Justin Tkatchenko

The festival is set to be a another crowd pleaser for Port Moresby city residents and visitors and is set to be staged on Friday September 20 and Saturday October 1, this year at Down Town, Ela Beach- the home of the Hiri Moale Festival.

Chairman of  Motu Kiota Assembly Udia Opao on behalf of the Assembly and the Hiri Moale Festival Oraganizing committee apologised for having deferred the launching dates as some of the arrangements were out of their control.

During his remarks at the launching of the rehabilitated Sevese Morea Elementary school, Tkatchenko thanked the Digicel PNG Foundation for their donation of four classrooms and water tanks.

He thanked the son of the Late Sevese Morea of which the Sevese Morea Elementary school was named after as well as the schools Board of Management for their role in trying to keep the young children in school and out of trouble.

“My promise is Sevese Morea Primary School will be next in line for rehabilitation and maintenance,” he pledged.

The swearing-in of the Government Ministers took place on Friday April 8 at Government House, Port Moresby.

Tkatchenko was appointed to look after Tourism in January. He has been moved from Tourism and is now looking after APEC as well as Sports.

Joe Lera, Member for Bougainville region takes responsibilities as Minister for Bougainville Affairs.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said that minor changes are important to maintain administrative flexibility as the global and national economy evolves, and to ensure ministerial skills and capabilities are targeted.

Minister for Lands and Physical Planning Benny Allan, when answering questions from Anglimp South Waghi MP Joe Koim, described the Minister for Sports and Culture, Justin Tkatchenko, as a media obsessed person.   

“Spots Minista i save go lo midia na bagrapim planti mahn,” (Sports Minister likes speaking to the media and has spoilt the image of many people), Allan said.

Tkatchenko, who was sitting right behind Allan, angrily shouted down his colleague minister.

In a press conference in Tonga this week, Tkatchenko told Tonga Internal Affairs Minister,  Sosefo Fe'aomoeata Vakata that PNG will identify and assist Tonga in areas where it can.

"Three years is suitable enough time to prepare, compared to the amount of time Papua New Guinea had to prepare for the 2015 Games, and we want to be able to help start immediately," said Tkatchenko.

Tkatchenko said besides assistance with infrastructure and planning, PNG will also help Tonga athletes prepare under the High Performance Training Centre in Port Moresby.

Tkatchenko said the alleged incident that happen at the Kokoda trail was because KTA were conned into issuing the two expatiate couples trek permits to walk the 96km track.  

“They con their way into so that is the problem, we will look into KTA.  

“So we must prevent it happening again in the future, that is why will be doing a review of Kokoda Track Authority.

“Because if the permit were not issued, and cross checks and balance were taken seriously they will not have trekked the Kokoda Track.

Speaking to Loop PNG today after meeting with Pari people in the Motu Koitabu area, Tkatchenko said the key to solving the issue of land grabbing was to not sell their birthright which is their land.

He appealed to the people of Pari to work with him and police to solve the issue of land grabbing in their area.

He said he did not want to see the people of Pari marginalised in their own land but take part in the spinoffs.

Tkatchenko appealed to them to do proper demarcation of their land and register it under their incorporated land groups.

After hours of negotiations today between  council of chiefs, police, Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko and the people, they agreed instead to issue a stop notice to the settlers.

Police will be issuing the notice today.

Chairman of the council of chiefs Taina Gebai told Loop PNG the situation must not be repeated in the future and called on people to respect the law.

He said they (Pari) will be meeting with nearby villages of Kirakira to come up with proper land demarcation and address illegal land grabbing issues.

Tkatchenko flanked by long-time trekkers and tour operators, Frank Taylor and Charlie Lynn told media this afternoon that he will work to restore Kokoda’s image and also the tourism industry in Papua New Guinea.  

“There are questions to be asked, as your new minister I will personally get to the bottom of it, I will be working closely with Kokoda Track Authority so an event like this never ever happen again.

“I do not want this unfortunate incident to destroy the majority (who rely on tourism for income).

This announcement was made today after a meeting with Prime Minister of Tonga Akilishi Pohiva.

O’Neill says PNG will help build the main stadium that will host track and field events and also help build the High Performance Centre.

He says PNG has experience in in hosting such events in difficult circumstances.

“Our experts will be available if they require assistance,” O’Neill says.

To emphasise PNG’s promise to assist the Sports and Tourism Minister Justin Tkatchenko will lead a delegation to Tonga to assess areas in which PNG can provide help.