K50mil for police housing project
The K50 million housing rehabilitation project for the Royal Papua New Guinea constabulary was launched last week.
The signing ceremony took place between the central supplies and tenders board (CSTB) and the managing contractors Kramer Group Ltd.
On hand to witness the signing was Police Commissioner Gari Baki, Police Union general secretary Clemence Kanau, Assistant Commissioner of Police Joab Mangae, Noel Williams, Senior project officer from the Kramer Group and other officials.
Chairman of the CSTB Brian Kimmins signed on behalf of the State, while Thomas Fox, director finance and administration, signed for the Kramer group.
The management contract is worth K3.861 million.
Mr Baki was happy that documentation for the police housing rehabilitation project was finally signed and urged the project managers for a speedy implementation of the project.
Mr Baki said the police union and his management were working together to ensure that the welfare of the members, including housing issues, are being addressed.
He identified eight priority areas for the project managers to look into, and they are:
* Sepika barracks in the Eastern Highlands province;
* Wau barracks in Morobe province;
* The condemned police barracks in Oro province;
* Yawasoro barracks in the East Sepik province;
* Hagen Tech barracks in the Western Highlands province;
* Police barracks in the National Capital District (NCD) including the possible relocation of Gordons police barracks;
* Tomaringa police barracks in the East New Britain province; and
* A police mobile squad barracks in Kimbe, West New Britain province.
A number of measures have been taken to ensure transparency and accountability.
One is that the law and justice sector secretariat will be in charge of the financial management system of the project.
Another measure is the setting up of a steering committee headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police and Chief of Administration, Tom Kulunga.
The committee will be overseeing the project to ensure that it is advanced within the time frame and within the budget.
Mr Baki said to ensure a speedy progress of the project, the constabulary had allocated an office space at headquarters for a Kramer representative to operate .
Baki said with adequate housing, police can have no more excuses – they perform or make way for others.
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