PM Marape: Govt seeking K2b loan from BSP normal
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PM Marape: Govt seeking K2b loan from BSP normal
PORT MORESBY: Prime Minister James Marape appeals to newspapers and
media houses to respect official correspondences between the Government na dits
partners in the public and private sectors.
“The media has to be particularly vigilant, especially
during this time in the lead up to Gneral Election 2022 when politicians and
those with vested interest are resorting to manipulating the media for their
own gains,” he added.
Marape’s statement follows The National’s front page story yesterday on the content of an
official letter that had been leaked to the press.
In the letter to Bank South Pacific Financial Group
Ltd (BSP), the Government is seeking a K2 billion loan for the funding of the
20-year Connect PNG Infrastructure Development Programme.
Read on for more details published by The National:
Media told to
respect govt letters
December 16, 2021The
NationalMain Stories
PRIME Minister James Marape has
appealed to newspapers and media houses to respect official correspondences
between the Government and its partners in the public and private sectors.
“The media has to be particularly vigilant, especially during this time in the
lead up to the General Election 2022 when politicians and those with vested
interest are resorting to manipulating the media for their own gains,” he said.
Marape’s statement follows The National’s front page story
yesterday on the content of an official letter that had been leaked to the
press.
In the letter to Bank South Pacific Financial Group Ltd, the Government is
seeking a K2 billion loan for the funding of the 20-year Connect PNG
Infrastructure Development Programme.
Connect PNG is Marape’s key economic driver to connect rural Papua New Guinea
through roads, bridges, jetties and airstrips.
Since 2019, more than 300 roads have been funded in the country through the
programme.
The programme continues next year with its own funding and will run over the
next 10 years costing K20 billion.
The Government is looking at a 100 per cent connectivity of PNG by 2040,
through the programme that comprises thousands of projects.
Marape said the media had a great responsibility in conveying the right
messages and supporting Government programmes that are meant to improve lives
and living standards and not give the wrong message that might sabotage the
(development) efforts.
“BSP is already a lender to the Government in many of our public private
partnership projects and this letter is to ask if it can expand the loan
facility to cover a budgeted programme,” he said.
“It is nothing new.
“We thank BSP for continuing to partner with the Government in funding key
projects over the years in the nation’s capital, Lae and certain leading
highways under Connect PNG.
“I ask the media to respect these partnerships and give your support, not do
the opposite to the detriment of these well-intentioned programmes and
consequently, our people.”
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