Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel

PNC remains solid: DPM

Addressing the media this evening at the Crown Hotel, in the presence of Milne Bay Governor John Luke Crittin, Abel stressed on teamwork “despite our good brothers leaving us”.

“We certainly take on board all those issues that were raised by our brothers and issues that were raised by myself,” he said.

“And I’m so thankful that the party and our Prime Minister, has the understanding attitude that they have, we go forward together, we take on those issues, and as a team, we continue to respond to those issues.

NiuPower Plant 80pc complete

This was revealed following a site visit by NiuPower Joint Venture owners Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited and Oil Search limited.

Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel, was also on the tour.

NiuPower Project Director, Michael Krause, said the project is 80% complete and will handed over early next year.

“The plant will be handed over to NiuPpwer’s ownership in the first quarter of next year and then be available to provide reliable low cost, clean energy, to the grid for the Port Moresby business sector and the public,” he said.

New inline AFP deployment discussed

Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel said both the Royal PNG Constabulary and the Australian Federal Police will need to agree to work on the best means to achieve this.

This was discussed during Abel’s visit to Australia last week.

The proposed arrangement will take into consideration the 2005 court decision which went in favour of former Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge, that the Enhanced Co-operation Program (ECP) was unconstitutional.

The ECP, worth AUD$1 billion, saw the deployment of AFP officers in PNG.

K24.3bn in debt paid: Treasurer

Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel said the Government is on par with fulfilling its obligations and repaying loans as scheduled.

Abel sought leave from Parliament today to announce the country’s debt in the first three months after being asked by Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt in the last sitting of Parliament.

Abel explained that the Government’s debt was paid in month-by-month basis and varies depending on the obligations that the loan scheduling, in relation to different types of financing, the Government had.

Largest, complex underground PNG mine

The team from Wafi-Golpu yesterday presented the feasibility study update to Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel and Mining Minister Johnson Tuke in Port Moresby.

The update will form part of a revised proposal for development in support of the Special Mining Lease application, which was also submitted to the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) in Port Moresby the same day (March 20).