Defence Minister

PNGDF ready for APEC: Defence Minister

This was reiterated by the Minister for Defence during the launch of the Kumul Leadership Development Framework at Sogeri on Thursday.

Minister Solan Mirisim said the PNGDF have delivered a safe and trouble free election this year (2017).

“With this new leadership program now launched, we will not waste time and what we have not done, we will push for it to be done and dusted for a successful summit in 2018.”

He said the O’Neill-Abel government is focused on leadership and the PNGDF must take lead in this as well.

Patrol posts to beef up border security

The Defence Minister and Member for Telefomin Solan Mirisim, PNGDF Commander Brigadier General, Gilbert Toropo and Customs Commissioner, Ray Paul flew into Tumolbil village in Yapsie LLG to launch the new patrol post site.

An official ground breaking ceremony was held to welcome the high profile delegation into the border village.                

Tumolbil village is one of the remotest parts of PNG villages situated right on the border with Indonesia and the Telefomin district. 

Hundreds of villages turned up in numbers to welcome the delegation.

Minister to visit all PNGDF bases

In its 9th year, it was created to play the support role, dealing with all logistical issues of the Force.

The Force Support Battalion also has its fair share of challenges, as it thrives to support all elements of the PNGDF.

The visit by the Defence Minister, Solan Mirisim today was welcome by many personnel.

The Minister said he has made it his business to visit all Military Facilities to see first-hand their challenges and plan how his department can assist address some of the issues.

Land advocate questions Defence Minister’s statement

This was the statement from Motu-Koita land advocate and former secretary for the Department of Information and Communication, Henao Iduhu.

“All customary landowners in Manumanu-Pinu, Central Province, were never alerted nor consulted and thereby the land was acquired in breach of the Land Act 1996,” argues Iduhu.

Iduhu asked why the Member for Kairuku-Hiri, Peter Isoaimo, did not act in the interest of his constituents earlier to put a stop to this illegal land grab.