PNG Sports Minister Justine Tkatchenko says security guaranteed for Pacific Games

THE Papua New Guinea Government will spend up to K70 million on security at the Pacific Games in July.

Papua New Guinea Sports Minister and Games Justin Tkatchenko said the event would be as safe as any other Games in response to a Fiji Broadcasting Corporation story yesterday quoting Pacific Games Council president Vidhya Lakhan cautioning Team Fiji to take heed of security warnings when in Port Moresby. “From our perspective, it will not be an issue if you follow the instructions of the organising committee,” Lakhan said.

“You will be told where you can go and where you can’t go. If we follow the instructions, then we will be safe. 

“But if you want to sneak out in the middle of the night and go to nightclubs and all that, then you will obviously be inviting trouble.”

Tkatchenko said Lakhan’s comments had only served to paint a negative picture of the city and country.

“Vidhya’s comments are very unfortunate,” Tkatchenko said.

“Yes, of course there are safety issues in a big city but I can assure all our visitors and teams that these Games will be secured using the police, defence force and the Australian Federal Police.

“Every venue at the Games will have its own police commander and a group of police, defence and AFP personnel to protect the facilities and the people and to make them feel safe.

“If anything, we’re overdoing the security but if that’s what it takes then that’s what we’ll do.”

He said crime and safety were issues in any city around the world and Port Moresby was no different.

He said the State had already allocated K30 million to the police force for the Games operation, which was not part of the K1.2 billion Games funding.

“The police have been given K30 million already to prepare for the Pacific Games and the Government will spend a further K40m to make sure the Games are as safe as can be. The police will properly  be equipped and ready for the Games. The money for the security is not from the Games budget. This shows that we are serious about protecting the athletes, fans and property.”

Tkatchenko said he was “comfortable” with the security arrangements.

Games organising committee chief executive officer Peter Stewart said security briefings for teams were a normal practice for Games and major events around the world. 

“We will brief them (teams) on transport, airport operations, village operations, accreditation, catering, ceremonies, arrivals and departures, and probably 100 other matters that teams need to be aware of,” Stewart said.

Tkatchenko said the city and the country would welcome the visitors and be the best hosts they could be during the Games from July 4-18.

PNG Today / The National