The bilateral relationship between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Indonesia has diversified from border relations to broader areas since the inception of the Annual Leaders’ Dialogue in 2022. Prime Minister (PM) James Marape made this known at the two leaders’ joint press conference after the 3rd Papua New Guinea – Indonesia Leaders’ Dialogue held at Bogor Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia before jointly signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further expend that relationship. He said the PNG-Indonesia relations have diversified over the last three years since the inception of the Annual Leaders’ Dialogue, which has shifted the focus from…
Author: Emmanuel MAIPE
The Minister for Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs, Soroi Marepo Eoe, MP, today in a statement announced that the Local-Level Government (LLG) Elections scheduled for July, has now been further deferred to September. The LLG Elections, scheduled to be conducted on the 25th of July 2024, has been further deferred to 26th September 2024 based upon advice from the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission (PNGEC), due to some issues and challenges that are beyond its control. Minister Eoe said whilst the National Government is committed to support the conduct of LLG Election 2024. There are certain issues and challenges that…
Both Port Moresby and Lae cities will play host the annual joint military exercise ‘Tamiok Strike’ which will be conducted from Monday 15th of July to Monday 26th of August, to enhance combined interoperability between military organizations and stakeholders. Tamiok Strike is a land-oriented exercise between the United States (US) Army and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) through support from the United States Pacific Partnership Program through the United State Pacific Army Command (USARPAC). The exercise will involve mainly elements from the PNGDF Force Support and Engineer Battalions, Department of Defence, USARPAC 8th Theatre Sustainment Command (8TSC), Institute…
Unregulated mining activities pose a threat to the overall performance of the mining sector and the economic performance of the country, something the PNG Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI) has raised concern about. The Executive Director for PNGEITI National Secretariat, Mr. Lucas Alkan in a recent statement said that one such mining activity is alluvial mining, which he stated that they are largely unregulated activities. “Unregulated mining activities leaves authorities and stakeholders with limited information about this segment of mining industry, and this is a concern,” said Mr. Alkan. The concerns from PNGEITI over alluvial mining follows comments by PNG…
It has been six months since the Black Wednesday Riots in Port Moresby city that saw the destructions of major supermarkets and warehouses, but things are starting to pick up in terms of these businesses rebuilding from the ashes all thanks to government support. That support through the government relief assistance package for the affected businesses, recently saw the Chief Secretary to Government, Mr. Ivan Pomaleu on Monday July 1st presented cheques for the Phase 2 (debris cleaning) for several businesses affected by the January 10th riots. The Port Moresby Chamber of Commence and Industry (POMCCI) President, Mr. Rio Fiocco,…
Road infrastructures are vital for both service and development to reach the people, and for the residents of the city of Kokopo in East New Britain (ENB) province, they can expect just that with a new road upgrade project underway. This road project is the K221 million, 17km Tokua-Kokopo four-lane road construction which was launched by Prime Minister (PM) James Marape on Wednesday, July 10th. He said this long-awaited project is part of the ‘Connect PNG’ programme focused on building economic corridors for the benefit of the people. “By enhancing connectivity, this project can potentially boost local commerce, improve transportation…
Five new State Ministers appointed by the prime minister have been officially sworn in by the Governor General on Tuesday 9th July. Prime Minister (PM) James Marape announced the appointment of the five new ministers following recent political developments in which a number of ministers defected to the Opposition. He announced the appointments at Government House in Port Moresby after the five ministers were sworn in by Governor-General H.E Sir Bob Dadae. The newly appointed ministers are: · Tewai-Siassi MP Hon. Kobby Bomareo, reappointed as Housing Minister, · Vanimo-Green MP Hon. Belden Namah, appointed as Culture and Tourism Minister, replacing…
The Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) of Papua New Guinea has discovered a concerning pattern among Papua New Guinea’s leading mining companies that has raised a lot of red flags and questions about the performance of these mining operations. A review from 2013 to 2023 revealed that none of the five major operational mines examined have paid any Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT). Despite a significant increase of over 20% in mineral export receipts, from K9,071.2 million in 2013 to K44,216.6 million in 2022 as reported in Bank of Papua New Guinea’s Quarterly Economic Bulletin Reports, there has been no dividend paid…
The illegal squatters residing on the three portions of land belonging to superfund Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) at Bush Wara in 9 Mile in Port Moresby city, can expect some support from the government with their relocation. Prime Minister (PM) James Marape in a recent statement said his government is working on solutions for the people at 9 Mile who have been ordered to move out of the portions of land after a court order was issued for their eviction taken by Nambawan Super. PM Marape said that he has already met with the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Lands…
The Consultative Workshop for the Amendment of the National Youth Development Authority (NYDA) Act 2014 is heading to the New Guinea Islands (NGI) region next after a successful workshop held for the Highlands region in Jiwaka province. According to the NYDA, the NGI leg of the Consultative Workshop will be held in the New Ireland province from the 15th of July to the 19th of July at the Kavieng Niu Lodge, Kavieng Town. All District Development Authorities (DDAs), provincial governments, and stakeholders and partners in the NGI region are advised to send in their teams to participate in the Workshop.…