Five new police duplexes were officially commissioned at Bumbu Barracks in Lae on Monday, August 3rd, in a move aimed at improving accommodation for officers and supporting the expansion of policing services in Morobe Province.
The housing project was funded by the Papua New Guinea government through the Special Police Assistance Program (SPAP) and officially opened by Northern Division Commander Peter Guinness, who represented Police Commissioner David Manning at the ceremony.
Commander Guinness said the new homes would improve the welfare of police families while strengthening the Constabulary’s ability to meet the growing demands of policing in one of the country’s busiest economic centres.
“Lae City is the second largest city in the country and is the gateway to the country’s economic corridor,” Commander Guinness said.
"We have a big international wharf responsible for the docking of ships and the passage of cargo from Lae into the Highlands Region, making the work of police critically important.”
Commander Guinness thanked the Marape-Rosso Government and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) executive under the leadership of Commissioner Manning for delivering the project.
“It is therefore fitting for the PNG government and the RPNGC Executive to ensure that members of the Lae Metropolitan Police are adequately accommodated so they can perform their duties with commitment, loyalty, and dedication.”
He said the Constabulary’s ongoing recruitment drive would result in additional officers being posted to Morobe Province, creating the need for more police housing in the future.
“The Constabulary is embarking on recruitment, and some new pass-outs will be deployed into Morobe Province.”
“We will have to build more houses from here onward to accommodate the increase in police manpower.”
Commander Guinness said government investment in police accommodation complements the broader infrastructure development taking place across Morobe Province.
He pointed to the newly completed Nadzab International Airport and the upgraded road network linking the airport with Lae City as examples of the province’s rapid growth.
“In a nutshell, we are seeing tangible development delivered by the PNG government in all social and economic sectors and, as such, police services in Lae City and the whole of Morobe Province must also align with these changes.”
He added that improving living conditions for officers was essential to maintaining an effective police service.
“We are seeing growth, but we must also take care of the welfare of public servants.”
“A proper home for members of the Constabulary will inspire them to recommit themselves to their constitutional duties and obligations.”
Commander Guinness also acknowledged the support of the Australian Federal Police, the Morobe Provincial Administration and the Lae City Authority for their continued partnership with the Constabulary.
Under the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership Program, the Australian Federal Police is constructing a new armoury in Lae and converting an existing double classroom into a computer laboratory to support training for officers serving in the Northern Division.
Officials from the Department of National Planning and Police Headquarters attended the commissioning ceremony alongside members of the Constabulary and invited guests.
