Morobe Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Samson Siguyaru has called for a shift in community attitudes towards government authority, saying peace in remote areas will only last if people work with public institutions.

His remarks followed a peace and reconciliation ceremony in Sialum, Tewai-Siassi District, where rival groups handed over firearms and traditional weapons following earlier clashes.

The process was conducted with police, church leaders, elders, and local officials overseeing the reconciliation between the two sides.

Chief Supt. Siguyaru said travel into the area highlighted serious infrastructure and service delivery challenges, including poor road access, long and difficult journeys, and limited government presence.

He said despite these difficulties, communities continued to show strong cultural respect through traditional welcomes and ceremonies for visiting officials.

However, he noted that basic government services remain stretched, with few teachers, health workers, and police stationed in the area.

Local police and auxiliary officers were commended for maintaining law and order under difficult conditions and with limited support.

He said the peace exercise gave both groups an opportunity to raise issues openly and restore stability in the community.

But he warned that reconciliation efforts would not succeed unless there was a change in behaviour and attitudes towards authority.

“Respect for government workers and systems is important,” Chief Superintendent Samson Siguyaru said.

He added that cooperation between communities and government is essential to improve service delivery and prevent future conflict.

Siguyaru said the ceremony went beyond weapons surrender, describing it as an effort to rebuild trust between communities and the state.

He urged leaders and residents to support long-term behavioural change to avoid a return to conflict.