PM O’Neill praises professional Pacific Games opening ceremony

Prime MinisterPeter O'Neill CMG, MP, has praised the organisers and the "grassroots stars" of the Opening Ceremony of the XV Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
>l O'Neill made the comments following the start of the Pacific Games that brought together 3,500 performers from around the nation, who set the scene for the arrival of more than 3,000 athletes into the stadium.
"The opening ceremony for the Pacific Games last night was a proud demonstration of Papua New Guinea's diverse culture.
"I congratulate the hundreds of people in the crew, and the thousands who came from around the nation to perform.
"The grassroots stars of the show, the people in the sing-sing groups and the school children, warmed the hearts of the thousands of people in the stands and millions of people watching the broadcast around the world.
"Never in our history have we seen such a professional stadium performance as we saw last night.
"The opening ceremony performance set a new standard for major events in Pacific nations.
"When the athletes of our region entered the stadium it was an extremely proud moment that sports men and women of all participating countries will never forget.
"I thank the Papua New Guinea team for representing our nation and look forward to your performance in the coming days."
During the ceremony the Prime Minister officially welcomed athletes from 24 competing teams before the XV Pacific Games was opened by the Duke of York.
"I know that these Games will be the best ever and many new records will be set," PM O'Neill said in his speech.
>l "The sporting facilities that we have built for these games are world-class, and they will continue to benefit our region for generations to come.
"These facilities are also a demonstration of the change that is taking place, and the new standards that are being set in the Pacific.
"Let me thank the thousands of volunteers, thousands of workers and officials who have worked very hard over the past three years to make this Games a success."
The Prime Minister said the Pacific Games is about more than a sports competition, and is an opportunity to enhance regional unity.
"The Games brings our vast region together and builds strong bonds between people, between teams and nations."
O'Neill urged all participants to enjoy the games and make many great memories.
"I hope all visitors experience the warmth of the welcome my fellow citizens will extend to each of you.
"Good luck to the athletes from every country – please make us all proud."

PM O’Neill thanks Duke of York for his visit

Prime Minister of Peter O'Neill has thanked the Duke of York, HRH Prince Andrew, for visiting Papua New Guinea and opening the XV Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
"Papua New Guinea appreciates the visit by the Duke of York and the time he has taken to meet many people during the days he spent with us,"  O'Neill said.
"It was also appreciated that Prince Andrew was able to formally open the Pacific Games after having performed the same duty when Papua New Guinea hosted the Games in 1991."
The Prime Minister said his meetings and discussions with the Duke of York were enlightening, and he appreciated Prince Andrew's interest in the future development of Papua New Guinea.
"Prince Andrew has a deep understanding of Papua New Guinea, and was most interested to learn more of our nation's ongoing development.
"We had the opportunity to discuss the economic growth of Papua New Guinea, and how we are expanding service delivery to our people.
"Our ongoing programs to expand education and healthcare are changing lives and opening new opportunities, particular for people in rural areas."
The Prime Minister said Papua New Guinea has seen significant advancement since past royal visits.
"Papua New Guinea has changed a great deal since Prince Andrew last visited in 1991," the Prime Minister said.
"It is less than three years since the last Royal visit when Prince Charles came to Papua New Guinea, and even over that time the infrastructure in Port Moresby and around the country has seen great development.
"I appreciate Her Majesty the Queen accepting our request for a member of the Royal Family to visit Papua New Guinea for the opening of the Pacific Games.
"I hope the Duke of York has enjoyed his visit and the opportunity to meet with many Papua New Guineans from all regions and different walks of life."

Speech by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill at the XV Pacific Games Opening Ceremony

The people of Papua New Guinea welcome to our nation, and our capital city, visitors from our 24 Games nations.
We also welcome Your Royal Highness, the Duke of York, to once again open the Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
I know that these Games will be the best ever and many new records will be set.
The sporting facilities that we have built for these games are world-class, and they will continue to benefit our region for generations to come.
They are also a demonstration of the change that is taking place, and the new standards that are being set in the Pacific.
Today we are living in the Asia-Pacific Century - with global economic growth and development centred on our part of the world.
This is a great time to live in the Pacific – we have a great future ahead of us.
The Pacific Games brings together over 3,000 athletes participating in 28 team and individual sports.
But the Pacific Games is about more than a sports competition.
It is all about people – about the athletes, about the coaches, the officials and millions of supporters all around the world watching these Games.
The Games bring our vast region together and builds strong bonds between people, between teams and nations.
On behalf of Papua New Guinea and its citizens, thank you to the Games Organising Committee and the very strong sponsors of these games.
But more importantly, let me thank the thousands of volunteers, thousands of workers and officials who have worked very hard over the past three years to make this Games a success. 
Please enjoy the Games and please make many great memories out of it.
I hope all visitors experience the warmth of the welcome my fellow citizens will extend to each of you.
Good luck to the athletes from every country – please make us all proud.
May God be with you.
Thank you very much.

