Australian Government to construct housing complex for Royal PNG Constabulary

The Australian Government will construct a new housing complex for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary at Bumbu Barracks in Lae.

Funded through the Australian aid program and the Papua New Guinea Australia Policing Partnership, the new facility will include the construction of a double story single quarters barracks building that will accommodate 160 male officers and a separate single level dormitory to accommodate 22 female officers.

This initiative will help alleviate the acute accommodation issues facing the Constabulary. Both buildings will have a new kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities. The complex will also have an independent sewerage capability to ensure it does not adversely impact on existing infrastructure.

Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Rod Hilton joined the Morobe Governor, Honourable Kasiga Kelly Naru and the Commissioner for Police Gari Baki and Assistant Commissioner Allan Scott from the PNG Australia Policing Partnership for the official ground breaking ceremony in Lae on 25 September.

Governor Nauru on behalf of the people of Morobe thanked the Government and people of Australia for their continued support in improving the delivery of vital services in Province with Law and Justice as one of the key priority.

He said the relationship between the PNG and Australia started many years ago and his government is keen to foster and see it flourish.

Speaking on behalf of the Australian Government, Minister Counsellor Hilton said Australia was pleased to be working in partnership to improve the delivery of law and justice in Morobe and in Papua New Guinea.

“Law and order is a shared priority for the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia, and one that we are jointly committed to improving. Law and Justice is crucial as it allows for economic and social development. It leads to safer and more secure communities. And a safer, secure community is one that can achieve it aspirations, its goals and its dreams and that is why Australia is happy to support this project,” Mr Hilton said.

The total cost of the project in Lae would PGK6 million and is expected to be completed by November with members of the Constabulary to be able to use the new facility by Christmas.

This new facility is in addition to accommodation for more than 500 police officers being provided by the Australian Government in Port Moresby.