By ZACHERY PER
THE leading candidate in the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election has received just over 15% of valid votes – still way below the absolute majority of 24,834 votes – when the count was suspended after the 29th elimination last night, The National reports.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's People National Congress candidate and former minister Peter Waieng maintained his lead with 7,882 votes (15.87%).
His lead after 29 eliminations was closely chased by former agriculture minister and Chimbu politician Mathew Siune on 6,616 votes (13.32%).
PNG Democratic Party candidate Tobias Kulang, who did well at the start of the count last week was running third on 5,442 votes (10.96%) while People's Party candidate Paul Gend maintained his fourth place with 4,393 votes (8.84%).
Former Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Wagi Merimba was in fifth place with 4,348 votes (8.75%).
Others still in the race last night were Paul Moiwo with 3,286 votes (6.63%), William Gumayagl Ongugo on 2,960 (5.96%), Blaise Kal on 2,394 (4.82%), Alphonse Kawagle Palma on 2,241 votes (4.52%), John Naur Mangi on 2,167 votes (4.36%), John Tonar 2,167 votes (4.36%), John Kagl with 2, 039 votes (4.11%), Mark Philip on 2,024 votes (4.08%) and Peter Diniyagl 1,715 on votes (3.45%).
From a total of 52,378 ballots issued, 735 were ruled informal and 51,643 were allowed. But at the end of elimination 29 last night 1,976 ballots were exhausted.
From the 43 candidates running for the seat left vacant by the passing of Joe Mek Teine in April this year, 29 candidates who polled the lowest number of votes were eliminated and 14 are still in the race.
The elimination process continues today and a winner is expected to be declared this weekend.
Kundiawa open returning officer James Piapia thanked counting officials, scrutineers for candidates, police and everyone who played various roles for ensuring the process of the by-election went smoothly.
He urged candidates and supporters to respect the new electronic counting system and the Limited Preferential Voting system.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Leaders tell Agiru to respect Nipa people
TWO community leaders from Nipa-Kutubu have called on Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru to stop messing around with future leaders and educated men from the electorate, The National reports.
Jordon Kium and Nakon Ipa wanted Agiru to focus on getting the new Hela province and leave their future Nipa-Kutubu leaders alone.
They also condemned the manner in which Agiru was allegedly dealing with their leaders by fighting over public service positions.
"William Powi and Lawrence Olkoben are from the Nipa-Kutubu electorate who are concerned about their people.
"Agiru should concentrate on getting a province for the Hela region," Kium said.
They also warned that such political games would only end in disaster "and Agiru will not be here to face the consequences".
"We do not want a repetition of past political conflicts between the Hela people and their neighbouring Nipa," Ipa said.
Jordon Kium and Nakon Ipa wanted Agiru to focus on getting the new Hela province and leave their future Nipa-Kutubu leaders alone.
They also condemned the manner in which Agiru was allegedly dealing with their leaders by fighting over public service positions.
"William Powi and Lawrence Olkoben are from the Nipa-Kutubu electorate who are concerned about their people.
"Agiru should concentrate on getting a province for the Hela region," Kium said.
They also warned that such political games would only end in disaster "and Agiru will not be here to face the consequences".
"We do not want a repetition of past political conflicts between the Hela people and their neighbouring Nipa," Ipa said.
Olkoben says he is administrator
LAWRENCE Olkoben maintains he is still the legitimate Southern Highlands acting provincial administrator, The National reports.
Olkoben, whose three-month term as acting administrator expired on Aug 12, said the provincial executive council had extended his term on Aug 4, eight days before his term expired.
He said the Supreme Court recognised him as acting administrator and dismissed an appeal lodged by former administrator William Powi on July 14.
He said any appointment of the acting provincial administrator must have the recommendation of the council.
Olkoben said in his case, the council had recommended he acted until a permanent appointment was made.
He said the prime minister and cabinet had hijacked the normal procedures by appointing Powi without consulting the provincial council.
Olkoben, whose three-month term as acting administrator expired on Aug 12, said the provincial executive council had extended his term on Aug 4, eight days before his term expired.
He said the Supreme Court recognised him as acting administrator and dismissed an appeal lodged by former administrator William Powi on July 14.
He said any appointment of the acting provincial administrator must have the recommendation of the council.
Olkoben said in his case, the council had recommended he acted until a permanent appointment was made.
He said the prime minister and cabinet had hijacked the normal procedures by appointing Powi without consulting the provincial council.
