Pruaitch blames Marape for economic slump

The National Main Stories

AITAPE-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch has painted a gloomy economic outlook for the country, accusing Prime Minister James Marape of doing little to boost economic recovery.
“This nation has witnessed further economic deterioration (after Marape took over from Peter O’Neill as Prime Minister last May),” Pruaitch said.
“Job losses have accelerated and the two most important sectors, resources and agriculture, are facing their worst outlook in over a decade.
“Worsening unemployment, translating to poverty for many families, can be categorised as a national economic crisis.
“Job losses and last year’s dramatic 20 per cent plunge in agriculture exports which affected the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers, presents a picture of an economic disaster of vast proportions.
“Even though there are many doubters, especially among prolific social media participants, few have recognised that, in addition to rising unemployment, the nation’s agricultural output is struggling at multi-year lows. Struggling farmers saw export earnings slashed by K467.3 million in 2019.
“Total revenue of K2,140.1 million last year represented the lowest export figure since 2015 when K1,827.1 million was exported.
“PNG’s agriculture sector is in crisis and millions of people are worse off than they were a year ago.”
“This has happened because of a mistaken notion that a gold mine like Porgera, which was responsible for two per cent of gross domestic product can be shutdown and other resource projects stalled indefinitely without impacting investor confidence and other sectors of the economy.”

56 comments

  • Dear Patrick Pruaitch you never done any good infrastructural development in your Aitape-Lumi district since you took the office for the last 20 years or so,your people are still crying for basic government services till today which other districts in PNG are enjoying,how can you deliver to the PNG as a whole at national level????when you fail your very people of Aitap-Lumi then PNG is by far very difficult task.You are not even a qualified Prime Minister material so simply shut up as an old experience portfolio minister who lacks wisdom to deliver services…….

    • Honourable Pruaitch is not PM material just because you are a party leader that does not naturally make you one. He lacks charisma and vision similar to his brother BN. What they are good at is attacking other leaders. But they fail to take a good look at themselves, their own behaviour and conduct. Self righteous and perfect. Why complain about PMJM you supported him to be PM and you were minister and had equal responsibility whilst in government so you cannot chicken out and cry foul, you had your chance as party leader and minister to raise your concerns. Your party should raised those concerns. So don’t fool us. A few MPs are genuine and majority swings to who that pays well. You lack integrity and cover your paths with party loyalty creep. Why not stand for what is right. We are PNG our nationality should be priority number one, and that is basically what PMJM is promoting we need to make our stand now or never regarding our resources and sovereignty. We need to fost new ways of doing business regarding our resources.

  • I think this is another noise coming from a very anxious person as time winds down to Monday. I would believe this statement at some degree if only Covid 19 didn’t hit economies globally.

  • it seems to me that the opposition is trying to use Sir Michael’s popularity to push Pruaitz for PM candidacy. But remember that Sir Michael is different personality to Mr. Pruaitz. Just remember Mr. Pruaitz when he was deputy PM, Minister for Forestry and make a right choice all of you MPs out there. Come to government and join Mr. Pruaits’ other NA party members and PMJM and form the government for the people, by the people and, of the people.

  • Pointless and childish! After how many years in Parliament na nogat understanding-gutpla save lo how blong ranim country. Why are you politicians fighting for power while your incompetence is visible to the world! You all should be ashamed. Each MP should start returning back to their Electorates, communities, villages na harim toktok blo ol lain lo ples. than you can have a clear view on which path is best suited to take, whether to take sides and move a vote of no confidence or just simply get organised and rescue this country like true intellects of PNG. It is the people who have the power to change governments, not a stupid few, for greed and power. You Politicians are not god’s, but just mere incapable human beings who seem to be lost in the Jungles, oh! sorry Hotels of POM. What a waste of TIME=MONEY.

    • Pruiatch em rait. Marape bagarapim disla kantri nogud tru lo liklik taim em kamap PM. Yupla olgeta followers blo James Marape luk osm yupla bin brainwashed by Marape. Mi sori lo yupla. Mi laikim govt senis.

