Law and Justice opens office in Arawa
The law and justice sector on Bougainville achieved a milestone today when it opened its new offices in Arawa, Central Bougainville.
The opening of the new offices was made possible by the government of President Ishmael Toroama who are responsible for making the final payment that allowed the offices to be opened.
The office complex has been funded by the Autonomous Bougainville Government and provides office space for three key law and justice agencies;
- Department of Justice and Attorney General – Community Based Corrections
- Office of the Public Solicitor
- ABG Department of Justice and Legal Services.
Prior to the opening of the Arawa Law and Justice Office, none of these three important agencies had a permanent presence in Arawa.
Neither Community-Based Correction or the Department of Justice and Legal Services had staff present and, although the Public Solicitor did have a lawyer here, he had no office to work from.
The opening of this office by ABG allows these three agencies to expand their operations permanently, increasing access to crucial law and justice services for the people of Central and South Bougainville.
All of the main national law and justice agencies are now operating in Bougainville. This includes Police, Correctional Services, National Court, District Court, Public Prosecutor, Public Solicitor, Community-Based Corrections and Ombudsman Commission.
The opening of the office complex was stalled for five years after its completion in 2015 due to funding constraints in the ABG under the Special Intervention Fund.
The total costing for the office complex is K597, 000.00 with an initial payment of K400, 000.00 that was made by the previous government.
After the election of President Toroama in September, he made a commitment for funding to be made available for the completion of the building.
President Toroama ensured the final payment of K197, 000 was immediately made available for to the ABG’s Law and Justice Sector to allow the building to be opened.
President Toroama has stressed on improving law and order in Bougainville as a key aspect of his presidency.
Present at the opening was Public Solicitor of Papua New Guinea Mr Lesley Mamu, Australian High Commission, Minister Counsellor Dr Michael McKenzie, ABG Law and Justice Secretary Kearneth Nanei, Commander of the Bougainville Police Service, Francis Tokura and Provincial Magistrate Bruce Tasikul.
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