Customs buys housing for staff

THE PNG Customs Service has bought two more properties for staff accommodation –this time in Port Moresby.It is in line with its priority to address staff welfare, which the organisation believes, will lead to a boost in morale and productivity. Acting Commissioner Ray Paul presented two cheques totalling K4.5 million to the owners of the properties yesterday in Port Moresby witnessed by senior Customs officials.
The two properties take to four the number of properties Customs has bought so far this year.
It had earlier bought two properties for staff in Madang.
“Staff welfare is a high priority for Customs,” Paul said following the presentation.
“I am a firm believer that when the staff needs are adequately met, they will commit fully to the organisation because they will not be burdened by accommodation worries, which is one of the biggest problems faced by public servants residing in towns and cities nowadays.
“Funding for the current Customs housing project has come from the K7.8 million Public Infrastructure Project (PIP) funding appropriated by the government this year as well as from the Customs User Fee Trust Account or CUSTA, a trust account that was established to support major projects like this, which normally could not be adequately supported through the normal budgetary processes,” Paul said.
 “Before the close of accounts this year we hope to buy more properties for Customs officers around the country.” The latest buys in Port Moresby include a six-unit property and a four-unit property in Tokarara and Waigani Heights respectively.