Isis Henry Leonard, the Member for Samarai Murua, has urged Southern Region members of parliament to abandon their roles in the government and align with the opposition to form a new government. His call follows recent disputes over the redirection of funds from Gulf to Enga province.
Leonard criticized the government's management of the fund allocation and advised Papuan leaders to reconsider their positions. “I urge all Papuan leaders in the government to reflect on their stance and support the approach taken by the Governor of Gulf,” Leonard said. In a historic achievement for Papua New Guinea, Mr. Noan Pakop has been unanimously chosen as the new Director General of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) at the 23rd Annual Session of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee Ministers Retreat. This historic appointment marks the first time a Papua New Guinean has been named to this esteemed position since the FFA was founded in 1979.
As the Director General, Mr. Pakop will lead the FFA, an organization dedicated to fostering regional cooperation and coordinating fisheries policies among its 17 member nations. He will be instrumental in advancing the East New Britain Initiative, a project aimed at leveraging the collective strengths of Pacific countries to optimize returns from their shared tuna resources. New Ireland Day has been marked by vibrant celebrations across the province, with the central festivities taking place at Silom Primary School in Sentral Niu Ailan. The event has seen a notable presence from members of the Opposition, who joined the local community in commemorating the day.
Opposition MPs, including Hon. James Nomane, Hon. Allan Bird, Hon. Lohia Boe Samuel, Hon. Casmiro Aia, Hon. Sam Basil Jnr, and Hon. Maso Hewabi, were welcomed with traditional ceremonies led by Governor Grand Chief Rt Hon. Sir Julius Chan. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – The Sea Park Development Project has officially begun, following a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Sea Park Development Limited. This significant venture is set to elevate the area surrounding the APEC Haus landmark and contribute to the overall development of Port Moresby and Papua New Guinea.
Located within the newly established Tourism Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Ela Beach, the Sea Park Development Project is poised to become a key attraction for global tourism. The project aims to offer a mix of world-class amenities, economic incentives, and a variety of cultural and recreational activities. PNG Prime Minister James Marape is confronted with a significant political challenge following Gulf Governor Sir Christopher Seseve Haiveta’s decision to continue his legal action against the Government. Despite leaving the Pangu Pati, Sir Christopher has confirmed he will persist with his court case, aiming to address issues he believes the Government has mishandled.
In a statement to local media, Sir Christopher explained his departure from the party, stating, “I am moving out of my party. I am staying out. If I stayed in the party, it (the court action) would not have an impact. I am not joining the Opposition; I am engaging with them.” This move is seen as a strategic step to maintain the effectiveness of his legal challenge. Former PNG Army Chief Major General Jerry Singirok was arrested and charged on Wednesday by a specialized police taskforce for breaching the Securities Commission Act. Singirok, who has been released on K6,000 bail, faces three serious charges related to his previous role with the Pacific Balance Fund (PBF).
The charges against Singirok involve allegations of failing to facilitate transactions and illegally performing the duties of a trustee and fund manager from September 25, 2023, to July 8, 2024. Additionally, Singirok is accused of not informing subsidiary companies as mandated under Section 48 of the Capital Market Act (2015) and continuing to act in his roles in violation of the same provision. Hiri-Koiari MP Keith Iduhu has strongly criticized Prime Minister James Marape in response to recent claims regarding the government's allocation of funds. Iduhu has dismissed Marape's statements about fair distribution as baseless and misleading, urging the Prime Minister to avoid making unsupported claims about the allocation of funds to MPs.
In a press release, PM Marape asserted that his administration would ensure equitable treatment of all provinces and districts in terms of resource and budget distribution. However, MP Iduhu has contested these assertions, arguing that the reality on the ground contradicts Marape's rhetoric. He stated that many provinces, including Hiri-Koiari, have yet to receive their allocated development funds for the current year. Papua New Guinea's national flag carrier, Air Niugini, has finalized a major agreement with Pratt and Whitney to equip its fleet of 11 Airbus A220 aircraft with Pratt and Whitney GTF engines. The deal, which includes a 12-year EngineWise Comprehensive agreement, was confirmed on Monday and was initially set up at the Farnborough Air Show.
Pratt and Whitney's announcement marks Air Niugini's debut as a GTF engine customer. The agreement entails a full suite of support services to be provided by Pratt and Whitney, enhancing the airline’s operational efficiency. Rick Deurloo, President of Commercial Engines at Pratt and Whitney, highlighted the benefits of the GTF engines, stating, "GTF engines offer unmatched payload and range, enabling Air Niugini to open new international routes while benefiting from industry-leading fuel efficiency. We look forward to supporting the airline’s fleet in the years ahead." By Sebastian YUWETTE
In a groundbreaking move that is set to have a lasting impact on Papua New Guinea's agriculture, livestock and tourism sectors, Jona Film Production - a local filming company has produced a film titled “Ples Man” that has influentially captured the nation's attention. The film, which showcases the beauty of Papua New Guinea and highlights the potential for growth in key industries such as agriculture, livestock and tourism has not only entertained audiences but also served as a powerful tool for promoting the government's visions, goals and objectives. Through stunning cinematography and compelling storytelling, the film has successfully shed light on the untapped potential of Papua New Guinea's agricultural and livestock sectors, as well as its burgeoning tourism industry. By presenting these sectors in a positive light, the movie has sparked interest among viewers and stakeholders alike, encouraging investment and fostering growth in these crucial areas. Port Moresby, July 24, 2024 – Prime Minister James Marape and Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey are under scrutiny for alleged misappropriation of public funds. According to Hon. James Nomane, MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, K20 million initially allocated for Gulf Province was redirected to Enga Province through a warrant issued by the Treasury Department on July 8, 2024. This warrant, totaling K60 million, has sparked controversy and criticism.
Nomane has accused Marape and Ling-Stuckey of engaging in "selective warranting," a practice he argues is used to manipulate MPs and exert political control. He claims that this misuse of funds violates the Papua New Guinea Constitution, as public money should not be subject to the discretion of the Prime Minister or Treasurer. |
Papua New Guinea Breaking NewsPapua New Guinea daily News updates Let Your Voice be heard: Submit your news articles, commentaries, letters , Photos, Media Releases etc to us on this email: [email protected]
Mining & PetroleumTop Links |