The Governor for Oro province wants the government to take a tougher approach in law enforcement to address what he says is the alarming increase in the activities of manufacturing and distribution of hard drugs in the country. Governor Gary Juffa during grievance debate in parliament last Friday 16th February, told parliament that Papua New Guinea (PNG) used to be a transit point, but today it has become a production point for these illegal hard drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. These he says are very addictive drugs and cheap to sell on streets. “This is frightening, in the past…
Author: Emmanuel MAIPE
The Opposition remains steadfast to move a Vote of No Confidence (VONC) motion against the incumbent prime minister, despite a show of strength by the government this week with a Vote of Confidence on the floor of parliament, showing support for Prime Minister (PM) James Marape. The Opposition Leader and Member for Kiriwina- Goodenough Open, Douglas Tomuriesa, described the government’s move for a motion for the Vote of Confidence on Thursday 15th February as a gimmick as the Constitution is superior to the parliamentary standing orders. He also went on to say that the motion of a Vote of Confidence…
The prime minister has assured Parliament that a long term solution is being looked at in the form of an alternate fuel supplier, now that the current situation being faced with Puma Energy PNG is about to get worse. However, Prime Minister James Marape said he was disappointed that despite a K2million put into funding a consultation, which included the Bank of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to look into what was the illegality of Puma’s existence in PNG, a final report has not been presented on the findings yet. He said BPNG has yet to come forth with the reasons…
The topic of Christianity was hotly debated in parliament yesterday afternoon after the Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Pila Niningi, presented a bill to amend the Constitution to declare Papua New Guinea (PNG) a Christian Country. The Minister said that this proposed amendment to the Constitution should not be a surprise to anyone because the 2011 Censors showed that 96% of Papua New Guineans align themselves to the Christian Faith and therefore, it is imperative that this fact be anchored in the Constitution. It is for this reason that in 2020, the National Executive Council (NEC) in its…
Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has thanked the Members of Parliament and his coalition for having faith in his leadership and voting in confidence of his leadership today on the floor of Parliament. Marape, when giving his statement after the Vote of Confidence where the majority of Leaders voted for him, said there is much to deliver this year and that every Member needs to focus on this instead of trying to weaken the government through a Vote of No Confidence (VONC). Marape also said that the vote of 84 to 0 shows also the number of the government as…
The Opposition has walked out of the Parliament chambers in protest after the Speaker of Parliament made a ruling to entertain a Vote of Confidence in Prime Minister James Marape. The Opposition argued that the move by Minister for Government Business, Rainbo Paita, to hold a Vote of Confidence was no part of Parliament procedures, but the Speaker said the precedence was already set in previous parliaments and will go through with it. The Speaker allowed the vote to go ahead with the majority of the Members of Parliament voting in favor of Prime Minister James Marape, 84 to 0.…
The prime minister has given assurance to parliament that allegations made about abuse of funds from the Connect PNG program will be fully investigated starting with the Department of Works (DOW). Prime Minister (PM) James Marape when responding to question from Member for Ialibu Pangia Peter O’Neill, said the Finance Department has been called to conduct an independent audit into DOW and anyone found to be involved in corrupt dealings will be dealt with. “We will get a full look into what is happening, a full inquiry into it.” The MP for Ialibu Pangia asked the PM to tell the…
The Opposition yesterday submitted the Vote of No Confidence (VONC) motion against the prime minister to the office of the Speaker of Parliament in the hope that other Members of Parliament (MPs) see the real reason behind their move and switch sides to support them. In a press conference held in the afternoon after the first parliament sitting of 2024, the Opposition team said the VONC now opens up a pathway for MPs in the government side of the house to make the right decision and put the interest of their people first, and join the Opposition and supporting their…
The opposition has announced that East Sepik Governor Allan Bird is the alternate prime minister as they move a Vote of No Confidence motion against Prime Minister James Marape. Governor Bird accepted the nomination and now has the support of the few Opposition Members who are optimistic that more Members will join them as the parliament session continues. Former prime minister and Member for Ialibu Pangia Peter O’Neill gave his support to the alternate prime minister, saying that despite PNC Party having the majority of members, he rather see someone else nominated as alternate PM. Just this afternoon the Opposition…
Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has reassured Parliament that those who were involved in causing the Black Wednesday riots on 10th January, will be identified and dealt with accordingly through the Commission of Inquiry (COI). Marape said again that the incident was unfortunate when police stopped work for 10 hours, leading to the riots and looting and destructions of shops and warehouses resulting in a total of K480 million worth of losses. He said apart from the COI run by a judge, the police is also conducting a criminal investigation into what had happened. “The first stage of investigation is…