PAPUA New Guinean doctor Miane Asapo has paid an administrative penalty fee amounting to $10,000 for his spouse and himself prior to departing for PNG on Friday 4th March 2022.
The court has acquitted Dr Asapo of his case of illegal border crossing during the lock down period when covid-9 Emergency law were enforced.
The transaction of payment was done to the Finance Department on Thursday 3rd of March and the case acquittal has been confirmed by Attorney General, John Muria Junior.
Mr Asapo said that the penalty fees were imposed because of his contravention of moving a small craft as a transport vessel with Passengers to cross the common PNG – SI border from Tasman to Pelau, Ontong Java in Solomon Islands.
He express his gratitude to the PNG Government for providing consular assistance and facilitate his repatriation back to PNG on a PNG Government Chartered flight on Friday March 4.
Being profoundly elated, Dr Asapo thanked both PNG and SI Governments for safeguarding the fundamental interests of their citizens.
He explained that he is returning home to continue serving his country in his capacity as a Medical Doctor in Rabaul Hospital where he resides.
The Air New Guinea chartered flight left on Friday 4 at 11:50 am with 53 passengers on board which included Asapo himself with his wife and four Kids. Also boarded the flight were the Nine (9) PNG Survivors rescued recently in Solomon Islands waters, together with the 38 PNG Police contingent that were deployed to Honiara during the civil unrest in November 2021.
SOURCE: LYNNISSHA RUNA/PNG High Commission Press
Featured Photo: Dr. Asapo arriving at Jackson International Airport, PNG. PHOTO CREDIT: DR. ASAPO
