Papua New Guinea parliament in session on 15 February 2024. Photo: Loop PNG / Screencapture
A Papua New Guinea MP from Southern Highlands Province says politicians and bureaucrats are arming warlords and holding the nation's progress and security at ransom.
NBC quotes William Powi saying "leaders and elites are actively purchasing guns and arming warlords."
"This perpetuates a national crisis. Let's stop pretending we don't know who is responsible," Powi said when he addressed Parliament recently.
"You all know who they are. Point them out and let the police do their job by arresting them. It's time we take accountability and free our country from this vicious cycle," he said.
Powi has also proposed that a plot of land in Poroma set to become the site of a teachers' college should be repurposed as a police or youth training college.
"The land is available. We can use it to establish a training centre for police and defence recruits.
"LNG is ready to provide 27 all-in-one classrooms to support this initiative.
"This facility can be a proper recruitment hub to bolster manpower and tackle the escalating law-and-order crisis in the Highlands."
He also emphasised the need for judicial support in the region, urging the government to bring courts closer to communities.
"Bring courts to the area to ensure justice is served. Let's work together to create an environment where police and courts can operate effectively," Powi added.
