By SEPKOLIN WALNE
Deputy Opposition Leader and Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu raised serious concern today about the poor conditions of roads and medical facility at the PNG Defence Force Goldie River Training Depot near Port Moresby.
Mr Iduhu told Parliament that a total of K20 million had been appropriated for the Goldie River road since 2022, but very little improvement had been made.
He questioned Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph about the expenditure of these funds as the road had not been upgraded over the past five years.
“Even more so, my officers have been approached by the commanding officer on site, and we have learned also that even medical, basic medical supplies, have deteriorated badly, that they are even borrowing from other military bases,” Mr Iduhu said.
“Added to that is an absence of even an ambulance, where mothers, the wives of soldiers, and the soldiers themselves are having great difficulty accessing medical services in Port Moresby and other facilities.”
Minister Joseph said the contract for the upgrading of the Goldie River Road had been awarded.
“Every year, there has been a budget allocated, but the road has not been done, so I will check my department, and also check the Minister for Works and Highways, and find the status of the road,” he said.
“With regards to the medical facilities at Goldie River Training Depot and all other facilities, we do have a medical department in the defence, and it is up to us to make sure that those facilities are maintained, as well as make sure the medical equipment and drugs are there and ambulances are placed.
“I would also like to say that we have ordered four ambulances. Those ambulances that have been ordered, one of them would be placed at the Goldie River Training Depot.
“One will be sent to Lae, and one will be in the Highlands operations, so those actions have been done, but there is still work that needs to be done in the medical department.”