Leaders hailed for prison re-opening

National

HAWA People’s Association Inc (HPA Inc) is commending Hela Governor Philip Undialu and administrator William Bando for the re-opening of Hawa jail outside Tari town.
Chairman of HPA Rex Anda Tubigo and his people welcomed Correctional Services officers and prisoners back to Hawa.
Tubigo said the jail was closed in 1997 due to water shortage because of the El Nino and tribal fighting between clans living within the vicinity of the prison camp.
He said the jail had been closed for 21 years.
Tubigo added that the re-opening on Sept 15 would play a significant role to minimise law and order problems in Hela.
He said the Hubi, Mondo, Homalia and Pepe clans were anxiously waiting to welcome back, CIS personnel and prisoners.
Tubigo said despite the tribal fighting, the people didn’t touch the jail, they looked after the State property very well and returned it last week.
He wants Undialu,Tari-Pori MP James Marape and the Administrator William Bando to fast track land compensation payment now pending with Lands Department and pay the overdue payments to landowners.
He said that HPA Inc claim for land compensation on portion 87, now Hawa prison is still pending for payment.
He said a submission for payment was made to the Department of Lands after discovering that the original acquisition of Hawa was improper, illegal and fraudulent with lots of discrepancies.