AusAID funds 41 new homes for warders

A FUNDING of more than K7 million from the Australian government, through AusAID, will finally be used to build 41 new homes for warders in Buimo and Beon Corrective Institutes in Lae and Madang.
The funding was made by AusAID under its law and order programme in 2007.
However, it was delayed until all processes relating to the Central Supply and Tenders Board and State Solicitor’s Office were fulfilled and signed, Correctiional Service Commissioner Richard Sikani said last Friday in Lae.
Mr Sikani said that the houses would be built on the land portion 464 on Top Hill, overlooking West and East Taraka, including University of Technology.
He said this would allow the space at the foot of the hill for extension work for detention centres and the security buildings.
More than 120 warders at Buimo had been living in bush material houses since the jail was moved from Ombisusu near Oomsis on the Wau-Bulolo Highway in the Wampar LLG in 1961.
Permanent houses that had been built since the establishment, have dilapidated.
The jail commander’s house was one of the worst affected.
On another development, the Buimo jail has yet to receive K500,000 from the Morobe provincial government to improve the facilities.
According to the 2003 National Court decision, it was stated that the CS with assistance from Morobe provincial government shall renovate or maintain all staff quarters and detainees’ quarters with suitable water supply, proper sanitation and sewerage systems.
These also included new buildings, cell blocks, detainee kitchen and mess facilities upgrading the institution to reasonable standard for human habitation in accord with section 122 and 125 of the Correctional Services Act.