  • If you can not take care of your people, how can you take care of the whole country. If you manages you DSIP PSIP well then you can manage the country’s finance well.
    The whole world including PNG is face an economic downturn so it no correct to blame PMJM for this economic situation including loss of jobs. Looking for excuses to justify their actions in trying to change the government.

  • Pruiatch em rait. Marape bagarapim disla kantri nogud tru lo liklik taim em kamap PM. Yupla olgeta followers blo James Marape luk osm yupla bin brainwashed by Marape. Mi sori lo yupla. Mi laikim govt senis.

  • How could Somare be so naive to endorse his party leader’s move when he knows too well Marape has been doing great for the country? Getting old and grumpy, I suppose!

    • See how Chief is talking to PO. The very one who wrestled power from him when he was in his sick bed in Singapore.

      Chief, where is your wisdom as a father of the nation?
      Who was the last man standing with you in 2011 after every one has left?

      Actually there were only two men standing with you like a son. They were none other than this two Hela men; the Late Anderson Agiru and the current PMJM.

      Chief, advise your party members to team up with the one has never let you down.

  • Hon.PP, you should bow your heads down to our treasurer who is doing a fantastic job as an NA member.
    It is not even two years yet and we can see changes, SME rolling from commercial banks and NDB for small grassroots to excess funds to improve their livings.
    If this COVID-19 Pandemic not affecting us we should be better off.
    Millions of people are affected worldwide including PNG and we all knew of that crises.
    I don’t understand why you are jumping ships and betraying your own men who is currently fighting corruption and trying to bring back our economic on track.
    My appeal to you is come back help our treasurer, retain your position or even claim the DPM.
    Anyway, Happy birthday.

  • PP, inap lo giaman yah please.
    Ol pure PNG pipol ino hangere. Em ol kaikai mahn tasol hangere na toktok planti stap.

  • Patrick Pruitch is one of those stupidest politicians ever elected to parliament. Don’t shift blame on economic turbulence and job loss by the current government. This is a global effect due to COVID 19. Try to use your common sense like a human. Bloody bitch with no sense at all.

  • Its good to see the father of nation with this group..In his saying ,No politicians ,Now and future fit enough to wear Peter O’Neill s Shoes…The saying goes on ..Now with Peter O’Neill and team..Promise bai fullfill

    • Sorry Mark – Marape is stronger, tougher and smarter then these two in just 18 months. Yar kilim tuple long PM na what did they bring to the 80% people in the village of this nation? We could have been better now but what happened during the many many years these two were PM? Yes masta stap na pipol blo God kisim bagarap stap. No prime minister past and future will do what Marape in only 18 months for Papua New Guinean. Go and ask both Somare and O’Neil and they will both tell you they are simply zealous because Marape did what they didn’t/couldn’t etc etc.

  • Pruitch and Marape were both finance ministers during their term. Both contributed to the increase in borrowing which has seen our financial state in turmoil… Utla wantem same inap lo sutim tok nambaut nambaut

  • PP, SP bottle-wielding-big-bellied MP. You have been in parliament for several terms now but look at how your people are living. What have you done for your own people? Maybe you failed to realise that apart from the shit left behind by Oneill and his cohorts and now under the globanl economic crisis caused by Covid Pandemic you should not be expecting any government to turn a corruption infested country into the new Dubai. Yu mas lobglong pinis. Sometimes it’s simply wise and better to keep your smelly filthy lying mouth shut because they don’t contribute anything good for the country. If you become PM I am preety sure that with your kanaka competence you will destroy PNG so beter not try. PNG does not need a corrupt Asian controlled puppet as PM.

  • Failed politician like Pruaitch should simply shut up and hide somewhere. Marape was in for only 18 months but he bites the bullet and makes decisions that scares the hell out of people like and rest who couldn’t do what he did!! What laws have you reviewed, amended or changed for PNG in your terms in Parliament and holding senior portfolios? I called you a failed politician who has nothing to offer for PNG but to promote corruption only. Better luck come Monday 14th Dec 2020.

