NA party members on collision course

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

EXECUTIVES of the ruling National Alliance party and its parliamentarians are on a collision course over the suspension of acting prime minister from the party, The National reports..

But Abal has reassured the people and party supporters that the National Alliance “is solid”.

He will also put up his hand up for the post of prime minister when it becomes available.

The party’s national executive committee had decided on Monday to suspend Wabag MP Abal for two weeks for “wilfully acting in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the party”.

In that regard, the parliamentarians said the national executives had more powers than them, the elected members of parliament.

The NA highlands MPs yesterday closed ranks around Abal who they elected as the region’s new deputy leader claiming their decision was within the confines of the party constitution.

Abal said the national executive should, like other political parties, handle issues internally before going to the media.

“They have done a disservice by going to the press. At the moment they have served documents which I said is not legal,” he said.

“Legal advice is that it is debatable whether an unelected representative can presumably suspend an elected member of parliament and purportedly take down the acting prime minister.”

Abal promised to unite the party and “cut out stuff like this that try to weaken and break up the party”.

Abal said Wednesday night’s decision was reached after much deli­beration.

He commended the leaders from the region for supporting Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare’s appointment of him as deputy and acting prime minister.

“The time for elections is next year and the National Alliance, being the biggest party, needs to take steps to consolidate and move forward,” Abal said.

“It is not an easy decision and I thank the former leader, Don Polye, for his leadership thus far.

“It is about time we renewed the face of the party and propose to the people that we have re-strategised and prepare ourselves to lead the country.”

Abal said the country had been unstable with governments lasting 18 months, but the National Alliance-led government had brought stability and restored investor confidence.

Abal was flanked by Education Minister James Marape (Tari-Pori); Labour Minister Sani Rambi (Mul-Baiyer); Tom Olga (Western Highlands Governor); Yawa Silupa (Lufa); Benjamin Mul (North Waghi); Miki Kaeok (Wapenamanda) and Lands Minister Lucas Dekena.

The media conference was attended by Attorney-General Sir Arnold Amet (Momase) and Charles Abel (southern).

They were the first to congratulate Abal on his election.

NA still split

But highlands, southern and Momase blocs prefer Abal

 

THE governing National Alliance is still split on who should succeed ailing Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare as party leader, The National reports.

It is now the party’s parliamentary wing pitched against the NA national executive as the leadership tussle entered its second day with no compromise in sight.

However, yesterday, NA’s parliamentary wing renewed undivided support for Wabag MP Sam Abal who has been acting prime minister since March.

The NA highlands MPs closed ranks around Abal to recognise him as their new leader while support also came from the other two regions, Momase and southern.

Attorney-General and Justice Minister Sir Arnold Amet, representing Momase NA, congratulated his Highlands colleagues for electing Abal while southern’s representative, Minister assisting the Prime Minister Charles Abel, said it was happy that NA highlands had consolidated.

 

NA party members on collision course

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

EXECUTIVES of the ruling National Alliance party and its parliamentarians are on a collision course over the suspension of acting prime minister from the party, The National reports.

But Abal has reassured the people and party supporters that the National Alliance “is solid”.

He will also put up his hand up for the post of prime minister when it becomes available.

The party’s national executive committee had decided on Monday to suspend Wabag MP Abal for two weeks for “wilfully acting in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the party”.

In that regard, the parliamentarians said the national executives had more powers than them, the elected members of parliament.

The NA highlands MPs yesterday closed ranks around Abal who they elected as the region’s new deputy leader claiming their decision was within the confines of the party constitution.

Abal said the national executive should, like other political parties, handle issues internally before going to the media.

“They have done a disservice by going to the press. At the moment they have served documents which I said is not legal,” he said.

“Legal advice is that it is debatable whether an unelected representative can presumably suspend an elected member of parliament and purportedly take down the acting prime minister.”

Abal promised to unite the party and “cut out stuff like this that try to weaken and break up the party”.

Abal said Wednesday night’s decision was reached after much deli­beration.

He commended the leaders from the region for supporting Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare’s appointment of him as deputy and acting prime minister.

“The time for elections is next year and the National Alliance, being the biggest party, needs to take steps to consolidate and move forward,” Abal said.

“It is not an easy decision and I thank the former leader, Don Polye, for his leadership thus far.

“It is about time we renewed the face of the party and propose to the people that we have re-strategised and prepare ourselves to lead the country.”

Abal said the country had been unstable with governments lasting 18 months, but the National Alliance-led government had brought stability and restored investor confidence.

Abal was flanked by Education Minister James Marape (Tari-Pori); Labour Minister Sani Rambi (Mul-Baiyer); Tom Olga (Western Highlands Governor); Yawa Silupa (Lufa); Benjamin Mul (North Waghi); Miki Kaeok (Wapenamanda) and Lands Minister Lucas Dekena.

The media conference was attended by Attorney-General Sir Arnold Amet (Momase) and Charles Abel (southern).

They were the first to congratulate Abal on his election.

Murder suspect's transfer baffles warders

By JASON POK

 

PRISON authorities want police to explain how a murder suspect in their custody was not in his cell at the Boroko police station on Wednesday night, The National reports.

Bomana prison commander Michael Mondia said Theo Yasause, who is facing charges in relation to the death of a former PNG Kumuls player early this year, was brought from the prison, where the court had ordered he be kept in custody, by police officers on Wednesday.

