PNG’s PM says govt is converting resource wealth into development gains

PNG Prime Minister; Peter O'neill: Getty Images

PNG’s PM says govt is converting resource wealth into development gains.

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Peter O'neil told Radio New Zealand International that  his administration is going further than any previous government in addressing core issues that the country has struggled with since gaining independence in 1975.

Peter O’Neill says this includes enabling access across the country to education and health services, as well as creating an independent anti-corruption commission.

Our aim is to try and get the benefits that we are now having from resource development to be invested into human resources, and that is why we are focusing on developing education as our main priority of our government. We invest close to 30% of our entire budget on education. That’s a massive investment by anybody’s standards in one sector. So this goes to show our seriousness to addressing a very young population. Of our country’s population 50% is under 25 years of age, and that poses very serious challenges for us. And I think it’s important that we invest well for them so that they can have a better standard of living into the future. And the only way we can do it is by education and training them well to apply better skills that will enable them to have a decent life.

RNZI