Beauties arrive for Miss South Pacific quest

By ILA PAILAEA

TEN of the 11 contestants for the 2010 Miss South Pacific pageant contest in Port Moresby have arrived in the country, The National reports.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop joining contestants from around the South Pacific, including New Zealand, in Port Moresby for this year’s Miss South Pacific title quest during dinner yesterday evening. Rachel Sapery James (fifth from left) is representing Papua New Guinea. – Nationalpic by AURI EVA

Twenty-three-year-old Miss Hawaii Pomaikai Klein is expected to fly in today for the week-long event.

Papua New Guinea will be represented by Miss PNG 2010 Rachel Sapery James. The other contestants are Miss Niue Island Maria Mitimeti; Miss Tonga Mafi Tuinukuafe; Miss Solomon Islands Fuatino Malasa; Miss Tokelau Meleka Mativa; Miss Samoa Jolivette Menime Ete; Miss Cook Islands Joyana Meyer; Miss Fiji Sera Tikotikoivatu; Miss American Samoa Cindy Fonofili Silao; and Miss Aotearoa New Zealand Angela Cudd.

Yesterday was a quiet day for the contestants with only two public appearances; the first at Lamana Hotel and during dinner at the Royal Papua Yacht Club.

The contestants and their chaperones will leave for Alotau, Milne Bay, today and return tomorrow to continue on with the pageant programme.

The crowning is scheduled for Saturday evening at the Sir John Guise indoor complex.

During a briefing with the media yesterday afternoon, many of the contestants spoke about the “beauty and friendly welcome” which made them felt at home.

Miss Tonga Mafi Tuinukuafe, perhaps, summed up most of their feelings: “I felt surprised by every minute of it. The different people, cultures are a world in one.

“PNG is rich, not only in its natural resources but also in the cultures you have.”

KAML: PNG economy performing along forecast

By PATRICK TALU

 

PAPUA New Guinea’s economy is performing broadly in line with the forecasts outlined in the March 2010 monetary policy statement, according to fund manager Kina Asset Management Ltd last Friday, The National reports.

Significant investment opportunities have emerged in recent times in both local and the Asian regions as a result of the recovery of dynamic economies, according to KAML.

“KAML is well positioned to benefit from the regional bounce back of current investments and the implementation of new investment opportunities which continue to emerge,” chairman Sir Rabbie Namaliu said.

He said while real GDP growth had been revised downwards to 7.5% from 8.5% this year, this mainly reflected the delay in the start of production from the Ramu nickel-cobalt project.

Sir Rabie released the KAML third quarter review last Friday.

“The construction of the LNG project infrastructure, now well underway, will underpin growth in the period ahead.

“The sales revenue generated will represent a significant inflow into the domestic economy and also the region,” he added.

Sir Rabbie said after its weakness early in the quarter, KAML had  benefited from the pick-up in stock markets late in the September quarter, a trend that has continued into the current month.

“The year-to-date performance of all asset classes has exceeded their respective benchmarks,” Sir Rabbie said.

He said PNG is currently among the emerging market countries that were experiencing recovery and growth faster than their more advanced counterparts, adding that it was important to relate the market overview to the implications for the KAML fund.

 

Cholera spreads

30 deaths confirmed, 800 villagers affected

 

THE cholera outbreak on Daru Island has been contained but health officials fear the deadly bacteria is spreading inland, along Western’s Fly River villages, The National reports.

Health Department officials said 30 villagers had died from cholera on Daru while more than 800 Daru people had been diagnosed with the disease.

They said three medical teams were patrolling south bank villages to identify the sick and treat them as well as conducting awareness.

The disease spread to Daru from an outbreak that was first reported in September last year in Morobe.

The World Health Organisation and Australian aid agency, AusAID, have been flying in medical supplies and emergency experts from Port Moresby since cholera was first reported on Nov 11.

Last Friday and Saturday, AusAID airlifted more than 3,000kg of medical supplies with pledges of more from Australian foreign affairs minister Kevin Rudd.

WHO representative in Daru Geoffrey Clark said the cholera outbreak on the island was under control with efforts now focused on reducing its spread on the mainland because of the movement of people from the affected areas along the Fly River.

Australia has restricted all cross-border travel under the free movement provisions of the Torres Strait Treaty, in consultation with PNG authorities.

 

Taylor: Women up to the challenge

TOMORROW is D-Day, when women throughout the country will be waiting for the deliberations and debate on a bill to be tabled in parliament on the reserved seats for women, The National reports.

Prominent women leader Dame Meg Taylor said the current situation was such that women representation in parliament was meagre and unacceptable.

“The future of our nation was, and is, based on our hopes and aspirations as a people.

“At self-government, our leaders enshrined our aspirations in the eight-point plan.

“We clearly articulated the equal participation of women in political, economic and social life and institutions.

“The purpose of this is to ensure the sound and strong development of PNG with women as equal partners in development and nation building,” Taylor said in a statement yesterday.

