The renovation and upgrade of the Kokopo police station cell block in East New Britain has been completed and ready to be occupied by detainees.
The maintenance project was inspected and declared for use on Tuesday afternoon by Kokopo district court magistrate Leonard Mesmin accompanied by Governor Michael Marum, Provincial police commander chief inspector Januarus Vosivai, Kerevat Correctional Institute of Service (CIS) jail Commander Superintendent Margreth Garap and the provincial government representatives.
The upgrade and maintenance plan was focused on electrical circuits, cell blocks, juvenile cell clocks, kitchen upgrade and toilet facilities.
The facility was under renovation for a period of 4 weeks by Jacom construction limited and co- funded by the East New Britain provincial government under law and order sector with K138, 000 and FinCorp donating K20, 000 under its private public community outreach.
After the inspection magistrate Mesmin said the renovation was done after the court ordered for the renovation of the cell block as it was in an unhealthy and poor condition.
He said detainees have been transported to Bitapaka cell block and Kerevat cell block and now with this festive season operation the two cells now have been over crowded that is why this facility is now open so that it can cater for the detainees in town.
Magistrate Mesmin thanked the provincial government and other partners in assisting renovating the cell block stating that this is a very important building in Kokopo without this building the court will not function.
He said that the basic facilities needed in order for the operation of cells are already in place and it is good that there is juvenile cell for males and female plus other seven cell blocks and there is enough capacity inside each cells.
The magistrate declared that the cell block met the requirement and standard of the court and is it ready and fit and should be used as soon as possible and ask the police and detainees to look after the facility well. Governor Marum is thankful for the effort and partnership of FinCorp, Jacom contractor and other stakeholders for the team effort we look forward for more collaborative effort in the future.
He said other cell blocks in the province will be renovated also and he will visit the Kerevat CIS to see the facilities and renovate some facilities that needed to.