PNG agrees to Manus deal

THE government has agreed to an Australian request for a refugee-processing centre on Manus, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Ano Pala yesterday said, The National reports.
"The government has made commitments to take co-operative action with Australia to enhance the region's response to irre­gular migration and to combat people smuggling," he said.
This follows a recent understanding reached between Pala and his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd in Bali, Indonesia.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill also mentioned it to Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard when she called to congratulate him last week.
Gillard released a statement from Perth yesterday acknowledging PNG's de­cision.
She said: "I welcome the comments made today by the prime minister of Pa­pua New Guinea confirming agreement to establish an assessment centre in Papua New Guinea.
"The Australian go­vern­ment thanks Prime Minister O'Neill and his newly-formed cabinet for giving prompt consideration to the proposal for an assessment centre on Ma­nus Island and providing its approval for the propo­sal to proceed."
Arrangements are being made for a high-level delegation of Australian officials to travel to Papua New Guinea in the near future to finalise a memorandum of understanding  regarding the centre.
Gillard further said: "We are committed to working in partnership with Papua New Guinea to examine how such a centre might operate, including how it might best complement broader regional activities. Our officials will now work together to examine those options.
"Like this government, the government of Papua New Guinea is acutely aware of the need for co-operative approaches to addressing irregular migration while also providing opportunities for asylum seekers to have their claims for protection considered in safety and dignity."

Pala said any final agreement on the details would be subject to negotiations by officials of an appropriate framework which would be endorsed by both governments.
He said:  "PNG is not a target destination for illegal movement of people at this point in time, however, PNG would become a target destination when its economy develops and reaches a level that offers greater opportunities for outsiders looking for opportunities to better their lives."
He said it was important that any details to be agreed to would include the strengthening of PNG's other international border facilities and infrastructure development.
The agreement to co-operate with Australia reflects PNG's strong interest in combating people smuggling in the region.
The Manus centre was operational under the Howard government in 2001-03.

Somare advises 'regime' to await court ruling

THERE could be serious consequences about the le­gality of actions taken by the "interim regime" if the current Supreme Court re­ference succeeds, Angoram MP Arthur Somare said, The National reports.
The Supreme Court decision was expected to take effect from Aug 2 and it was a possible that all decisions taken between then and the date of the Supreme Court judgment might be declared illegal and, therefore, not bin­ding, he said in a statement.
Somare said the "inte­rim regime" must act with due care and in recognition of the serious constitutional challenge now before the Supreme Court regarding the way forward for PNG.
He said politicians and public servants should refrain from making major decisions until the refe­rence was decided by the Supreme Court.
But this should not prevent public servants from carrying out their normal day to day business, So­mare added.
"It is good that parliament has been adjourned
to avoid the risk that the constitutionality of any le­gislation could have been questioned."
He called on public ser­vice heads to record every issue and transaction that was "not normal government business".
"We will conduct an audit on what transpired in the event the Supreme Court determines that Sir Michael Somare remains the lawful holder of this high office.
"We will take note especially of instructions and directions given by current Ministers. I call on every public servant to take note and to keep careful records."

Somare said he was convinced the events that took place in Parliament on Aug 2 raised serious doubts about its constitutionality.
"I believe the East Sepik provincial executive is correct in filing a Supreme Court reference alleging that no grounds exist regarding a vacancy under s142 of the Constitution," he said

PM replaces three departmental heads

By JEFFREY ELAPA

THE week-old government has started its war on corruption and unlawful appointments of departmental heads by revoking appointments of three heads of departments, The National reports.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill told reporters yesterday that Chief Secretary Margaret Elias, Fi­nance Secretary Gabriel Yer and acting Southern Highlands provincial ad­ministrator Lawrence Ol­koben have been replaced by Manasupe Zurenuoc, Seven Gibson and Wil­liam Powi.
He said the three re­placements had vast public service expe­rien­ces as provincial ad­mi­nistrators, deputy se­cre­tary and secretary of different departments.
Zurenuoc was a former Morobe administrator, one of the longest serving administrators while Gibson was a former Milne Bay administrator.
Powi, who holds a masters in public policy and administration, was also a former deputy secretary and director of policy with the Department of Prime Minister before being ap­­pointed Southern Highlands administrator du­ring the state-of-emergency in 2006.
He will be acting for a period of three months until a permanent ap­pointment is made.
Zurenuoc was the acting chief secretary before Elias took over while Gibson was the deputy secretary operation with Fi­nance Department.
O'Neill said for good governance and im­ple­mentation of good transparent governance, the cabinet had decided to revoke the appointment of the three former heads.
He said Yer was sidelined because of on-going misuse and mismanagement of finance while the appointment of Elias and Olkoben were done contrary to the appointment processes, bypassing all public service appointment procedures.
He said his first task was to fight corruption and restore confidence in the public service machi­nery at the provincial and nation level.
Powi, when contacted, said justice had prevailed and credit should go to the government for following due processes and it would restore confidence among public servants and the public.