“At independence, the National Goals and Directive Principles of our Constitution enshrined the desire for a nation recognising tradition but aspiring for a common future based on equality of men and women that will be a shared responsibility.

“We stood as a young nation on a journey of great expectation towards nationhood.

“We knew that there will be challenges and we believed that we will all share those challenges,” she said.

“Women in Papua New Guinea have worked hard and contributed to the development of our young nation, however, women’s participation at senior levels in government has seriously declined.

“Women’s participation in small-to-medium business enterprises is nominal while women have continued to be among the work force in towns and villages.”

Dame Meg said in parliament where laws were made where politicians defined the future of the country, there was an obvious absence of women.

“In the 35 years of our young nation, there have been four women in parliament. Two have held a ministry.

“This statistic is shocking and shameful.

“We will not build a nation when the opportunity for women candidates to be elected into parliament is undermined by reason of culture and prejudice, however, that has been the case and that must be changed.

“As a country in transition, we must note the past and reassess the current situation and redefine our hopes and aspirations for our future generations.

“The participation of women in national parliament, through reserved seats, will ensure a phase in our political history that will prepare the ground for more robust democratic institutions for the future.

“By reserving seats for women in the national parliament, the opportunity will be created to enable women to be elected through a democratic process.

“This will be the beginning for a more equal representation through the electoral process.”

 

Cholera spreads along Fly

By SINCLAIRE SOLOMON

 

THE biggest shipment to date of Australian medical supplies for cholera-hit Daru and villages of the Fly River was delivered at the weekend where health officials said the disease has been contained on the island but is spreading to the mainland, The National reports.

A total 2,845kg of emergency supplies was airlifted from Port Moresby on an Australian aid agency, AusAID, charter on Saturday, taking total aid since Nov 11, when the outbreak was reported, to about A$1 million.

The Australian government had also provided emergency experts in Daru to complement personnel from the Health Department and the World Health Organisation.

Health Department officials on the island said 30 people had died from cholera, a bacterial infection typically spread through contaminated water. But they feared the death toll could be as high as 100, confirming the figure suggested by Daru Catholic mission priest Fr Vinod D’Mello last week,

They said up to 70 patients per day were presenting themselves at Daru General Hospital, which serves a large and difficult-to-access region near the mouth of the Fly River. As of last Friday, some 800 villagers had been diagnosed with the disease.

As of Saturday, three medical teams, which included two doctors provided by the church of the Latter-Day Saints, visited the Fly River villages to treat suspected cases, checked water supplies and carried out awareness.

Communication with Daru, where a control centre had been set up at the police station opposite the hospital, had been made more difficult since last Thursday when landline communication with the rest of the country was cut, Daru police said.

Western communications officer Dr Naomi Pomat told AAP in Daru response to the disease had been slow because of an early misdiagnosis.

“The first test presented for typhoid. Then, the clinical staff realised the presentation was wrong and more likely cholera,” she said.

Villagers travelling by sea to Daru, and other islands in the mouth of the Fly River, have aided the rapid spread of the deadly bacteria that caused diarrhoea-like symptoms.

“Settlements on the island are very crowded. The influx of people, especially from the surrounding villages, has increased the incidence.

“Because of the high water table on Daru, you cannot build good toilets, and poor sanitation and access to water has also fuelled the spread.

“There is a big problem here, but it is not just from now – it goes back to the colonial days.”

WHO representative in Daru Geoffrey Clark said cholera on the island was under control and the islanders were responding well to the awareness campaigns that had been carried out.

He said efforts were now focused on reducing its spread along the north and south banks of the Fly River.

“There has been an excellent coordinated response since cholera was first reported.”

Cholera would usually make people only mildly sick, but up to 10% of patients had developed severe illness.

It is transmitted by water contaminated by bacteria from an infected person or food contaminated by dirty water, soiled hands or flies.

Somare plots to silence critics: Namah

Leader of PNG Party Belden Namah has expressed grave concern over a directive from Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare for his arrest for being critical of the government’s handling of high-profile scandals and controversies involving some very senior parliamentarians.

Namah, who was informed at the weekend of the highly-confidential directive for his arrest, said Sir Michael should not use State institutions, including the police force to silence leaders and citizens who openly criticised him and his government over important national issues and events affecting Papua New Guinea and its citizens.

“It is becoming evidently clear why the Prime Minister has decided to tribalise the three disciplined forces by appointing three men from his own East Sepik province to head the PNG Corrective Institution, PNG Defence Force and the Royal PNG Constabulary,” Namah said.

 “The Somare plot is now being executed to silence leaders and citizens who are critical of Sir Michael and his cohorts using state law enforcing agencies.

“It is a very dangerous and frightening new strategy devised by the Prime Minister, never done by any Prime Minister since independence, to silence people thereby denying the democratic and constitutional rights of PNG leaders and citizens who speak out against the Government on issues affecting the nation.

