Western Highlands petitions Eastern Highlands over the death of PMV Bus Driver
The immediate family members and Kungnuka-Palga tribe of Late bus driver Tony Pes joined hands with the rest of tribes within the Togoba Mile area of Western Highlands, met with Governor Wai Rapa and Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent John Sagom and presented the petition to Eastern Highlands leaders.
Late Tony was shot dead at Tuinka village in Kainantu along the Highlands Highway while on his way to Mt. Hagen with passengers.
Governor Rapa strongly condemned this act saying this inhuman behavior of individuals claiming innocent lives is uncalled for.
Rapa said late Tony works tirelessly day and night, serving the people of Papua New Guinea with the exceptional driving skills he provides and for him to lose life for no good reason is something doesn't go down well him as the leader representing the province.
"Western Highlands has no natural resources but heavily rely on human resources and Small and Medium Enterprise [SME] therefore, the provincial government has made a commitment to subsidize school fees and pay up to 70% of the vehicle registration fees. The killing of a bus driver is a great loss for the province," Rapa said.
Mr. Rapa said the shooting of Late Tony is tragic, an unfortunate situation which will not be accepted by his children and wives, immediate family & tribes and province.
Western Highlands Governor said late Tony is a hero stating that his service to the public helps him earn money to put bread on the table for his family, contribute to community obligations, help bus owners grow their business and collectively contribute to the development of the province.
The entire Western Highlands believe that the issue of killing PMV drivers, torturing women and girls and causing inconveniences to the travelling public in that part of the highland's highway notably Komberi and Barola sections of Eastern Highlands have been ongoing for years. With the death of Late Tony they [Western Highlands] want leaders of Eastern Highlands - both politically and locally to immediately act to the petitions outlined.
The four-point petition outlined include:
- Justice must be served and that the perpetrators must face the full force of the law.
- Hefty compensation to be made as an atonement for the premeditated murder of an innocent person
- The Eastern Highlands Provincial Government in collaboration with the local MP for Kainantu should look into ways to provide financial relief for the eight orphaned children and three wives of Late Bus Driver Tony Pes for their future wellbeing
- and … ensure public safety if the travelling public and PMV buses along the Highlands Highway especially concentrate along the Kompro and Barola sections and establish a police station there so that police presence must be felt there.
Governor Rapa urged the family and tribe of late Tony not to take the law into their own hands.
The Eastern Highlands Governor, Simon Sia though not physically present during the presentation of the petition joined via phone and heard what leaders have expressed. Governor Rapa received the petition on his behalf.
Governor Sia, while noting the four petitions acknowledged the family and tribe of late Tony. He assured them that they will assist in identifying the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Governor Rapa will leave the petitions with PPC Sagom. Mr Sagom with his police officers and a few of the tribesmen will be travelling to Goroka tomorrow [Friday] to present to Governor Sia and the Law-and-Order Committee team of Eastern Highlands.
Meanwhile, the family and tribe of the Late driver also demand a compensation package of K500,000.00 and 50 pigs considering the points stated in the petition.
Community leader Patrick Namba on behalf of Late Tony thanked Governor Rapa and Sia for the leadership shown and assured the PMV operators and drivers of the Highlands Highway from Lae/Madang/Mt Hagen and vice versa to resume normal routines of their route.