PNG's export revenue affect, says PM O'Neill

Papua New Guinea’s export revenue will be greatly affected after the massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the region that hosts the LNG Project.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, after returning from the affected areas late yesterday afternoon, described the situation as a ‘sad day for PNG’.

“It is unfortunate whilst the economy is turning around and the commodity prices around the global markets have improved, which resulted in the increased in the country’s revenue, we are faced with this enormous challenge.

“Our appeal is to all the people to understand the challenges that few of the provinces have been going through.”

The earthquake had affected the operations of the PNG LNG Project, two Oil Search oil fields and Ok Tedi Mining in Porgera, Enga Province.

He added that the Government is working closely with the respective provincial governments to bring normalcy back to their area.

“We make sure the schools are open, hospitals are in operation and the roads are accessible by people.”

He said the second priority for the Government is to get the economically significant value projects for the nation back on track.