Condemned cell block now open

THE Lihir police station cell block in New Ireland that was condemned recently by health authorities and temporarily closed has been reopened following a drainage of its sewerage.
Lihir station commander Benson Pae told the National yesterday that a contractor engaged by Newcrest Mining Ltd managed to clear blockage last week and the facility was reopened last Friday.
“The contractor cleared the blockage consisting of pieces of towels, pieces of cardboard boxes and plastic that was used by detainees as an alternative for toilet roll or when the toilet roll ran out,” he said.
Health authorities condemned the facility at the end of May after inspections revealed that the sewerage was blocked, causing overflow from the toilet bowl down to the floor, spreading all over the cell block. It was both smelly and causing a health risk.