Buimo Correctional Service installs two-way radio

The National National
Correctional Services Information and Communication Technology department director Germain Miro (right) presenting a digital two-way hand-held radio to Buimo CS commander Supt Michael Wundia on Tuesday after the equipment installation completion. – Nationalpic by LARRY ANDREW

BUIMO Correctional Service officers in Lae, Morobe, will now be able to communicate with each other during duty call after the Correctional Services’ information technology and communication department installed a K50,000 two-way radio equipment at the prison over the weekend.
ICT director Germain Miro said the digital radio system was sourced from Hytera Communication in China.
The communication system is part of developments at the jail to improve management and the day-to-day running of the facility.
Miro said the equipment was purchased earlier this year but due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic installation was delayed until this month.
A total of nine radios and equipment were provided for Buimo – one base radio and eight hand-held digital radios.
Miro said 2010 was the last time they used two-way radios in jails.
“In PNG as we all know, we have funding constraints and sustainability of such equipment is rare.
“It’s a struggle but we make do with what we have and since 2010 this is a first for Buimo to come online to use the two-way radio communications,” he said.
Miro said the equipment was purpose built with the order going straight to the manufacturer and done for security purposes as they did not buy equipment off the shelf.
He said the next prisons planned for installation of the equipment were Bomana (National Capital District), Kerevat (East New Britain) and Baisu (Western Highlands).
“We are targeting the four major regional prisons and those other three institutes will come on line in the near future.
Miro said the installation of the equipment was a step forward in making the country’s correctional services more efficient and better performing.
Miro also acknowledgeS CS commissioner Stephen Pokanis for his leadership in implementing initiatives and services to improve the state agency.
Buimo CS commander Supt Michael Wundia said communication was crucial in the running of the prison and the radios would allow officers to perform their duties professionally and efficiently.