Chief Ombudsman visits Alotau

Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen is in Alotau this week, he delivered an OC report on the state of the Correctional Service facility Giligili.

Some of their findings in this facility report conducted in May of 2023 were that there was a major need for maintenance and support in specific areas including overcrowding in the cell blocks and staff housing deterioration.

He was accompanied to Alotau by Opposition Leader and Kiriwina-Goodenough MP Douglas Tomuriesa and Samarai-Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard.

Each of the province's districts supported the report with help from Giligili including Samarai-Murua pledging K300,000 and extras like a support tank and solar lighting for the prison camp, Kiriwina-Goodenough District gave K250,000 and committed a further 75kva backup generator for the prison while Alotau District gave K100,000.

Chief Ombudsman Pagen while welcoming the support, added Esa’ala District must also give its support to make fair and proper the support needed for CS Giligili.

Assistant Commissioner Southern Region Timbi Kaugla welcomed the support for CS Giligili, one of the top performing prisons under the prison excellence program.

The help comes amidst Giligili being given a big boost as a pilot prison for the Dept of Correctional Service and Provincial Governments- they are recipients of a K2.9 million project for a 100-man cellblock currently under construction.