Yamasombi: Police lack funds for required infrastructure

GIVEN the present financial allocations, police do not have the funding to set up its entire infrastructure that is required to achieve its policing goals for Papua New Guinea, Deputy Comm (Operations) Donald Yamasombi says.
“Partnership is, therefore, the only way forward for us achieve better desired policing results,” he said.
“We need support and assistance from stakeholders and the cooperation of communities in general.”
Speaking at the opening of the Papindo Group of Companies-funded Bundi Camp Police Station in Lae recently, DCP Yamasombi stressed that funding was and has always been a major issue for the police.
“We have always not been given the adequate budgetary allocation to effectively managed the force effectively to enforce law and order,” he said.
“Even what has been appropriated comes in drips and drabs and the amounts are insignificant that we are unable to launch any major projects such as the maintenance of run-down police stations nationwide and the rebuilding of this camp’s station.
“We have a number of police fleets in Lae metro and Morobe, sponsored by stakeholders.
“Again, it reinforces the Government’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme and the confidence and trust the business community and Government have in us.”
DCP Yamasombi said police witnessed the grand opening of the Omili Police Station, also in Lae, recently that was fully funded by a shipping container company in Lae, through the PPP arrangement. “I believe the PPP is the way forward for the police and Papua New Guinea’s law and order if we want to build a community-oriented police service,” he said.
“On behalf of Comm David Manning, the force, the people of Lae and especially Bundi Camp residents, thank you Papindo for the kind generosity and assistance ,” he said.