Prime Minister O’Neill Has Audience with Queen Elizabeth

Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill , had a private audience with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, (pictured)at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom on June 16.
The audience took place in what is known as the "White Room" in the castle and afforded the Queen and the Prime Minister an opportunity to share perspectives of significance for Papua New Guinea and the Commonwealth.
The Prime Minister said it is not protocol to discuss the specific details of the audience with Her Majesty, but he said he was again impressed the Queen's depth of knowledge and fondness for Papua New Guinea.
"Her Majesty is very familiar with the history as well as current developments in Papua New Guinea,"  O'Neill said.
"The Queen has visited Papua New Guinea in the past, many years ago she sailed to the country on the Royal Yacht Britannia.
"I hope that Her Majesty does have the opportunity to travel to Papua New Guinea again before long.
"Though we recognise that there are a number of countries that would also appreciate visits and she is not as able to travel as often as she did in the past."
The Prime Minister said the people of Papua New Guinea have a special place in their hearts for the Queen and the Royal Family.
"Most people have spent their whole lives only knowing one Monarch and they have great respect.
"I appreciated Her Majesty affording me time to meet with her on this visit to the United Kingdom."
The Prime Minister also met with His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew while at Windsor Castle.
He said they discussed regional issues of interest, and Papua New Guinea's hosting of major events including the Pacific Games as well as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' meeting immediately before Independence celebrations.
"Price Andrew has visited Papua New Guinea several times in the past and was with us for the opening the then South Pacific Games in 1991.
"He has fond memories of his visits to Papua New Guinea and he has travelled around our country.
"The Duke of York also was also well aware of a number of regional issues that are of importance to Papua New Guinea and the Commonwealth.
"I look forward to furthering this discussion in the future."

Port Moresby chamber commends Police Commissioner

Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry  has commended incoming Commissioner of Police Baki for his comprehensive and detailed  statement  on how he wishes to bring over-arching  change , discipline and accountability  to the force .
"He will clearly need the full support of rank and file , government and the business community – and he will certainly get the latter ," said POMCCI chief executive officer David Conn.
"We  have to say that we felt a door had opened for radical change of the hierarchy of our police force , but the government in its wisdom has decided not to take this course , and we naturally respect this .
"Any Commissioner needs a reasonable term of office to implement the modernisation programme  that the RPNGC clearly needs and the government should consider giving him a team of , experienced , professional police officers to implement such reform .
"The Commissioner's comments on uniforms are welcome and long overdue , but we still strongly believe  all officers should carry name badges  on uniforms and be clearly identifiable . If this had been done , we might not have the situation at Hanuabada where it has been apparently impossible to identify officers concerned,  in broad daylight .
"While we understand  the added security around the 2015 Games , it is apparent that road blocks  have gotten out of control and are too often an opportunity for malfeisance and standover tactics by rogue officers  seeking illegal and outrageous  on-the -spot fines , which have no basis in law.
"Properly established  and clearly identifiable roadblocks should only be allowed with specific  approval , and under the supervision , of a senior officer .
"It is a sad reality  that many of our city residents are more intimidated by  the very police officers who have sworn an oath to protect them ,  than  the criminals.
"Women , especially at night , are facing regular intimidation , and threat of arbitrary fines or imprisonment  by  police officers .
"The Chamber has issued an invitation to Commissioner Baki to address the business community in the city  at one of its regular breakfasts and sincerely hopes he will take us up on this and consider a proposal we have put to him  to form a consultative committee , along the lines of the Law and Order Committees all major centres in PNG used to have ."

Wise decisions today, vital for tomorrow

Hello, Mr Nalu

 My name is Vinzealhar Nen, I am Jacqueline Tanda's daughter. I am a first year pre med student in the States and one of the requirements to secure scholarship is to publish an article in a newspaper or a widely read blog.

I have written on climate change due to my role as YACA President and an active member of 350 Pacific., I am an active eco warrior and hope that through my work I can inspire my people of PNG to also be aware and active.

Is it possible if you can publish my article on your blog before the 1st of June?
Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.

 By Vinzealhar Nen

Papua New Guinea is a country blessed with natural scenery and land fertility in relation to our natural non-renewable resources. For decades PNG soil has been mined for these natural resources, which include; gold, copper, oil and others.

