NEC for relocation of landing craft’s base

 THE National Executive Council has endorsed plans to relocate the PNG Defence Force’s landing craft base HMPNGS Basilik from its current site at the Fairfax Harbour in Port Moresby.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill (pictured) said an agreement was in place between the PNGDF and the owner of the Port Moresby wharf, Kumul Consolidated Holdings, for the relocation project.

“With the port area to undergo redevelopment planned by KCP, the continued use of the landing craft would seriously inhibit the capability and capacity of the PNGDF navy,” he said.

“The relocation project is timely and in line with the mandated directions contained in the National Security Policy and Defence White Paper.

‘Its relocation will improve the PNGDF maritime element to conduct surveillance of the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) from undesirable predators such as illegal fishing.” 

O’Neill said the relocation costs were captured under the State-owned Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) overall funding and administrative arrangements.

He said NEC also directed Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) to factor the PNGDF Basilik relocation, site, planning, funding and construction requirements as part and parcel of KCH’s funding for the whole Port Moresby Wharf redevelopment and expansion plan.

“This is a win-win situation for both the PNGDF and KCH because the Defence Force was unable within its capacity to secure sufficient funding to begin the \project. 

“The Government is carrying out such plans to ensure that the PNGDF is positioned to counter any maritime security threats when our country is ready to host international meetings like the APEC Summit in 2018,” O’Neill said.