By Mickey Kavera – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force HMPNGS Basilisk will be relocated to a new site.
Today, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and Kumul Consolidated Holdings signed a Memorandum of Agreement to plan for the relocation of the naval base.
Under the agreement Kumul Consolidated Holdings will facilitate and negotiate all deals to acquire the land for the relocation.
Managing Director of Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC), Garry Hersey, said the relocation of the naval base will allow for the development of the downtown waterfront.
Kumul Consolidated Holdings have tasked Kramer Ausenco to devise a master plan for the new naval base.
It is understood that the new proposed base will be at Motukea, on 120 hectares of land.
The actual cost of the new base will not be known until all feasibilities are completed.
PNGDF Chief of Plans, Colonel Vagi Oala, says it is too early to speculate the actual amount but hinted that it could run into hundreds of millions.
PNGDF Commander, Brigadier General Gilbert Toropo, said the relocation is important to meet the national government objectives.
He said it is a significant event for the PNGDF and commended Kumul Consolidated Holdings for taking the initial steps with planning and preparations.
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