In regard to mining activity there are policies written and implemented by the government of Papua New Guinea as well as international mining companies who operate within PNG. Of all policies put in place to ensure safe and reliable mining there is none put in place in terms of a tailings dam being made a requirement.

A tailings dam is used to dispose mining waste responsibly especially since mining waste consists of a high level of cyanite. Cyanide is a substance found in mining waste in large quantities, this material is highly toxic, poisonous and is well known for effectively wiping out eco systems. Currently in PNG there is no policy protecting our seas from mining waste products. Due to a policy of such nature being absent, what happens is that mining companies pump all their wastes into the ocean as a way of discarding their rubbish. Thus destroying marine life and also polluting our waters causing the effects of climate change to accelerate in our country.

Papua New Guinea as an island nation we are at great risks of being victims to climate change. As a result of careless waste disposal our marine biodiversity is threatened. By mining and burning of machinery the burning in the ozone layer increases. Causing ice bergs to melt therefore sea levels rise as a result of such activities.

The current government in power need to make choices. These decisions have to be beneficial and wise. People who have lived around the mining areas are the ones likely to suffer from the effects of climate change as well as settlers living along low lying islands. Leaders need to take on board the views of the landowners as they have that right to be heard. We do not want our nation to undergo another bouganville crisis, due to the government ignoring the opinions of the Panguna mines landowners. Nor do we want our country to be like Ok Tedi, Western Province where because the people are submissive their land is deteriorating around them.

Upcoming mining areas such as Watut in Morobe need to talk with the government to ensure that a tailings dam policy be made a compulsory requirement. At the end of the day Papua New Guinea is our home and we need to keep it safe. Miners want to operate on our land we make the rules and they abide, despite practises being expensive we need to realise that its worth it.

By taking such steps we are preserving our country another day from being submerged. Most importantly sensible decisions as such save Planet Earth.

Kumul Flyover opens

Papua New Guinea has opened the latest part of significant national infrastructure with the formal opening of the "Kumul Flyover" in Port Moresby on Sunday, May 31.
In opening the flyover, the Prime Minister,  Peter O'Neill, congratulated all who had contributed to the project, and sent a message to those who are stuck in the past to embrace modern Papua New Guinea.
"This significant infrastructure project that has been delivered on budget and on time," O'Neill said.
"As the government opens this flyover, we are delivering infrastructure in many other parts of the country.  We are spending record amounts of money to build infrastructure right across that country.
"This includes Lae – that was once the pothole capital of the world.  We have built concrete roads and Lae is becoming the concrete capital with strong roads that will last for decades."
The Prime Minister said investments in infrastructure, education and Health are changing the lives of communities and people throughout the country.
"Today we are here to say we on a new path for Papua New Guinea that will see Papua New Guinea taking its place not only in the region and in the Pacific but within the global community.
"This flyover infrastructure is part of ongoing progress.
"We are very proud to be here today, joining our Governor, our Ministers, our Hawkins Group partners and all the sub-contractors and the workers who built this.
"There were many critics, who continue to refused to believe that Papua New Guinea is changing.  Even when they see infrastructure all around the country, more employment and large project, these people choose to criticise.
"But we are a patient people.  We will keep building infrastructure and advancing the nation."
The Prime Minister said in a few weeks Papua New Guinea will be hosting the Pacific Games and that is the time to showcase the best of the country.
"I thank the Governor and his team for geting this city ready for the games.
"When people travel over this flyover for the Games and the Pacific Islands Forum they will see how this country is changing."
Finally the Prime Minister announced the name of the flyover was being changed from the working name that has been used.
O'Neill also renamed the Kookaburra Flyover as the Kumul Flyover to reflect the country as truly Papua New Guinean.
"I think that it is important that we name this flyover with a name that is reflective our country.  Today we will name this the Kumul Flyover.
"As part of this, all the way from Port Moresby City to Nine Mile will be named the Kumul Highway."
There to witness the occasion were thousands of members of the public, as well as National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop, Member for Moresby North-East Labi Amaiu, Minister for Sports and Pacific Games Justine Tkatchenko, Minister for Public Service Sir Puka Temu and  Minister for Communications Hon Jimmy Miringtoro.                 

