Fixing the Papua New Guinea Defence Force

By REGINALD RENAGI

 

Defence Commander Francis Agwi unlike his predecessors; is not wasting much time since being appointed to the job last December.

In my two brief courtesy calls on him before he released his recent media “Statement to the Nation”, I got the impression that at long last we will see some fundamental changes to the way the PNGDF is commanded, and managed in PNG.

General Agwi again has confirmed a long awaited command action to fix the force during his watch. 

All others before him have not fared very well. 

Upon getting the top security job, he immediately made known his personal intentions to his command, the government and the country: he plans on reviewing the force’s roles, restructure it to do its job well to the expectation of the people and country. 

But first, he will fix some pressing outstanding personnel issues that the organisation has shown a poor ability to solve by sweeping them under the carpet - hoping they will disappear.

From my personal discussions, here is what this writer sees General Agwi do to fix the PNGDF’s problem:

• Review its roles and structure – what are the priorities we should critically address in the next decade? Review the external defence roles and Internal security, involvement in civic action and national development;
• Analyse carefully the balance between personnel, operations and capital assets to provide a detailed budgetary guidance for government consideration; and
•  Recommendations: 1) to make the PNGDF an effective force by focusing on three key national roles: sovereignty defence, internal security and civic action projects to support national development, 2) A balanced force relevant to PNG’s unique strategic environment in the next ten years.

Despite several past recommendations, the defence organisation has not fully carried out the immediate actions required to improve the operational effectiveness of the PNGDF.  The reduction of personnel in 2001 has seriously eroded the capacity and overall weakened the PNGDF. 

This grave political judgement has not resulted in any tangible savings for the defence organisation, especially the PNGDF; full contracting out of non-core areas such as major maintenance to the private sector have not being done to redirect this into improving the operational effectiveness of the PNGDF.

The whole purpose of a former government reducing the PNGDF has failed in PNG.

 It has not resulted in a better-equipped force with more resources available for operations and training. 

Despite the numerous media statements by the defence council and political rhetorics from several prime ministers down, the PNGDF has still not been appropriately structured to meet PNG’s pressing internal security, and national development needs as well as the protection of PNG’s territorial integrity and valuable resources. 

The force will soon become irrelevant if something is not done soon by the government to make the PNGDF meet serious future challenges in this millennium.

 

 

Church notice bloopers

Love those Church Ladies.. They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters.
These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
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The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
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The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.'  The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
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Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house.  Bring your husbands.
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 Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
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Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
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Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
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For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
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Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
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A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice
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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
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Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM.. The congregation is invited to attend this
tragedy.
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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church.  Please use large double door at the side entrance.
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The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours'.

Government urged to address housing crisis

The Government has been urged to urgently address Papua New Guinea’s housing crisis or a serious security concern may emerge.

And it has also been urged to look at housing alternatives such as cheap local bricks and utilising the services of Habitat for Humanity.

These concerns were raised after a series of articles in The National about the serious housing problem in the country, with housing now beyond what the average Papua New Guinean can afford.

“All these statistics show that the government for the last three decades has still not come up with an affordable housing solution for the majority of Papua New Guineans,” said prominent commentator Reginald Renagi.

“The gap between the haves and the have-nots widens each year until we will have the have-nots posing a very high national security threat on the haves.

“It is no good quoting many figures to confuse and disappoint our people, but the question remains: what is the solution?

“We do not want to see more squatter settlements growing up all over Port Moresby and other major centres.

“The Somare government must find an answer soon before the next elections as we are sitting on a very explosive national security situation.”

Mr Renagi said there were many alternatives such as mud bricks and Habitat for Humanity, however, the Government must have the political will to address this problem that has been outstanding for many years.

“Making local bricks by our own people is a great idea that can save us millions from importing it from overseas,” he said.

“The two major super funds - Nasfund and Numbawan Super - are already giving out housing loans to their members but the way it is presently designed is it only suits the upper, middle and higher income level executives.

“So again, the middle and lower wage earners will have a hard time repaying their loan repayments.”

Former PNG resident David Williams suggests: “There is a huge need for a total rethink of the approach to solving this problem.

“It needs to go back to village communities and to village schools.

“Provincial governments should employ qualified tradesmen to teach practical courses in building trades - carpentry, masonry, electrical, plumbing, roofing, etc - within secondary school curriculums, and to adult classes drawn from the community.

“Those who enrol should be taught all the basics of construction, and a simplified building approval and safety inspection service implemented using the same tradesmen doing the training work.

“Money should be set aside to finance community toolkits: patrol boxes filled with all of the tools needed for construction.

