Here's another (The PNG newspaper is full of it today)Businesses...

Here's another (The PNG newspaper is full of it today)

Businesses call for urgent ECP review

BUSINESS houses in Papua New Guinea feel the Enhanced Co-operation Programme, voided by the Supreme Court, is good for the country and should be reviewed and reinstated quickly.
Various business leaders yesterday voiced their concern about the standing down of officials deployed here, and urged the governments of Australia and PNG to urgently find a way forward for ECP.
David Conn, president of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said yesterday they were disappointed that the programme has been suspended.
"What we now hope will happen, is that both sides will amend the offending sections of the agreement and get the programme operational again, as soon as possible," Mr Conn said.
"We believe that the programme includes great benefits for the police and other government entities, and the vast majority of the community, the silent majority, will want to see the programme back on track as soon as possible.
"Naturally, the elements in society who have least to gain from a properly functioning police force with strong investigative powers, will jump on their soap boxes and claim victory.
"But we trust the majority of our society, and the good elements in the RPNGC, who yearn for a safe and less corrupt society in which to raise their children, will raise their voices just as loudly in opposition to the rabble rousers, whose interests are more personal than love of country. This is a pyhrric victory; one won, but at too great a cost."
President of East New Britain Chamber of Commerce Bruce Alexandra said the suspension of the programme may affect investor confidence, as its aim was to address acute law and order problems and improve governance in the public service in PNG.
He said the presences of the Australian police personnel under ECP had been a great boost to the local police.
Mr Alexandra said the amount of funds and resources the ECP siphons into the country could not be provided locally.
For instance, he said on many occasions police were reluctant to respond immediately when crimes occur because of lack of vehicle, or fuel or breakdown in communication.
Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Allan McClay said ECP would be a great boost for police in Lae.
Mr McClay said many of the problems the local police were facing, like local of fuel, run down vehicles, faulty equipment would have been addressed under the programme.
He urged leaders of both countries to resolves the issue as soon as possible, and allow the programme to resume.
In Kundiawa, the president of Chimbu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Joe Mek Teine, said the supreme court decision should be respected.
He said the governments of both countries must now meet and work on the problems in the ECP Act identified by the court.
Mr Mek Teine said the AAP were proving helpful to local police, in terms of technical advice, discipline and mobility.
He said the money brought in under the programme was a boost for the economy, and urged an urgent review.