ICTSI aids Lae community with new police station
With operations going well in Lae, port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) continues to ramp up the implementation of high-impact projects for the benefit of impacted stakeholders and communities within its Papua New Guinea operations.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary ICTSI South Pacific Ltd. and social responsibility arm ICTSI Foundation, the Company recently turned over a new 172-square meter police station in Malahang, Lae as part of efforts to further enhance the peace and order situation in the community.
Complete with a work station and reception area, file room, interview room, family and sexual violence cases room, a male cell block, two toilets, and a kitchen – the new PGK400,000 facility follows ICTSI’s donation of two patrol vehicles and a police station, also in Lae, last year.
“As we continue to support our ports’ host and hinterland communities, ICTSI South Pacific sees law and order as an equally shared responsibility towards establishing an inclusive and sustainable society. This new facility serves as a token of commitment to the people of Lae that our operations here goes beyond business objectives -- as we equally want to contribute to the development of our impacted communities,” Anil Singh, ICTSI South Pacific chief executive officer, said.
Filipina C. Laurena, ICTSI Foundation Deputy Executive Director expressed that the Company hopes the facility would further boost police efficiency and effectiveness, citing the importance of advancing law and order programs: “The fundamentals of peace and order should be in place before any investment can flow. It is very difficult to attain social order and political stability, so police stations such as this are very important in communities.”
During the inauguration, Ms. Laurena also conveyed the message of Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI Global Corporate Head and President of the ICTSI Foundation, that the Company will be funding the construction of another police station in Omili as the next project.
John Rosso, Lae Member of Parliament; Gari Baki, PNG Police Commissioner; and other representatives from the Lae City Authority, Lae Chamber Committee, PNG Ports AHI Investment, Ltd., and AHI Hope Foundation likewise joined the inauguration of the police facility.
ICTSI, which operates the South Pacific International Container Terminal in Lae, and Motukea International Terminal in Port Moresby, both in Papua New Guinea, has committed to invest in major equipment upgrades, leading edge port technology, and human resources development.
Recently, the Company took delivery of three new hybrid rubber tyred gantries for its Lae terminal and the introduction of the first safety cages in PNG ports, expected to further boost terminal efficiency and bring cost-reduction along with added security.
Malahang suburb gets new police station (from left): Hon. John Rosso; Thomas Netato Pelika, Memyamya MP; Anthony Wagambie Jr., Lae Metropolitan Superintendent; George Gware, SPICT General Manager; Filipina Laurena, ICTSI Foundation Deputy Executive Director; Hon. Jelta Wong, PNG Police Minister; Gari Baki, PNG Police Commissioner; and Anil Singh, ICTSI South Pacific Chief Executive Officer.
About South Pacific International Container Terminal
In September 2017, ICTSI, through its Papua New Guinea subsidiary South Pacific International Container Terminal Limited, signed a 25-year terminal operations agreement with state-owned PNG Ports Corporation Limited for the Port of Lae. SPICT’s contract specifically covers the port operations and facilities at the South Pacific International Container Terminal.
About ICTSI South Pacific Limited
Incorporated in 2017, ICTSI South Pacific is a wholly-owned subsidiary of global port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) in Papua New Guinea. Investing more than PGK4 million to empower Papuan communities, the Company operates the Motukea International Terminal (MIT) in Port Moresby and South Pacific International Container Terminal (SPICT) in Lae Tidal Basin.