Probe into corruption in PNG starts

By JEFFREY ELAPA

THE National Executive Council has appointed a team of qualified and professional personnel to investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement at the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, The National reports.
It will also investigate the controversial K125 million Nasfund Kokopo infrastructure fund.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said yesterday the investigating team would be led by Sam Koim, a principal lawyer at the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.
"I would like to inform the people of Papua New Guinea that my government is serious about fighting corruption in the country," O'Neill said.
"As you are aware, there are allegations of massive corruption in the department.
"We cannot sweep this under the carpet.
"We have to look into this, expose the rot, and pu­nish the perpetrators.
"We have chosen this option instead of a commission of inquiry, which would be time-consuming, very expensive and most importantly its findings will not be binding until it is endorsed by parliament.
"Another important factor that defeated the purpose of the commission of inquiry has been that the people who investigated the matter would not have the po­wers to prosecute.
"We are aware that some of commission of inquiry reports had been restrained by the courts from being published and implemented. 
"We have appointed a dedicated and professional team of Papua New Guineans to undertake this investigation.
"They are a dedicated team of serving public servants who we have confidence in to deliver a result as soon as possible.
"Papua  New Guineans want answers and I'm confident this team will deli­ver them," O'Neill said.
He said the government had drawn the team of investigators from the National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA), the attorney-general's office, a member from the national planning, and other agencies which had established an understanding by way of a memorandum of understanding to work together in the fight against corruption.
He said the team members had investigatory and prosecution powers under their respective laws that would enable them to in­vestigate, prosecute and recoup public funds, where appropriate.
He said the team members would carry out their legal duties but under a special arrangement with the NEC's endorsement.
O'Neill said the terms of reference would not be limited to 2011 but would include the 2009 and 2010 development budgets.
"This is not a political witch-hunt. My government is simply empowering and giving the political will to address very pressing issues affecting good go­vernance and accountabi­lity, which the previous government condoned and ignored.
"On top of the list are the K125 million Kokopo in­frastructure treasury bill and the K10 million given to a Kokopo businessman.
"The team will get to the bottom of this rot and whoever is implicated, including myself, if I am implicated, will be brought to justice under the one and only rule of law in this country.
"I call on all state agencies, corporate citizens, including banks and the public to help this investigation team.
"You have a duty to contribute towards fighting corruption."
He said the team had three months to carry out their work and report back to cabinet.

"The team will advise the public of the administrative arrangements soon on the conduct of the investigation."

Two little Mendi boys create PNG aviation history

By MALUM NALU
Back in the 1970s, two boys from Mendi, Southern Highlands province, started their primary school, little knowing that fate had already bound their destinies together.
Their names were James Pima and Philip Emeck, and their story is just like that told in the song Two Little Boys – made famous by Australian entertainer Rolf Harris - as they played together, went to school together, and went to war together.
Often, while playing together in those far-off days, they’d look at planes flying high up in the skies over Mendi, and dream of being pilots.
Pima and Emeck grew up together, went to primary school together, Mendi High School together, Sogeri National High School together, and then went on to the PNG Defence Force Academy at Igam Barracks outside Lae.
At Igam, they completed military training together, went on for pilot training in Australia, and upon return started active service as airmen for the PNGDF during the Bougainville Crisis.
Then they went their separate ways, Pima leaving military service in 1994, Emeck in 2002, and they served in various jobs within civil aviation.
In 2007, their paths crossed again at Helifix, where they were pioneer pilots for PNG’s first 100% nationally-owned helicopter company.
Pima, until his resignation from Helifix two months ago with Emeck, was chief pilot and flight operations manager with the now fully-fledged company.
Last Friday, those two little Mendi boys, Capt James Pima and Capt Philip Emeck, now veteran PNG airmen at 42 years of age, created another proud moment in PNG aviation history when they arrived from Sydney, Australia, with their new Bell 407 helicopter at Jackson International Airport.

The two little boys from Mendi Capt James Pima (left) and Capt Philip Emeck.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

It heralded the birth of PNG’s second 100% nationally-owned company involved in helicopters, Heli Solutions.
Champagne was sprayed and there were hugs and congratulations all around as the all PNG crew of captains Pima and Emeck, together with chief engineer Stanley Joe, arrived with the K7 million helicopter after a 16-hour flight from Sydney, Australia.

Friends and relatives of the three PNG airmen spray the Bell 407 with champagne after its arrival last Friday

The flight took them through Brisbane, Cairns, Horn Island, Daru and Kerema before arriving in Port Moresby at 4.30pm.
Former PNGDF pilots Pima and Emeck are proud owners of the VIP-configured seven-seater, that can carry 1.5 tonnes and has a cruising speed of 130 knots.
It has telephone, stereo, air-conditioning, tinted glass and refrigerator for its anticipated VIP clientele, and had only clocked up 400 hours when bought by Heli Solutions.

Capt James Pima is all smiles after bringing in the Bell 407 helicopter from Sydney, Australia

“Our machine is almost brand-new, only clocking 400 hours,” an excited Pima tells me.
“We bought it from a private owner, a property developer in Sydney, who was using it for his own business.
“This is the only one in the country with a full glass cockpit.
“It has a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS), which is an aircraft collision avoidance system designed to reduce the incidence of mid-air collisions between aircraft.
“It’s fully instrument flight rules (IFR), which means you can fly through bad weather.
“The cockpit instrumentation is basically what you get on a Dash 8 or F100.

