Firearms surrendered under ‘Make Hela Safe Again’ campaign

The voluntary illegal firearms surrender initiative in Hela is steadily gaining traction, signaling a powerful shift away from tribal hostilities and toward lasting peace.

Governor Philip Undialu confirmed that another firearm was surrendered today.

Tomorrow, September 16, Hela will celebrate the 51st Independence Day and also launch the Illegal Firearm Surrender Program.

"At exactly 12:00pm today, a fully loaded pistol along with 15 live rounds of ammunition was handed over to provincial officials. This latest act of good will raises the total number of weapons collected under the amnesty program to six, reducing the circulation of illicit arms," he said.

The handover comes on the heels of a significant breakthrough over the weekend. Last Saturday, local youths voluntarily relinquished two military-grade rifles; an AK-47 assault weapon and an SR8 tactical rifle. Their decision was widely praised as a courageous stand against the cycle of violence that has long plagued the province..

Governor Undialu stressed that earlier in the week, another young man personally delivered an M16 A2 service rifle to him.

He commended the young men for their bravery in rejecting violence and choosing a path of renewal. He emphasized that the campaign is not merely about collecting weapons but about nurturing opportunities for growth, reconciliation, and community development.

“The tide of positive change is rising across Hela,” he said, urging leaders, youth, and the people to sustain the momentum.

He reaffirmed that dismantling the culture of tribal warfare and eliminating illegal firearms are essential steps toward buildings a safer, more prosperous future for Hela Province and Papua New Guinea.