Police housing has become a common national issue and is also experienced in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB).
Buin police in South Bougainville have expressed disappointments, claiming negligence by their top hierarchy.
Proper housing has been a burden for many public servants in Papua New Guinea.
One affected group is the law enforcing agency – the police and it is no exception for the Buin police in Bougainville.
It is the headquarters for the South Bougainville command, staffed with 20 police personnel.
Police Station Commander Sergeant, John Popui, says since 1994 when police resumed operations in Buin, no new houses have been built.
Despite accommodation being a problem, this doesn’t stop officers from carrying out their constitutional duties but it does affect their morale and work performance.
The Buin police barracks has four houses, made from bamboo thatches that have deteriorated over time.
Leona Karalus is a family member of a police officer residing in the barracks. She said living conditions are below standards for families.
These are run down houses and when it rains, water leaks and soaks the interior, promoting breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
With law and order a priority for the government and a pillar in the Bougainville Peace Agreement, authorities must act to ensure police welfare like housing is protected.
Meanwhile Bougainville’s Finance, Treasury and Planning Minister, Albert Punghau, said police housing is one of the high impact projects in the autonomous region.
The program has received K4 million in the annual budget since 2012.
Mr Punghau says the program has to be implemented by the Bougainville Technical Services Division. To date, monies have remained unused.
* This footage was captured with the approval from the police in Buin and its occupants.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=DaGRJJM2cgk%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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