PM approves K8mil for B’ville police

PRIME Minister James Marape, pictured, has approved an extra K8 million for the Bougainville police service to prepare for security during the Referendum on Bougainville, Police Minister Bryan Kramer says.
“The initial submission for security preparations was K7 million. Prime Minister Marape increased it to K15 million to show the national government’s commitment to support the referendum,” Kramer said.
Deputy Opposition Leader and South Bougainville MP Timothy Masiu enquired who would oversee security preparations for the referendum since acting Police Commissioner Francis Tokura had been appointed to the force’s top post and relocated to Port Moresby from Bougainville.
Kramer said a decision would also be made on whether Tokura would go back to Bougainville to his former role as the Bougainville Police Service Commander to oversee security operations.
He said a decision would be made in early September; if a replacement for Tokura was not found then another officer would be appointed to oversee security preparations on Bougainville.
Kramer said Tokura could end up playing both roles.
Tokura was seen as the best option and the next highest ranking officer to take over after the retirement of former Police Commissioner Gari Baki.