PNG can address humanitarian issues: Diro

The National Main Stories

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
Papua New Guinea is capable of addressing humanitarian issues at national and international level, says Col Siale Diro.
The PNGDF chief of force preparation spoke on behalf of the Commander Brig-Gen Gilbert Toropo during the welcome of the HMPNG Lakekamu from New Caledonia after the Croix du Sud ( Southern Cross) 2016 exercise.
The regional joint-amphibious land and air exercise hosted by the French army that involved 14 nations, including the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific nations, was held in Noumea for three weeks.
Diro said the aim of the exercise was to test the vessel’s capabilities as an amphibious platform to conduct landings on different surfaces (sand and rocks) and to work with other countries that had different  types of vessels when disaster and other humanitarian issues struck in the Pacific.
“The 27 members on board set sail on Oct 7 from Port Moresby to Wewak, via Port Vila in Vanuatu, to Noumea,” Diro said.
He said it was the first time for PNGDF navy to participate in multilateral response and security techniques through using facilities (ships) to address humanitarian issues in the Pacific.
“Our ships only participate in exercises within the seas of Australia and PNG, but on this exercise, they went far out in the Pacific Ocean, which is a milestone that we have achieved,” he said.
“In your participation, you did an excellent job that served our country and the people in the highest degree of dignity,” Diro told the officers.
Diro said HMPNG Lakekamu was the only type among the other participating nations that had the capabilities of land and craft to store and move heavy equipment like vehicles from one place to another.
“We have capabilities that can contribute not only nationally but internationally as well as to address humanitarian issues.”
Meanwhile, on their return to PNG yesterday, they picked up three police boats in Honiara for the Australia Federal Police to be used for harbour patrolling during the Apec meeting in 2018.
They assisted New Caledonian police to move their damaged vehicles on Pine Island and a St Johns Ambulance vehicle to Noumea.