Maru gives update on police barracks

Construction works at the Yangoru Police Barracks are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The mobile squad barracks project was stalled last year due to the unavailability of manpower.

Yangoru-Saussia MP and National Planning Minister, Richard Maru, said: “We are hoping that it will be completed by the end of this year. We are planning for 45 men and women to be in the mobile barracks.

“This is important; the policemen and women who will be based there will obviously provide security for the border, to compliment the work that the PNGDF are doing. They will secure East and West Sepik and of course the economic zone as well.”

The barracks project was initiated to house a mobile squad unit to combat law and order issues in the district.

The project is also an important strategic investment for the Sepik Economic Zone.

“There are other investors now as well after the Israelis going in, they are starting to attract other investors, they want to enquire into and be located within the economic zone so we are talking with them.

“The key issue most of them raised is security so I think it’s a very strategic investment and we are very thankful to the national government for funding the construction of the barracks.”

The project costs K20 million; K18 million for the construction of houses while K2 million will go towards building the feeder road into the barracks.

It will house 45 men and women.

Contract signing of the project took place in March 2016 between the state and Eastern Highlands Company, Pacific Building Industries Limited.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton