The National Capital District (NCD) City Wardens have issued a statement in response to a video circulating on social media, showing individuals burning uniform shirts at the Manu Auto Port in the city of Port Moresby.
The incident has raised concerns, prompting the organization to clarify the situation and address the public's questions.
According to the City Wardens, the individuals featured in the video were not trained full-time City Wardens, but rather volunteer attendants who were temporarily overseeing the area.
These volunteers had stepped in while regular City Wardens were undergoing their Annual Refresher Training.
The volunteer attendants were not part of the main regular fulltime City Warden staff, the statement clarified.
The incident stemmed from an administrative delay regarding the payment of these specific volunteers.
This delay caused frustration, which unfortunately, led to them burning the uniforms as a form of protest.
The act of burning the uniforms and sharing the video on social media was strongly condemned by the City Warden leadership.
“We acknowledge that this administrative delay caused frustration. However, we deeply regret that this frustration manifested in the unacceptable act of destroying uniforms by burning them and posting it on social media.”
The City Wardens also noted that the situation was further intensified by certain individuals with bad intentions, who used the incident to attempt to discredit the City Warden Initiative Program and tarnish its reputation.
In response to the incident, the City Wardens have already taken immediate steps to address the situation:
1. The outstanding payments for the affected volunteers have been resolved.
2. An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the creation and circulation of the video, including possible ulterior motives.
The leadership of the City Warden Initiative emphasized that the uniforms represent public trust, service, and community responsibility.
They expressed disappointment over the violation of the uniform, which they described as an insult to the hard work and integrity of the hundreds of full-time City Wardens who serve with pride.
“We are angered and disappointed by this act. The uniform is a symbol of pride for our City Wardens. It is a mark of our service and commitment to the community.”
The City Warden Initiative Program reassured the public that this was an isolated incident, and the core mission of the program remains strong.
They vowed that the actions of a few would not overshadow the exemplary work done by the dedicated full-time Wardens who serve their communities across the region.
The City Wardens concluded by thanking the public for their continued support and trust, emphasizing their dedication to maintaining the program's integrity.
