29 Oct 2004

PNG Parliamentary Speaker says Police Commissioner should step aside after letter made public

4:12 pm on 29 October 2004

The Papua New Guinea Parliamentary Speaker Jeffrey Nape has accused Police Commissioner Sam Inguba of playing politics and says he should perhaps step aside.

The National newspaper reports Mr Nape as saying it was improper for Mr Inguba to make public his letter in which he had requested the Kerowagi mobile squad for the coming session of Parliament.

He said he would write to the Police Minister to express his disappointment demand an explanation.

Mr Nape says he only learnt of the response to his request from the media.

Mr Nape says the minister should investigate the matter and take the appropriate action against those responsible for not complying with procedures and protocol.

In responding to the written request, Mr Inguba said there was no need to fly in mobile squad personnel from Kerowagi for the six-week parliamentary sitting.

He said there were enough police personnel in Port Moresby to provide security and there was no indication of trouble during the coming session that begins on Tuesday.