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Prime Minister James Marape

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PM Marape Clarifies Defense Coorperation Agreement at Tutumang Haus

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Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge today presented the petition from the students of the University of Technology to Prime Minister, James Marape at the Tutumang Provincial Assembly Haus in Lae, following a sitting protest on Monday at Unitech concerning the signing of the Defense Cooperation Agreement between Papua New Guinea and the United States.

PM Marape received the petition as part of his two-day official visit to Lae.

When addressing the members of the Provincial Assembly, Marape acknowledged the petition presented by the governor saying, “The National Government will not do anything unconstitutional. The people have the right to express themselves concerning government decisions.”

He thanked the students for the petition and said, “I appreciate the maturity of the students and the people in 2023. During the previous successive governments, we burn vehicles, we fight and argue.”

The Prime Minister further clarified the Defense Cooperation Act to the Chamber saying it’s not new.

“There’s a Law passed in 1975 by the government called the Defense Visiting Force Act. This allows the country to enter into agreement and partnership with International Military Forces.”

PM Marape

Marape said there would be more agreements following the DCA when Parliament sits again. He said copies of the defence agreements with Indonesia and Australia will be made accessible to the public, however, the recently signed US pact would be accessible later.

The Prime Minister further stated that the signed agreement with US Defense Force will help strengthen PNG’s Military Force.

Marape said a session will be hosted tomorrow at the University of PNG by government officials to outline details of the DCA. The same session will be held with students from Unitech next week.

PM Marape and his delegation outside the Tutumang Haus, Lae, Morobe Province.

PM Marape’s visit to the Tutumang Provincial Assembly Haus today makes him the first Prime Minister to address the members of the Provincial Assembly of Tutumang.

He later moved with his delegation including the Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae, John Rosso, National Planning Minister and Finschhafen MP, Rainbo Paita and Minister for Community Development and Huon Gulf MP, Jason Peter to the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium for a public forum concerning the Wafi Golpu Gold and Copper Mine.

The PM will address the private sector tomorrow in a business breakfast, facilitated by the Lae Chamber of commerce and Industry, before returning to Port Moresby.

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PM Marape urges Public Servants to Distribute District Funds Equally

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Prime Minister, James Marape says elected leaders in the country must be honest in distributing funds allocated by the National Government to their constituencies to benefit the people.

He said funds must be equally distributed to education, health, law and order, agriculture, infrastructural developments, and other vital sectors.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at the Bats oval in Madang town yesterday during an unofficial visit to Madang.

Marape also tasked public servants in the electorates to be dedicated and serve the people with honesty and integrity.

He stated that public servants are the drivers of development, thus, it is important that they ensure an equal distribution of the allocated funds into the districts.

“People must benefit from agriculture, schools, roads, bridges, and other infrastructural developments in all the districts,” stated Marape.

The Prime Minister said his visit is also good for the Government to work with Madang elected leaders in making sure Madang issues are addressed.

Adding, that funding will also be made available to restore beautiful Madang.

Meanwhile, the Government has projected that for the next five years, all districts will receive K20million.

Thus, Madang would receive K120 million in total for the districts, this does not include funding allocation for the Provincial Government.

“So for the next five years, we will be giving about K100 million to each of the districts and Madang would receive over K600million.”

The Prime Minister made a commitment to look into addressing Madang roads, the airport, PMIZ project, the provincial hospital, law, and order, and a number of issues raised by Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa.

 “You have a job, I have a job, we all have work to do”.

Picture: Prime Minister, James Marape walking alongside Madang Governor, Ramsey Pariwa at the Bats Oval in Madang.
Picture: Prime Minister, James Marape walking alongside Madang Governor, Ramsey Pariwa at the Bats Oval in Madang.

An official date will be set for Madang elected leaders to meet with the Prime Minister and address concerns raised by Governor Pariwa.

The Prime Minister said his four-day road trip from Gulf to Madang to inspect the roads was part of the Government’s connect PNG project.

The road trip was also to convey a message of United Papua New Guinea whilst encouraging Papua New Guineans to till the land.

The government is also subsidizing the price of cash crops like copra, cocoa, and coffee so that farmers can benefit.

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Namah Commends Government

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Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah has commended the Marape-Rosso Government for delivering on its commitments made to the people of West Sepik Province.

Namah made these comments last week when a government delegation led by Ministers Rainbo Paita and Solan Mirisim were in Vanimo to launch the Sepik Coastal Highway Project and deliver funding for other projects in the province.

