Pictures of the Rabaul volcanoes as seen from Rapopo Beach Resort in Kokopo last Friday.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Prime Minister Somare to visit New Zealand
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will welcome the Prime Minister of
"Sir Michael's visit will underline
"We have a large aid and development relationship, enjoy defence co-operation and share commercial and business linkages.
"I look forward to discussing with Sir Michael his views on
"As the Pacific's longest-serving leader Sir Michael's knowledge and experience of the region is invaluable."
While in
Graduands urged to be agents of change
Graduating students of the
Prime Minister emphasises need for discipline at higher leaning institutions
Captions: 1. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is given the red carpet treatment at the UNRE graduation last Friday. 2. Schoolschildren wave flags and throw flowers to welcome Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to Vudal last Friday. 3. Graduating students of the UNRE marching to the graduation area.4. Graduands waiting to receive their certificates at the UNRE graduation last Friday. 5. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare stresses the need for discipline at the UNRE graduation.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has emphasised the importance of discipline among staff, students and administration in higher learning institutions in the country.
In his keynote address at the 13th graduation ceremony of the
The UNRE has had its share of student unrest with a major disruption to classes last year.
“This is of grave concern to the Government that provides the greater part of finances for infrastructure, logistics equipment as well as subsidies and scholarships,” Sir Michael said.
“It is of equal concern to parents and guardians when their children’s learning is disrupted as a result of conflicts.
“On average, the cost of educating a student per year is K17, 000.
“As a developing nation, we cannot afford such indulgences and must take positive steps towards minimising the likelihood and antagonism between the various groups on our campuses.
“As head of the executive Government, I challenge councils and administering authorities of all tertiary institutions of education to explore and put into place appropriate and acceptable guidelines or rules that will promote, enhance and sustain harmony and orderly operations of all institutions of learning.”
Sir Michael called on the six universities and three research institutions to share resources and where possible, to conduct joint research.
“Research should influence and inform teaching at our universities,” he said.
“It should drive development and contribute to building research capacity of staff and our top students.
“Today I call on universities such as the Natural Resources and Environment University, research institutes and other institutes of higher learning to enter into constructive dialogues as you strive to meet the demands of this country, understand the current social needs and prepare courses that address future aspirations of this country.
“I believe the quality of higher education can be improved when the higher education sector is unified, works together, shares resources and has a clear vision for its future development.
“The success of the sector is critical for achieving our national objectives in improving our human capital and raising technical capacity.”
Sir Michael said higher education played a vital role in the Government’s Vision 2050 to ensure that PNG had the necessary human resource capacity to implement the plan and contribute to the social and economic development of PNG over the next 40 years,
Sir Michael congratulated graduands on their achievements and wished them strength and perseverance in their working life.
“May you strive to be the best in your profession while at the same time providing service to your country,” he said.
“Lastly, I commend all the parents, relatives and guardians who have had faith in your abilities and have been there for you.
“It is equally a celebration for them and your respective communities.”
Meanwhile, hundreds turn-up at the UNRE’s Vudal campus to get a glimpse of the ‘Father of the Nation’.
His presence added significance to the annual ceremony which for the first time was held in the beginning of the year unlike the traditional November ceremonies held previously.
Students from both of the University’s campuses - Vudal and Popondetta – received their qualifications.
Damien Toki graduated with a Masters degree in management while 13 of his post-graduate course mates received graduate certificates in management.
In the undergraduate stream, 23 students received bachelor degrees of tropical agriculture, while 89 students received diplomas in tropical agriculture.
Forty-five of these diplomats came from the University’s Popondetta campus.
Preparations for Sir Michael’s visit were not restricted to the UNRE.
Local communities cleaned up the road From Kokopo to Vudal and students from several primary schools lined up along the road with flags to welcome him as he traveled to the UNRE campus.
Surprise birthday party for Prime Minister
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had a surprise birthday party thrown for him by the
Immediately after the 13th UNRE graduation at which Sir Michael was the keynote speaker, and the unveiling of the library extension and administration building opening – named after the Prime Minister – the UNRE surprised Sir Michael with two cakes (one for his birthday and one for his 42nd year in politics), as well as plenty food and drinks.
