SEPTEMBER 10 2022
Esa’ala MP Hon. Jimmy Maladina has expressed concern about attack on two British tourists in his district recently.
A British couple were travelling by dinghy to Normanby Island for hiking and birdwatching on Thursday, September 1, 2022, when they were pursued by another dinghy with armed men to the island.
They fled with other passengers into the jungle as the motor of the boat they travelled in was stolen together with their possessions by the pirates.
MP Maladina said this incident would have wider ramifications for tourism development in Esa’ala, Milne Bay and Papua New Guinea.
He said piracy was an ongoing issue faced by his people with no police to attend to the matter and his District Development Authority (DDA) would address this immediately by building houses for police officers.
“It is very unfortunate that this incident took place in my district, just after being elected as new Esa’ala MP, and is yet another setback in our efforts to develop tourism in Esa’ala, Milne Bay and PNG,” MP Maladina said.
“Sea piracy is becoming a scourge in Milne Bay waters and I will be talking with Internal Security Minister, Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr, to set up a major Water Police unit equipped with fast boats and communication equipment to fight this evil in the province.
“This incident, sadly, took place in my district and I am concerned about the ramifications on Esa’ala, Milne Bay and PNG as a whole.”
MP Maladina added: “This incidence of sea piracy is not an isolated incident, but an on going matter, which citizens of my district confront on a daily basis.
“I have already spoken to Provincial Police Commander Peter Barkie and asked for more police presence in Esa’ala District to quell such crimes.
“At the moment, there is only one fulltime policeman attending to 65,000 people of Esa’ala Base here in Esa’ala.
“I have requested for more police, however, PPC Barkie cannot send them to Esa’ala as they need accommodation.
“I have met my DDA this week and approved for five police houses to be built as soon as possible, subject to funding.
“I have also asked Minister Tsiamalili Jr to assist in any way through his department.”
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Law enforcement.
Exactly. There must be law enforcement not only in Esa’ala but throughout PNG.