PNG gets K20 million

By DULCIE OREKE
THE Chinese government has presented a gift of 40 million Yuan (K20m) to Papua New Guinea.
It was China’s gesture for the recent visit paid to the country by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
Speaking in a press briefing at Jackson International Airport on Saturday on his return from the Asia Pacific Economic Corporation summit in Russia and the visit to China, O’Neill acknowledged Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his government for their gift, which he described as timely.
O’Neill said the money would be for infrastructure projects that Cabinet would decide.  
He said the government was embarking on large scale projects throughout the country and had opted to secure the Chinese loan through the Exim Bank because of their better terms in comparison to other lenders.
Brushing aside critics from the opposition over his overseas engagements, O’Neill said it was “no time to play politics” but a time to work to rebuild the country in bringing services to the people and grow the economy.
He said it was time for drastic changes to meet world standards by maintaining major road infrastructure such as the Sepik, Hiritano, Magi, Buluminski, Madang and Ramu highways.
He said Australia would decide when asylum seekers would arrive on Manus.