NEC appoints Pokanis as correctional service head

STEPHEN Pokanis, pictured, has been appointed Correctional Service Commissioner by the National Executive Council (NEC).
Correctional Service Minister Chris Nangoi announced the appointment yesterday.
Nangoi said Pokanis, who had acted in the position for 11 months after replacing former commissioner Michael Waipo, was picked to take the Correctional Services department forward after a stringent process of selection.
He said the career CS officer had the experience and administrative experience and was recommended by the Personnel Management department and the Public Service Commission to the National Executive Council for endorsement.
Nangoi thanked the Government for the appointment of Pokanis who would serve a four-year term.
The minister said he had confidence in Pokanis and that together they would help develop the department.
Nangoi said among some of the issues that needed addressing were:

• The issue of pensions and retirement benefits for CS personnel;
• the maintenance of staff housing/accommodation; and,
• The upgrading of the nation’s jails to address overcrowding.

“The future of CS lies in our hands and it is our turn to contribute meaningfully to take back PNG but before that we must first take back CS,” he said.