By GABRIEL FITO
The relocation of the Boram Correctional Institution to pave way for the Boram airport redevelopment work is hindering improvement at the jail facility in Wewak.
Ambunti Dreikikir MP and CIS Minister Tony Aimo in his first official visit to the institution last Wednesday, told a parade that was put on in his honour that Boram like any other jail should have seen some improvement, but, that had not eventuated because of the K10 million airport redevelopment project.
The Boram jail is situated on the eastern end of the airport but with the recent cabinet’s decision to upgrade the airport to international standard, the jail would now be shifted to another location to allow for the extension of the runway.
Mr Aimo said the CS deputy commissioner had written three letters to the Civil Aviation Authority requesting a copy of the master plan to see if CS had been incorporated in the plan.
All three attempts had fallen on deaf ears.
The minister also challenged the East Sepik provincial government to fast tract the airport extension work so that he would know where the Boram CS stood and provide necessary support for staff, the detainees and improve the aging facilities inside the institution. Mr Aimo said improvement on the Boram jail was set to kick off but it has been placed on hold due to airport upgrading exercise.
Meanwhile, the minister has released K87,000 to Brian Bell for the purchase of white goods for accommodation at the Boram.
He also announced a further K75,000 which had been allocated for maintenance purposes at Boram this year bringing the total allocation to K162,000.
Minister Aimo said under the department’s 15-year development plan, he would ensure that all CS institutions are treated equally including CS personnel and detainees.