The Bell 407 lands in Port Moresby after a 16-hour flight from Sydney

“It’s got the latest tail boom installation to assist with high altitude operations.
“It travels at about the same speed as a Twin Otter, which is 130 knots.
“It can fly up to a ceiling of 20,000 feet.”
Pima says there’ll be no shortage of customers once the new Bell 407 gets airborne.
“Customers are just waiting for us to kick off,” he adds.
“Once we kick off, we can’t have rest.
“Once we kick off, however, the fear is that we won’t have enough helicopters to meet all our customer demands.
“If this happens, the only thing we can do is to get another helicopter, and get it fast!
“There is so much exploration work and LNG work in the country that there aren’t enough helicopters.
“It’s also worth noting that while it’s good to have more helicopters, you have to worry about the manpower to service these helicopters.
“The government should be stepping in to create training courses for our young people because, obviously, we don’t produce enough graduates in the field of aviation.”
Pima adds Heli Solutions already has assured customers, given contacts Emeck and he have established over the years.
“Our client base will include Telikom, government departments like education and health, as well as provincial governments,” he says.
“We are also assured of business from statutory organisations like National Fisheries Authority, National Forest Authority and National Disaster and Emergency Services.
“Then, of course, there are the mining and exploration companies.”
Emeck thanked all their family members and friends for their support, and especially Westpac Bank for its financial support in helping them to buy the helicopter.
They anticipate buying another one or two more helicopters in the very near future to boost up their fleet.
Because Heli Solutions does not have an air-operating certificate from Civil Aviation Safety Authority, it will in the interim operate under another nationally-owned aviation firm, National Aviation Services, until such time that it obtains its own.
Acting CEO of NAS, former PNGDF Squadron Leader Capt John Imaka, said aviation was booming in PNG with the mining, oil and gas projects, however, only a few nationals were direct participants in it.
Imaka said NAS was only too pleased to help Heli Solutions because it was an all-PNG company helping another all-PNG company in the highly-regulated aviation industry.

From left are Capt Philip Emeck, chief engineer Stanley Joe and Capt James Pima being welcomed by National Aviation Services acting CEO Capt James Imaka at the NAS hangar last Friday

Koroba-Kopiago MP, John Kekeno, said it was a proud moment for Southern Highlands and PNG with the arrival of a helicopter, which was owned and operated by an all-PNG crew.

MCJV expats attacked

THREE expatriate employees of ExxonMobil contracted engineering procurement construction contractor MCJV for the Komo International Airport were attacked by angry landowners yesterday, The National reports.
Peace and land mediation chairman for Komo, Wandipe Pini, said from Komo the expatriates had been attacked at separate locations in the airfield construction site.
Pini said one of the men was severely injured after being struck on the head with an axe, while the other two suffered minor injuries to their arms when they tried to defend themselves.
Pini said the attacks were blamed on a number of reasons relating to employment issues and the non-payment of sub-contracts and welfare-related issues with MCJV.
 "MCJV has brought in outsiders to do work that locals are capable of doing," he said.
"Other reasons are that MCJV has brought in its own machinery and vehicles into the project, giving no chance for locals to participate.
"This is not part of the UBSA and LBBSA agreement and the landowners, realising that they are big-time losers, attacked the three men," he said.
Pini called on the Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations Martin Aini to look into the matter as locals were losing out on employment opportunities in the project.
ExxonMobil, the PNG LNG project operator, confirmed the attacks yesterday.

Waieng closes in on poll count

PEOPLE'S National Congress Party candidate and a former defence minister Peter Waieng is closing the gap with only 65 votes separating him and Constitutional Democratic candidate Tobias Kulang in the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election race, The National reports.
Waieng scored 2,893 votes while Kulang maintained a narrow lead of 2,958 votes after count 27 as at 7pm last night, after day five of the first preference counts.
Following them was veteran politician Mathew Siune with 1,505 votes.
Independent candidate William Gumayagl Onguglo is in fourth spot with 989 votes and another independent candidate Baundo Tokam is fifth with 989 votes.
The top five spots were confirmed after a total of 18, 022 ballot papers were counted. 283 ballot papers  were ruled informal and the total votes allowed for distributions were 17, 739.
It is understood a total of 39 boxes from the 93 were counted which leaves 54 more boxes yet to be counted for the primary votes.
Progress tallies for other candidates were still being done with counting from count 28.
However, results were still being finalised and should be released today.
Returning Officer for Kundiawa-Gembogl James Piapia called for the co-operation of scrutineers for candidates and urged them to seek assistance should there be any confusion on the new electronic counting system.
He was happy with the smooth progress of the counting, but appealed to candidates, scrutineers, counting officials and those involved to complete the counting within 11 days.
The results should be with the Governor-General on Aug 26.
Chimbu elections manager Steven Gore Kaupa commended the smooth progress of the counting so far.
 Kaupa expects a winning candidate to be declared by Sunday based on the current progress of the counting.

Somare’s tribunal hearing on hold

By SAMUEL RAITANO 

ANGORAM MP Arthur Somare has obtained a restraining order to have his leadership tribunal hearing deferred again pending a judicial review hearing in the National Court, The National reports.
The National Court in Waigani granted the order because Somare's argument to be made in the judicial review was based on merit and that the restraint was convenient to manage Somare's legal battles sprouting from the substantive tribunal matter.
State lawyer for the tribunal Sam Koim consented to the restraining order after convincing the court to have the due date set as Aug 24 for the order to lapse.
The matter to be dealt with first in the judicial review is to determine if the law allowed acting
public prosecutor Camillus Sambua to hand over his duty to another person.
It is in relation to state prosecutor Katwa Umpake signing the referral of Somare to the tribunal, instead of Sambua.
The tribunal had already dismissed the same appeal while pointing out that the signature on the referral did not alter the contents of the referral itself.
The tribunal had said that Sambua admitting to have authorised Umpake was sufficient.
But Somare had argued for a judicial review to question what laws allowed Sambua to pass his duty and job to another person.
The parties are expected to prepare for the review hearing set for August 22.
If a ruling is not made by Aug 24, the parties are expected to argue again for another adjournment, judge Panuel Mogish said.
Koim told the court that his client would not bring any extra documents to court.
The material before the tribunal would be used in the judicial review.

