One of the PNG Defence Force’s major core tasks was to implement the white paper policy.
PNGDF Commander, Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo, said this during their end-of-year mass in Port Moresby.
Commander Toropo said in 2014, when teh White Paper was launched, certain priorities were set which brought the force together when the defence white paper was launched.
“Apart from the four core tasks of the white paper policy, one of the most important tasks was to implement the policy and that is a huge task.”
This saw the downsizing of manpower from 5,000 to 2,000.
He enunciated to staff and soldiers present that the tasks have not changed.
He added that the government, in its good wisdom, has granted for the force manpower to be increased again to 5,000 in 2017 and 10,000 by 2030.
Commander Toropo said in the journey taken, they have tried to grow the force and at the same time, doing their core activities.
He emphasised further that as 2017 is coming to an end, the PNGDF has worked together to do its bit and God has brought the force through its tough times, which has seen also a lot of changes in its programs and activities.
(Loop file pic)