The Marape government has shamelessly claimed credit for a major project not of its initiative or design. Former Prime Minister Peter O'Neill expressed disbelief at Treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey's bold claim last week that the EVEDU Transmission and Electrification project was the Marape Government’s “top priority project”. Mr Stuckey’s statement reads in part: ‘The Australian Government has agreed to support the Marape Government’s top-priority EVEDU Transmission and Electrification project with funding of $US90 million (K315 million). ‘EVDU is part of the Papua New Guinea Electrification Partnership with Australia, the US, New Zealand and Japan, which aims to achieve 70 percent electrification across the nation by 2030.‘ Treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey welcomed the decision, saying it is a big boost to the Marape Government’s electrification plans.’
Mr O’Neill said in a statement: “This is a shameless attempt by the Treasurer at claiming credit for a project his government never initiated or promoted. “Even after 20 months in office this government has not progressed the project much further despite the fact that the United States made its contribution last year. “This the most positive and the biggest project on government books now and it must be progressed with all urgency. “This Prime Minister and his Treasurer have delivered two national budgets and two Supplementary budgets and no projects. “The only achievement Ling Stuckey and Marape can claim full credit for is the closure of Porgera gold mine, the stalling of the Papua LNG project, the delay of the Wafi Golpu mine and endless promises and slogans. “Having now discovered that Papua New Guineans are asking serious questions about this government's performance they are shamelessly claiming credit for projects they never promoted. “Indeed, it is this same Treasurer who berated the APEC Summit and branded it a waste of resources and blamed me for digging one of his favourite holes in the ground. “I did dig debt holes but I used the loans to build airports, seaports, roads, bridges, hospitals and classrooms. I can count off all the projects I built in every district and province. I do not think they can name one project this government has initiated. “Yes, I did borrow but I kept below the limits set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act and was up to date with repayment schedules. “Marape and Stucky have borrowed their way past the Fiscal Responsibility Act no less than three times and the debt to GDP ratio is now at a staggering 51 percent. “When they borrow to finance the K6.23 billion 2021 budget deficit and to finance their victory in acquiring 51 percent of Porgera gold mine the ratio will be nearer 70 percent. “And for the first time in the life of Independent PNG, we have defaulted on our loan repayments and we will continue to default until we reach unbankable status and require international bailout. “When a full accounting for use of the K5.7 billion Covid stimulus package is finally out, if at all, this country will know what manner of individuals they have been supporting in Government. “I wish to also call on government to explain clearly where it will be spending the recent transfer of K1 billion from Japanese aid Organisation, JICA.” Statement Next : Comments are closed.
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