Peter O'Neill

The Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has expressed Papua New Guinea’s appreciation and gratitude to the United States Government for its ongoing healthcare engagement and in logistical support for APEC Papua New Guinea 2018.

PM O’Neill made the remarks during a courtesy call from the United States’ Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, H.E. Catherine Ebert-Gray, in Port Moresby.

Speaking during the Australia-Papua New Guinea Business Council Forum in Port Moresby today, O’Neill said it is the Government’s intention to have on-shore and downstream processing facilities for both the fisheries and logging sectors.

He said less than 25 percent of all fish caught in PNG waters were processed in PNG, meaning the country was losing out on around K350 million per annum.

Prime Minister and parliamentary leader for the People’s National Congress Party, Peter O’Neill, made this comment on Wednesday.               

He was referring to statements by Treasury Minister and National Alliance parliamentary leader, Patrick Pruaitch, who has been criticising the running of the economy and funding of the 2017 National Election.

“We have a very good relationship with individual party members of all these parties for over 5 years,” O’Neill told Loop PNG.   

“It is the individual leaders’ ambition and egos, people have to understand.”

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill witnessed the official opening of the health centre in the South Wiru Local Level Government (LLG) of Ialibu Pangia District on Saturday, May 6.

Funded by the Department of Health, the Centre was officially opened by the Secretary for Health, Pascoe Kase, in the presence of thousands of people who came from all over Ialibu Pangia.

PM O’Neill said the health policy that the Government has implemented is very important and must reach out to the rural areas.

In a media conference today, Polye alleges the the use of state resources and funds goes to assist PNC election campaigns in the context of  project launchings and openings.

Polye cited the use of the Falcon Jet, allowances to public servants and police who travel, the hiring of helicopters to and from remote areas.

“The cheques are coming out of Treasury. The cheques are coming out of finance. The cheques are coming out of the Prime Ministers Department. So I’ve got facts to prove this,” Polye said.

He announced the commitment on NBC Radio as part of a major health infrastructure policy.

O’Neill said work will begin on the two cancer hospitals in Lae and Port Moresby beginning 2018.

He said the two cancer hospitals will be accompanied by two new Tuberculosis (TB) specialists Wards in Daru (Western Province) and Kerema (Gulf), seven dialysis hospitals, and improvements to the seven major hospitals in the country.

He said currently plans are already afoot for the development of hospitals in Central and Hela Province.

In a press conference on Monday in Port Moresby, Sir Mekere flanked by NCD Regional candidate Jamie Maxtone-Graham said the security preparations were not yet ready.

He claimed that the police are still waiting for their election funds to carry out their security operations.

Sir Mekere said reliable sources in the police force said they were due to receive K8 million last month but nothing  has happened.

Loop News was also given a copy of a document from the Police Department stating the planned  release of funds  which has never eventuated.

This was announced by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in an interview on NBC Radio today.

O’Neill said the National Executive Council made the appointment recently.

The Prime Minister stated that Fr Jan has extensive experience in the education field, particularly his experience in developing the Divine Word University in Madang.

O’Neill said Fr Jan’s appointment will complement the PNC-led coalitions’ policies to improve the education sector in PNG.

That was announced by Prime Minister and parliamentary leader Peter O'Neill in Port Moresby this morning. He was speaking at the PNC convention launching the party campaign to maintain its grip on power.

The major party in the coalition government have endorsed 93 candidates for the 111 seat Parliament.

"Our government will give power to provinces that can manage its public services and finances (after the election)," O'Neill said.