It was a special occasion for Sir Michael in that he was born on April 9, 1936, in Rabaul,
Last Friday, he turned 74, with 2010 being his 42nd year in politics.
Sir Michael was lost for words by the surprise and thanked all staff and students of UNRE, especially Vice Chancellor Prof Philip Siaguru, for making the day a special one for him.
Earlier, during the graduation ceremony, PNG Strategic Plan chairman chairman Prof David Kavanamur presented tabu (traditional Tolai shell money) to Sir Michael as a token of appreciation for making him chairman of Vision 2050.
In a powerful Tolai traditional ceremony, Sir Michael beat a Tolai tubuan with the tabu
Prof Kavanamur also presented a traditional Tolai headdress to the Prime Minister.
Sir Michael traveled to
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Fuel prices go up from today
FUEL consumers nationwide will now dig deeper into their pockets as fuel prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene go up from today, The National reports.
Consumers will pay K3.33 per litre for petrol (from K3.16) and K2.75 per litre for diesel (from K2.53). Kerosene price
rises from K2.42 to K2.60 per litre.
Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) acting chief executive officer Elastus Geroro blamed the rise in fuel prices on an increased crude oil price, and a fall by the kina against the US dollar on the exchange rate.
High cost in transporting the products also contributed to the rise.
He said on monthly average comparison, crude oil price rose significantly last month, increasing by 6.48% compared to a 2.7% reduction in February.
Mr Geroro said as the global economy continued to show signs of recovery, crude oil prices began to rise in a region where
He stressed that change in the fuel prices were determined by global energy demand and, given that crude oil is a globally traded commodity, it was expected that the demand and supply determination in the major regions around the world against the US dollar would continue to cause price changes at any time in the future.
He said with crude oil trading above US$70 per barrel for the third consecutive month, prices would continue to fluctuate in the coming months.
He urged fuel suppliers and retailers not to charge consumers above the set prices.
Payroll excesses
Government expenditure blown by K200 million in 2009
THE Government blew a larger than expected hole in its recurrent expenditure last year, and the Treasury Department is blaming the payroll for that, The National reports.
The department is conducting a review to see where it occurred and who caused it, so those responsible can be made to account and closely monitored in future.
This was revealed yesterday when Finance and Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitch released the final budget outcome (FBO) for last year.
Figures released said the recurrent expenditure last year was K4, 166.4 million, which was K213.8 million higher than the revised budget estimates.
This was due to higher expenditure, particularly under personnel emoluments costs by provincial and national departments.
Mr Pruaitch said the total expenditure on personal emoluments was higher than the revised estimate, and Treasury was reviewing the processes of monitoring and controlling expenditure incurred from the payroll.
He said they would monitor agencies that continue to overspend.
Despite this, last year’s FBO recorded a deficit of K36.3 million or 0.2% of GDP against a revised deficit of K86.0 million or 0.4% of GDP announced in this year’s budget.
This was an improvement from the high deficit of K478.5 million (2.2% of GDP) recorded for 2008.
The improved budget deficit outcome was due to higher revenue. Total revenue and grants for last year was K6, 651.3 million, which was slightly higher than the revised budget estimate by K11.7 million.
Abstracting from grants, total revenue collections last year were higher by K172.8 million compared to the revised estimate.
On the expenditure side of the budget, total expenditure and net lending last year was K6, 687.6 million, which was lower than the revised budget estimate published in this year’s budget by K37.7 million.
Total development expenditure was
Mr Pruaitch also admitted that detailed expenditure on trust accounts were lacking.
“Unfortunately, a number of executing agencies did not provide expenditure reports on their trust accounts.
“A detailed report on the expenditures from trust accounts will be provided in the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook report in July,” he promised.
As a result of the payroll blowout, the Government had to borrow to fund the deficit. This caused a net increase in overall debt last year.
Mr Pruaitch said the budget deficit last year resulted in total public debt increasing to K6, 944.1 million, up by K17.4 million from a debt level at the end of 2008 of K6, 962.7 million.
