33 new vehicles for RPNGC’s Special Services Division, Southern Command

The Special Services Division [SSD], Southern Command of the Royal PNG Constabulary [RPNGC] have received 33 new police vehicles.

This follows, the RPNGC vehicle re-fleet program, introduced in 2023, to discontinue hire cars, and utilize funds in important areas.

Assistant Police Commissioner, Logistics, Christopher Smith, in an interview with NBC Online, says the presentation of the new vehicles to SSD today, is a milestone.

He is optimistic about the future of the constabulary, citing the replacement of the old vehicle fleets with government owned will soon see positive contributions in terms of welfare.

He stated that, there are 35 more vehicles, expected to be presented in the coming weeks. These vehicles will be distributed around the country, especially to the rural areas.

"We're still waiting for stock from Ela Motors when they arrive, and we'll distribute them, around the country.

"It's not only the vehicles here today, I can also announce there is a brand new vehicle that is on the water from Lae to Finschhaffen, from RPNGC"

"Finschhafen as you know, it's remote from Lae, there's no road access to Lae, this is their first police department vehicle in let's make an estimate about 20 years"

"So we are supplying vehicles and other logistics to the remote areas. Also yesterday in Lae, the police station commander in Kainantu picked up his new ten sitter. So Kainantu also benefited from a new vehicle yesterday"

"We do have another vehicle sitting in Lae for remote Okopa in Eastern Highlands Province, we're just working out because we have developments happening there with the local member, we're looking at building new police infrastructure.

Mr Smith expressed satisfaction, considering the hardships faced over the last three- years.

"And this year is a major contribution, and as I always say, and I speak very deeply about it, I hate hire cars and I want to see the back of hire cars, because at the end of the day, the hire car is chewing up funds where the government can better utilise those funds in the police"

"For me, as acting ACP Logistics, any money and as much funding I can get to look after the welfare of our members in regards to infrastructure for housing is my number one priority"

The ACP thanked the Marape Rosso government for their support.