CS Facility to reopen in Hela

The Hela provincial Correctional service facility is set to be reopened hence signifying the resumption of operations by the end of this month.

It has been 21 years since the closure of the CS facility in Hawa, Hela province due to  Elnino in 1997 leaving the facility to deteriorate over the years.

In what was supposed to be a temporary lock up, the situation allowed for opportunists to take advantage of what was left of the facility and the lack of corporation and support from previous provincial and national government until this year.

Formalities for a presentation to reopen the facility took place this morning in Port Moresby as Hela Governor, Philip Undialu, handed over a cheque of K200, 000 to the CS Commissioner, Michael Waipo.

Governor Undialu thanked all those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get the CS facility back up and running in the province.

Undialu said as far as the justice sector is concerned in Hela, the last 20 years has seen the Hela justice sector incomplete with the absence of the correctional service.

“From prosecution of arrests, to laying charges at the courts, to taking them in as remandees has been a challenge for the law and order justice sector in Hela province since 1997.”

He said Hela provincial government is determined to get the facility up and running, with the provincial government throwing in a new vehicle, as well to help restart and restore operations and order in the facility.

“The Hela provincial government is committed and we have invested especially in the infrastructure as well as the ration of water and power supply back into the facility.”

Meantime, the Hela provincial government is handing down its budget come next Tuesday, the provincial government is looking into upgrading and opening the roads up from Tari to Hawa CS facility.

“We are looking at 3 to 5 million kina to support this exercise. It is not a one off commitment but over the next few years as long as I remain governor, I will continue to grow and expand.”

The provincial government will also be committing funds for additional infrastructure needed for the CS facility as currently; the facility can only house no more than 120 prisoners.

CS Commissioner, Michael Waipo thanked the Hela governor for his commitment assuring him that men will be assigned to move in as soon as possible to commence ground work.

“We have waited a long time for this support. I will ensure that all officers assigned will move up there to start the work.”

Tags: 
Author: 
Annette Kora