Richard Maru

Of the 24 people, one was an escapee and 23 were suspects who were involved in the clash with police, during June of this year.

The villagers through the ceremony apologise to the police and the district for the law and order issue they have caused leading up to the gun battle between police and the villagers, resulting in the death of a youth and five wounded.  

Ambassador of Vietnam to Papua New Guinea (PNG), His Excellency Nguyen Tat Thah in his meeting with the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru on Friday August 25, said Vietnam was keen on Trade and Investment with Papua New Guinea (PNG).  

Vietnam currently has a population of over 98 million with an economy size of about USD449 billion with the service sector accounting for 41.3 per cent of the GDP.

"We have a police operation that is on because of killings and lawlessness in the district. Mobile Squad 15 (MS15) where brought over from Wau-Bulolo in Morobe and they are now in the district. So far, they are doing a very good job. Crime has gone down because of their presence. I want to thank MS15 and the Police Commissioner for approving their coming. 

Maru says the Yangoru-Saussia DDA will cooperate with them and support them in every way they can to make sure the operation continues. 

Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru said this was the result of Yangoru Saussia Development Authority’s investment in education in the last 10 years and now into the 11th year under their policy of ‘God First and Education Second’.

“It has always been my vision since I became the Member of Yangoru-Saussia for my district to be number one and have the most educated population in the East Sepik Province. As a result of our policy of ‘God First and Education Second’ Yangoru-Saussia DDA has invested nearly K40 million in education alone in the last ten years from our DSIP,” said Maru.

Minister Maru looked at possible locations in Shenzhen to open a new Trade Mission following the closure of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Trade Office in Taipei, Taiwan.

He met with the Shenzhen Government and private sector where an agreement was reached between them and the Ministry and the Department of International Trade and Investment for the new PNG Trade Mission to be in a very prestigious office building in Shenzhen.

“To have a trade mission in China is a very historic decision made by our Government and I am very pleased that the trade mission will be in Shenzhen,” said the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru.

Shenzhen transformed itself from a small fishing village into a global economic powerhouse in just over 40 years.

It had experienced rapid economic, social, and environmental transformation and is described as innovative, inclusive, young, high-tech, and a green city.

He also praised the Government for hosting the inaugural PNG-Asia Investment forum in Hong Kong and opening of a trade mission in Shenzhen, in the Republic of China.

A team will visit Shenzhen in the coming weeks to finalize  negotiations on the office space for the trade mission and to cost out the whole setup and operation.

The position of the trade commissioner will be advertised  as soon as possible.

This follows his discussion with Prime Minister James Marape during a recent visit to Port Moresby in July 2023.

Governor Weizhong said this during a banquet that he hosted for the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru, and his delegation.

He said the opening of direct flights between Port Moresby and Guangzhou would improve business connectivity between Papua New Guinea (PNG), Guangdong Province, and China.

Justice Cannings dismissed all eight grounds that Wararu’s lawyers submitted, ruling that they had no merit in law.

“I want to thank and praise God for giving us our third victory in a row. I give all praise and honor to him. I also want to thank my lawyer too,” said Minister Maru.

He said this is the third time that Wararu had lost his election petition against him. Wararu had filed three unsuccessful petitions so far in the three elections - 2012, 2017 and 2022.

This project was funded by the Australian Government, Marape-Rosso Government, the International Financial Corporation, the Asian Development Bank and other stakeholders.

“It has taken over five years (since 2017) to prepare PNGX and the Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea for the issuance of the local bonds,” Minister Maru said.

He said a bond is simply described as a loan given to companies by investors who promised to pay the money back with interest.