Homemade guns, bows and arrows to be destroyed in Wabia village, Hela Province
Dozens of homemade guns and bows and arrows today were surrendered to local leaders in Wabia Village in the Komo Hulia Electorate of Hela Province.
About three tribes agreed to hand over these weapons to local leaders instead of the state for the arms to be destroyed this afternoon.
The surrender program is an initiative of Charlie Waro, a local man who owns a successful trucking business in the United States.
Mr. Waro says Christmas is a time when people must forget the past, make peace, and focus on the future to be successful and live a meaningful life.
"Development changes will occur if people embrace peace, and for that to become a reality, all guns and other offensive weapons must be destroyed". He said
These weapons force men to be involved in tribal fights.
Present to witness the occasion were Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Komo Hulia MP Daniel Tindipu, Provincial Administrator Marago Dagoba, and other guests.
Representatives of the tribes that surrendered the weapons have strongly appealed to the two MPs and the administrator to establish a police station at Wabia Village and improve feeder roads for police to move in swiftly when tribal conflicts arise.
Guns sold in exchange for marijuana
A man who surrendered 3 factory-made guns and a grenade today at Wabia Village in Hela Province says he bought the guns through the exchange of marijuana in Western Province and bought the grenade sold by a police officer in Mendi, Southern Highlands Province.
Michael Wapi from Kela one ward in Hulia LLG, Komo Hulia Electorate said he took a 20kg marijuana bag and walked to Telefomin and Kiunga in the Western Province with two other accomplices for the exchange.
He said it took them two weeks to travel to and from the Western Province to trade.
Mr Wapi explained that he could be one out of hundreds who obtain weapons through the exchange and sale of marijuana, and this is a wake-up call for the police hierarchy to tighten up security at checkpoints known for drug and gun trafficking.
He appealed to other Hela people who had gone through similar struggles to obtain guns to surrender them and embrace peace and development.
The hand grenade was purchased from a police officer for K7, 000.
Mr Wapi says a few police and PNGDF personnel are involved in aiding and selling bullets, guns, and grenades to the locals.
He says the corrupt deals by the disciplined security forces has resulted in law and order problems in remote areas of the province.