Improve security industry

The National Letters

IT is encouraging and motivating to know that the security industry has been recognised by the Minister for Internal Security Peter Tsiamalili Jnr.
The significant contribution from the security industry relates to complementing the duties of reducing the law and order issues affecting all sectors of our communities in the country.
The manpower strength of security companies put together currently on active duty is 29,445 in comparison to 6,832 active police officers in the Royal PNG Constabulary.
This is about four times more manpower serving around the country to complement the police functions in combating escalating law and order issues.
The security industry also provides an employment opportunity for the youths in mostly urban centres.
The due recognition and acknowledgement by the national minister is morale boosting and motivating to the 562 currently licenced and registered security companies operating.
More than 90 per cent are nationally owned.
Only 15 are foreign owned.
There are certain regulative and motivating measures which the minister can look into which are:

  • UNDER the public-private partnership concept, make arrangements for local security firms to be established in government project areas, state-owned enterprises and under joint venture agreements in the extractive industry sector;
  •  THE household benefit relieve package announced by Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey should be channelled to this established industry to alleviate families of security personnel;
  •  LIAISE with the Minister for Labour to ensure most of these firms have complied and met the minimum wages rate of K3.50 per hour;
  •  RECTIFY the reserve business listing under recent amendment to Investment Promotion Authority Act to ensure these 15 foreign-owned firms are scrutinised for compliance and adherence; and,
  •  PROVIDE training and logistics support with the support with the Department of Internal Security, development partners and other stakeholders on a regular interval to appraise the skills and knowledge of combating latest trend of crime involving technological advances and international and domestic illegal drugs/firearms trade and counter-terrorism activities.

Philip Ukuni