Powi: Southern Highlands' K40 milion abused in projects
By JEFFREY ELAPA
MORE than K40 million from the Southern Highlands provincial treasury has been abused within a matter of three months, according to the acting provincial administrator William Powi, The National reports.
He alleged yesterday in Mendi that up to June, a huge sum of money from the provincial treasury was disbursed by the provincial government to shady projects.
He also claimed that a large sum of money was paid out within the first two weeks of this month, a few days before the National Executive Council re-appointed him to the post.
Powi is acting provincial administrator for a period of three months.
Supporters of Powi and the man he was to replace, Lawrence Olkoben, clashed in Mendi on Monday when he arrived to take up the post.
Powi claimed that the attack was orchestrated by Olkoben and his supporters to destroy the treasury records and documents by taking possession of the provincial treasury and the Agiru Centre.
Powi said acting provincial treasurer Kevin Pruno had informed him that K40 million from the provincial treasury had been expended over an alleged period of three months.
Powi said Pruno admitted that for all payments, Governor Anderson Agiru had listed payments detailing who should get how much and directed the officer of the provincial administrator and the provincial treasurer to issue Cash Flow Certificates and stamped what the governor wanted.
He said Pruno further admitted that Agiru had decided who should be paid and how much each person should receive, which was contrary to the Organic Law on the functions of the provincial governors, administrator and treasurers.
But Pruno, when contacted, denied giving the report and said he had never written to any media regarding the K40 million payout during Olkoben's time.
"When Powi asked me, I told him that less than K20 million was disbursed between January and June this year," he said.
He then said K7 million was spent on projects, wages and for administration costs and not K40 million as reported.
Pruno said the payments were made according to the budget of the provincial government and ranged from K300,000 to K400,000 for each project from January to June this year.
He said for example the Nipa and Mendi technical colleges received K700,000 each from the K7 million.
Agiru, when contacted, said he could not comment on an allegation but stated that directions had to be given on where to spend money according to budget.
He said the province had an internal revenue of about K60 million and was still after the Kutubu and Moran royalties in Port Moresby.
"I do not know what money they are referring to, I have no idea," he said.
However, he said generally any money belonging to the province had to be spent on projects as budgeted for.
He declined to comment further on Powi's "baseless" stories.
However, Powi had issued written instructions to Pruno to furnish him a detailed report on the usage of funds, verify and confirm whether the payments were budgeted for and whether they were in compliance with legal processes.
Pruno said the report was not ready and he could give it to the provincial administrator when completed.
However, Powi called on the national government to investigate the abuses which he alleged were "illegal, improper and went against the spirit of good governance".
"Provincial government and provincial governors are policy makers and do not have section 32 functions under the Public Finance Management Act.
"The national government must act immediately," he said.
Powi said the national government should recall Olkoben to Waigani to lay appropriate disciplinary charges against him for disobeying lawful directives and for instigating trouble in Mendi.
The police mobile units 09 and 05 from Tari and Mt Hagen had been dispatched in Mendi to protect state property and allow Powi to take control of the administration.
Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie is understood to be on the ground in Mendi.
MORE than K40 million from the Southern Highlands provincial treasury has been abused within a matter of three months, according to the acting provincial administrator William Powi, The National reports.
He alleged yesterday in Mendi that up to June, a huge sum of money from the provincial treasury was disbursed by the provincial government to shady projects.
He also claimed that a large sum of money was paid out within the first two weeks of this month, a few days before the National Executive Council re-appointed him to the post.
Powi is acting provincial administrator for a period of three months.
Supporters of Powi and the man he was to replace, Lawrence Olkoben, clashed in Mendi on Monday when he arrived to take up the post.
Powi claimed that the attack was orchestrated by Olkoben and his supporters to destroy the treasury records and documents by taking possession of the provincial treasury and the Agiru Centre.
Powi said acting provincial treasurer Kevin Pruno had informed him that K40 million from the provincial treasury had been expended over an alleged period of three months.
Powi said Pruno admitted that for all payments, Governor Anderson Agiru had listed payments detailing who should get how much and directed the officer of the provincial administrator and the provincial treasurer to issue Cash Flow Certificates and stamped what the governor wanted.
He said Pruno further admitted that Agiru had decided who should be paid and how much each person should receive, which was contrary to the Organic Law on the functions of the provincial governors, administrator and treasurers.
