Man behind Oro women’s rehabilitation centre dies

 INITIATOR of Papua New Guinea’s juvenile female rehabilitation centre in Popondetta, Northern, Paulinus Obeba Awai passed on April 13.

Awai, 51, from Buna village, was a senior officer of the Department of Justice and Attorney General attached to probation branch.

In his tribute, Dr Lawrence Kalinoe, Secretary for Department of Justice and Attorney General, described the Awai as a “great and humble man with a vision” to deliver justice services for the law and justice sector in Popondetta and Northern.

“Through his vision, the Department of Justice and Attorney General funded the establishment of the country’s first juvenile female rehabilitation centre, the juvenile male rehabilitation centre and the recently completed new office complex to accommodate four branches of the department,” Kalinoe said during a funeral mass at the Anglican Resurrection Cathedral

“His professional approach, commitment and dedication and a special unique professional working relationship with the Oro provincial administration had resulted in the invaluable technical assistance leading to the establishment of the facilities in Popondetta.”

He said Awai had left a legacy and that he would be best remembered by the two juvenile rehabilitation facilities and the new office complex in Popondetta.