Minister Justin Tkatchenko

Lands Department eyes new legislation

Strata title allows individual ownership of part of a property, whilst sharing ownership in common property like driveways or gardens.

In a press briefing yesterday afternoon, Lands Minister Justin Tkatchenko said strata titles provide a further option for home and property ownership to our people.

“Most countries now allow you to have a strata title, which means that you have a title for the apartment or the actual flat or unit that you are buying,” he explained.

Roku L.O's sign MOA

The agreement will see the landowners obtaining a Land Title and receive rental payments for their land.

The landowners have given up 16 portions of their land to be developed into another a housing estate.

The agreement was signed today by the Lands Minister, Justin Tkatchenko and Chairman of the Kuriu ILG 313 and Principal landowner of the Oho-bi-du-duare land and other members of the ILG.

The Lands Minister said this signing sets precedence to other ILG groups in central Province.

​Tkatchenko brushes aside tax evasion claims

Tkatchenko has responded following statements being circulated through emails and social media alleging that he has been cheating the PNG public over the last 15 years by not paying taxes. 

The statement stated that publicly accessible tax office documents revealed that Tkatchenko has failed to pay both company and personal tax in fifteen years.

Thousand plus OOH operations since inception

Following the end of a successful one week operation, OOH patron and Sports Minister, Justin Tkatchenko said since its inception over 20 years ago, OOH has produced fantastic results with over 1,000 successful operations.

Tkatchenko highlighted that OOH raises about K1 million each year from fundraising events and receives support from business houses and organisations.

He made reference to the PNG National Government and Australian Government that have also always contributed to this worthy course.

NFS trustees to expand stadium capacity

Minister for Sports, APEC and National Events, Justin Tkatchenko, confirmed this, saying that the trustee of the National Football Stadium are already talking with the Rugby World Cup to expand the two sides of the stadium.

This will bring up the capacity from 15,000 seats to 20,000 before October next year.

“We see that the demand for people to watch the game will be so high therefore, we are negotiating to expand the seat by another 5,000 to get enough people in to watch,” Tkatchenko said.

New K2m market for Talai settlement

The market was officially opened today by Moresby South MP and Minister for Sports, National Events and APEC, who accompanied by NCD Governor Powes Parkop.

As the member for Moresby South, Tkatchenko was honoured to deliver the basic service that will support the families and population of the area.

"The government has delivered the service that you have asked for and now it’s your turn to embrace the services that this project will provide in sustaining the daily lives of most families.

K460,000 project for Sevese Morea school

The Digicel PNG Foundation, NCD Governor Powes Parkop and Member for Moresby South Justin Tkatchenko officially opened the project.

The plan, funded by the Foundation, consists of 4xclassrooms, 2x teachers’ office space, 160 students’ desk, teachers’ desk and chairs, electricity and 9000L water tanks.

Digicel PNG Foundation CEO Beatrice Mahuru says providing children with access to basic education is one of five focus areas of the Foundation. This is done primarily through the provision of the new infrastructure.

Tkatchenko blames visa issues on poor administration

Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko says this issue must be recognised for sports going forward.

This comes after Papua New Guinea withdrew from the second leg of the OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifier which was scheduled for today (Tuesday 26 January) due to visa issues.

The squad did not receive the required visas to enter New Zealand for the return match.

Tkatchenko said it is time now for proper procedures and processes to be put in place for sports travel.

“This will ensure that the management of sports travel is centralized through the sports ministry.

National Stadium opens next month

Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko says the facility is in its last stages of completion and will be fully functional by February to host its first rugby league match where the Prime Minister will do the official kick off.  

The K170 million infrastructure is constructed by Leighton PNG with seating for up to 15,000 spectators.

The seating area for the north, south and eastern stands are completed, seating a total of 10,000 people.

The main grand stand has 3184 seats and is half completed with the roofing already installed and a few more seats to be fitted in.

Tkatchenko promises lift for tourism

Newly appointed Minister for Tourism Justin Tkatchenko aims to lift the standard of tourism in the country.

Tkatchenko, who is also the Minister for Sports and National Events, says he will make use of the K50 million budgeted this year for TPA to promote, market and develop tourism locally and abroad.

He says the first agenda is to develop current tourism developers and introduce private and public partnerships  for the benefit of everyone and the country.

Tkatchenko also plans to visit the local areas, villages and provinces where tourism is promoted.