In recent days, the situation has become tense again in New Caledonia following the transfer of CCAT members to prisons in France. This Tuesday, in Dumbéa and Païta, the objective is to maintain the safety of residents, businesses and communities. The mayors of these municipalities are sounding the alarm.
Dumbéa lived to the rhythm of abuses at the start of the week. A very anxiety-provoking climate after numerous damages and fires. “It is important to say that there is nothing left to burn or break, but that we must return to a semblance of normal life among all the inhabitants. Yesterday was also supposed to be the start of the school year but we were again treated to acts of violence, breakages and fires in the town. I invite all leaders, politicians, customaries and others to call on these young and old to come back to their senses. “, says Yoann Lecourieux, with conviction, the mayor of Dumbéa.
This Tuesday morning, the roads continue to be cleaned and cleared by the police, a priority for the mayor of the town, who hopes for a return to school this week: “my priority, at the moment, is to make all the roads in the municipality passable, to be able to put young people back in school, in college, as soon as possible, in better conditions so that parents can work, for those who have a job“, explains the mayor of Dumbéa. “I hope to be able to do this back to school because the entire teaching staff is very willing (…) We are doing what is necessary to clean a little more and have access to all the equipment“, he adds.
This Tuesday morning, the town hall still reopened its doors and the Dumbéa Nord town hall as well.
Païta and its citizens have also been prey to abuses since the beginning of the week, particularly in the heart of the village. During the night from Monday to Tuesday, the Jean-Baptiste Gustin school caught fire. Sunday, a burning car prevented access to the Mont-Mou road. “We regularly ask for reinforcements. As soon as a place is not protected, it falls prey to flames or thugs.“, attests Antoine Romain, director of the mayor’s office. “We also cannot ask the State to have a gendarme every 20 meters over the area of our commune, which is immense. We are asking people to organize themselves. But, unfortunately, with this increase in violence, it is difficult to protect public buildings and the entire private sector.“
This Tuesday morning, municipal services and schools in Païta are closed.