The National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program has allocated K250,000 each to Rabaul and Pomio Districts in East New Britain. These funds, supported by the Australian Government, are intended to boost WASH initiatives, with Rabaul recently concluding a 4-day training for data collection. Pomio District Administrator John Liskia expressed gratitude, noting that the funds will aid in developing vital infrastructure, including a new hospital in Pomio. The cheque presentation took place in Kokopo city, facilitated by the National WASH Program team in collaboration with the National Planning Department and Water Aid. These two districts are the first in the…
Author: Joshua ARLO
Australia has pledged strong support for the Pacific Policing Initiative, a new program endorsed by leaders at the recent Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia will allocate approximately PGK 1 billion (AUD 400 million) over five years to back this initiative, which aims to strengthen regional peace, security, and cooperation among Pacific police forces. “This policing initiative continues a long history of Pacific police forces working together to strengthen regional peace and security, and to support each other in times of need,” Prime Minister Albanese said. He emphasized that the Pacific Policing Initiative…
Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has made it clear that Pomio MP Elias Kapavore’s return to the government is both welcomed and well within his rights. In a no-holds-barred address, Marape emphasized that Kapavore’s move aligns with the freedoms enshrined in Papua New Guinea’s Constitution. “He (Kapavore) texted me earlier today (Thursday 29th August) saying that ‘I’m coming back,’ and I said, ‘Welcome back, you are certainly welcome back,’” Marape revealed, highlighting that the return was entirely Kapavore’s decision. “Members of the Internal, Section 45 of our Constitution allows for freedom of movement. Freedom of association, Section 46, if I’m…
Prime Minister James Marape arrived yesterday evening in Port Moresby. A full entourage of most of the Pangu-led government MPs and Cabinet Ministers was on the ground at the APEC Terminal to receive and welcome him. They immediately walked into the conference room at the VIP lounge as local media waited. The Prime Minister returns after travelling to Niue and to Tonga. In Tonga, he spent the last four days attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Summit. He was among 18 Pacific Island nation leaders.
In a bold and urgent plea, the Registrar of Political Parties, Emmanuel Pok, has called on Parliament to prioritize the revised Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC) to prevent undemocratic behaviors and political instability. Speaking today (Tuesday, June 4th) at a press conference in Port Moresby, Pok expressed serious concerns over the lack of parliamentary interest in this crucial legislation, explaining that “we desperately need the policy to regulate this situation and restore democratic order in our government”. “The Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission is alarmed by the Parliament’s neglect of the revised…
The Registrar of Political Parties in Papua New Guinea, Emmanuel Pok, and today (Tuesday, June 4th) clarified the legitimacy of Finschaffen MP Rainbo Paita’s recent political movements, asserting that his nomination as Alternate Prime Minister is in accordance with the constitution. “Honorable Rainbo Paita and the twelve members who have defected Pangu Pati to formally resign is fake news,” Registrar Pok stated. “Our constitution allows that because Section 50 of the Constitution gives the right to any Member of Parliament to occupy a public office, and the office of the Prime Minister is for anybody, any Papua New Guinean.” He…
Spokesperson for the defected Pangu Party members in Opposition, West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, said they support the upcoming Parliament processes and they are prepared for the week’s sitting. He confirmed that Private Business Committee will review a corrected motion of no confidence against Prime Minister James Marape, initially filed on May 29. He explained that the original motion was missing one of the required 12 signatories, which has since been rectified and resubmitted last Wednesday by Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa. Governor Muthuvel said Speaker Job Pomat and Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan have confirmed receipt of the corrected motion,…
The Opposition Leader, Douglas Tomuriesa has slammed the deployment of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in Port Moresby for operations relating to the vote of no confidence, recommending the acting Chief of Defence Force to have them recalled immediately. However, the Defence Minister Dr. Billy Joseph has responded by defending the call out, clarifying that the PNGDF is neutral, providing necessary support to ensure the Capital City’s security. The PNGDF, are part of a joint force unit, put together to assist the NCD/Central command police since the resumption of Parliament on May 28th, as the much-anticipated Vote of No…
Prime Minister James Marape visited the landslide-affected Maip-Mulitaka area of Porgera-Paiela District in Enga on Friday May 31st, offering K20 million in immediate disaster relief to the Enga Provincial Government. “Although I may be late, the government, through relevant departments and agencies like National Disaster Centre and PNG Defence Force, acted promptly in attending to the disaster,” he said when he met and talked those affected by the May 24 disaster. Accompanied by Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, Defence Minister Billy Joseph, and Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Marape met and talked with people affected by the devastating landslide, which claimed…
The European Union has allocated K621,000 Emergency Aid to landslide victims in Enga Province. European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Mr. Janez Lenarčič announced on Wednesday May 29th, an initial Euro 150,000 (PGK 621,000) for immediate emergency assistance to the people and communities affected by the devastating landslide in Mulitaka, Pogera District in the Enga Province. A statement issued, reveals that this funding, to be channelled through the humanitarian agencies already present on site, will prioritize the provision of basic and essential items for the people displaced by the landslide. The statement further said that this emergency funding is to be…