K820,000 for police allowances

The National Main Stories

By ZACHERY PER
EASTERN Highlands Governor Peter Numu says more than K820,000 would paid in allowances to police engaged in the Covid-19 special operation.
He rescinded one of his earlier decisions not to pay police allowance from a K2.5 million his provincial executive council (PEC) had approved for logistical support in the fight against Covid-19 in the province.
Numu said when the Government declared the state of emergency (SOE), they thought allowances for police would be the responsibility of the State.
“When I heard that there would be no allowances for you (police), I went to the media and told the national government that the allowance issue would be their responsibility,” he said.
“However, as we progressed there was misunderstanding among every one of us.”
Numu said he knew that there were frustrations and he admitted knowing them and committed to have an audience with them (police) to settle the issue.
“We set aside K2.5 million for Covid-19 fight, which is for logistical support,” he said.
“I thank everyone who led the police protest that brought us this far to continue working together.
“I also forgive those who expressed grievances against me, and we must work together as I took an oath like you as police officers.”
Numu said he met with police commander Supt David Seine Jnr and approved K823,000 for allowance for the first 21 days of the lockdown.
“All my people of Eastern Highlands are here and Covid-19 is here and we are making a one-off payment for your allowance for the number of days of the lock down and SOE,” he said.
“Individual officers must give account details to the police commander’s staff to process and deposit into their respective accounts.”
Meanwhile, members of the police force contributed garden food and four pigs to Numu.
The presentation sealed reconciliation with him following an incident last week in which police stormed the Yanepa building.

14 comments

  • primitive mentality to cover ill discipline, Hon Governor should not accept this, whatever it is called

  • Allowance is a virus itself infecting the public service machinery and political heads should be very careful with that. The very reason the public service wheel is not spinning is because of allowance.
    Its about time someone should draw a line in the sand.

  • Allowances for special operations???? So you are giving them additional after they robbed most of us during the SOE?? I thought they were paid to be police men with their regular salaries??

    • Agreed. John Kui. Allowance is a deadly Virus in PNG
      Compensation is a deadly Virus in PNG
      Settlements are deadly Virus in PNG
      Land Grabbing is a deadly Virus in PNG

  • Now you’re paying PNGRC, not long you will pay PNGDF. I believe what they did was in line with their job description and they are being paid salary by government. This is double dipping indeed. Almost a million is spent on this instead of spending it on improvement on Water Supply to Goroka town.

  • This is a very suspicious movement of EHP Governor paying this large amount of money carelessly, instead of considering tangible development in the Province. Also appointment of EHPG Treasury Manager not acceptable, sit back and consider seriously for you are not by self yourself alone in this world, an eye is watching over you.

    By Tebex

  • This is totally wrong, unnecessary spending. So this so called Police personal on duty are not on the Government Payroll? Try allocate funds for development within the town or districts rather than feeding those who are benefiting from Government already.
    Doctors and nurses are the people who will be risking their life to help fight the disease, Not the police.

  • What about teachers who are working after hours to make up for the missed lessons. Do they also diserve the same treatment with allowances.

  • … so we are paying TAXES to fund Fortnights and also special allowances on top of that for public servants..???

  • Govt should review the whole concept of allowance. Bulk of the budgeted money is spent on areas other than the intended purpose.

  • Everyone contributed to contain the Virus, if that’s the case for police officers, then everyone should receive equal share, for instance, medical teams. I’m pretty sure the other front line staff will talk about this.

  • Now the EH Governor is paying the Police for the Special Operation, but What about the hospitals and other government departments in the province that are struggling to provide services to the people to this province. I am kindly asking you to please pay a visit to every district in the province to see for yourself instead of sitting at Yanepa and getting false informations from your officers.

  • Payment of allowance during emergency is contradictory to Police ministers statement on allowances during SOE period.
    lack of coordination and control is obvious in this Marape Davis government.

    Obviously, all public servants should not claim allowance as such is irresponsible and selfish.

  • You all have rights to express your point of view but what police officers took a week off from normal duties and will see what will happen to law and order issues in and around our so call Christian Country..

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