Census workers rampage

FUSTRATED census workers stormed the Kondum Agaundo House - the provincial headquarters of Chimbu - on Friday demanding their allowances for work they had done during the census exercise, creating chaos in the operations of the Department of Simbu.

About 3000 workers turned violent when they found out that they were unable to get their promised allowances on time and stormed the provincial headquarters, damaged two government cars and forcing public servants to flee their offices in fear of being attacked. The Provincial Census Coordinator Arabil Gonapa was under siege in his office but quick police action prevented a nasty confrontation.

�Yes, this has happened because of a misunderstanding between the Provincial Census Coordinator and the District Coordinators over payment. I saw the leaders of the frustrated workers later that day and assured them that they will be paid,� Provincial Administrator Joe Kunda Naur said last night.

Mr Kunda Naur said in his meeting he assured the remunerators that they should all be paid today but if that does not eventuate, they should come see him peacefully so that he would explain to then where the delay was.

Police from the Kerowagi Mobile Squad were called in to disperse the rowdy crowd and bring the situation under control.

Attempts to contact Mr Gonapa last Friday failed because he was locked away in his office, which was surrounded by the angry officials who were trying to force their way in.

�We want our money by Tuesday and if we do not get paid, we are not going to hand in our completed forms,� one spokesman Jonathan Dege said.

Mr Kunda Naur said the exercise was conducted without any major problems encountered in the week and the issue over the allowance would not have emerged if there was no misunderstanding between the provincial coordinator and the district coordinators.

�The allowances are going to be paid, I signed the claims and they are now with our treasury office where they are being processed. When they cheque is drawn and chased, the money will be paid. I want them to be paid by Monday afternoon,� Mr Kunda Naur said.

The protest in Kundiawa, Chimbu province comes on the heels on another protest in Lae, Morobe province. Census officials in one local level government ward in the city refused to start work last week unless they were paid their allowances. The matter was later dealt with by the provincial administration and the exercise was concluded.