Police facing funding issues like any other dept, says Onglo

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
POLICE Minister William Onglo says his department is having funding issues like every other Government departments.
He was responding to questions raised on funding for police operations in Alotau and other provinces that has seen officers removed from their place of lodgings due to the non-payment of bills.
Last week, Prime Minister James Marape said that he was aware of the issues of funding, especially on operations.
“When I returned from Porgera, police who were out in the operations field, raised concern on their allowances,” he said.
“We have given commitment to those and are being addressed.”
Onglo said while there were other issues affecting the country besides the Covid-19 pandemic, the Police Department was doing its best to assess the situation and ensure that resources within the constabulary were taken care of.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has derailed our economy as well as other countries’ economies,” he told The National.
“We are looking through what is currently in our department’s budget and we are working to secure the funds needed to assist operations currently happening across the country.
“We will support our men and women on the ground and I ask for their patience as we continue to push for funds within our budget.”
Milne Bay commander Supt Peter Barkie said the police team from Port Moresby that had arrived in April had not been paid their allowances.
“The Government is not supporting them despite announcing a K2.2 million to fund the 60-day operation which will end on Friday,” Onglo said
“The provincial government is not supporting them, with the accommodation bill for the team gone up to K177,960.
“The Government is aware that more money is needed for an overhaul of the infrastructure and resources within the constabulary, and as the minister responsible, my department and I are looking at addressing that.”
However, he said law and order was everyone’s responsibility.
“If we all make law and order as everybody’s issue, then we don’t need a lot to run the police force,” he said.
“I understand that we are a developing country and there are a lot to do in this area and it must be taken as every citizen’s responsibility.”