  • Aitape – lumi nogat development yet ya…olgeta money blo developim electorate go where…you sa sore lo ol ples lain blo you too oh???????????????????????????????????…sem pasin ya please noken pairap tumas…

  • People from whatever District appointed their political leaders by using their freedom of choice. It was through them who decided whether their districts get developed or not. We cannot talk about their districts development because it was their people’s choice to elect them as their leaders. Focusing on this national issue, both sides are responsible as leaders of this nation

  • Patrick Pruaitch – you have been in the field playing the same ball and you share responsibility in our economic down fall

  • Mi sorry tru long Aitape……. they elected are money hungry beast……….No development, road from Aitape to East Sepik boarder is the worst and a death trap… Our economic down turn is partly caused by COVID-19 and PO’s careless /mismanagement of the economy, prior. Please PP we are not stupids, giamanim sampela lain and not us.

  • PO may have contributed to the economic downturn but clever leaders bring about immediate change as well long-term ones.
    James Marape’s grandiose idea of making PNG the richest christian black nation has been a curse.
    PNG will still be depending on aid from non-christian white countries and soft loan from countries who believe in other gods than the Holy Trinity GOD we believe in.
    JM must be removed, He is a wolf in sheep’s skin, He is a curse to PNG

    • Paul I respect your democratic rights of speech and expression. However, you sounds like:
      someone who is not in support of PNG’s development.
      someone who wants PNG to be forever dependent on AID.
      someone who wants to see PNG a forever “kago boy blo foreigners”
      someone who wants PNG to be forever robbed of its rights to negotiate for equal sharing of economic benefits from the resource sectors.
      someone who disagrees with the current successful negotiation made by the current government to retain 50% of economic returns for PNG unlike in the past where 20% or less was retain by PNG, the lowest was even less than 5%, foreigners walk away with 95%.
      someone who hate PMJM and the current government so much

      I’ve followed through all your comments (Paul, Nux, Sten etc) since November and this is my assessment. I’m sad that some of our very own country men and women are looking so much down on this beautiful country that has so much potential to achieve anything that others have achieved.

      • Daniel you hit the jackpot.
        We need more of positive thinking PNG citizen like you.
        A person who cares for our beautiful blessed nation and have vision to contribute meaningfully for consumption.
        Our comment are sometimes helpful to our leaders who reads it and be encouraged or discourage.
        I really can see the context of your post is meaningful and facts,
        Thank you Daniel and be blessed with more wise thought.

        • Thanks John. Its a result of research. We all can contribute meaningfully in this forum if we all can do some research before coming to this forum to provide our thoughts. I hope our leaders are reading the citizens concern on this forum.

    • My dear friend Mr Paul,
      Please let me highlight to you some few tracks to your shared opinions above.
      By far my friend Daniel has 90% contextually understand what kind of ideologies you believed and I hope you have read them by now.

      Well, if you must agree with me everything that is around us were or are the product of one’s IDEA.
      Since creation our God had the idea to create the universe and man, so THEY did. (Ref; GEN 1:26–30).
      By THEY i meant the GODHEAD/DIETY in Col 3:9 and (NOT Trinity-that was the term Pagan worshipers used during the reign of Nimrod-the sun-god who married Semiramis-his mother who became his wife- sadly Catholics are using as St Mary and Son Jesus which was just a Satanic Deception).

      Anyway, my point is Marape has the IDEA-key to create/innovate/invent/build/form/make/break/form.
      Mahatma Ghandi said:
      One’s IDEA becomes his Believe-(power to unlocking the untapped possibilities)
      Believe becomes Thought- (We are what we think)
      Thought becomes Word- (Word has the power of Life & Death)
      Word becomes Action- (Walking the Talk)
      Action becomes Character-(Dreamwork into Reality of Life)
      & Character becomes Destiny-(Achievement)

      Now, you wanna know why PNG is still getting Aids/Grants & Soft Loans???
      is ALL because, in between 1997-2001 when J Chan was the hitman-he initiated with the Chinese Gov’t the “Beijing’s One Ring, One Belt Agreement”, thus created the loophole for gradual Kina Devaluation which JC failed to have noticed. Nevertheless, this was all done in good faith-in the name of Infrastructural Dev for our Airports/Seaports & Road Networks which now after a decade or 2 we are seeing all these Asian Engineering Firms flooding in left right centre.