Yasause is the former boss of the office of climate change.

Mondia said Yasause was taken out of Bomana prison by Boroko-based police officers on Wednesday for further investigation into his murder charge.

He said the officers were from the criminal investigation division in Boroko.

Mondia, however, sent some of his officers later to check on Yasause at the police station and discovered that he was not in his cell.

He said his men saw Yasause’s car pull out of the station as they were driving into the Boroko police station.

He said his officers could not find him in the cell but later saw Yasause “fast asleep” in one of the offices at the Boroko station.

He said his officers believed that Yasause had returned from somewhere with the police officers.

Several attempts last night to get comments from police in Boroko were unsuccessful.

Banks asked to join war against fraud

By FRANK SENGE KOLMA

 

PAYMENTS for infrastructure, compensation, feasibility studies and out of court settlements have been identified as the conduits by which the most fraud is committed against the state, The National reports.

And these types of payments will now be queued by banks as high-risk and be put through the most stringent due diligence procedures before being cleared.

Those who regularly bring these kinds of payments to banks will be placed on a high risk watch list and the information be shared be between banks, the fraud squad and relevant stakeholders.

These are part of due diligence guideline issued by the Police Fraud Squad's financial intelligence unit under the proceeds of crime act in relation to government payments.

Payments above a certain threshold will incur the attention of banks which will then apply the due diligence guideline. No threshold figure is mentioned in the guideline.

Compensation payments by the state to various parties have come under the special attention.

"Fraudulent payments obtained through the compensation payment process have become so frequent that they do not generate the level of suspicion that they deserve," the guideline states.

"It is evident that in recent times many claims have been paid in contravention of the statutory process, allowing illegitimate and improper claims and excess payments and excessive payouts to be legitimised."

The guideline states that the finance secretary, the attorney-general and the solicitor-general can only settle claims against the state and can only be drawn from legal sources and cannot be drawn from trust accounts or from votes other than the court order appropriation.

Votes that had attracted frequent abuses in the past include c207 miscellaneous, 460 account No. 2 and the 410 cash adjustment account, the guideline states.

When suspicious payments are detected the decision to accept a government cheque or payment must be made by at least two people in the bank.

"The signatures of the two must be recorded on the customer's file along with the acknowledgment that they agree with the assessment and a brief statement as to why," the guideline states.

"The decision must state whether the payment complies with the Public Finances Management Act or not.

"Cash dealers shall not clear any government cheque or payment above the threshold until these processes have been completed and a decision recorded about the legitimacy of the payment.

"This guideline applies to all payments of money from the public purse including trust accounts and all levels of government."

Companies that have a "long history of exemplary conduct in provision of goods and services to the government" will be placed on a low-risk list and clearance processes will be less stringent.

It is uncertain at this point whether or not the guideline is binding upon all cash dealers or whether or not banks have agreed to perform the due diligence asked of them.

Opposition backs calls for inquiry

THE opposition wants a commission of inquiry to look into how some government ministers have been setting up business entities using public funds, The National reports.

This included Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal who, they claimed, set up the K5.6 million Wabag District Rural Holdings Ltd, gave K10 million to Eremas Wartoto to start airline company Travel Air and diverted LNG revenue into the Independent Public Business Corporation.

Opposition leader Belden Namah, Moresby Northwest MP Sir Mekere Morauta, Namatanai MP Byron Chan, Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marat and Gazelle MP Malakai Tabar said at a media conference an inquiry should look into such dealings.

Namah claimed Abal had deposited K5.6 million of public funds in the new company's account of which he is the main signatory.

He said it was an example of misuse of public funds.

Namah and his colleagues said Abal should support his "year of implementation" policy by setting up the commission to look into his own dealings with Wabag Holdings, Wartoto and the K1.9 billion of development budget paid out in three months.

Sir Mekere claimed these were examples of ways used by ministers to divert public funds into their pockets.

"It is naked and it is stupid." Sir Mekere said.

He said opposition sources in the IPBC and National Planning had found out that more than K10 million was allegedly given to Wartoto by the government.

"The whole nation was told by the treasurer in his budget speech that Air Niugini had been allocated K30 million for re-fleeting.  Has this money been given to Air Niugini?" he asked.

Sir Mekere said it would be wrong if the money was allocated elsewhere. 

"Air Niugini struggles everyday with domestic services because it does not have enough aircraft," he said.

"What is the delay in giving Air Niugini the money it was allocated in the budget?"

Abal suspended

But highlands MPs vote in acting PM as deputy party leader

 

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

THE National Alliance party has suspended Wabag MP Sam Abal for two months, although the decision will not affect his position as acting prime minister, The National reports.

In another twist to the NA leadership tussle, its highlands bloc parliamentary wing met last night and appointed Abal as its leader in place of Kandep MP Don Polye.

Hours earlier, the NA national executive had announced Abal's suspension for "wilfully acting in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the party".

The notice of his suspension was served on him by party president Simon Kaiwi and secretary-general Stephen Pokawin.

The suspension affects Abal's bid to contest the party leadership at next month's national convention in Minj, Western Highlands.

The party leadership is up for grabs because the current leader, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, cannot re-contest it.

