17 Mar 2014

Call for better investment in security in PNG

12:31 pm on 17 March 2014

The head of Papua New Guinea's Security Coordination and Assessment Office is calling for a boost to the country's military and police force to overcome years of neglect.

Ian Jinga says the country faces many security challenges including law and order, and the ability to protect its borders and natural resources.

He says security for PNG's LNG project is a major concern, and the country's largest-ever economic project remains vulnerable.

"We need to boost up the capacity of our Papua New Guinea Defence Force, we need to build a police force that is able to support the national government in protecting investments, as well as other major resource projects in the country. Not only that, but also delivering and protecting our citizens as well as our other infrastructures."

Ian Jinga says the government needs to invest serious resources into security in Papua New Guinea to improve its economic fortunes.