      Hence, because of what JC did back then, during the reign of Somare Gov’t after 2002 up till 2012 when PO forced himself into the PM’s Office, our PNG kina completely lost its value, indicated in our BPNG Reserve Net Loss of 4.47 Billion Gold reserve that holds the currency at Global Market from initial 6 billion.
      that my friend Paul is what PMJM is all about! That means for every 1 kina, we have 0.27 USD to do our Exports and Imports-Trade. POMXS hit hard even with Foreign Investors booming to expend their business in PNG.

      Since, then 1st World Nations have been very closely and carefully monitoring ALL our options to NOT GET THE KINA BACK UP TO WHERE IT WAS BEFORE. If you ask me how-??? Its easy pissy and simple:

      THEY DO NOT WNAT US TO EPLOIT OUR OWN NATURAL RESOUCES AT OUR OWN TERMS AND INTEREST.
      IF/WHEN WE EXPLOIT OUR RESOUCES OURSELVES-WE WILL NOT NEED AIDS/FUNDS.

      Why?
      COS GOLD IS THE REAL MONEY-Currencies are just mere piece of papers!!!

      THAT IS WHY, IF ANNY PM WHO INTENDS TO SAVE OUR RESOURCES IS THE ONLY PM THAT CAN RESCUE PNG.
      I believe now we all have reasons to support PMJM.

      #GODBLESSPNG#

      • My brother EriYal, thank you for the very crystal clear facts you are providing.

        I wish people like Nux will read and understand what you have stated.

  • PP, is making too much noise like and empty drum.If you cannot bring basic services I to your district then what can you do for PNG.A season politician who lacks service delivery.

    Don’t blame PMJM for the current economic crises.Apart from the Global covid 19. PNG current problems is an accumulation of many years of mismanagement by successive governments.

  • Hi Guys let’s not blame PP, I think he is only highlighting what has been happening for the last 18 months while Hon. James Marape’s term as Prime Minister.

    Our Prime Ministers “MOTTO” is take back PNG, which is very good and we all are happy about that but the question here is; How can you take back PNG while our resourceful and beautiful country has been sold off to Asian’s when Julia’s Chain was the Prime Minister who sign that Look Not Policy I believe. That’s why we have Chinese flood in and taking over small business in the cities like Food Bar and the shops around png.

    The our Leaders at the Opposition now they a Concern about the Economy of this country and not happy with how PMJM is running the show. As far as I understand PMJM is a fair man and he has th heart for this country and he pick from opposition to join him to fight corruption and make up his team, he needs a team work and all our Leaders should standby him and support him in decision making.
    Like PP he got a ministry and NA should stuck with Pangu Pati so I don’t understand why PP work out and join Opposition camp?

    To me PP is not a leader, he doesn’t have Leadership Quality, he is a follower and he cannot be Prime Minister anyway. Even the Deputy PM Bulolo MP, who’s interest they wanted to serve?
    We all should understand the fact that it’s happening because of Pogera Mine Shutdown and other mining and exploration companies which the Marape Government wanted to take 50% Shares which is not good at all.

    Better of going for 60/40 or 70/30 give the developer change to develop the money make more money and we get more benefits. Give developer 70% and the government take 30% or government take 40% and developer take 60%. Otherwise the best deal the PNG Government do now is Negotiate with the developer for the government to take 30% of every export, whether it’s Gold export, Gas or other commodity export out of png. The government will never went wrong, I am a trader by profession and I know this is what we need to do to take back PNG.
    Thanks guys.

  • Guys, here no one can blame Covid 19, it’s all scam none of Papua New Guineans dying with Covid 19 like the rest of the world. Thousand people dying and if in png people die like that we all should finish by now.

