Richard proves you can’t keep a good man down

By HELEN TARAWA
PRISON officer Richard Mandui was selected in the national athletics squad to represent the country at the 1991 South Pacific Games when disaster struck.
His right leg had to be amputated after a road accident on the Magi Highway during an official trip.
It was devastating. But Richard learnt to get over it. He never returned to athletics but continued to serve the country as a prison officer.
He was awarded last month the Distinguished Correctional Service medal in a ceremony at Government House to acknowledge his 30 years of service.
He dedicated his achievements to his late parents Otto Xavier Mandui and Mary Pilesou Tul from East Sepik and Manus.
“Without their love and strict upbringing, I wouldn’t be here today to receive such an award. I have only served 30 years and got recognised. There are others who have served more than me. They have to be recognised too for their dedicated and committed service to the state.”
He received his primary school education from 1974 to 1979 in various Southern Highlands schools.
Then he attended high school from 1980 to 1983 at the Kagua Provincial High School, Manus Provincial High School, completing Grade 12 at the Passam National High School in 1985.

He attended the University of PNG and graduated with a Diploma in Media Studies. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science (majoring in Journalism). He received a Diploma in Economic Policy Analysis from the National Research Institute, and is currently pursuing a Master in Business Administration programme.
Richard was selected for the national athletics squad in June 1990 for the South Pacific Games in 1991 held in Port Moresby.
He had represented the National Capital District in athletics in the national championships at the Queen Elizabeth Park in Rabaul. He competed in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x 400m and 4 x 100m relays. In the field events, he took part in the long and triple jump.

“ Don’t rush to get to the top. Perseverance with humbleness will get you there.”

He still remembers lining up in the 100m finals alongside Ezekiel Wartovo and Takele Tuna.
“We all reached the finishing line together but Wartovo dived at the tape because he was shorter clocking 10.4 seconds, while myself and Tuna who were tall hit the tape together at 10.6 seconds.”
Team NCD won both the 100m and 40 m relay events which Richard was a member of.
“In the long jump, I recorded 23m and in the triple jump over 30m. Anyway my performance on the track events enabled me to be included in the PNG Athletics squad for the 1991 SP Games.”
The road accident happened on Aug 17, 1990 when he was returning from escorting a released prisoner to his home in Moreguina.
“While returning in heavy rain late in the evening, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it crashed near the Barakau turn-off bridge. The vehicle crashed into the embankment. I was the only passenger sitting at the back. My right leg was smashed. I was taken to the Port Moresby General Hospital where it was amputated.”
His NCD team mates selected for the national team such as Subul Babo, Lilly Tua and Spencher Uruka visited him in hospital before the Pacific Games.
Richard has learned to accept his fate and move forward as “it is the will of God”.
In 1989, he was promoted to Sergeant and in 2015 he became an Inspector. In 2018, he was promoted to Chief Inspector.
He thanks his partner Kathy for being “part of my life after the accident and family members for supporting me”.
“Thanks for bearing with me even though I can be very mean sometimes.”
He remembers what one former commissioner said about him being “over-educated, over-qualified and under-worked” officer.
“I took that on as a challenge to this day. One of my philosophies is to find the positive out of the negative. Do not to give up, but persevere, because through faith and perseverance you accomplish the unthinkable.”
His advice to young prison officers: “Don’t rush to get to the top. Perseverance with humbleness will get you there. Rome was not built in a day.”