Minister for Inter-Government Relations

K33m for LLG elections

Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Pila Niningi, confirmed this in Parliament today.

The Minister responsible clarified that K13m was released earlier, and K20m only recently.

“The funds have been released already. A total of K33 million was budgeted. I urge MPs to please chip in and assist because K33 million may not be enough.”

Minister Niningi received backlash from Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt, who demanded to know what the actual budget is to fund an LLG election, in order for MPs to know how much they can budget for this exercise.

No need for motion of no confidence: Maru

In a press conference held today with the Wewak MP and Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Kevin Isifu, Maru said the people of Yangoru-Saussia district have seen tangible development and services reach them for the first time under this People’s National Congress-led government.

“As far as I am concerned, there is no need for a vote of no confidence because there is no justification to warrant one against the current government led by Peter O’Neill,” he stated.

APEC Senior Disasters Management Officials Forum commences in Kokopo

Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Hon. Kevin Isifu in his welcoming remarks said that early warning is a key enabler for and core to effective disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

“Early warning is vital for us to direct often-finite amounts of resources to support timely, relevant and appropriate actions, starting with a persistent scanning of the horizon for hazards,” said Minister Isifu.

He added that the SDMOF theme has significant convergence with the overall APEC 2018 theme of “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future.”

APEC Senior Disasters Management Officials Forum commences in Kokopo

Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Hon. Kevin Isifu in his welcoming remarks said that early warning is a key enabler for and core to effective disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

“Early warning is vital for us to direct often-finite amounts of resources to support timely, relevant and appropriate actions, starting with a persistent scanning of the horizon for hazards,” said Minister Isifu.

He added that the SDMOF theme has significant convergence with the overall APEC 2018 theme of “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future.”

Muthuvel questions Govt on electoral boundaries

Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Kevin Isifu, said this when responding to questions raised by West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel in Parliament on Friday.

Biala LLG in WNB has a population of 60,000 people while Talasea district has close to 300,000 people; making service delivery a challenge.

Governor Muthuvel asked if the government was serious about the electoral boundaries separation and create additional districts.

MK LLG nominations open today, dates announced

This follows the announcement of the issuing of the writs today by Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Kevin Isifu.

The Minister also announced the confirmed dates for the Motu-Koita LLG Elections.

Minister Isifu signed off a total of 17 election writs today signifying the start of the election process for the Motu-Koita Assembly.

The Minister today issued:

Proposed SME centre at border

Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Kevin Isifu, says the SME facility will be established once land is identified.

The Minister responsible for the Wutung Border Post in West Sepik says an international bus service and terminal have also been proposed.

The SME facility will accommodate locals at the border to sell their goods to visiting Indonesians.

“We will properly identify the area that they (SMEs) can be able to do their marketing. So the SME business will be relocated as soon as we find the land,” Isifu said.

Border Development Authority to be abolished

This intention was made known during a recent trip by a Government delegation to Wutung to inspect PNG’s border facilities, which have been left idle after being completed in 2014.

Minister Kevin Isifu said: “I know there is a lot of failure by the Border Development Authority in the past, and as the minster responsible, I have made the decision to abolish Border Development Authority and to bring back the responsibility under my Ministry so that we can effectively manage the border.”

750K leaves PNG shores weekly

Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Kevin Isifu, revealed this during the three-day Government fact-finding mission to West Sepik Province.

He said this is one of the major contributors to the cash flow shortage in the country.

Minster Isifu said trade from both sides of PNG-Indonesia border is unbalanced.

“We have one side trading off our currency and business activity. Over K750,000 Papua New Guineans spend over the border, money going over to Indonesia,” he stated.

Minister Isifu said this is something that he will look into.

Kokoda Track Authority review starts

The review comes under the Special Purposes Authority and administered by the Ministry and Department.

The Kokoda Track Authority was established under section 42 of the Local Level Government Administration Act 1997.

It aims to help implement projects and manage benefits derived from the Kokoda Trail to best serve the communities and villages along the track, both in Central and Northern provinces.

“Over the years we have received a lot of complaints from landowners and respective players to review the arrangement,” explained Minister Isifu.