A pilot light project was launched on the 8th of November in Vanimo Correctional Institution (CI).
The light project is a result of innovative ideas identified on how to minimise the high cost of electrical expenses as well as for security purposes.
During a workshop conducted for the commanding officers in October 2018, most of the commanding officers identified security lighting as an issue.
CS Assistant Commissioner for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, David Suagu, who was present in Vanimo CI for the launching, said research had to be conducted in order to find the best lights that suited the needs of CS.
“Research was conducted and found that there were solar lights offered online from overseas, but it did not meet the security needs of CS,” he stated.
“We tried to find lights that were cost effective, as well as efficient in assisting in security management in CS institutions.
“Arrangements were made for the contactor to specify the designs of the light to be suited for CS institutions.”
The solar lights were designed by Australasian Energy Services, an Australian owned company based in China. The lights were designed in Australia and produced in China, then sent over to Australia, then to PNG. The total cost of the project was estimated at K120,000.
There were some challenges faced in the purchase and transportation of the lights, but eventually after almost two years, the lights finally arrived in Vanimo. Apart from the lights being produced in China, the contractor had sourced around in PNG and found a place in Port Moresby that produced the light poles, which were then shipped to Vanimo.
Suagu described the reaction of the Vanimo CI officers about the project, saying: “The officers were very appreciative of the project, and they know that when there is a black-out in town, the new light will help in the visibility of the prison area and will assist in security management.”
Suagu said since the launching of the project, he has received positive feedback from Vanimo CI that there has been a reduction in the cost of electricity bills by almost 50 percent.
“The project is an innovation, and it changes our normal way of doing things. “What we have been relying on and how we have been doing things is no longer favourable to us, and so we have to explore into other areas to see how best we can improve on the management of the security,” he stated.
The lights are being trialed in Vanimo CI with the possibility of expanding to other CIs in future.