Former Maprik MP and businessman John Simon has called on East Sepik’s political leaders to act together on the worsening Sepik Highway crime. The highway is the main road link for several districts in East and West Sepik.
Simon said he was speaking for the business community, public motor vehicle (PMV) operators and residents of Maprik, Wosera-Gawi, Ambunti-Dreikikier and Yangoru-Saussia in East Sepik, and of Nuku and Lumi in West Sepik. These communities depend on the highway to move people, produce and goods.
His appeal follows a run of hold-ups and violent attacks on PMV operators and passengers in recent weeks.
Recent incidents on the Sepik Highway
Simon pointed to several incidents that prompted his statement:
- Nag-am Bridge: a PMV driver was injured in a recent attack.
- Yangisaku: a PMV owner and businessman was killed.
- Boem Sara, Yangoru: criminals robbed two 25-seater PMVs on the Wednesday before his statement. Simon described this as an escalation.
The report of Simon’s appeal did not include any arrests or police statements on these incidents. It also did not give exact dates for the Nag-am Bridge and Yangisaku attacks or name the people involved. Papuaniugini will update this story if police or provincial authorities comment.
Impact on PMV operators, businesses and families
Simon, who has business investments in both Maprik and Wewak, said he sees the effects of the crime directly.
“As a businessman with investments in both Maprik and Wewak, I am witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of these unchecked criminal activities on lives, livelihoods, and the local economy,” he said.
He stressed that PMV operators provide an essential public service. A PMV is a privately owned bus or truck that carries paying passengers, and for many communities along the highway it is the way to reach towns, markets and services.
“Our PMV owners and drivers are offering a vital public service, yet they are facing threats of violence, robbery, and even fatal attacks on our highways,” Simon said. “Families are experiencing daily fear and businesses are struggling to operate amidst the ongoing threat of armed violence.”
He added that El Niño weather conditions are putting further pressure on communities. He also said he personally no longer feels safe travelling on the highway.
Maprik without a voice in Parliament
Simon said Maprik is in a difficult position because the district currently has no sitting MP following the passing of Libert Kapris. Without an MP, he said, the district has no direct way to press the national government for urgent help.
“Maprik has lost its representative and, consequently, its voice in Parliament,” he said. “During this time of mourning, our district cannot formally address this issue, which is why I am stepping forward to advocate on behalf of our community that relies heavily on the safety of the Sepik Highway for transportation and commerce.”
The leaders Simon called on
Simon asked East Sepik’s elected leaders to work together on practical solutions to restore safety on the highway. He named:
- Allan Bird, Governor of East Sepik
- Richard Maru, MP for Yangoru-Saussia
- Joseph Yopyyopy, MP for Wosera-Gawi
- Johnson Wapunai, MP for Ambunti-Dreikikier
- Salio Waipo, MP for Angoram
- Stanley Samban, MP for Wewak
The Boem Sara robbery took place in the Yangoru area, which is Maru’s electorate. Simon did not set out specific measures in his statement. His message was that the leaders should respond jointly instead of district by district.
At the time of writing, no public response from the named leaders had been reported.
What the report does not say
Simon’s statement is an appeal, not an account of a police investigation. Several things a reader might want to know are not covered:
- Whether police have made arrests or opened investigations into the Nagam Bridge, Yangisaku or Boem Sara incidents.
- Whether the three incidents are linked or involve the same people.
- How many passengers were on the two robbed PMVs at Boem Sara, and what was taken.
- What resources police currently have on the highway.
Until police or provincial authorities answer these questions, Simon’s account is the main source for the incidents described here, and this article attributes it to him.
Why it matters and what to watch
Simon’s statement describes the Sepik Highway as the route communities in six districts use for transport and commerce. In his account, attacks on PMV operators affect the operators and passengers and also the families and businesses that rely on those vehicles running.
His appeal raises three questions for the weeks ahead:
- Will East Sepik’s leaders respond jointly, as Simon asked?
- Will police increase their presence along the affected stretches, including Nagam Bridge, Yangisaku and Boem Sara?
- How will Maprik’s concerns be represented until a new MP is in place?
Papuaniugini will follow developments and report responses from provincial leaders and police.
If you travel the Sepik Highway, share safety updates through official channels and report incidents to the nearest police station.
