Still waiting for allowances

WE are a group of retrenched PNG Defence Force soldiers in East Sepik and are concerned about a recent announcement by the national government on a reconcilliation ceremony with ex-combatants.
We are still waiting for our hardship allowances.
It’s been more than 10 years.
We had 84 men in the province and 24 have died while waiting for their allowances.
The government should settle our dues before it reconciles with the ex-combatants as a lead up to the referendum.
We served the government during our time.
There are widows and children of late ex-servicemen left hanging and waiting for the allowance to better their livelihoods.
We are calling on the government to fast track our allowances and pay us before the reconcilliation.

PNGDF Ex-Servicemen’s
Association.
East Sepik