Defence Force, OC sign agreement

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday 04th April, 2013

By ARMSTRONG SAIYAMA
THERE ought to be some improvement in the management of complaints against the PNG Defence Force following the signing of an agreement between the force and the Ombudsman Commission, commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi said.
He signed the agreement yesterday with acting chief ombudsman Phoebe Sangetari in Port Moresby to address grievances raised against the force.
Agwi said: “The signing of this agreement will ensure the complaints made against the force both internally and those that are brought before the OC are effectively dealt with.”
Sangetari said the agreement would improve the management of complaints and investigations within the PNGDF through effective functioning of the revised Redress of Governance (ROG) process.
She added the occasion marked a significant milestone for both government organisations.
“This agreement will not only affect the force’s servicemen, but their families and dependents as well as public in terms of effective management and investigations of their complaints within the PNGDF,” she said.
Sangetari said the commission’s primary function was to investigate complaints against government bodies and leaders.
“It is mandated under the constitution to ensure that all government bodies are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people,she said.