New Ireland Provincial Government (NIPG)

Deputy Governor Sammy Missen chaired the meeting in absence of Governor, Sir Julius Chan.

Works Manager Collin Dickson updated the PIC and PEC on current infrastructural projects undertaken and funded by the Chan-Missen government such as upgrade work on Malendok and Boeng roads on Tanga Island and progress on the commencement of the Lihir and Mussau ring roads.

Dickson also announced that the Governor has directed for a facelift of Kavieng town roads including feeder roads into villages such as Kulangit, Omo and Sivasat.

One major discussion was the directive to address the colors of political red vehicles used by the police in the region.

During the meeting, Chairman for Law and Order, Edwin Maigen, urged the Transport, Provincial Government, and Motor Vehicle Insurance Trust to take immediate action by deregistering all red vehicles in New Ireland, including those assigned to the Police.

He emphasized the need for standardization, calling for all Police vehicles to be repainted in the traditional blue colors of the Royal Papua New Guinea Police Constabulary.

Minister for Fisheries, Jelta Wong, Minister for Public Service, Joe Sungi, East New Britain Governor, Michael Marum, and NIP PEC and Assembly Members also witnessed the occasion.

The five-star executive hotel contains sixteen rooms is built particularly for PEC and Assembly members and transiting executives, example, overseas consultants and Departmental Heads from Port Moresby.

In his address, Governor Sir Julius Chan said the project was another milestone for the province.

On top of the agenda was discussions on the submissions for Endorsement of increase in the number of Taxi Licenses Province wide, Expression of Interest by Enhance Group Seeking Interest to Establish a Central Fishing Operations and Processing Facility in New Ireland, and Gender Based Violence Against Women Policy. 

The Governor also found time to engage in dialogue with Nautilus, recently acquired by Deep Sea Mining Finance Ltd (DSMF) and Newcrest Mining Limited, on the Solwara 1 project in West Coast New Ireland.

Chief Executive Officer for Provincial Subsidy Officer, Mactil Bais made this statement following concerns raised by parents and students of New Ireland regarding the province’s free and subsidized education policy.

“The Provincial Subsidy Office is not processing new School Fee Subsidy payments for this 2023.

“During the time the policy was running, it was funded exclusively by the mining royalties from the Newcrest-Lihir Gold Mine.

Sir J said, “Corruption was growing like Cancer that is eating away at the very fabric of our society and needed to be addressed at all levels.”

He commanded the Senior Executives and Heads of State Agencies to do their part in ridding the corruption that has now become deeply entrenched in the public service machinery and society as a whole.

With over 50 years of his life devoted to politics and public life Sir J has gone through enough trials and tribulations to know that PNG’s current state is glaringly worrying and needs to be immediately rectified.

The chamber is of national standards that is significant for the people and leaders of Kavieng and its surrounding communities.

“You are not only councillors of your wards, but are Law Makers. You have the power of making laws and overseeing the proper implementation of those policies and laws for the good of your people.

Chairperson assisting the Governor on Finance, Misbil Nelson said the budget is being presented at a difficult time with big decrease in total revenue estimates at 25 percent, which is K60.2 million. 

“This drop in our revenue budget will affect our expenditure budget by K60.2 million but the NIP Government does not let difficult times stop its commitment to making life better for the People of New Ireland,” said Misbil Nelson.

The students were attacked recently by locals and left stranded. NIPG CEO for Education Apelis Benson said tickets have been organized for the students to travel this weekend.

“The New Ireland Provincial Administration has approved for the repatriation of the nine students displaced by the fighting at Dauli Teachers College.

These students will be flying over this weekend. Tickets are being organized by the Education Division,” Mr Benson said.

About K1,221,234.90 was withheld by the Provincial Government from service providers and companies this year as GST. 

This comes after the New Ireland Provincial Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Internal Revenue Commission in 2018, following a Provincial Executive Council decision to increase revenue internally as we move towards financial Autonomy.