I’m still attorney-general, Amet tells Marat

By JULIA DAIA BORE

SIR Arnold Amet attended the handover-takeover ceremony between him and his successor, Dr Allan Marat, yesterday, and told those gathered that he was still the attorney-general  and minister for justice, The National reports.
He referred to Marat as the "purported attorney-general" saying neither he nor Sir Michael Somare's government recognised the "purported" events in parliament of last Tuesday which culminated in the change of government.
Sir Arnold said yesterday's occasion (to him) was not a handover-takeover.
Rather, he was only "vacating" his office due to the result of parliament's "unconstitutional" action following which he now had to "vacate" his office pending the court's determination on the matter.
He said he had attempted to seek a Supreme Court reference but "as you know, you Allan (Marat) withdrew it," he said, while smiling at his successor. 
Sir Arnold said he had complete trust in the independence of the judiciary which had yet to hear and determine its outcome on the issue currently before it.
"So I am merely vacating the office" pending the outcome of the courts, Sir Arnold said and slid the set of keys to the attorney-general's office across the table to Marat. 
 Sir Arnold said: "Yesterday, my mind meandered between whether I should do this or not…"
He said  he respected the independent judicial process and pointed out that what he could not do what was being done by the East Sepik provincial executive government.
He said he was confident of the judicial system and would await the outcome of the reference.
He then urged department staff to "stay focused" despite the political diversions and to concentrate on taking the profession to a higher level of competence.
"Leave the politics to us politicians," he said.
His words were echoed by Marat who set down the rules for his staff, saying time was of essence and he expected each person's eight working hours to be properly used as public servants.
Marat said: "I am the purported attorney-general. I will say I am now confused. I have been gazetted attorney-general and it is now up to you (those within the department and ministry) whether to refer to me as AG or purported AG."

Somare: New govt fails to show ex-PM due respect

By SAMUEL RAITANO

ANGORAM MP Arthur Somare is upset that while his father lay on his sick bed, the new government has quickly taken over power and "divided the loot", The National reports.
He said he was hurt because they (new government) had disrespected his father and had "started rummaging through things while he is still on the sick-bed".
"That old man (Sir Michael) spent his life for the good of this country but it seems that nobody cares or appre­ciates the work of such a man like him," he said.
Somare, who at times seemed emotional, said the Peter O'Neill-led go­vernment had gone through a phase that made things constitutionally chaotic.
He, however, declined to comment on the proposed sale of the K120 million Falcon jet his father used on his travels, as announced by Prime Minister O'Neill on Tuesday in parliament.
O'Neill had said the money from the sale of the aircraft would be better used on sectors such as education and health.
Speaking outside the National and Supreme Court yesterday, Somare said he had his own court cases to worry about and
he did not wish to comment on what the current go­vernment was doing with things that belonged to the people of PNG.
Meanwhile, the people of Madang are generally happy with the proposed sale of the K120 million Falcon jet.
A nurse at the Modilon Hospital intermediate ward, Sister Clancy Kom, was happy that the money would be spent on health and to provide free education.
She said the Falcon jet was a luxury item benefiting only a few people and should be done away with.
"Peter O'Neill knows what he is doing,'' she said.
"If the country can fork out such a huge sum of money (to buy and maintain the jet), where is the logic of such an exercise?
"Everyone here at the hospital is talking about that news and is overjoyed that someone finally has the guts to put his foot down."
Lesley Nailon, a community leader from Furan village, said he had to find a K3 flex card yesterday just to call The National office to express his joy.
He said he was die-hard O'Neill supporter and supported the go­vernment.
He said O'Neill had made the best decision yet to sell the Falcon jet.
Ray Kone, a youth at Sisiak was yesterday sitting among his friends outside The National's office discussing the news.
He said they agreed that enough squandering had been done by the previous government and now with the new government ma­king the cost-cutting chan­ges, it was definitely good news.
Many said the purchase of the jet never benefited the people directly and, as such, many government policies in the last government would never come to fruition such as the Vision 2050.
"We have been begging for a change and now we will see it," one betelnut seller at the Handy Mart service station known only as Bobby, said.
It was reported yesterday that the Falcon jet would cost K22 million a year to operate.
The jet had been used by the former prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, and his government ministers.
Other news that were widely welcomed by the people included the proposed free education, weeding of corruption through the re-introduction of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Bill, the implementation of 2011 deve­lopmental budgets by splitting the ministries of National Planning, Monitoring and Rural Development, revamping the Public Service Management Act to cut down on graft and corruption and to penalise those found guilty among others.

