The National Executive Council (NEC)has promoted Commodore Philip Polewara to the rank of Rear Admiral and appointed him as the new Commander and Chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force(PNGDF).
Another appointment was made where Colonel Larry Opa was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and appointed as Deputy Chief of Defence Force.
Prime Minister James Marape congratulated both men and said: “The Papua New Guinea Defence Force needs good and sound and strong leadership to assist the National Government’s development agenda.
“Commodore Polewara has demonstrated strong and vibrant leadership during his tenure as the Acting Commander and Chief of Papua New Guinea Defence Force. His leadership attributes have contributed to the stability of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force within the last two years.”
PM Marape also took the opportunity to thank Major General Mark Goina for his role in the past few years stating: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Major General Mark Goina for accepting the responsibility of the Office of the Chief of Defence Force 2021 and assisting the National Government in the running of 2022 National Elections, and the National Government call outs of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in assisting the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.”
Major General Mark Goina’s appointment as the Commander and Chief of the PNG Defence Force has been revoked by the National Executive Council and he has been discharged from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force with a rank of Brigadier General.
The bearing of the recent court decision that nullified the appointment of Major General Mark Goina was one of the factors for the permanent appointment of the new Commander and Chief of the Defence Force, besides the Commission of Inquiry report on the Kupiano Training Tragedy, and Non-Performance of the former PNG Chief of Defence Force.
The Prime Minister now challenges both the incoming Rear Admiral Polewara and Brigadier General Opa to uphold the values of Papua New Guineans and the constitution to support the Government deliver its services to our people.