In the suspension notice, Pokawin said the decision was reached after careful consideration of the correspondence regarding the concerns raised by members of the party on the position of deputy leader (highlands) which arose after the sacking of Kandep MP Don Polye as cabinet minister.

The notice further read: "And based on the general apprehension of instability in the party, caused by your actions to force highlands NA MPs to remove Polye as deputy leader at all cost, the (party's) national executive committee is of the opinion that as a member of NA, you have persistently and wilfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the party."

Pokawin said a committee meeting on Monday had resolved to suspend Abal as a member of the NA for two months, from yesterday to Sept 20.

Abal is told he is "to cease to interfere with the affairs of the National Alliance party, in particular, as it relates to the issue of deputy parliamentary leader highlands, until the matters raised by the resolutions of the Enga provincial branch and the highlands regional branch of the party is fully dealt with according to the party constitution.

"You are informed that the national executive committee shall meet on Friday, Aug 12, to further deliberate on the matter."

Kaiwi, in a separate letter to Abal, said the acting prime minister had requested the party president to call a meeting last Thursday or Friday to discuss the NA highlands leadership issue.

"By the way our party is structured, the issue of the letter is essentially an internal party issue.

"Presently, the position of deputy leader highlands is not vacant," Kaiwi said in his letter.

He said under Polye's leadership, the party had grown to be a major political party in the highlands region.

"Unless it can be demonstrated that, as deputy leader, Polye has conducted himself in a manner that is prejudicial to the interest of the party, the party needs to give credit where it is due.

"As acting prime minister, you dismissed Polye as a cabinet minister. You have the authority to do that.

"However, your actions since then to have the NA highlands MPs further remove Polye as deputy party leader and, for you to take over, raises the issue of whether such action is in the interest of NA as a political institution."

Kaiwi said the party was structured in such a way that the parliamentary wing, or its regional caucuses, was a recognised body within the party.

He said the parliamentary leader was responsible for the parliamentary wing and assisted by four deputy leaders who were responsible for each region.

Kaiwi said the authority to call for regional meetings to deal with such issues was vested with deputy leaders and, if they failed to convene meetings, then clause 30 of the NA constitution could be invoked for a special meeting to be called to deal with the matter.

He claimed that the party's committee had been informed that some signatures of MPs had been secured under duress.

"This is a serious allegation which, we hope, is unsubstantiated and, most importantly, that it does not become part of the way National Alliance conducts its businesses," Kaiwi said.

Last night at Airways Hotel, 11 of the 12 NA Highlands MPs resolved to elect Abal as the new deputy parliamentary leader in the absence of Polye.

Besides Abal, the others present were Speaker Jeffery Nape, Agriculture Minister Philip Kikala (Lagaip-Porgera), Western Highlands Governor Tom Olga, Minister for Labour Sani Rambi (Mul-Baiyer), Minister for Lands Lucas Dekena, Wapenamanda MP Miki Kaeok, Civil Aviation and Transport Minister  Benjamin Poponawa (Tambul-Nebilyer), Lufa MP Yawa Silupa, Education Minister James Marape (Tari-Pori) and North Waghi MP Benjamin Mul.

Abal said in a statement the NA highlands parliamentary wing ignored his suspension notice because it was legally flawed under the party constitution.

He said it was flawed because any disciplinary process, including suspension or expulsion, must firstly be lodged by the parliamentary wing.

Secondly, it was a mandatory requirement that the national executive committee must include all members including Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to decide such a suspension.

Sir Mekere believes amount given to Travel Air far more than K10 million

Former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta said today that sources in IPBC and the Department of National Planning are whispering that far more than K10 million has been dished out to Eremas Wartoto by the Government.

 “The whole nation was told by the Treasurer in his budget speech that Air Niugini had been allocated K30 million for re-fleeting,” he said.

“Has this money been given to Air Niugini?”

“The sources in IPBC and Planning have whispered that the money has been given to somebody else. 

“Was the money for Air Niugini given to Mr Wartoto? 

“Can Tiensten and Somare trumpet an answer so we know?”

Sir Mekere said that if this was the case, it was illogical and plain wrong. 

“Air Niugini struggles every day with domestic services because it does not have enough aircraft,” he said.

“What is the delay in giving Air Niugini the money it was allocated in the budget? 

“Giving it would have been a major strike in Sam Abal’s toktok of ‘Year of Implementation’.

“I ask again: What is the rationale in giving a private airline money when the government-owned airline is struggling, and waiting to receive the K40 million appropriated by Parliament?

“Tiensten is still to explain where in the budget the money for Mr Wartoto was contained. 

“As far as I know, Parliament never appropriated one toea for Travel Air.”

Sir Mekere said other sources were saying that hundreds of millions were involved in the setting up of this private airline. 

“Where are the funds coming from? 

“Who are the beneficial owners of the airline?

“Is it just Eremas Wartoto or are some of his National Alliance Kitchen Cabinet friends also involved? 

“Are some of the millions coming from the Government for the purchase of aircraft being vomited back as commission to his friends?

“Acting Prime Minister, what are you waiting for?

“Set up a Commission of Inquiry so that all this dirt can be dug up and use the hole to bury the criminals involved.”

