Prime Minister James Marape, has thanked the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Themba Kalua for calling upon him last Wednesday (07/09/22) at the Prime Minister’s Office, whereby Mr Kalua seized the occasion to congratulate Mr Marape on his resumption as Prime Minister as well as reaffirm the United Nations (UN) presence in Papua New Guinea and continuity of its development assistance programs.
The Prime Minister informed Mr Kalua that the Resident UN Coordination Office continues to be a valuable development partner and the alignment of its work programs to the Medium-Term Development Plan III and the ensuing MTDP IV indeed complements Papua New Guinea’s overall objectives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and development agenda.
He said in terms of current and ongoing UN assistance programs, he wishes to reiterate his deepest appreciation for support to Bougainville.
In their discussions, Prime Minister Marape said that the Wabag Roadmap was a timeline for presentation of the Referendum results whilst the Era Kone Covenant consolidates the outcome towards ratification of the outcomes of the Referendum.
Prime Minister Marape said he has made it abundantly clear that under PNG’s Constitution, Parliament is the ultimate Authority that decides on the issue of Independence. Outside of this, any sentiments for secessionism individually or at public rallies, and even on social media are tantamount to treason under existing laws.
“In terms of the Chief Moderator for Bougainville I highly recommend for the retention of former Prime Minister of Ireland Bertie Ahern and for engagement of senior global citizens from Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
“For Australia, I recommend Professor Edward Wolfers who has had a long attachment to PNG as he was also part of the Constitutional Planning Committee in PNG’s formative years.”
Prime Minister Marape added that apart from the foregoing, he welcomed the UN’s continued support in governance and social services, such as education and health, in particular vaccination for children, economic growth through entrepreneurship work with farmers to have access to value chains and market access and peacebuilding initiatives in the Highlands.
“UN commitment to assist with electoral reform and the census are very timely and will complement our efforts to review the role of Parliament, women in the electoral process, role of Governors, use of identification cards for polling purposes and the proposal to have the Prime Minister directly elected by the people.”
He said these Constitutional issues he mentioned are currently work in progress and will be resolved by 2025.
The Prime Minister further added that the Census is equally important to determine and confirm our population, so that policy priorities and development issues are evidence based and can be effectively implemented.
On Mr Kalua’s offer to meet with Resident coordinators, Prime Minister Marape he is in agreement and proposes that they meet, including selected Ministers of his Cabinet on the occasion of UN Day on 24th October 2022 and asked the UN to liaise with his Office to firm up arrangements.
He said with regard to the construction of the UN House and Compound for staff, he confirmed that land is available and there is the option for the UN to construct or alternatively he can arrange for landowner investors to construct and offer the UN to lease on market terms.
In other matters, Prime Minister Marape sought Mr Kalua’s assistance in recruiting professionals, especially teachers’, doctors and nurses as well as tradesmen and women, particularly from Zimbabwe. This will indeed fill in the employment gap and for skills and knowledge transfer.