Morobe helicopter crash leaves 3 dead

By ELLEN TIAMU

Three people are dead following a helicopter crash in Morobe province on Monday, The National reports.
The twin-engine helicopter (pictured above during a recent trip to Finschhafen) , belonging to the Lae-based Manolos Aviation, was on its way to Wafi, in the Bulolo district, but a heavy cloud cover prevented it from landing.
The helicopter was trying to return to Lae when it went missing between Mumeng and Wafi.
Two G4S security guards and the expatriate pilot, Peter Wallace, were on board the helicopter. 
An air search was launched immediately to locate the missing helicopter.
However, aerial search and rescue attempts during the past three days had drawn a blank because the area was still under a heavy cloud cover.
Late last night Civil Aviation Minister Puri Ruing said the crash site had been found but there were no survivors.
He said the crash of the helicopter, P2-RUH, happened about 5km south of Timini.
"The investigation commenced shortly after the accident happened and the onsite component of the investigation will be continuing for several days," Ruing said,
He said the bodies of the pilot and the two passengers were being retrieved late yesterday while the investigators' reports would be ready within four weeks.

Morobe helicopter crash leaves 3 dead

By ELLEN TIAMU

Three people are dead following a helicopter crash in Morobe province on Monday, The National reports.
The twin-engine helicopter (pictured above during a recent trip to Finschhafen) , belonging to the Lae-based Manolos Aviation, was on its way to Wafi, in the Bulolo district, but a heavy cloud cover prevented it from landing.
The helicopter was trying to return to Lae when it went missing between Mumeng and Wafi.
Two G4S security guards and the expatriate pilot, Peter Wallace, were on board the helicopter. 
An air search was launched immediately to locate the missing helicopter.
However, aerial search and rescue attempts during the past three days had drawn a blank because the area was still under a heavy cloud cover.
Late last night Civil Aviation Minister Puri Ruing said the crash site had been found but there were no survivors.
He said the crash of the helicopter, P2-RUH, happened about 5km south of Timini.
"The investigation commenced shortly after the accident happened and the onsite component of the investigation will be continuing for several days," Ruing said,
He said the bodies of the pilot and the two passengers were being retrieved late yesterday while the investigators' reports would be ready within four weeks.

Morobe helicopter crash leaves three dead

By ELLEN TIAMU

Three people are dead following a helicopter crash in Morobe province on Monday, The National reports.
The twin-engine helicopter (pictured above during a recent trip to Finschhafen) , belonging to the Lae-based Manolos Aviation, was on its way to Wafi, in the Bulolo district, but a heavy cloud cover prevented it from landing.
The helicopter was trying to return to Lae when it went missing between Mumeng and Wafi.
Two G4S security guards and the expatriate pilot, Peter Wallace, were on board the helicopter. 
An air search was launched immediately to locate the missing helicopter.
However, aerial search and rescue attempts during the past three days had drawn a blank because the area was still under a heavy cloud cover.
Late last night Civil Aviation Minister Puri Ruing said the crash site had been found but there were no survivors.
He said the crash of the helicopter, P2-RUH, happened about 5km south of Timini.
"The investigation commenced shortly after the accident happened and the onsite component of the investigation will be continuing for several days," Ruing said,
He said the bodies of the pilot and the two passengers were being retrieved late yesterday while the investigators' reports would be ready within four weeks.

Sale of the Falcon jet a smart and timely move, says ACT NOW!

Community advocacy group, ACT NOW! says the announcement by new Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, that his government will sell the controversial Falcon jet is a smart move.

"The Falcon jet was an expensive mistake that epitomised the greed and corruption of the previous government, it is a smart move by the new PM to get rid of what was effectively a private PMV for the Somares and their supporters", says Effrey Dademo, programme manager for ACT NOW!

ACT NOW! has also congratulated the new government on its announcement of an Independent Commission Against Corruption, but says there still remains much to be done to reverse the blatant stealing of public money and other abuses.

"An ICAC is a great move, but it must be adequately resourced and free from political interference," says Ms Dademo.

ACT NOW! welcomes O’Neill’s announcement on ICAC

Community advocacy group, ACT NOW! has welcomed the announcement by Papua New Guinea's new Prime Minister that his government will establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption.

"ACT NOW! is very pleased the Prime Minister has pledged to establish an ICAC and has recognised the crippling effects of corruption in PNG", says Effrey Dademo, programme manager for ACT NOW!

"ACT NOW! has been campaigning against the blatant stealing of public money and we see the introduction of an ICAC as a necessary step to tackle the problem, but it is only the first step of many that will be required."

The Prime Minister told parliament on Tuesday that he was acting "in response to the public outcry against the rampant corruption and mismanagement of public money" and is committed to "investigate, charge, prosecute and jail persons, or groups, or companies who have illegally profited from the State's coffers"

ACT NOW! says while Mr O'Neill's words are very heartening and mark a clear separation of his own government from that of Michael Somare, everyone will be watching very closely to see that his actions match his rhetoric.

"As well as looking to the future, and ensuring a well resourced ICAC, the Prime Minister must ensure the recommendations of previous inquiries like that into the Finance Department are implemented and people already implicated are prosecuted", says Ms Dademo.