ADB report predicts growth in PNG economy

THE Pacific's resource-rich economies of Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste will continue to expand strongly this year as commodity prices remain firm but high inflation rate is a real concern, the Asian Development Bank said in its latest issue of Pacific Economic Monitor, The National reports.

Growth in the rest of the region was set to remain subdued, it said in the report, released on Monday in Manila, the Philippines.

It projected growth in the Pacific region would reach 6.4% this year before moderating to 5.5% next year.

The petroleum exporting economies of PNG and Timor-Leste are expected to grow by 8.5% and 10.0% respectively, boosted by the high international price of petroleum, and increased investment and employment associated with the construction phase of resource extraction.

The ADB predicted growth of 7.5% this year in the Solomon Islands, driven by increased logging and the resumption of gold mining on Guadalcanal.

The other Pacific economies – the Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu – are expected to experience much lower GDP growth, at 1.5% this year and 1.9% next year.

"The long term growth outlook for the Pacific region as a whole is very modest. If this trend continues, the region risks falling further behind the dynamic economies of developing Asia, resulting in a widening gap in incomes in the two regions," said Robert Wihtol, director general of ADB's Pacific department. "To avoid this scenario, Pacific governments need to focus on the core functions of good government – investing in infrastructure, improving education and providing an enabling business environment that will encourage investment."

The report raised inflation projections for this year, due to the sharp rise in commodity prices.

It warned that high inflation rates in PNG, Timor-Leste and Fiji were of particular concern. For the region as a whole, inflation was expected at 8.4% this year, but would ease to 5.9% next year as commodity prices stabilise.

The report noted that the smaller, more remote and heavily import-dependent Pacific economies, such as those in the northern Pacific, were particularly sensitive to rising international food and fuel prices and were expected to be hit hard by inflation.

The depreciation of most regional currencies against the US dollar added to inflationary pressure across the region, it added.

Sorcery claim prompts killings

Three women hacked to death, one seriously injured in dawn attack

 

By JUNIOR UKAHA

 

THREE women were reportedly killed and another is fighting for her life after they were accused of using sorcery to kill a businessman.

The women, from Kilau in Chimbu's Salt-Nomane district, and residents of Two-Mile Hill in NCD, were allegedly abducted around 2am yesterday from their homes by armed tribesmen and taken to a secluded spot where they were hacked to death with axes and bush knives.

The bodies were dumped in separate locations. A survivor helped rescuers retrieve two bodies. NCD police could not be reached for comments yesterday.

But doctors at the Port Moresby General Hospital accident and emergency ward confirmed they had treated a woman with bush-knife and axe wounds.

"She has cuts to her face, ears and legs," a doctor who treated Lea Kopi, the only survivor of the alleged attack, said.

"Her left hand is only held by an inch of skin and one of her right fingers is missing," the doctor, who requested anonymity, said.

A relative of Kopi yesterday said the torture and killing of the women stemmed from suspicions that Lea and the three deceased had practised sorcery to kill the owner of a Port Moresby-based security company.

Gideon Auri, from Oinima, Salt-Nomane, who is a cousin of Kopi, said the businessman died in a road accident in Sabama last Saturday.

He claimed some men, who were related to the businessman, accused the five women of killing him and abducting them from their homes early yesterday.

"They were taken in two separate vehicles to different locations and were tortured and killed," Auri said.

He said a dump truck, carrying Kopi and two other women, headed for the Laloki River outside Port Moresby where the women were thrown into the fast-flowing river after they had been hit by bush knives and axes.

"Kopi survived the attack," he said.

Tepil Tokai, from the Laloki SDA community, said they were heading for their gardens at around 7am when they saw blood on the one-lane Laloki Bridge and then heard Kopi groaning in pain under the bridge.

"Mipela go daun na helpim em na em tokim mipela lo narapela tupla meri tu husait ol ikilim na toromoi wantaim (we went down to help her and she told us about the other two women who were killed and thrown into the river)," Tokai said.

He said they searched downstream and located the body of another woman about 15m from where Kopi had been found.

Tokai said they searched for the third woman but could not find her body.

Angry relatives of Kopi, who were at the hospital, said the other two women taken on a different vehicle were yet to be located.

"We do not know the killers but we will help police find those responsible for the deaths," Auri said.

He said the matter was with police and they would not take the law into their own hands.

Another relative suggested that they block off all exits out of Port Moresby as the killers might escape to other parts of the country.

He suggested that the matter be raised with relatives in the village so that those responsible for the killings, who might try to take refuge there, would be identified and brought to justice.

Kutubu leaders refuse to join Hela

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

RESOURCE owners and leaders from Kutubu in Southern Highlands do not want to be part of the proposed Hela province, The National reports.

Landowner chief Kossy Sosoro said the Kutubu people did not want to be included with the proposed province.

Resource exploration work had revealed that Kutubu, a sub-district of the Nipa Kutubu electorate, is rich in oil.

Sosoro said the separation of the Hela region from Southern Highlands had been initiated without any boundaries drawn.

While he welcomed the initiatives of Hela businessmen and politicians to convince the National Alliance-led government to have another province, Sosoro said leaders in Kutubu preferred that they remained in Southern Highlands.

"Separation from Southern Highlands is based on the huge landmass and population of the province so that goods and services can be equally distributed to the people," he said.

Sosoro said the Electoral Boundaries Commission must seriously look at identifying where to draw the line so that both people equally benefit politically and economically.

