Monday  26 October  2020

POLICE Commissioner and Controller of the National Pandemic Response Mr David Manning said the Judiciary Emergency Satellite Network offered an alternative network for Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and various agencies within the Law and Justice Sector.

Manning said this last Friday (October 23)  at  the official launch of the Judiciary Satellite Network at the National and Supreme Court House in Waigani, Port Moresby.

He was pleased to represent the 7,600 members of the Constabulary across the country to receive the Judiciary Satellite Network from the Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika.

“I thank Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika for your visionary leadership in getting the Judiciary to move with the times, not only as and in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic but also in making the Judiciary remain relevant, efficient and effective in the administration of Justice in these uncertain and fast changing times.

 

“There is a demand for all of us to better serve our people and that can happen when we have the right people in charge who have the vision and drive to bring about change utilizing the right tools and appropriate technology available,” Mr Manning said.

Mr Manning commended Chief Justice Sir Gibbs for his proactive leadership and said COVID-19 reached PNG shores in March this year but through his leadership the Judiciary had been able to respond in a timely manner.

The Judiciary was one of the few organisations in PNG that took measures to make itself relevant in this pandemic.

One such measure was the establishment of this Emergency Satellite Network which allows the Courts to continue to function and deliver justice at the district level.

“The emergency satellite network was originally for the courts. I’m pleased that the Judiciary has decided to make it available for all members of the Law and Justice Sector.

“I thank Sir Gibbs for providing RPNGC with the emergency satellite that is currently in a number of locations such as Morauta Haus in NCD, the NCD Police Operations Centre, and various police stations around the country including borders such as Wewak, Vanimo, Kiunga, Daru, Tabubil, Wutung and Lae.”

Mr Manning also thanked the Judiciary team who had put together an affordable package for 20 police sites across the country.

The Judiciary has paid the first three months of its operation up to January 2021 when the cost for this network would be picked up by the Constabulary.

Mr Manning  had earlier made a commitment    to working  closely and help the Judiciary, and he has honoured that commitment  by    officially   presenting    three vehicles to the Office of the Sheriff of PNG next week.

“Our Prime Minister Honourable James Marape has mentioned a number of times in the recent past that the pandemic must not only been seen negatively but positively as well in the sense that for organisations in the frontline of our response,  this is an opportunity to build infrastructure, acquire much needed assets and retrain our workforce.

“We have just done that with the purchase of the new vehicles for the Judiciary.

“We will work closely with the Judiciary in the introduction of more progressive ways for the courts such as the installation of cameras and computers in vehicles, introduction of ankle bracelets for prisoners on parole and others.

“The possibilities for cooperation and collaborative efforts to improve the Justice system between police, the courts and all members of the law and justice sector are endless. I hope this is the beginning of many bigger and better things to come,” he added.

 

 

Media contact: Chief Superintendent Dominic D. Kakas, BEM, DPS
COVID-19 Media & Public Information Joint Agency Task Force
Mobile: 75430557 email: ddkakas@gmail.com
Police email:                       ddkakas.policemedia@gmail.com
COVID-19 JATF email:      ddkakas.covid19media@gmail.com