Prime Minister Peter O’Neill

Court adjourns PM’s stay application

The Court said there was no urgency for the court to hear the stay application today.

The Prime Minister is seeking to stay the process of the Private Business Committee, in the event another motion of Vote of No Confidence is filed by the Opposition.

The Opposition's Vote of No Confidence motion against the Prime Minister filed on 7 May 2019 was withdrawn on 20 May.

O’Neill, Pruaitch congratulate Morrison

PM O’Neill said when it comes to Australian domestic politics, the Government of Papua New Guinea will always work closely with the elected government of the day irrespective of politics.

When sending his congratulatory message, O’Neill also thanked the outgoing Labor Leader, Bill Shorten, for his support for Papua New Guinea during his term as Opposition Leader.

“The Government looks forward to completing joint projects that we have underway with Australia that will benefit both countries.”

PNG delegation to visit Russia

The invitation was made by Russia’s Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, during bilateral discussions at the APEC Leaders’ Summit in Port Moresby last November.

During his recent visit to China, the Prime Minister discussed the visit with Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin.

The visit will take place with a focus on opportunities in the global LNG sector.

O’Neill clarified that while there has not been much exchange with Russia in the past, this has been growing in recent years, particularly since Papua New Guinea’s emergence in the LNG sector.

PM responds to resignation of MPs, governors

Speaking from Beijing, the Prime Minister said he respected the decisions made by each individual Member of Parliament.

Yesterday, five members of the ruling PNC Party resigned.

The five MPs to resign from PNC include Governors Sir Peter Ipatas (Enga), Philip Undialu (Hela), William Powi (Southern Highlands), and Open MPs Davis Steven (Esa’ala) and Manasseh Makiba (Komo-Margarima).

Sir Ipatas and Steven both return to join the People’s Party, which he said follows an understanding with O’Neill made after the 2012 National Election.

PM accepts Davis Steven’s resignation

Steven announced his resignation as PNG’s Chief Legal Advisor yesterday morning, saying he will now have ample time to focus on his electorate of Esa’ala in Milne Bay Province.

In a statement, O’Neill said: “Davis Steven has discussed with me the need for him to concentrate more on the Esa’ala electorate in the coming years, and I accept his resignation”.

“The region is still rebuilding after the earthquake and there is a lot of work to be done.

“His people are suffering and as the elected Member, he is focusing on rebuilding communities.

Papua LNG Agreement to be signed

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill made the announcement during day one of the 3rd Petroleum and Energy Summit in Port Moresby, which will end on Thursday.

The signing of the Project agreement paves way for Front End Engineering Design (FEED) and eventual construction.

The announcement by the Prime Minister follows the signing of the MOU in November of 2018 which provided a framework for key terms and conditions to be included within the Gas Agreement, including tax rates and domestic market obligation.

PM announces Maprik impact projects

O’Neill told a huge crowd that the government will build a market in Maprik, upgrade the Hayfield airport and seal the town area.

At the opening of a K4 million health centre in Maprik, the PM said the project, which is co-funded by ADB, AusAID and the national and provincial governments, is a new initiative by the government to bring services right into the community.

Madang airport project launched

The contingent was welcomed at the airport by Madang Governor Peter Yama where they proceeded to his first engagement of the day.

The ground breaking ceremony of Madang airport will pave way for an aircraft pavement upgrade, new terminal building and other associated works.

This is a project valued at K77.5 million under Civil Aviation Authority’s CADIP program – jointly funded by ADB and World Bank – and will be built by HBS and ASSAR contractors.

Construction will commence in March and is anticipated to be completed in August 2020.

O’Neill visits Okapa

Member for Okapa, Saki Hacky Soloma, said this when welcoming O’Neill and his delegation, who are on a two-day visit through the Eastern Highlands and Madang provinces.

The same sentiments were echoed by Member for Kainantu and Minister for Mining, Johnson Ibo Tuke, speaking for the other district Members in the province.

The first stop on the trip is to officially launch the Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership.

Kroton share transfer to LOs still stands

O’Neill said the Kroton equity shares are now owned outright by the State and they will look at the option of transferring the shares to the beneficiaries.

He said this in Parliament early this week when questioned by Komo-Margarima MP, Manasseh Makiba.

The Komo-Margarima MP asked the Prime Minster to clarify confusion among landowners regarding the Kroton equity shares.