PM cancels costly trip

The National Main Stories

PRIME Minister James Marape, pictured, has cancelled his trip to United Nations General Assembly in New York because it will cost the government K1.2 million to send 55 officials to accompany him.
Marape told a press conference yesterday that he directed the travel for the majority of the delegation to be cancelled.
“That is not acceptable and I have personally directed that travel for the majority of the delegation be cancelled,” he said.
“Just five or six essential staff members will travel with Foreign Minister Soroi Eoe, who I have every confidence in, with the assistance of our highly capable team at Kundu New York, will represent our interests when the General Assembly meets.
“I want to place, on record, my belief in the importance of the General Assembly meeting and the role of the United Nations.
“This is particularly the case in relation to climate change, which remains a very real and urgent issue for PNG and the islands of the Pacific.”
Marape said he had Bougainville, along with several internal issues, to attend to and nominated Eoe and Environment Conservation and Climate Change Minister Geoffery Kama to attend in his place.
“The United Nations General Assembly session is going on and I decided not to attend due to pressing matters at home,” he said.
“As you all know, I am to address the United Nations this week (Sept 27).
“It is also a very important date for us, especially for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
“The writs will be issued for the referendum on Sept 27 and I thought it was more important for me to stay at home.
“The security, the success of our nation and matters that are of more importance for us to address.
“I conveyed our apologies to the United Nations general-secretary as an organisation that I will not be attending.”

17 comments

  • Hon. Prime Minister, James Marape made the right decision. There is another time when he will make time to travel otherwise thumbs up to you Hon. Prime Minister. Critics should mind what they say about the Prime Minister and what he does and the decisions he make. We should all be patient and waiting to see what will happen and stop grumbling and criticizing the Marape-Steven Government. They are all committed to do what is best for PNG and please let us give them time.

    There are a lot of corruptions that has to be cleared and Marape-Steven Government is working on them. You cannot expect everything to change overni

  • Kudos to you PM Right Honorable J.Marape. It is a noteworthy decision taken in light of not only the pressing issues at home but also the dire financial situation currently facing our country. All Government departments and public entities need to take a leaf out of the PM’s book and exercise similar belt-tightening measures to assist drag us out of this current financial quagmire. Cabinet has decided to reduce DSIP & PSIP funds – that is the little peoples’ contribution towards improving the situation. Those higher up in the hierarchy also need to play their part and/or make their contributions for the good of the whole nation.

  • I commend our Prime Minister Hon. James Marape for making the right decision. Showing true patriotism of this young nation since are so many internal important issues that he needs to attend to at this time and season. Well done Prime Minister, God’s wisdom is with you.

  • Both thumbs up to our current PM as his decision is an indication of a wise leadership. We have more pressing issues at home, thus our foreign ministers and the MP responsible can attend to such gatherings. Develop countries will only be sending their responsible MP’s rather than its head of state so yeah, its time we level up with them

  • Well don Hon. Prime Minister JM. Thumbs up for your wiseful decision. You are the Economist. Opportity cost always applies daily desicion. May the good Lord direct you and guide you according to His Will.

  • Thank you for the right decision. Thumb up for you. We keep praying for God’s wisdom upon you.

  • Honorable PMJM, critizisms are not that bad! salute the critizisms and stand tall coz it will guide and strengthen you to walk the right path.
    Nevertheless you have already defeated some of our promenient leaders by making such bold decision is first of its kind, congrets to you…move on!!

  • Great decision Hon Prime Minister!
    Making critical decision considering the situation at home is appreciated. Your are making great decisions with foresight. Though, your Government has only two and half years to go but you are setting a new destiny for this young and beautiful Nation.
    May God’s wisdom continue to lead you to take this great nation out of proverty, unemployment, resources deflection, poor road, health facilities and law and order issues. etc..
    We Thank God for giving the Nation a Great Leader in this bad times.
    God Bless Hon PM.

  • we really appreciate your decision PM James Marape, as a proud citizen of our beautiful nation, we are always with you and we know that our good lord will show you the right path to follow. God fearing leader…

Comments are closed.