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By SAMPSON BONAI
LACK of technically qualified personnel and severe financial constraints
has affected manpower and technical requirements of the PNG Defence
Force Engineering Battalion from performing its constitutional duties.
A week-long seminar at the battalion headquarters at Igam Barracks in
Lae was told the unit’s capacity to carry out nation building projects
was greatly minimised because of lack of skilled manpower.
“PNG Defence Engineering Battalion lacks skilled manpower in its three
combat companies – Alpha, Bravo and Support – to effectively take on the
more technical role in nation building, and the financial constraints
had made it more difficult to perform its task any longer,” apprentice
master warrant officer David Tiki said.
Most artisans in the PNGDF were trained at the Trade Training Unit (TTU)
at Murray Barracks until it was closed 17 years ago.
The PNGDF now depends on Australian army sponsorship for the training of
technical personnel for the battalion.
Battalion commanding officer Lt Col Carl Wrakonei highlighted the need
to reequip the engineering battalion.
“We must have enough manpower to serve in all the technical units of the
engineering battalion who are fully trained and are fit to take on any
responsibility in real life war situation or during any civil unrest,”
Lt Col Wrakonei said.
The unit needs to “plan ... to take the unit forward to adequately cater
for the needs of the people of PNG,” he added.
Director of Engineers Major Douglas Papa is going to make
recommendations based on the presentations to headquarters.
 
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