The Star Mountain Plaza has officially opened the stage two of the Hilton Hotel project- the Hilton Port Moresby Residence, which is another milestone achievement for the resource project area landowners from Western and Southern Highlands provinces. The Chairman of the Petroleum Resources Kutubu, Mr. John Kapi Natto when speaking at the official opening of the Hilton Residences and the launching of the stage three of the project on Thursday 01st February in Port Moresby, said the opening is a milestone for Star Mountain Plaza. Mr. Kapi Natto when giving a brief on why they started off the project almost…
Author: Emmanuel MAIPE
The Local Level Government (LLG) Election is scheduled to take place this year but it is yet to be approved by parliament that the LLG Presidents will be elected by the elected Ward Councilors and not by the people as previously practiced. Last year the Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Soroi Eoe proposed the change of the voting process from the people to the elected Ward Councilors and following meetings and government caucuses, most of the Members of Parliament agreed for the change in the system and to be applied this year in the LLG elections. However,…
The new Defence Minister, Dr. Billy Joseph is expected to present the Report of the General Board of Inquiry (GBOI) into the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) training accident last year in the Central province, to cabinet soon for further deliberations. The minister, after he was presented with the Report in Port Moresby this week by the Chairman of the GBOI Col. Bruno Malau, said that it is important that this report is cited by the government to see what had happened and how to address it going forward. The training accident, which occurred on the 04th of July…
The Member for Sinasina- Yongamugl, Kerenga Kua is concerned that fuel distributor Puma Energy PNG Limited continues to hold the country to ransom with its tactic of rationing fuel and even shutting down its services when faced with third party issues regarding its access to Forex to purchase fuel. Speaking at the recent press conference in Port Moresby city after his official resignation from the government, the former Petroleum and Energy Minister said while he was an active minister in the Marape- Rosso Government dealing with Puma, he warned the fuel company to refrain from doing that and speak to…
The deadline for the closure of Puma Energy PNG bank accounts with the BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) has been extended to give enough time for Puma to transit to doing business with another commercial bank. At the request of the National Government, BSP has agreed to provide Puma a further 90-day extension from the 8th of March, 2024, for the closure of its accounts. This action was in response to a request dated 25th January, 2024, from Prime Minister (PM) James Marape. This extension has been granted on the basis that additional time is required for Puma to complete…
The Member for Sinasina- Yongamugl, Mr. Kerenga Kua after resigning as a State Minister from the government yesterday, gave a stunning revelation of the Puma Energy PNG’s situation and its issues that are being experienced in the country, even right now. Mr. Kua revealed that while as the Minister for Petroleum and Energy in the Marape- Rosso Government, he had recommended that Puma Energy PNG closes its operations in Papua New Guinea because it is bound to be doomed due to its failing situation with regards to the closure of its bank accounts with the major commercial banks and its…
The Member for Sinasina- Yongamugl, Kerenga Kua has resigned from the government as a State Minister for Petroleum and Energy, to join the other Members of Parliament (MP) who have resigned following Black Wednesday riots, citing poor government decisions and policies by the prime minister as the reason for him moving out. In his letter of official resignation to the prime minister, Kua highlighted his reasons for his decision to resign, they include the poor handling of the Papua LNG (PLNG) project the PLNG Landowner matters and also the handling of the Puma Energy PNG matter, of which he was…
Prime Minister James Marape has announced that a Commission of Inquiry (COI) will now be carried out in the police and Finance and Treasury departments follow the end of the 14 days State of Emergency. Marape said the inquiry will look into the command structure of the police and address areas that need addressing so to improve the overall structure of the police force. Marape said David Manning has been reinstated as Police Commissioner and has been tasked to work with the COI; however, the Commissioner will be subject to the COI as well. “This is to ensure that there…
The recently reinstated Minster for Foreign Affairs, Justin Tkatchenko, says his first task back in office is to regain the international community’s confidence in Papua New Guinea (PNG) through certain priorities that he has put forth. Minister Tkatchenko, who was reinstated last week Friday, outlined in a statement a priority list for the department – an immediate work-plan of the Marape-Rosso Government with particular emphasis on international community confidence, following the events of Wednesday January 10th. Minister Tkatchenko said that paramount to this immediate and priority list for Foreign Affairs, is to reinstill and regain the confidence of the international…
The National Government will be supporting the Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) to ensure that the SME sector gets the support needed to flourish and with it, contribute to the overall development of the country and its people. The country’s Chief Secretary to Government Mr. Ivan Pomaleu, who represented the government at the recent agreement signing between the CGC and ten private financial institutions in the country, said that the State has allocated funds to support the Corporation. “There is some support in the 2024 Budget of K3 million, which will help start the work for the Corporation,” said Mr. Pomaleu.…