Papua New Guinea university pleads for urgent government aid amid severe crime wave

The University of Technology (Unitech) in Lae is facing a "frightening" crime wave that has left staff and students fearing for their lives, prompting Vice-Chancellor Mosley Moramoro to make an urgent plea for government intervention. Moramoro stated that the university is under "daily siege by criminals" and can no longer function effectively as an institution of higher learning. "There is a complete deterioration of law and order here at Unitech," he declared, adding that the community is succumbing to "mob-rule" and the rule of law has been "completely broken."

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frightening crime wave

Police are reportedly doing their best to assist, but Moramoro emphasized that the situation demands immediate and increased government assistance. Threats have been made against the lives of Moramoro himself, his family, registrar Mali Voi and his family, and indeed all university staff and students, who number around 5,000. The Student Representative Council president, Wesley Saesarea, issued a written plea to the Prime Minister, Police Minister, and Morobe Premier, seeking help for Unitech. Some expatriate academic staff have reportedly threatened to leave the country if the situation does not improve.

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Our community is being overtaken by mob-rule and the rule of law has been completely broken.

Registrar Mali Voi detailed a series of recent incidents that have contributed to the current crisis. These include a robbery at the university coffee shop two weeks prior, where a gang armed with a shotgun, knives, and axes demanded money. The following morning, a female staff member was stabbed outside the chemistry technology department while on her way to work. The Post-Courier archive offers access to further historical articles from the institution's 55-year history.

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Police are doing their best to help but the situation requires more Government assistance right away.