Heads role over PNG prison breakouts

AAP: Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Michael Somare has stripped the jails minister of his portfolio while the prison chief has reportedly been sacked after a mass breakout of some of the country’s toughest criminals.

Last week, after 12 prisoners escaped from Port Moresby’s Bomana jail, Mr Somare admitted the country’s correctional service command was “not in control”.

The Prime Minister’s media unit announced the minister’s sacking in a statement while both PNG’s national newspapers yesterday reported Correctional Services Commissioner Richard Sikani had also been sidelined.

“The Prime Minister had met with minister Tony Aimo on January 19 and informed him that he will remain minister, but without portfolio,” Mr Somare’s statement said.

“The Correctional Services portfolio will be vested with the PM until further notice and after an investigation is carried out.”