Nuclear Waste

Minister Wong has unveiled plans to introduce rigorous monitoring and testing procedures to detect hazardous materials in PNG's water. To fund this initiative, Papua New Guinea will request financial assistance from the Government of Japan. Additionally, the Minister emphasized the need for stricter regulations governing the discharge of ship ballast water.

"With the release of wastewater from Fukushima, it is now imperative that all countries and global agencies independently monitor water quality," Minister Wong asserted.

He called on the Government to take the lead and reject the Japanese offer outright.

Mr Lelang said the Pacific was not new to nuclear testing having experienced that in the 1950s and 60s and the effects of that on our people in these countries due to radiation is well documented.

He added that the hazardous impact of nuclear waste in terms of radioactive materials can last thousands of years.

Since it opened for signature on 24th of September 1996, Papua New Guinea was amongst the first states to sign the comprehensive test ban treaty, but remains to date one of the only 10 states that have yet to ratify it.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a multilateral treaty opened for signature in 1996 by which states agree to ban all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes.

“Within the region, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Island and Tonga are the only Pacific Island Forum nations yet to ratify the treaty,” said PM Marape.