Police barracks get new building thanks to PNG DataCo

PNG DataCo Ltd, as part of its contribution towards social development, completed a triplex building at the Kila police barracks in Port Moresby and handed over the keys to Commissioner David Manning yesterday.
Chief executive officer Paul Komboi said housing was one of the challenges that police were facing and the government was looking into it.
He said the two-bedroom triplex cost about K700,000 and three families would be moving in from next week and the old housing that used to accommodate those officers would be demolished.
“We hope that we are able to continue and do more,” Komboi said.
Comm Manning, while acknowledging Dataco’s help, said there were challenges with resources during the initial stage of building the triplex.
“We’re not the only government service in the country.
“Kila barracks is not the only directorate in the constabulary, so when donating in the likes of this, we have to give credit where it is due,” he said.
“This type of assistance is very significant.”
Meanwhile, Komboi added that there were several other projects that they would undertake which included the police band house and also instruments for police (band) officers.
“I’d like to state now that we have already made commitment with Keynote Music Haus and payment has been made for the instruments for the police band,” he said.
“We’re planning to deliver that when we complete the band hall so everything can come.”
Komboi said they had also planned to redo the parade area and fencing of the barracks.
“As long as we are here, we are able to see what the challenges are so that we can help the barracks in terms of its development and sustainability.”
He added that other initiatives would be the surrounding communities – Vabukori, Manubada and the Sevese Morea Primary School.
“We plan to provide free internet access as well as building an ICT (information communication technology) classroom as most of the occupants in the barracks send their children to Sevese More.
“This is one way for us to contribute towards social development by putting in proper infrastructure for the school to be able to educate our children properly as we are moving into the digital age.”