He said with Hela to benefit from the multi-billion-kina liquefied natural gas project, it was only fair that the oil, gas and gold from Kutubu, Gobe and Mt Kare remain in Southern Highlands.

He said the existing boundaries of Tari-Pori, Komo-Margarima and Koroba-Lake Kopiago could become part of the proposed province while Nipa-Kutubu, Ialibu-Pangia, Mendi and Kagua-Erave remained as part of Southern Highlands.

Census mop-up continues

NATIONAL census director Hajily Kele says counting for all provinces, including the National Capital District is continuing under the mop-up exercise, The National reports.

"Enumeration is still going on everywhere in PNG.

"The official counting week was from July 11 to 17 but we have allowed for a mop-up exercise for this week and next week to allow interviewers to complete their workloads," Kele said.

She said a few places around the country had actually completed the head count on time but she did not have details of those areas.

"The provinces that have completed the counting are now refining the census pads, doing quality checks and will be handing in their summary pads soon," Kele said.

She said everything should be completed by next week and all census materials must be in by the end of this month.

"The preliminary figures may be released towards the end of this year or next year depending on how long the process will take to do data entry."

NCD officials have confirmed that the mop-up exercise for the nation's capital was going on and that many city residents had complained that their families were not included in the census.

Kele said many people around the country were calling census toll-free lines to say they had missed out.

She confirmed they were still delivering census pads to some provinces.

"Those who have not been counted should call the toll free line on 180 2055, 180 2036 and 180 2093 or approach their provincial authorities."

Lutheran church in development of Papua New Guinea

By MALUM NALU

 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG) on Tuesday, July 12,  celebrated 125 years of the arrival of the Miti (Word of God).

It was on July 12, 1886, that German missionary, Johann Flierl, sailed into the quite beaches of Simbang in Finschhafen, Morobe province.

Simbang, a village at the mouth of the Bubui (Mape) River in Langemak Bay was the first site of the first mission station.

The ELC-PNG is one of the largest mainsteam churches in PNG today, with more than 1.2 million followers.

The church has seven main departments – Evangelism, Ministerial Training, Lutheran Health Service, Lutheran Development Service, Lutheran Education Department, Land and Property Development and Finance - which are involved in bringing services to its followers.

In many cases, these services stand out, especially when government has done.

Some of the department heads were able to talk about their services as ELC-PNG celebrated its 125^th anniversary.

“Core programme of the Ministerial Training Department (MTD) is training ELC-PNG church workers – ministers, evangelist, lay leaders including the women training programmes,” explains MTD Secretary Pastor Hans Giegere.

“Since the humble beginning of the mission work on July 12, 1886, one of the prime objectives of the pioneer missionaries was to train the locals to work in partnership so they can all achieve the great commission of the Lord, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations’.

“In that vision of local training, ELC-PNG is thankful that God has made possible for this church to have three pastoral training seminaries, an evangelist college, a lay training college and four women programme schools in the country.

“As we celebrate the 125th jubilee year at ELC-PNG, we remember our many pioneers both in country and abroad, those who are present and those who left us on God’s calling.”

Pr Giegere said MTD’s goal to achieve ELCPNG Vision 2020 included: 

·         Review of curriculum for all training institution currently in process for women programme curriculum;

·         Human resource capacity building on continuation of studies through in-service and scholarships for higher degrees; and

·          Re-emphasising the prime importance of the spiritual faith and life spiritually and promoting spiritual and moral standard of Christian ethics through retreats and worship.

“The Ministerial Training Department trains leaders to provide service to the people in a holistic approach,” he said.

“It helps people to know their identity, to accept themselves as gift from their creator and to love and respect their fellow neighbour so that we all can experience ‘freedom’ as stated in the National Goals of our country.”

Emphasis of the Lutheran Development Services (LDS) is on sustainable livelihood of the people, especially the marginal in many rural Lutheran communities.

 

“LDS believes people need not just motivation, but opportunities and knowledge,” says acting LDS Secretary Bonnie Keoka.

“It embraces God’s teaching in Hosea 4:6:  ‘My people are destroyed because of lack of knowledge’.

  “Food security and basic necessities are the focus in the role of LDS. 

“Therefore, LDS ensures in its programmes to empower people to seek, find and live in the Kingdom of God. 

“Outreach programme content of LDS is classed in three areas:  Yangpela Didiman (agriculture); financial literacy (managing and living within financial means); basic infrastructure support (water supply, sanitation facilities).    

“Agriculture, as the core of all LDS programmes, promotes sustainable agricultural activities and community development through Yangpela Didiman or basic agricultural projects, as well as chicken, poultry and cash cropping in cocoa.

“This programme caters for the growing population, the uncertainty of weather in climate change, and land potential to support the people’s demands. 

“This programme has reached over 20, 000 farmers in the last 10 years. 

“It has expanded into remote areas of Kabwum, Finschhafen, and Boana in Morobe province; Raicoast, Amele and Begesin in Madang and the highlands provinces of Western Highlands, Chimbu and Eastern Highlands, along with a savings of over K115,000 with a loan portfolio of over K60,000.” 

“The Yangpela Didiman or agriculture programmes are carried out through efforts of 40 staff. 

“Twenty are scattered in Morobe, Eastern Highlands, and Western Highlands. 

