Justin Tkatchenko

Sir Michael to give last speech in Parliament tomorrow

The East Sepik Governor will retire from politics after close to four decades representing his people.  

National Events and Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko confirmed to Loop PNG that Tuesday’s Parliament sitting is dedicated to Sir Michael.

Tkatchenko said when parliament sits; Sir Michael will make his farewell speech as a Member of Parliament before Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and Speaker make their reply.

Australia vows to help PNG deliver APEC, says Tkatchenko

Tkatchenko made this statement to Loop PNG at the recent annual Papua New Guinea-Australia 25th Ministerial Forum held in Madang Resort Hotel.

The Forum provides an avenue for on-going dialogue on current or emerging bilateral issue of mutual interests and also to maintain a strong and strategic partnership.

Tkatchenko said, the Australian government has confirmed to fund the security and logistics prior to APEC in 2018.

Conflicting groups to meet with mediators

Minister for Sports Justin Tkatchenko said they have planned a meeting with mediators and are waiting for confirmation from the World Rugby Union.

Tkatchenko urged both parties to come together to resolve the issue once and for all.

The mediators, two mediators will be from the PNG Olympic Committee while another will be from World Rugby Union.

Tkatchenko said they will come up with a sensible outcome that both parties can agree upon and then move on in the name of the game.

Tkatchenko calls on FIFA to intervene

Justin Tkatchenko said PNGFA president David Chung and John Kapi Natto both have a heart for soccer but unfortunately, they cannot work together and are making the sport fail, affecting players and clubs.

Tkatchenko said the best solution is for FIFA to intervene and say enough is enough.

“FIFA must be concerned with what’s happening in PNG as we are now having two different, separate identities running football,” said the Minister.

“How can sponsors come on board and how can the sport keep moving forward when you got two different groups running the same thing.

Tkatchenko pleased with world cup preparations

The World Cup tournament will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from October 27-December 2, while PNG will host the Kumuls’ three pool matches in Port Moresby.

Tkatchenko said it is very well organised and he is pleased with the way the professional team and host committee are moving forward.

The host city, through the National Capital District Commission, has given K5m with the Government topping up with another K5m to host the event.

New student hall, classrooms for Kilakila Secondary

The school, which caters for over 1000 students, now has a proper assembly hall for staging examinations, school concerts, meetings and studies.

Some of the 20 classrooms are brand new while others have been refurbished and modernised.

School principal Herman Panai thanked the Moresby South electorate and the National Capital District Commission for funding the infrastructure of the school. 

Panai said the school is currently facing a lot of challenges, including infrastructure development and shortage of teachers’ houses.

HOC: Contractor has been paid 95% already of total cost

Wagai said this when responding to questions raised by the media on whether the contractor for the PNG Games has been paid the full amount for their services.

 “Nirvani initially gave us a scope of K23 million kina. We have a balance of K1.3 million yet to pay.

“The contractor is now insisting that we pay that balance and then they will return to work.

“This is the tenth day that they have stopped work after we just paid Nirvani K5 million in December of last year.

Tkatchenko: Having PNG Games in March was always the plan

Speaking at the press conference on the deferral of the Games to November, Tkatchenko said it was a big disappointment for him personally.

“I would have loved to have it in March. That was what I told the CEO of the PNG Sports Foundation, Peter Tsiamalili Jr. to stick to the dates and get the Games going.

 “But after reviewing all these issues like the venues and weather, it just would have made it very very difficult to host the PNG Games in March of this year,” said Tkatchenko.

PNG Games deferred again to November

The news was announced at press conference today held by Sports Minister, Justin Tkatchenko, CEO of the PNG Sports Foundation, Peter Tsiamalili Jr. and Deputy Chairman of the PNG Games Host Organising (HOC) Committee, Dacca Wagai.

Tkatchenko explained that after deliberations between the HOC and the PNG Games Council last night, a decision was reached to defer the PNG Games.

Settlement welcomes K449,000 water project

This was the comment from Member for Moresby South, Justin Tkatchenko, when he was officiating at a ground breaking ceremony for the people living in Vanama and New Block.

The water project is K449, 000 in total cost.

Tkatchenko says this has been the aim for the next five years and more is yet to come for the people of Moresby South.

"You are no different from the people living up in the hill therefore, you must also enjoy the same privileges," he told the residents this morning.