First of Apec allowances paid

By HELEN TARAWA
THE government has paid the first part of the outstanding K10 million Apec allowance to the Joint Security Task Force, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel says.
Abel, pictured, told The National this was one-third of the K300 per officer additional allowances committed by the government.
In a meeting on Friday with the Police Association of PNG executives, Abel and Treasury Secretary Dairi Vele announced the payments.
The association last week called on the government to settle the outstanding allowances of up to K160mil immediately.
“We had a meeting with the president and the general secretary of the Police Association covering the Apec allowance balance, 3 per cent pay increment for public servants and police insurance and service entitlements,” Abel said.
He said the 3 per cent pay rise will start on pay no 6 while the insurance balance of K2.7mil should be paid by next week.
“The police services claim has only recently come to my attention so will be processed first,” Abel said.
Association president Lowa Tambua yesterday said they were given the undertaking by Abel that the payment for JSTF allowances for defence, police and correctional services were being processed.
“At least the Apec allowances, the insurance premium and the K90mil outstanding service allowance which would be would be implemented in the month of April or May,” Tambua said. “The police 3 per cent pay rise for 2018 will also commence immediately. That includes CS and defence force. We are appealing to you to remain calm as we are doing all we can.”
General-secretary Clemence Kanau said the association executives were happy and thankful to the government for responding.
“Let’s give credit where its due, in monitory terms,” Kanau said.