Peter O'Neill

Following O’Neill saying bigger benefits are looming for the country in the next LNG projects at Port Moresby’s inaugural petroleum and energy summit, Opposition Leader Don Polye said  the Department of Treasury projected that an annual proceeds from the first LNG would be up to K4 billion.

Polye slams the PM for painting a rosy image about the industry to water down his government’s failure in improving the country’s deteriorating state of human development index. 

During the officially opening of the two days Summit this morning, O’Neill confidently said the country’s economy is doing well.

He said PNG had faced challenges in the past years due to the drop in commodity prices.

However, he said the decrease in commodity prices did not change the main goals of the government to provide free education and health care to the people.

“With a very careful management of our economy, we did not lose grip of it and we never cut essential services to our people,” O’Neill said.

The summit was officially opened by Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, in front of more than 300 current and potential investors.

The opening session included speeches by O’Neill, Minister for Petroleum and Energy, Nixon Duban.

Speakers from various major investors included Director Oil and Gas Division, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Yuki Sadamitsu, Chief Fuel Transaction Officer & Senior Vice President Exceutive, JERA Co. Inc, Hiroki Sato, and Dr Fereidun Fesharaki of the FGE.

Following Minister Francis Awesa’s statement slamming him for misleading his Kandep people on road projects, Polye has denied playing politics with road infrastructure in his district.

Polye reiterated that the writing was on the wall, saying projects worth more than K150 million for his district were denied of when he was sacked as the Treasury Minister in March 2013.

O’Neill told Loop PNG that funding for the UN have been in a trust account for months.

He said someone in the Foreign Affairs department is not doing his/her job which resulted in such.

PNG lost its vote in the United Nations General Assembly because it failed to pay its annual contributions of at least (K532,000) to regain voting rights.

PNG is one of six countries whose voting rights have been suspended for non-payment — the others being Venezuela, Libya, Sudan, Cape Verde and Vanuatu.

O’Neill told Loop PNG in a text message that the funding for the payment of the UN General Assembly has been sitting in a trust account for months.

“Someone in the Department of Foreign Affairs needs to explain why they did not pay,” says O’Neill.

PNG lost its vote in the United Nations General Assembly because it failed to pay its annual contributions of at least (K532,000) for its voting rights.

PNG is one of six countries whose voting rights have been suspended for non-payment — the others being Venezuela, Libya, Sudan, Cape Verde and Vanuatu.

Juffa made this call after PNG lost its vote in the United Nations General Assembly because it failed to pay its annual contributions.

PNG needs to pay the UN at least (K532,000) to regain voting rights.

PNG is one of six countries whose voting rights have been suspended for non-payment — the others being Venezuela, Libya, Sudan, Cape Verde and Vanuatu.

Juffa said once more the people of Papua New Guinea have been collectively humiliated internationally.

Polye issued the warning while commenting on leaders including the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill calling for political stability.

“I would like our people to understand it. Stability must be conditional. When you have got a poor, rogue leadership running the affairs of the country, political stability is dangerous for our country.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill have paid his respect, followed by senior members of cabinet.

Also in attendance, are Opposition MPs, Kerenga Kua and Dr Alan Marat with members of the Diplomatic Corps and State Agencies heads.

The State funeral will be held tomorrow before the casket depart for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville on Saturday.

More to come...

He made this known during the ground breaking ceremony of the new Apenda Provincial High School in his electorate.

He said this new government will continue its free education and free health care policies.

“The People’s National Congress Party-led government is fully committed to our Tuition Fee Free Education Policy and to building education from the grass-roots up,” the Prime Minister said.

“Our government will continue to invest in education through all provinces in the country, and Apenda High School is no different as it is the future of our children.