But strong nominal GDP growth contributed to debt as a percentage of GDP fell from 32.1% in 2008 to 31.9% last year, he said
O'Neill blames Finance for police housing delay
PUBLIC Service Minister Peter O’Neill has blamed “bureaucratic slowdown” in the failure to deliver police housing in Lae, Morobe province, on time, The National reports.
He wants public servants responsible to be severely reprimanded.
Mr O’Neill said failure by the Finance Department to release funds had resulted in the project at
He said this meant police personnel and their families continued to live in rundown and condemned houses at Bumbu.
The project at
The units would be brick-built, fully furnished, and valued at around K180, 000 each.
He said K5 million was released last year to the contractor to start work. But K15.8 million remained outstanding, and Waigani has not been able to release this money to the contractor to complete the project.
“I’m very disappointed.
“Policemen and women and their families are made to suffer because of incompetence in Waigani.
“There are people in the bureaucratic system, especially in the Finance Department, who are not doing their job,” Mr O’Neill said yesterday.
“If I had the powers to sack, they will be gone.”
Mr O’Neill’s ministry is charged with developing a number of housing schemes for public servants.
The Lae police housing project is one of them.
The Bumbu police barracks has been condemned as unfit for human habitation by health authorities.
Policemen and their families have moved out of the condemned houses to live with wantoks.
Some have crammed into the single quarters, making it very unsafe and unhygienic.
Businesses in Lae are worried about this, as unsettled police personnel may not attend to the city’s daily law and order needs
Men face court over missing Vision 2050 office equipment
THE ordinary Papua New Guinean is interested in seeing good education and health services today, rather than in 30-50 years time, Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika said, The National reports.
“We are dreaming (of what will happen in 50 years time) while our people continue to suffer from lack of basic services which they need immediately to better themselves,” he said.
Justice Salika made this comment in relation to Vision 2050 and the current dispute by those involved in its formulation.
The National Planning Committee Secretariat consisting of Dr Vele Ila’ava, Andrew Kavana, Westly Nukundj and Ralph Yamb were in court after allegedly stealing office equipment from the Vision 2050 office.
They refuted the allegations, saying they were moving offices as their rental of the office space at the Waigani IPA campus had expired.
“Surely, we can resolve this dispute without fighting over these things,” Justice Salika told the parties.
He adjourned the matter to this morning for the alternative dispute resolution to be effected.
Prime /minister to officiate at UNRE graduation
By UNRE Public Relations
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare will present the keynote address at the 13th annual graduation ceremony of Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources & Environment tomorrow.
Sir Michael, who is expected to arrive in the province tomorrow morning on the government jet, Kumul, will officiate at the ceremony as the keynote speaker.
Guest speaker will be Professor David Kavanamur, chairman of the National Strategic Plan Taskforce that produced the PNG Vision 2050.
Hundreds are expected to turn-up at the University’s Vudal campus to get a glimpse of the ‘Father of the Nation’.
Since word of the possible presence of the Prime Minister at the ceremony spread two weeks ago, the campus has been a hive of activity, with staff and students alike preparing to receive him.
His presence adds significance to the annual ceremony which for the first time is being held in the beginning of the year unlike the traditional November ceremonies held previously.
Students from both of the University’s campuses - Vudal and Popondetta – will receive their qualifications.
The Grand Chief will witness the culmination of years of study and commitment of 126 students.
Damien Toki will graduate with a Masters degree in management while 13 of his postgraduate course mates will receive graduate certificates in management.
In the undergraduate stream, 23 students will receive bachelor degrees of tropical agriculture, while 89 students will receive diplomas in tropical agriculture. 45 of these diplomats come from the University’s Popondetta campus.
The students were originally scheduled to graduate two weeks ago; however, the ceremony was deferred after acting Secretary to the Department of Prime Minister & National Executive Council and Pro-Chancellor, Margaret Elias, advised Vice Chancellor Professor Philip Siaguru of the Prime Minister’s desire to personally attend the event.
Preparations for Sir Michael’s visit have not been restricted to the University. Local communities have cleaned up along the road and students from several primary schools have indicated that they will line up along the road with flags to welcome him this morning as he travels to the University campus.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Holiday Inn to undergo a multi-million Kina make-over
Members of the largest superannuation fund in the country, Nambawan Super will benefit from a K200 million investment to expand the Holiday Inn in
Nambawan Super is the major shareholder with 54% of the Kumul Hotel group which owns Holiday Inn and
Last week (Mar 29) Kumul Hotel group signed a contract with Canam Construction Company of
The hotel expansion comes at a time when the LNG projects are set to begin with the demand for accommodation in the nation’s capital expected to rise.
