Defence force problems entrenched

 By BENNY GETENG

THE PNG Defence Force has blamed the behaviour of rogue officers within its rank over leadership, management and organisational issues.

Defence Secretary John Porti said the lack of discipline within the force was a by-product of these issues.

“When we look at it, the issues deal with a number of factors including leadership, management and attention given to the organisation and, of course, officers’ conduct,” he said.

“It is a challenge for all of us to work together to address the issue.”

Porti was speaking on the FM100 talkback show yesterday, accompanied by team leader for the defence  force white paper, Lt Col Siale Diro.

Porti commended the Government for giving the defence force the fourth largest budget allocation this year.

“Although the budget may seem a big amount of money it is necessary for us to maintain it as the PNG Defence Force is an expensive organisation to look after and sustain.”

Diro explained that the defence white paper was home-grown.

“The paper has gone through extensive consultation in the country because PNG is a land of 1,000 tribes and therefore public input was necessary to help us draft the white paper,” Diro said.