Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill

Following a meeting yesterday, Prime Minister O’Neill said he looked forward to Rielo advancing the Papua LNG project led by TOTAL.

“The Papua LNG project is the next major resources project for our nation and will deliver around 13,000 Papua New Guinean jobs in the construction phase alone,” the Prime Minister said.

“This will be around 10,000 working in production areas close to Port Moresby and 3,000 working in on-site areas.

“We thank TOTAL for its ongoing confidence through its investment in Papua New Guinea.

The tournament will take place over a period of three weeks at four venues in Moresby.

O'Neill joined NCD Governor Powes Parkop last night, during the host city's reception, in extending a very warm welcome to Oceania and PNG Football Association president David Chung and all the other FIFA officials who are in Moresby over the next few days.

"PNG is a very unique country and you will find that our people are very warm and they will continue to support each of the teams over the next few days."

Prime Minister O’Neill made the comments after Opposition member, Northern Governor Gary Juffa, stated that the K600 million can be used to fund crucial government services.

“The budget for APEC in 2017 will be significantly less than the false K600 million that the Opposition has taken out of thin air,” PM O’Neill said in a statement.

“Figures are being worked through now by our budget teams and will be further revised for the 2018 budget.

“Half of the expenditure on APEC next year will be an investment in the military and security of our nation.

PM Peter O’Neill said this during the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Phonpei, the Federated States of Micronesia, from September 8-10.

“Leaders have called for greater action in dealing with Illegal Unregulated Unreported fishing and related activities that take place in our waters,” PM O’Neill said.

“Illegal fishing is stealing millions of dollars in fisheries revenue, is damaging marine ecosystems and is involved in other disgusting activities such as human trafficking.