Prime Minister

New police minister’s task

Madang MP Bryan Kramer was among other MPs who were appointed and sworn in yesterday (June 7th).

“We will be asking of him, in the first instance, to restore credibility to the entire police hierarchy,” said Prime Minister James Marape.

While Kramer’s appointment may come as a result of the call of the people, he now has a mammoth task of cleaning up the police force.

Get behind Govt: Marape

PM Marape made these remarks when addressing the nation on Wednesday night.

Recently elected as the 8th Prime Minister on the floor of Parliament, Tari-Pori MP James Marape says everyone must get behind the government and address the challenges ahead.

“We are a nation of many opportunities. We have natural assets that not too many countries, globally speaking, can profess to have. We have oil, gold, gas, nickel, copper and all the agricultural products put together; we have timber and fisheries. These are resources many nations of the world do not have.”

PM Marape reminded of anti-rot initiatives

“Prime Minister Marape introduced governance reforms within the Department of Finance when he was Minister, such as the Integrated Finance Management System (IFMS), the establishment of a new National Procurement Commission and the innovative Phones Against Corruption initiative whereby citizens can text reports of corruption to the 16321 SMS service,” said TIPNG in their statement.

PM seat vacant

O’Neill addressed the House this morning, saying he had handed in his resignation to the Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae at 9:45am.

The Speaker of Parliament, Job Pomat, confirmed this with a letter in his hand, from the office of the Governor General.

“I have a letter from the Governor General acknowledging receipt of the Prime Minister’s resignation. The Prime Minister’s seat is now vacant.”

The office of the Governor General also confirmed that they did receive O’Neill’s letter of resignation, and have in writing to the Speaker, acknowledged it.

O'Neill steps down as PM

O'Neill made the announcment today and handed over the leadership to Sir Julius Chan.

O'Neill, when making the announcement today at the Crown Hotel said the recent movement of MPs calls for a change in government.

He said that despite this, the People's National Congress still remains the largest party in the government.

More to come on Loop PNG and TVWan News tonight.

VoNC motion yet to be screened

Acting Parliamentary Counsel Richard Whitchurch explained this is because the Private Business Committee that screens all private business motions did not sit on Wednesday last week, because parliament was adjourned. The Committee only meets when parliament meets or convenes.

The Committee is chaired by Speaker Job Pomat, the Deputy Speaker and five other elected Members who are not ministers.

PM responds to Pruaitch

The Prime Minister made this statement when responding to queries raised by Opposition leader Patrick Pruaitch on the PNGSDP funds.

Pruaitch called on PM Peter O’Neill to stop futile attempts to derail social and economic development programs sponsored by PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd in Western Province.

PM accepts Marape’s verbal resignation

“He has been a Minister since he was first elected as a Member of Parliament,” O’Neill said in a statement.

“This commitment has presented challenges at the district level and he has not spent enough time with his electorate and on issues that are close to his people.

“We are all elected as local Members first and foremost, and our districts and provinces require great attention for us to ensure improving levels of service delivery.

“I have not heard from the Minister, as a matter of protocol I expect he will be in contact soon to convey his intentions.

Over 30,000 people to benefit from electrification project

Peter O’Neill addressed locals and stressed that good leadership and cooperation can only see these vital projects come to fruition.

Diplomatic representatives of Japan, New Zealand, Australia and the United States accompanied the Prime Minister, the Governor for Enga and other state ministers, most of whom are local MPs of the province – to launch the project, where an overwhelming welcome to Tsak Valley was displayed for the guests.

Tsak Valley, in Wapenamanda, Enga Province, is where the K5.2 billion rural electrification program starts.

Developers to hold state’s equity

This is to ensure the state does not borrow to purchase equity in a project.

“The initial understanding we have with the second LNG and in particular Wafi-Golpu is that our participation in equity will be carried by the developer until the first export of either the gold and copper from Wafi-Golpu or in the second LNG Project, meaning we don’t have to borrow large sums of money that we are unable to repay.