Air Niugini Announces Fare Restructure to Combat Increased Costs

 Former Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has launched a scathing critique of current Prime Minister James Marape, accusing him of breaking promises to Papua New Guinea's children and young people. O'Neill, who is the Member for Ialibu-Pangia, claimed that Marape has consistently disappointed the younger generation over his five years in office.

Mr.Peter O'Neill

In 2019, Marape pledged in his Take Back PNG manifesto that he would "leave no child behind." However, O'Neill noted that shortly after making this promise, Marape repealed the Tuition Fee Free policy. This decision left thousands of children without access to education, many of whom were in the middle of their academic year.

O'Neill described the policy reversal as particularly cruel, stating that it left many students feeling abandoned and shocked. He argued that the decision was one of the most heartless actions taken by Marape's administration, making children the primary victims.

On January 10, 2024, Marape made a public appeal to unemployed and uneducated youths aged 15 to 30, promising to mobilize and support them through church networks. O'Neill highlighted this as another instance of Marape's empty promises, arguing that his policies have continued to undermine the economic and social stability necessary for these young people to thrive.

O'Neill labeled Marape's approach as extremely poor policy and cruel, questioning the sincerity and effectiveness of his leadership. He argued that making false promises to vulnerable youth is not only unethical but also damages the very fabric of the country's future.

The former Prime Minister also referenced Marape's recent visit to Bushwara, where he promised to address the needs of children and young people in the settlement. Marape proposed two solutions, including fencing the land and developing it according to the NCDC settlement-to-suburb upgrade program. However, O'Neill claimed that Marape avoided fulfilling these promises by traveling to Kokopo instead.

O'Neill warned that such broken promises could undermine democracy. He expressed concern that the next generation might lose faith in democratic institutions if they see their leaders as untrustworthy.

He questioned whether young people would tolerate what he described as an abuse of power, warning of potential unrest if their futures continue to be jeopardized by unfulfilled promises.

In his concluding remarks, O'Neill urged Marape to stop making empty promises and instead focus on providing tangible support. He emphasized the need for quality education, healthcare, and opportunities for young people to secure good jobs and live in a peaceful society.

O'Neill condemned the use of children’s dreams and aspirations as tools in political maneuvering, calling for a more honest and supportive approach to governance.

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Air Niugini Announces Fare Restructure to Combat Increased Costs