“Leader of the Opposition Sir Mekere Morauta was not wrong when he described the tribalising of the three disciplined forces, a clearly dictatorial and desperate act heading towards ‘Mugabe land’.

“I’m aware of the Prime Minister’s plot to have me arrested.

It is not because I have broken any laws or the Constitution of PNG.

And also, it is not because I am indifferent with the law. It is merely because I have been most vocal and critical on corruption and some very controversial decisions that are rampant in the current Government.

“It is common knowledge that corruption in PNG has reached an unprecedented level, but this Prime Minister has failed to address it head on, starting from his own backyard.

“I’ve never tried to seek relief from the courts to prevent the Ombudsman Commission and the Public Prosecutor from performing their constitutional mandated duties like Sir Michael over his referral for allegedly not declaring his annual returns.

“There is also a very serious allegation before police of from NGO activist Noel Anjo of his alleged kidnapping ordered by Sir Michael.

“Anjo also alleged that Sir Michael punched him three times and even wringed him neck.

“Mr Anjo was lucky to have been rescued by two named duty policemen.

“Mr Anjo also alleged that he was subject to both verbal and physical harassment from Lady Veronica Somare and other relatives at Mirigini State House.

 “Why have the police not acted on this very serious allegation of kinapping of Mr Anjo and taken Sir Michael and Lady Veronica for questioning?”

Namah called for an independent commission of inquiry into this allegation.

Namah was also critical of Sir Michael’s perceived personal interest to have him arrested.

“What offence have I committed that warrants a directive from the Prime Minister or the National Executive Council for my arrest?” he said.

Namah said he was reliably informed by highly placed sources within the cabinet and police force of such a directive.

As well, the former PNG Defence Force officer said he would not be silenced by the executive directive for his arrest and would continue to criticise the government and its leadership for its actions and suggest alternative policies in addressing national issues and problems affecting the country.

James all geared up for Miss South Pacific title quest

By JASON GIMA WURI

MISS Papua New Guinea’s bid to win the Miss South Pacific title will begin this weekend in Port Moresby, The National reports.

Miss PNG Rachel Sapery James sweating it out at the gymnasium in preparation for the week-long Miss South

Pacific title quest that begins in Port Moresby at 4pm tomorrow

Rachel Sapery James will be joined in the South Pacific title contest by 10 other participants from around the Pacific who are arriving today and tomorrow for the week-long event.

The winner will be crowned Miss South Pacific 2010.

James told The National yesterday that she would use the Miss South Pacific quest to spread three key messages.

“First is unity as a country to move forward.”

Quoting from a phrase used by Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu, James said: “The Bird of Paradise needs both its wings to fly, or the familiar saying: United we stand, divided we fall.”

She said her second message would be on education, “which is crucial in building our human resource capacity develop our country”.

James added: “And, finally, sustainable development, environmental awareness and conservation to live in a healthy and safe environment and have healthy and strong communities for the future.”

She said the pageant was also an opportunity to showcase and promote the country and its people.

“As a region, we need to stand strong and united.

“We need to give more opportunities for cultural exchanges, sharing success stories of achieving our goals for development and give ideas to each other to grow as a region.

“As a young aspiring PNG woman, I believe I have a lot to offer the South Pacific community if I were to be crowned Miss South Pacific.

“I see myself as a bridge between two worlds, bringing advanced modern innovative technology and knowledge of science and tools available to improve the lives of the vast majority and enhance our region.

“I see this also as an avenue to put PNG on the map.

“Even though we are the biggest nation in the South Pacific, there is very little spotlight and attention in comparison with other countries like Fiji and Tahiti.

“Thus, I will endeavour to promote our great country and its uniqueness for sustainable tourism,” she said.

“It will also be a great honour to be crowned Miss South Pacific on home soil.

“I am calling on all Papua New Guineans to support me, even if it means to vote for me via the internet, as we will be doing it all for PNG,” James added.

James is 26 years old and comes from New Ireland.

Besides the Miss PNG title, she also bagged the Miss Humanitarian and Miss Patron’s Choice during the Miss PNG quest.

The Miss South Pacific contest will be staged at the Lamana Hotel and Sir John Guise Indoor Complex starting tomorrow at 4pm.

Gas project eyes more fuel output

ExxonMobil, partners: Initial production could be larger

 

EXXONMOBIL Corp and its partners in the PNG LNG project are likely to produce more fuel than they initially expected during the first phase of the project, online publication Bloomberg Businessweek has quoted analysts as saying, The National reports.

The venture initially may produce 6.9 million metric tonnes of LNG from two units, up from the 6.6 million tonnes previously projected, according to Credit Suisse and Citigroup Inc analysts who cover Exxon’s partner, Oil Search Ltd.

The Hides field drilling campaign next year is likely to underpin an expansion of the project to a third processing unit, Sydney-based Credit Suisse analyst Sandra McCullagh said after a visit to the project site.

