MORE than K1.5 million from the K7 million, allocated by the national government to combat the Asian cocoa pod borer outbreak in the country, was misappropriated between 2008 and last year, The National reports.
An internal audit and investigations conducted by the Kokanas Indastri Koporesen and the cocoa board revealed massive institutionalised corruption and misappropriation of public funds allegedly by the directors and managers of the PNG Cocoa Coconut Industry Ltd.
A copy of the audit and investigation report obtained by The National showed that dubious payments were made from the CCI main account No.191061 while some of the payments were double-dipping.
According to the report, the acting executive manager corporate services was paid cash totalling more than K38,000 between March and December 2008, which were deemed “excessive”, especially for personal use.
Auditors also found that a deputy chairman was paid more than K13, 000 but the monies were not used for the purposes intended for.
The report said another lot of payments, totalling K7, 500 made to Department of National Planning workers, were found to be dubious in nature as they were undocumented.
A total of more than K200, 000, made to a workshop in Palmalmal, was also found to be excessive and could not be justified.
“The payments were dubious in nature and they were made intentionally to defraud the institute,” auditors said in the report.
THE petition against the Maladina amendments, presented to five opposition MPs on May 4, is now back in the hands of the Community Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC) and its partners, including Transparency International-PNG (TI-PNG) and civil societies, The National reports.
Copies of the petition, carrying more than 20,000 signatures opposing the changes to the Organic Law on the duties and responsibilities of leadership and the Constitution, was handed back to CCAC yesterday by Bulolo MP Sam Basil at the request of the coalition.
Coalition members and concerned individuals met yesterday and agreed to withdraw the petition from the opposition leader’s office, where it has been kept, and taken back to the provinces for further action.
PNG Media Council president Joe Kanekane said CCAC saw fit to retrieve the petition after the government decided against accepting or discussing it in Parliament.
Kanekane, who spoke on behalf of TI-PNG chairman Peter Aitsi, who is overseas, said despite the public’s widespread support, the petition was refused by the clerk of Parliament who said it was against parliamentary standing orders.
“CCAC is dismayed but not surprised that the clerk had refused to accept the people’s petition against the Maladina amendments.
“The petition had sat in Parliament with no avenues for it to be presented on the floor of Parliament.
“That is why we have taken back the public petition to say loudly that we will not go quietly,” he said.
Kanekane said the voice of the people could not be and must not be silenced.
“CCAC wanted a complete withdrawal of the proposed amendments to the Organic Law and a repeal of the constitutional amendments and calls for public support to take strength in the withdrawal of petition and continue to fight at the community level.
“This must be the way forward if there is to be a meaningful public consultation on the issue.
“The threat of the amendments being passed in this sitting without the consultation is too great a chance to take,” Kanekane added.
New Zealand has a new high commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Marion Crawshaw (pictured), who presented her letter of introduction to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare last week.
She takes over from Niels Holm, who left officially on May 27 after three years in PNG, to take up a new post as official secretary to Government House.
“New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are close friends and I’m delighted to be representing New Zealand here at a time when exciting opportunities are being realised, “Ms Crawshaw said.
She has a background in the areas of trade and economic development and security policy.
“During my time here I’ll be keen to encourage more business engagement from New Zealand companies in Papua New Guinea,” Ms Cranshaw said.
“There are good opportunities here which are not being realised.
“I’m also going to be taking a close interest in our aid programme and the ways in which it is aligned to Papua New Guinea’s development strategies.
“Economic development and social development go hand in hand.”
Ms Crawshaw is a career diplomat who has previously been posted as deputy high commissioner to the Solomon Islands, deputy representative to the OECD in Paris, as well as to Suva and Rome.
She was seconded to New Zealand police as national manager policy, where she established New Zealand police’s policy group.
Most recently Ms Crawshaw was the director of the knowledge services division of the ministry of foreign affairs and trade, developing a programme of knowledge management projects for the ministry.
Ms Crawshaw’s personal interests include collecting New Zealand and Pacific art, gardening and handcrafts.
“I already have a few pieces of PNG art and handcrafts from previous visits here and I’m looking forward to adding to that,” she said.
“I’m also aware of the rich variety of plants from Papua New Guinea and will be adding to previous high commissioners’ plantings at the high commissioner’s residence.”
