The Mount Hagen City Authority has stepped in to boost the operations of the Public Solicitor’s Office in Western Highlands Province with the donation of a brand-new vehicle.

The Toyota LandCruiser 10-seater was officially presented on Tuesday by the local MP for Mt Hagen Open, Minister for State Enterprises, and Chairman of the Mt Hagen City Authority, Hon. William Duma.

Receiving the vehicle on behalf of his team, the Solicitor-in-Charge of the Mt Hagen Public Solicitor’s Office, Samson Minara, expressed deep gratitude to Minister Duma. He noted that the vehicle would also support colleague lawyers covering Jiwaka and Southern Highlands provinces.

"This vehicle bridges a critical gap in delivering legal services to ordinary people, many of whom are currently in prison without legal representation," Mr. Minara said, praising Minister Duma’s foresight and leadership.

The presentation was witnessed by Senior Western Highlands Province Magistrate Ms. Betty Jacobs, Acting Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander and Mt Hagen Police Station Commander Senior Inspector Steven Philipo, and 13 ward councillors from the Mt Hagen Rural Local Level Government (LLG). The councillors commended the initiative, highlighting that ordinary citizens have a fundamental right to defense counsel and that it takes wise leadership to recognize and address the specific needs of law and justice agencies.

Speaking on behalf of the Supreme, National, District, and Land Mediation courts, Senior Magistrate Jacobs emphasized that the vehicle addresses a long-standing "missing link" in the criminal justice system, making legal assistance far more accessible to the public.

In his remarks, Minister Duma reminded the officers of their vital role as public defenders and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the office whenever necessary