This week Governor Michael Marum and Provincial Administrator Levi Mano welcomed the Australian High Commissioner John Feakes, Defence Adviser Colonel Travis Gordon and an Australian Defence Force (ADF) team to East New Britain. The visit is the first in a series to the province as the ADF works with the Provincial Disaster Centre, PNGDF and the RPNGC to start the planning and preparations for Operation Render Safe.
For two decades Australia has been helping Pacific countries with the safe removal of bombs and small munitions under Operation Render Safe. At the Ministerial Forum in June 2024, PNG Ministers welcomed Australia’s conduct of Operation Render Safe in East New Britain.
Unexploded ordinances (UXO) from WWII is a concern for communities across PNG. In East New Britain the Provincial Disaster Office has multiple received reports of deteriorated bombs and small munitions discovered in the jungle or unearthed as people clear land for development.
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.” There is too much for the PNGDF to deal with alone and extra skills and equipment are required to deal with some discoveries such as a very large bomb that washed ashore and is too heavy to move. “My team are looking forward to working with the ADF to develop our skills.”
In addition to visiting sites where unexploded ordnance has been found, the ADF team, accompanied by LEUT Henry Beri, met with the Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat and CEO of the Provincial Health Authority Dr Apo Yap. The ADF will continue to work closely with the PNGDF, RPNGC and authorities in East New Britain to develop and agree a plan for the safe removal of bombs and small munitions.
It is important not to touch or move any suspected bombs and small munitions like bullets. Communities in East New Britain are encouraged to leave them in place and report the location to the Provincial Disaster Center, located at the Fire Station in Kokopo.
Local members of the community help identify the locations of Unexploded ordInanceS .
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100