In the Papua New Guinea news, there is an article by Isaac Nicholas that quotes the results of a European Union funded geological survey. The survey data apparently revealed potentially large mineral deposits in the PNG Highlands. The minerals mentioned were copper, gold, silver, zinc, chromium and nickel. "The mineral potential is very high based on the results we have so far," GEOMAP chief geologist Dr John Aspden was quoted as saying. "Eight mining companies, including Barrick, BHP and Rio Tinto have bought the data which is strategic information needed to mine the resources." EU acting head of delegation Dr Ray Beese said the project was to help the PNG government identify the mineral potential of the country. In a news article in January 2010 written by journalist Mohammad Bashir, geologist Jerry Barry is quoted as claiming he estimates the Ramu Nickel mine is worth more like $US34 billion and not $US1.7 billion the mine's 85% ownership was reputedly sold to foreign owners for, by the PNG government. On the 4th of February 2010 the website Ramu Mine Watch claimed the Lihir Gold Mine profited by US$500 million in one year alone yet paid no taxes to Papua New Guinea. "The Ramu Nickel operation which is owned and operated by the Chinese will dwarf the Lihir gold mining operation in its size but all the signs are that it will be an even bigger financial disaster for Papua New Guinea", the article said. In an article by Probe International dated 11th of May 2010, it repeated a claim by African leaders that "the African continent lagged behind most other parts of the world when it comes to tax collection." African Development Bank President Kaberuka is quoted as saying, "Tax to GDP percentage in Africa is still the lowest at only 7 per cent." The Probe article also highlights "Other leaders in the developing world have made similar remarks. Late last year, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Finance and Revenues Shaukat Tareen admitted that if the government fixed the nation's broken tax system, it would not be forced to accept foreign aid from Western countries." Finally the Probe reports says:"Their remarks also echo those of Dambisa Moyo, the former Goldman Sachs economist and author of the last year's best-selling book "Dead Aid". Moyo argued that foreign aid is not only ineffective in promoting development, it is an impediment to it. In regards to taxation, she said that foreign aid displaces domestic revenue from taxation-and does so with terrible results. "Foreign aid programmes, which tend to lack accountability and checks and balances, act as substitutes for tax revenues," she wrote. "The tax receipts this releases are then diverted to unproductive and often wasteful purposes rather than productive public expenditure (education, health infrastructure) for which they were ostensibly intended." The breakdown of the tax system, Moyo wrote, can have serious political ramifications, as "the absence of taxation leads to a breakdown in natural checks and balances between the government and its people." So where does that leave the people of Papua New Guinea and their taxation system? Sadly lacking for want of government scrutiny and at the apparent mercy of the impact of overseas aid, one would assume. ****** African leaders call for tax reform, not foreign aid Probe International Tuesday, May 11, 2010
A number of African leaders are now saying that foreign aid is no longer the only answer to economic development of the continent. Instead, they are calling for reform of the tax system, pointing out that Africa currently has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world. Speaking at a conference at the World Economic Forum on Africa, South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Mozambican President Armando Guebuza and African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka, admitted that the African continent lagged behind most other parts of the world when it comes to tax collection. The former Rwandan Finance Minister and now African Development Bank President Kaberuka stressed that, although the continent needs to find ways to attract more foreign investments, it must also learn to finance its own operations and development programmes through tax collection. "Tax to GDP percentage in Africa is still the lowest at only 7 per cent," he said. Tax-to-GDP ratio is the ratio of tax revenues to gross domestic product, and is widely used as a measure of the state involvement in national economies. A very low tax-to-GDP makes it difficult for countries to raise funds internally to pay for government operations, forcing them to rely on outside financial assistance such as aid, which hampers public accountability and, ultimately, economic growth. Reforming the tax system, said Mr. Guebuza, would help to ease the continent's dependence on handouts from foreign donors. "We know what we want.we know how to get it," he said, stressing that a heavy reliance on foreign aid can no longer be the continent's solution to development. Other leaders in the developing world have made similar remarks. Late last year, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Finance and Revenues Shaukat Tareen admitted that if the government fixed the nation's broken tax system, it would not be forced to accept foreign aid from Western countries. His comments came in the wake of street protests by citizens and heated debates by lawmakers in the country against a $7.5-billion aid package from the US, known as the Kerry-Lugar bill. Their remarks also echo those of Dambisa Moyo, the former Goldman Sachs economist and author of the last year's best-selling book "Dead Aid". Moyo argued that foreign aid is not only ineffective in promoting development, it is an impediment to it. In regards to taxation, she said that foreign aid displaces domestic revenue from taxation-and does so with terrible results. "Foreign aid programmes, which tend to lack accountability and checks and balances, act as substitutes for tax revenues," she wrote. "The tax receipts this releases are then diverted to unproductive and often wasteful purposes rather than productive public expenditure (education, health infrastructure) for which they were ostensibly intended." The breakdown of the tax system, Moyo wrote, can have serious political ramifications, as "the absence of taxation leads to a breakdown in natural checks and balances between the government and its people." ****** Ramu Mine Watch February 4, 2010...11:08 am Will the Ramu mine be another big rip off - just like Lihir?
