Minister

Agencies to be engaged in Referendum

Minister for Bougainville Peace Agreement and Implementation, in the ABG Government, Albert Punghau, confirmed this in front of people in Arawa during the referendum roadshow on Tuesday.

Punghau said neutral agencies will be engaged during the referendum.

He said the Government of PNG and Bougainville through the Joint Supervisory Body have resolved outstanding issues in relation to the referendum.

“The question to be put has been resolved by the two governments and the option to be put into the referendum to the people of Bougainville has also been resolved.”

Caretaker minister meets with senior public servants

Speaking at The Holiday Inn ballroom this morning, Minister Johnson Tuke told heads of departments and state agencies under his care that they must work with the new government to achieve the visions and goals set by Prime Minister James Marape to ensure that PNG becomes a “rich black Christian nation” based upon principles of honesty, truth and sheer hard work.

Minister Tuke also asked those present to “earn their living on an honest pay” as stated by PM Marape in his inauguration speech to the country.

Mori calls for support

Mori make these remarks when recently meeting with the heads of state agencies that come under his ministry.

He said there are various divisions within his department that play key roles in the development of the country.

Mori added that because his ministry will be playing a major role in hosting the APEC in 2018 and must be given that utmost support from the government.

The minister also highlighted that there will be some measures imposed in the department to improve the economic wellbeing and sustain it in the long run.

Connectivity Development Workshop underway

This is one of the planned outcomes of the 2nd Sub-Regional Workshop on Connectivity Development  currently underway in Port Moresby,.

The event was officially opened on Thursday March 16 by Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary, Alexis Maino, on behalf of Minister, Rimbink Pato,

Maino said  the two-day event provided an opportunity to discuss and share experiences and best practices amongst experts and officials to improve transportation and telecommunication infrastructures; effective institutions, mechanisms and processes; and people t people contacts.

Non-payment of UN fee a disgrace: Kua

Papua New Guinea’s voting right in the UN was suspended due to non-payment of its membership fee of US$180,000 (K571,000).

"This government has been reckless and cannot hide anymore behind the excuse of commodity prices. When the previous government was thrown out illegally, our economy was buoyant despite the Great Financial Crisis that affected world economies in 2008,” Kua said.

"Therefore if the PNG UN Mission has used up its operating costs, it also means the Government has been reckless in not funding operating costs forcing the Mission to divert funds.

Polye calls out Awesa

Following Minister Francis Awesa’s statement slamming him for misleading his Kandep people on road projects, Polye has denied playing politics with road infrastructure in his district.

Polye reiterated that the writing was on the wall, saying projects worth more than K150 million for his district were denied of when he was sacked as the Treasury Minister in March 2013.