A final investment decision on the next stage may occur in 2012, she said.

ExxonMobil and partners approved the development of the project almost a year ago.

The venture may double the size of Papua New Guinea’s economy, Port Moresby-based Oil Search has said.

Government projections released during the handing down of the 2011 budget this week say that the economic growth will be over 20% from 2015, the first full year of export.

First exports are due in 2014, barring any disruptions. A third plant may begin in 2016, McCullagh said.

“We are increasingly confident Oil Search has additional growth opportunities that may boost earnings,” she said.

Oil Search rose 2.3% to A$6.67 at the 4.10p.m. close in Sydney yesterday, compared with a 0.3% increase for the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index.

An additional unit, or train, producing 3.5 million tonnes of LNG annually, may cost about US$5 billion, Citigroup’s Mark Greenwood in Sydney wrote in his report.

 

 

Nape: I will fight charge

NATIONAL parliament Speaker Jeffrey Nape has vowed to take on the opposition in court, saying he will vigorously defend the case brought against him, The National reports.

After trying for weeks to woo Nape’s support to push through a notice for a vote of no-confidence in Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare in parliament, the opposition attacked Nape after realising they would not succeed.

The opposition leaders filed a criminal complaint in court, summoning Nape to answer for alleged breach of the constitution on July 20.

The claim was in relation to Nape presiding over the proceedings of parliament on July 20 and certifying four legislations when he was the acting governor-general.

Nape issued a statement yesterday, saying: “I have been advised by my lawyers that the court action instituted against me by Sir Mekere Morauta is fundamentally flawed in a number of aspects which I will challenge in court.

“Firstly, as a veteran politician and lawmaker, Sir Mekere should know that, as a member of parliament and a party and witness to the case, I cannot be served with court papers within three days to or after the date appointed for parliament to sit. That is prohibited under the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act,” Nape said.

“Parliament was set to reconvene on Tuesday, Nov 16. I was served with court documents on Wednesday (Nov 17), one day after the time appointed for parliament to sit. That is clearly illegal.”

He said he would vigorously deny that section 95(4) of the constitution was breached.

Nape said Sir Mekere was abusing the court process by seeking criminal penalties and sanctions against him in aid of a civil claim for civil remedies against him in court.

“That is unlawful and highly improper.

“Sir Mekere is, in fact, usurping the powers of the police and public prosecutor by seeking criminal sanctions against me. There is no basis for this.

“That is a politically motivated action and Sir Mekere should be experienced enough to leave political issues outside of the judicial process to stop wasting the time of the people’s court.”

Nape was supported by Esa’ala MP Moses Maladina, who said the criminal proceeding was defective.

Maladina said any criminal proceeding should be brought by the state and its instrumentalities, and not individuals.

He said under section 6 of the Parliamentary Privilege Act, any member of parliament cannot be called in as witness three days before and after the parliament sitting.

Sources in Waigani said the move against the speaker showed the frustration felt by the opposition in its bid to remove Sir Michael in a vote of no-confidence before the “window of opportunity” closed.

“The opposition has been courting Deputy Prime Minister Don Polye, United Resources Party leaders William Duma and Anderson Agiru and Nape.

“And, the answer they got is ‘no’ from these leaders,” a source said.

 

 

Ex-soldier walks away with K91,000

By JULIA DAIA BORE

 

A RETIRED soldier who waited for so many years to get his entitlements from the Defence Force has been paid K91,000, The National reports.

Another ex-soldier received K50,000, the lowest paid out up to yesterday.

Both were among 14 already paid, out of 334 ex-servicemen who would be paid a total of K12.3 million for the years spent serving the force.

The pay-outs began on Tuesday, with K200,000 already paid out to the ex-servicemen.

Facilitator in the pay-out exercise Col Paul Mai confirmed yesterday that the payments were taking place at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby.

He said because of no public listing on who was among the 334 eligible recipients, only 14 people had turned up these past few days.

Mai was hopeful that more would turn up today following newspaper advertisements listing the recipients.

The National Executive Council had sanctioned the pay-outs in decision No.159 of Aug 5 this year. However, the cheque payments were not processed until funding was made available recently.

PNGDF chief of staff Capt (navy) Alois Tom Urr had instructed on Monday that following NEC approval after screening the status of each group, 334 ex-servicemen were listed for payments.

Workers from the office of the attorney-general were assisting PNG personnel with administering the pay-outs.

Urr also directed that “the payments will not be released to a third party, including lawyers”.

“In the event where a serviceman has died, his next of kin with proper identification will be paid.

“No payment will be made if there is confusion and conflict over the identification of an ex-serviceman or his dependants. In such cases, the cheque will be returned to the AG’s office to be administered through the public curator’s office,” Urr said.

Security has been tightened at the pay-out station.

