8th January 2022

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK

THE PNG Defence Force belongs to the whole of Papua New Guinea and not to be dominated by an ethnic group or a region, Prime Minister James Marape says.

“It (PNGDF) is the chief corner stone of our sovereignty in a nation of thousand tribes. From the eastern most part of the country (Autonomous Region Of Bougainville and Milne Bay ) that divides Solomon Island and  PNG,  to the most northern part (Manus )of our Micronesian neighbors, to the western-most part (West Sepik )that divides PNG with West Papua in Indonesia and to the southern part (Western )that divides PNG, Australia and also Indonesia .The  entire of  the sovereignty of our nationhood is embodied in the personality of the  PNGDF as its role to maintain our sovereignty.”

Marape said that during the promotion of Colonel Mark Goina to Major General and the Announcement of his appointment as the new Chief of PNGDF at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby last week. “It is in our constitution that there must have a regional balance in our key constitutional office holders. In this context, in police, we have the Commissioner from New Guinea Island and chief of PNGDF from the Papuan region who earns his stripes on merit. And in the rank and file of the PNGDF, we have qualified military officers from all over the country. And many of our appointments in public office is regionally balanced. “We maintain a harmony to ensure that key constitutional offices holders are regionally balanced. And that is to ensure that the country is always protected as we progress forward.

”Marape said that “Appointments of public office holders is not based on the region you coming from.  But is based on the best man available for that job.  And having consider everything we got Goina as the new chief of PNGDF. Our challenges remain huge in security, tribalism, and now we face a challenge of a part of our country (Autonomous Region of Bougainville) trying to break away from us (PNG). Also election is coming up and you (PNGDF) will support the Police. 

Forgot politics and remain focused on your job.  Marape also acknowledge the outgoing Chief of PNGDF Major General Gilbert Toropo. “For eight years he has stepped up to hold the Force that was under resourced and underfunded. But he has to go and we have appointed him as the High Commissioner to New Zealand. 

Caption: Mark Goina’s wife Mirah pinning the ranks to her husband’s shoulders with the help of the Prime Minister James Marape and Deputy Chief Of Staff Colonel Tim Marsden at the Officers mess at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby last week.