The Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, has commended initiatives by the Department of Police to improve living conditions of serving Police personnel as well as retired servicemen.
Grand Chief Sir Bob remarked that police personnel play an important role in ensuring the safety and security of the public and international visitors alike; however, in order for them to carry out their duties, it is imperative that their living conditions are improved and the services of retired servicemen recognized.
The Governor General made these remarks to the Member for Gazelle and Minister for Police, Jelta Wong who paid a courtesy call on the Governor General at Government House on Thursday morning.
This is the first visit by a cabinet Minister to Government House since the formation of Government in August.
Minister Wong informed the Governor General that as the new Minister for Police one of his priorities is to address the living conditions of both the serving personnel as well as those who have retired.
Wong said, the Royal PNG Constabulary Legacy is one avenue his Ministry will be working closely with to address this issue.
“The RPNGC Legacy will be hosting a fundraising dinner in November and this is one avenue in which we would like to address this issue so that instead of waiting on the Government to pay out our servicemen, the funds raised will go directly towards assisting policemen and women who lose their lives or may be harmed while on duty. Also for retired servicemen, we are looking at initiatives such as purchasing a piece of land (block) where they can settle after retirement,” Minister Wong explained.
Grand Chief Sir Bob said, he welcomed the initiative and commended the new Minister for making that his priority as Minister of State for Police.
“It is good to see that you have made this your priority and as a new first time Member of Parliament and Minister of this important ministry, I wish you all the best during your tenure and I acknowledge this initiative you have undertaken on behalf of men and women in the Police force,” Grand Chief Sir Bob said.
The Governor General, as Patron of the RPNGC Legacy, has also accepted the invitation to officiate at the RPNGC Legacy major fundraising dinner in November 2017.