With community outrage over revelations about the true size and value of the Ramu nickel deposit still simmering, figures released by the Lihir gold mine in New Ireland province, Papua New Guinea, which delivered a US$500 million profit in 2009, reveal the extent to which other mining companies are profiting from their extraction operations. The Lihir gold mine produced a record 853,000 ounces of gold in 2009 - boosting Lihir Group Ltd's global production to over one million ounces for the first time (LGL also mines gold in Queensland, Australia and in Cote d'Ivoire in Africa, although the Lihir mine accounts for some 75% of total gold production). The Lihir mine is also one of the lowest cost mines in the world, according to the company. Total cash costs of the Lihir groups mining operations in 2009 were US$397 per ounce. With the gold selling price averaging at US$1,000 per ounce during 2009, the company figures reveal that the mine was delivering a profit of over US$600 per ounce of gold produced - over US$500 million in total. A profit of over US$500 million in one year from one mine - yet the company pays no taxes in Papua New Guinea. Perhaps it is no surprise that PNG is ranked as one of the poorest and least developed nations in the world - despite its enormous natural resources which include oil, gas, copper, timber and tuna as well as gold, silver and nickel - when it allows overseas companies to quite literally steal its gold . The Ramu Nickel operation which is owned and operated by the Chinese will dwarf the Lihir gold mining operation in its size but all the signs are that it will be an even bigger financial disaster for Papua New Guinea.
January 29, 2010...2:57 pm Ramu Nickel mine "broad daylight rape" of PNG
A leading Papua New Guinea geologist says the Ramu Nickel mine has been massively undervalued and is another example of the "broad daylight rape" and exploitation of Papua New Guinea's resources. He claims the US$34 billion mine has been sold to the Chinese for just 5% of its true value. "Sadly, the [PNG] government is continuously under selling multi-billion-dollar resources because it lacks analytical skills" says geologist Jerry Barry in a story by Mohammad Bashir in today's Post Courier newspaper. This lack of knowledge and skills is further compounded by greed and ignorance says Barry. Mr Barry calls on the government to "act radically and swiftly in changing the current trends in order to maximise realisation of the natural resources for PNG" he says. Mr Garry estimates the Ramu Nickel mine is worth $US34 billion and not $US1.7 billion as is commonly reported.. "For brevity, Ramu laterite deposit contains 1.44 million tons of nickel and 0.143 million tons of cobalt . At today's buoyant prices of 9US$/lb for nickel and 20US$/lb for cobalt, the in-situ value of contained nickel and cobalt in the Ramu project stands at about $US28 billion and $US6 billion, respectively. So the actual value of Ramu nickel cobalt project is $US34 billion or K92 billion at today's prices". Mr Garry, who has worked with many international exploration companies added that the mine will produce in excess of 31,000 tons of nickel and 3300 tons cobalt annually for a period of 20 years (with the potential for up to 30 years). "The worth of these metals produced annually may exceed $US750 million subject to fluctuating metal prices and production capacity. This is somewhat equivalent to well over K2 billion every year at today's exchange rate and metal price," he said. Mr Garry said sadly, 85 per cent of the ownership of the Ramu mineral resource was sold to MCC, the Chinese state owned enterprise for a mere 5 per cent ($US1.7 billion) of the total value of this mega resource. "To set the record straight, the present value of Ramu mine is worth about $US34 billion (K92 billion) and not $US1.7 billion (K4.6 billion) at today's price but unfortunately very little if not none will be reflected in long-term tangible development in PNG" ****** Post Courier News Wednesday 16th June, 2010
Firm for LNG cash
Govt sets up company, separate from IPBC to control LNG windfall
By ERIC TAPAKAU
LOBBYING is intensifying for the positions of chairman and chief executive officer of Papua New Guinea's newest state entity - Kroton No.2 Limited. The National Executive Council recently approved the separation of Kroton No.2 Limited from the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) entity to manage the country's windfall from the Liquefied Natural Gas project. The Government's view is that its LNG equity is too large and important to remain within the normal IPBC portfolio and that it needed an independent board and management so it could contribute effectively in its role as the joint venture partner as well as looking after the Government involvement in the project. It is likely Papua New Guineans will be appointed to these two top positions however, with the significance of the PNG LNG project active consideration is being given to these positions before to their appointments are announced. LNG projects are new to the country and the top management teams of the company will have to properly understand the operations of such a project. The State has a 19.6 per cent interest in the PNG LNG project led by Esso Highlands Limited, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil and 16.6 per cent will be held by Kroton No. 2; an additional 2.8 per cent is held on behalf of landowners by the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) Ltd; and 0.2 per cent by Petromin PNG Holdings Ltd through its subsidiary Eda Oil Ltd. The overall $US15 billion (K40 billion) cost of developing the PNG LNG project, which excludes shipping costs, will enable PNG to export 6.6 million tonnes of LNG annually to customers in China, Japan and Taiwan. