Government Caucus Meets to Discuss Completion of Alotau Accord Deliverable

The Government Caucus has concluded an intensive day of review of the achievements that have been made through the implementation of deliverables in the 2012 Alotau Accord, that laid the foundation of the O’Neill-Dion Government work plan.

With more than 80 Members of Parliament meeting in the birthplace of the Accord, Alotau in Milne Bay Province, members considered each element of the accord and its state of completion in a plenary session following the previous day’s informal discussion of relevant elements.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Peter O’Neill CMG MP, welcomed the commitment of the Government caucus to completing the work plan laid out in the Alotau Accord, that was set following the 2012 election by the parties and members that went on to form Government.

“The Alotau Accord is now an historic agreement in the history of our nation,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is the most forward thinking platform for any elected Government in the history of Papua new Guinea.

“This document, the Alotau Accord, clearly identifies key priority areas that we need to advance in our country if we are to deliver real and tangible change for our communities.

“We are not a Government that promised the moon, we promised reality for our people.

“We promised the reality that we could deliver in education, healthcare, law and order and infrastructure, and we are delivering on what we promised.

“It is fulfilling to see that we have achieved close to 90 per cent of our commitments under the Alotau Accord and we will deliver a full report in this in the coming months.”

Minister Public Services and Member for Abau, Sir Puka Temu, spoke at the plenary and highlighted the goodwill that underpinned the Alotau Accord.

“During the formation of government, the theme of the Alotau Accord stated that this would be a Government of reconciliation, and the government has performed very well through political stability, achieving many milestones," Sir Puka said.

“Although some of our former PMs have left us to join the Opposition, we will continue to deliver services to our people until the 2017 elections.

“The coalition political parties set out from here in 2012, to deliver key services like free education, free health services, infrastructure development, law and order and economic development, and we have proven to our people by implementing our policies.

"This is the Government the people of Papua New Guinea will recognise to have delivered the fastest rate of development the nation has ever seen.

"We look forward to returning to Port Moresby this Friday and maintaining our position in government.