Work has begun on the new Australian-funded K100 million police housing project in the country, starting first in the National Capital District and Western Highlands Province, following separate ground breaking ceremonies at Gordons Barracks in Port Moresby on Thursday, May 10th, and at Kimininga Barracks in Mt. Hagen on Monday, May 6th. Police Commissioner David Manning, on both occasions, said the new housing project, funded by an Australian investment of $37 million, is vital for rebuilding efforts of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC). He said the Constabulary is growing at a fast rate, anticipated to reach over 10, 000 personnel in the coming years, thus, police must have the support that they need to do their jobs, and this requires having a “safe and functional place to live”. "The priority is to increase the available accommodation for graduating recruits and to move out of housing that has fallen into disrepair, which can then be refurbished.” “Work on the Gordons and Kimininga Barracks sites is to begin immediately,” Commissioner Manning said on Thursday, with the groundbreaking at Gordons being officiated by Internal Security Minister, Peter Tsiamalili Junior. The two sites are the first of other priority sites identified under Phase One of the police housing project across the country valued around K100 million, which will provide hundreds of single and married quarters to support the growing police numbers around the country. "An effective police force requires taking care of our police men and women in their daily lives, especially when it comes to having a safe and functional place to live.” The new buildings have been designed according to PNG requirements in areas around the country, funded under the PNG-Australia Bilateral Agreement. "Phase One will construct new housing in NCD, East New Britain, and Western Highlands, providing barracks for more than 260 male and female police, and duplex married quarters for 120 people, by 2025.” “The RPNGC Police housing program then expands over four years to other provinces including West New Britain, New Ireland, Milne Bay, Hela, Enga, Madang, and Morobe.” "Annual RPNGC budgets will fund additional housing and refurbishments in all other provinces, including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.” The Australian investment in the program is valued at 37 million Australian dollars, around K100 million.