Commands awaiting funding

EIGHT days from general election writs being issued and provincial police commands across the country are still waiting for their funding to be released.
Seven provincial commanders have come forward, telling The National that they are yet to receive funding for their provincial election security operations.
One of the provincial commanders said they were not able to launch their pre-election security operation or prepare for the election as they were still waiting for funds to be released from the police headquarters in Port Moresby.
Another commander said that he had been waiting since last month.
“Normally, we get funds sometime before the issuing of writs so that we can start preparation,” he said.
“But now, we are waiting and writs will be issued in a few days.
“So we are carrying out normal police duties, whenever they are ready to give us funds, then we can start preparing or launching our security operations.”
Attempts to get comments from Police Commissioner David Manning was unsuccessful but Police Minister William Onglo said funding for the provinces would be released once the writs were issued.