04 September 2014

Improving road safety for people of Bougainville

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes, today joined the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and Bougainville Police Service in an inspection of a new road safety campaign for Bougainville.

Ms Stokes, who was visiting Buka for a meeting with the ABG, also viewed progress on the Bougainville Women’s Federation information centre, kiosk and public amenities in Buka Market, being built in partnership with the Australian Government and Bougainville’s Regional Member, Mr Joe Lera.

The Bougainville Police Service is conducting ‘Stap Gut: Draiv wantaim hamamas’ or ‘Stay Safe: Enjoy the Ride’ operations involving road stops, community awareness sessions and school visits, to improve road safety in Bougainville following several tragic and fatal motor vehicle accidents.

Ms Stokes joined Senior Constable Albert Gonu to inspect the Bougainville Police Service conducting the first of three regional traffic operations on Monday 1 September in Buka.

“It is important that everyone in Bougainville is aware of the road rules and drives safely. Road safety is important to community safety. It is everyone’s responsibility”, said Assistant Commissioner Kamuai.

“Drivers who drive too fast, who drive while drinking, or who carry too many passengers put their passengers, other drivers and pedestrians at risk. They cause unnecessary pain to families and to the community”, Ms Stokes said.

“It is good to see the Bougainville Police Service working with the community to improve road safety.”

The operation involves 20 new probationary constables who arrived in Bougainville last month. These new recruits recently finished induction training which included computer training and are committed to keeping the community safe and in good order in Bougainville. Many of the new recruits will soon be heading to their new posts at police stations in Central and Southern Bougainville.

The BPS ‘Stap Gut: Draiv wantaim hamamas’ traffic operation will continue in Buka until 13 September, and will operate in Arawa from 14 to 27 September and in Buin from 28 to 11 October.