“Chimbu branch was recently closed for shortage in funding and expertise. 

 “Over 5, 000 people in the marginal community were enabled to access savings facilities through the financial literacy programme also in the last 10 years.

“LDS has within the last years witnessed a different perspective of funding rural development projects with people’s participation.

“Infrastructure was lately introduced to LDS activities because of people’s needs.

“Over 100 water supply projects in Morobe province are now accessed by over 1,000 people in rural communities for clean water and sanitation aspects.

“LDS operates out of its main office at Malahang in Lae, Morobe province, about 2km from ELCPNG head office at Ampo. 

“With a staff of 16, six are water and sanitation officers who are on ongoing travel to implement these projects. 

“Ten other LDS staff made up of ancillary staff and management including a department secretary as the head, technical expertise and consultants are drawn locally and assisted through funding and expertise by Lutheran Overseas Church partners of ELCPNG in Europe, America and Australia.

“The community projects are managed and supervised from four regional bases for the Highlands in Banz and Jiwaka; Lae is out of Malahang; Madang at Amron; and FISIKA for Finschhafen, Siassi, and Kabwum areas are coordinated from Finschhafen.

“Over the 125 years, LDS has recently in December 2010 begun the process of restructuring and revitalising its functions to fit the demands in this changing time. 

 

“Such changes are necessary for to accommodate requirements of the church’s strategic plan in the Vision 2020 with a household focus in achieving the church’s vision in ‘revisioning, renewing and re-vitalising the church to become missional’. 

“We call on prayers, support and understanding by all Lutheran members, stakeholders and partners to walk with us in this transition into another 125 years for a better and effective service to the marginal in many disadvantaged areas of our beautiful country.

“We are grateful to the financial backing in making a difference in people lives by our donors – EED, Bread for the World, Lutheran Overseas Church partners and its back donors, European Union, AUSaid and the PNG Government.”

Setting up of schools by ELCPNG began in the year of 1886 as the Lutheran faith gained momentum after the pioneering missionary Johannes Flierl arrived in Finschhafen, Morobe province.

  “The early Lutheran missionaries owned and operated schools independently from the government until 1969,  with the unification of the National Education System, Teaching Service, Teaching Service Commission and the establishment of the Teaching Service Commission,” says LED Secretary Paul Omot. 

“Lutheran, as the partner to the government, found its Lutheran Education Department to administer education services to the indigenous people.

“Forty-two years on, LED is stumbling in not delivering the required education services to schools and communities as expected. 

“Current performance structures and processes need an urgent review. 

“In June 2011, the process of implementing a review began following a May 2010 report by Dr Richard Guy, from the Lutheran Church in Australia, sponsored by the Lutheran Overseas Church Partners (LOPC) and AusAID- channeled funds through the ELCPNG Church Partners Programme.

“Dr Guy’s report gave a number of recommendations for review currently undertake by LED. 

“This process is also funded jointly by LOPC and CPP, for the next two years from June 2011.”

Omot said LED continued its normal plans and programmes for 2011–2012 awaiting the outcome of the review that should establish a new way forward from 2013 onwards.

Land represents that human contact with divine relations was a factor that contributed to building ELC-PNG, according to Lands Secretary Sesengo Narengeng.

“Sharing land and establishing human relationship with the locals were the priorities of the early missionaries and evangelists,” he said,

“The association between land with locals and missionaries began 125 years ago, in Finschhafen, at the ‘Polac’ land site near Finsch habour. 

“Later in October 1886, a permanent site at Simbang, the mouth of Mape River, Langemark Bay, became the permanent base to expand God’s mission.

“Several land laws by the Lutheran mission were to protect the church’s interest in land over these 125 years.”

“ELC-PNG Land and Property Department was established in 1988.

“A landmark for ELCPNG was the reorganisation for special ministry, and apart from state record, ELC-PNG records are well protected and the information is up-to-date.

“Hence, land is a very important and vital asset that should be protected and carefully looked after olsem yangpela pikinini meri.”

 

Engineer expresses concern on Lae roads

By MALUM NALU

 

Lae-based civil engineer Finkewe Zurenuoc has expressed concern at the unplanned and haphazard construction of concrete roads in Lae.

She expressed her concern when supporting comments made by regional works manager Brian Alois in The National last Friday about road construction in Lae.

“I had the opportunity to see some of these road constructions on my morning and afternoon walks and noted that there was a difference in the sizes of the re-enforcing bars used by the different contractors,” Zurenuoc said.

“I, at that time, questioned if there had been a design check by the consultants to standardise all the design - I suppose not?

“As a driver, one feels the vast difference in driving comfort on the different concrete roads - the one coming up the hill from the stadium is the worst one.

“Has there been any work done on traffic restrictions on the roads and have these new or maintained roads been designed and conform to the traffic loadings?

“In general, there is a lot left to be desired with these maintained roads.

“There is a lot more that could have been done in the design and construction of the road to ensure a good final product, and to safety and comfort for road users and for residents and the general public.

“I live next to a newly-cemented road.

“When the road was partially opened for use about two weeks ago, we had three accidents within a week.

“In all cases drivers went straight off the road into the newly-constructed drains.

“Maybe barricades could have been installed in places.”

Zurenuoc also pointed out that there were no street lights.

