To bring investors into the Yangoru-Saussia District, the Minister for International Trade and Investment, MP Hon. Richard Maru is cleaning up his district with the operation “Ston Brukim Ston” starting in February in line with the preparations for the 50th Independence anniversary of Papua New Guinea.
The Minister said up to three investors are interested in the district in the West Sepik Province of PNG. MP Maru added he has made this year “a year of execution” in both his Ministry and Yangoru-Saussia district portfolios.
"The 50th Independence Anniversary will close one chapter of our nationhood and will begin a new chapter for our Yangoru-Saussia District. We want to bring our district to see economic progress and prosperity, and lawlessness cannot be part of our future," added Minister Maru.
In a press conference on January 31 in Port Moresby, MP Maru added: "Operation Stone Brukim Stone has three key objectives. They are to bring all criminals who are on the run and not been convicted to justice; prevent more crimes; and create a more conducive environment for business to thrive in our district.”
The operation will be fully funded by the Yangonu-Saussia District Development Authority at the cost of K1 million, the minister said.
“This major police operation, together with the support of all local leaders and our communities, is to ensure all criminals on the run and those not prosecuted and convicted must be brought to justice,” he added.
The Minister’s office will also work in collaboration with local churches to ensure the project is carried out successfully across the district.
“We are beefing our police resources by providing two brand new houses to police in Yangoru for a new prosecutor and a new CID (Criminal Investigation and Detection) Officer, and we will provide these two critical officers two new vehicles,” MP Maru said.
“With the arrival of the first batch of mobile police officers next week to begin possession of the new Yangoru Mobile Barracks, we will have sufficient manpower to commence this police operation,” he said.
“We are also building and completing new police stations at Nagum, Haripmo, and Womayen and completing the new Yangoru District Police Headquarters at Yangoru Station to increase police presence and visibility in our district."
To the criminals in Yangoru-Saussia District, Minister Maru said: "Your days are numbered. We will declare war on all murderers, rapists, armed robbers, those who produce and consume homebrew, and also those engaged in domestic violence.”
“We have been arresting many suspects for too long (but) not getting them convicted and sent to prison. We cannot continue to arrest so many suspects without criminal convictions. This has to be a culture of the past," he said, as he called for a collective effort from all people of Yangoru-Saussia.
“We must all rise up and combine to get rid of all criminals who have been killing and destroying the lives of many innocent people and destroying the name and reputation of our district,” MP Maru said.
“I look forward to working very closely with our Yangoru Squad to support our local efforts to clean up Yangoru-Saussia District from criminals. Law and order will be our first priority in 2025 and we will focus our efforts and resources towards fighting crime and bringing to justice those who are on the run and those who have been arrested but not yet prosecuted and convicted of their crimes,” he said.
“We cannot, and we must not accept or tolerate criminals to continue to thrive in our communities. They must be our public enemy number one. We will work very closely with the Office of the Police Commissioner for additional resources to help us achieve the objectives of this operation."
