by Martha Louis – EM TV News, Lae
Police Minister, Robert Aitiyafa, says this year they will be focusing on completing police houses left unfinished before embarking on building new ones.
Atiyafa’s comments were in response to questions about the incomplete police houses in Lae’s Bumbu Police Barracks.
They will be using the last part of the modernisation funds to complete the houses.
The Bumbu Police Barracks Housing Program in Lae began in 2012.
It cost K2.5million. The project was meant to ease the housing problem faced by the constabulary.
However, the contractors have left, the houses are incomplete, and the yards are now overgrown with weeds.
Lae Metropolitan Commander, Anthony Wagambie Jr, wants the duplexes completed quickly.
The Lae Command wants to house officers who are currently living in the settlements.
“We need to move in officers living in the settlements so that it can help boost their performances,” said Wagambie.
As the government talks about increasing manpower within the constabulary, it still needs to solve the accommodation problems faced by officers.
Senior officers within the constabulary say there is no point recruiting young personnel when there is no accommodation for them.
Last month, the ACP for Northern Region, Peter Guinness, questioned why those houses were yet to be completed.
We are into the fourth year and the seven duplexes remain incomplete.
The Police Minister Robert Aitiyafa has made assurance to complete those houses in time.
But, until this is forthcoming, Lae policemen and women continue to provide an essential service.
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