Minister for National Planning

Minister for National Planning, Richard Maru, presented a cheque of K500,000 to Member for Markham, Koni Iguan, while Markaham District will put forward K700,000 as its part of the counter-funding.

Present to witness the handover of the payment was Acting Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Koney Samuel, and his Executive Officer, Dennis Kulanawi.

Minister Maru said the Mutzing Police Station was a strategic asset given the history of numerous traffic accidents along the Highlands Highway, including the Morobe section of the highway.

The unit will be in the province for the next three months.

Minister Maru said the move to have MS13 in his district is to ensure law and order is maintained as the multimillion-kina Sepik chicken, grain and cocoa project kicks off construction phase in the coming weeks.

He urged the team to ensure the protection of State assets.

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.

This follows the suspension of former head of NSO, Roko Koloma, and the establishment of an investigation team into the NID project.

“In welcoming these positive steps taken by the Minister, TIPNG strongly feels that there is still much to be concerned about in terms of public interest and accountability of public funds apparently splurged on this project,” stated the anti-rot agency.

The Minister for National Planning, Richard Maru, opened the forum by highlighting the framework of the MTDPIII and urged District Authority CEOs to align their 5-year provincial and district plans to the national plan.

Minister Maru urged leaders of Southern Region to focus on raising revenue for their own provinces and districts because their current contribution to PNG’s national development is below average.

This is so that Papua New Guineans do not lose out in seasonal worker opportunities.

Minister for National Planning Richard Maru stated this after meeting with East Pack Limited, under New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme, to see how best it can expand the number of PNG seasonal workers in New Zealand.

This follows the murder of a bus driver on the Sepik Highway last Thursday. 

Maru made the declaration in a media conference today.

The Minister said his district will not tolerate further criminal behaviour in his district and has issued a warning to criminal elements.

Criminal activity has heightened, especially along the Sepik Highway, and the recent death of a bus driver has signalled the need for a hard handed response.

The Minister for National Planning, Richard Maru, was responding to calls made by the Chairman of Transparency International, Lawrence Stephens, for the government to cease all funding to the NID rollout project, until such a time that the management of the project provides full acquittals of the K230 million that has been expanded on the project since its inception in 2015.

The EPA aims to consolidate on forty-two years of diplomatic relations between both countries.

Minister for National Planning, Richard Maru, said the decision to enter an economic partnership is a result of India’s recognition that PNG has much business and other opportunities for Indian businesses and the people of India.

The Partnership Arrangement for Improved Decentralisation and Service Delivery was recently signed at Parliament House by Kevin Isifu, Minister for Inter-Government Relations; Richard Maru, Minister for National Planning and Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis.

The Partnership will support Papua New Guinea’s priority of improving service delivery, economic opportunities and community development by empowering provinces and districts.