#pngsun #nationalnews: The suspension of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) Managing Director Wapu Sonk has left roads vandalised and Nipa part of the Highlands Highway blocked off by locals.
After a protest this morning, local tribesmen expressed their disappointment over the side-lining of their son through these destructions.
They also threatened block off the roads to the LNG and, Kutubu Oil and Gas Project sites.
Hela to Southern Highlands Road is being blocked off as seen in a video widely circulated, an excavator dug trench across it.
Southern Highland provincial Member, William Powi in a statement expressed his disappointment too, warning his Nipa people would not take it lightly.
Mr. Powi is yet to release another statement condemning this domestic terrorism act.
Powi also did not send a congratulatory message to Mr. Liria for the elevation.
In response, Police Commissioner David Manning has given until 4:06pm today to pick up the suspension notice, or they would be forced to act.
Mr. Manning said mobile squads were deployed to the area to stop further vandalism.
He announced contingency plan to deploy the Kumul 23 force to counter domestic terrorism acts.
Commissioner Manning said Mr. Sonk is a respectful member of the society and that he has the potential to de-escalate the situation.
Meanwhile, another Southern Highlander Luke Liria, KCHL’s executive general manager for external affairs, was appointed as acting MD.
KCHL Chairman Gerea Aipo said in a statement that Mr. Sonk was suspended to protect the integrity of the board and management.
He justified that the suspension period would give him space to address his personal issues.