Boycott by opposition described as undemocratic

THE opposition bench was empty when parliament resumed at 2pm yesterday, a move described as undemocratic and childish by the government, The National reports.
The only person at the opposition bench was the chairman of the Jiwaka Transitional Authority and member for North Waghi, Benjamin Mul.
He was told by the speaker to take his seat on the opposition bench as he was sitting on the middle bench.
Former minister for community development, Dame Carol Kidu, the only the woman parliamenta­rian, sat at the middle bench too.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah condemned the action of the opposition led by the former acting prime minister Sam Abal to boycott parliament.
He said, as elected leaders, they were required to attend all sessions and respect the democratic process of the election which took place last Tuesday in parliament.
"They should be on the other side of the floor like what we did and not protesting as parliament
is not a place for protesting lea­ders."
Treasurer Don Polye described the action as childish. 
"It is disrespectful," he said.
Before debating on the prime mi­nister's inaugural speech, Na­mah said the election of O'Neill followed a democratic process and that the highest court of the land had declared that as valid.
He said that it was in the best interest of the people through their elected leaders and they should respect that rather than go to the courts to claim back the prime mi­nistership.

Free education to be introduced next year, says PM

THE government will introduce free education up to Grade 10 and subsidise fees for Grade 11 to university level, according to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, The National reports.
This will be included in the 2012 budget.
O'Neill in his inaugural statement to parliament said the government would also implement a number of economic and social projects in the next few months.
Apart from providing free education, the government intends to deliver major impact projects to not only boost economic and social welfare, but also generate multiplier-effect economic opportunities for the nation.
"We will embark on nationwide restoration and maintenance of run-down education and health institutions, create a centrali­sed national medical supplies base, attend to repair, rehabilitation and maintenance of the Highlands Highway, Buluminski Highway, Lae-Madang Highway and complete the trans-New Britain Highway and the Gulf-Southern Highlands Highway," he said.
He said a new alternative national port development would take place in the Gulf province while fast-tracking the Lae port development.
He said the Jackson and Nadzab airports would be extended and upgraded.
O'Neill said a new initiative would be launched to establish transportation for all maritime provinces instead of the corrupt programmes in the Border Development and Coastal Vessel programme.
He said the government would spare no effort in speeding up the development of the ExxonMobil-led PNG LNG project and the InterOil-led Gulf LNG project.
"These are multi-billion dollar investments to un­derpin in-flow of revenue streams for our nation's future development."
O'Neill said the LNG project needed to be assisted to overcome delays over landowner issues and the government would act decisively to provide that relief.
"Similarly, this government will go out of its way to give InterOil all the help and facilitation it needs in
the government system to progress its development efforts to Final Investment Decision before the end of the year.''
He said the government would deal with indivi­duals who were delaying the progress of the Gulf LNG project.
O'Neill said the government would fast-track outstanding mining projects inclu­ding the Yandera and Frieda River gold and copper project.
"This government will seriously and indepen­dently look at the environment issues raised by va­rious landowners and pro­vincial governments."

PM’s priority is to eradicate graft

.PRIME Minister Peter O'Neill has promised to completely weed out corruption by jailing people and penalising companies which have illegally benefited from the state coffers, The National reports.
"Graft and corruption are serious issues and they merely represent the extent of rot and decay that has been building up over time in key sectors of the nation's governance and administration structure," O'Neill said
"We will attend to the rot and decay, we will cleanse the system.
"We will take the excesses head on and correct them promptly.
"We will turn complacency into assertiveness and forthrightness."
He said the government would immediately make some hard decisions and spearhead legislative initiatives to ensure that the public service was more accountable and productive by weeding out unproductive
and non-performing elements.
"We will revamp the Public Ser­vice Management Act by making some legislative and regulatory amendments that will enable us to zero in on specific fraudulent activities within the government overall public service and financial management system.
"To underpin our resolve, my go­vernment will introduce the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Bill to establish ICAC.
"The powers of ICAC will go beyond the Leadership Code. It will cover those in both the public and private sectors.
"In other words, we will zero in on all perpetrators of graft and corruption everywhere in the community and not just those that hold public office."
He said the government was mindful of the public outcry over rampant corruption and mismanagement of money.
"I will move decisively to appoint a special prosecutor to immediately investigate, charge, prosecute and jail persons, groups and companies who have illegally benefited from state's coffers,'' he said.

Falcon jet up for sale

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

THE state is to sell off its K120 million Falcon jet as part of a cost-cutting exercise to counter the blow-out in the cost of running government, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said yesterday, The National reports
Announcing his government's major policy initiatives in his maiden speech as prime minister, he also told parliament that the government would provide free education next year and introduce measures to weed out corruption.
"Top of the list of cost-control measures will be the sale of the government's executive Falcon jet," he said.
O'Neill said it cost the nation K120 million to buy it and K22 million a year to operate it.
"This money can be better spent on the education and health sectors," he said.
He said instructions had already been given to Air Niugini to place the jet on the market.
He promised to impose strict controls on domestic and international tra­vels by ministers and departmental heads.
He said the Office of Ministerial Services was to centralise and manage ministerial expenditure.
He promised to speed up the PNG LNG project and fast-track other mi­ning projects throughout the country, assuring landowners that environmental issues would be seriously and indepen­dently looked at.
He plans to re-introduce the Independent Commission Against Cor­ruption Bill that will have more powers than the Leadership Code to cover those in the public and private sector.
The policy statement by the prime minister assured Papua New Gui­neans that the government of national unity was not on a "witch-hunt and to destroy" good things that the past government had delivered.
"Obviously, we will take stock of the nation's economic, political and social score-card at the outset of this government's stock," O'Neill said.
 "We shall be stream­lining the nation's public finance management system in the coming weeks.
"It is our desire to see to it that government-plan­ned national development agenda under the 2011 National Budget, especially the national deve­lopment and public in­vestment projects component remains on track and is implemented accoun­tably.
"To oversee successful implementation of the 2011 development bud­get, this government has split the Ministry of Na­tional Planning, Monito­ring and Rural Development into separate mi­nistries of national planning and of implementation and rural development."
O'Neill said it would ensure efficiency in planning and moni­toring of go­vernment project im­ple­mentation and cut wastage.
"This government has to desire to see well-meaning national deve­lopment initiatives be­coming marginalised or neglected by the onset of complacency, corruption and pursuit of personal interest.
"We give an assurance that we shall provide assertive and accountable political leadership," he said.
"We will be putting brakes on our nation's
further slide towards da­maging our nation's in­tegrity by the apparent onset of systemic and systematic corruption, instability and chaos that has built up throughout the government system in recent years."

