DAL ‘CAN GIVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE’ TO PNG

PM’S special envoy to Portugal on PNG’s efforts to protect oceans

In addition to other topics, Papua New Guinea will speak at the second United Nations Oceans Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, about the recently authorised Global Climate Fund component.

Other issues PNG will bring up include the passing and implementation of maritime transportation legislation, particularly the usage of the Jomard Passage by large vessels in the province of Milne Bay.

As a step toward preserving the health of its oceans, PNG has also enacted a ban on single-use plastic bags.

Dr. Eric Kwa, the Secretary for the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister James Marape for choosing him to serve as his special envoy and represent the nation at the important weeklong worldwide seas event.

The PNG Country Statemen are anticipated to be presented by Special Envoy Kwa.

He said that in his capacity as the National Oceans Committee’s Chairman, he is well-versed in both oceans-related issues and the Conference agendas that will have an impact on Papua New Guineans’ quality of life.

At the numerous meetings they will attend, Dr. Kwa stated in their interactive conversations that he expects to present distinct yet intense and particular reports with the assistance of PNG’s respective sector agencies and the wider ramifications of the difficulties the country’s seas confront.

2017 saw the first UN Oceans Conference take place in New York.

The PNG Oceans Policy, however, was only adopted and put into effect in 2020.

PNG will speak about the Second Oceans Conference’s recently authorised Global Climate Fund component, the passage and implementation of maritime transportation laws, and specifically the usage of the Jomard Passage in Milne Bay Province by large vessels.

As a step toward preserving the health of its oceans, PNG has also put the ban on single-use plastic bags into effect.

Meanwhile, according to Dr. Kwa, they will utilise this conference to persuade the UN to use the UN Sustainable Development Fund to empower SMEs, notably the local fisherman in Papua New Guinea.

He continued by saying that he would also concur that PNG is carrying out target 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which serves as the conference’s overarching theme.

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The proposed CADIP Phase 2, is expected to be financed at an estimated cost of USD$ 171.5 million (ADB loan of USD$ 162.9 and the Government’s counterpart funding of USD$8.6 million).

This means the ADB’s ordinary capital resources loan will be 95% of the total cost whilst the Government’s component will be 5% of the overall cost.

The loan will finance identified projects by National Airports Corporation (NAC), Niusky Pacific Limited (NSPL), Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), PNG Accident Investigation Commission (AIC), National Weather Service (NWS), and Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) under the following scope; civil works, goods, and equipment, consulting services and capacity building.

The implementation period of the second phase will be five (5) years with the loan envisaged to take effect in December 2022.

However, before that the proposed loan will go through ADB’s approval process which includes an interdepartmental review then an internal loan negotiation will be conducted, then the ADB Board’s approval, and finally the loan will become effective afterward.

All projects are expected to be completed by the 30th of June 2028 with the loan closing on the 31st of December 2028.

CADIP Phase 2 will be governed by the Project Steering Committee (PSC) comprising; ADB, the Department of Finance, the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, the Department of Treasury, the Department of Transport (DOT), NAC, CASA, New Sky Pacific Limited (NSPL), PNG Accident Investigation Committee, Air Niugini and Link PNG.

The executing agencies of CADIP Phase 2 will be NAC and NSPL and the implementing agencies will be CASA, DOT, National Weather Services (NWS), and PNGAIC.

CADIP-2 aligns with the Medium-Term Transport Plan, 2019 to 2022 to rehabilitate the national airports in PNG and to ensure they comply with the PNG Civil Aviation Rules Part 139 and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices.

In addition, CADIP Phase 2 aims to improve the selection of

DAL ‘can give economic independence’ to PNG

According to Minister John Simon, the Department of Agriculture and Livestock has the capacity to give the country economic independence within the next five to ten years.

He claimed that around 90% of those who reside in rural areas are actively engaged in agriculture. The goal of the government is to increase output and open up markets.

“The DAL will give economic independence to the country in the next five to 10 years because the Government has been supporting the department with funding to improve the market and export,” he said.

Simon claimed that he has been working to develop initiatives and price support schemes for agricultural and cash crop items to boost value and output.

According to him, the price campaign and instructions issued to exporters not to manipulate prices will result in an increase in the overall export of agricultural products.

“We (Government) knew the market prices so we told the exporters to pay the right price to the farmers and producers to increase production,” he said.

“We are paying better prices for coffee and cocoa so you can see the production started to increase.”

According to Simon, the nation used to earn between K350 million and K400 million from only exporting coffee. This year, it will rise to K800 million.

“We are now encouraging the people to grow cocoa and coffee to benefit from the Government support programme,” he said.

Minister John Simon of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock

✔ Regulators of Exploration and Mining in Papua New Guinea.

Managers of Minerals Resources.

Website: www.mra.gov.pg Email: info@mra.gov.pg