POLICE HOUSING A PRIORITY

By Bryan Kramer - Minister for Police & Madang MP

Providing Police housing will be a priority of the Marape Steven Government. While the members of the Police Force have received much lip service over the years to address the on-going housing issues it will be a priority issue under the new Government. 

My office has already commenced discussions with the Chairman of country's largest Superannuation Fund, Namabwan Super, Anthony Smare, on developing a strategy in partnership with Government to address Police Housing.

Mr. Smare explained that Namabawan Super have plans to build 3,000 plus housing estates at 9 mile in Port Moresby. A project I hope the Government will buy into, providing some 1,000+ houses to members of the Police Force and their families. In addition to the Government housing component, we also discussed establishing a Police home ownership scheme where officers who have served over 10/15 years will quality for a home ownership scheme at cost.

There is no point for the Government to provide Police housing only to kick them out on the street without any recognition of their service to the country.

Last week I took the initiative to contact Red Sea Company who were contracted to built the 150 Police Housing Project at Bomana in 2015. A project that cost some K52 million and to-date remains incomplete on account of the previous Government's failure to meet its financial obligations. K40 million is still owed and contractor has yet to connect the power, water and sewerage facilities. Further, they are still to be furnished. We will also look at corporate tax credit schemes to start building police housing around the country.

On 8th July 2019, I will be officiating the opening of Gusap Police Housing Project in Ramu, a project funded by New Britain Palm Oil Ltd under a tax credit scheme. The company built 14 x 3 bedroom houses, 2 x12 single man quarters, 1x administration building, armory, heli-pad and back up power at a total cost of just K4.6 million.

My office will be looking at duplicating similar projects in other provinces as well as upgrading existing police houses that are in disrepair.

While it will a priority of the Marape Steven Government to improve the welfare of our 7000+ Police Force members, they will also be expected to clean up their act in providing services to the community and country or be terminated.

Picture Minister for Police and Chairman for Nambawan Super Anthony Smare taken at the Speakers Summit.