Prime Minister James Marape

Namah, in his capacity as the Opposition leader, had sought court declaration over the legality of Marape’s election on May 30, 2019.

Prime Minister Marape’s election to the government’s top post remains a Supreme Court matter after a five-man bench dismissed his application to stop Namah from disputing his election as Prime Minister.

The hand-over of food supplies was witnessed by Prime Minister James Marape, NCD Governor Powes Parkop and Church leaders.

The state of emergency has caused a lot of people to struggle to put food on the table during this pandemic crisis in Port Moresby.

The initiative of the Sapotim wantok foundation by the Prime Minister was to feed those who are hungry and in need in Port Moresby city, during this State of Emergency.

Prime Minister James Marape, when welcoming the MPs, urged them to work together and serve the people to the best of their ability.

Marape is confident that 2020 will be the year of transformation and implementation.

When welcoming the Members of Parliament at the first session, Marape urged them to work together in a unified spirit and serve the people well.

The Prime Minister also urged the leaders to focus on their main responsibility and that is to lead the people with distinction and abstain from corrupt practices.

Namah said Marape is not displaying leadership qualities but contradicting himself regarding the P’nyang Project.

He said this has also been seen with the Papua LNG Gas Agreement.

In a media conference today, the Opposition Leader said after negotiations failed between the State and ExxonMobil for a Gas Agreement on P’nyang, the Prime Minister announced that they will focus on other projects.

Prime Minister Marape announced this in a statement after negotiations between the SNT and ExxonMobil failed to reach an Agreement on the P'nyang LNG Project.

The Prime Minister stated his displeasure over ExxonMobil failing to migrate towards a mid-point which the State takes home a better deal, instead of terms similar to concession-based gas agreements PNG.

He said he is satisfied that the SNT has subscribed to the mandate bestowed upon Petroleum Minister, Kerenga Kua, and ExxonMobil has been told what their intentions are.

Over K200 million every year will be allocated in the National Budget to ensure local businesses have low cost loan financing facilities to grow their businesses.

Prime Minister James Marape said this at PANGU Pati’s gala dinner at Hilton Hotel recently.

He said PANGU Pati is all about economic independence, and will look into creating legislative and budgetary pathways for citizens and corporate friends to be empowered to do business.

In pursuit to grow the local businesses in the country, the government will ensure every business has a fair playing field.

Tribesmen of the Late David Kendiyo, from Poroma District in Southern Highlands Province, blocked the junction of Hela and Kutubu and captured sixteen LNG light escort vehicles.

Late David Kendiyo was a UPNG graduate who was killed at Eight-Mile in Port Moresby two weeks ago.

In a report it was alleged that the deceased was killed by someone from Hela Province.

Governor for Jiwaka, Dr William Tongamp, had raised concerns that the K3 billion ADB funded project has been launched almost a year ago, but there are sections of the highway where work has not begun yet, including road designs.

Dr Tongamp wanted to know if the three contracting companies are fully mobilised; how much each has received already and how far they have done their share of the work.

The Jiwaka Governor was concerned that the 61 kilometre stretch of road between Simbu to Western Highlands section – which also runs through his province – has not picked up yet.

In response to the Opposition’s claim of pay cuts, the PM said: “No legitimately secured awards to teachers or proper salaries will be deducted as that is our workers’ entitlements.

“We are only concerned about duplicity, unlawful wastage and lack of productivity in our public services that we will tidy but that has nothing to do with cutting their legitimate pays or secured industrial increases.

He said this is to ensure that expenditure is reined in and to eliminate the continued waste due to unnecessary travel.

He made this statement during a press briefing yesterday to confirm that pressing domestic issues have resulted in him forgoing the 74th United Nations General Assembly, as well as the cancellation of the large delegation that was supposed to accompany him.

Marape said he was informed that the delegation that had been proposed to accompany him to New York comprised of some 55 officials at a cost of more than K1.2 million.