PNG’s new defence chief

The Region

By Sam Vulum

Papua New Guinea has once again changed its defence force - the sec ond under the Sir Julius Chan gov ernment in less than two years.

The government sacked a veteran and the commander of the 1981 Kumul Force which quelled the Santo rebellion in Vanuatu, Tony Huai, and replaced him with one of the force’s youngest colonels, Jerry Singirok.

Col Singirok was chosen ahead of senior colonels, many of them veterans, including Lima Dataona, David Joshua, Joe Bau Maras, Leo Nuia, David Takendu and Kerry Frank.

He takes over at a time when the force is reeling from continuous lack of govern ment funding, deteriorating discipline and lack of effective leadership because of political manipulation and changes in the office of the commander and the secretary.

However, when announcing the appointment. Prime Minister Sir Julius said: “It has become necessary for an up and-coming young officer to inherit the important task of rebuilding the force at this crucial point in time, when the govern ment is desirous of reaffirming and reassessing Papua New Guinea’s sover eignty and effectively police its territorial boarders.”

Col Singirok is not likely to have an easy time, especially as far as support from his veteran colleagues is concerned.

A day after his appointment was offi cially announced by the prime minister, it was reported that a group of colonels, dis gruntled that Cabinet had ignored them,were secretly meeting in Port

Moresby.

It was reported that some veteran colonels were meeting with other senior collegues to dispute Col Singirok’s appointment on the basis of his age and lack of seniority.

Col Singirok was promoted from the rank of major last November and it took 12 months for him to be appointed to the top post.

The problems in the force were high

lighted by former Defence Force Secretary

Rupa Mullina during a high-evel seminar early this year.

Mullina, who has since been appointed Finance Secretary said the force was strug gling to survive in a period of economic and fiscal constraints imposed by the gov ernment’s Structural Adjustment pro-

gramme.

He said lack of government’s adequate and predictable funding over the years has crippled any meaningful efforts towards any forward planning.

Mullina said: “Defence planning has a very long lead time and short sudden changes will only result in disaster. One of the factors that eroded the force’s financial management is the continuation of subsi dies in areas like utilities and messing costs.”

He said the funding of the force over the years has indicated that successive govern ments have not paid much attention to pro viding the force with the capabilities that it needed to counter the various threat scenar ios that the country is faced with today.

“It is not possible to plan and train an effective and efficient defence force with the rate of decline in the level of funding and more so the enormous uncertainty caused by the ad hoc allocation in the year

ly national budget.

“It follows, therefore, that our planes and ships cannot operate and huge assets of the force are allowed to deteriorate.

“The allocation of SUS 3.2 million in 1995 for capital expenditures does not do justice to an asset portfolio composing of nineaircraft, 13 maritime vessels, 163 transports, buildings and support facilities

at our various bases,” Mr Mullina said.

However, despite the problems, the appointment signals some future hope of peace on Bougainville.

Col Singirok, who was director of defence intelligence when appointed com mander had a brief stint as commanding officer on Bougainville.

He proved highly popular with the troops on Bougainville but was withdrawn to headquarters after he sustained gunshot wounds.

His popularity became evident through the reaction of Bougainvilleans and sol diers when they received news of the appointment. It was reported that they

greeted his appointment with jubilation.

The report said many had sung and danced when they heard the news.

Also on the positive side. Prime Minister Sir Julius said he would be increasing funding for the defence force as part of the 1996 Budget.

He also denied suggestions that other more senior officers might work to obstruct Col Singirok’s work. “They’ve been sworn to duty and I expect 100 per cent support...

Singirok has shown to be a very capable leader.”

Of Madang and East Sepik parentage, Col Singirok, 38, is married to journalist Wendy Moka of Central Province. B

Col Jerry Singirok with the then Prime Minister Paias Wingti inspecting a guard of honour.