By DALCY LULUA
MINISTER for Defence and Member for Nipa Kutubu Dr Billy Joseph calls for team efforts in the department to move forward.
“The Defence force is a very big organization compromises of National Fire Service, National Volunteer Service and the National Disaster Center and to move forward, it’s going to be a team effort,” he said.
Minister Joseph made this call during the official end over takeover ceremony of Defense Ministry which was commemorated last week Friday.
The ceremony coincided with a military parade to farewell the outgoing Minister Hon. Win Bakri and to receive the new Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph.
“It’s a privilege to be here and firstly I would like to acknowledge the hard work and effort that is being put into our noble Papua New Guinea Defence Force by the outgoing minister.
“I came from a medical background but I know how to manage things, I believe that we will carry on from where the outgoing minister has left and for that I will need the support from all the departmental heads,” said Minister Joseph.
He said there’s change in leadership but with the support from the departmental heads, he believes that together they have a big task ahead to deliver.
He also stressed that the Defence force has a national duty to protect the sovereign boarders as primary objective.
“We will need everybody’s assistance especially from the leadership and government to make sure the Defence force is a force that everybody is proud off.
“Where ever I need advice, I will rely on you all to advise me, and will advise the National Executive Council to make sure we do our jobs,” he added.
Outgoing Minister Win Bakri Daki thanked and acknowledged the Marape Rosso Government for having the trust in him and appointing him as the Minister for Defence for the last two years.
He also thanked the bilateral partners and departmental heads for working closely with him.