 

 

Somare: IPIC funds safe

PUBLIC Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare yesterday gave a full disclosure of the government’s funding of the liquefied natural gas project, saying the money, in a quarantined account, is safe and payments are on track, The National reports.

The minister was forced to give the disclosure in a media statement released yesterday, following a story published in the Post-Courier on Wednesday.

Somare said there was absolutely no truth in the Post-Courier story, which said that the government had lost A$300 million recently because it converted US dollars to Australian dollars in relation to the exchangeable bond issue with International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

“The story is pure fiction because, as pointed out to the Post-Courier before its report, IPBC has not made any currency conversion recently,” the minister said.

The Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) concluded an agreement with IPIC in November 2008 to raise A$1.681 billion.

The exchangeable bond deal with IPIC was approved by the national executive council.

The transaction was concluded in March last year, and the funds were deposited in a quarantined bank account in Singapore for use as and when payments were due for the government’s share of the LNG project.

Somare said most of the funds from the IPIC transaction were converted at the time to US dollars with a portion retained in Australian dollars to cover the interest costs of the loan.

A sum of A$1.285 billion was converted to US$828.3 million at the prevailing exchange rate in March last year.

PNG LNG equity payments to the present time had amounted to US$525.5 million, while interest earned on funds totalled US$0.287 million and A$20.7 million.

The cost of the exchangeable bond transaction was US$18.7 million while the “coupon” payments on the exchangeable bond totalled A$135.6 million.

The net balances remaining in the quarantined accounts following these transactions and payments were US$493.7 million and A$262.4 million.

Somare said: “The details of these transactions were audited by the auditor-general for the year 2009.

“This accounting process has already been undertaken for 2009 when the funds were first received and placed in an escrow account and government payments made for sunk costs in the LNG project as well as for ongoing cash calls.”

Somare said he considered it highly improper for the Post-Courier, and any other media, to make false claims on issues of national importance, but it was even worse when news stories were based on fictitious information and unreliable and uninformed sources.

He urged the national media to take a more responsible approach, especially when it came to issues that were critical to social and political stability and future economic growth and prosperity.

 

 

MPs duty to protect PNG's interest: Namah

Leader of PNG Party Belden Namah has reminded members of parliament not to loose focus of their prime responsibility to act in the best interest of their people and the nation.

Namah said all elected leaders in government and opposition were duty bound and had moral obligation to rise, oppose and depose the current scandal-plagued Somare regime.

“Together with parties in the opposition and government defectors, PNG Party will continue to seek support from concern members for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister,” he said.

Namah was responding to statements by National Alliance party president Simon Kaiwi who criticised opposition attempts to topple this government through a vote of no-confidence in the Prime Minister. “Simon Kaiwi has turned himself into a one-eyed monster, which sees only NA and the Somares,” he said.

“He has no right to question the opposition.

“His position as NA president gives him no right to question the opposition’s legitimate role to question government on important national issues and concerns.

“Presidency of NA is not an elective position.

“He is not equal to members of parliament.

“As such he cannot question the rights of elected leaders to question the government.

“Who is running the government? The elected prime minister, the unelected prime minister or Simon Kaiwi?”

Namah said it was the opposition’s legitimate right to question the government and hold it accountable for its actions and policies.

 He said that Kaiwi should be telling his political masters in the government of its dismal failure to provide basic and essential services to the people.

As well, Namah said the government should stop pretending, come out clearly and inform the nation of how it spent the K5 billion in various trust accounts.

Ombudsman Commission completes probe on Somares

THE Ombudsman Commission (OC) has said it has concluded its investigations on Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and Minister for Public Enterprises Arthur Somare, The National reports.
The OC also said the matters were now within the competence of other relevant independent constitutional offices such as the courts and the Public Prosecutor.
The commission said these matters would be addressed by those offices in way they would be considered appropriate with regard to the issues of delay raised in the media.
The commission made the statement in relation to the status of referrals of Sir Michael and Somare to the office of Public Prosecutor as a result of its investigations.
The OC said it was mindful of the operation of the common law principle of sub judice, which essentially prevents public discussion of cases that are currently before the courts.
The statement from the OC said in part: “In the OC’s view it has concluded its investigations.
“However, the parties have exercised their rights to take the matter to court.
“OC assures that it is doing all it can to defend these cases and that of other leaders that have instituted legal proceedings against the OC so as to protect the integrity of its investigations.”

 

Settlement children mark international day

By ANCILLA WRAKUALE and GRACE AUKA (UPNG journalism students)

A GROUP of children at a settlement outside Port Moresby have been reminded that they have rights to live full good lives and, along with these rights come responsibilities, The National reports.

Children displaying placards with messages expressing their rights to live full and healthy lives. – Nationalpic by AURI EVA

 Addressing a fun day at 8-Mile settlement to mark International Children’s Day yesterday, World Vision representative Delphine Nuia also reminded parents that children must be valued and have a good childhood so that they could grow into responsible adults.