“I have helped formed governments when I was in the opposition, and in the last 12 years I have not seen any deliver on their commitments,” Namah said.

Funding of K53million was paid to the Provincial and District Treasuries for road projects and two hospital projects.

Out of the K53million, Nuku and Telefomin received a K10million each to construct two level 4 district hospitals. The remaining K33million will be put to improve road links between Aitape, Nuku, and Vanimo.

Namah added these investments will lead to more prospects for the province as it aims to fully utilize the PNG-Indonesian Border for more opportunities.

“For provinces to prosper, there must be government enablers, and this major investment is the right way to achieve this. I am with this government for taking development seriously,” Namah said.

The MP also announced that scoping for a Vanimo Hydro, Water, and Sanitation project has already started, and funding to deliver this project will be captured in next year’s national budget.

This also includes the Vanimo International Wharf project and the long-debated Vanimo Special Economic Zone Concept.

West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou, Finance and Planning Minister Rainbo Paita, Works and Highways Minister Solan Mirisim, and Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah during the launch of the Sepik Coastal Highway Project in Vanimo.
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Foreign Trade

Strengthening Ties with Japan

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Prime Minister James Marape met with the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, before attending the state funeral of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

PM Marape was accompanied by International Trade and Investment Minister, Richard Maru and East Sepik Governor, Allan Bird.

“Today was just a short, one-day visit to Japan for me, but very important in consolidating relations between our two countries,”

“There are 191 world leaders here today to attend the State Funeral of the late Shinzo Abe, and for PNG to have been accorded the honour of meeting Japanese Prime Minister Kishida is very special,” the PM said.

The Prime Minister also met with executives of Japan’s major energy companies with discussions centred around the LNG project and downstream processing which the Government is pushing for PNG to be more active in.

“Prime Minister Kishida, during our discussions, highlighted Japan’s need for energy security as well as the need for trade between our two countries to grow.”

Japan through its JX Nippon Oil and Gas Company is a joint venture with Nippon PNG LNG, which has interests in the PNG LNG Project. Since the 1st shipment, PNG has supplied approximately a 7.9million tonnes of liquefied natural gas every year to the world market, and Japan is one country that PNG supplies.

Japan is also involved in other major projects like the K692million Nadzab Airport Redevelopment Project which is currently in its construction phase. The project is captured under Japan’s Economic Corporation program which aims to improve PNG’s economy and broaden internationalization.

“Prime Minister Kishida highlighted the fact that PNG is an important bilateral partner of Japan,” said Marape.

Prime Minister Marape concluded his meeting by assuring the Japanese Prime Minister that outstanding trade treaties between the two countries will resume and PNG will continue to assist Japan where necessary, especially in its energy security needs.

The Prime Minister left for the United States where he will attend the Pacific Islands Summit in Washington DC.

Prime Minister James Marape and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their meeting this morning in Tokyo. Picture by PM’s Department
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Tribal Violence Not the Way Says PM

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Prime Minister James Marape says tribal violence is not the way to resolve issues, as Papua New Guinea celebrates 47 years of Independence.

He said this after the massive destruction in Goroka following the murder of PNG Ports Managing Director, Fego Kiniafa.

The PM condemned the murder, however, added the ensuing violence and destruction in Goroka should never have happened.

“Our nation has just celebrated 47 years of Independence and we cannot forever resort to tribalism to sort out our problems and disputes,” said Marape.

“A murder has been committed, someone has been aggrieved, and normal processes of police and court must take precedence. Our people must not continue to resort to tribalism to resolve disputes – as this will only create more problems,” said Marape

The PM called on the people of Eastern Highlands to allow police to carry out investigations and arrest the perpetrators.

“Let the police and court systems sort this out. Our people in Papua New Guinea must learn to refrain from resorting to violence to solve law-and-order issues,” he said.

Moreover, Marape admitted there was a major problem of police manpower shortage in the country which the Government would attend to as a matter of urgency. He highlighted a major restructure of the entire RPNGC is underway.

“There will be a complete overhaul of the police system to be spearheaded by Internal Security Minister Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr,” said Marape.

A brief of the overhaul has already been presented to Minister Tsiamalili by Police Commissioner, David Manning.

“The restructure will be consistent with our strategies. We want to align with the Government aspirations of delivering a better and safe Papua New Guinea by the time we celebrate 50 years of independence,” said Commissioner Manning.

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