Juffa : PNG Economy vulnerable

Concerns about Papua New Guinea's national security have resurfaced in light of recent terrorist attacks in Paris, France.

Northern Province Governor, Gary Juffa, told reporters this week, Papua New Guinea's economy is vulnerable to transnational crimes, such as terrorist attacks, human smuggling , drug trafficking, illegal immigrants among others.

The former Customs Commissioner said this is because the country lack proper security apparatus to effectively monitor movements of people in and out of the country.

Gary Juffa a well experienced man in the field of National Security, who spent some good time in the area of law enforcement, boarder management and contributions to the intelligence communities in PNG have raised this issue of National Security time and again.

But, successive government have turned a blind eye, or are simply ignoring the calls

"Most countries are already aware of what is happening.Their national security apparatus, their intelligence community and capability, they are at heighten risk awareness to protect their economy to their people, protect their future, to protect infrastructure and lives.In fact, in the last 10 years, I can honestly say the national security capacity of Papua New Guinea has significantly contracted.Contracted meaning we've got less resources going into that area while the economy is going, the population is growing, the threats and opportunities posed by globalization continue to increase".

Juffa said PNG has established organisation such as National Intelligence Organization, Defence, Migration, Labor, IRC, and Customs with very good polices but implantation aspect is an issues.

And in such time where terror activities risen in other countries, PNG is vulnerable because its National Security capacity is weak, and at some point in times are not functioning at all.

He adds, such situations pose a great threat to the country's economy, and its people.

Juffa also highlighted, PNG is preparing to host APEC in 2018, however, highly intelligence security is a concern, as far as the country's National Security is concern.

With the apprehension of 15 illegal immigrants in Wewak this week, Juffa said, its clear enough that our boarders are not protected, thus leaving the gate wide open for illegal foreigners.

Institutions that protect PNG interest for example jobs, business etc are now basically useless, so the people of PNG are now left at the mercy of EXPLOITATION by rootless foreign interest that do not a bid by our laws.

Specific Institutions such as the Immigration Task Force, Headed by then Mr John Bria who conduct great operations around the country, monitoring foreigners and their illegal conduct have been disbanded for unknown reasons.

"The Task Force I believe have apprehended and deported good number of illegal foreigners in the country, but again I don't understand why such organizations has to be suppressed by authorities, in this case the Immigration and Citizenship Services".

Juffa said government must seriously look at reviving such organizations, and provide equate funding to the existing organizations and trained more nationals to take up highly intelligence work so that it gives confidence to our people and investors as far as National Security of PNG is concern.