PM gets update on recovery exercises

 Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has been updated about  recovery activities underway following drought and heavy rain in parts of the country.

O’Neill said more than K25 million was spent by the Government on recovery efforts since the drought situation worsened.

“The drought that has affected parts of the country has been severe and impacted on millions of people,” he said.

“Our Government has worked to deliver relief direct to where it is needed and ensured it was not held up by bureaucracy.

“This has included the provision of food supplies and seeds, as well as the restoration of Government services affected by extreme weather.

“There have been roads that were washed out by recent rains in the Highlands, and the Works Department has been working solidly to have repairs made as quick as is possible.”

He said as with the damage caused  weather in other areas around the Pacific, Papua New Guinea should be prepared for weather events.

“Papua New Guinea is well known as the land of the unexpected, and we are experiencing extremes of weather around our country,” he said.

“The Government will continue to make the recovery after disasters and the restoration of basic services a priority for our people.

“In upcoming budget projections, we will continue to increase our allocation for dealing with climate induced weather events so that we are prepared for it.”