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said cabinet recently endorsed the establishment of Kroton No. 2 Ltd as the fully functional petroleum company with the appropriate resources to adequately represent the State's interest in the PNG LNG project. Total revenue to the country through different interests would be in the vicinity of K25 billion over the 30 year life of the project and this will increase if the project reports an additional profit after an agreed period of time. Sir Michael said since Kroton No.2 Ltd was wholly owned by the State, through the General Business Trust, it was imperative that Kroton played the leadership role in the commercial development of the hydrocarbon industry in the country. "To facilitate this, cabinet has endorsed the functional separation of Kroton No.2 Limited from the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) to allow the former to develop into a national hydrocarbon development corporation while IPBC focuses on value-adding and management of the General Business Trust," Sir Michael said. "IPBC will remain as shareholder in Kroton No.2 Ltd until the maturity of the existing funding arrangements with the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi. Thereafter, the shareholding will be reviewed." Minister for Public Enterprise Arthur Somare, the Department of Public Enterprise and IPBC have been directed to speed up the necessary logistical requirements to enable the office to be fully functional and report back to the NEC. Landowners from Hides and Portion 152 yesterday called on the Government to consider them directly on the board of Kroton and they also wanted the chairman of the board to come from the landowners. "The Government has been unfair on us all this time and we are requesting the Government to seriously consider us by allocating up to 50 per cent of the seats on board if possible," they said yesterday. ****** The National 16 Jun 10 Highlands boasts high mineral content: Survey By ISAAC NICHOLAS
A EUROPEAN Union (EU)-funded geological survey has found relatively high mineral potential in the country's highlands region. The survey, covering Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Western Highlands, Enga and Southern Highlands, was conducted by GEOMAP and the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA). GEOMAP is a five-year EU-funded project that is part of the mining sector support programme (MSSP) launched in 2006. The survey data, presented by EU officials to Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal, showed 48 elements including copper, gold, silver, zinc, chromium and nickel among other minerals. EU acting head of delegation Dr Ray Beese said the project was to help the PNG government identify the mineral potential of the country. He said the project also included certain parts of Sepik and Madang, covering 40,000sqkm the last four years. Beese said the geological survey in the Wabag area revealed quite interesting potential of copper and other minerals. GEOMAP chief geologist Dr John Aspden said the survey was to help provide information to the mining sector. "Eight mining companies, including Barrick, BHP and Rio Tinto have bought the data which is strategic information needed to mine the resources. "The mineral potential is very high based on the results we have so far," Aspden said. "Because of Porgera, Yandera and Frieda mines, the survey worked in between these areas to identify new potential mineral deposits," he said. Abal, who is also Wabag MP, said he was alarmed by the number of prospects available in the highlands. "We want to participate in mineral wealth and this kind of information is vital. "The geological survey map gives the people and government a big advantage to plan ahead on how to participate in the projects," Abal said. "We welcome the EU support that will give investors the opportunity to do desk-top analysis on the data."
Air Niugini’s Cadet First Officer Rhoda Jane Ilave at the controls of the Dash 8 100 series that she is licensed to fly. She is one of six PNG women pilots flying for Air Niugini.
MEET 21-year-old cadet first officer Rhoda Jane Ilave, who recently graduated from Air Niugini’s cadet training course for pilots and engineers, and an awardee of the Sir Donald Anderson Trophy for female pilots in Australia.
The trophy, sponsored by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is awarded annually to three women pilots with the highest aviation exam results over the past year.
Ilave is probably the first female pilot in Papua New Guinea to receive the honour in recognition of her outstanding academic achievements in professional aviation studies by female trainee pilots.
She received the award last week.
Air Niugini chief executive officer Wasantha Kumarasiri said yesterday Ilave’s achievement was not just for Air Niugini but also for PNG.
“Young Rhoda has made everyone proud, her family, Air Niugini, the airline industry and PNG in general,” he said.
Ilave was studying second year medicine at the UPNG Medical Faculty when she decided to apply for the Air Niugini cadetship programme in 2008.
Inspired by her elder brother, who is also a cadet pilot with Air Niugini, Ilave did very well in her studies at flight school in Australia in the 18 months she was there.
“She did very well in both her theory classes and practical tests. She passed all seven commercial pilot licence examinations in five months and accomplished brilliant results, scoring 100% for one examination, 95% and above for five other examinations and 88% for another,” Kumarasiri said.
“In the same year, she completed her seven Airline Trasport pilot licence examination in two and a half months, scoring 97% in two examinations and more than 80% for other examinations,” he said.
The cadetship programme is open to Grade 12 and above students with excellent results in all areas, particularly in physics, mathematics A and English.
Since 1989, the cadetship has seen at least six young people every year to be trained at various pilot training schools, the current being at the Professional Pilot Training at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia.
Kumarasiri said Air Niugini invested millions of kina annually in training young pilots and engineers whose results were commendable and comforting for the airline and its valued customers.
Graduating last December, Ilave is now one of six female PNG pilots with Air Niugini.
Ilave said she was quite shocked to win the award but was grateful for the tremendous honour.
“It’s really good and I am glad the Australian Women’s Pilots’ Association does such things to recognise females and to encourage them.
“The cadetship is a good thing that Air Niugini does for young people to decide for a career in aviation.
“I now look forward to a promising career with Air Niugini and to progress onto bigger aircraft in the future,” Ilave said.
MADANG town’s landmark office and shopping complex, the KagastenBuilding, was burnt to the ground last night, The National reports.
The fire, which started at the ground floor at about 6pm, gutted the entire building by 7pm.
