The Nipa/Kutubu District Development Authority (NKDDA) and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) have today formalised a comprehensive partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) aimed at significantly strengthening law and order and policing capacity across the Nipa/Kutubu District.
This agreement goes beyond a standard policing arrangement and represents a whole-of-district commitment to restoring peace, improving police presence, and ensuring community safety through manpower, infrastructure, equipment, and governance reforms.
Key Commitments Under the Agreement
- Immediate Training of Reserve Police
In addition to the initial agreement on fifty (50) reserve police, the parties have agreed that one hundred (100) reserve police personnel from Nipa/Kutubu will be trained immediately, prioritising local recruitment to ensure community ownership, cultural understanding, and sustainability.
*2. Firearms for Nipa Kutubu Policing *
Provision has been made for the controlled issuance of firearms to trained reserve police, strictly in compliance with the Police Force Act 1998, RPNGC Standing Orders, and approved firearms training and certification. This is aimed at improving officer safety and response capability in high-risk situations.
- Major Police Infrastructure Investment
The Nipa/Kutubu DDA has committed for the full funding of the Nipa Police Station, marking one of the district’s largest direct investments in law and order infrastructure.
- Mobile Barracks at Kwaima/Supapo
A Mobile Police Barracks at Kaso will be established through a joint funding arrangement between RPNGC and NKDDA under the Tax Credit Scheme, strengthening police deployment and operational reach in strategic locations.
- Police Housing Development
New police housing in Nipa will be funded collaboratively by the Nipa/Kutubu DDA/Tax Credit Scheme, and RPNGC/National Housing Corporation ( NHC) ensuring decent accommodation for officers and improving staff retention and morale.
- Posting of Senior Police Leadership and Regular Officers
The RPNGC has confirmed the urgent posting of a new Police Station Commander (PSC) to Nipa, along with approximately five (5) additional regular police personnel, to reinforce command, supervision, and frontline policing effectiveness.
- Protection of Local Policing Integrity
The agreement affirms an immediate halt to the recruitment and engagement of foreign reserve police associated with Moro Santos operations operating outside Nipa/Kutubu District and Southern Highlands Province, reinforcing the principle that district policing must remain lawful, accountable, and locally grounded.
Governance, Accountability and Public Trust
All reserve and regular police deployed under this arrangement will remain under the full command and control of the Commissioner of Police, delegated through the Southern Highlands Provincial Police Commander and local Police Station Commanders. Clear provisions are in place governing training, discipline, use of force, firearms control, and accountability to ensure professionalism and public confidence.
A Strong Message for Peace and Development
This partnership sends a clear and unified message: law and order is the foundation of development. Through decisive leadership, local investment, and institutional cooperation, the Nipa/Kutubu District is taking bold steps to secure peace, protect lives and property, and create an environment where services, business, and community life can thrive.
The Nipa/Kutubu DDA acknowledges the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, the Southern Highlands Provincial Police Command, and local police leadership, and reaffirms its commitment to standing shoulder to shoulder with the RPNGC in delivering effective district policing.
Issued by:
Nipa/Kutubu District Development Authority (NKDDA)
In partnership with the
Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC)