Magarima gets new Police Commander, vehicle to strengthen security
Magarima District in Hela Province has received a new Police Station Commander and a police vehicle to strengthen law and order along Hela’s western border.
Hela Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Michael Welly announced the appointment and handover yesterday during a meeting with Hela Provincial Administration led by Administrator Ronny Angu and the Magarima District Administration.
At the meeting, PPC Welly announced Rex Mondo as the new Police Station Commander for Magarima and presented him with the key to a new police vehicle.
“Magarima District is in a strategic location bordering Enga and Southern Highlands Provinces, and it is the gateway into Hela Province," Welly said. “The Magarima Police must be properly empowered with manpower, housing, and vehicles."
He confirmed that 10 new police officers would be deployed immediately to work alongside PSC Mondo, with plans to increase the presence to over 50 officers in the future. He also pledged to establish a Highway Patrol Unit in Magarima, noting that Koroba-Lake Kopiago and Komo-Hulia districts already host Mobile Squad Units.
PPC Welly thanked Hela Governor Philip Undialu and the provincial government for their police rollout program. He said 10 houses have been allocated for Magarima Police, and urged Hela Police Housing Rollout Program Coordinator Amos Libe to allocate another 10 houses to the district this year as part of the planned 100-house project. He also called on Provincial Administrator Ronny Angu to assist with renovating the existing police houses.
Angu said addressing law and order was a prerequisite for all other development. He pledged K150,000 from the Provincial Administration to support renovation works at the Magarima Police Station.
“Magarima is the gateway and must be properly equipped to ensure no illegal firearms, liquor, or other contraband enter other parts of Hela Province,” Angu said.
He urged the community to take ownership of maintaining peace and to support police operations.
Magarima District Development Authority CEO Simon Olaija confirmed that clearance work had been completed for the first 10 police houses.