Peter O'Neill

The charter flight led by Prime Minister O’Neill with government delegation last Wednesday was used as a test flight by Air Niugini with the various NAC verifications.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said PNG must tap into the developments that is taking place around the world and China is an example to learn from.

He said it has been a privilege to see first-hand the dynamic developments and core initiatives of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone whilst visiting Administration of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in the New District of Pudong last Friday.

In his capacity as a Sports Minister, O'Neill expressed interest in setting up more comprehensive tertiary education courses in areas such as sports medicine and physical training.

He said there is huge benefits, not only for high performance athletes, but also for school sports programs and sporting codes around the country in this regard.

He said it would be an avenue for our young and athletic Papua New Guineans to show case their enthusiasm in sports.

“This is exactly what our young sports men and women need in Papua New Guinea.

Upon arrival, they were accorded a full ceremonial honors by the Government of China.

PM O’Neill along with his wife, Lynda Babao, senior Government Ministers and Members of Parliament, together with a delegation of senior business representatives, will be having a series of engagements that includes bilateral meetings with the Premier and President of China, and current and potential Chinese investors.          

“Papua New Guinea must reach out and engage with our foreign partners so we can increase trade, stimulate business and create new jobs,” says PM O’Neill.

The PM expressed disappointment that the sidelined PPC saw fit to make statements that were outside his responsibility.

He further urged police on the ground to carry out their duties in maintaining rule of law and investigate offences without interference from politics.

“I am surprised that the PPC appears out of touch, as reports say he was not even present in Mendi when the burning of assets took place.

PM will be accompanied by some Members of Parliament including Ministers to reinforce the good work of the members of the Emergency team.

“Southern Highlands Members of Parliament, who are at the centre of election disputes have met with local leaders in Port Moresby and this has resulted in the peace that is in place in Mendi.

Mr O’Neill has again reminded Leaders to not be involved in police investigations currently underway.

“Let the police get on with their work independent of political interference.

Greeted by Western Highlands Governor, Pias Wingti, at Kagamuga Airport, PM O’Neill said he is pleased to be in Mt Hagen again and launching the vital power project.

The transmission line will deliver a 189 kilometer, 132KV, single circuit transmission line between Mt Hagen and Tari.

The power-line corridor will pass through the Western Highlands, Southern Highlands and Hela, and include four step-down substations at Mt Hagen, Mendi, Pauanda and Tari.

Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch said it has been confirmed by the Central Bank’s December quarterly report that more than one in 10 people employed in the formal sector lost their jobs last year in the National Capital District.

Pruaitch released a statement saying in spite of the hundreds of millions of Kina spent by the National and NCD governments on roads and building projects in Port Moresby, employment in the national capital has fallen to its lowest levels in eight years.

Despite these challenges, he said the Government is making continuous headways in the relief effort to most affected areas.

When giving his speech in the special Parliament session today, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said the Government is committed in serving the people and will do everything to help bring back normalcy to the disaster stricken provinces.

“We have to work together,” said Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, who was recently in New Ireland Province for the opening of their two government buildings.

“We cannot continue to play politics for five years.

“Our people demand our attention. They demand our leadership.”

The PM urged all leaders, regardless of their political parties, to stand united.

The Prime Minister,  Peter O’Neill, told the delegates at the Petroleum and Energy Summit today in Port Moresby that the Government and donor partners are doing all they can to cater for the people during the disaster.

PM O’Neill said the country was about to get favourable revenue income from the PNG LNG Project as the price of oil and gas is at an improvement stages but was denied after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

He said the impact of the disaster on the local communities is devastating but thanked the donor partners for their quick response.