Province commits funding for reservists

WEST New Britain government has committed K300,000 to re-activate the police reservist programme in the province.
Governor Sasindran Muthuvel announced this last week during a provincial peace and good order committee meeting.
Muthuvel said the idea for the funding came after the increase in crime rate in the province.
“I want a safer environment for everyone to live in,” he said.
“The funding is available and we need police manpower to do the job and address law and issues in communities.
“Election is just around the corner as well and we want to create a safer environment for everyone.”
Muthuvel said the committee had agreed to start negotiations for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary which would allow for the police reservist concept to start.
He said the provincial government would provide counterpart funding for the programme.
Muthuvel also sent a request to provincial police commander Chief Inspector John Iara to liaise with police headquarters to fast-track the signing of the MoU.
He said the reservist programme must start as soon as possible to help beef up police manpower.
Iara supported the initiative saying the province had serious manpower issues and such support would help them fight against the increasing crime rate in the province.