Firemen and 20 student seamen from the PNGMaritimeCollege could not save the building but managed to stop the fire from spreading to other shops, including the double-storey Papindo shopping complex.
A policeman at the scene said he suspected an electrical fault at a shop on the ground floor could have triggered the fire, which quickly spread to the other rooms.
It brought the entire two-storey building down within an hour.
The building housed two shops on the ground floor while the first floor had the Day and Night Surgery private clinic, office of the anti-HIV/AIDS group, People Living With Higher Aims Inc, among other occupants.
Police could not ascertain if there were people inside the building when it caught fire.
A EUROPEAN Union (EU)-funded geological survey has found relatively high mineral potential in the country’s highlands region, The National reports.
The survey, covering Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Western Highlands, Enga and Southern Highlands, was conducted by GEOMAP and the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA).
GEOMAP is a five-year EU-funded project that is part of the mining sector support programme (MSSP) launched in 2006.
The survey data, presented by EU officials to Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal, showed 48 elements including copper, gold, silver, zinc, chromium and nickel among other minerals.
EU acting head of delegation Dr Ray Beese said the project was to help the PNG government identify the mineral potential
of the country.
He said the project also included certain parts of Sepik and Madang, covering 40,000sqkm the last four years.
Beese said the geological survey in the Wabag area revealed quite interesting potential of copper and other minerals.
GEOMAP chief geologist Dr John Aspden said the survey was to help provide information to the mining sector.
“Eight mining companies, including Barrick, BHP and Rio Tinto have bought the data which is strategic information needed to mine the resources.
“The mineral potential is very high based on the results we have so far,” Aspden said.
“Because of Porgera, Yandera and Frieda mines, the survey worked in between these areas to identify new potential mineral deposits,” he said.
Abal, who is also Wabag MP, said he was alarmed by the number of prospects available in the highlands.
“We want to participate in mineral wealth and this kind of information is vital.
“The geological survey map gives the people and government a big advantage to plan ahead on how to participate in the projects,” Abal said.
“We welcome the EU support that will give investors the opportunity to do desk-top analysis on the data.”
NCD Governor Powes Parkop addresses the 13th UOG graduation last Friday
By KATE GUNN of UOG
On Friday June 11, 2010, the University of Goroka hosted its 13th graduation ceremony. A large crowd gathered at the campus to witness the graduation for a total 564 people. They were officially welcomed by the Chancellor of UOG Benais Sabumei to the graduation. Mr Sabumei highlighted the fact that UOG now had a full council and it was their special honour and privilege to be part of the graduation. He encouraged all staff and students of the university to “work together to do everything possible to change the past history of instability by putting aside personal differences”. Mr Sabumei concluded his welcome speech by congratulating the graduands on their achievement and advising them to give their best in their chosen professions with honesty, commitment and responsibility. He then officially opened the graduation ceremony. Acting vice chancellor David Avei-Hosea in his speech on the day commented on UOG’s highlights so far for the year. These included the hosting of two of the first-ever international conferences held in PNG on dance and early childhood respectively. Mr Avei-Hosea also congratulated the very first two graduands from the Diploma of Museum Studies course, a direct result of the partnership with the National Museum and Art Gallery in Port Moresby. Acting director of the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery Meck Kuk was witness to the graduation, where he presented a cheque for K30, 000 to Mr Avei-Hosea as a donation to support the Pacific History Conference which will be hosted at UOG from Sept 12-16 this year. Guest speaker at the graduation was Powes Parkop, MP, and Governor of NCD, who stated he was impressed by the number of graduands and the variety of degrees studied at the university. He appealed to all at UOG to move forward and resolve conflict so the university could continue to play a pivotal role in education from the base of its rich history. Mr Parkop strongly stated: “Our people and our nation need this university to continue to function [and] to produce graduates who will shape our nation and the future.” He also commented on the need for an educated and skilled population for a prosperous nation. To conclude Mr Parkop reminded the graduands of the need for quality leadership in schools and the classroom to impact on students, co-workers and peers. The ceremony also included the presentation of prizes awarded to graduands for leadership, academic excellence, teaching practice, professionalism and charity. Entertainment for the ceremony was provided by Expressive Arts (music and dance) students in spectacular form.
Caption: Villager John Agaundo Bongro, 50, recovering at the Kundiawa GeneralHospital after he was shot at the roadblock. The bullet was said to have penetrated and smashed a bone below his right knee. Tension is still high in the area following the shooting.
MP denies shooting villager at roadblock
CHIMBU police are investigating an attempted highway robbery, the discharging of a firearm by a parliamentarian and the shooting of an elderly man on the Highlands Highway at the weekend, The National reports.
Highlands region police commander Simon Kauba said yesterday he had called for an investigation as relatives of the wounded man and the politician accused each other of starting the trouble as the situation remained tense overnight.
The MP told The National he had acted in self-defence to protect his family and K120, 000 in cash he was carrying by firing his licenced gun into the air to scare off people manning a roadblock at the Urinigle section of Highlands Highway in Kerowagi between 6.30pm and 7pm last Sunday.
