Dr. Billy Joseph

The Black Rock Camp is a state-of-the-art Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Facility that boasts a large-scale relief warehouse, logistics headquarters necessary to coordinate work on relief response, a UN School, a medical center, and physical training facilities. The facility was built by Australia at a cost of AUD180 (K400m) million.

Dr Billy Joseph in accepting the report from Chairman Colonel Malau and his board thanked his predecessor Win Bakri Daki for his wisdom in commissioning the General Board of Inquiry. 

Minister Dr Joseph said such a tragedy in peacetime training of the PNGDF requires an investigation to allow people to understand the circumstances that led to the tragedy, and enable closure to lives of friends and relatives of the deceased. 

The minister also expressed condolences to all those affected by the tragedy.

Deputy Leader of Social Democratic Party and member for Nipa Kutubu, Dr. Billy Joseph said the opening of the Porgera mine is expected to have a significant impact on the PNG economy.

“As the Marape Rosso government has emphasized, there might be short-term pain, but there will be long-term gain.

“The opening of the Porgera mine is expected to create employment opportunities, generate revenues for the government, and boost economic growth.

The hostages were rescued and brought to Port Moresby on Sunday, February 26, 2023.

The Nipa Kutubu MP also apologised to the immediate families of the four survivors before condemning the actions of kidnappers, which was an act of terrorism.

He said it took 10 days to get the hostages out considering there are no road links and telecommunication services to assist in the rescue.