Minister for National Planning and Monitoring

Paita in a statement made the announcement to step aside from his ministerial portfolio forthwith.
This comes after a video was circulated on social media as well as the mainstream media of him discharging a rifle.

"After learning from Post-Courier’s front-page report on December 13th, 2021 of the incident, I wrote to the Prime Minister advising him of my intention to step aside and allow a thorough investigation without fear or favour by the concerned authorities in the spirit of good leadership. 

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.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, said within the next two months the remaining balance will also be released to continue the work.

He said this when questioned by Ambunti-Dreikikir MP, Johnson Wapunai.

Wapunai asked Minister Maru on the status of the funding and when the funds might be released so that district hospitals can be upgraded to the prescribed Level Four.

This project will be through a power purchase agreement with an Indonesian state power company.

The arrangement will supply power to around 10,000 people living in five major villages of Lido, Waromo, Yako, Mushu, and Wutung as well as the K90 million Wutung Border complex to enable border agencies to become fully operational.

Minister Maru said it will be an historic arrangement and for the first time in this country, where PPL is considering buying power through a power purchase agreement from Perusahaan Listrik Negara.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, said this during the official opening of the Vanimo NID Office.

Maru said the registration of people will assist the Government as part of the proposed Special Economic Zone infrastructural plans.

Minister Maru and his delegation were greeted by locals at East Park where the Provincial NID Office has been constructed.

During the ceremony, Minister Maru urged all locals to register, as it will ensure they receive vital government services.

The Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, handed the funding over to Enga Governor, Chief Sir Peter Ipatas, at the second graduation ceremony for the Enga School of Nursing on Wednesday, 6^th June.

Minister Maru said PNG is short of about 2,400 nurses.

“Government is very much aware of the shortage of nurses and aging nursing workforce. And the truth is this; our health indicators are among the poorest in the Pacific.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, in his recent discussions with Fresh Produce Development Agency, noted that there is huge potential for exports of many of PNG’s indigenous crops to overseas markets.

Maru said the country needs to look at large scale commercial food production to address food security issues in the country, and also for exports.

Minister Maru held talks with FPDA to look at some exotic crops such as the kiwi fruit, which has a significant market demand in the country.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Richard Maru, said this in his current visit to New Zealand.

Maru, who is leading a delegation in New Zealand, said these are areas that New Zealand has a comparative advantage over and can enhance the business-to-business relations between both countries.

He said New Zealand is a first world nation thriving on the non-extractive industry, which is the backbone of its economy that PNG has a lot to learn from.

Following the handing over of the International Convention Centre to the PNG Government and launching of the China-AID APEC Roads Projects, Maru said ties with China should be enhanced through a bilateral agreement focusing on aid.

He said recently the Chinese Government has supported PNG through various aid projects.

And it was only fitting that ties with the country be strengthened through the area of aid.

Andrew Tants, owner and operator of the Jiwaka Mission Resort, said listening to the Minister speak of the development aspirations he had of Jiwaka was well-received.

Tants said building the local economy was critical and as a player in the private sector, they had a role to play as well.

He also called on political leaders to work together to realise the development goals of the province.

“It was a very important topic he touched,” Tants said.

“For governments or provincial governments to be successful, they need to collect revenue.