Continue my work, Soloma urges Mirisim

The National National
From left: Former Defence Minister Saki Soloma, new Defence Minister Solan Mirisim and PNG Defence Force Commander Maj-Gen Gilbert Toropo at the handover ceremony at Murray Barracks, Port Moresby, on Tuesday. – Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI

FORMER Defence Minister Saki Soloma is confident incoming minister Solan Mirisim will continue to implement the policies and initiatives needed to improve the military.
Soloma said one of the PNG Defence Force’s (PNGDF) major projects, the Lombrum Naval Base re-development, was progressing slowly and urged Mirisim to facilitate its execution.
He said the project comprised two parts – upgrading PNGDF’s marine capabilities which saw the force acquire two new patrol boats from the Australian government to the base in Lombrum, Manus, and the proposed establishment of a United States military base, which was still under discussion.
Soloma said the other major initiative was establishing border posts along the PNG-Indonesia border.
He said this was important for national security.
Soloma also acknowledged PNGDF personnel that were deployed to help Australian authorities in the aftermath of the bushfires.
He commended those that were used in operations to support the country’s Covid-19 response.
Soloma thanked those deployed for security operations in the Highlands, including to the Porgera mine and to nation building action projects, PNGDF projects and other major projects to be undertaken by bilateral partners which were yet to be implemented.