PNG NEWS BLOG

The people of Kumbuhun 1, 2 and 3 in the Yangoru-Saussia District of East Sepik Province celebrated the opening of a new road on Tuesday after 48 years of walking through the bushes to access basic services. PRESS STATEMENT Hon. Richard Maru, MP Kumbuhun Welcomes New Road The people of Kumbuhun 1, 2 and 3 in the Yangoru-Saussia District of East Sepik Province celebrated the opening of a new road on Tuesday after 48 years of walking through the bushes to access basic services. The local MP and Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru officially opened this new 35km road which cost the Yangoru-Saussia District Development Authority (DDA) almost K400, 000 to complete.  “The last time I came to Kumbuhun 2, I arrived in a helicopter because there was no road. I promised the people of Kumbun 2 and 3 that day that I would return in a vehicle. I kept that promise and came by vehicle to Kumbuhun on a brand-new road,” said Minister Maru while giving his speech. “We ...

OPPOSITION AGAINST CHANGES TO CLIMATE CHANGE ACT:  The Opposition Leader, Joseph Lelang, has opposed the Government’s decision to amend the country’s Climate Change Act, saying that the changes are not suitable for the country. Mr. Lelang said amending sections 38 and 39 of the Act to impose a levy or tax on fuel and carbon-content products coming into the country will definitely create worse problems for the people. He said inflation will kill off the small sectors; in fact, many have now closed their doors. Lelang said the importance of Climate Change and its effects cannot be denied, citing the affected marine provinces and parts of the highlands; however, the context of the bill is not suited to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and its people. The Opposition Leader said the Amendment applies to countries under Annex 1, and under this category are countries that are the major polluters in the environment. That is why Lelang said that these amendments are not appropriate for PNG because PN...

K300 Million Allocated For The 2022 National General Election (NGE) Allegely Diverted to Government Minister Without Control BY JEFFREY ELAPA,  Post Courier, 02 June 2023. About K300 million allocated for the 2022 National General Election (NGE) has been allegedly diverted to fund government ministers without control. However, yesterday afternoon the Prime Minister James Marape responded that he was not privy to the report. The K300 million is from a total of K650 million allocated through for the 2022 National General election allocated through the 2022 National Budget. The 11 page Prime Minister’s special brief from the PNG National Intelligent Organization (PNGNIO) dated Monday 28 November, 2022 indicated a total of K650 million was allocated through the Budgetary allocation in the 2022 National Budget but only K350 million of the funding was released to the PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) while unconfirmed reports received by the NIO alleged that the reminder of K300 million w...

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-10/png-foreign-minister-justin-tkatchenko-daughter-tik-tok-video/102328374?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web LELANG CALLS FOR TKATCHENKO’S REMOVAL OPPOSITION Leader Joseph Lelang is calling on the Prime Minister James Marape to decommission Foreign Affairs’ Minister Justin Tkatchenko over INSULTING remarks and lack of poor judgment shown during the trip to England to attend the coronation of King Charles III. Mr Lelang said while Papua New Guinea was expected to turn up as a member of the Commonwealth, the Opposition cannot remain silent on a trip that’s full of scandalous behavior of Minister Tkatchenko calling citizens who aired their concerns over this trip and his daughter's antics on Tiktok, as "primitive animals”. "We find the comments to be very insulting by a senior Minister to fellow citizens from the streets to the top of the office. The Prime Minis...