PM O’Neill: Government is Empowering Grassroots to Advance the Nation

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill visits SHP

The Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, said the Government is changing Papua New Guinea for the better by empowering grassroots men, women and children of the nation.
He made these remarks when launching the Nipa/Kutubu District Five Year Development Plan 2013-2017 at the Nipa Government Station in Southern Highlands Province yesterday.
PM O’Neill said the right policies from the most effective Government in the history of the nation was enabling people to improve their lives.
“This government is investing in districts, provinces and ward councils, which is taking service delivery to the people of our rural areas. Grassroots people know what is needed in their areas and they must be included in decision-making processes.
“Now councilors, village magistrates and court officers are funded by the Government, and this consistency facilitates leadership and decision-making at the local level.
“We will continue to strengthen the public service from the districts up to the national level.”
The Prime Minister said the government is building new public servants’ houses, cleaning up problems in the law and order system, and providing opportunities for children to be educated and families to have access to healthcare.
“Provinces are now receiving almost three billion kina each year for key impact projects. This is the first time in history of this country,” PM O’Neill said.
“For 40 years governments looked around for money as if we were one of the poorest countries in the world. Papua New Guinea had to beg for money from the International Monetary Fund, the Word Bank and countries like Australia.
“Now we have enough revenue, and we have proper management of how we spend this revenue for our people.
“Previously governments also put billions of Kina into trust accounts – but where has all this money gone? This must have been either stolen or mismanaged on so many bogus projects. These bogus projects were never delivered but were still needed in the country.
“Now you can look around and see the new projects being rolled out before your eyes.”
The launch was a memorable day for the people of Nipa/Kutubu, who gathered in thousands to witness the long-awaited occasion despite ongoing wet weather.
The Nipa/Kutubu District Five Year Development Plan 2013-2017 enables the local level government to follow a roadmap, aligned with Papua New Guinea Vision 2050, that is aimed at enhancing ongoing development in the district.
Accompanying the Prime Minister, were senior ministers including Works Minister, Hon. Francis Awesa MP, and Finance Minister, Hon. James Marape MP.