Peter O’Neill

Government improving health sector: Prime Minister

“Health is a strong foundation for our government, when we took government four years ago the health system in the country was on the verge of collapsed, in fact it was in ICU itself.

“Truly for the first time we are funding are national health development plan, we have this 10 year development plan in the country but have never funded it (by past governments).

Businesses must reinvest in PNG: O’Neill

“Companies cannot expect to take from the country only; they must give back to the country as well, give back more so to the people,” O’Neill said.

He made this comment during the launching of the rebranding of Oil Search Foundation yesterday.  

The foundation is the humanitarian arm of Oil Search Limited.      

“Thanked Oil Search directors and management for generous financial commitment of the betterment of the people, it will change lots of life in the country,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill confident to remain as PM

A tired looking prime minister fronted the media around 4:15pm straight after arriving from Alotau.

After four nights in the capital of Milne Bay Province reviewing its achievements of the last four years and maintaining its Alotau Accord before the Vote of No-Confidence count tomorrow, O’Neill boasted that he has the numbers.

During the head count, there were 76 MPs present and the Leader of Government Business and Finance Minister James Marape said five more MPs are not present.

With 81 MPs confirmed, Prime Minister O’Neill says his government is intact.  

Do not play with people’s lives says Juffa

That is the words from Northern Province Governor Gary Juffa when urging Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to release outstanding disaster funds for his people dating back to 2012.        

His comments followed another flood washing away the wet crossing at Girua last night, the second time in the space of three months.

“It exceptionally important that the national government make available the funds that is due to the province, that is about K3 million promised by the prime minister in 2012 at the Independence Oval.

Advisors and consultants are major beneficiaries of LNG project: O’Neill

O’Neill revealed this today at Parliament during Question Time with a question from Sinasina Yongumgl MP Kerenga Kua.

Kua was asking about how secure the country’s economy from the PNG LNG project revenue was as mentioned by Finance Minister James Marape in the previous parliament session in 2015.

“Minister for Finance James Marape has assured the parliament that the gas price was locked in a foreword sales gas marketing agreement and that any decline in prices will not impact the revenue,” he said.

O’Neill challenges Opposition to prove its claims

O’Neill said most of what Polye is raising on the floor of Parliament are results of what the previous government had made decisions on.

“It’s a grandstanding to the highest degree for us to come and say anything we want to say but we must be responsible on what we say and factual about what we say,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill admitted that the country’s currency had been under pressure but has never declined as describe by Polye.

He said the country’s total debt is K17 billion below the total GDP and not K24 billion as claimed by the Opposition.

O’Neill says PNG is doing fine

This was the assurance given by the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill who stated that Papua New Guinea has the basic fundamentals that will enable us to ride through the current global commodity decline.

In his address last night at the People’s National Congress fundraiser he outlined that while the global commodities are on the decline and economic growth are uncertain PNG’s gold reserves are heathy, the interest rates are low and employment rates are growing.

PM welcomes senior appointments

PM O’Neill said the appointment of Deputy Commissioners Jim Andrews (Operations), Raphael Huafolo (Administration) and Alan Scott (Reform, Training and APEC) will provide a substantial boost to raising the capacity of the police service.

“We are drawing on the demonstrated experience and capabilities of Deputy Commissioners Andrews and Huafolo to enhance stability and discipline,” the Prime Minister said.

“We further welcome the appointment of Alan Scott who brings with him international experience and respect from personnel in the RPNGC.

PM and bank boss to parade PNG prospects for investors

It will be a prime minister pumped up from an apparently successful visit to India and agreement with that country for soft loans and improved ties between the two countries.

Mr O’Neill will deliver the keynote address this morning at the annual Papua New Guinea Advantage Investment Summit.

The summit is a two-day conference on “the Pacific’s fastest growing economy and Australia’s nearest neighbor …..Papua New Guinea’’.