Naval base rebuilding to include locals: Minister

THE Government is focused on making sure Manus people are fully engaged in the rebuilding exercise of Papua New Guinea Defence Force’s (PNGDF) Lombrum Naval Base.
Speaking on Wednesday in Manus, Defence Minister Saki Soloma, on behalf of the Defence Council and Government, acknowledged and thanked the Australian government for funding the rebuilding exercise of the base.
Soloma, who was accompanied by PNG Defence Force Commander Brig Gen Gilbert Toropo and Defence secretary John Akipe to visit the base said that the joint initiative needed to include tangible spin off benefits for the province.
“The Government is taking on board the local content and will make sure direct benefits are felt by the people in terms of security and long-term investment opportunities,” he said.
The council said the refurbishment was one of its priorities and it was vital to take into account the interests of the people.
Manus MP Job Pomat said they appreciated that PNGDF had engaged the Manus government in the roll out of the rebuilding exercise.
He told the Government that including the provincial government in the project was key to building a good relationship with the people.
The Defence Council said they would make sure Manus government was part of all decision making.
The Lombrum Naval Base is undergoing a rebuilding exercise which is under the Australian Government Defence Co-operation Programme (DCP) with the Government.
This followed a framework MoU (memorandum of understanding) signed in March between the two countries that would see the rebuilding of the naval base to cater for all four guardian class patrol boats to be given by Australia.
The MoU has associated activities which include construction, usage and access as well as maintenance of the base facilities.