Opposition: Charge PM Marape with breaching Covid-19 Pandemic Act

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Beldan Namah (left) wants Prime Minister James Marape to be charged for violating Covid-19 protocols

Thousands gathered … no masks, no Covid-19 Niupela Pasin (New Normal) protocols (Prime Minister James Marape and Philip Undialu welcomed by a massive crows in Hela's Margarima station last month.)

Opposition: Charge PM Marape with breaching Covid-19 Pandemic Act

PORT MORESBY: Papua New Guinea (PNG) Opposition Leader Beldan Namah wants National Pandemic Controller David Manning to charge Prime Minister James Marape for contravening the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic Act.

“If he is not charged, and I do not expect he will, then the Ombudsman Commission must investigate both men for breaches of the Leadership Code for dereliction of duty and placing the lives of thousands at risk,” he added.

Read on for more on the news break published by The National:

Namah urges Manning to charge PM over breaking Covid rules

February 3, 2022The NationalMain Stories

OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah wants National Pandemic Controller David Manning to charge Prime Minister James Marape for contravening the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic Act.
“If he is not charged, and I don’t expect he will, then the Ombudsman Commission must investigate both men for breaches of the Leadership Code for dereliction of duty and placing the lives of thousands at risk,” he said.
“He (Marape) does it publicly and frequently with the full knowledge that the law will not touch him.”
Just a week after Manning reissued warnings to the public not to gather in groups exceeding 100 people, Marape went to Mendi to address crowds in the thousands without a care for the Niupela Pasin (New Normal).
Marape visited Southern Highlands’ Mendi for several project launches where thousands of people gathered.
“He knew people woud gather in large numbers if the prime minister is scheduled to address a public forum,” Namah said.
“In agreeing to address the forum, he deliberately and with premeditation broke a very important Covid-19 restriction.
“He has put the lives of thousands at risk.
“He must be held to account under the law.
“I call upon the Criminal Investigation Department to use its own powers under the law to investigate both men for criminal negligence, and seriously jeopardising the lives of people.
“We cannot continue to develop and enforce rules and laws for the common person which is continuously flouted by the prime minister and his police commissioner.”
However, Manning said event organisers were aware of the restrictions.
“The prime minister’s presence drew a larger crowd, the event was in a big public space but those in attendance had a strong desire to witness the event,” he said.
“Ultimately, in a big crowd, such as the event, it is difficult to implement Covid-19 restrictions and there are limitations to implement measures.
“It is anticipated this will be the case for the coming general election 2022 campaigns,” he added.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea (Employment stagnant since 2014) PORT MORESBY: Employment in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained stagnant since 2014 with millions of unemployed looking for jobs. The formal job market currently can only accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker says. “As more young people enter the job market this year after graduating from tertiary institutions and schools, the chances of securing formal employment is slim. “Employment had remained stagnant despite the increase in potential workers coming out of educations institutions,” he added. Read on for more details as published by The National : Hard to get jobs January 27, 2022 The National Main Stories By DALE LUMA MILLIONS of eligible workers around the country are looking for jobs in the formal sector, which currently can ...
Read more

Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30

Image
News that matters in Papua New Guinea Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30 PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace. In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards. Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. PNG Cyber Monitor had on a May 25, 2019, posting ( https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2019/05/real-life-rifles-bows-and-arrows-bloody.html Real life rifles, bows and arrows bloody fights in PNG ) highlighted the bloody battle waged by tribal warriors armed with rifles, bows and arrows and knives. PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The Nationa...
Read more

Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Sorcery tortures and violence are still being practised in Papua New Guinea in this 21st Century digital era. Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas PORT MORESBY: It was international shame for Papua New Guinea (PNG) this Christmas when sorcery reared its ugly head. Six women were stripped, bound to poles and burnt with hot knives as they screamed in pain, watched by an unsympathetic crowd. In a video that has gone viral in the internet, the women were accused of practising sorcery in Southern’s Enga. Police Comm David Manning described the sorcery torture as vile, inhumane, uncivilised, void of any human decency. “Papua New Guinea cannot progress without letting go of these horrific traditional beliefs. We have launched an urgent probe into the incident in Aiya’s Pawayamo village in Kagua-Erave.” The news break was published by The National : Horror torture of women Decem...
Read more