By REGINALD RENAGI
It is time the government shows it is serious about our national security.
For a start, the whole Defence organisation must be completely overhauled as part of the government's national strategic plan 2010 - 2050.
The Ministry must critically improve its capacity in several key critical areas: command, management, leadership, organisational culture and effectiveness, assets and facilities, administration processes and staff procedures, strategic policies, programmes and projects, military rules and regulations, conditions of service for active members and retirees (pensioners), all ancillary services; and in general improving the general of our servicemen and women with their dependents in our defence communities.
This future challenge is now before our government.
This is most vital if PNG is to get the very best out of defence in future.
A lot of hollow-sounding speeches by politicians over the years are nothing more than mere platitudes.
Such useless speeches only give people unnecessarily high expectations come election time, or on some special occasions.
Soon after getting into public office, politicians easily forget about improving our country's security.
Politicians to date have yet to develop their required statesman skills with much finesse. They must be well educated in what defence is all about and what it can do to develop PNG in numerous positive ways.
Defence has an important nation building function mandated by the constitution.
The defence organisation can on the whole contribute immensely to national security, development and unity of PNG if it is adequately resourced.
Since independence, defence has always been a very-loyal, committed and dedicated employee to successive governments.
Over the years, service personnel have been inculcated with the noble ethos of diligently serving “God, Queen and Country" from day one.
This noble Mindset makes defence very different from the normal run-of-the-mill dysfunctional bureaucracy we have now.
Despite some inherent deficiencies, defence is a more-loyal and committed state employee than other national agency.
This has unfortunately been a one-way street for defence.
The fact is our politicians and bureaucracy have no real idea at all about enhancing our national security.
Our elected representatives are just plain ignorant about key issues affecting national security.
PNG needs a far-sighted visionary leadership that will address our national security today - not in another 33 years time.
In future, when PNG may face a grave security threat then it will be too late as we will not even be ready then.
Today, the question of 'affordability' is no longer an option as we now have the resources to not keep neglecting our security.
The Ministry and its defence council must demand more from our government for a better deal for defence.
Defence officials must no longer be reticent about this vital issue of getting the government's attention to effectively put its money where its mouth is about national security.
I also urge senior defence officials to effectively articulate to our parliamentarians in several ways they know best.
Defence has become a national disgrace because our country's leadership has consistently failed it.
We only have to see what our neighbours' armed forces are doing these past few years to strengthen their defence forces to make us feel very ashamed of our own lack of real leadership here.
I again encourage senior officers to professionally assert their real concerns to the defence council.
The council must get the best deal for defence from government and parliament, and in the process, get full community support for defence.
In addition, a major paradigm shift is needed within defence.
We need more personal effort, commitment and resources to really improve defence capabilities.
PNG has the resources to positively change defence's present status.
It is time politicians stop their lip-service and show a real commitment towards modernising defence.
If the government and parliament cannot even do this despite the pressing need today, than abolish the defence department and let a regional government take care of our national security.
Yes, it does look too easy this way, except that our country will be seriously compromised to potential enemies.
Today, the most feasible and viable option for government is to set up its own independent National Coastguard Service (NCS) by 2012.
This must be a part of PNG's new national strategic plan.
A future NCS will truly serve PNG well by contributing directly towards security and economic development in a far more cost-effective manner than before.
A NCS will be a fully justified decision as this maritime security agency will generate revenue in several different ways.
With our new strategic plan for the next 40 years, this presents a great opportunity for the defence Ministry and government for a new future security option.
The coast guard's offshore tapestry resource protection tasks will include naval, coast guard and civil agency missions conducted all year round on behalf of several line agencies.
The coast guard will be a new maritime security regime generating substantial revenue for our economy.
In addition, the NCS will pay itself off many times over in any one year in the conduct of enforcement activities in support of government policies.
We will have the required revenue to upgrade existing surveillance platforms including acquire additional operational assets.
Current fleet strengths of ships and aircrafts will need to be augmented as required for improved surveillance and resources protection duties.
After 35 years of independence, PNG's national security will be further enhanced through an independent coast guard service.
I suggest government planners incorporate this security planning option as a key priority development program within the MTDS and the national strategic development plan.
- The writer is a former patrol boat commander and defense chief
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