“These could then be purchased by local level governments and the tools made available to owners/builders on payment of a refundable security bond and a small fee.

“Some of the timber companies could be approached to develop kit housing that is affordable, and these should be subsidised by government in much the same way as the ‘first home ownership scheme’ works in Australia where first home owners can get a grant of up to $14, 000 from government.

“I also thoroughly agree in bringing in groups like Housing for Humanity to get local brick-making happening as well as other low-cost initiatives.

“The financiers can do their part ... making loans of smaller amounts available to owner/builders over longer periods, so that repayments are affordable.

“Financiers naturally will require security ... and if government is genuinely interested in solving the housing crisis, then governments should step in and offer security bonds for low income families.

“The payoff in terms of greater community stability, an upskilled workforce, fewer settlements, and fewer social problems resulting from unemployment, boredom and homelessness would more than compensate all parties.”

Reichard Thanda, a Papua New Guinean studying in the United Kingdom, described the housing issue as “dangerous”.

“This is dangerous since it can drive the demand for a certain good sky high,” he said.

 “Housing in this case,  which now becomes a luxurious item or ‘Veblen Good’,  as it is know in economics,  results in subsequent increase in prices or asset bubbles.

“ Empirical evidence clearly suggests that one of the factors which has led to the recent global financial crisis involved housing mortgages , first in Thailand which has eventually spread throughout the rest of South-east Asia leading to the Asian Financial crisis in 1997, and recently in the US and elsewhere.

“The ‘asset bubble’ remains so long as there are potential buyers than sellers which creates a ‘wealth effect’ - where investors judge themselves to be richer as the value of their assets increases -  until it reaches certain stage when there is a divorce between the asset’s price and its underlying value.

“When this happens there is a quick drop in asset prices which can trigger a crisis if the relevant authorities are not careful.

“In a nutshell, such speculation is dangerous especially in situations like now in Port Moresby, where houses prices have inflated to sky-high prices.

“Unless Government intervenes either through policy interventions or National Executive Council directives, we are heading towards a period of turbulence.”

Setting a new defence agenda

By REGINALD RENAGI

Since Francis Agwi became the new commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) last December, I paid him a courtesy call to find out what the general's agenda is for the PNGDF in 2010; and beyond. 

The impression I got was positive.  I felt satisfied that several key aspects of defence and security I had been promoting in the media in recent times appeared as salient points in the command's recent media 'statement to the nation'. 

Judging from this, the rest of this year promises to be an interesting period for the PNGDF; we can expect a new defence capability plan by the year's end.  While his statement foreshadowed some new policy developments in the near future from what I gathered, General Agwi is quiet serious for the PNGDF to do its job well in his 'back to basics' approach of conducting future defence business.

In his media statement, General Agwi shares his thoughts with the public of a "new PNGDF" and the "way forward."  He assured the government, PNGDF and the people of PNG that "the force is in good hands" and that its loyalty to the constitution of PNG remains unquestionable.  This is a positive bold statement to set his new agenda for the PNGDF. 

General Agwi takes a different approach from his predecessor with regard to the defence reforms.  As commander, he is not waiting for a 2030 vision, but wants to see things happen within the next decade.  He plans to speed up the reforms so objectives are achieved in "… a short time frame", and outlines his command strategy of rebuilding the PNGDF. 

The commander plans to rebuild the PNGDF on a "4 R Strategy: Re-consolidation, Re-construction, Re-development and Re-evaluation. 

This strategy sets General Agwi's agenda on what will be his force development focus.  Agwi also plans to review PNGDF roles and functions to closely align it with the government's vision 2050.  He further wants the new roles and functions to focus around: national security, international relations, resource protection and nation building.

A new force build up plan will be needed as since reducing to a 2,000 manpower ceiling, the PNGDF roles and functions have not fundamentally changed.  People issues will also pre-occupy Commander Agwi by taking personal responsibility for some pressing issues that demands immediate attention. 

In the next 10 years, the PNGDF must reconstruct itself with a new mission in compliance with government guidance.  In this time, outstanding issues of new capability development will be addressed through retraining and re-skilling of personnel, buying equipment and introducing new technology through a ten (10) year development plan.   This will enhance government policy guidance, future budgets and procurement.

In future, defence will have to decide whether to train for war against an "invisible enemy" or focus on defending PNG's sovereignty, people and rich natural resources.

The PNGDF needs to also measure its own success and steady growth through a process of self-evaluation.  It is important that this be done through annual reviews, auditing and inspections for transparency and accountability of action.

