PNG must expect weather extremes

PORT MORESBY – Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister has spoken out about recovery activities underway following concurrent disasters involving both drought and heavy rains in various parts of the country.

PM Peter O’Neill said more than 25 million kina has been spent by the national government on recovery efforts since the drought situation worsened.

“The drought that has affected parts of the country has been severe and impacted on millions of people,” the Prime Minister said.

“Our government has worked to deliver relief direct to where it is needed, and ensured it was not held up by bureaucracy.

“This has included the provision of food supplies and seeds, as well as the restoration of government services affected by extreme wet weather.

“There have been roads that were washed out by recent rains in the Highlands, and the Works Department has been working solidly to have repairs made as quick as is possible.”

The prime minister said, while referring to the damage caused by serious weather in other areas around the Pacific including Fiji, that Papua New Guinea must be prepared for ongoing weather events made worse by climate change.

“Papua New Guinea is well known as the land of the unexpected, and we are experiencing extremes of weather around our country.

“The government will continue to make recovery after disasters and the restoration of basic services a priority for our people.

“In upcoming budget projections we will continue to increase our allocation for dealing with climate induced weather events.”

- Post-Courier