Chairman of Nambawan Super, Sir Nagora Bogan said the Holiday Inn had been an important institution in Port for over many years as an accommodation provider.
It is now time, he said, for the shareholders to capitalize on the full potential of the site to benefit the thousands of members of Nambawan Super, as well as the members of the Melanesian Trustee
Fund which is a minor shareholder.
When signing the contract with Canam Construction, Chairman of the Kumul Hotel group and Nambawan Super Board member, Mr Greg Taylor said the demand for short and long-term accommodation, and resort-style facilities had increased and it was expected to continue as the flow-on effects of the LNG projects percolate through the economy.
The expansion work will include a new hotel and all-suite apartment block at the current Holiday Inn site.
The new hotel to be called HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS will add 200 rooms to the group’s
existing 312 whilst the separate block of apartments will add another 86 apartment suites to the hotel chain.
The hotel will have 11 levels with the 200 rooms being located on eight (8) floors. The other three floors will be reserved for car parking. In total, there will be 158 queen-size rooms and 40 twin-size rooms.
On the other hand, there will be 86 all-suite apartments, 58 of them will be one-bedroom while 28 will have two bedrooms.
The first phase of the project involving extension of the hotel facilities which is the all-suite apartments will commence immediately for completion this year whilst work on the hotel section will begin in May and is expected to be complete in late 2011.
Representative of the Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) which operates
“Considering the high demand for accommodation products in
“The new facilities will provide a distinct competitive advantage, especially in relation to larger companies seeking service and product standards that can be provided by an international operator with long-term commitment to the destination.
The Holiday Inn Express model is the first for the South Pacific region.
Mr McKenzie added, “We are particularly excited to be introducing Holiday Inn Express to the South Pacific region. The express will complement our current Holiday Inn and
At the signing last week was the Chairman of the Kumul Hotel Group Mr Greg Taylor with fellow Board member Mr Wayne Smith.
21 escape from Lae police cells
Top cop warns public of ‘inevitable’ mob attacks
POLICE in Lae, Morobe province, have gone on full alert following the mass escape of 21 detainees who broke out of the Lae police cells early yesterday morning, The National reports.
The mass break-out occurred at the
Police yesterday warned that crime, particular break and enter and stealing, would inevitably increase.
Metropolitan commander Supt Nema Mondiai told reporters yesterday that the escapees dismantled brick walls near the toilet block and then jumped over the two-tier barbed wire fence at the back towards the State House and dashed for freedom.
None of the escapees have been recaptured.
Supt Mondiai has ordered an investigation.
He said police had yet to verify the status of each of the escapees, but he urged the public to take precautions.
He added that the improvement of the floor and roofs of each cell blocks had deterred detainees from escaping, however, the brick walls needed to be replaced with metal sheets or iron rods built into the bricks.
The escape raises further worries for the Lae public with more than 70 escapees from last year’s break out at Bomana still at large.
These escapees could further strengthen the mob already on the streets into doing more public harm.
Supt Mondiai said it was an increasing trend in Lae for criminals to attack in groups.
Whether it was while a person was walking on the streets in broad daylight or in the safety of his home on a rainy night, “mobs will attack”, he said.
Supt Mondiai added that break and enter cases had reached a two-year high.
An increase had also been noted in car-jacking.
He also reported that three men, armed with pistols, held up a woman and stole K10, 400 from her at
One has been arrested while the other was hospitalised after being manhandled.
The third escaped.
At the Papindo department store at Eriku, a man managed to hide inside the shop when it closed for the day and then made off with an undisclosed number of cell phones and DVDs worth thousands of kina yesterday morning.
Ex-serviceman dies waiting for entitlements
AN EX-PNG Defence Force paratrooper passed away yesterday morning, allegedly succumbing to a stroke, The National reports.
Late Chris Maraga, from Rigo, Central province, passed away while waiting to be paid his entitlements for services to the State.
