National Planning and Monitoring Minister

Tax credit funding for road projects: Basil

National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Sam Basil, made this announcement on his first day in the new portfolio.

Minister Basil was at the launch of the September 2nd national network road strategy in Port Moresby and said he wants to work closely with the Works Department to address road issues in the country.

Police barracks for Jiwaka, Hela

Minister Richard Maru made his intention known during a recent trip to Jiwaka Province.

The National Planning and Monitoring Minister, after visiting the Mt Hagen Technical College, made his way up to Jiwaka Province to survey proposed sites for potential projects.

Minister Richard Maru said to discuss the building of two provincial police barracks with the Police Minister and together, they would bring their submissions to Cabinet for approval.

MSMEs essential for PNG’s economy: Minister

National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Richard Maru, said this is important due to the sheer size of the small business sector and the need to broaden the economic base.

He said this during the opening of the ABAC MSME & Innovation Summit yesterday in Port Moresby.

Minister Maru said MSMEs drive the economy forward and provide food and shelter for millions of people in PNG.

He stated that MSMEs contributed 30 percent of PNG’s GDP providing employment and economy, participation of 80 percent of the population, the largest by any sector.

Consistency and government involvement needed

He said this during the ITCS Stakeholders Workshop in Port Moresby on Wednesday.

Minister Maru did not mince his words during his remarks at the ITCS workshop, highlighting issues he said the government want reviewed and discussed.

He said ITCS projects must be consistent with national and local level plans, be fairly distributed across the country, and have government involvement in the consultation and procurement process.

He said there has been no oversight over ITCS and this has to change.

Maru pledges funding

Minister Maru was impressed with the planning of the proposed treatment and said he will make sure funding is made immediately.

The Minister made this remarks during a visit this week to the Port Moresby General Hospital to see where the POMGEN Management and Board are with plans since the announcement to have a cancer and heart facility.

Hospital CEO, Umesh Gupta, presented Maru the plan which utilises existing infrastructures and available space to open the new specialist centres.

K50m to build new Banab bridge: Maru

National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Richard Maru, said this yesterday when addressing locals at the site of the collapsed bridge.

The Banab Bridge collapsed 10 weeks ago, affecting locals from Bogia to Sumkar, even as far as West Sepik, from travelling to Madang Town.

The Banab Bridge has been down for more than two months, not only affecting travellers’ access but also economic activity in the area.

Yesterday, Minister Maru visited the site of the collapsed bridge and personally advised locals on the amount of money needed to construct a new bridge.

Pilot NID rollout in districts

National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Richard Maru, is now calling on one district from each of the four regions that is interested in participating in the rollout to step out.

Maru has put forward his district of Yangoru-Saussia as the pilot site for Momase Region.

Minister Maru said the pilot projects aim to trial techniques and technologies that can be used around the country.

VIDEO: 2018 budget focus

Minister Maru said this today in Day Three of the Inaugural National Agriculture Summit in Port Moresby.

The Minister said the 2018 Budget will see funding for economic growth double, with a major focus on Agriculture.

 

Sophie Yaruso with more

 

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K25m revenue shortfall for Manus Province

This was revealed by National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Richard Maru, during a visit to the Province last weekend.

According to a statement, Maru led a high level delegation to N’Drahukei on the West Coast of Manus Island for a proposed fisheries industrial hub when he made the announcement.