PNGDF recruitment process questioned

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force has been called to widen its recruitment process to include young men from centres outside Port Moresby and Lae.

Member for South Fly and Deputy Speaker, Aide Ganasi today queried why the recruitment of PNGDF cadets was based in major urban centres and not rolled out to districts and towns across the country.

He likened the process used by the Australians in the colonial and post-colonial days when teams visited districts to conduct recruitment compared to today where recruitment takes place in major centres only.

He also raised concerns of soldiers from a certain region occupying senior roles within the PNG Defence Force saying there was no regional balance in promotions within the force.

Defence Minister Fabian Pok admitted there were funding problems to go out to all districts and provinces to conduct recruitment.

However, he said recruitment was conducted from the main regional centres in the country.

To the question of regional balance in promotions and top positions within the defence force, Pok brushed these claims aside.

He said promotions were made on merits to those who deserved it and there was no regionalism in this area.

Author: 
Ruth Rungula