Defence Force leadership

SOME of my PNG Defence Force friends who are older than the force’s retirement age of 55 have been discharged.
That is disgraceful when you consider that Commander Gilbert Toropo himself is over the retirement age of 55 but is still in the job.
The PAC750 aircraft deal with New Zealand which will give the Defence Force four new planes, was arranged by former commander Francis Agwi in 2013.
Why is it that only one arrived last week, five years after the deal was made? It still has New Zealand markings and hasn’t even been registered under the PNGDF air wing.
I am also dismayed that none of our Defence Force pilots or engineers are trained or licenced to work on this aircraft.
The government has paid millions of taxpayers’ money for these aircraft and for just one of them to arrive unprepared after five years is not good enough.
Many of my friends and relatives in the Defence Force cannot speak out publicly because of their code.
But they tell me that our troops are tired of putting up with a lack of weapons and magazines for bullets, no uniforms and boots, no body armour and helmet, no supply of combat equipment, poor living and working facilities, and outstanding operations allowances.
The Government should change the Defence Force commander and appoint someone who is legally under the retirement age and can deliver what the force needs for it to do its job well.

M. Bares
Wewak ESP