Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Senior Police Officers in Buka get new homes

Bougainvilleans will have greater access to quality police services following the official opening of accommodation for senior commissioned police officers in Buka.

The K1.9 million facility, funded by the Australian Government, will house six high ranking police managers and their families. The officers have extensive administrative skills and experience that will significantly enhance the organisational capacity of the Bougainville Police Service (BPS).

Australian High Commission Counsellor, Law and Justice, Gina Wilson, who spoke at the opening, said the completion of the housing development would help ensure the BPS was able to provide the quality police service Bougainvilleans needed and deserved.

“This marks an important step along the path to ensuring the BPS is able to fulfil the aspirations of the Bougainville government and people for an accessible and effective police service, serving the needs of the Bougainville people” Ms Wilson said.

“By building the capacity of the BPS, it is helping create the conditions under which all can prosper,” she added.

Ms Wilson said the Australian Government had invested more than $A30 million (K71 million) in supporting law and justice services in Bougainville since 2003, and had a long-term commitment to helping ensure the peace, stability and prosperity of the Bougainville community.

She said the new housing would help ensure the BPS attracted some of the country’s top police administrators.

RPNGC Commissioner Gari Baki, Deputy Police Commissioner and BPS Chief Francis Tokura, Autonomous Bougainville Government Secretary for Justice Kearnneth Nanei, and RPNGC Assistant Police Commissioner Joanne Clarkson also attended the opening ceremony.

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100

One of six newly built houses to accommodate senior commissioned police officers with the BPS.