“We are also driving around in the dark,” she said.

“There is no street light.

“Why weren't street lights and other road furnishing included on this road construction?

“The roads are incomplete without the furnishings.”

Zurenuoc said the current roads works and other supposedly “completed” roads left a lot to be desired.

These included road furnishings along Huon Road, from Forest Research Institute to 7th Street roundabout, being incomplete.

“There are two crossings on that portion of the road that are not clearly marked nor are they adequately illuminated in the night,” Zurenuoc said.

“One crossing is right on the Food Mart cargo-entry driveway.

“For one, the crossing markings on the road are not visible during the day

“During the night there is insufficient lighting over the crossing.

“We are going to have a major accident.

“There is inadequate street lighting on that road.

“With regard to the above road, isn't the integrity of the seal and the concrete on either sides of the Huon Road being comprised by the current unmaintained state of the 7th Street roundabout?

 “We at Institute of Engineers of PNG asked the question of proper storm water drainage.

“I haven't seen one put in yet nor have I seen the new drains being linked up with any existing drainage system to adequately take the water away from the roads.

“With all these rain coming down, I am expecting the newly-constructed drains outside my house to get clogged up again.”

Nape takes swipe at AG

PARLIAMENT Speaker Jeffrey Nape has criticised Attorney-General Sir Arnold Amet for his outburst against Supreme Court rulings on the suspension of leaders facing misconduct charges under the Leadership Code, The National reports.

Nape said the Constitution provided for the judicial function to be separated from the legislative and executive functions of government.

“The Constitution provides for the judiciary to not only apply the law in determining issues between government and persons but by interpreting and applying the Constitution on such issues, thereby determine the lawfulness of the actions of the legislative and executive branches of government, it is, therefore, doubly important that the judiciary is completely independent from the other two-tier of government,” he said.

“A sad case in point being the outburst from the attorney-general over both the National and Supreme Court inconsistent rulings on the suspension of leaders who are faced with misconduct in office charges under the Leadership Code,” Nape said.

“The office of the attorney-general is unique where it provides legal advice to the government and should work with the courts when there is a difference in opinion as in the suspension of two members of parliament under the Leadership Code.”

Nape said rather than making public outbursts, it would be better for Sir Arnold to approach the issue diplomatically through consultations with the judiciary for an amicable understanding rather than to raise doubts and confusion among the citizens.

He said the attorney-general was the principal legal adviser to the government and had a duty to administer the laws of the country, including in interpreting the Constitution while the judiciary is responsible for interpreting the laws including the Constitution and administering justice.

“The office of the attorney-general should approach the judiciary to discuss and rectify the situation.”

 

 

Banks join fraud war

By FRANK SENGE KOLMA      

     

COMMERCIAL banks and financial institutions are being corralled in to assist in the fight against fraud and corruption in government, The National reports.

Stringent guidelines have been issued to cash dealers (banks) by the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Fraud Squad which direct how to deal with government payments above a certain threshold. No threshold figure is mentioned.

On the face of it, the guidelines appeared logical and effective, but banks are worried that the guidelines would create so much delay in the processing of payments which would create extra work and tension between the bank and its clientele.

In the end, the guidelines might even delay government projects for unnecessarily long periods.

The guideline, headlined “Due diligence in relation to government cheques and payments” was issued on June 2 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2005.

In the preamble, the unit stated that the government and people of PNG “are suffering from fraud and corruption at levels that are preventing normal government functions from occurring hindering development”.

It stated in part: “Fraud against the government is currently the most significant financially motivated crime in PNG. It is estimated that about 25-30% of the government budget is misappropriated each year.

“These funds are, in most circumstances, processed through one or more of the commercial banks in PNG.

“By implementing this guideline, members of the AML Working Group acknowledge the unique opportunity available to break the cycle of fraud and corruption and, in so doing, make an unprecedented contribution to the future development of PNG.”

For government payments that are over and above the threshold amount, banks or cash

dealers are asked to:

*Obtain identification of the person or group that payment is made to;

*Names of directors or employees of the company (where government employees are directors it is an indication of fraud);

*Registration details from Investment Promotion Authority (large amounts to new companies or one that has changed its name recently is indication of fraud);

*Obtain tax records from previous years (failure to submit tax returns is evidence of illegitimacy);

*Obtain information on how and when a tender was called;

*Obtain a copy of the project proposal with details on how the money is to be applied;

*Timings of payments and when each tranche is to be released;

*Details of overseer and reporting process; and

*Obtain a detailed budget on how money is to be spent.

Banks or cash dealers will also be asked to:

*Conduct independent checks on the business of the company including identifying assets, employee numbers, previous projects, company accounts and so on;

*Checks on directors to ensure that there are no adverse records in relation to previous offences or suspicious transactions;

*Examination of previous payments from government with particular focus on how previous payments were used; and

*Search people for those on suspicious transaction listing, politically exposed persons list, and  high risk persons listing among others.

All out of court settlements and default judgments, are, by their nature “red flags” the financial intelligence unit, claims and will come under very close scrutiny.

These and other due diligence measures in the guidelines will now create a lot of problems for banks who might even be required to direct staff to travel out to remote districts to do phy­sical checks on locations of projects. This might tie down projects for long periods of time.

