Lae Metsup calls on NICTA for 112 hotline activation

Since the launching of the 112 Emergency Hotline in Lae on December 8th last year [2025], by the Deputy Prime Minister and Lae MP, John Rosso, the 112 lines are yet to ring out.

The Lae Metropolitan Commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban said the issue at hand to get the 112-hotline operational is its connectivity, and that’s where the National Information and Communications Technology Authority [NICTA] should and must step in.

He revealed that despite formally raising the matter with NICTA via email, there has been no response until now, stressing that the 112 hotline is not a service for police convenience, but a critical lifeline for the public, particularly victims of crime who rely on immediate assistance.

“I want to make it clear that 112 doesn’t serve the interest of police, it serves the interest of the people who are affected by crime, so I’m calling out to NICTA to respond to my email and let’s get this done for the community,” the Police boss said.

Kunyanban emphasized that under the existing emergency provisions, the 112 shortcode must be activated and maintained to serve the public, placing responsibility on NICTA as the mandated authority overseeing telecommunication in the country.

“112 is not working in Lae, we launched it with the Deputy Prime Minister and it’s still stagnant, not moving, the connectivity problem is beyond us police and it goes back to NICTA as the authorized agency that looks after all the telecommunication companies, so the prerogative goes back to NICTA,” he said.

Chief Superintendent Kunyanban is also appealing to political leaders of Morobe to intervene and support efforts to ensure the 112-emergency line becomes fully operational, stressing its importance in strengthening public safety and law enforcement response is not only within Lae but the province as a whole.