Richard Maru

Minister for National Planning, Richard Maru, presented a cheque of K500,000 to Member for Markham, Koni Iguan, while Markaham District will put forward K700,000 as its part of the counter-funding.

Present to witness the handover of the payment was Acting Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Koney Samuel, and his Executive Officer, Dennis Kulanawi.

Minister Maru said the Mutzing Police Station was a strategic asset given the history of numerous traffic accidents along the Highlands Highway, including the Morobe section of the highway.

A press conference was hosted today by the Minister for National Planning and Yangoru-Saussia MP, Richard Maru, Defence Minister and Telefomin MP, Solan Mirisim, and the Vice-Minister for Finance and Rural Development and Ambunti-Dreikikir MP, Johnson Wapunai.

Maru believes the project can unlock the vast economic potential of some of the most remote communities in Telefomin and Ambunti-Dreikikir districts.

The unit will be in the province for the next three months.

Minister Maru said the move to have MS13 in his district is to ensure law and order is maintained as the multimillion-kina Sepik chicken, grain and cocoa project kicks off construction phase in the coming weeks.

He urged the team to ensure the protection of State assets.

In a press conference held today with the Wewak MP and Minister for Inter-Government Relations, Kevin Isifu, Maru said the people of Yangoru-Saussia district have seen tangible development and services reach them for the first time under this People’s National Congress-led government.

“As far as I am concerned, there is no need for a vote of no confidence because there is no justification to warrant one against the current government led by Peter O’Neill,” he stated.

It was alleged on social media that Minister for Planning Richard Maru orchestrated the appointment by appointing a candidate not in the top three list of candidates.

When contacted by this newsroom, Maru said the selections of the appointment of the Secretary for Agriculture were done by the Department of Public Services. He added that he had nothing to do with the appointment.

Minister Kapavore has also lashed out at critics on social media, urging them to refrain from issuing misleading information.

Maru says our population has quadrupled since Independence and continues to grow at an alarming rate of 3.1 percent per annum.

Speaking at the opening of the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) forum today in Port Moresby, Maru said PNG will continue to struggle to meet the requirements of our growing population unless we grow the internal revenue significantly.

He states we need to start planning on reducing population growth to a more manageable and sustainable level in order to access basic government services.

This follows the successful commissioning of the NID roll-out in Pomio; one of the most remote districts only accessible by air and sea.

National Planning and Monitoring Minister Richard Maru recently made the announcement.

Connecting provincial capitals provides people in remote and rural areas a means of getting connected to PNG Civil and Identity Registry’s BID Database in Port Moresby.

This follows the suspension of former head of NSO, Roko Koloma, and the establishment of an investigation team into the NID project.

“In welcoming these positive steps taken by the Minister, TIPNG strongly feels that there is still much to be concerned about in terms of public interest and accountability of public funds apparently splurged on this project,” stated the anti-rot agency.

Minister Maru said this when visiting the school on October 4^th.

The visit was the first in around five years and Minister Maru returned with an important gift.

Minister Maru made a long awaited return to Kubalia to visit its secondary school and to make a significant presentation; a brand new school truck.

Welcomed by hundreds of locals, Acting Principal, Ken Guambagi, thanked Minister Maru for the presentation.

He said he has been advised by Works Secretary, David Wereh, that the materials of the bridge will arrive this week.

The Numbo Bridge will cost K10 million and will be over 50 metres long.

“On the 9^th of October, 54 metres in materials of the bridge will come down from Wewak. And the Department of Works will work on both sides to get the bridge up,” said the Minister.

The construction of the Numbo Bridge will accompany construction of the 4-in-1 classroom and four teachers’ houses of Numbo Junior High School.