Police prison van ready for major traffic operation

As the enforcement team gears up for the major traffic operation in NCD and Central Provinces, a police prison van has been assigned to be on standby with the police mechanics to assist when traffic offenders are caught.

The Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, Benjamin Turi, confirmed that the mechanics will be assisting the enforcement team in checking vehicles to ensure that offenders are not lying to the police. He stated that it is now up to the citizens to be honest with themselves and to make sure they follow traffic rules.

Turi also issued warnings to bus crews that they must not make their own laws to overcharge passengers because if they are caught, they will be charged. He said police are observing reports from the public regarding the overcharging.

"Port Moresby is a city where we have people from all parts of PNG and overseas living here," he said. "We have to meet the requirements of a city and we are working towards it to ensure that people living in the city have a permanent residential address, vehicles operating in the city are roadworthy, vending in undesignated areas is banned, and many more.

"We, as the citizens of this nation, must help contribute in ways to meet the city requirements."

He stated that the traffic operation will be carried out to alleviate city traffic congestion and also reduce traffic accidents caused by defective vehicles.

He further added that all police communication channels will be utilized to ensure effective communication among police units when offending drivers are not cooperating with them.

He mentioned that it will be teamwork. Meanwhile, the prison van will be used to transport traffic offenders to Waigani Police Station, where they will be charged accordingly for the offenses they committed.