Prime Minister

PM anticipates billions from projects

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said both projects, if approved, will bring in an investment of US$26 billion (K82.6 billion) and will have a significant injection into the economy of our country.

He said this in parliament on January 22nd.

“In total there will be close to US$26 billion, which is close to K100 billion investment in the country and that will have a significant injection into the economy of our country,” said O’Neill.

PM confident in Papua LNG benefits

This is in addition to other benefits that the State will get through a National Content Plan and Domestic Market Obligation.

The Prime Minister said this in Parliament yesterday in its first sitting.

“I think we are aiming for very good benefits out of this particular project in terms of equity that we will fully participate in that. In terms of royalties, (and) domestic market obligation.

Basic LNG framework agreed to: PM

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the State and Total and its partners, ExxonMobil and Oil Search, the Prime Minister said they are happy with the current framework.

Judge leaders through deeds, not social media posts: PM

He made this remark recently in Enga when signing the decentralisation of powers to the Enga Provincial Government.

O’Neill said Enga has quality leaders that will strengthen and embrace the work of autonomy in the province. 

“Work together and support the leaders rather than listening to petty politics on Facebook,” stated the PM.

He reiterated that for the last six years, the Government has been funding the districts and provinces through the DSIP and PSIP funds but people continue to complain.

MTDP III is ambitious: Maru

The Five Year Plan was launched last night by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Richard Maru, in a gala event in Port Moresby.

Witnessed by VIPs from the public and private sector, diplomatic corp, government, and special interest groups, the  MTDP III Plan is said to be the most bild and ambitious plan the government will undertake.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru said in a nutshell the plan Inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

PM clarifies B’ville infrastructure commitment

PM Peter O’Neill was responding to queries raised by North Bougainville MP, Lauta Atoi, who cited a K437 million commitment made by the PNG Government last December, for infrastructure projects.

The Prime Minister told parliament he did not recall a K437 million commitment made in December 2017, but was aware of the ongoing projects that the North Bougainville MP was referring to.

These projects came under the K500 million commitment under the Special Intervention Fund, which was signed off in 2010.

PM brushes away Opposition’s claims

Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch accused the Government of diverting K150 million to a separate account rather than the Disaster Trust Account set up on March 1, 2018.

He claimed that there has been no transparency on the restoration work carried out by the Controller of National Disaster state-of-emergency.

PM response on tri-lateral fund

He said this in light of the recent announcement of a tri-lateral fund from the United States, Australia, and Japan, to counter the presence of China in the Pacific.

O’Neill said it was healthy there was competing sources of financing for the PNG.

“We need to have access to cheaper funds, and what it means is that the competition between China and Australia and the United States on the availability of funds to the Pacific and economy’s like Papua New Guinea at much lower rates is in the best interest of our country.

PM rebukes weekend violence

A confrontation between the army and members of the public ensued in Port Moresby over the weekend.

The tensions were a result of a car accident involving some soldiers, which escalated after they were attacked by the public, resulting in one soldier being hospitalised and another succumbing to his injuries on Saturday night.

In a statement, PM O’Neill said: “Any dispute should be settled by relevant legal authorities, and under no circumstances should groups take the law into their own hands.

All MPs receive funding: PM O’Neill

Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, made this announcement on Monday in Port Moresby when welcoming the three MPs from the Opposition joining the Government benches.

O’Neill confidently told media that all MPs have all received their DSIP and PSIP funds regardless of which side of the house they are in.

He added that the Government had budgeted for K10 million each for all MPs and made an assurance that the remaining balance will be paid to them before the end of this year.