Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O'Neill calls for calm amidst political unrest in the Southern Highlands. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Melvin Levongo
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill had to calm crowds during his visit to the Southern Highlands capital Mendi yesterday.
Last week a plane and government buildings in the town were burnt triggering a state of emergency in the province.
Mendi town was packed as a crowd gathered to hear Mr O'Neill who'd travelled there with the Finance Minister James Marape and Police Minister Jelta Wong.
Photo: Twitter/ @MartynNamorong
He told people a court decision upholding Southern Highlands governor William Powi's 2017 election win should be adhered to.
"We all should respect the court's decision and state of emergency was declared in order to protect government infrastructure and restore law and order," Mr O'Neill said.
"Thomas Eluh will be the State of Emergency Controller for nines months and everything should work together with him".
A community leader Robert Posu said due process had not been followed in the 2017 election when Mr Powi was declared governor of the province.
Our correspondent reports Mr O'Neill vowed to deal with the Electoral Commissioner Patalias Gamato on the matter.
The court ruling sparked last week's rampage by supporters of the runner-up Joseph Kobol who'd brought the court challenge.
Mr Kobol is set to mount another challenge in the Supreme Court.
The destroyed Air Nuigini Dash 8 at Mendi Airport Photo: Supplied
The prime minister also told the people in Mendi the National Airports Corporation would fix and maintain Mendi airport where an Air Niugini plane was destroyed
He said extra security forces have been deployed to Mendi.
Earthquake relief supplies looted
In related news the team leading the response to Papua New Guinea's earthquake disaster says the looting of relief supplies will put lives at risk.
During last week's unrest in the Southern Highlands capital, two warehouses were broken into, and five tonnes of relief supplies stolen.
A building burns in Mendi during a period of political unrest. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Melvin Levongo
PNG's Emergency Controller, William Hamblin, described last week's unrest and looting as mob rule at its worst, saying it would affect the earthquake response.
The Southern Highlands and its surrounding provinces are still suffering in the wake of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck in February.
He said among the supplies destroyed were vaccines for under 5 year olds and other essential items.
Dr Hamblin said authorities were assessing the cost of replacing the looted and destroyed goods and vaccines.