He was reportedly one of the four remaining survivors of a PNGDF Caribou crash in Wau, Morobe province, in 1972.
The aircraft was on its way back to
Since then, his health had deteriorated due to a leg injury sustained in the crash.
Mr Maraga was a PNGDF major when he was retrenched in 2002 and had been waiting for his hardship and accommodation allowance to be paid ever since.
A family friend said he was rushed to the Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGH) at around 5am yesterday.
However, he could not be attended to at POMGH, so the St John Ambulance vehicle, that transported him from his Hohola 5 home to the hospital, took him to a private clinic.
He was pronounced dead on arrival.
Around 7,000 ex-servicemen throughout the country have been waiting for the State to settle their outstanding retrenchment and retirement benefits dating back to 1982.
Just a few weeks ago, Justice Minister Dr Allan Marat announced that the Justice Department had finalised these outstanding entitlements.
After this announcement, there has been no further word from the State as to when payments would be made.
Attempts to get comments from the Justice and Attorney-General’s Department were unsuccessful.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Former defence chief exonerated of claims of 'stealing'
Papua New Guinea Defence Force chief-of-staff Captain Tom Ur says former PNGDF commander Peter Ilau has been hard done by both the administration of the PNGDF as well as malicious comments made against him in the media.
Capt Ur said this when commenting on today’s articles in The National about Comdr Ilau and his family being dumped by the government and organisation which he had served loyally for 34 years.
He agreed that the PNGDF, particularly secretary Fred Punangi, had failed in its obligation to pay for Cmdr Ilau’s three-month transition as normal for outgoing PNGDF commanders, which allowed them to prepare for a life after the military.
Capt Ur was also disappointed that another former PNGDF commander, Maj Gen Jerry Singirok, had accused Cmdr Ilau of removing household items from Flagstaff House as well as illegally holding on to an expensive Hummer vehicle.
“I don’t want to comment on the contracts of former commanders, however, it’s a normal process that we look after our commanders for three months,” he said.
“The secretary (Mr Punangi), in his wisdom, cancelled the cheque that was supposed to have been paid to Cmdr Ilau.”
Commenting on allegations that Cmdr Ilau had removed household items from Flagstaff House, Capt Ur said these were not true, as Cmdr Ilau had cleared out in a rightful manner and most of the said items were being stored in a shed.
Moreover, he added, most of the household items were very old – having been passed from one commander to another – and were “not worth stealing”.
“I believe that he (Cmdr Ilau) went through the normal process (of clearing out),” he said.
“I talked to the Cmdr and he’s very upset about the allegations.
“I feel sorry for the (Ilau) family.
“The media painted the picture that they ransacked the whole place.”
Cmdr Ilau said today that he was told over the weekend that Flagstaff House had been broken into since he left and that certain people had regular access to the building.
He said PNGDF staff had also advised new commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi not to move in to Flagstaff House until it had been renovated, and not because household items had been “stolen”.
“I think they were not advised of the break and enter,” Cmdr Ilau said.
“They should have checked the house after we left and left some soldiers to guard the place.”
Ilau denies claims he 'stole' State assets
Captions: 1. Where are the ‘stolen’ goods?...Commodore Peter Ilau points out some of his family baggage. 2. Commodore Peter Ilau with the controversial Hummer vehicle.
Former PNG Defence Force commander Commodore Peter Ilau has broken his silence over “highly-defamatory” allegations in The National that he was responsible for emptying Flagstaff House – official residence of the PNGDF Commander – of all its contents.
He also explained why he is holding on his contract vehicle, a Hummer bought from Boroko Motors, following scathing accusations leveled at him by another former PNGDF commander Major-General (rtd) Jerry Singirok and unnamed sources.
New PNGDF commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi is reportedly unable to move in to Flagstaff House because it is empty and the PNGDF has no funds to replenish.
A visibly-distraught Commodore Ilau said at the weekend to the three-bedroom unit at Gordons which he is renting to check out if he had indeed “stolen” the contents of Flagstaff House including furniture, white goods, curtains, cooking utensils, cutlery, chinaware, lounge chairs and other goods.
