PNG Treasury Minister Faces Scrutiny Over Billions in IMF Loans, Former PM Warns of Economic Control26/4/2024
Former Prime Minister and Ialibu-Pangia MP, Peter O’Neill, has voiced sharp criticism against the current administration's handling of Papua New Guinea's finances, particularly its escalating borrowing from international institutions. In a statement released yesterday, O’Neill highlighted concerns regarding the significant influx of loans welcomed by Ian Ling-Stuckey, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Treasury Matters, over the past three years. O’Neill claimed that Ling-Stuckey had overseen the welcoming of billions of Kina worth of loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.. Continuing their robust partnership, China has once again extended a helping hand to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the aftermath of recent natural disasters. This morning, a Chinese military aircraft touched down in Port Moresby, laden with much-needed humanitarian and disaster relief supplies.
The generous donation, provided by the People's Republic of China, underscores the deepening ties between the two nations and reaffirms China's commitment to supporting PNG across political, economic, and social spheres. The relief supplies, aimed at assisting those affected by the devastating floods and other disasters in February and March, were warmly received by officials including Chinese Ambassador to PNG, Zeng Fanhua, and PNG's Defense Minister, Dr. Billy Joseph, who also oversees the national disaster center. In a remarkable display of canine prowess, Port Moresby's finest police dog, "Ash," emerged as the hero of the hour, successfully tracking down an armed suspect involved in the theft of a motor vehicle in Papua New Guinea's capital.
The incident unfolded when four armed suspects abandoned a stolen motor vehicle in Port Moresby and attempted to flee the scene. Acting swiftly, Ash's handler directed the skilled K-9 to track down the perpetrators. With precision and agility, Ash followed the trail from the DCA compound at Koni to a nearby drain, where one of the suspects was hiding. The United States (US) Embassy in Port Moresby has reaffirmed the US government's respect for the people and culture of Papua New Guinea (PNG) while expressing commitment to fostering respectful relations with PNG. This statement comes in response to comments made by US President Joe Biden during an election campaign last week, suggesting the possibility that his uncle, 2nd Lieutenant Ambrose Finnegan, may have been consumed by cannibals in New Guinea during World War Two (WW2).
The embassy's statement emphasized President Biden's intention in sharing his uncle's story as part of advocating for honoring the commitment to equip those sent to war. It highlighted the shared sacrifices of WW2 and commended the people of PNG for their resilience, courage, and commitment to democratic ideals, positioning PNG as a regional leader with diverse cultures. The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary is gearing up to bolster its ranks with an increase in state service personnel, including civilian manpower, in the upcoming months.
Assistant Commissioner of Police – Crimes Hodges Ette confirmed that discussions regarding recruitment have been ongoing without specifying an exact timeline for the major recruitment drive. However, he assured that the process would commence shortly. Mr. Ette emphasized that the augmentation of police officers and support staff has been a focal point of discussions for several years but has yet to be implemented. The Police Force has recently formalized and acknowledged the civilian branch as a legitimate division within the force. Budget allocations have also been made to accommodate this expansion, aimed at enhancing the force's capacity to achieve its mission and goals alongside constables, reservists, auxiliaries, and regular officers. PNG's Foreign Affairs Minister Condemns Biden's Allegations of PNG Cannibalism During WWII23/4/2024
The Foreign Affairs Minister of Papua New Guinea, Justin Tkatchenko, has strongly rebuked recent comments made by US President Joe Biden, alleging cannibalism in PNG during World War II. Minister Tkatchenko termed the remarks as unsubstantiated and unacceptable at the international level.
Expressing regret over President Biden's assertion that his uncle may have been eaten by cannibals in Papua New Guinea during the war, Minister Tkatchenko emphasized the lack of evidence to support such claims. "It's rather unfortunate that President Biden's remarks are not supported by official documents held within the US military and the State Department," remarked Foreign Minister Tkatchenko, highlighting the absence of credible evidence to validate the allegations. In a significant development towards Papua New Guinea's electrification targets, international donor partners have pledged support in line with the 2018 Apec commitment. The aim is to ensure 70 per cent of the population has access to reliable power supply by 2030.
The announcement came following a crucial meeting between the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Treasury, Ian Ling-Stuckey, and World Bank vice president Manuela Ferro in Washington, United States, last week. Minister Ling-Stuckey highlighted the pivotal role of reliable energy supply, emphasizing the National Energy Access Transformation (Neat) project. Valued at US$204.2 million (about K775 million), this initiative aims to connect 194,000 more people to the grid in urban areas through enhancements in distribution networks and mobile substations. Police in Papua New Guinea are perplexed by the smuggling of a staggering 289kg of cocaine into Australia, raising questions about border security and transnational criminal networks. An Australian man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was apprehended and charged last Tuesday in connection with an alleged criminal syndicate responsible for importing the massive quantity of cocaine from Papua New Guinea (PNG) into Queensland, Australia. The syndicate reportedly employed tactics involving the impersonation of a legitimate company to evade detection. The arrest was made by investigators from Taskforce Venator, a collaborative effort between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Queensland Police Service. The operation unfolded on April 12 as part of an ongoing probe conducted in conjunction with the Australian Border Force. Port Moresby, April 22, 2024 - Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso extended a warm welcome to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese upon his arrival at Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby this afternoon. Prime Minister Albanese's visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG) is in commemoration of ANZAC Week, where joint war commemorations are being held in the country. During his time in PNG, Prime Minister Albanese plans to walk the Kokoda Track, a historic route famously utilized by Australian soldiers during World War II, from Kokoda to Deniki Village. Additionally, he is scheduled to participate in the Dawn Service in Isurava. In response to concerns over inflation and rising prices of goods and services, economist Paul Barker has criticized the government's role in Papua New Guinea's economy and society, urging officials to reassess their priorities. Barker emphasized that while the country continues to function, it relies heavily on the resilience of its communities, farmers, churches, civil society, and both formal and informal business sectors. However, he cautioned that Papua New Guinea faces significant challenges, including economic, social, and security issues such as high population growth, limited opportunities, violence, and conflicts. |
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