Prime Minister Hon. James Marape is scheduled to be out of the country on Sunday, August 6, 2023, and will return on Monday, August 7, 2023. During his absence, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso will serve as Acting Prime Minister. Prime Minister Marape is visiting a close friend who is currently hospitalised with a serious medical condition in Gold Coast, Australia.

Reflecting on this week’s parliamentary session, Prime Minister Marape expressed commendation for all Members of Parliament who participated. He highlighted the session’s significance, particularly the presentation of crucial Ministerial Statements, including those related to Education.

“Our Government believes in transparency, and presenting our departmental activities to Parliament is part of our accountability to our people. We intend to provide more Ministerial Statements to allow the public to hold us accountable for our actions as a Government,” stated Prime Minister Marape.

In addition, Prime Minister Marape extended his appreciation to the landowners of Porgera in Enga and Tari in Hela for their active participation in recent meetings. He assured Porgera landowners of their rightful benefits and the nation’s shared gains.

“I want to emphasise that Porgera landowners, who receive 15 per cent equity and an additional one per cent in royalties, play an integral role in the success of the mine,” Prime Minister Marape emphasised.

The Porgera Development Forum, originally planned for Monday, August 7, 2023, has been rescheduled and will now take place on Monday, August 14, 2023, in Wabag. The forum will involve landowners from provinces directly impacted by the mine, including Enga, Hela, Western, and West Sepik.

“Later this year, we will also hold Landowner forums with Wafi Golpu Landowners and the Morobe Provincial Government,” PM Marape mentioned.

Prime Minister Marape reassured all landowners of his commitment to addressing their concerns and upholding their rightful entitlements.