The new Defence Minister, Dr. Billy Joseph is expected to present the Report of the General Board of Inquiry (GBOI) into the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) training accident last year in the Central province, to cabinet soon for further deliberations.
The minister, after he was presented with the Report in Port Moresby this week by the Chairman of the GBOI Col. Bruno Malau, said that it is important that this report is cited by the government to see what had happened and how to address it going forward.
The training accident, which occurred on the 04th of July 2023 in Kupiano, saw one soldier dead and several others wounded including a civilian when live rounds were apparently used instead of the standard blank rounds used during military trainings.
“Such a tragedy in peace time training of the PNGDF requires an investigation to allow for our people to understand the circumstances leading to the tragedy, and enable closure to the lives of friends and relatives of the deceased,” said Minister Joseph.
The Minister informed the Board of Inquiry members and other dignitaries at the presentation ceremony at the APEC Haus that he will take the General Board of Inquiry Report and present it to the National Executive Council (NEC) for its deliberations as required.
Meanwhile, the minister thanked his predecessor, Mr. Win Bakri Daki, for his wisdom in commissioning the General Board of Inquiry into the unfortunate incident.
He also on behalf of the government thanked the Chairman, and his committee members; Jena Kuliniasi, Sumasy Singin, Emmanuel Gorea, the Secretariat and all those who came forward to provide evidence or testified during the inquiry.