“I did not shoot anyone; any medical report and police investigations will reveal the truth,” he said following claims by Urinigle clansmen that John Agaundo Bongro, 50, was shot at the roadblock and the bullet penetrated and smashed the bone below his right knee.
The politician said the money was pay for day labourers and five men, who knew he was carrying it, had attempted to steal it.
“I gave them K100 and, as I was trying to leave, another group hiding at the back came out and attacked,” he said, adding that Bongro might have received knife wounds from that attack.
He said by then, reinforcement from his tribe arrived at the scene and a fight broke out with both sides armed with knives, axes and firearms, prompting him to fire shots into the air.
The MP said he did not want further trouble and was negotiating with police to mediate for a peaceful solution and to iron out differences and any misunderstanding.
Provincial administrator Joe Kunda Naur had also asked for police to investigate and file a report at it involved a national leader.
Kunda Naur said from Kundiawa that Uringigle clansmen had officially complained to Kundiawa police that same day.
Bongro, who is in stable condition, said from the Kundiawa GeneralHospital bed yesterday he wanted a police investigation to determine who shot him.
“I want to go to court to ensure justice prevails and those responsible are prosecuted,” he said in Tok Pisin.
Eyewitnesses confirmed some parts of the MP’s version of events.
They said a group of young men, apparently drunk, had tried to stop the politician’s vehicle as it was passing.
They said two men travelling with the MP got out and assaulted them. Later, the MP gave the drunkards some money.
They said more trucks then arrived with the MP’s supporters and a fight broke out.
Eyewitness Francis Wauglabogl claimed Bongro was an innocent bystander who had gone to see what the fight was all about when he was shot.
A LONE gunman went on a shooting rampage at a market in Komo, Southern Highlands, last Sunday, killing two people and wounding one, The National reports.
The shooting occurred at Kangulu village, a few kilometres from the site of the multi-billion-kina PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.
Work stopped temporarily but resumed on Monday, although the situation was still tense in the area.
Tari police said yesterday that the gunman had been angered at seeing his younger brother, who was drunk, being beaten up by the Sunday crowd.
Police said he rushed to his house, grabbed his home-made shotgun and opened fire into the busy, crowded market, killing an 18-year-old Grade 5 student instantly and a 16-year-old villager, who died in hospital the next day from wounds to the back of his head.
The third victim had his hand shot off and is receiving treatment at the Tari GeneralHospital.
Police identified the AkuCommunitySchool student as Sebby Tobale of Kukupalu village in Komo. The second victim was identified as Hangube Malai of Kangulu village.
The gunman has been arrested and locked up. He is yet to be charged.
LNG police security operations commander Jim Namora said yesterday he was concerned about the increase in alcohol-related crimes in Hela. Namora commended the MS 12 unit and the local Komo police, headed by a regular and 10 auxiliary, for their efforts in responding swiftly in apprehending the suspect.
NATIONAL Court judge Justice Bernard Sakora has taken offence to The National newspaper’s editorial of last Friday, describing it yesterday as work of “many half-baked bush lawyers”, The National reports.
An obviously annoyed Sakora said if these so-called experts, who pretend to know the imminences of the sentencing functions of the court had their way, “I would not be here”.
The editorial suggested that the sentence imposed on William Kapris for the Metals Refining Robbery was lenient.
Sakora said: “These people pretend to know the law, particularly the law in relation to sentencing of a felon . . . and who don’t know anything about the facts of a particular case.
“There is the need to have mitigating and accurate factors, before the court could exercise its discretion, starting with section 19 of the Constitution and the Criminal Code Act.”
He said that the accused would not have the benefit of a lawyer, or ex parte matters before him, like mitigating factors – did they plead guilty of not?
Or, did they go to trial?
The effects of pleading guilty – did they cooperate with police?
“All these matters that we go through in the criminal courts everyday; the lawyers and we judges go through.
“These are called sentencing processes.”
Sakora said that criminal sentencing process was not just about getting the offence that was defined by the Criminal Code, looking at the punishment that was prescribed and imposing it.
He said The National editorial did not have enough facts, thus it was “precipitated, impulsive and ill-informed commentary”.
REVEREND Samson Lowa has been recognised for services to education, community and United church as bishop and moderator and honoured with a knighthood, The National reports.
Sir Samson is one of three Papua New Guinea named as new knights in the Queen’s Birthday Honours which also recognised 83 others with lesser awards.
The other knight bachelor recipients were Paul Songo and Dadi Mahuru Toka – Songo in recognition for public service as departmental head, diplomat and public sector reform leader while Toka was recognised for his contributions to the Motu-Koita community, Port Moresby and sports.
Speaker Jeffrey Nape received the order of St Michael and St George for service to the community and politics.
Four CBE recipients were Nasfund chairman John Jeffery for community services, Dr John Moxon for service to agriculture, Dr Timothy Pyakalyia for service to public health and administration and Dr Philip Siaguru for service to forestry and education.
