Prime Minister 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 on Monday 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 Sir Peter Ipatas, Minister for Transport and Coffee and Wapenamanda MP Miki Kaeok, Minister for Police and Kompiam-Ambum MP 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. 

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.