Opposition plans to boycott sitting

By JEFFREY ELAPA

THE Opposition plans to boycott parliament today when it resumes its August session, The National reports.
Speaking during a press conference at the Ela Beach Hotel yesterday ousted acting prime minister Sam Abal said the opposition would not attend parliament when it resumed at 2pm in protest over the "unconstitutional" election of Peter O'Neill as Prime Minister last Tuesday.
He was accompanied by former ministers Paul Tiensten, Ben Sembri, Andrew Kumbakor, Francis Potape and Mendi MP Pr Isaac Joseph.
Abal said the matter was before the court to rule on the constitutionality of the election.
"We know there is parliament tomorrow (today) but because there is a question that the constitution has been flawed as well as the standing orders were abused, we will boycott parliament until the court clears it," he said.
He said because the Constitution was abused, they had to ask the court for a ruling.
Abal said there was still a legitimate Prime Minister and while the processes had not been followed, Parliament went ahead to elect a new prime minister using their numerical strength.
"There are two prime ministers and we want the court to pronounce it," he said.
However, he said that whatever the court ruled, his 31 members would abide by it and go back to Parliament to attend meetings. Until then, they would continue to stay out as a protest over the manner in which the election of a prime minister was conducted.
He said it abused the constitutional and other laws such as of the NEC and Prime Minister's Act.
Meanwhile Abal said several members from the new government had "ambushed" Government House last Tuesday to force Governor-Ge­neral Sir Michael Ogio to sign the instruments.
He said Sir Michael had been "rushed and pushed" to sign the documents by individuals from the government assisted by members of the police and military.
He said he would write to the police commissioner to lodge his complaint so that the matter was investigated

Coup rumour dispelled

By JUNIOR UKAHA

THE police and military hierarchy yesterday dispelled the rumour of a military coup against the one-week-old government of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, The National reports.
In separate statements, Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie and Papua New Guinea Defence Force commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi said they were loyal to the government and processes of democracy and the change in the government "will not affect the work of police and defence".
Their call came after text messages yesterday about a military coup circulated widely, frightening people and business houses. The text message said the instability caused by the new government had forced the military to overthrow the government.
It urged Papua New Guineans to support the coup.
However, Agwi countered with the statement: "I assure the government and people of PNG that no force under my command will ever be less than totally loyal to the constitution, and to the authority of the government."
He said he had talked with Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah and Defence Minister Guma Wau and assured them of his support and loyalty.
Agwi said he had heard of the rumour which was "without foundation, malicious and mischievous".    
Wagambie, on the other hand, said a coup "is nonsense and will never happen".
"I want to assure the government, investors and grassroots that there will be no coup – and I guarantee that," Wagambie said. 
"If there are people trying to create something then the police will deal with them in the appropriate manner," he said.
The top cop said spreading false rumours amounted to treason and was punishable by law under the Summary Offences Act.
"In some other countries, spreading such rumours will result in the person facing the firing squad," Wagambie said.
He said police were gathering information to ascertain where, how and why the rumour was started.
He said he had already instructed his men to trace the person or group responsible for spreading the rumour and arrest them.
Internal Security Minister John Boito condemned the rumour, saying it was the work of people who wanted to cause panic among Papua New Guineans.
He said parliament was intact and would meet as normal today

Manwau is happy

MEMBER for Wewak Moses Manwau has denied reports he had protested against the recent cabinet appointments because he was not included in the list, The National reports.
He said a newspaper headline portrayed him negatively even though he was not at Government House during the swearing-in ceremony of the ministers.
"I really felt bad be­cause I talk about issue concerning PNG and uni­ting the country and not about individual interests.
"What I said was that it was the prerogative of the prime minister to appointment a minister in East Sepik for a fair representation, knowing very well that I was out of it because I was not informed."
He said the member for Wosera-Gawi Ronald Asik and member for Telefomin Peter Iwei were at the Government House and complained publicly there.
"I only said what I felt when asked to comment, and not crying over the ministerial positions as portrayed in the newspaper," he said.

Anti-graft group reminds public servants of responsibilities

THE Community Coalition Against Corruption has called on public servants to continue to serve the people despite the recent political changes, The National reports.
Members of the CCAC told reporters that public servants should not get involved in the recent political games but to be focused on serving the people.
"CCAC is calling for public servants' loyalty to the people and the country, including the police and the military.
"Do not listen to politicians but respect your country and people," CCAC members said.
CCAC also called on the media to report responsibly during times like this.
CCAC board member and chairman of the independent media committee John ToGuata said the media should not sensationalise issues and create disharmony among citizens.
He said the media must inform the people accurately and responsibly.
Retired priest and member of the CCAC board John Flenn said negative reporting could stir up problems and anarchy for the country.
He said poor reporting by the media could inflate violence and lawlessness.
Meanwhile PNG Trade Union Congress president Michael Malabag also called on public servants to be committed and loyal to their country and continue to serve the people.

