service to the citizens of Lae,” said Rosso.

Wantoat cult group suspected of abduction

Police are working with locals to pinpoint the location of the four. 

The abduction follows a police report of a confrontation between the cult group – which was believed to be operating in the village of Gumia since March this year – and a resistance group.

Morobe police reported that during the confrontation on July 12th, a member each from the two groups was killed. 

Villagers from Gumia have scattered and are living in fear of a retaliation from the cult group as one of their members was beheaded during the confrontation. 

Focus on conservation in Morobe

Morobe, being the largest province in PNG in terms of landmass, also contains many of the high biodiversity sites proposed for resource management.

With funding support from the Rainforest Trust Foundation, the Morobe Provincial Government is collaborating with the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program to conduct a rapid feasibility project to identify conservation areas.

Climate Change Officer within the Morobe Provincial Administration, Arthur Forepe, said this has been an ongoing activity since the first conservation project was started at YUS LLG in Kabwum district.

Woman assaulted by senior Lae policeman

Their family has been having land issues with the family of the senior police officer in question, who is from Central Province but married to a Butibam woman.

While the matter is being dealt with at the village level, Raynald was allegedly unlawfully detained for over six hours on Sunday, July 16th, at the Top Town police holding cell.

“I wanted to get my bail receipt,” said Raynald. “He brought the police to my home at Buala, Butibam, on Sunday. I told them, I did nothing wrong. Our land mediation is still underway.

Fix your home, stressed Lae MP

Apart from being the Lae MP, Rosso is also PNG’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Lands and Physical Planning and also the Minister for Labour and Immigration.

“Whilst in my capacity as Deputy Prime Minister – I do work for our government and country – you always have to fix your backyard and that’s your home,” he said. “That’s a place where we all grew up.

“Whether you grew up in a settlement or suburb or wherever in the communities around Lae – you’ve got to fix your home. And I think we’ve done well in the last six years with all your help and the business houses.”

Rosso bike race launched

Lae MP and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso, launched the bicycle event on Saturday, July 8th, at the Lae Yacht Club. 

Popularly known as the ‘Rosso Cup’, this is the biggest family event in Lae since its inception in 2020.

Over 600 riders registered in the 2020 inaugural Rosso Cup while 800 participated in 2022.

The Lae City Authority anticipates a bigger turnout this year.

“Lae was known as the bicycle city before. It wasn’t ‘Rainy Lae’,” said Rosso.

K35mil meth case adjourned

Magistrate Lorna Sani made the decision yesterday after police prosecutor, Vincent Suakai, asked for more time to put together the necessary documents that will be tendered to court.

Suakai told Sani that police have completed their investigation pursuant to section 94B of the District Courts Act 1963.