Deputy Prime Minister

DPM disappointed with OC

DPM Basil, speaking at Wau on Friday, said six months was taken away from the people of Bulolo District as they waited for the leadership tribunal’s decision, where the case against him was dismissed in December 2021.

They now have a limited timeframe to deliver all projects and activities before the national elections.

Lack Of Protocol Upset Gazelle Leaders

Five LLG Presidents raised this concern following the unannounced visit by Deputy Prime Minister, Sam Basil to the district recently.

They said such actions was disrespectful to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and that Member for Gazelle, Jelta Wong was not made aware of the DPM's visit.

The leaders said for whichever reason Mr Basil was in the province for, it is only right to inform authorities on the ground so people are able to accord respect to the national leader.

Basil vows to defend against charges

Basil appeared before the Leadership Tribunal yesterday at the Waigani National Court.

After the hearing, Basil said: “The facts are that I have been referred by the Ombudsman Commission to the Office of the Public Prosecutor. Both institutions have assessed that I have a prima facie case of misconduct in office to answer; and therefore the Public Prosecutor has requested the Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika to appoint a Leadership Tribunal headed by Justice David Allen to hear the case.

K12bn in informal economy: DPM

Deputy Prime Minister Davis Steven announced this during the opening of the Investment Promotion Authority hosted Regulators Summit on Thursday, September 19th.

He said this is why there is now a focus on the informal sector by Prime Minister James Marape.

Speaking at the opening of the Regulators Summit, the Deputy Prime Minister said the Informal Sector National Audit Report which he launched recently revealed some surprising figures.

Minister stresses on whistleblowers' legislation

That protection must now be given through the whistleblowers’ legislation, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Davis Steven.

Papua New Guinea’s rating on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) that is revealed yearly by Transparency International PNG has not improved much in recent years.

Corruption is rife but while efforts are being made to improve our CPI rating, people with information or whistle blowers must be protected.

Govt yet to ID right landowner group

Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer, Charles Abel, said this recently when asked for an update on the payment issue.

More than two Koiari landowner groups have popped up in recent years, creating complications when it comes to the disbursement of royalties or land vetting and mobilisation funds.

The most recent issue encountered was when a large group of locals shut off water valves at the hydrostations on the 22nd of March, demanding K10 million in payment.

GDP to grow by 4pc: Treasurer

Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel, said this during the 3rd Petroleum and Energy Summit.

He said there were further encouraging signs with a modest but steady decline in inflation, which is expected to be around 5.4 percent.

The Deputy Prime Minister said Treasury will soon release the final Budget outcome for 2018 and there are some positive signs.

“I’m very pleased to report that after some difficulties were now seeing a welcome rebound in the economy and for your part, I want to thank you as investors in our country,” Abel said.

DPM on three-day Lae visit

The DPM and Governor were joined by the Members for Lae Open, John Rosso, and Finschhafen Open, Rainbow Paita, as they spent the day visiting a number of significant private sector investments.

Opening the latest K20 million upgrade to the Coca-Cola plant, the Deputy Prime Minister said: “It is encouraging to see our policy changes, including tariff adjustments, have given the private sector confidence to be making substantial investments like this.”

Moni Plus officially opens Alotau Branch

The ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel, and founding Director of Moni Plus, Bernard Chan.

Alotau signifies the fifth branch opening for Moni Plus in 2018, with other branches recently opened in Downtown Port Moresby, Lae, Mt Hagen and Kokopo this year.

Managing Director Gajanan Barve said he is very proud to bring the fast, quick and easy service that Moni Plus has become renowned for, to the people of Milne Bay Province.

DPM attends World Bank AGM

These meetings are held outside of Washington once every three years.

The DPM attended roundtable of early adopters of the Human Capital Project as one of 27 countries.

He expressed PNG’s condolences to Indonesia for the recent tsumami disaster.

Abel also spoke of the cross cutting issue of rapid population growth and its impacts on maternal and child health and macro pressures on government financing and the environment in developing countries.