Papua New Guinea needs a coast guard service

By REGINALD RENAGI

 

Papua New Guinea’s national security since independence has remained very much static. 

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   

 

Tourist numbers in Papua New Guinea drop dramatically: Sir Peter

Former Madang Governor and prominent tourism operator Sir Peter Barter says tourist numbers in Papua New Guinea have dropped dramatically.

Sir Peter, an outspoken former Health Minister, also reiterated his earlier calls for PNG to import Cuban doctors to serve in the rural areas of the country.

He was speaking at the Divine Word University open day in Madang today which was presided over by Governor General Sir Paulias Matane.

“Sadly today, despite what we read in the media, tourism has decreased dramatically not only in Madang and the Sepik, but throughout PNG with perhaps the exception of the Kokoda Track,” Sir Peter said.

“Visitor arrivals have increased but this is mainly as a result of other economic activities including the LNG projects. 

“Airlines are happy, hotels in Port Moresby may be happy but provincial tourist operators are seriously concerned over the decline.

“Students at DWU should delve into some of the obvious and not-so-obvious reasons why bona fide tourism is in decline.”

Sir Peter said it was also his intention to import initially 50 Cuban doctors to work with church health services to assess their effectiveness to improve rural health services.

“It was also to send 50 PNG students to Havana to train as rural doctors but equally, if not more important, was the development of a rural doctors programme at DWU,” he said.

“Whilst the Cuban concept remains stationary, I am pleased that DWU is moving ahead with its plan to train rural doctors.

“As Minister for Health, I had National Executive Council approval to fund K300 million to improve health infrastructure including hospitals, equipment and rural health services.  

“This was eroded down to K187m.

“Little of this money was released and as we all know our health service is in a terrible state. 

“As Minister, I introduced several legislations: that included the Health Service Management Act which effectively combined national, provincial and LLG health services and hospitals; and the Church Health Act which was to allow Churches to do what they do best and allow them to seek direct funding through donors and other sources and stand on their own two feet. 

“The National Aids Council Amendment provided a multi-sectoral council to coordinate the fight against HIV/Aids in PNG.

“In June, DWU will be hosting an important youth HIV/AIDS debate.

“This debate will be the first of its kind in PNG where all universities will be involved and already they have met and finalised the rules of engagement. 

“The debate will be opened by Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare, and will be attended by the Health Minister and hopefully other leaders, but they will be here to listen to the educated youth, keeping in mind they are the most-likely to be effected by the HIV virus and together, we need to hear how the youth feel the Government should improve in awareness, treatment and care.”

Governor-General at sea

Governor General Sir Paulias Matane trying out his hand on the wheel of Melanesian Tourist Services vessel mv Kalibobo Spirit in Madang.

Divine Word University open day

Pictures of today's Divine Word University open day in Madang, which was presided over by Governor General Sir Paulias Matane.

Divine Word University urged to take lead in Ramu Nico conflict resolution

Caption: Governor General Sir Paulias Matane visiting a stall at the Divine Word University open day.-Picture courtesy of Sir Peter Barter

 

Former Madang Governor Sir Peter Barter has called on the Divine Word University in Madang to take the lead in conflict resolution at the Ramu Nico Mine in the province.

He made the today at the Divine Word University open day in Madang, which was attended by Governor General Sir Paulias Matane.

“In Madang, the Government has an agreement signed with MCC to develop the Ramu Nickel Mine, the process of evaluation of the mine and environment was all approved,” Sir Peter said.

“Promises were made for roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

“Just weeks before the multi-billion kina project was to begin production, a court order has stopped the project from proceeding due to doubts as to safe dispersing of the tailings.

“We now have NGOs springing up from nowhere that have planted their ideas in the minds of the people, most of whom are foreign NGOs being funded by foreigners targeting their anger at the Chinese. 

“They seem oblivious to the fact that the issues related to the environment were approved by scientists in or contracted by the Department of Environment and Conservation.

