BISHOP SOONGIE CALLS FOR WABAG LEADERS CORPORATION TOWARD “ILLEGAL GUN SURRENDER” INITIATIVE

BY MORTIMER YANGHARRY

WABAG Catholic Diocese Bishop Justin Ain Soongie is optimistic for a brighter future in Enga Province and acknowledged and commended all the tribes and individuals in Enga Province for surrendering their firearms to the police.

“Your decision is a wise and courageous step towards restoring peace, unity, and stability in our communities. You have shown true leadership and responsibility by choosing peace over violence, and I encourage you all to stand firmly by your decision to uphold peace at all times in your respective communities,” Bishop Soongie said.

The local bishop acknowledged the tremendous effort and initiative taken by Kompiam Ambum MP and Police Minister Sir John Pundari for spearheading the gun surrender program throughout Enga Province.

However, while appreciating the effort already made, Bishop Justin respectfully challenged the Police Minister and the government authorities to ensure that the gun surrender program is properly coordinated, carefully planned, and fairly implemented across the entire province.

“The exercise must not target or involve only a selected few tribes while others continue to possess illegal firearms. Every tribe, every community, and every individual in possession of guns in Enga must be encouraged, and where necessary, compelled to surrender their firearms for the greater good of the province,” Bishop Soongie said.

The church head mentioned that as the 2027 National General Election draws near, it is critically important that the gun surrender program be fast-tracked and expanded to cover every district, every village, and every tribe throughout Enga Province as the people of Enga deserve to experience a peaceful, fair, and violence-free election in 2027.

“For too long, guns have caused fear, destruction, loss of innocent lives, and instability in our communities.Development can not flourish where violence exists. Businesses can not prosper where people live in fear. Our children can not have a better future when communities are divided by armed conflict,” he said.

Bishop Soongie appealed to all leaders, public servants, businessmen, councillors, tribal leaders, and warriors who still possess illegal firearms to take this opportunity seriously and voluntarily surrender their guns to the police.

“Peace begins with each one of us. Let us choose peace, unity, and progress for Enga Province and for future generations,” Bishop Soongie concluded.