O’Neill hosts leaders’ retreat to conclude summit

The National National

NATIONAL leaders have recognised that infrastructure development and services at the provincial and district levels remain a key priority.
This was among the list of statements they made at the end of a retreat which was the conclusion of the three-day leaders’ summit in Port Moresby on Friday.
The leaders acknowledged the importance of district and rural services, noting the smart cities and
towns programme needed to be developed with partners to build
capacity to fully benefit local communities.
The retreat led by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill as the chairman at the Apec Haus had decentralisation verses autonomy, roles of district development authorities verses local level governments and provincial governments, effective management of services improvement programme, tuition fee free funding, electoral reforms, boundaries, Bougainville referendum, LLG elections, women’s representation in
Parliament and national identification among the list of issues discussed.
O’Neill, who read out statements on behalf of the leaders, said they affirmed that the medium-term development strategy 3 was the key enabler for service delivery and economic growth.
The other statements included:

  • Acknowledging the support of bilateral and multilateral partners;
  • committing to the National Procurement Commission and its processes to enhance transpiration around contacting and tendering;
  • affirming support for key projects in the pipeline that will advance PNG’s long-term economic interest;
  • endorsing the continuation of capital works taking place in the provinces and districts;
  • recognising the importance of skilled workforce and strategies;
  • recognising efforts of key industry partners to empower PNG workers to build a strong economy;
  • reforming the public service including reducing public sector wage bills;
  • ensuring there is equity of government funds;
  • supporting the work of frontline agencies delivering services;
  • continueing to address the impact of population growth and noting the consequences of the increasing aging population;
  • committing to empowering the potentially disadvantaged in society, including disabilities, women and children;
  • committing to universal healthcare and universal education;
  • advancing the continuation of policies that promote rural industries, fisheries, agriculture and forestry to enhance economic growth;
  • committing to law and order and continueing to support police;
  • endorsing the continued work of women empowerment.
  • supporting the upcoming referendum on Bougainville; and,
  • The LLG elections in April to be transparent, smooth and trouble free.