PM urges students to set their goals right

PRIME MINISTER Peter O’Neill yesterday urged students not to tie the knot until they had completed their education and attained necessary life skills, a secured job and adequate savings.
He said students were the future of the country and the Government was determined to invest K700 million each year in education through tuition fee free (TFF).
Similar investments are made in health, roads, and various essential infrastructural projects to bring services closer to people, he said.
“Therefore, students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions need to set their goals right to achieve the destiny of their education with secured employment and financial savings to support families before getting married,” O’Neill said.
“I am very concerned for our country because the population is growing rapidly and so increasing the demand for goods and services that also strain the funding capacity.”
O’Neill spoke to students from Hobu Primary and Nawaeb High schools in Morobe before opening a girls’ dormitory and a double classroom.
Australia funded the dormitory and ablution blocks.
However, Australian High Commission’s Andrew Egan could not hand over the project to the Nawaeb District Development Authority and school board because of time constraints.
Nawaeb District Development Authority also purchased a school truck and a generator and a vehicle for the Mesem community.
O’Neill acknowledged the Australian government for its continuous support in infrastructure and community development activities and investments in major projects to transform economy growth in the country.
He said Australia and PNG had agreed on a 50-50 basis to fund infrastructure and community development projects.
The opening of the dormitory, double classroom and cocoa nursery at Situm was the result of that 50-50 agreement.
O’Neill said he had trust and confidence in new Finance Minister Sam Basil to ensure funding went to the actual projects.
“Some MPs wanted us to stop the K10 million DSIP going into districts but if we stop DSIP funds, then what can we expect from our rural populace?” O’Neill said.
“Previously, all government funding to implement projects was controlled in Waigani but we have changed that trend to give K10 million to transform rural areas.”
Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari accompanied O’Neill and was welcomed by MPs Basil, Minister for Information and Communication Technology Koni Iguan, Chris Nangoi (Sumkar), Peter Sapia (Raicoast), Lekwa Gure (Rigo), Moriape Kavori (Lufa) and Thomas Pelika (Menyamya).