The guideline is signed by Bernard Barum, officer in charge of the Financial Intelligence Unit.

Teachers given week off to complete census

By ALISON ANIS

 

TEACHERS who need to complete the census this week have been excused from their schools, The National reports.

Chairman and careta­ker for the Teaching Ser­vice Commission Jerry Kuhena said the holiday had been extended for another week for the teachers in census sites which were running behind schedule.

Other teachers, who had completed their tasks in the census, had returned to school when classes resumed yesterday.

Meanwhile, regional census co-ordinators for Momase and New Guinea Islands declined to give any details on counting in their provinces saying they had forwarded all information to the National Statistical Office  (NSO) and the national census director.

Momase co-ordinator Dennis Gonnisso told The National from Lae yesterday that he had already sent updates to the NSO.

He declined to give any details on the status of counting in Morobe, Madang, East and West Sepik.

Apart from parts of the Highlands region, Madang is reportedly behind with the counting beginning only yesterday.

Census coordinator for Southeast (Central, Mil­ne Bay, Northern and National Capital District) Kila Geberi said he had not received any updates from the four provinces.

“All I can say is that census is progressing well for Northern, Milne Bay and Central.

“However, we have yet to receive census updates from co­ordinators from these provinces,” Geberi said.

He refused to comment on whether his officers had encountered any problems during the week.

The NCD coordinating team reported that zone managers were doing quality checks on information gathered by field officers during the census week.

“We are also sorting out final payments for those who participated in the census listings.

“These may be ready by Wednesday (tomorrow), while mop-up exercise for NCD may be introduced next week but that depends entirely on how fast the officers will send in the completed workload with all the listings from the census,” Geberi said.

Opposition urged to update nation on prime minister's post

The opposition has called on acting prime minister Sam Abal to be a man, a national leader, and tell the nation how and when the issue of a permanent prime minister is going to be resolved.

Deputy leader of opposition and Bulolo MP Sam Basil raised the issue on what is the five days after the anniversary of the seventh month since Abal was first appointed on December 13, 2010 as acting prime minister.

“When are the two medical officers going to be appointed and announced? Basil wondered.

“When are they going to do their job?

“Parliament will be sitting on August 2, 2011.

“Will the report be ready then?

“You owe this to the nation, Mr Abal and to your late father Sir Tei Abal, to rise up now and show that you are your own man, a chip of the old block.”

The opposition’s call follows the announcement of the National Executive Council chaired by Abal, announcing the activation of the constitutional provision to determine the fitness or otherwise of Sir Michael Somare to continue to hold office as prime minister.

According to Section 142 (5)(c) of the Constitution, NEC and Parliament are to advise Governor General to request the PNG Medical Board to appoint two medical practitioners to examine and provide two medical reports on the condition of the prime pinister to be tabled in Parliament.

If Sir Michael is unfit to perform his duties as prime minister, there will be a vacancy and a new prime minister has to be appointed.

Abal was appointed acting prime minister when Sir Michael stepped down to face a Leadership Tribunal on misconduct in office charges.

Abal has continued to occupy that office since Sir Michael stood trial, was found guilty, and suspended for two weeks from office.

Abal continued in office when Sir Michael fell ill and underwent medical treatment in Singapore.

“In case you have forgotten, Sir Tei Abal, as founding leader of United Party pre-independence, opposed then young Michael Somare in the push for political independence against a formidable push,” Basil said.

“PNG people – especially those familiar with history – have watched you ignore that legacy and associate yourself with Sir Michael and the National Alliance Party.

“You have been rewarded – against NA odds – with your appointment as acting prime minister,” the Bulolo MP added, highlighting that many saw the appointment as that of “one who is most vulnerable to manipulation by the real powers behind the scenes”.

“Mr Abal, now is your chance to break free.

“Now is your chance to assert your true inner self and demonstrate the leadership potential that Sir Tei deposited and groomed you into.

“Show the people of Wabag and Papua New Guinea that you are of that stock.

“Do it for Papua New Guinea – and leave a lasting legacy that will overshadow the charge against a member of your household on the body found in your residential yard.

“Do it and dispel the clouds of doubt that blocks some rays of the spotlight on your acting prime ministership.”

Duma: Politics got me sacked

By JAMES APA GUMUNO

 

UNITED Resources Party leader and Hagen MP William Duma has described as “pure politics” the term “incompetent” used by Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal to sack him from cabinet, The National reports.

Duma was petroleum and energy minister at the time of his sacking.

He told a gathering in Mt Hagen last Friday that he knew his job like any other trained professional.

Duma said Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had given him the portfolio because the Grand Chief knew he would deliver.

He said the multi-billion-kina liquefied natural gas project in Southern Highlands and the InterOil gas project in Gulf were his projects.

However, many other leaders were claiming credit for them.

He said one of the clauses in the Waragoi Agreement, signed in Kokopo during the formation of government, called for mutual respect and consultation.

However, he said Abal did not consult him before sacking him. He read about his sacking while in Cairns, Australia.

He told his people: “I forgive the people behind my sacking because they did not know what they were doing.”

Duma said all nine URP MPs were united and would continue to move forward.

He also welcomed Engans and Southern Highlanders into Mt Hagen city to do business.

He said people from the resource provinces had money to spend and they must be respected and allowed to come in and spend their money.