The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Correctional Service (CS) has released K4 million to the Enga Provincial Government for work on the long-delayed Mukurumanda Correctional Institution, with the facility expected to open in September.
CS Commissioner Noel Sarei presented the cheque to Enga Deputy Provincial Administrator Henry Kapao yesterday, saying the funding would support final preparations for the facility to begin operations.
Sarei said K2 million had previously been paid toward the project, with the latest K4 million payment bringing the stated payments to K6 million.
“The reason why we are doing this is because we are trying to open the Mukurumanda jail by September. We went up last week and had a meeting with the administrator, and we set a tentative date, which we will announce later. Our date is probably in the second week of September, before Independence,” Sarei said.
He said Correctional Service teams were already working at the facility and preparing for the transfer of remandees from Baisu Correctional Institution.
“Currently, on the ground, we have our team working on the transfer of remandees from Baisu to Enga. Before the opening, we should have all the prisoners inside the facility. While we are doing the opening, the prisoners will already be inside, and they will also assist us in some other little work in terms of cleaning up and all this,” Sarei said.
Sarei said 11 Correctional Service personnel were currently on the ground at Mukurumanda, including four female and seven male officers.
A new correctional commander for Enga is expected to arrive this week, while the service is also working on transport arrangements and additional staffing.
Sarei said he planned to change the way officers were deployed to provincial facilities by bringing personnel from other provinces to work in Enga.
“For my administration and my plan, I will not allow that. I am going to change the whole scope of staffing, meaning that I am going to bring people from other provinces to go and work for the Enga jail, so that we try to look at service delivery and measure all these kinds of things in terms of staffing,” he said.
He said the remaining infrastructure work included perimeter fencing, two external towers, and a boom gate.
“Fencing is very important so that the presence of the national function of Correctional Service is felt in Enga Province, because we must contribute toward keeping our country safe and keeping our province safe by putting those that are in conflict with the law in their right place,” Sarei said.
Kapao welcomed the funding and said the provincial government was prepared to work closely with Correctional Service to ensure Mukurumanda became fully operational.
“On behalf of the Enga Provincial Administration and the people of Enga, thank you. Since in the province we have a jail, the provincial administration will be looking forward working very closely with you and your offices and the department, so we can partner to help the project run and operate,” Kapao said.
Kapao said the Mukurumanda project had remained incomplete for about 28 years.
“The Mukurumanda Correctional Service project is 28 years old, and we haven't opened that yet. We haven't had prisoners there. Maybe when we started the project, I was teaching in high school. Now I am the Deputy Provincial Administrator,” he said.
He said the provincial government would use its works program and technical officers to ensure the K4 million was directed toward the intended work.
“I can assure you, Commissioner, that we will put the money into our works program. We have technical officers who will ensure that the money is spent where it is supposed to be spent. Most of the work you have noticed that we have done is getting ready for the remandees to come and start the project,” Kapao said.
Kapao said the opening was significant for Enga and could help reduce pressure on Baisu Correctional Institution.
“Many of our issues that have come about as a result of crowding in Baisu will be solved. We have waited for a long time, and we hope that come Sept. 14, we will go back and organize that program so that we will make it colorful, small but significant. We waited for a long time, and we will open the jail,” he said.
The Correctional Service and Enga Provincial Government are expected to continue working together on the remaining preparations before the facility opens.
