PNGDF Highlands Headquarter to be moved from Mt Hagen to Mendi

Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph says, the Defence Council, which he is chairman of, has decided to move the Papua New Guinea Defence Force [PNGDF] Highlands Headquarter from Mt Hagen in the Western Highlands Province to Mendi in Southern Highlands.

He said the decision to move the headquarter is a strategic response to addressing the law and order challenges in Southern Highlands Province, Hela, and Enga.

Commander for joint operations Colonel Banda and Mendi Munihu MP Raphael Tonpi including the Defence Minister visited the site in Mendi recently.

Dr Joseph is adamant that they work closely with Governor William Powi and the Southern Highlands Provincial Government [SHPG] to make this happen.

He said they have identified a few ideal locations and will talk with the SHPG to give the PNGDF the location for the defence force personnel to move in.

A forward operating base for the PNGDF engineering battalion will also be located in SHP, upon request by Mr Powi.

Governor Powi says those causing law and order issues; including a high school teacher from Ekenda village threatening the Nipa Kutubu District Development Authority staff and those who stole and stripped the Nipa District Hospital Ambulance at Tindom are warned to be wary of security forces.