NRI proposes security corps

A SENIOR research fellow of the National Research Institute (NRI) has proposed the establishment of the PNG Security and Civil Defence Corps (CDC) to address security threats in the country.
NRI national security and international relations programme leader and senior research fellow Dr Olugbenga Ige said the corps main role would be to deal with the increasing trends of kidnapping and tribal clashes in remote locations and other security threats.
The NRI spotlight volume 17, issue three, “Strategic initiatives for improving security in Papua New Guinea: The Security and Civil Defence Corps”, by Ige, presented the need to develop a proactive structure to combat human kidnapping, civil unrest, extortion and other unexpected criminal occurrences that have altered
the security landscape in the country.
He said the corps would also assist in maintaining peace and order, protect and rescue civilians during emergencies.
“It will also maintain awareness in districts and report any planned criminal activities that could endanger citizens’ lives or property, as well as syndicated activities aimed at deceiving or undermining the Government,” Ige said.
“Currently, PNG is not a member of the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO), which consists of 60 member states, 15 observers and 21 affiliated members.
“If the Government aims to become one of the safest countries in Oceania, it should become a member of ICDO, utilise the PNG-CDC structure in accordance with the ICDO mandate and share intelligence with other civil defence-operating countries.
“The PNG-CDC model will complement the efforts of the Royal PNG Constabulary and PNG Defence Force in containing and controlling armed groups that terrorise local and remote communities, as well as deadly riots in the country.
“Practical strategies that have produced results in countries such as Singapore, Nigeria, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates are outlined in this paper to assist the Government in establishing and operating the PNG-CDC.”