Force’s betel nut warning

By John Zauya
FIRST it was the public complaining about soldiers smuggling betel nuts into the National Capital District and now the NCD Commission has lodged the complaints with the PNG Defence Force.
These are not isolated cases either.
A statement from the force’s chief of staff Col Lois Ur said “numerous complaints” had come from the commission about solidiers smuggling the banned nuts into Port Moresby and defence force vehicles being used to carry them.
An earlier warning went to unit commanders that they would be held responsible for any disciplinary matters concerning members of their units.
Ur reminded PNGDF members that it was unlawful to transport betel nuts using military assets, including vehicles.
“The practice should stop immediately,” he said.
The directive applied to defence force personnel wearing military uniforms and using civilian vehicles to transport buai into the city, Ur said.
He said disciplinary action would be harsh on any member of the force, regardless of his or her rank, caught using military assets to transport the nuts.
It was reported earlier that two soldiers were apprehended at ATS with 10 bags of betel nuts in an army vehicle.
PNGDF Commander Brig-Gen Gilbert Toropo said earlier that discipline was a core part of his plans for the army and he would be holding unit commanders accountable for any ill-discipline by their men.