Public service needs big lift: PM

THE civil service needs a big lift in performance to provide services to the people, says Prime Minister James Marape.
Marape told the Pangu Pati national convention in Lae yesterday that the public service must revisit its core functions.
“It needs to be restored to serve its functions to be instrumental in serving the people,” he said.
Marape also reminded the Government to preserve the separation of the three arms of the government – the legislature, executive and judiciary.
He said when Pangu Party led the country to Independence in 1975, it observed “this pillar of democracy”.
“Under the Pangu Pati, the three arms of the government must be respected and totally separated to ensure they function independently to serve the people,” he said.
“When the three arms of the government are functional, the country will be united and that will complement progress into the future.”
Marape said Morobe had always been the home of the Pangu Pati.
“It all started here and everything that happens in this country happened under the watch of Pangu since 1967,” he said.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that the blessings of this country must be shared equally.”
Party national president Erigere Singin said women were taking up leadership at all levels of the Government. “This is a very visible change you can see that the Government has done for women.”

O’Neill welcomes peace reconciliation between rival tribes

By ZACHERY PER
PEOPLE’s National Congress party leader Peter O’Neill yesterday welcomed a peace reconciliation ceremony between rival tribes in a remote area, saying it was timely as the general election nears.
“I am sorry to see many conflicts and differences existing everywhere, many leading to loss of innocent lives,” O’Neill said.
“The decision made to reconcile for peace and harmony is acknowledged and appreciated.”
He was at Kwongi in Upper Asaro of Daulo, Eastern Highlands, accompanied by party stalwarts Robert Atiyafa (Henganofi), Benny Allan (Unggai-Bena), former Goroka MP Henry Ame, Petrus Thomas (Koroba-Kopiago) and potential party candidates.
O’Neill welcomed the decision to reconcile rival tribes in Kwongi one as a right move as they prepare for the general election.
“We will rebuild PNG when we form the Government,” he said.
“In 2012, we had 27 MPs, in 2017, we had 29 MPs to form the Government.
“No other parties had such numbers.”
O’Neill said in the 43 years of the governments led by Sir Michael Somare and himself, the country had a K27.6 billion loan.
“Today, in three years, PNG borrowed K30 billion,” he said.
“Not one single project (has been completed).
“The money was used unwisely.
“Our economy is going down.
“There is no confidence from overseas investors to come. Today, we have inexperience leaders.
“That is why the coming election is very important.
“We will form the next government but I need numbers to (do so).
“I want nine MPs from Eastern Highlands to join me so I will continue to pay school fees and build infrastructures.”

Funding not the issue for general election: Sinai

By REBECCA KUKU
FUNDING for the general election is not an issue, says Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai.
“Yes there was a delay in the release of the funds for the common roll update which we got late in October last year, but we have sorted that out already,” he said.
“So there is no funding issue.
“We have already received the K150 million for the first quarter.
“Election funding is the same like all other government funded projects.
“It comes in quarters.
“So we have received the K150 million for the first quarter from January to April.
“This is for preparation and logistics. The second payment during the second quarter is for polling and counting.
“These funds are for payment of officials, services, administrative costs such as the hire of venues, generators etc.”
Sinai said the only issues they had were the updating and confirmation of the common roll, appointing of returning officers and deployment of polling and counting teams around the country.
“We are also waiting for the reprinting of ballot papers by Australia,” he said.
“Once the ballots are printed and brought (here), then we are ready to start.”