2018 APEC summit

The Central Supply and Tenders Board (CSTB), on behalf of the Finance Department, is inviting the general public to bid for the 40 Maserati and three Bentleys under public tender – DSA 01/2019.

The units will be sold through public tender on “as is where is” basis, a term that means the buyer accepts the item “with all faults”, whether or not it is immediately apparent.

These were made known in a brief closed-door bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, November 19^th.

 On behalf of Hong Kong’s Premier, Lam told Prime Minister O’Neill that Hong Kong is happy to share its experiences with PNG in various aspects as far as capacity building is concerned.

“We look forward to seeing you again in future meetings or when you next visit Hong Kong.”

This morning’s exercise was a culmination of 5 years of joint security preparation and planning for APEC.

The 2018 APEC summit is gaining momentum and all preparations of the Joint Security Task Force since 2013 are now being put to test.

The exercise this morning was to test all security capacities and elements required for and during the APEC summit.

“The exercise was designed to test our preparedness and elements that are all going to take part in the APEC operations,” reiterated Assistant Commissioner Naua Vanuawaru.

This morning saw the graduation of the first Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary motorcade training program at the PNGDF Air Transport Wing in Port Moresby.

AFP Program Manager, Michael Smith said the riders are attached to the RPNGC motorcycle section.

“They ride the motorcycle and we’ve just enhanced their skills and they will be used to assist as the training progresses to help identify riders of motorcycles.

Smith said motor cycles are not very common in PNG so trying to find some depth in skill is quite unique as we’re working together in partnership.

The training was carried in conjunction with the RPNGC Traffic Directorate.

Assistant Police Commissioner for Operations, Jim Andrews on behalf of the Commissioner for Police presented the officers their medal to signify their completion of skill enhancement and practical training.

ACP Andrews thanked the Australian Federal Police through the Australian Government for putting into motion the initiative of training the members of the RPNGC especially the traffic division.

Contractor, China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) will begin civil works this week at the contracted cost of K45, 235, 285.

The four lane road work will start after the reclaiming process and will be expected to start construction around May this year.

The landscaping of the Ela Beach is expected to start right after the completion of the road and that will be around January 2018.

By April 2018, the actual work would have been completed with the final touch up work to be done two months prior to the 2018 APEC Summit.

Assistant Police Commissioner for Operations, Jim Andrews said the plans for security with the help of foreign intelligence from our neighbours, has come a long way and is progressive.

ACP Andrews says that with those plans, we will need all the assistance we can get from foreign friends like Australia, New Zealand to name a few.

He says he is hopeful that all security planning towards the 2018 APEC Summit will be very successful.

“This is our main strategic aim and that is to provide the best in terms of security related details.”

Office of Security Coordination and Assessment, Director General Ian Jinga in his address to the media about the APEC Security Working Partners Group says so far, this is the fifth partners working group that is currently in progress now.

The aim of the working group meet is to invite our neighbouring country forces to come and support PNG host the 2018 APEC Summit.

“Security is the pillar of the entire APEC 2018 meet and we need to get the security aspect right.”

Commissioner for Police, Gari Baki, says: “The meeting is by far the biggest and most significant global meeting to be ever staged on PNG soil and therefore it is imperative for the Constabulary to heighten it security planning for this major international event.”

He says RPNGC will continue to interact with other state institutions, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Defence, the National Airport Corporation, Customs and others in the spirit of whole-of-government approach geared towards ensuring APEC is successfully hosted in PNG.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Rimbink Pato, announced this yesterday.

The United States have also shown interest informing PNG they are on stand by to assist where necessary.

“They’ve agreed to form a partnership with PNG on the future arrangement with PNG for the delivery of the best ever Pacific APEC in 2018,” Pato said.

Minister Pato will be meeting Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop, early next month as well as the New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully either before that meeting or after.