By Theckla Gunga – EMTV News, Port Moresby
The Correctional Service staged a welcome parade for the acting CS Commissioner, Bernard Nepo, inside the premises of the Bomana prison this morning.
The parade consisted of three platoons and was hosted by Bomana Jail Commander, Kiddy Keko.
The parade was witnessed by senior members of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, the PNG Defence Force and detainees at Bomana.
The staging of this parade signalled the change in the commissioner’s position from former Commissioner, Michael Waipo, to Bernard Nepo.
CS minister, Jim Simatabm who addressed the correctional officers on behalf of the government, says the appointment was decided by the National Government and he was limited by law to comment on the change, as it is now before the courts.
Nepo was appointed by the National Executive Council on February 4 and assumed office on Friday, February 12.
This morning, he was received as the head of CS and presented his initiatives for the disciplinary force.
Rehabilitation programs and Prison Policing are two priority areas Nepo will be focusing on for the next three months.
For Rehabilitation activities, CS will be looking at partnering with stake holders to introduce more programs in the prisons around the country.
While for policing prisons, Nepo admitted that though the program is under funded by the state, he challenged CS executives to financially manage the program.
Nepo will be acting on the position for the next three months.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=UhgHQ-DiDEc%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