Those made officers of the British Empire (OBE) were George Arua, Mark Bennett, Boio Daro, Damien Gamiendu, Rev Paul Jennings, Bill Kua, Iamo Launa, Glen Murphy, Rev Ranyeta Nepo, Tony Poliak, Sister Annette Parker, Ivan Pomaleu and Theresa Williams.
Twenty-five people were awarded the MBE, two the Imperial Service Order and 35 the British Empire Medal.
In the military division Col Tokam Kanini was awarded an OBE for his service to the Defence Force while Thomas Raivet, Lt-Col Otto Pandum and Major Angela Manjor received the MBE.
The Queen’s police medal was awarded to Chief Supt Mark Kanawi and Supt Anthon Billie for service to the PNG Constabulary.
TWO people from Kupiano in Central’s Abau district have tested positive at the weekend, fuelling threats of more increases in the area if the cholera situation worsens, The National reports.
Medical response coordinator for the NCD cholera task force Dr Nicko Wuata said the two were among six admitted to the cholera treatment centre at the St JohnHospital in Gerehu on Sunday.
And one person from Koki in NCD was among the weekend admissions.
Wuatai said of the six admitted, three were from Central; one from Bereina in Kairuku and two from Kupiano in Abau district.
He said the two from Kupiano were very sick as they had to travel long distances to get to the treatment centre, and tested positive for cholera, adding the situation there was very serious.
NCD cholera task force leader Dr Timothy Pyakalyia said suspected cases for NCD had gone past 750 as of last Thursday.
“Our problem still remains; we cannot solve the problem, but to prevent it.
“People must protect their water sources and look after themselves by practicing good hygiene.”
St John officers have gone to Kupiano to set up a cholera treatment centre there to cater for the increasing number of patients from the area.
The Four Square, Salvation Army and Seventh-Day Adventist churches and St John staff have stepped in to assist Central health authorities with manpower to work at the Kupiano Health Centre.
Pilot Richard Leahy in Lae.-Picture courtesy of JUSTIN TYLAN of PACIFIC WRECKS
The remains of the Kiunga Aviation Cessna 185 after the fatal crash last Dec 30.-Picture by BUSTIN ANZU
By MALUM NALU
Bush pilot Richard Leahy says the death of six of his passengers on the ill-fated Cessna 185 flight in the Finisterre mountains of Morobe province last Dec 30 is something that he will live with until he dies.
Leahy, who was recently released from hospital in Brisbane after suffering a broken back and severe burns to more than 60% of his body, said on Sunday that he was awaiting the outcome of a Civil Aviation Agency investigation into why the engine failed that fateful day.
“I was released from the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) on March 26, 2010,” he said from Brisbane.
“I was admitted after having been evacuated from Lae by jet on the day of the accident, Dec 30.
“I remain an outpatient at RBWH and visit for treatment four mornings per week.
“This will last until March 2011.”
Leahy also described comments made by Morobe Governor Luther Wenge against him as “unwarranted”.
Wenge stirred up a hornet’s nest when he threatened to have the renowned and respected pilot charged with manslaughter and deported from the country.
“I felt as soon as I became aware that he (Wenge) had made them (comments) that they were unwarranted,” Leahy said.
“I have conducted commercial flying operations in PNG but mainly in the Morobe Province since 1964.
“During that time I have carried, whilst single pilot in command, over 50,000 passengers - the overwhelming majority of whom were PNG citizens.
“Up until Dec 30, 2009, the day of my accident, I had never caused any injury to any of my 50,000 passengers.
“The fact that six died on that day will weigh heavily with me for the rest of my life.”
Leahy said although this was an accident that he could not have prevented, he was awaiting the CAA findings on why the engine failed on that flight.
“If an aircraft is properly maintained and the pilot carries out his duties in accordance with the set down procedures, aircraft engines simply should not fail,” he said.
“Normally, there is some warning if an engine is developing serious problems and remedial maintenance can be carried out prior to further flight.
“With this particular failure, there was absolutely no warning.
“During the 24,000 hours I have spent flying light aircraft around PNG, I had had only one previous engine failure.
“I landed the aircraft in a lake and my two passengers and myself escaped unscathed.
“The engine failure was due to bad maintenance and I recovered monetary damages from the people that I had contracted with to carry out my maintenance at that time.
“Needless to repeat, my thoughts have gone out to the next of kin of those six souls lost on that day and will always remain with them and those that were lost.”
Leahy said about seven minutes into the flight, he noticed the oil pressure dropping off rapidly.
“I immediately turned back towards Nadzab airport, but the engine stopped soon after,” he said.
“I broadcast a mayday (distress call) to CAA at Nadzab and tried to carry out a landing on rough country.
“I do not remember the impact, but clearly recall finding myself on my back outside the aircraft with my legs in the fire.
“I managed to use my hands and arms to pull myself clear.
“My memory from that point on for 28 days is not clear.”
Leahy said he wished to return to PNG after his rehabilitation was completed next March.
