Chamber wants improvement in policing, disappointed with budget

THERE should be enough police manpower with better training and resources in order to be effective in carrying out policing in the nation’s capital, according to the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI).
President Rio Fiocco told The National that POMCCI was disappointed to note in the 2020 Budget that there was no announcement of an increase in police recruits for Port Moresby.
“The number of police stationed in our nation’s capital has not changed for at least 10 years and yet the city’s population has increased dramatically in that time,” he said.
“Our police need more manpower, better training and more resources in order to be effective in carrying out policing in our nation’s capital.
“Sadly the year has started with a shopkeeper in Gerehu being fatally stabbed and a security guard also badly injured when armed criminals held up the store.”
Fiocco said last year, they had arranged for the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) to host a law and order summit for the National Capital District (NCD) where the NCD Commission, police, magistrates and non-government organisations (NGOs) were invited to discuss how to improve law and order in the city, on the public motor vehicles (PMVs) and at the markets.
He also noted that last year was active and successful for POMCCI having started by appointing Stacey O’Nea, the first Papua New Guinean as chief executive officer.
“Under Ms O’Nea’s leadership, we have moved into a new office which we now share with the PNGCCI (PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry), PNG Manufacturers Council and Business Council of PNG.
“This has enabled better collaboration and information sharing between the peak bodies.”
Fiocco said POMCCI also launched its new website (www.pomcci.com) and revamped its accounting and IT (information technology) systems to better serve its members. “POMCCI hosted regular breakfast meetings with guest speakers as well as networking drinks for our members and visitors.
“The highlight was our breakfast with our new Prime Minister James Marape who spoke on his government’s priorities.”
Fiocco said in November, POMCCI in conjunction with Business Advantage International hosted their first ever innovation summit).
“We had a number of keynote speakers from overseas who spoke on how to develop an innovative culture in the workplace,” he said.