OPPOSITION DEMANDS URGENT ACTION ON EL NIÑO DRY SPELL

THE Opposition is calling on the National Government to act immediately to address a severe El Niño dry spell that is already devastating local communities.

Opposition Leader James Nomane issued a statement demanding a three-pronged response from the government.

Nomane demanded immediate emergency food and medical relief through the National Disaster Committee, funded by a proposed July 14 Supplementary Budget, alongside a agricultural seed-restocking program for the 2026–2027 planting season.

He stressed that this environmental crisis is not a surprise, noting that meteorologists, the World Meteorological Organization, and the National Weather Service issued warnings months in advance.

The Highlands region is currently bearing the brunt of the dry spell, with vital food crops already severely impacted.

Prime Minister James Marape has directed all Provinces and Districts across Papua New Guinea to immediately prepare for the possibility of an extraordinary and prolonged Dry Season as El Niño conditions develop across the tropical Pacific.

Prime Minister Marape said the Government is taking early action to ensure that Communities, particularly those in drought-prone and water-scarce locations, are prepared before conditions worsen.

The Prime Minister said Cabinet was examining appropriate Financial and Administrative arrangements to support Provincial and District Governments to prepare for, mitigate and respond to Disaster situations arising from prolonged dry conditions.

The Opposition leader says the government must take responsibility and come up with practical solutions to this issue before it escalates.