Tuesday 20 February 2024
(l-r): Police Commissioner, David Manning, Japanese Ambassador, Mr Nobuyuki Watanabe, Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko and Police Minister, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr., at the signing ceremony, Central Government Offices, Waigani.
Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Justin Tkatchenko and Japanese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Mr. Nobuyuki Watanabe, yesterday (19 February), signed the Japan Grant Aid Project valued at K23 million for the country’s Internal Policing and Higher Education sectors
Under the grant aid project, the Japanese Government donated 60 new vehicles to the Royal PNG Constabulary, while Department of Higher Education institutions will receive advanced information and communication technology equipment.
Minister Tkatchenko speaking at the signing ceremony noted that Japan is Papua New Guinea’s third biggest trading partner.
“The donation of 60 brand new vehicles is a massive injection to logistics for the police force in PNG.”
“This grants worth over K23m is a very special gift to PNG and must be looked after and maintained.”
His Excellency Mr. Nobuyuki Watanabe said the signing of the new projects means so much for the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said the first program is providing 60 vehicles to the value of K12.8m in the security field, which he said is currently one of the country’s biggest issues.
He added that the second project worth K10.2m is for the provision of ICT equipment for Teachers colleges, including online education and video conferencing.
“This is part of a long-standing program of cooperation between Japan and PNG including the development, production and distribution of text books and school facility maintenance.”
Mr Watanabe also noted that the year marks the 50th anniversary of Japan’s economic cooperation with PNG.
“Japan has implemented many projects in PNG in various sectors such as fisheries, agriculture, forestry, education, sanitation, development and environment.”
“It is significant that today’s signing of the grant project coincides with the 50th anniversary.”
Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr who witnessed the event said it was a significant gift on the 50th anniversary.
“In our endeavours to improve our policing in the country, the 60 vehicles come at a very timely intervention.”
“One of our immediate interventions was to ensure that we have logistics around the country and to also reduce the costs of vehicle hires.”
Minister Tsiamalili said Police had started the procurement roll out last year with 120 vehicles allocated to all provinces and that the 60 vehicles would be an added bonus to the number of fleets.
“We will start the second phase with another 150 vehicles to increase to about 400 to fulfil the required number.”
“You have been a greater part of our growth and this certainly deepens the continued friendship with the people of Japan,” Minister Tsiamalili said.
Also present to witness the event was Police Commissioner David Manning.