The Papua New Guinea Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko says preparations for the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby are stepping up and will be delivered on time.
PNG were awarded the hosting rights four years ago but construction and planning has been plagued by delays and excessive costs.
Justin Tkatchenko says when the Peter O'Neill government came to power last year, planning for the 2015 Games was two years behind schedule.
He says some projects remains a few months behind but the aquatics and indoor venues are in fact ahead of time and PNG will meet its commitments.
"The Prime Minister has made it very clear to all government departments that this Games is of national importance and must be given priority. We are working on that and basically I have a ministry that has a deadline and that is the fourth of July 2015. We will succeed, the government will not fail, we will host these Games, it will be one of best ever Pacific Games that you've ever seen and we look forward to welcoming everybody at that time."
Justin Tkatchenko says the Games are likely to go over budget and could cost close to one billion Kina, which the government will fund.