He was flanked by his daughters, who said their and their mother’s safety was now jeopardised, because of accusations about something they had never done.
He said he and his family vacated Flagstaff House – which they had occupied since Nov 2001 - on Jan 29 this year straight after the formal handover and takeover parade for the PNGDF commander.
“Keys were handed back to staff the same day,” Commodore Ilau said.
“The exit from the house followed normal procedures.
“A final inspection and checks were carried out by appropriate staff including the military assistant to the commander PNGDF, who was also present at the time prior to actual departure.
“Five PNGDF personnel were present to witness me and my family’s departure.
“The house was intact with its normal inventory items upon departure, witnessed by appropriate staff.”
Commodore Ilau and family resided in Flagstaff House for eight years.
“Upon moving in in October 2001, all items in Flagstaff House were completely rundown,” he recalled.
“The house itself was also rundown and medically unfit.
“Flagstaff House is on the same national status of national heritage importance as Government House (Governor General’s residence) and Mirigini House (Prime Minister’s residence).
“Whilst those residences were accorded some form of renovation or upgrade. Flagstaff House did not enjoy any of that.
“It was only attended to on essential need basis by its tenants.
“This was basically to avoid the misperception of denying troop’s conditions of improvement.”
As far as Commodore Ilau’s contract vehicle, he says: “Firstly, it is not a support vehicle.
“It is a vehicle entitlement as per my category B State contract.
“This also includes my housing allowance.
“As is the past and current practice, it is normal for a commander, commissioner or departmental head, particularly Contitutional office holders, to have the choice of retaining their contract vehicle.
“In this case, my staff wrote to Transport and Works departments in Dec 2009 to commence the process of transfer of ownership.
“The Transport Department has advised on the depreciation rate of the vehicle on a monthly basis.
“I, being still a serving officer, continue to use the vehicle while awaiting proper invoice, and also my own retirement entitlements to sort out the appropriate payments to complete the transfer process.
“The vehicle selling price from Boroko Motors was K230, 000 and not K350, 000 as reported and claimed by Gen Singirok.
“The actual price was K170, 000.
“Hence, the depreciated value will be calculated from the purchase price plus the number of months of previous usage.”
Commodore Ilau and his family are currently residing in a three-bedroom flat at Gordons, paid for out of his own pocket, at a cost of
He said the PNGDF had failed in its obligation to pay for his three-month transition as normal for outgoing PNGDF commanders, which allowed them to prepare for their final settlement of choice.
He has so far paid three months of accommodation which will expire at the end of April 2010 while PNGDF has yet to respond as obligated, and continues to wait patiently despite Defence Council assurance through the Minister for Defence
In the first five days of departing Flagstaff House, Commodore Ilau and his family were on the streets; however, with the intervention of “some good Papua New Guineans”, he managed to move into a flat on the sixth day.
“All real estate agents approached refused to accept government cheques,” he said.
“More dramatic was the fact that the original cheque issued for my transition rentals was cancelled and put to a stop by Defence Secretary Fred Punangi immediately the next day.
“To this day no reason has been given for the continuing delay.
“My packing container box remains at Murray Barracks due to unpaid repatriation cost entitlements.
“The National Government has yet to decide on my future deployment.
“Appropriate letters to the Secretary for Personnel Management, Chief Secretary and Treasurer have not been answered.”
Monday, April 05, 2010
Ok Tedi mining workers on strike
Workers at the giant Ok Tedi mine in the Western province of Papua New Guinea have been on strike since last Friday for better working conditions.
The management, however, is refusing to negotiate with workers through their union representatives until all workers return to work, according to a reliable source at the mine.
This has aggravated the situation with workers warning that they would not return to work until they got a positive response or course of action from management regarding various issues, the Shares in Success Scheme (SISS) payment amongst them.
The workforce instigated this strike ahead of the Allied Workers Union, whose representatives were in Port Moresby to register the strike action.
OTML management says: "Clause 4 (c) of the Industrial Agreement states:4 (c) The union commits to utilize the legislated and agreed procedures in place for the resolution of all concerns and disputes and commits to no illegal industrial action or disruption for the duration of the agreement.
"This has been confirmed to OTML by the Industrial Registrar."
