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PNGEC owes ATW K70,000
for copter hire
THE PNG Electoral Commission owes the PNGDF Air Transport Wing K700,000
for the use of two Defence Force helicopters during the 2002 general
election.
PNG Defence Force commander Peter Ilau, appearing before the Defence
Board of Inquiry yesterday, revealed this at the inquiry headed by
Justice Gibbs Salika.
Commodore Ilau made this revelation while explaining his personal
interest in getting the “near defunct” Air Transport Wing (ATW) back on
track, when he came on board as commander.
He said he took a personal interest in trying to get the ATW fully
operational after years of neglect which resulted in good pilots and
engineers leaving the PNGDF air element.
He said he brought in technical experts from Indonesia and Singapore to
assist in maintenance work on the CASA and the PNGDF helicopters to
ensure their air worthiness for use in the Government’s ‘green
revolution’ programme.
He said this resulted in two Defence Force helicopters being adequately
serviced and hired out during the 2002 general election.
Commander Ilau said yesterday the two defence force helicopters were a
lot cheaper to hire than other commercial helicopters.
He said this was how the PNG Electoral Commission came to owe K700,000
to the ATW.
Meanwhile, counsel assisting the inquiry Francis Kuvi yesterday raised
the issue of the four cartons of PNGDF uniforms found in the possession
of an army sergeant at the Murray Barracks singles quarters.
The officer who also owns a security firm (named) was allegedly
attempting to sell the four cartons of PNGDF army jackets totalling 147
at the cost of K700 each to the PNGDF.
Mr Kuvi asked the commander if he was aware of this, to which Commodore
Ilau responded that it was only just brought to his attention on Monday.
Mr Kuvi suggested to the commander that if he was willing, he should
liaise with police to ensure that the four boxes of uniform jackets
found on this soldier’s possession at Murray Barracks in special
operations conducted over last Christmas weekend, be confiscated and
retained.
He pointed out that during the last general election, certain groups in
the Highlands impersonated military personnel to intimidate voters
during the election.
Commander Ilau assured the inquiry that he would “certainly” see to it.
He said the PNGDF had designed a way of identifying genuine soldiers
from impersonators.
 
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