The 7th PNG Games in West New Britain is now deferred to the end of this year.
This comes after a PNG Games Council meeting yesterday, where Host Organizing Committee (HOC) Vice Chairman, Dacca Wagai, presented the current status of the preparations.
While announcing the second deferral in a media conference today, a disappointed Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko said, after deliberation, the council has decided that a good time for the game is at the end of this year, as it will not be possible to fast track preparations because of a number of factors.
Firstly, the weather condition, more specifically the rain in Kimbe at this time of the year has not permitted the progress in the construction of the remaining 10 per cent of infrastructure.
Secondly, only 50 per cent confirmation of readiness and participation from other provinces.
And the contractor, Nivani Limited’s demand to be paid the full 100 % before the Games infrastructure completion.
Though the minister is disappointed with the demand, as of the K23 million payment, only K1.3 million is yet to be paid by the government.
The minister reiterated that, there is money available for that payment, but the completion phase has to be done first.
With only ten per cent of work yet to be done, work will have to proceed through this year, and be completed before November.
In the meantime, HOC Vice Chairman Wagai added, it is promising the games will eventuate, as the HOC has been receiving corporate support from Kimbe based companies; NBPOL and Hargy Oil Palm as well.