Prime Minister witnesses signing of preliminary commitment to for condensate stripping plant joint venture between InterOil and Mitsui
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has congratulated InterOil and Mitsui Corporation for entering into a Preliminary Commitment Agreement to develop phase one of the Elk/Antelope LNG project.
Sir Michael said: “With these partnerships that we as a country are establishing with
Sir Michael made these remarks after a fruitful working visit to
Their discussions included details of international co-operation specifically relating to investment in PNG, the key 50%+ LNG off take from the first PNG LNG project, trading partners, environment and climate change, as well as the benefits of a secure environmentally-friendly LNG supply from the second InterOil LNG project.
Sir Michael witnessed the signing ceremony in
InterOil is the upstream operator for the Elk/Antelope LNG project and Mitsui Corporation is one of the leading Japanese investment and trading companies.
This follows the HOA (Heads of Agreement) that was signed in
The Preliminary Commitment Agreements allow Mitsui to fund 100% cost of the Condensate Stripping Facilities (CSF) which includes a liquid separation plant and pipeline in the project area, and as a Joint Venture Partner earn tolling fees and various other benefits, with a target completion date of first condensate production in 2012.
Sir Michael said: “Under the arrangements, project financing to be provided by Mitsui will also fund the State’s share of the condensate extraction costs.”
This means that Petromin and the State will not have to seek separate financing arrangements to fund their share of the equity.
Under the arrangements Mitsui will co-build the extraction facilities and will receive toll fee as a Joint Venture partner as well as financing cost from condensate revenue at first production of condensate.
The condensate will be sold on a net back basis to the InterOil refinery in
“The condensate stripping project agreement is the first step in bringing additional revenue and benefits to the people of
“We look forward to extending our relationship with the Japanese people and Mitsui Corporation,” Sir Michael said.
Media urged to get both sides of story
Former Papua New Guinea Defence Force commander Commodore Peter Ilau has appealed to the media to get both sides of the story.
He was referring to allegations in The National that he emptied Flagstaff House – official residence of the PNGDF Commander – of all its contents as well as was holding on to the official commander’s vehicle.
Commodore Ilau said he was bewildered that a former PNGDF commander, Maj Gen Jerry Singirok (ret), was leading the attack against him and feeding “rubbish” to the media when he was no longer a soldier.
He said any more unsubstantiated allegations against him would end up in court.
“I wish to appeal to the media, but more so to the press in particular, to please respect my 34 years of service and eight long years as commander PNGDF through an extremely difficult time,” Commodore Ilau said.
“My family and I persevered a long period of change in a complex organisation.
“It is not fair to my family to continue to suffer on my behalf.
“We have suffered enough of that rubbish during my term as commander PNGDF.
“I thought that reputable service organisations like the press would double check information, seek opinions from both sides of the story before printing.
“I am extremely disappointed.
“My reputation and credibility has been tarnished because of rubbish.”
Commodore Ilau said during his handover takeover speech in January this year, he promised officers that he would remain loyal to the PNGDF and would never comment against it; however, he now had to turn back on this.
“For this report (in The National), I have no choice but to ensure I clear my good name, because others in the appropriate position failed to correct the reporting as expected,” he said.
“I just want my privacy respected, and my family left alone.
“Even if I get paid by PNGDF, at least please leave us alone.
“This is the last time I will comment on this matter.
“Any future commentaries on me and my family, they will explain in court.”
Commodore Ilau said of Gen Singirok: “All I can say is that everything he’s saying is totally misleading.
“I don’t know where he got his information from.
“He’s claiming that he has inside sources within the PNGDF.
“Even then, this is a matter for the commander and his staff.
“He (Gen Singirok) wants to take military matters into his own hands when he’s no longer a soldier.
“He should hesitate is making statements like this which can be taken to court.”
