Longtime resident and former governor for Madang, Sir Peter Barter, has thanked Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for having confidence in Madang and bringing the APEC Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting to the province.
Sir Peter however, exclusively told this newsroom that Madang has never been getting good media attention on what is happening in the province.
“The image of Madang has suffered very much over the past years.”
He said Madang deserves better as it is a very beautiful province in the country and such bad publicities cannot help in terms of tourism benefits to the province.
“I was very happy for the Prime Minister, who kept his promise and allowed for the APEC meeting in our province.”
He said his only embarrassment was the involvement of a huge number of security personnel that accompanied the delegates to Madang.
“Such huge involvement of police and PNGDF personnel has indicated that Madang is not a safe place, which is not true.
“Madang is a very beautiful place with kind hearted people who are always law abiding.”
Sir Peter added that the presence of security is good but not that much involvement.
He was very impressed as a Madang leader that all the delegates have expressed satisfaction on their stay in Madang.
As part of the APEC delegate visits, Sir Peter took them on a boat cruise over the waters of Madang in his own ship, Kalibobo Spirit, on Friday after the meeting.
(Participants of the APEC Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting)