Peter O’Neill

The visit will include a number of formal events with the President of the Philippines, H.E. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and meetings with technical experts in areas that include rice production.

He will also discuss a number of emerging bilateral opportunities between the two countries.

The Prime Minister said the two countries share a very warm history that continues to grow as greater technical and cultural exchange takes place.

He said this during the handing over of the International Convention Centre and the launch of the China-Aid APEC Road Projects.

O’Neill said since the country’s birth, PNG has remained committed to the One China Policy.

It was a colourful event with song and dance as the Chinese Ambassador to PNG, Xue Bing, and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill arrived for the ceremony, accompanied by Ministers and senior Government officials.

According to statements circulating on social media, the plane was provided by HH Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE.

It further stated that the plane left from Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, which is the UN World Food Programme’s largest humanitarian hub on Monday.

Among those supplies were the nutrient-dense disaster relief biscuits.

However, PM O’Neill told this newsroom that he have not been advised on this arrangement.

The Disaster Emergency Controller was also not aware of such arrangements.

Pruaitch in a statement called on O’Neill to go to Western Province and not only Hela and Southern Highlands Province.

However, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said these claims are all ‘rubbish’ and misleading.

He said the Disaster Committee have provided relief supplies and medicines to affected communities in Western Province, Gulf and parts of Telefomin district.

The PM said our country is resourceful rich but yet so poor.

He said most agreements that past leaders signed in resources are not favorable to our country.

“Parking all these revenues exports overseas and not bringing foreign exchange back into the country.”

He further added that most decisions allowed for more tax concessions that are favorable to resource companies where they are making billions of kina while we are getting very little from our very own resources.

The overcast day has done nothing to dampen the festive atmosphere, fused with the vivid provincial flags of orange and light blue colour and traditional costumes.

Students in school uniforms, police and correctional service personnel, residents, government officials and the media have gathered outside the white mansion.

The building is quite similar to the Queen Emma mansion in Rabaul, East New Britain Province.

Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill and his delegation of Government ministers will be officiating at the event.

More to follow.

This statement by Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, who is in New Ireland Province for the opening of the Namatanai Government House, was met with loud applause.

The PM and his delegation of Government ministers were received with much fanfare in Namatanai this morning.

The subject that dominated all speeches was autonomy.

PM O'Neill said New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan never failed to broach the subject of provincial empowerment at every opportunity.

"I want you to know that you have a believer in me," stated the PM.

A traditionally-attired Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt was on site to welcome PM O'Neill, New Ireland Province Governor Sir Julius Chan and the government delegation.

The group is here to open the Namatanai Government House, a much-needed infrastructure for the province.

Accompanying the PM was Mining Minister Johnson Tuke, Energy and Petroleum Minister Fabian Pok, Inter-Government Relations Minister Kevin Isifu, Madang Governor Peter Yama and State Enterprises Minister William Duma, among others.

More to follow...

Sir Mekere said it is time for the Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, to stop talking and start acting, to stop blaming others for the mess the nation is in, and to introduce an immediate program of reform and reconstruction.

PM O’Neill in response to Sir Mekere’s statement told this newsroom that the process of Government is well entrenched and cannot be influenced or controlled by one person.

“This is totally rubbish”.

O’Neill further explained that the difference between Sir Mekere’s leadership and his was that he always get things done.

PNG is the only MSG country who is an APEC member, and using its power as host to invite its Melanesian brothers to have the opportunity of meeting world leaders.

In his briefing as Chair on key decisions of the MSG leaders retreat, O’Neill said Papua New Guinea is the only developing Pacific Island member of APEC, and it will continue to present the views of the Pacific in the Asia-Pacific.

Hence O’Neill said PNG has a very strong commitment to share the benefits of hosting APEC with Pacific Island nations.