Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has launched the country’s first-ever CCTV Command and Control Centre in Port Moresby, calling it a “turning point” in efforts to make the nation’s capital a safer, modern, and liveable city as Papua New Guinea celebrates its 50th Independence Anniversary.

The state-of-the-art facility, built under the leadership of National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop and his administration, will allow police to monitor key areas of the city through live video feeds, enabling rapid responses to crimes and emergencies.

“This is your tool,” PM Marape told Police Commissioner David Manning and city police leaders during the launch. “Enough of talking — arrests must take place when it is happening and where it is happening. These cameras are your eyes. If you don’t know where offenders went, the camera is your lead pointer.”

PM Marape said the CCTV centre was not just about surveillance but about building confidence in Port Moresby as a safe city for citizens, businesses, and visitors. He highlighted that despite only K15 million of the government’s pledged K20 million funding being released, the NCDC pushed ahead and mobilised its own funds to ensure the project was delivered.

“That is the kind of leadership and commitment our people need,” he said. “It is not just about policy pronouncements — it is about hardworking people behind the scenes making things happen.”

The Prime Minister used the occasion to pay tribute to the Motu-Koitabu people, the traditional custodians of the land on which Port Moresby sits, for their generosity in hosting the nation’s capital since 1884.

“These wonderful people have opened their hearts and arms for the rest of us to settle here,” PM Marape said. “For over 160 years, they have taught us the importance of peace, harmony, and coexistence. On behalf of the nation, I say thank you.”

He also reminded residents that constitutional rights such as freedom of movement must be exercised responsibly. “Your right is not absolute. It is qualified by the rights of everyone else. We must live within respect of each other’s rights.”

In a major announcement, PM Marape committed K20 million immediately for a new holding facility at Bomana Correctional Institution to accommodate offenders caught through the new CCTV system. “From this year into next year, we will amend laws to give police the power to arrest and penalise offenders more effectively. Everyone from petty criminals to traffic offenders must know that their actions have consequences.”

He said this was part of a broader strategy to restore order in Port Moresby and across the country, where crime and lawlessness have continued to undermine development. “We are good people, but pockets among us still fall into lawlessness. Those who refuse to live peacefully will be dealt with once and for all.”

Looking ahead, PM Marape said his government’s long-term vision is to expand the police force to 10,000 officers by 2035, supported by ICT, artificial intelligence, and modern investigative tools. He also revealed plans for a national police hotline linked to the CCTV centre, allowing citizens to report crimes instantly, with cases registered online and distributed to relevant stations for immediate response.

“This will be a game-changer for policing in Papua New Guinea,” PM Marape said.

He reminded the public of his commitment that Port Moresby must be safe by 2028, when Papua New Guinea will field a professional rugby league team in the National Rugby League (NRL). “I want Port Moresby to be safe by then, so that my daughters — and all our children — can live freely and securely.”

The launch comes on the eve of another milestone: the official opening of the K700 million Supreme and National Court complex in Port Moresby, a project PM Marape’s government has invested in heavily since 2019. “Together, these events symbolise what our 50th Anniversary stands for. Living within the law, respecting order, and building a peaceful, modern future for our country.”

PM Marape also thanked past prime ministers and leaders for their contributions to Port Moresby’s growth. “As we celebrate 50 years of independence, it is time to stop abusing our city and start preserving it as a gift to future generations,” he concluded.