PORT MORESBY: Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says investment in security to be provided for world leaders attending a summit in Port Moresby in 2018 will make the country safer and provide long-term security benefits.
He said the total cost of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meetings in the capital city and around the country was being worked out by the Government budget teams. It will be revised in the 2018 budget.
“Half of the expenditure on APEC next year will be an investment in the military and security of our nation,” he said.
“This includes strengthening border security at arrival points not only in Port Moresby but around the country.
“We are increasing the capacity of our police and military to new levels that will help our people to be safer in our communities.”
World leaders, including the presidents of US and China, will be in Port Moresby for the Leaders’ Summit in November 2018.
Mr O’Neill also called on the Opposition to stop “politicising” such an important international event, following a claim by Northern Governor Gary Juffa that the APEC budget in 2017 would be K600 million ($F391m).