General Agwi writes a new chapter for the PNGDF by continuing the reforms started in 2002 with a different strategy.  If past trends are any indications to go by, this writer believes the new commander seems serious about getting the PNGDF back 'on track'.  He hopes to do it by speeding things up a bit and reviewing its roles; added with realistic missions, budget and government support in future. 

Welcome aboard, Sir!

Deadly clash

A FIGHT allegedly over ownership of land where the PNG Liquefied Natural Gas facility is proposed to be built outside Port Moresby has left four people dead and two critically injured.

Police said late last night that the fight was between Boera and Porebada villagers, The National reports.

A row has been brewing for some time over ownership of the land, and which landowner company legitimately represents the interest of landowners and villagers associated with the block of land known as Portion 152 given away for the development of the PNG LNG Project.

NCD police operations commander, Supt Andy Bawa, said last night that four people were killed and two others were critically injured and rushed to hospital.

He said the fight appears to be over ownership of land, and started around 2pm yesterday when Porebada villagers launched an attack on Boera village.

Supt Bawa said Boera villagers retaliated, killing four people and burning down three houses.

"Two other people are critically injured and are in hospital. Their condition is very serious. A police mobile unit has been sent to the area. The situation there is very tense and volatile. I'm dispatching a support unit again to the area tonight (last night)," Supt Bawa said.

"The killings occurred today (yesterday). The fight started around 2 o'clock," he said.

Developers of the PNG LNG Project plan to build an LNG liquefaction plant, storage and loading facilities at Portion 152. The ownership of this land, and its lease to the State, to be made available for the project, is a subject of dispute between clans from the area.

The plant, storage and loading facilities will cost US$7 billion to build and the contract was recently awarded to Japanese company Chiyoda.

Boera clan leader Raho Kevau, when contacted yesterday, said he was stranded in Port Moresby and was not able to contact people in the village about the situation.

"Something has gone wrong and this has happened. I don't know what it is and what was the cause. Whether it is land or some youths getting drunk and throwing stones, but I will get more details tomorrow (today)," Mr Kevau said

Pilot Richard Leahy out of intensive care

Morobe bush pilot Richard Leahy (pictured) has been moved out of intensive care in Brisbane as pressure mounts on Morobe Governor Luther Wenge for refusing to apologise to him.

Mr Leahy, 68, was the pilot of the ill-fated Kiunga Aviation Cessna 185 that crashed in the rugged Saruwaged Ranges of Morobe province last Dec 30, killing six people, with Mr Leahy surviving but suffering burns to the most part of his body and rushed to Australia.

Wife Robin said at the weekend that Mr Leahy had been moved out of the intensive care unit in Brisbane but was not out of danger yet.

 “Richard is out of ICU, but not yet out of danger,” she said.

“He has a very long way to go, months probably, and there are ups and downs each day. 

“However, the staff and facilities at the Royal Brisbane Hospital are fantastic and Richard is in the best possible place for his rehabilitation. 

“We are all keeping our fingers crossed and sending positive thoughts and prayers for his continued recovery.”

Mr Wenge has been in the firing line after his threats to have Mr Leahy charged with manslaughter and deported from the country after losing family members in the crash.

Last week, Mr Wenge added more fuel to the fire by refusing to apologise for his remarks against Mr Leahy by saying he did not regret having said them, and said the plane was an old one and could have been replaced with the “millions” Mr Leahy had made.

People of Morobe, Papua New Guinea and the world have taken offence at the Morobe Governor’s remarks.

“Cessna 185 is an old aircraft?” an Australian pilot said in an email.

“Some of us fly aircraft older than that that are in great shape!

“Aircraft are usually maintained to a much higher standard than your general ground vehicle.

“I guarantee you that Mr Leahy didn't intentionally crash his airplane and that if he'd of known it would happen, he would have tried to avoid it.”

Another said: “A new aircraft does not necessary gurantee safety, Mr Governor!

“Aircraft accident is the result of a chain of events.

“What if the people of PNG ask you to resign because hospital equipment is not renewed, maintained, or because the security force has not renewed arms and equipment.

“Remember, you could buy a brand new plane today and crash it if you fly into storm!

“Ask the Ethiopian airline pilot that crashed a couple of days ago in Beirut, Lebanon!

“Come on, apologise.”

 

Pilot Richard Leahy out of intensive care

From John Pasquarelli

Malum - Richard Leahy has been transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit to the Burns Unit (in Brisbane, Australia) so that is good news - four weeks and two days after his prang.

Regards

John Pasquarelli
www.johnpasquarelli.com
Ph: (03) 54762004