CABINET has recently approved the appointment of Papua New Guinea Defence Force Chief of Staff, Navy Captain Philip Polewara to be the Deputy Chief of PNG Defence Force.
Prime Minister James Marape said this is one of the landmark decisions by this Government since Independence consistent with the Defence Act (Amended) 1974.
“This government has recognized the rank gap between the Colonels, Navy Captains and Group Captains (Air) when the Commander of the PNGDF was promoted to Major General (Two Star). The rank gap is filled by a One Star, a Brigadier, Navy Commodore or Air Commodore. The PNGDF uses the rank structures commonly used in the Commonwealth countries.
“For the purpose of Command, Control and uniformity with the rank structures, and consistent with the Defence (Amendment) Act 2009, the National Executive Council approved the appointment of Navy Captain Polewara as the Deputy Chief of the PNGDF.
“Captain Polewara is the current incumbent on that position reporting to the Commander of PNGDF and is responsible for the coordination of policy development, planning, implementation and coordination, and is deemed to be the Deputy Chief of the PNG Defence Force per Defence (Amendment) Act 2009.
“It is a very important decision by the Government as the Deputy is responsible to the Chief of Defence Force for the operational and administrative readiness of the Defence Force, and in principle is responsible for giving effect to the functions and responsibilities of the Chief of Defence Force under the Defence (Amendment) Act 2009, or any other law or regulation or as may be directed or ordered by the Chief of Defence Force from time to time,” the Prime Minister said.
“The Government has every confidence in the appointment of DCDF Polewara, as he is a very senior Military Officer who has served in the force for the past 33 years.
“He is a graduate of the United States Naval Command & Staff College, United States Joint Forces College – National Defence University, and United States Naval War College.
“Captain Polewara holds a Masters Degree in Liberal Arts with a major in International Relations from Salve Regina University, Rhode Island, United States, and is currently pursuing a PhD in the same field, at Salve Regina University.
“My Government looks forward to seeing the PNGDF restructured to reflect the current security environment, policy shifts, expectation of the society on PNGDF contribution in nation building and response to disaster and emergencies,” Marape said.