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Papua New Guinea beauty takes Japan by storm
Captions: 1. Emi Maria (right), the Papua New Guinea-Japan beauty who is now a sensation in Japan, and who gave a rendition of the PNG national anthem at the opening, at the PNG Embassy opening in Tokyo last Wednesday. – Picture by YAWI NALU KWAMSE 2. Emi Maria performing at the Hibiki Music Festival 2009 3. Emi Maria as she appears on the home page of her website http://www.emimaria.com/
Twenty-two year-old Emi Maria, a PNG-born beauty who is a superstar in
She touched the hearts of members of the large PNG entourage that was in
“She sang the national anthem so beautifully and made us so emotional, especially when we found out that she is part Papua New Guinean,” said Timon Tomala, leader of a Morobe dance troupe that performed in
Emi Maria was born in 1987 in PNG.
Her father is Papua New Guinean, from Simbu province, while her mother is Japanese.
She spent the first five years of her life in
She first started listening to R&B at six due to her sister, listening to such artists as Janet and Michael Jackson, and K-Ci & JoJo, according to a brief biography published online.
She began writing lyrics in junior high school.
By high school, she had started writing music and producing her own tracks.
She participated in the MTV Star Tour, and started performing lives in the Kansai area from 2006 onwards.
In 2007, she started appearing on many different Japanese urban artists' albums as a guest artist, such as Seeda and MC Moggy.
In 2007, Emi Maria released her first EP, "Between the Music," under Freest Inc., a label Emi Maria had created for herself.
Her debut single "I Gotta (Summer Kiss)" was picked as the iTunes
She debuted as a major label artist in 2009, with the release of a digital dingle "One Way Love" under Victor Entertainment.
During this time, she had some of her highest profile collaborations.
"Luv Is..." was a song Emi Maria performed with R&B singer Jay'ed, which features on his top 10 album Musication.
Last December, she had her first top 10 hit, as a featured artist on Seeda's single "Wisdom," which reached #8 on the Oricon singles charts.
After the release of her first physical single in 2010, "Show Me Your Love," Emi Maria released her first major label album, Contrast.
More information can be sourced from her website http://www.emimaria.com/.
Community response to the Maladina attack on the Papua New Guinea Ombudsman's powers
From PAUL OATES
A petition has been raised by Transparency Papua New Guinea in response to the recent proposal in PNG Parliament to weaken the PNG Ombudsman's powers. A Community Coalition Against Corruption is now asking people to sign this petition to help prevent this proposal from going ahead. This is a very important step in PNG's history.
The study of history is essential if one is to understand human nature. Afterall, we as a species haven't changed since we evolved. Nothing changes except the circumstances we live in. As an example, reflect on the circumstances 2,000 years ago in ancient Rome.
Quis custodiet ipsos! Custodes? Juvenal 60 -130 AD
'Who is to guard the guards themselves?'
When the separation of government powers becomes a murky, grey area, society starts falling apart. If PNG government ministers have now started to see themselves as rulers and above the law then they have lost sight of their role as the people's representatives.
Why would this be so? Juvenal comes up with another apposite quote:
'Nemo repente fuit turpissimus!'
"No one ever reached the depths of wickedness all at once."
Hitherto, traditional PNG culture helped repress any dissention and promoted the 'big man' concept. Little by little over the last 30 odd years, the public's individual rights have been continually 'white anted' away.
But when people start climbing the mountain of awareness, they see things from a whole new perspective. Younger PNG people are now prepared to draw a metaphoric line in the sand.
We are witnessing PNG's coming of age.
The study of history is essential if one is to understand human nature. Afterall, we as a species haven't changed since we evolved. Nothing changes except the circumstances we live in. As an example, reflect on the circumstances 2,000 years ago in ancient Rome.
Quis custodiet ipsos! Custodes? Juvenal 60 -130 AD
'Who is to guard the guards themselves?'
When the separation of government powers becomes a murky, grey area, society starts falling apart. If PNG government ministers have now started to see themselves as rulers and above the law then they have lost sight of their role as the people's representatives.
Why would this be so? Juvenal comes up with another apposite quote:
'Nemo repente fuit turpissimus!'
"No one ever reached the depths of wickedness all at once."
Hitherto, traditional PNG culture helped repress any dissention and promoted the 'big man' concept. Little by little over the last 30 odd years, the public's individual rights have been continually 'white anted' away.
But when people start climbing the mountain of awareness, they see things from a whole new perspective. Younger PNG people are now prepared to draw a metaphoric line in the sand.
We are witnessing PNG's coming of age.
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