Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended Member for Samarai-Murua, Hon. Isi Henry Leonard for his efforts to economically empower people of his district with the acquisition of a vessel which will serve the district and the greater Milne Bay Province.

Prime Minister Marape joined the Member, as well as the Minister for Planning Hon. Ano Pala, Governor for West New Britian Hon. Sasindran Muthuvel, Member for North-West Hon. Lohia Boi Samuel, and several dignitaries to witness the launch of the ship late in the afternoon on Monday 11 November 2024.

The ship will operate both as a transport vessel serving the outer islands of the district into Alotau; and in fisheries, where the local Member is expecting it to become the conduit for local fishermen to sell their catch, as well as provide skills and tools for fishing communities to utilize in starting and growing small businesses. An arrangement is already in place between the district and a Thai company to export the fishing catch to Thailand. Thai counterparts are also assisting in providing shipping and ship-building techniques to local people.

Although Mr Leonard has left the Marape-Rosso Government to join the Opposition, PM Marape said during his address that Government remains stead- fast in supporting “good endeavours” from both sides of the House such as the initiative taken by Mr Leonard.

The Prime Minister said Mr Leonard was part of the original team that formed government in 2019 when he took office as prime minister, allowing the Member to be well aware of Government’s plan to economically empower Papua New Guineans through Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

“That was the construct for our country in 2019 and I am pleased to see that the Member who was part of the original team in 2019, still carrying the DNA of government in making sure he finds practical solutions to empower our people,” said PM Marape.

“Samarai-Murua people, you have a leader who is at work and has his heart for his people. Whether he is in Cabinet or not; in government or not, it does not matter. He is still working for his people.

“Congratulations and a job well done to you, Hon. Isi Henry Leonard, Chairman of the Samarai-Murua District Development Authority.

“This is what this government is all about – finding ways from our land and seas, forests and mineral resources so our people can make money for themselves and become financially secure.”

PM Marape reminded Papua New Guineans of the vast economic potential of the land and sea of PNG, urging them to put to the best use such opportunities to get into SMEs.

“If one million families earn K10,000 each from fisheries, forestry, coffee, cocoa, oil palm, copra, or SME and market a year, that is K10 billion earns by our people.

“We need Members of Parliament to unbundle our peoples’ potential from their own land and sea, and earn money from the resources God has blessed us with. This is what the MTDP4 means by creating one million jobs,” he said.

The Prime Minister encouraged Members of Parliament to get into sustainable economic endeavours for their people which he promised the National Government would partner by equally sharing the costs “kina for kina”.