DEFENCE Minister Win Bakri Daki has announced an establishment of a general board of inquiry into the recent Kupiono Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) training tragedy.
He described the tragedy as a first of its kind training mishap in the PNGDF. “As Minister for Defence, I announce today the invoking of Section 51 of the Defence Act 1974 and the Amended Defence Act 2009 to establish a General Board of Inquiry into the Kupiano tragedy.“The inquiry will examine the administration, systems and processes of conduct of the military training in PNGDF, especially in this particular training,” Minister Daki said.
He said the Investigation Report commissioned by the Commander of the PNGDF will form the basis of the General Board of Inquiry. “I will convene the General Board of Inquiry within (7) seven working days- after the completion of the Investigation Report, by way of Written Notice, specifying the Terms of Reference (TOR), including the appointment of the Chairman and members of the Board.“
I wish to reaffirm Chief of Defence Force’s earlier statement that the Board of Inquiry will look at the wider context of which the tragedy occurred and whether systematic failures contributed to the tragic incident,” the Minister said.
“It is our responsibility to exercise the duty of care for the soldiers and their families by taking stapes to examine every aspects of our Standard Operation Procedures to ensure indecencies such as Kupiano incident do not occur again.”Given the urgency of the inquiry, Minister Daki issued an instruction to Deputy Chief of Defence Force, Commander Philip Polewara to cancel his official visit to Australia.“I have issued an instruction for Deputy Chief of Defence Force to cancel his official visit to Australia and remain at Murry Barrecks to complete and furnish the investigation report, which will also form the basis of the Board of Inquiry, while Chief of Defence Force is in Lae to attend the Commanders Cup games. “I have also instructed the Chief of Defence Force to ensure soldiers implicated in the Kupiano tragedy remain in the custody of the Military Police, and not to be discharged from the Force until the completion of the intent and purpose of the Board of Inquiry.
Meanwhile, Minister Daki on behalf of PNGDF, passes his heartfelt condolences to the families and comrades of the deceased, and reaffirm his earlier commitment to provide support to the recovery of the two people injured.“I appeal to all those affected, including PNGDF soldiers, to remain confident in the military process and the Board of Inquiry to prevent any more occurrences, such as this, in the future.”
