PNG lacks specialised skills but offers heart: PM

PRIME Minister James Marape yesterday sent off to Australia a 100-man contingent, saying Papua New Guinea may not have specialised skills and resources to fight bushfires, but is offering “our hearts and hands” to help out.
Farewelling members of the Kumul Force 17 at Jackson Airport before they left on an Australian Air Force Hercules aircraft, Marape said “no amount of money we send to Australia will adequately measure with the sympathy and love that is shown by actually having our people on the ground serving with fellow compatriots in the Australian defence force to ensure smile is restored to those who are not smiling today”.
He said Australia had many friends globally to choose from but invited Papua New Guinea to be part of effort to address the “massive loss by the fire that has enraged vulnerable parts of Australia”.
“We are truly privileged to be given an opportunity to show what Melanesia love is all about by actually having hands, feet and hearts on the ground in Australia working,” he said.
He told the contingent that “there can be no greater calling than to wear your country’s flag on your sleeves as you are helping and reaching out to a neighbour who is in need”.
Marape said the Papua New Guinea Defence Force should be “responsive to building our country, working in partnership with the Government and with our people”.