James Marape

The Prime Minister also gave his firm commitment that the government will not harm the country’s reputation as a safe investment destination.

The Prime Minister made this statement when responding to former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on the shutdown of Ramu Mine.

O’Neill had said the decision to close the mine was not economical.

The national land reform program phase II was launched in Port Moresby on the evening of October 17^th.

During the launch in Port Moresby, Prime Minister James Marape said every Papua New Guinean is a landowner.

“We all own land which is a valuable and central asset to our societies,” he said.

“Land reform is a vehicle for ordinary Papua New Guineans to constructively engage in the opportunities that will be provided through successful implementation of this reform.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Soroi Eoe made this clear in parliament on October 16^th.

He was asked that simple and significant question by member for Rabaul Dr Allan Marat.

Dr Marat said the policy had changed overtime that is was important they stick to one.

Prime Minister James Marape on October 14^th met with his Solomon Islands counterpart, Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, in Port Moresby.

Economic trade and investment was among areas of mutual interest both leaders discussed during their meet in Port Moresby yesterday.

Border Security, the Bougainville Referendum, labour mobility and employment opportunities and issues surrounding the Melanesian Spearhead Group were among those high on the agenda.

Prime Minister James Marape made this announcement on the floor of Parliament after being questioned by Opposition Leader and Vanimo-Green MP, Belden Namah.

Waves of mass protests and violence have hit the region of West Papua since mid-August.

The Human Rights Watch has reported the recent death of 33 people during the Wamena riots in Papua, and said “since September 29, 2019, at least 8,000 indigenous Papuan and other Indonesians have been displaced from their homes in Papua”.

When responding to a ‘question without notice’ from North-Fly MP, James Donald, in Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 8), Prime Minister James Marape said they aim to implement the initiative starting next year.

“That is something that we are preparing and our Minister for Higher Education is in advanced stage in tailoring the exact principles and policies towards how we will ensure this comes to fruition or materialises,” responded Marape.

“And agriculture will generate income for the family and the nation,” said Prime Minister James Marape during the October 4th South Pacific Institute of Sustainable Agriculture Conference, which was held at the University of Technology in Lae.

“The greatest individual, country and global need is not oil, gas, gold, iron, timber, etc but food and oxygen. We have both here in abundance in PNG.

The reference was fixed for hearing tomorrow, 20^th September, however that will not take place now, with the matter adjourned to the registry.

Principal of Henao Lawyers, Loani Henao, appeared in court on instructions from Patrick Pruaitch this morning, replacing Young and Williams law firm which ceased to act for the former Opposition Leader.

The Supreme Court reference went to court for directions this morning where Henao made it known that he has been instructed by Pruaitch to file a notice to discontinue the proceeding, given the change in circumstances.

He expressed this sentiment at the 44^th Independence dinner on the evening of September 16^th outside the House of Parliament.

The 44^th Independence dinner, or the Prime Minister’s dinner, was a first of its kind that saw executives of corporate bodies, heads of missions and commissions as well as Members of Parliament in attendance.

Prime Minister James Marape said the main objective of the event was to acknowledge and commend the private sector, as well as establish a rapport.

Marape was welcomed by the ABG Leaders and was received by a guard of Honour by the Bougainville Police Services and Correctional Service.

The Prime Minister and his delegation was accorded the Bougainville Traditional welcome Tsutsu(washing of the feet).

He will chair the NEC at 1pm and later address the ABG House of Representatives or the Bougainville Parliament at 2pm.