Prime Minister

A media briefing was held this morning to brief media on the agenda, key speakers and officiators of the summit for the next two days.

His Eminence, Sir John Cardinal Ribat during the meet this morning said that the summit will be opened tomorrow by Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill.

“The summit will unite the heads of churches throughout Papua New Guinea and will discuss sensitive issues relating to HIV and AIDS such as Gender Based Violence (GBV), stigma and discrimination, human rights, access to service in issues affecting the key population’s in the country.

Speaking on International Women’s Day, PM O’Neill said all women and men must take heed of the theme this year of “Be Bold for Change” and work together for gender equality.

“Today, in Papua New Guinea and around the world, we give thanks for the contribution of our mothers, daughters, sisters and all women in our communities,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is a day to not only recognise the achievements that have been made in advancing the rights of women, but most importantly to make greater progress.

Speaking on International Women’s Day, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said: “With education, and improved literacy and numeracy skills, women have greater opportunities to have careers and to start businesses.

“With education, women are better informed to make family planning choices and to be able to decide if and at what point in their lives to have a family.

“We must never let the opportunity for free education be lost in the future, and we must continue to ensure girls have equal an opportunity to enjoy their right to education.”

Family mourns death of radio legend Roger Hau'ofa

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/family-mourns-death-radio-legend-roger-hauofa-53746

The family of radio legend the late Roger Hau'ofa is saddened and in mourning following his death on Saturday, March 4.

PM welcomes court decision on nomination fees

The Supreme Court has refused the application by the Ombudsman Commission for an injunction that would have prevented Parliament from debating, deliberating and voting on National Election Nomination Fees and Petition Filing Fees.

O’Neill said the proposed amendments will strengthen democratic process to enable true contenders to stand for elections, and will help prevent the malicious use of the court system after elections.

PNG Socialist Party wants people to vote prime minister

http://www.looppng.com/elections/png-socialist-party-wants-people-vote-prime-minister-53681

​Party founder and non-parliamentarian leader of PNG Socialist Party (PNGSP) wants the people to vote for the country’s Prime Minister.

BSP Records K643.5m profit

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill confirmed the new dates with Loop PNG this afternoon.

The summit will coincide with the last sitting of the 9^th Parliament on March 28.

It was first cancelled on Feb 8 to Feb 27 -28, but did not eventuate on the deferred date.

Chief Secretary to Government, Isaac Lupari, in an earlier statement said, the two day programme will highlight the outcome of the O'Neill-Dion Government

Lupari said the meeting was pushed back after a number of provincial delegations experienced travel delays.

Following Minister Francis Awesa’s statement slamming him for misleading his Kandep people on road projects, Polye has denied playing politics with road infrastructure in his district.

Polye reiterated that the writing was on the wall, saying projects worth more than K150 million for his district were denied of when he was sacked as the Treasury Minister in March 2013.

I do not give orders to PNGEC: Prime Minister

“I do not give instructions to the PNG Electoral Commissioner,” says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/i-do-not-give-orders-pngec-prime-minister-50978

PM O’Neill said there will be a clarification of some measures that were included in the 2017 Budget that are intended to ensure that entities who are not paying their fair share of tax will be compelled to do so.

“We need a review of some taxation measures so as to eliminate any confusion that people may have,” the Prime Minister said.

“This includes measures in the budget that have been raised by the public and businesses.