PM praises relief efforts

By HELEN TARAWA
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has commended the partnership between the Government, private sector and development partners towards the relief efforts after the recent earthquake.
He told the PNG Petroleum and Energy Summit in Port Moresby yesterday that the earthquake was the worst PNG had experienced.
“The disaster has been terrible but I have no doubt that we will recover and we will further promote the industry in our country,” he said.
“We’ve seen an ongoing rise in the prices in oil and gas which has been good. But we have seen the worst earthquake that hit the Highlands region in nearly 100 years.
“The scale of this disaster is substantial and the impact on the local community is devastating.
“We still haven’t got the final confirmed death toll but we know it is well over 150 lives lost.
“There still remains a high risk threat of diseases to be present and the aftershocks are continuing.
“Working together with the private sector, our development partners, and the governments of Australian, New Zealand and China for the swift and effective response to the disaster.
“I thank the private sector for their outstanding contribution to this effort, in particular Oil Search who have demonstrated their commitment to our people, swinging into action very early just after the earthquake struck.
“This response has saved lives and continued to give hope to the people in the disaster area who are scared and confused.”
O’Neill also acknowledged ExxonMobil, Mineral Resources Development Company, Defence Force, Australia and New Zealand governments and other partners.
O’Neill commended Ok Tedi and Kumul Petroleum Holdings, both donated K50 million each.
“I am very encouraged by the partnership. There is no doubt that we will continue to enhance this so we can support many of the affected communities for years to come,” O’Neill said.
The participants observed a two-minute silence for those who lost their lives during the earthquake.