This week, Governor Michael Marum and Provincial Administrator Levi Mano welcomed Australian High Commissioner John Feakes, Defence Adviser Colonel Travis Gordon, and a team from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in East New Britain.
This visit marks the beginning of a series to the province, as the ADF collaborates with the Provincial Disaster Centre, PNGDF, and RPNGC to initiate the planning and preparations for Operation Render Safe.
For twenty years, Australia has assisted Pacific nations in safely disposing of bombs and small munitions through Operation Render Safe.
During the Ministerial Forum in June 2024, PNG Ministers expressed their approval of Australia’s implementation of Operation Render Safe in East New Britain.
Unexploded ordnance (UXO) from WWII is a concern for communities across PNG.
In East New Britain, the Provincial Disaster Office has received multiple reports of decaying bombs and small munitions found in the jungle or uncovered during land development activities.
Lieutenant Henry Beri, officer in charge of the PNGDF EOD said “the PNGDF has been working with East New Britain to remove as many munitions as we can, but we need help.”
The PNGDF cannot handle everything by itself, and additional expertise and equipment are necessary to address certain findings, like an extremely large bomb that has washed ashore and is too heavy to relocate. “My team are looking forward to working with the ADF to develop our skills.”
In addition to visiting locations where unexploded ordnance was discovered, the ADF team, along with LEUT Henry Beri, also met with the Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat, and the CEO of the Provincial Health Authority, Dr. Apo Yap.
The ADF will continue to collaborate with the PNGDF, RPNGC, and East New Britain authorities to formulate and finalise a strategy for the safe disposal of bombs and small munitions.
It is important not to touch or move any suspected bombs and small munitions like bullets.
Communities and residents in East New Britain are advised to leave the items where they are and notify the Provincial Disaster Center, which is situated at the Fire Station in Kokopo, with the location details.