But Pruno, when contacted, denied giving the report and said he had never written to any media regarding the K40 million payout during Olkoben's time.
"When Powi asked me, I told him that less than K20 million was disbursed between January and June this year," he said.
He then said K7 million was spent on projects, wages and for administration costs and not K40 million as reported.
Pruno said the payments were made according to the budget of the provincial government and ranged from K300,000 to K400,000 for each project from January to June this year.
He said for example the Nipa and Mendi technical colleges received K700,000 each from the K7 million.
Agiru, when contacted, said he could not comment on an allegation but stated that directions had to be given on where to spend money according to budget.
He said the province had an internal revenue of about K60 million and was still after the Kutubu and Moran royalties in Port Moresby.
"I do not know what money they are referring to, I have no idea," he said.
However, he said generally any money belonging to the province had to be spent on projects as budgeted for.
He declined to comment further on Powi's "baseless" stories.
However, Powi had issued written instructions to Pruno to furnish him a detailed report on the usage of funds, verify and confirm whether the payments were budgeted for and whether they were in compliance with legal processes.
Pruno said the report was not ready and he could give it to the provincial administrator when completed.
However, Powi called on the national government to investigate the abuses which he alleged were "illegal, improper and went against the spirit of good governance".
"Provincial government and provincial governors are policy makers and do not have section 32 functions under the Public Finance Management Act.
"The national government must act immediately," he said.
Powi said the national government should recall Olkoben to Waigani to lay appropriate disciplinary charges against him for disobeying lawful directives and for instigating trouble in Mendi.
The police mobile units 09 and 05 from Tari and Mt Hagen had been dispatched in Mendi to protect state property and allow Powi to take control of the administration.
Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie is understood to be on the ground in Mendi.
East Sepik loses ‘money’ powers
By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE National Executive Council has suspended the financial powers of the East Sepik provincial government, The National reports.
Government sources said the council met on Wednesday and decided that all financial powers of the provincial government be withdrawn and reverted to Waigani.
Although the reason for the suspension has not been disclosed, it comes at a time when the East Sepik provincial executive council is seeking a Supreme Court reference on the election of the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill early this month.
It means that all financial powers are managed from Waigani, leaving the provincial government powerless to make decisions and expend funds for any purpose.
There are also talks around the corridors of power in Waigani that the government plans to remove similar financial powers from another provincial government soon. This, however, cannot be confirmed at this stage.
Text messages to members of the NEC to verify the suspension went unanswered.
A press conference scheduled for yesterday by O'Neill to inform the nation about some of the NEC decisions was cancelled and re-scheduled for today.
Responding yesterday to the government's decision to suspend the financial powers of the East Sepik provincial government, Angoram MP Arthur Somare said it was an unlawful and immoral act by an illegitimate regime.
"I strongly condemn this action to subvert a lawful special reference to the Supreme Court," Somare said.
"I call on the Ombudsman Commission, other constitutional office-holders and the public to see this latest ploy for what it is – a bold attempt to subvert the Constitution.
"This is a desperate action by a desperate group of politicians who are hungry for power and who are willing to destroy the constitutional foundations of our democratic society.
"These are desperate people who are willing to break the nation's laws to feed their hunger for greed and power."
Somare said it had been widely speculated in the past two days that the government was convening a National Executive Council meeting with the suspension of the East Sepik provincial government high on its agenda.
"I'm sure the legal advice they received indicated that suspension of the provincial government was only possible through a declaration of a national emergency, which would be impossible to prove,'' Somare said.
"As a result, they have adopted another illegal tactic by suspending the ESPG financial powers effective from Aug 18, 2011. An instrument to this effect has been signed by Treasurer Don Polye.
"Only evil-minded people can stoop to these levels.
"They have acted in this manner because they know that their Supreme Court case is weak. Their questionable regime is now attempting to financially cripple a court action that will show up the illegitimacy of their actions in parliament on Aug 2."
THE National Executive Council has suspended the financial powers of the East Sepik provincial government, The National reports.
Government sources said the council met on Wednesday and decided that all financial powers of the provincial government be withdrawn and reverted to Waigani.
Although the reason for the suspension has not been disclosed, it comes at a time when the East Sepik provincial executive council is seeking a Supreme Court reference on the election of the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill early this month.
It means that all financial powers are managed from Waigani, leaving the provincial government powerless to make decisions and expend funds for any purpose.