“In order for a child to live a happy life free from violence and abuse, all adults should respect these rights and ensure these rights are not abused,” she said.

To the children, Nuia said: “You also have responsibilities to go along with those rights; you have the right to go to school and your responsibility is to study hard, attend classes and do your homework everyday.”

Also joining the fun day were children from the 2-Mile and Garden Hills settlements.

Speaker Nape summoned

Court appearance tomorrow over alleged breaches on July 20

 

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

THE opposition has taken the unprecedented step in issuing criminal proceedings against Speaker Jeffery Nape over his conduct in parliament in July, The National reports.

Nape had been served summons to appear in court tomorrow for allegedly breaching the constitution.

Opposition leaders said they decided to act on their own after losing faith on organisations like the police, Ombudsman Commission and others.

Opposition leaders Sir Mekere Morauta, Sir Puka Temu and Bart Philemon said the summons was served on the speaker at the Crowne Plaza hotel at about 2.30pm yesterday afternoon.

The alleged breach was in relation to Nape presiding over the proceedings of parliament on July 20 and certifying four legislations when he was the acting governor-general.

Sir Puka said Nape had breached section 95(4) of the constitution that prohibited the speaker from performing his duties as the speaker when he was acting governor-general.

 “In our view, the constitution recognises the office of the governor-general to be non-political and impartial and, therefore, when the speaker is acting governor-general, he must divorce himself from his political role and maintain the integrity and impartiality of the office of the governor-general at all times,” Sir Puka said.

The breach of section 95(4) is criminal in nature that carries a penalty of K10,000 fine or 10 years imprisonment, or both.

“For this, we will be seeking orders from the court to punish the speaker by sending him to jail or be punished under the sanctions provided by the constitution.

“We see the conduct of the speaker as blatant and disrespectful of the constitution.

“He is not above the constitution.

“He deliberately took control of parliament to suit himself and the government to avoid dealing with a constitutional matter of a motion of no-confidence in the prime minister,” Sir Puka said.

“It is imperative that such serious breaches of the constitution, whether it is for political reasons or otherwise, must be tested in the appropriate forum, in this case the National Court, to see if the constitution has indeed been breached.

“It is our duty to bring such breaches to be dealt with according to law.”

Sir Puka said complaints to the Ombudsman Commission previously on similar matters had been to no avail and it would be interesting to see if the Ombudsman Commission will join the proceedings as it claims time and again to be the upholder of the constitution.

“The speaker must not abuse the democratic process of running the affairs of parliament fixed by the constitution and the standing orders.

“He has a duty to uphold these processes whether they suit him and the government or not.”

Sir Puka said the processes were laid down so that those in position of power and authority did  not abuse them.

“In this case, we say the speaker had abused the position he held at the time as acting governor-general to suit him and the government and he must face the consequences, including being brought to court.”

Nape could not be reached for comments last night.

 

Former bureaucrat queries nil dividends

By PATRICK TALU

 

A FORMER senior bureaucrat has questioned the non-availability of dividends from state-owned enterprises in the budget, The National reports.

The bureaucrat, who observed the budget lock-up on Tuesday, said so much had been invested in these enterprises, controlled by the public enterprises ministry, that it was time to reap the pay-offs in the form of dividends.

He was concerned that “there is an absence in public policy where the government has not stipulated a dividend policy in the fiscal policy and revenue strategy so as to reign in profits and net income from these enterprises”.

“The revenue policy is weakened by the fact that the non-tax revenue is missing out on critical pay-off in dividends from state-owned enterprises,” he added.

“Government has invested a lot from the supplementary budgets of 2007, 2008 and last year and should see the pay-off in improved capacity and efficiency and profits resulting in good dividends.

“There is risk to state revenues when the state trustee – the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) which is managing these enterprises – is withholding dividends that are due to the national government.”

He said key policies in the budget strategy to manage compliance did not feature in the fiscal policy framework.

“This is an important aspect of budget management and fiscal control and discipline that must be featured strongly in the policy because past regimes and experiences have shown that administration of budgets has been weak,” the former departmental head said.

“The budget is passed by an appropriation act which is law and any administration of budget, which deviates from the budget, is breaking the law.”

For a number of years, dividends from state enterprises, under the control of IPBC and the ministry of public enterprises, had declared profits but reinvested those revenue to growing those businesses rather than pay dividend to the government.

Some state enterprises under the control of IPBC included Air Niugini, PNG Ports Corporation, PNG Power and Post PNG.

 

Natural disasters and emergencies miss out on budget

By PATRICK TALU

 

THE National Agriculture Research Institute is concerned that no funding was allocated in the national budget for emergencies and unexpected natural disasters like the climate change-induced prolonged dry spells that were widely publicised recently, The National reports.

NARI director-general Dr Raghunath Ghodake said while K5.7million was appropriated for disaster risks management and disaster management getting K1.9 million, nothing was specifically set aside for natural disasters and emergencies.