Prince Andrew to Visit Papua New Guinea to open the Pacific Games

His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, is to officially open the Pacific Games in Port Moresby in July, Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, announced.
O'Neill said he was delighted Prince Andrew had accepted his invitation to visit Papua New Guinea and officially open the Games.
"When Papua New Guinea last hosted the Games, in 1991, Prince Andrew officially opened what was then known as the South Pacific Games."
"It is a measure of the standing the Games enjoys that His Royal Highness has agreed to officially open the event in a few weeks time," he said.
O'Neill said he was certain competitors from across the Pacific, as well as the people of Papua New Guinea, would accord His Royal Highness a warm welcome.

PM welcomes Members to PNC

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has welcomed the decision by the Speaker of Parliament and Member for Finschafen Theodore Zurenuoc MP, and Member for Kundiawa-Gembogl, Tobias Kulang MP, to join the People's National Congress Party.
O'Neill made the announcement at a press conference at the National Parliament yesterday.
The Prime Minister welcomed the members saying that the party continues to grow because of the stability that it is providing to the nation.
"Stability in terms of leadership, stability in terms of policy and stability in the management of the affairs of the economy of the country is bringing members to the PNC Party,"  O'Neill said.
"Working with the speaker over the last two and a half years of the parliament and working with our brother member, Tobias Kulang, we have come to recognize that we need to put our talents and abilities together for the good of the country.
"Them joining of Government adds further stability so that we can continue to roll out the programs that they have started.
"The talent and experience that the two gentlemen will bring to the party will contribute further in making sure that we strengthen the party's ability so that we can deliver more to our people throughout the country." 
The Prime Ministers said the Government has very innovative policies like free education and healthcare for which credit should also be shared with  Zurenuoc.
"Many people might not know that free education is the brainchild of the Speaker when he was Education Minister, so now he has come to the core of the party where we are implementing that policy."
The Prime Minister further highlighted the professionalism and independence of Theodore Zurenuoc in carrying out his duties as the Speaker of the Parliament.
"Many of you know how Parliaments in the past were managed, now we know things are functioning and Parliamentary business is being conducted.
"We have not missed one day of Parliamentary meetings since this parliament started.  This is a credit to the speaker."
The Prime Minister thanked the People's Progress Party for their understanding and respecting the Members' decisions.

O'Neill: Human resource capacity building is a priority for the nation

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill  said strengthening human resources in Papua New Guinea is one of the most important challenges faced today and everyone in the country needs to play a part.
He made the comments yesterday while awards to leading Papua New Guinean organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to developing the human resource capacity of the nation. 
The awards were presented on the opening day of the 2015 Papua New Guinea Human Resource Institute (PNGHRI) National Congress in Port Moresby.
 "Our nation in a period of true transition and it is absolutely vital we get this transition right,"  O'Neill said.
"As a community, and as a country, we need everyone to do his or her part in making sure that we develop our country to have a better standard of living.
"Our Government is focusing on ensuring the transition we are going through today is going to deliver real benefits to Papua New Guineans, especially for our children into the future.
"This human resources conference is very important in ensuring our country takes a strategic approach in strengthening the human resources capacity.
"I am looking forward to receiving the outcomes of your deliberations."
The Prime Minister said education was central to fully develop human resources in Papua New Guinea.
"One thing I want our people to remember is that this government is all about educating people in our country through investment in students, teachers and infrastructure.
"As an example, with new infrastructure we are able to increase the intake at the University of Papua New Guinea.  This is due in part to the increase in student accommodation when we hand over the Games Village to the university.
"The Government will continue to invest in the learning facilities in our country, and we are naming these institutions in the budget so that money goes direct to these schools.
"The funding of education, like many core government services, can be delivered at a local level where needs can be properly assessed and funds delivered direct.
"Our Government is ensuing that for the first time there is a transition of funds that are going directly to the districts and to the local communities.
"We are funding Local Level Government authorities this year with K100,000 and next year this will again increase to K500,000.
"This is for every LLG in the country, and we are funding every district through funding that has never been there before.
"I urge people to go to the remote areas and see that this funding is being fully used."