OCTOBER 11, 2022
THE people of Tari-Pori district in Hela are hardworking, self-reliant and law-abiding people many of whom are engaged in micro to big businesses but for few lawbreakers, not dissimilar to many ethnicities of Papua New Guinea.
Prime Minister and Tari-Pori MP stated this today as he said it was “wrong” of Deputy Opposition Leader and Kiriwina- Goodenough MP Douglas Tomuriesa to blatantly label Tari people as the only cause of ethnic violence in the National Capital and throughout the country.
In so saying, the Prime Minister pointed out that the enforcement of policing in the country rests immediately on the shoulders of the Police Commissioner who should start making arrests to contain the situation to send the message that policing is strong and working in the country.
The two leaders were speaking today in Parliament during which the Deputy Opposition Leader asked the Prime Minister a question on government action to prevent ethnic clashes and improve general law-and-order in the city and throughout the country. Mr Tomuriesa then went further by saying the people of Tari Pori were the main instigators of violence in these situations.
Prime Minister Marape replied: “All problems in the city are not caused only by Tari Pori people. For the Member for Kirriwina-Goodenough to single out my people as if we are the only troublemakers in the city is wrong.
“Tari Pori has lawbreakers who cause problems, just like many other areas who also have lawbreakers who cause problems.
“The majority of my people are hardworking law-abiding people. The MP can come to the gate of my house and see that my people do not disturb me for their sustenance. They are self-reliant and work hard in the micro and big business sectors for their livelihood. My people are economically productive people.
“My district is an economic district that has LNG and gas that has fed this country in the last 30 years, yet development funds including services like education, health, police, and court services is minimal, forcing many of them to migrate to urban centres.
“Mr Police Commissioner, we do not need to call you every time an incident happens for you to make an arrest. It is your day job; you have signed up to have a handle on this. The Prime Minister cannot be issuing instructions all the time.
“The Prime Minister’s role is to appoint Commissioners, deputy commissioners and give resources to Police. We have passed the gun law, for instance. It is one of the hardest law with a life year imprisonment. My job to pass law is done; it is someone else’s job to enforce that law.
“The Police Commissioner and the Police Force must arrest the lawbreakers and whether that lawbreaker is a person from Tari Pori is not relevant in this matter.”
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