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By Capt THOMAS KILALA
THE Australian Defence Force (ADF) has handed over a munitions depot
outside Port Moresby to the PNG Defence Force after refurbishing it at a
cost of A$1.45 million (about K3.2 million).
The refurbishment, which included new caging, lighting, road, drainage,
fencing and firebreakers around the depot, is part of an
Australian-assisted programme to strengthen the PNGDF’s armoury and
magazine capabilities across the country to ensure better safekeeping of
military arms and ammunition.
“If these things end up in the wrong hands, then as we have seen before,
the public pays the price for it,” PNGDF commander Commodore Peter Ilau
said after receiving the keys to the depot from ADF’s Chief of Army
Lt-Gen Peter Leahy last Friday.
He thanked Lt-Gen Leahy for Australia’s on-going assistance under the
Defence Cooperation Programme and said the downsizing project had
brought the average age of PNG troops down from around 45 to around 35.
“I think we’ve proven beyond doubt in the elections that even a smaller
force, given proper training and good feed, they will do anything that a
larger force can do.
“We’re maintaining a force large enough but affordable to the country,
to the taxpayer, but still able to do all the jobs we’re expected to
do,” he said.
Lt-Gen Leahy commended the PNGDF for a job well done in the recent
national elections and also the leadership of Mr Ilau in leading the
force forward.
“We look forward to continuing relations with the PNGDF in the Ramsi
operation in Solomon Islands,” he said.
 
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