    No one should be interested in politics, everywhere should be on lock down anyway.

    Lots of money been funded and it’s all been misused, the money should be used to support hospitals around the county to buy equipments to treat Covid 19 patients and other material staff for the hospitals in main centres and around our rural hospitals, there suppose to be a fare distributions.

    Including K10.mill allocated for a newly established research company. Those a the facts that the opposition doesn’t like and other Members of the Government full back and it the PMJM.
    This PMJM needs a very good adviser to be with him and advice him on well in all his Decession making.need someone like Barack Obama to lead this country. That’s the best I can say.

  • The whole reason why Somare present in there was because of the birthday of one of the stupidest NA member Hon. Willian Nakin. The blind and def MP in the history of Bougainville especially North Bougainville electorate. I don’t understand that stupid MP haven’t seen how the Marape Government so committed to bougainville issues, yet he follow those that issued a cheque to ABG that bounced back from BSP late 2019. Somare wasn’t there for politics he was there for birthday celebration since he was the founder of the NA party, the oppositions used that image for point scoring. Anywhere, to North Bougainville MP Hon. William Nakin save your ash in there and beg them to give you some millions to run your business caused your move just created your exit door.

  • The whole reason why Somare present in there was because of the birthday of one of the stupidest NA member Hon. Willian Nakin. The blind and def MP in the history of Bougainville especially North Bougainville electorate. I don’t understand that stupid MP haven’t seen how the Marape Government so committed to bougainville issues, yet he follow those that issued a cheque to ABG that bounced back from BSP late 2019.

    Somare wasn’t there for politics he was there for birthday celebration since he was the founder of the NA party, the oppositions used that image for point scoring.

    Anywhere, to North Bougainville MP Hon. William Nakin save your ash in there and beg them to give you some millions to run your business caused your move just created your exit door.

  • Enough of blaming PP about development in his district PMJM never developed Tari Pori in his 15 years in Politics being cabinet minister.
    More funding has been given but there’s no basic infrastructure like Public toilet or proper market.
    Basically Tari is the Capital of Hela Province. There’s no Government office the administration are operating in the Guest house.
    More Hela people or anyone outsiders who know little about Marapes electorate will support this argument.
    Save lon brain wasim people na nogat wok developments kamap so how do you know that he can manage PNG.

  • Anyone who supports PP, PO and BN are supporting corruption, stealing, lying, vote and ballot paper hijacking in 2022 election, dictatorship and anarchy in the entire service delivery to the people. Citizens don’t ever forget PO is master thief thrived on ordinary citizens hard and destroyed the institutions we build forever. Don’t ever forget NPF, PNGBC and Investment Corporation downfall. PO was the master thief that brought down these institutions. Those MPs in the opposition knowingly supporting evil regime and corruption, will be held accountable. The MPs in the opposition, what are you supporting? Look around you and come to your senses and support PMJM to complete the term and finish complete taking back our resource sectors.

  • Pruaitch is an old school incompetent politician. He does not have the guts to make radical change in our resource laws like Marape. Although the decisions of Mapare government to change resource laws may have short term economic repercussion, it is only a mosquito bites. The economy will rebound when the reforms kicks in after 5 years. There is time lag of about 5 years between a decision taken and the impact of that decision being actually seen. Politicians on the opposition don’t have the guts to make radical decisions like Marape Government. The wishes of the majority of the people of PNG to change resource laws are finally being realised by the Marape Government and they have the support of the majority. Its time for Pruaitch to shut up. He never had the guts to change the forestry laws when he was forest minister. Likewise, Namah never has the guts to change forestry laws when he was forest minister.

  • All politicians are power hungry. The better is let God who will appoint the good leader for the betterment future.” We can’t blame each other”

  • All of us who are working in the public service, businesses, companies, etc etc are paying taxes which are paying these members wages, travels accomodation, etc etc. Its time to call the Governor General to call for Elections now. Member for Alotau is just the same nogat economic activities blo alotau na province na yu laik runim country with your 12month. Its tome to rid thd bad apples and we can see who they are.

