PNG's Worst City

Where is PNG's worst city? The National Capital of Port Moresby has long had a reputation as being one of the most unlivable cities for expatriates in the world or so it seems if you believe an annual survey conducted and published by The Economist. The last survey rated it as 137 out of 140 cities. However citizens of Lae claim criminals have better weapons and ammunition than the police and security companies. They even have better police uniforms than the police! Goroka along with other major towns has recently suffered days of rioting mainly targeted at Asian operated shops. Even far flung Porgera has been hit by troubles. No town is immune a little over a year ago the only bank in Kerema town was robbed. It was reported as an inside job organised by the entire senior staff together with local criminals. It might just be that every town can claim the prize of being the worst at one time or another.

Airline Security Scare

Radio Australia's Firmin Nanol reports that police in PNG's Western Highlands province found a rocket launcher and nine grenades in a traveller's baggage. The passenger arrived at Mt Hagen's Kagamuga airport via a light plane from Kikori in the Gulf province recently.

In another incident Air Niugini management confirmed that a grenade had been found in a passenger seat pocket on a flight between Buka, Rabaul, Lae and Port Moresby. The national airline has immediately taken steps to boost the checking of planes and luggage in the interests of passenger safety, including sending marshals on every flight to and from Buka.

see -- http://malumnalu.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-terrible-way-for-papua-new-guinea_05.html
see also -- http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/200901/2459446.htm -- and -- http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programguide/stories/200901/s2459473.htm

Deadman’s Corner

Deadman’s Corner at the end of the Poreporena Freeway in Konedobu, Port Moresby has claimed another life. The Post Courier reports that this is the 15th death at the corner since the freeway opened.

An unfortunate driver of a Hebou Construction vehicle was incinerated after his watewr tanker crashed at the corner. As the speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour is invariably exceeded on the freeway engineers have called for a redesign of the corner to help reduce the number of accidents and death toll. If vandalism wasn't so rife in the city may be the introduction of a speed camera in the area would help to slow drivers down but just imagine trying to track down who was driving the vehicle. Of course an education campaign would also help.

When was the last time you saw any one pulled over for speeding in the National Capital District?