Richard Maru

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, issued the ultimatum when announcing the clean-up exercise of the PNG Civil and Identity Registry.

Maru said all public servants must make it their business to get an NID card as it could be used as their payroll numbers.

He said the measure will ensure ghost names are removed from the Government payroll.

This follows the announcement of Tumbo Kumung as the acting registrar general of the PNG Civil and Identity Registry.

The equipment, by the Government of Japan, through its Japanese International Cooperation System (JICS), will be used to clear road access during natural disasters such as floods, landslides and volcanic eruptions.

At a ceremony at Lae’s Department of Works National Rebuilt Centre, Japanese Ambassador Satoshi Nakajima handed the 15 pieces of construction equipment to Works Minister Michael Nali and Minister for Planning, Richard Maru.

Nali thanked the Japanese Government for its continued generosity.

Richard Maru, Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, officiated at the launch on Tuesday, October 24, during the commemoration of the 72nd Anniversary of the United Nations.

“The Department of National Planning and Monitoring, in close consultation with other departments, and with support from the United Nations, is adapting the Sustainable Development Goals to our local context,” said Minister Maru during his keynote speech.

This was revealed by National Planning and Monitoring Minister, Richard Maru, during a visit to the Province last weekend.

According to a statement, Maru led a high level delegation to N’Drahukei on the West Coast of Manus Island for a proposed fisheries industrial hub when he made the announcement.

He made the announcement in a media conference in Port Moresby today.

The Minister for Planning and Implementation said the merger of the two institutions will save about K10 million which the Government can use to fund other projects in the rural districts.

Minister Maru said he is taking an NEC Submission to establish the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Authority to drive the implementation of the policy forward, provide leadership and coordination within the sector and for the NEC to look into the merger of Water PNG and Eda Ranu.

The Partnership Arrangement for Improved Decentralisation and Service Delivery was recently signed at Parliament House by Kevin Isifu, Minister for Inter-Government Relations; Richard Maru, Minister for National Planning and Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis.

The Partnership will support Papua New Guinea’s priority of improving service delivery, economic opportunities and community development by empowering provinces and districts.

The petition went for directions today, where Waranaka’s lawyer, John Alman, indicated they will be filing a motion seeking protection order of those witnesses.

Alman said they will be filing necessary application seeking to have the court restrain police and supporters of Maru, the first respondent, from intimidating or threatening the petitioner’s witnesses.

In this petition, Waranaka is alleging 22 counts of bribery.

Minister for Planning Richard Maru clarified this in Parliament on Wednesday.

He was responding to Governor Charlie Benjamin’s questions on how the Government will help the people of Manus, who have benefitted from the asylum centre in terms of employment.

Maru said the Government has committed to help by creating job opportunities.

He also admitted that SMEs in the province will be greatly affected after the closure.

He added that the Manus Provincial Government should take the lead in helping its people rather than depending only on the Government.

The Yangoru-Saussia MP extended the invite through Australian high Commissioner to PNG, Bruce Davies, who recently accompanied Maru on an aerial view of the SEZ and site for an agricultural and farming project.

The project is undertaken by Israeli firm, Innovative Agri Industries (IAI), in a joint venture with the Government and Maru said the Government is looking to partner more investors for the SEZ.

High Commissioner Davis said it was an honour to be asked by the Minister to see the great opportunities in the district and province.