“I am and will continue to wear a head-to-foot burns suit until March next year,” he said.
“This suit does not go well in tropical heat.
“At the moment my voice is not good and because of this I would not be able to renew my flying licence.
“If this problem is rectified, I will resume flying.”
DAL senior officers Francis Daink (dark glasses) and Mika Andrew (right) chat with a cocoa farmer at the Pasi resource centre near Vanimo where the provincial administration is distributing cocoa seedlings to farmers DAL and provincial administration officials inspect a cocoa nursery block at Pasi farming station near Vanimo
By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL
Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Anton Benjamin has called on stakeholders to make a more concerted effort in the fight against cocoa pod borer (CPB).
Benjamin said the stakeholders including government agencies, the private sector and the provinces needed to work closely in developing appropriate strategies to deal with the CPB infestation.
Cocoa is the third largest export commodity generating over K300 million annually, however, if CPB is left unchecked has the potential to reduce production by 90%.
The invasive pest has now spread to all seven major cocoa-growing provinces since it was first detected in 2006 in East New Britain.
Benjamin expressed concern that every effort including funding by government towards eradicating and containing CPB had not proved successful and it was important now that the mode of controlling it had to change from eradication to management.
This is a major concern to the government and the industry and immediate action needs to be taken.
Benjamin made the comments during a meeting with representatives from the Cocoa Board, Cocoa Coconut Institute, National Agriculture Research Institute, National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority, Rural Industries Council, East New Britain, Madang and Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The stakeholders met in Port Moresby last week to discuss the setting up of a national CPB steering committee, national CPB strategy and programme and to effectively utilise the K20 million allocated for CPB in the 2010 budget.
Benjamin stressed that a collaborative approach was needed and an action plan for both medium to long-term had be developed and considered with appropriate interventions such as the World Bank.
He said that active promotion, facilitation and the adoption of CPB management practices including the integrated pest disease management (IPDM) technology should be considered as a priority, together with improved training and awareness on CPB management, provision of appropriate equipment, and provision of high yielding cocoa planting material.
“The approach to manage CPB infestation is basically the adoption of good farming practices including, but not restricted to the technology currently available,” Benjamin said.
“We should now deal with CPB in a more-concerted way and ensure CPB infestation is reduced to less than 10% of the production.”
Benjamin informed stakeholders that despite the CPB threat, cocoa exports reached a record high for the 2008/9 cocoa year.
This was attributed to the high cocoa prices on the world market, support by the European Union to supply 12 million cocoa seedlings to Bougainville and significant investment by MPs to fund cocoa development in their electorates.
There is also high demand for PNG cocoa for its fine flavor status.
Cocoa Board acting CEO Lauatu Tautea said amidst the CPB threat, the board had identified development programmes aimed at taking the industry forward and to maintain cocoa quality, increase production and income of farmers and address extension issues.
The vision of the industry is to ensure an internationally-competitive and viable cocoa industry that supports the national government in its efforts to promote economic and social development and thus improve the standard of living.
Other key programmes include cocoa quality improvement, pest and disease control, farmer training and farm rehabilitation and co-operative marketing.
Provincial representatives said the national government must inject more funding and resources to tackle the CPB infestation otherwise it would continue to spread to other cocoa-growing areas not already affected.
They also called for more awareness on CPB.
The meeting resolved to establish a CPB strategic plan task force comprised of representatives from DAL, Cocoa Board, CCI, NAQIA, NARI and two provincial representatives.
The task force has the specific purpose of developing a strategic plan to deal with the CPB on a national basis and will cover awareness, rehabilitation, redevelopment, research, monitoring and evaluation and finance.
Can someone please direct Mr Benny Allan, Papua New Guinea's Minister for Environment and Conservation to how many other countries are successfully able to develop their natural resources and still protect their environment. It doesn't take much to learn from others if you are able and willing to understand what the issues are. Could someone please take Gov Luther Wenge aside and point out what he said in Parliament will be his political epitaph when people realise what he has actively supported this law with statements like: "I urge the people and leaders alike to put our personal and political interests aside. " and, "As I speak I am very mindful of the Rai Coast people where a lot of them are going to be affected." and finally, "I hope the Government, in the coming days will make sure that the interest of the landowners will be catered for." Will someone explain to Mr John Luke about such 'mundane' things as his people's own food chain when he says, "I know, maybe, down at the bottom of the sea a few worms will suffer but compare that with the damage that they will do on the land, if they have to dispose the tailings there. " Finally, could some kind soul explain to the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Jeffery Nape, the correct procedures for ensuring there is full and open debate and how to conduct a proper and impartial vote on such an important issue. All those who are prepared to speak about a Bill should be allowed to debate it before it is read a third time and becomes law. On the heads of these men and their government backers now lies the future of their people's health and well being. Clearly they have given this an immense amount of consideration before they supported this change in their country's legislation. I wonder will PNG voters give a lot more thought to this travesty of parliamentary principles and political integrity when next they vote?
.JPG)
