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PRIME MINISTER’S MEDIA UNIT

MEDIA RELEASE

The Prime Minister, Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare, today announced that the government has allocated K40 million to Air Niugini for the purchase of an executive jet to cater for the growing needs in the mineral sector.

Sir Michael said, “Our economy has grown considerable and our budget has significantly increased since the deficit years prior to 2003. ”

“We are therefore not taking money out of any of our service sectors to give to Air Niugini to purchase this aircraft. ”

“As a government we have actually increased allocations to all our sectors since 2003. ”

“It is misleading and irresponsible to tout opinions not based on facts that we are depriving any Papua New Guinean of any essential service through the purchase of this aircraft. ”

“With the increase in allocation to all sectors we should be seeing better government services. Obviously implementation of these allocations continues to be an issue that we are addressing. ”

“All 89 districts today have the money to develop their rural water supplies, health centres, schools, address law and order, and build more roads and bridges. ”

“We will continue to address the areas of service delivery by continuing to appropriate the necessary funds but now is the time to also improve our government infrastructure to face our improved circumstances. ”

“We are today where we have never been before and we must be strategic. ”

“We are no longer the impoverished country that outsiders and some of our own elites are so keen in calling us. ”

“Our future is bright and we as elected representatives are here to make the hard decisions that may not be appreciated immediately but will later be deemed timely and appropriate.

“Air Niugini will be responsible for the management and maintenance of this aircraft on a commercial basis and the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers will also have access to this, ” said Sir Michael.

M T SOMARE
Prime Minister