Security is vital for PNG’s growth, says Diro

By JUNIOR UKAHA
SECURITY is important for development and both are tied together, a meeting was told yesterday.
Lt-Col Siale Diro of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force told a training workshop for the National Security Policy (NSP) draft committee that the government’s Vision 2050 could not be achieved if the country’s security climate was not conducive.
“The NSP is an important document. It is an overarching document that will guide the development of the Defence White Paper,” he said referring to a policy document the army is creating.
“Security is not only for the government but for the people.”
Diro said the safety and security of the country’s citizens, particularly the vulnerable such as women and children, must be considered when formulating the NSP.
He said the army was fully supportive of a NSP but the people must take ownership of it.
“If a fisherman sees anything illegal happening at sea while he is out fishing he should report it to authorities.”
He said four important things that this NSP could build on were political and structural considerations, level of citizens and public safety, particularly of the vulnerable.
Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc said the NSP was aligned with the Vision 2050’s pillar four of ensuring that PNG was safe, secure, peaceful and an attractive business and investment destination.
The NSP was initiated by the government in May last year through the office of the Prime Minister under its Office of Security Coordination and Assessment.
A technical working group was set up comprising the NSP secretariat and more recently the drafting committee.
The members of the drafting committee included Stanis Hulahau (team leader), Diro, Major John Manuai, Jackson Yuasise, Dr Ray Anere, Dickson Susub, Barbaranne Bagli, Steven Pokanis, Koroken Levi, Dominic Sengi, David Doonar, Moses Teng, Esau Maman, Chief Supt Hodges Ette, Dominica Mai and Doreen Joel.
They will travel around the country to get views of the people before drafting a policy to submit to the government.
The NSP is expected to be submitted by next July.