PNGDF Colonels Sworn In

 by Mickey Kavera – EM TV News, Port Moresby

The Acting Governor General ,Theo Zurenuoc, swore in seven Colonels of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force at the Government House at Konedobu, Port Moresby today.

The seven will hold key positions ranging from the PNGDF Chief of Staff to Defence Attache to China.

The officers to serve as Colonels of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force are:

1. Col. Mark Goina, OBE, DMS, as Chief of Staff of the PNGDF for a period of four years;
2. Col. John Rakatani, OBE, DMS, as Chief Personnel of the PNGDF for a period of four years;
3. Col. Benoma Siria, DMS, as Chief of Logistics of the PNGDF for a period of four years;
4. Col. Esakia Wenzel, DMS, as the Joint Forces Commander of the PNGDF for a period of four years;
5. Col. Dominic Bulungol, MBE, as Chief of Defence Intelligence of the PNGDF for a period of four years;
6. Col. Siale Diro, DMS, as Chief of Operations of the PNGDF for a period of four years;
7. Col. Kalamendy Hayai, DMS, as the Defence Attache to the People’s Republic of China for a period of four years.

Commander, Papua New Guinea Defence Force, Brigadier General, Gilbert Toropo, urged his colonels to step up and transform the PNGDF.

“PNGDF will be part of many events that is happening in the 21^st Century and it is important that these employment contracts are signed before the years end.

“I want the force to play an active role in various developments both in the country and in the region and we are confident of achieving that, through the implementation of the defence white,” he said.

He added that although there has been negative publicity against the force, they are committed to improving this by working with relevant stakeholders and heads of other disciplinary forces.