PM O’Neill switches on additional 25MW electricity for Port Moresby

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill launched a 25 megawatts power supply from the ExxonMobilLNG Plant to Port Moresby yesterday.
In his address celebrate the switching on of power, he said the additional 25 megawatts of electricity would meet demand in Port Moresby with an increased 50 megawatts capacity to be added later this year.
O'Neill thanked everyone involved in the project that was delivered in five months after the signing of an MOU with ExxonMobil PNG in January 2015.
He also thanked the provinces and governors' who supported the Government in delivering this project.
O'Neill said Papua New Guinea was a nation that was changing very fast.
"As quality of life improves, the demand for a reliable supply of reliable power is one of those first priorities of a growing economy and a growing middle class," he said.
"Also in many of our remote villages throughout the country, and in rural communities, more people have access to modern technology like computers and smart phones and they also need reliable power supplies.
"In one generation we have moved from a traditional culture to become a modern economy.  Our nation is now an energy exporter, we are active in global financial markets, and our agricultural products are exported around the world.
"Around our country businesses continue to expand and require greater access to electricity, from the smallest business to major international corporations.
"I thank ExxonMobil PNG for the leadership and support provided in resolving one of the most important challenges that Papua New Guinea faces as we seek to increase the reliability of supply of electricity.
O'Neill said the completion of the power project was a result of a partnership between all stakeholders, Government, ExxonMobil PNG, Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC), PNG National Petroleum Company (PNPC) and PNG Power Ltd.
"This truly has been a magnificent partnership, that we have displayed in making sure that we work with all stakeholders in ensuring that we have these project delivered on time," he said.

PM O’Neill officially opens Games Village

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill officially opened the XV Pacific Games Village yesterday at the University of Papua New Guinea, Waigani Campus.
The Prime Minister said after their use for athletes at the Games, the facilities will stand for decades in support of education in Papua New Guinea.
"These facilities are not only going to serve these one off event of the Games, they will be passed on for the education of future young leaders and citizens of our country," O'Neill said.
"There will be close to 4,000 students using these facilities into the future.
"We are going to work with the university in making sure that we have the maintenance and the management of these facilities, so that we can maintain the standards we all expect.
"We will not be in the culture of letting them run down and then look for things to be rebuilt.  We must maintain it so that it can last a long time."
During his inspection of the facility the Prime Minister met a number of representatives from games countries who were already using the facilities and he wished them well in their competition.
"We must stand together and support not only our athletics but please, extend the same support to all the other athletes that are going to come and join us.
"They are our visitors, and we must never forget our Melanesian way of welcoming visitors.
"We must look after them, making sure that they all return home safely."
O'Neill said the completion of the facilities is a testament to the commitment of the people involved to deliver the infrastructure.
"Thank you very much for all the hard work that contractors and everyone involved has put in."

PNG seeks to have lawyers on SBS to be investigated by Australian authorities

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has asked the Minister for Foreign affairs, and the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, to engage with relevant Australian law enforcement authorities to investigate comments made by two lawyers that were aired on overseas media in the past week.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Rimbink Pato CMG MP, and the Attorney General, Hon. Ano Pala MP, will now seek to have the claims, that were aired on SBS television, to be investigated in both the Papua New Guinea and Australian jurisdictions.
"The comments made by the two men in question (Greg Sheppard and Harvey Maladina) are alarming and are the subject of investigation in Papua New Guinea,"  O'Neill said.
"I have sought advice on the most effective way to have these claims investigated from all angles and now we are seeking to ensure that this process takes place in both countries relevant to the claims.
"It is not for the Government to judge these individuals, and all people are innocent until proven guilty before the law, but suggestions of money laundering involving high level officials must be properly investigated.  
"Now I expect relevant authorities will undertake their independent investigations and pursue the course of action that they see most appropriate."
The Prime Minister said beyond any legal proceedings, the claims made in the SBS story feed into an old stereotypical view of Papua New Guinea that had developed after Independence.
"For decades Papua New Guinea suffered at the hands of foreign and local people who sought to take advantage of the then young nation.  We called them spivs and carpet baggers and over the course of time legislation has been introduced to stop these activities.
"Papua New Guinea of today is a country where there are checks and balances, where digital fingerprints are a tool of investigation and where we have access to the resources of international law enforcement to prevent illicit financial activities.
"We are part of a global legal and economic system where illegal practices of the past can be identified and dealt with."
The Prime Minister called for patience as relevant authorities undertake thorougher investigations.

O’Neill Opens Taurama Sporting Centre

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has officially opened the new Taurama Sporting Centre in preparation for the XV Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
In opening the new centre, that includes swimming and indoor sporting facilities, the Prime Minister said as the largest Pacific Island nation, Papua New Guinea must take a leadership role.
"Let us show leadership, not just in words but in deeds, to advance our region and help countries around the Pacific," he said. 
"The Taurama Sport Centre must be a centre for sporting excellence well beyond the Games, and draw athletes from around the Pacific to pursue their sporting dreams.
"The facilities here will be here for the sporting men and women of Pacific countries to make a sporting career."
O'Neill highlighted criticism made by individuals who sought to undermine the nation's chances to deliver a successful Games.
"Our Government inherited the commitments of the past government to host the Pacific Games, and we had to honour these commitments.
"I thank all those who have put in great effort in the hard work, leadership and delivery of the infrastructure for the games."
The Prime Minister undertook a tour of the sporting centre that includes a stainless steel swimming pool.  
This is only one of two pool of this quality in the Southern Hemisphere, with the other being in Melbourne.