“On this issue, I am not taking sides, but I think in a place of higher education we should all act on the best advise available – if there is a risk to the environment then some other options should be considered, if in the calculated of independent experts it is safe, we must be very careful not to destroy the project.

“Perhaps, institutes like DWU can develop faculties to deal with conflict resolution, perhaps in the future DWU may have to look at introducing faculties to train environmentalists and mining engineers so PNG themselves can evaluate projects such as the Ramu Nico Mine?”

Sir Peter voiced his disappointment  that Madang business houses, who derived so much benefit from DWU, were noticeably absent on the open day.

“DWU has become one become a large industry in Madang,” he said.

“ By sheer size of the university, which is now the second largest in PNG, providing 4,000 meals a day and accommodation for 1,00 students and lecturers in what was a virtual swamp just 14 years ago is no mean achievement.  

“Madang has become the largest centre of learning outside the capital, Port Moresby – the combination of Lutheran School of Nursing, PNG Maritime College, Institute of Medical Research, Madang Teachers College, Madang Vocational Centre, College of Allied Health Science, St Fidelis all involved in providing tertiary education in what can only be described as an almost-perfect learning environment.”

Voco Point gets a new lease of life with hardware shop

Voco Point Hardware all dressed up for opening day on Saturday.-Pictures by GABRIEL LAHOC

First customers rushing into Voco Point Hardware

Customers checking out what is on offer at Voco Point Hardware

One of the first customers of Voco Point Hardware with a roll of wire

By GABRIEL LAHOC

The seafront of Voco Point in Lae is experiencing a renaissance of business activities, with Voco Point Hardware as the latest to set up shop at this once-bustling business hub of Morobe province.
Lae’s newest hardware shop was officially opened to the public yesterday at a ceremony witnessed by members of the public, clients and customers.
Operating as a subsidiary of Mukito Suppliers Ltd, Voco Point Hardware Ltd is a 100% nationally-owned hardware shop specialising in general, industrial, electrical and agricultural supplies.
From humble beginnings in Goroka, Voco Point Hardware brings competition to other hardware suppliers in Lae, with a strong faith to provide the best service and prices to customers.
The hardware shop may be small compared to other established hardware shops, however, the management is of the firm view that it is a very big achievement in terms of the ownership and investment by any Papua New Guinean.
“It’s a big achievement for all small nationally-owned businesses, as most times, these businesses have been overlooked by bigger foreign businesses,” said proprietor Allan Mandi, who started his path as a businessman in 2004 from his experience and a start-up capital of K900 finish pay from another hardware shop.
Voco Point Hardware is located at the junction of Frigate Street and Seagull Street, opposite Trends Beauty Saloon and The National Lae bureau office, and has current staff strength of 20 working under manager Charlie Lapila.
According to Mr Mandi, total staff strength including Mukito Supplies up in Goroka was 50.
Voco Point Hardware promises very-competitive prices and services, which includes special deliveries, with major clients from the rural districts services in Eastern Highlands province such as Department of Agriculture and Livestock and the University of Goroka.
“We can challenge the giants and create competition in this industry,” Mr Mandi said.
The official opening on Saturday, in line with the Christian background of the Mandi family, was led by Pastor Yakura Mandi, who emphasised that God had plans for everyone and everyone should have faith in God.

Investigation concludes at University of Goroka

The independent investigation team at the University of Goroka (UOG) for the past month concluded its investigations into the recent student boycott last Friday (April 30, 2010).

As directed by the UOG council, the three-member investigation committee comprising of Michael Gene, Prof Allan Easton and George Kuno was established to investigate several concerns outlined in an agreed terms of reference (TOR) document previously submitted by the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the National Academic Staff Association (NASA) containing issues related to the boycott of classes.

Chancellor of UOG, Benais Sabumei, said today (Sunday, May 02, 2010) that a report of the investigation’s findings would be formally presented to the UOG council at its next meeting.