Richard Maru

The Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, handed the funding over to Enga Governor, Chief Sir Peter Ipatas, at the second graduation ceremony for the Enga School of Nursing on Wednesday, 6^th June.

Minister Maru said PNG is short of about 2,400 nurses.

“Government is very much aware of the shortage of nurses and aging nursing workforce. And the truth is this; our health indicators are among the poorest in the Pacific.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, revealed this when he arrived in Vanimo, West Sepik Province, yesterday.

Maru is leading a Government delegation on a fact finding mission to see the development of the SEZ in Sandaun.

Accompanying Minister Maru is Minister for Provincial Affairs, Kevin Isifu, PNGDF Commander, Gilbert Toropo, Secretary Transport, Roy Mumu, Secretary for Provincial Affairs, Dickson Guinea, Water PNG Managing Director, Raka Taviri, and National and Civil Identity Registrar, Michael Kumung.

Petitioner Peter Wararu Waranaka challenged Maru’s election on six main grounds: 22 counts of bribery, undue influence, errors and omission, illegal practices, irregularities and forgery.

Waranaka was seeking a recount in the petition.

The matter went before Justice Ambeng Kandakasi for hearing one objection to competency motion, filed by Maru.

Maru’s lawyers put to court the petition was filed outside 40 days’ requirement and was incompetent. 

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, in his recent discussions with Fresh Produce Development Agency, noted that there is huge potential for exports of many of PNG’s indigenous crops to overseas markets.

Maru said the country needs to look at large scale commercial food production to address food security issues in the country, and also for exports.

Minister Maru held talks with FPDA to look at some exotic crops such as the kiwi fruit, which has a significant market demand in the country.

The Minister for National Planning, Richard Maru, opened the forum by highlighting the framework of the MTDPIII and urged District Authority CEOs to align their 5-year provincial and district plans to the national plan.

Minister Maru urged leaders of Southern Region to focus on raising revenue for their own provinces and districts because their current contribution to PNG’s national development is below average.

This is so that Papua New Guineans do not lose out in seasonal worker opportunities.

Minister for National Planning Richard Maru stated this after meeting with East Pack Limited, under New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme, to see how best it can expand the number of PNG seasonal workers in New Zealand.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, said this in his current visit to New Zealand.

Maru, who is leading a delegation in New Zealand, said these are areas that New Zealand has a comparative advantage over and can enhance the business-to-business relations between both countries.

He said New Zealand is a first world nation thriving on the non-extractive industry, which is the backbone of its economy that PNG has a lot to learn from.

This means looking to accelerate the poultry industry, tourism, creating employment opportunities and trade and investment prospects.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, said taking experiences and learning from countries that have vibrant economies riding on key industries and sectors such as these is critical.

One such country is New Zealand.

“Its main export earnings come from wool, dairy products, tourism and wine making which are significant parts of their economy.”

Minister for Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, said this in conference yesterday whilst highlighting the progress made in the formulation process of the government’s new Medium Term Development Plan 2018-2022 (MTDP3).

Following his previous briefing to the media, the Minister said the new plan, which will be called the Medium Term Development Plan 2018-2022 or MTDP3, would be formulated within the existing National Planning Framework.

This follows the murder of a bus driver on the Sepik Highway last Thursday. 

Maru made the declaration in a media conference today.

The Minister said his district will not tolerate further criminal behaviour in his district and has issued a warning to criminal elements.

Criminal activity has heightened, especially along the Sepik Highway, and the recent death of a bus driver has signalled the need for a hard handed response.