: Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has described the Official Opening and Commissioning of the Mukurumanda Correctional Facility in Enga Province as a historic achievement, fulfilling a development vision first initiated in 1987 by the late Sir Pato Kakaraya, pioneer Member of Parliament for Wapenamanda.
Prime Minister Marape officially opened the long-awaited facility today before a huge gathering of people, including traditional leaders, landowners, Churches, Government officials and members of the Correctional Services. He was joined by Enga Governor Hon. Sir Peter Ipatas, Minister for Transport and Coffee and Wapenamanda MP Hon. Miki Kaeok, Minister for Police and Kompiam-Ambum MP Hon. Sir John Pundari, senior Government officials and other distinguished guests. The Prime Minister said the Commissioning marked a significant milestone in strengthening the Law and Justice Sector in Enga, particularly after decades of challenges involving tribal fighting, violence and other law and order problems. “Today we have a historic moment,” Prime Minister Marape declared. He paid special tribute to the late Sir Pato Kakaraya, who initiated the Project in 1987, acknowledging his foresight in recognising the importance of establishing a Correctional Institution in Enga.
The Prime Minister acknowledged successive Political Leaders and Governments, particularly Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, who had continued supporting the Project over the years. He noted that since Governor Ipatas assumed Office in 1998, four Prime Ministers had served before him, yet the Project remained incomplete. Prime Minister Marape expressed regret over the lengthy delays, saying the people of Enga deserved access to essential Government institutions that supported justice, peace and development. “The fullest chain of Law and Justice Sector work is not complete without a functional Correctional Service that rehabilitates citizens and puts them back into society as good men and women who become part of the community again,” he said. The Prime Minister stressed that effective policing, courts, village courts and correctional institutions must work together to maintain peace and uphold the rule of law. He said Mukurumanda would also help address the longstanding situation where prisoners from Enga were accommodated in Correctional Facilities in neighbouring Provinces.
Prime Minister Marape further announced that the Government had allocated K5 million towards improving Water Supply and supporting additional development around the new facility. “We have allocated K5 million for the Water Supply and other development of the area,” he said. He emphasised that the Commissioning was only the beginning of further work to ensure the Institution became fully operational and adequately supported with essential infrastructure and services. The Prime Minister also delivered a strong message to young people across Enga, urging them to abandon tribal fighting, lawlessness and other destructive activities and instead embrace education and productive opportunities. He said the National Government was working in partnership with the Enga Provincial Government to develop Educational campuses and expand learning opportunities within the Province. “My call to youths is not to fall into lawlessness but to pick up Education,” Prime Minister Marape said, emphasising the importance of providing young people with pathways towards meaningful and productive lives.
He said Education remained one of the most important investments in preventing crime, reducing violence and preparing young people to contribute positively towards their communities and the country’s development. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the Traditional Landowners who made land available for the Facility and directed relevant Authorities to finalise outstanding land arrangements. As the Minister responsible for Correctional Services, Prime Minister Marape reiterated his commitment to strengthening the Sector and ensuring Correctional Institutions focused on rehabilitation, restoration and reintegration.
He said the opening of Mukurumanda represented both the fulfilment of a longstanding vision and the beginning of renewed efforts to strengthen justice, peace and development in Enga. Prime Minister Marape called on the people to take ownership of the Facility, respect the law and work together towards building safer and more prosperous communities.