Community leader calls for urgent action on Sepik-highway lawlessness

Leader Simon expressed deep concern over the continuous armed hold-ups and brutal violence targeted at public transport providers and travelers along the Sepik Highway *(Supplied)*

Former two-term Member of Parliament for Maprik, businessman, and community leader John Simon has issued an urgent plea to East Sepik leaders to address the deteriorating law and order situation crippling the province’s key economic arteries.

Speaking on behalf of the business community, PMV operators, and the people of Maprik, Wosera Gawi, Ambunti Drekikier, Yangoru Saussia, and Nuku and Lumi, Mr. Simon expressed deep concern over the continuous armed hold-ups and brutal violence targeted at public transport providers and travelers along the Sepik Highway.

The call follows a series of terrifying security incidents, including the recent injuring of a Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) driver at Nagam Bridge and the tragic killing of a PMV owner and businessman at Yangisaku. The lawlessness escalated further on Wednesday morning when two 25-seater PMV buses were held up by criminals at the Boem Sara area of Yangoru.

The lawlessness escalated further on Wednesday morning when two 25-seater PMV buses were held up by criminals at the Boem Sara area of Yangoru *(Supplied)*

"As a businessman with investments in both Maprik and Wewak, I am seeing firsthand how these unchecked criminal activities are destroying lives, livelihoods, and the local economy," Simon said.

"Our PMV drivers and owners are providing an essential public service, yet they are being hunted, robbed, and killed on our highways. Families are living in fear, and businesses are struggling to survive under the constant threat of armed violence.

With the current challenges of El Niño weather conditions, these threats are further increased. I also feel unsafe traveling up and down the highway myself."

Simon emphasized that Maprik currently lacks a direct voice to demand immediate state intervention following the untimely passing of its sitting Member of Parliament, the late Libert Kapris, over the weekend.

"Maprik has lost its representative and its voice in the National Parliament. Because our district cannot formally speak on this issue during this time of mourning, I am stepping forward to speak on behalf of our people and our neighboring communities and districts who rely entirely on the safety of the Sepik Highway for travel and business."

Simon appeals to the political leadership of East Sepik Province, calling on Governor Allan Bird, Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru, Wosera Gawi MP Joseph Yopyyopy, Ambunti-Dreikikier MP Johnson Wapunai, Angoram MP Salio Waipo, as well as Wewak MP Stanley Samban to urgently come together and find solutions to restore safety before the festive periods.

"I am calling on our Governor and our district leaders to put a stop to these continuous hold-ups and killings. Our leaders must not concentrate too much on national political issues at the expense of the safety of our mothers, fathers, and children on the ground. National politics will not save the lives of our people being terrorized either on the Wewak, Yangoru Saussia, Angoram, Maprik, Wosera Gawi, Ambunti Drekikier, or Nuku and Lumi sections of the highway."

He is also calling on the Marape-Rosso Government, as well as the Police Minister to take this matter seriously, because the Sepik Highway is an important economic route for PNG.

He is also calling on the police hierarchy in Port Moresby to investigate why East Sepik police could not curb this lawlessness while more lives are being lost every week. Mr. Simon questioned whether the systemic failure stems from funding constraints, manpower shortages, logistics issues, or a severe lack of command and control within the province’s police force.

"We need permanent police checkpoints, increased highway patrols, and aggressive intelligence-led operations to flush out these criminals. I urge our leaders to redirect their focus back home, work together across district lines, and deliver the security that the people of East Sepik rightfully deserve."

Simon also used this opportunity to convey his, his family's, his clan's, and the Malba community's heartfelt condolences to the Kapris family, their relatives, and the Supari, Iwam, Ami and the Albiges communities in the Albiges Mamblep LLG, as well as the people of Maprik, on the passing of their son, brother, uncle, nephew, and grandchild, the late Libert Kapris.

"Though we were political opponents in the 2024 by-election, Libert will always remain as my son. I and my family and tribe are greatly saddened that Maprik has lost such a young leader at this time," Simon concluded.