Caption: NCD Governor Powes Parkop (center).
By MATTHEW VARI
NCD Governor Powes Parkop has commented on the recent upheavals between the disciplinary forces of the police and the military as a shameful incident that has tainted the city and country’s image, during a press conference held yesterday.
He added that the origins that stemmed from alcohol fueled rage made it the more shameful as it showed how immature Papua New Guineans were in the consumption of alcohol and the responsibility associated with it.
Governor Parkop said that he was in Lae for his party’s conference during the Saturday morning of the event, but was kept up to speed via phone between the authorities and the commanders of both forces.
“All I want to say it is a shameful and regrettable event that has taken place over the last few days, both on the part of our discipline force and on the part of our people,” the governor said.
“We all should hang our heads in shame as it is not something we should promote- we are a city moving forward into the future- hosting a regional and international event, and it should be in the mindset of our people that we should do our best to promote our country and our people.”
“The 2015 Games and 2018 APEC is a major event that is a once in a lifetime experience that we are going to host- we might not host again for another 20 years for an opportunity for us to showcase the country.”
He said that the event over the last few days had not done any good for the city, people, and the nation.
“We all should know that it has tainted us in a negative light- with a bad reputation again in our region and the global front,” he said.
“I know we have done well in the last four or five years- we are progressing well, I hope it is just a one off incident that will never happen again.”
He however commended the actions of the hierarchy of both organizations for their quick response to the situation.
“As Governor I want to commend the efforts of the hierarchy of the police and army for their efforts to quell the situation as soon as possible,” Parkop said.
“Especially to get the people to stop looting J Mart and I want to commend the soldiers for that- I want to join the people and appeal to all the soldiers, rank and file to put the interest of our city, our nation, and our people ahead of their personal grievances and I want common sense to prevail.”
“This is an incident that emerged out of a situation that occurred in a bar- it rose out of drunkenness and alcohol abuse.”
He said that it was not out of some major political or social issue or grievances that people have against to warrant that type of destruction and animosity that has been created.
“It is an event that is not worthy of that type of response,” Governor Parkop concluded
“I am ready on my part as governor to help with the reconciliation to bring the two forces rank and file together to reconcile difference to host church services, joint marches, social activities, and barbeques I am ready to support to bring confidence to our people.”
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