Experts had said the El Niño phenomenon was likely to hit PNG between next year and 2014, causing severe drought everywhere.

When asked for his comments on the 2011 budget yesterday, Ghodake said: “Yes, indeed, we are all concerned that there has been no funding apportioned for climate change-related drought events. 

“There is a development project funded for NARI this year, and that was to have continued for the next four years so that we can prepare PNG and its communities for a severe drought.

“I cannot comprehend how this was misplaced, and I am in touch with central agencies to find out and have already expressed my concern and dissatisfaction to them.

“I can only guess at this stage that there may have been some misunderstanding and omission, and also hope that good sense prevails and this area gets funding support in whatever way possible.”

According to the NARI website, there were strong indications for El Niño conditions developing in the later part of next year.

Ghodake said in an article posted on the website that food production in PNG was highly vulnerable to El Niño-induced droughts and other seasonal events of droughts. 

He warned that unless action was taken to empower and equip our farming and rural communities with appropriate technologies and information, people would be exposed to food insecurity, malnutrition and hunger. 

“It is advisable that PNG has contingency measures in place which can be activated at short notice to deal with drought and food shortage situations under such a highly likely scenario.”

Besides food and water shortages in the rural and urban areas, severe droughts could cause disease outbreaks, population out-migration, school closures, bush and forest fires, hydro-power shortages, breakdown of transport and communication infrastructures and law and order problems. 

Many parts of Eastern Highlands and Morobe had reported cases of people and domestic animals dying from starvation as a result of food and water sources drying up.

K9.3b budget handed down

Strong economic growth forecast

 

TREASURER and Finance Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday handed down a record K9.3 billion budget for 2011 with the theme “building the foundations for economic growth and prosperity”., The National reports.

He said it supported key medium-term development plan (MTDP) with new tax policy measures.

Total revenue and grants were projected at K9.328 billion, which was K1.08 billion higher than the revised 2010 estimate of K8.24 billion.

The budget highlights were:

* Balanced budget for 2010 and 2011;

* Strong economic growth in 2010 and 2011;

* High price of good and services worry;

* No new direct or indirect taxes;

* Tax on locally-brewed liquor;

* Wage adjustment for public servants;

* Threshold increase for first-time home buyers;

* Increased development budget to fund high priority programmes in MTDP enabling areas, especially education;

* Increased recurrent budget funding to support MTDP enablers and meet government obligations; and

* Long-term fiscal issues such as sovereign wealth funds.

 

 

Education biggest winner

THE education sector – from primary/secondary to technical and higher education institutions – is the biggest winner next year with more than K1.1 billion from the development budget, The National reports

The education appropriation represents 13.8% of the budget, K918.4 million to K1.07 billion.

Specifically, the universal access to quality primary and secondary education is appropriated K906 million, an increase of K18.7 million.

The break-up showed:

* An increase in education subsidy, from K144 million to K172 million, which is an ongoing initiative;

* K30 million for curriculum development and K20 million for equipment from the development budget;

* Expansion of Grade 12 examinations from eight subjects to 16 at K2.3 million and K6 million for production of examination papers (ongoing);

* 72 additional teachers in NCD at a cost of K2.25 million, (ongoing);

* Provinces to receive an additional K42.8 million to fund 4,000 teachers next year, bringing teachers’ numbers to 41,400 at a cost of K526.1 million (ongoing); and

* Provinces receiving K46.9 million in basic education function grants, an increase of K7.7 million (ongoing).

In the higher and technical education sector, the government is focused on addressing the skilled workforce shortage by allocating a total of K170.6 million – the government allocating K93 million while K61 million would come from loans and K36.3 million in additional grants.

Of this amount, K26 million would go to the University of Technology’s infrastructure development – K16 million for HR infrastructure development and K10 million for petroleum and petro-chemical engineering school.

The University of Papua New Guinea was allocated K18 million for infrastructure development comprising a new law school building (K10 million) and science building (K8 million).

Under the same infrastructure development fund, the University of Natural Resources and Environment (formerly Vudal) was allocated K8 million for library (K5 million) and administration block upgrade at (K3 million).

The University of Goroka was allocated K4 million while K59 million would come from the Chinese government for the dormitory extension.

A new initiative, called trade skills scholarship, was allocated K20 million for capacity building while technical vocational education training sector project got K10 million.

Minister James Marape said the school of excellence concept would come to reality with the resource allocation.

He also welcomed an allocation of K40 million for the rehabilitation of the four national high schools of Aiyura, Passam, Sogeri and Kerevat.

He said the rehabilitation of education sector infrastructure (Resi) programme funding of K70 million next year would be more controlled and aligned with the national education plan.

Marape also welcomed “establishing the library in every school” project with an initial allocation of K11 million for next year.

He said this was the biggest support ever received by the department, although funding had increased over the past three years.

