Agwi in Igam on first official visit

NEW Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) commander Brigadier-General Francis Agwi made his first official visit yesterday to Igam Barracks in Lae, which caters for the Engineering Battalion and the Defence Academy.
The primary aim of the visit was to inspect the K9 million worth of machineries and equipment fleet, which are to be used in the construction of the new transnational highway connecting Western Highlands and Madang provinces.
Igam Barracks commanding officer Lt-Col Mark Keru hosted Gen Agwi and his military assistant Lt Col Alfred Kayoka.
Col Keru and Major Qadrat Larawin and Major Wilsen Andrews took Gen Agwi on a tour of the Defence Academy and the housing areas where they met with wives of servicemen.
“The purpose of the visit is to see the equipment for the project, and see what these equipment can do for us,” Gen Agwi said.
He said the transnational highway under the civic action programme would see its committee of which he is part of meet today in Port Moresby, where they will discuss equipment requirement, as well as tasks to be undertaken and the second phase of funding for the actual construction work.
“The transnational highway has been in the Government’s programme for some time, and the Government wants to ensure that we (PNGDF) participate in nation building. The Engineering Battalion is renowned for its work throughout the country,” he said.
Gen Agwi, a former instructor at the Defence Academy, also pointed out that the college was very important for the training of future leaders of the force.
Commander Agwi and Lt-Col Keru will leave early today for Port Moresby to brief the Defence Council on their progress.
The visit is the first of more visits by the PNGDF head, who will also tour other military units located around the country.