After an intense two weeks of non-stop consultation with people of the Momase and the Highlands region, the Parliamentary Law and Order Committee have advised that they are working on presenting their findings along with resolutions to the floor of Parliament as soon as they have completed their report.
Reuben Derrick, the Secretary of Law & Order Committee told PNG HAUSBUNG that there was a lot of interesting things that were spoken about during the two week consultation period, with many voicing concerns about the spike in crime and calling for more stringent approach to addressing this.
“We are on a fact finding mission.”
“It’s a broader issue but we are focusing on tribal warfare and breakouts of prisons in the area, petty crimes and others.”
Derrick said one of the shocking discoveries unveiled by during consultations was the Department of Justice & Attorney General’s lack in maintaining the legal systems at the lower levels, especially in terms of infrastructure and up keep of personnel in village courts.
“There is a very big gap in there.”
“Through this department the government is not addressing these issues and this is one of the saddest things that have been found out.”
This raises concerns as to how DJAG goes about with the amount of money that is budgeted every year.
According to the findings, many serious and sensitive issue are heared under mango tress or in small buildings, many of which are not suitable to host court proceedings.