  • Opposition are just power hungry. Always stating “what is best for our country” as a cover up. Pruaitch should see what developments he has done for his electorate before he even talks about developing the nation. Focus on the one percenters. Marape is working on pulling us out of the current economic state the previous governments has left us in. Covid19 has affected us as a country and globally, THE WHOLE WORLD IS AFFECTED, NOT ONLY PNG!

  • We uneducated grassroots digest your words are bitter to our taste n nonsense excuses, like a child drinking to his mother’s milk, Lake of wisdom, small boy hai!!!!!

  • Pruaitch you are a worst corrupt politician. You have been through leadership tribunals for several times. What have you done for your Aitape-Lumi people?
    You should blame your brother Belden Namah and yourself for all these mess ( economic turndown and crisis).

    Blame your forever opposition leader brother Mr Belden Namah. I don’t understand why and for what your Aitape-Lumi people cast their votes to you.

  • Fully second to Mero Diana’s comments. Someone close to Sir Chief Somare should advise him before he moves around by himself. Otherwise too old for politics now so stay home and leave it to your young ones. On the other side, everything that PP has said was there before JM took office. People are so quiet because they want to see after 10 to 15 years what good JM is doing. How do you rate this government when it changes the Mine Laws when None of our MP’s and so called former PM’s in Opposition didn’t do that. All former PM’s and Mining and Petroleum Ministers did not did these because they wanted to have shares, who cares US. Now, they are all in opposition very keen to come back and stop this, I hope the Mine investors are not behind them. Selfish and greedy minded people will not succeed. God is not a Fool, don’t forget this.

  • Talking about economc downfall in agriculture sector I don’t think so,at this moment this government has made it possible for oil palm growers,copra,cocoa and vanilla farmers to enjoy the increasing prices.
    To Yu agriculture complainant.

  • Since PMJM becomes the prime Minister, he continously use God’s name. I hope in his 18 months in office, he has never played wantokism, steal, telling lies, hijacking process, even faithfully serving the Sabbath. If he does watch out, first he lost the senior ministers, second he lost the court battle, third….

  • Why Bai mi stap wantaim O’Neill yet.when Peter O’Neill became prime minister I saw change in the country I mean real change even ol’ man tok his corrupt if you’re are living in pom na lukim change yha em no marape Han blo O’Neill yah yu Salim pikinini blo yu go lo skul lo high school free em no marape em O’Neill yha if town blo yu gat gudpla road na bridge em O’Neil yha soo please before you say something bad you must appriciate some one don’t be like judas.

  • PMJM is a visionary leader but couldn’t be able to implement it. Only time will tell. If given enough time he might prove it.

  • People stop believing Marape. He is a communist who wants to turn private corporations into a government entity. His demands towards are simply turning away investors. We all know that government owning private corporations always breeds corruption.

  • The mechanisim in the country responisble for making and providing economic analysis reports and data is the Central Bank of PNG. They can atleast shed some light around this instead of our MPs pulling each others head off in an attempt to find the answer for the present declining economic trends that are being expeirienced.

    BPNG can atleast explain, why our kinas been devaluing by 0.10us cent every 10 years since 2000 where the Kina was at .47cents US; 2010 the kina was at 0.37US cents; 2020 the kinas at 0.27 Us cents.
    With that kind of trend, I wonder where the Kina will sit against the USD by 2030.

    If you look at the decline, I doubt its one man’s making.

    BPNG must provide the direction for all citizens to participate and direct and guide our path to recovery. Do not rely on politicians to bale us out.

  • EriYal, you have recalled memories to those that don’t see. People like Nux, Paul,Garry,Mark.
    Today is the day we will withness and thanking you for your facts in this forum for consumption.

    from. DKB
    Konoma,SSY.

  • Mr Pruaitchs comments lacks merits because these is the very person who held high ministries corrupted the offices under the disguise of a minister and faced the tribunal for mismanagement and corruption. Who is he ?STOP TRYING TO FOOL US BECAUSE YOU’RE A FOOL.

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