The Japanese government has provided a grant worth K9.2 million for East New Britain’s Tokua Airport. The aid prompted the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Soroi Eoe, to express his appreciation and praise for the Japanese Ambassador, Nobuyuki Watanabe. Watanabe said the grant would be used on heavy equipment for the National Airports Corporation (NAC) in Tokua. The money would also go to the East New Britain Department
Papua New Guinean insurance companies contain clauses that expressly state there is no coverage for businesses operating in Bougainville, and this is causing problems for enterprises in the region. The policies are the aftermath of the ten-year civil war (1988 to 1998), where an unfavourable business climate was established. However, even after the Bougainville Peace Agreement was signed in 2001, the policies have remained in place. The lack of coverage
Structural reforms to improve energy production and tap into Papua New Guinea’s alternative power-generation sources continue as the new National Energy Authority (NEA) moves from strength to strength within one year of its establishment. Minister for Energy and Rural Electrification Hon. Saki Soloma today provided an update to the country on the progress of NEA since its two enabling legislations, the National Energy Act 2021 and the Electricity Industry Amendment
The Appointment Committee for the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) met again in Port Moresby as the formation of the ICAC continues to proceed as planned. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape stressed the need for the government to fight the ‘disease of corruption’. He urged the Appointments Committee to move forward as fast as possible before the National General Elections. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister
OVER 500 people in West Sepik Province will now have access to agriculture training and education services through two new multipurpose centres and a refurbished Local Level Government (LLG) chamber office. The facilities, which were supported by the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership, will help improve service delivery and provide economic opportunities for the people of Nuku. These facilities will be centres of training, with a focus on increasing women’s involvement
THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$150 million loan to help Papua New Guinea provide affordable, accessible, high-quality health services for all PNG citizens. The loan will fund the third and final subprogram of the ADB-supported Health Services Sector Development Programme. “Through ADB’s programme, national and health-specific reforms are expected to increase the availability of funds, and the effectiveness and efficiency of how resources are used,” said Principal
THE National Executive Council (NEC) has recently approved the Crime Prevention through Revitalized Village Courts System Strategy 2020-2030. Prime Minister, James Marape, said the transformation and revitalisation of this first level of judiciary system by approving this strategy will allow Village Court officials and Land Mediators to deal with issues in a more formal setting. Prime Minister Marape said this will give prominence to the Village Courts system as the
PNG Prime Minister James Marape, together with Enga Provincial Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, have met with Barrick Gold CEO Mark Bristow in Port Moresby to discuss the terms of the re-opening of the Porgera Gold Mine. Prime Minister Marape indicated that he was very happy with the discussions that had taken place. “I was very pleased to be able to meet with Barrick CEO Mr Bristow and his team today
THE PNG Chamber of Mines & Petroleum says it is alarmed at the PNG Government’s decision to fast track the adoption of Production Sharing Contracts for mining and petroleum in place of the Royalty/Tax Concessionary System that has operated successfully since the country’s independence. In a statement, the Chamber said it remains cognisant of the government’s prerogative to review and reform our resource laws and has never been opposed to
PORGERA Gold Mine operator Barrick (Niugini) Limited (BNL has initiated conciliation proceedings before the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) to settle its dispute with PNG arising out of the PNG Government’s decision not to extend the Porgera Special Mining Lease (SML). BNL says it exercised its legal right to apply for an extension of the Porgera Special Mining Lease in June 2017. The company alleges