Abal warns of abuse of public funds

MEMBER for Wabag Sam Abal has cautioned about the use of public funds by the new government pen­ding a court decision on the legality of the parliamentary elec­tion pro­cess, The National reports.
"I, as a leader, do not want to see people rushing across and it will be sad to see plundering of resources for the people of Papua New Guinea," Abal said.
He said a surplus of K600 million, which was announced in the mid-year economic and fiscal out­look report, was en­tirely a result of increased reve­nue projections dri­ven largely by higher personal income tax collections than expected, higher commodity prices and higher mineral re­venue.
No overspending and underspending are pro­jected at this time.
Former treasury and finance minister Patrick Pruaitch said a supplementary budget was likely to be announced later this year.
Pruaitch said the projected additional revenue was expected to be allocated to high government priority expenditures in the key areas of health, education, infrastructure and law and justice as well as obligations such as the PNG LNG-related commitments and next year's general election preparations.
There were public concerns that the anticipated revenue of K606.8 mil­lion could be used for other purposes rather than the key areas prompting Abal to make the appeal.

Polye is NA leader

By JAMES APA GUMUNO

THE National Alliance party's de­puty highlands parliamentary leader Don Polye has been elected as the party's new parliamentary leader repla­cing Sir Michael So­mare, The National reports.
The Kandep MP, who is the finance and treasury minister, was elected by less than half of the party's 42 members du­ring the NA caucus meeting in Minj, Jiwaka region, yesterday.
The parliamentary wing that attended the caucus meeting passed a resolution to appoint Polye but this did not go down well with Madang regional MP Sir Arnold Amet, who claimed to represent the Momase region.
Sir Arnold said there was no vacancy and that the party must follow due process.
He said if the NA believed in party principles, then, it must not violate the party's constitution for the sake of con­venience.
East New Britain Governor Leo Dion countered that as per the party's constitution, they were there to elect a new parliamentary leader.
Sir Michael's term as leader expired this year and he gave instructions last February to begin the process of appointing a new leader.
Dion, who claimed to speak on behalf of the New Guinea Islands region, said they could not keep their people and party supporters in suspense.
He said he fully supported the resolution passed by the parliamentary wing to elect Polye as the new parliamentary leader.
Polye said there was no time left, the general election was nine months away and they needed a leader to take the party into the election.
He told party execu­tives and members that the NA parliamen­tary wing was already split.
He said this was because of the actions of two or three members in the ousted NA-led go­vernment.
Polye said the party, which was built on good values and principles, had been destroyed.
He said the NA was an institution and they needed to protect it from being destroyed by a small group of MPs in the party.
He said because of bad governance, he tried to stem what he described as "the flood but it was so huge" that led others to the opposition to form the new government in order to uphold the good principles and values of the party.
Polye said it was not a bad move and they were rewarded with nine mi­nisterial portfolios.
Of the 42 NA members in parliament, 19 MPs from both sides of parliament attended the meeting.
They included Lucas Dekena, James Gau, Buka Malai, Leo Dion, Sai Besio, Mark Mai­pa­kai, Peter Titus, Andrew Mald, Yawa Silupa, Mi­chael Sape, Mathew Poia, David Arore and Polye.
Four MPs from the opposition present were James Marape, Benjamin Mul, Sir Arnold Amet and Sani Rambi.
Sam Abal, Patrick Pruaitch, Arthur Somare, Ano Pala and Jeffery Nape did not attend.

Confirmed cabinet ministries

Peter O'Neill – Prime Minister
Belden Namah – Deputy Prime Minister; Forestry and Climate Change
Don Polye – Treasury and Finance
Sam Basil – National Planning
Bart Philemon – Public Service
William Duma – Petroleum and Energy
Ken Fairweather – Housing and Urban Development
Moses Maladina – Implementation and Rural Development
Charles Abel – Trade, Commerce and Industry
David Arore – Higher Education, Re­search, Science and Technology
Dr Allan Marat – Attorney-General and Justice
John Boito – Internal Security
Guma Wau – Defence
Sai Sailon Beseo – Correctional Ser­vices
Job Pomat – Fisheries
Ano Pala – Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Sir Mekere Morauta – Public Enterpri­ses
Theo Zurenuoc – Education
Sir Puka Temu – Agriculture and Livestock
Thompson Harokaqveh – Environ­ment and Conservation
Sali Subam – Sports
Martin Aini – Labour and Industrial Relations
Byron Chan – Mining
Jim Miringtoro – Communication and Information Technology
Steven Kama Pirika – Bougainville Affairs
Andrew Mald – Community Deve­lop­ment; Religion and Family Affairs
Mark Maipakai – Inter-Government Relations and District Development
Francis Awesa – Transport and Works
Puri Ruing –  Civil Aviation
Lucas Dekena – Lands and Physical Planning
Jamie Maxtone-Graham – Health
Benjamin Philip – Tourism, Arts and Culture
Wake Goi – Assisting the Prime Minis­ter on Constitutional Matters