 

 

K687.5m for law and order, justice

LAW and order and justice, as a key government priority sector, have received funding of K687.5 million for 2011, The National reports.

This is an increase of K157.8 million from 2010 that will cover areas including K3.8 million for recruitment of 630 personnel and K1.5 million for vehicles to address lawlessness in major centres and cities.

Treasurer and Finance Minister Peter O’Neill said the police were also receiving K44.5 million extra in its recurrent budget.

This will bring the total to K256.7 million for 2011, including K30 million for the LNG project support.

The Correctional Service received up to K21.1 million, an increase from K67.9 million in 2010 to K89 million in the 2011 budget.

This is to cater for the new salary structure, new uniforms and 95 new recruits.

The Defence Force will receive an increase of K29.2 million from K115.5 million in 2010 to K144.8 million in the 2011 budget.

This will go towards staff awards and recruitment of 50 new officers (K7 million), K7 million for liabilities, K2.5 million for training, K4 million for maintenance of ships and aircraft and K1 million for Beijing defence attaché.

The Judiciary is receiving an additional K19.4 million from 2010, bringing the total in 2011 to K69.6 million.

O’Neill said the major component of this increase would be spent on court circuits, which was one of the government’s priorities in this sector.

Other increases in the sector included land tribunals getting K6 million, particularly in resource project areas in PNG and K1 million for village court uniforms.

Budget all set

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

IT is all set, Treasurer and Finance Minister Peter O’Neill said of the supplementary and the 2011 budgets which he will present in parliament at 2pm today, The National reports.

The supplementary budget – expected to be about K500 million – would go towards meeting outstanding obligations, including commitments to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project landowners.

Next year’s budget is expected to be about K8 billion that would address key government priorities in the district support improvement programme (DSIP), transport infrastructure programme and rural electrification.

It will be O’Neill’s first full budget as treasurer. He will be accompanied by National Planning Minister Paul Tiensten in laying out the development budget.

The budget would represent the start of the medium-term development plan (MTDP) to 2015.

Under the MTDP, the government will focus on a development expenditure of K36 billion over five years to create an additional 315,200 jobs throughout the country.

The MTDP is also the first five-year stage in the government’s broader 20-year development strategy (PNGDSP) and realisation of the Vision 2050 programme, which provides the overall direction of PNG’s development initiatives for the next 40 years.

The plan is expected to achieve an average economic growth of 8.5% a year, resulting in a healthy rise in the average GDP per person from K3, 430 this year to K4, 638 by 2015.

The most significant aspects of the MTDP included:

* The upgrading of 16 national priority roads, construction of 16 “missing link” roads and construction of four additional economic corridor national roads;

* The construction of 315 new aid posts nationwide in line with targets set for 2030 under the DSP. The plan required the Department of Health to hire 50 additional doctors and 787 nurses by 2015;

* In the education sector, 1,678 new primary and secondary schools would be built across the nation in every province with more than 9,800 teachers recruited in the next five years;

* In higher education, about 21,500 university places would be created, 6,800 technical and business college places, 8,000 teacher places, 5,000 nursing places, 3,700 vocational training institution places and improved access to internet and communication technologies; and

* K1.1 billion would be spent on improving the law and order situation.

 

 

3 attacks on Hickey as 146 houses torched

By JAYNE SAFIHAO

 

MEMBER for Bogia John Hickey and his wife were attacked three times at Dylup in Madang in separate incidents while 146 houses, belonging to settlers, were razed following a delay in a compensation payment last weekend, The National reports.

Last Sunday morning, a group of youths confronted the Hickeys as they were driving through Bogia station.

“At Kumul River, another group of armed youths flagged us down but I did not stop.

“I drove straight at them and the youths dispersed,” Hickey said when relaying the incidents to The National yesterday.

“We approached Dylup only to be confronted again by armed youths who damaged my car with bush knives,” he said.

“We were nearly killed.”

Hickey said: “The road condition along the North Coast is so bad and the there are no police at Bogia.”

Police in the area, however, said homes of labourers and settlers at Dylup plantation were razed to the ground last weekend following an armed hold-up last Thursday.

Reports said Buskens-Dimer villagers travelling on a PMV to Madang town were held up and robbed at Dylup, with the robbers stealing K400 in cash and a tool box.

A passenger and the PMV crew were injured in the incident.

In retaliation, Buskens-Dimer villagers demanded that the Dylup people pay them K5, 000 in compensation and a pig worth K600.

The peace ceremony, scheduled for last Sunday, did not take place as there was no mediator.

Tired of waiting, Buskens-Dimer youths marched into the plantation and torched every house in sight.

This happened when the Hickeys were passing through, resulting in their car being damaged.

Hickey had blamed provincial police commander Anthony Wagambie Jnr for the breakdown in law and order in the province.

Talidik rural police commander Snr Sgt Francis Wullinga confirmed the raid on the plantation and said his men were investigating.