James Marape

First Parliament session tomorrow

James Marape, who will continue to serve as the Leader of Government Business for the second successive term, continuing from 2012, says Parliament will use the session as the opening ceremony.

“We will have the opening ceremony and adjourn to 12th of September to give time for Government to prepare its businesses that will include a supplementary budget that government is looking into.”

He said one of the priority agenda to be tabled during the Parliament session is the Independent Commission Against Corruption bill.

Personal emoluments costs state K300 million annually

This was revealed by Finance Minister, James Marape, today during the National Parliament Induction Programme for Members of Parliament.

Marape said the amount has been the same for the last five years and there needs to be some tightening up on the cost.

He told Chief Secretary, Isaac Luapari, in the presence of MPs as well as Departmental Heads who were present, to clamp down on these expenditure and make it a part of the their ‘Key Performance Indicators’ (KPI’s).

Hela leaders committed to serve people

In a joined media conference today, Governor Philip Undialu, Tari Pori MP James Marape, Koroba Kopiago MP Manasseh Makiba and Komo Margarima MP Petrus Thomas, have committed to serving their people and nothing else.

Leading the young province, Governor Undialu called on all the leaders in the province to set aside personnel differences and work together for the good of Hela.

He said Hela has not been achieving any tangible service delivery since becoming a province because of the infighting among political leaders.

​PNC respects NA comments

Marape says they respect the view of NA if they feel they are a better alternative to a People’s National Congress-led coalition government.

This follows the announcement by Member-elect for Namatanai, Walter Schnaubelt, in Port Moresby this week that NA was confident of forming the next government.

NA was a major coalition partner under the PNC-led government.

Marape said PNC was equally confident and will have more members when they head into camp.

Gamato commends Tari-Pori electorate for delivering successful election

He said a lot of people have spoken negative about the 2017 National Elections but the people of Tari-Pori have come in big numbers to deliver their member-elect.

He added that this tells a different but a good and successful story which also indicated that the LPV Electoral System is a proven and tested system.

Gamato made these remarks during the official presentation of the return of writs for the Tari-Pori electorate today.

Gamato said despite all the critics, he is confident that the 2017 National Election will not be a failure.

Highlands region counting begins

Counting for Tari-Pori Open electorate commenced today.

After count five, sitting MP, James Marape, is leading with 3,315 votes.

On second place is Jonny Pokaya Philip with 792 votes and Michael Joseph Pajawi on 451 votes.

Counting for Komo-Margarima and Koroba-Kopiago has been disrupted because of the issue of a petition.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato says additional security personnel have been deployed to provide security at the disrupted venues.

In Eastern Highlands Province, counting will commence on Friday, July 7.

Marape calls for support

Speaking at the Commissioning of the Nipa District Hospital in Nipa, Southern Highlands District on Thursday, Marape urged them to look around them and compare the basic services to the previous governments.

“For the past 40 years, we have been neglected and not be able to access basic services.

“However, this has changed since PNC take over and provide services to the people. We will continue to deliver the services if PNC is back and form the next government,” Marape told the more than 10,000 people gathered to witness the occasion.

Is Treasury Minister genuine?

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Tobias Kulang, told Loop PNG he is disappointed that his colleague Minister spoke against the Government.

Minister Kulang said if Pruaitch had an issue with the management of the economy, he should’ve spoken a long time ago and not on the eve of the elections.

“My question is, is he genuine? If he’s genuine he should’ve done that a long time ago.

“Now it’s just days away from the issuance of the writs so, I don’t know whether he’s truly genuine.

Marape: Don’t shy away for political convenience, Pruaitch

Marape issued a statement saying Patrick Pruaitch must take responsibility, as Treasurer and the chief economic minister of the O’Neill-Dion Government, who presided over the economy for the last few years, and he should not shy away for political convenience.

The Finance Minister  said this in response to the National Alliance Parliamentary Leader's public statement on the economy last Friday.

“The timing of his outburst cannot be more political than it is now as we confront  the 2017 National Elections,” the Minister said.

Government spends K4.89b on PSIP & DSIP

Finance Minister, James Marape made the announcement today during the 2017 Leaders Summit in Port Moresby.

He said many of these funding has gone to more than 80 per cent of Papua New Guineans living in rural areas.

Despite the many criticisms against the O’Neil led government, Marape said no previous government has matched its commitments with budgetary allocations.