Funding a challenge for Defence Force battalion

FUNDING remains a major challenge for the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Engineering Battalion in Igam, Lae, its commander says.
Engineer Battalion Commander Lt Col Bruno Malau said the battalion also needed to boost its numbers.
He said money was needed for the purchase equipment.
Malau said financial constraints affecting the country also affected the battalion.
“Manpower strength, we have more tasks with less manpower; it means over-working men and women of the engineering battalion,” Malau said.
Old engineering and construction equipment were also a hinderance to the battalion’s work.
“The requirement is to conduct a board of survey (BOS) and concurrently purchase new construction equipment with a reliable and effective sustainable plan,” Malau said.
There are 40 officers on the waiting list to undergo apprentice trade testing courses.