Police station gets a facelift

By JACOB POK
THE Kwikila police station in Rigo, Central province is being renovated after it was vacated four years ago because of its run-down condition.
Only six police officers work there while others have been transferred to other stations.
Justice Panuel Mogish condemned the police station and the cell blocks on his visit there two months ago because of its run-down state and unhygienic condition.
He directed that the station be refurbished to allow the national court to hear cases there.
Some K248,000 was allocated to renovate the building.
“The station was in a mess for the last four years or so and now it will take only three months to refurbish and make it look like a police station,” Mogish said after a short visit to the station to inspect the renovation work there yesterday.
“Now Kwikila has re-opened the national court, it brings back pride after 19 years.”
He said Central province deserved to have a national court.
He said there would be effective enforcement of law and order in the area if there were proper facilities.
Resident Lakau Burani said he was happy with the work of the judiciary to visit such a rural area and identify the needs of the community.
He said the police station had been in a very bad state for some years and could not deal with offenders involved in major crimes.
He said because the police cell blocks were unhygienic and run-down, offenders were often released on bail and told to travel to Waigani committal court for their hearings.
However, he said many could not travel because they could not afford to pay the K20 fare.
“Things now seem to be looking good and I am sure crime rates would drop and there would be peace in this community,” Burani said.