Posted on The National
A new military barracks will be built to cater for the 10,000 personnel increase and to strengthen internal security in the Highlands.
Defence Minister Solan Mirisim announced on Friday during the Tari Airport construction launch that the new barracks would be built in Homa, Hela.
Commander Gilbert Toropo confirmed the decision to build more barracks to strengthen internal security and also provide security for the LNG project.
He said the project, if schools and health centres included, would cost around K500 million to K600 million.
“However, the National Executive Council approved K300 million for this exercise which will be paid in instalments,” Toropo said.
The Infantry Battalion Barracks would be built in Hela and the Engineering Battalion Barracks will be built in Southern Highlands.
He said it was a cost cutting measure as they have been sending Defence platoons in the Highlands and because there was no barracks, they have spent a lot of money on logistics alone.
Toropo said construction work for both barracks started with K35 million allocated in this year’s budget.
“Due to the World War 2 most of the country’s barracks were placed at maritime strategic places to defend the country from being invaded,” he said.
“And there was high security risk in the coastal parts of the country so the barracks were built in those areas.”
Toropo said with the ongoing law and order issues in Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela with gun and drugs trading along the borders of Southern Highlands, Gulf and Western, they decided to build the two new military barracks in the region.
Toropo said the plan also fall in line with PNGDF’s target of increasing manpower to 10,000 by 2022.
A new military barracks will be built to cater for the 10,000 personnel increase and to strengthen internal security in the Highlands.
Defence Minister Solan Mirisim announced on Friday during the Tari Airport construction launch that the new barracks would be built in Homa, Hela.
Commander Gilbert Toropo confirmed the decision to build more barracks to strengthen internal security and also provide security for the LNG project.
He said the project, if schools and health centres included, would cost around K500 million to K600 million.
“However, the National Executive Council approved K300 million for this exercise which will be paid in instalments,” Toropo said.
The Infantry Battalion Barracks would be built in Hela and the Engineering Battalion Barracks will be built in Southern Highlands.
He said it was a cost cutting measure as they have been sending Defence platoons in the Highlands and because there was no barracks, they have spent a lot of money on logistics alone.
Toropo said construction work for both barracks started with K35 million allocated in this year’s budget.
“Due to the World War 2 most of the country’s barracks were placed at maritime strategic places to defend the country from being invaded,” he said.
“And there was high security risk in the coastal parts of the country so the barracks were built in those areas.”
Toropo said with the ongoing law and order issues in Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela with gun and drugs trading along the borders of Southern Highlands, Gulf and Western, they decided to build the two new military barracks in the region.
Toropo said the plan also fall in line with PNGDF’s target of increasing manpower to 10,000 by 2022.
Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/new-barracks-set-for-hela/
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