Navy honours river’s role in war

Papua

PEOPLE in Gulf have welcomed a navy ship named after the Lakekamu River which Australian soldiers used to transport equipment and people up to the Bulldog Track in Morobe.
During the commissioning of the HMPNGS Lakekamu last week, Defence Force Chief of Operation Colonel Siale Diro said Gulf, Lakekamu and the defence force were connected by history.
“The HMPNGS Lakekamu has come home to be received by its people (Gulf) and to be released for service,” he said.
“Gulf is the only province which has civil-military arrangement with PNGDF. Therefore, any request you have for nation building assistance especially through HMPNGs Lakekamu will be given utmost priority.”
Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta said there was a plan by the provincial government to have a southern region engineering battalion based at Malala.
“A battalion is a thousand men who will look at civil works for the southern region starting in Western,” he said.
“I have expressed interest with the Defence Force commander and Defence Minister for the Southern region battalion.”
Haiveta also has plans to reopen the Malalaua airstrip.
He urged the people to work with the government and its agencies to see tangible developments.