Police Commissioner farewells NZ contingent

Police Commissioner Gari Baki farewelled the New Zealand police contingent and thanked them for their assistance to PNG.

During the official opening of the RPNGC Water Police Headquarters at Konedobu in Port Moresby last Friday, Baki appreciated the governments of Australia and New Zealand for assisting the RPNGC in some of the work that have been taking place.

He acknowledged them particularly for the provision of police advisors to help the RPNGC deliver the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2018.

Commissioner Baki said: “The ceremony officially recognises the contributions of both the governments of Australia and New Zealand to the infrastructure program that has been completed and building the Water Police headquarters is one of them.

“During 2017, the Papua New Guinea-Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP) commenced with major infrastructure programs to build much-needed facilities for the RPNGC Water Police Directorate. Phase one of that program resulted in the establishment of a new Water Police Headquarters building which provides officer space, training facilities, storage, engineering facilities and many more.”

Commissioner Baki said following the completion of the headquarters, it was realised that much more was needed to enable the Water Police to function in a safe and secure work environment to store and maintain significant catalogue of assets.

This happened with the help of the New Zealand government where the infrastructure program was developed as building progressed on time and was completed for use.

Phase two of the building was at a cost of K1.75 million, which delivered specifically on security fencing and lighting of an additional area adjacent to the WPHQ building, pavement of works on Phase 1 and 2 sites and many more.

The opening of the water police headquarters and farewell ceremony for the New Zealand Police contingent was witnessed by the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Bruce Davis, and the New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG, Sue Mackwell, senior officers of the RPNGC, the New Zealand Police and the Australian Federal Police.

(Front from left: Commissioner Gari Baki, the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Bruce Davis and the New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG, Sue Mackwell, cutting the ribbon to officially open the RPNGC Water Police Headquarters at Konedobu in Port Moresby last Friday)

Author: 
Press release