Defence force yet to generate revenue, report says

By Rebecca Kuku
THE Papua New Guinea Defence Force has yet to generate revenue from its Defence Company since its inception in 2013.
According to the 2016 annual report tabled in Parliament last
week by Defence Minister Solan Mirisim, Defence Company Incorporated Ltd was unable to start its operation because there was no money.
The report said that in 2012, due to mounting debts that became a concern in Parliament, the Government indicated its non-obligation to servicing the debts and a National Executive Council decision was reached (NG 21/2012) for Defence Force to have a revenue-generating concept though a commercial company.
“However, due to non-provision of the seed capital of K2 million from the Government, the Defence Company Incorporated Ltd has been unable to commence its operation and since its inception in October, 2013, the company has not generated revenue,” the report said.
“The commercial support programme office of the Defence Force has made submissions seeking seed capital from the National Planning Office, but to date there has been no positive response from the government.”