There are also talks around the corridors of power in Waigani that the government plans to remove similar financial powers from another provincial government soon. This, however, cannot be confirmed at this stage.
Text messages to members of the NEC to verify the suspension went unanswered.
A press conference scheduled for yesterday by O'Neill to inform the nation about some of the NEC decisions was cancelled and re-scheduled for today.
Responding yesterday to the government's decision to suspend the financial powers of the East Sepik provincial government, Angoram MP Arthur Somare said it was an unlawful and immoral act by an illegitimate regime.
"I strongly condemn this action to subvert a lawful special reference to the Supreme Court," Somare said.
"I call on the Ombudsman Commission, other constitutional office-holders and the public to see this latest ploy for what it is – a bold attempt to subvert the Constitution.
"This is a desperate action by a desperate group of politicians who are hungry for power and who are willing to destroy the constitutional foundations of our democratic society.
"These are desperate people who are willing to break the nation's laws to feed their hunger for greed and power."
Somare said it had been widely speculated in the past two days that the government was convening a National Executive Council meeting with the suspension of the East Sepik provincial government high on its agenda.
"I'm sure the legal advice they received indicated that suspension of the provincial government was only possible through a declaration of a national emergency, which would be impossible to prove,'' Somare said.
"As a result, they have adopted another illegal tactic by suspending the ESPG financial powers effective from Aug 18, 2011. An instrument to this effect has been signed by Treasurer Don Polye.
"Only evil-minded people can stoop to these levels.
"They have acted in this manner because they know that their Supreme Court case is weak. Their questionable regime is now attempting to financially cripple a court action that will show up the illegitimacy of their actions in parliament on Aug 2."
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Ramu Agri Industries Ltd gives sweet K5,000 to Goroka Show
By MALUM NALU
Ramu Agri Industries Limited (RAIL) has given K5, 000 and 50 cartons of sugar sachets to the Goroka Show.
 |
| From left is John Piawu presenting the K5, 000 to chief inspector David Seine, deputy chairman of the Goroka Show organising committee. Looking on in the middle is Maurice Owens, national sales manager of RAIL |
While presenting the money and sugar to deputy show chairman Inspector David Seine, Owens said Ramu Sugar was a locally-grown product and RAIL’s focus was towards the cultural side of the Show.
The K5, 000 and sugar will go towards supporting the singsing groups that will participate in this year's show.
Seine thanked Owens and Piawu for travelling all the way from Gusap to make the donation and extended his appreciation on behalf of the organising Committee to the management of RAIL for coming on board to support this year's show.
He said RAIL had always sponsored the traditional singsing category and expressed his sincere gratitude for the support.
He said the sugar would be distributed to singsing groups for their morning tea and that should lighten the burden on the committee in feeding the singsing groups that would be coming from outside Eastern Highlands province.
Piawu said that RAIL hoped their support would assist in making this year's show bigger and better.
He said Goroka Show is the most-peaceful show in the country and that was attributed to the general peace-loving nature of Eastern Highlanders as well as the people in the organising committee.
Feud rocks PNG Brussels embassy
By FRANK SENGE KOLMA
THE Papua New Guinea embassy in Brussels is embroiled in a bitter feud involving a Belgian national working there and her employer, that threatens to spill into the courts of Belgium, The National reports.
Belgian national Martine-Ghislaine Victoria Chaplin van Camp has complained of sexual harassment, of being locked out of her office and of not being paid for four months, among other things.
Brussels head of mission Ambassador Peter Maginde, in turn, had accused van Camp of blackmail, of removing sensitive documents and the embassy cheque book to her home.
Maginde had engaged a Belgian law firm to assist in recovering embassy property.
Whatever the truth of the matter, letters have been sent to the king of Belgium, the Queen of England as the head of state of PNG, the governor-general and the two governments repeating her accusations and making damaging remarks against not just Maginde but the work habits and character of the people of PNG.
According to van Camp, the king of Belgium had directed two of its ministers to attend to the matter.
Yesterday, a senior PNG Foreign Affairs Department officer confirmed that "several correspondence" had been received relating to the matter, adding the department had urged Maginde to resolve it.
In e-mail correspondence with The National, van Camp gave graphic accounts of the sexual harassment which she claimed took place within the embassy precincts.
It got to a stage, she claimed, where she had to stop wearing skirts and had to go into the ambassador's office accompanied by minister Alois Tabereng or third secretary Aileen Boi.
Maginde described her allegations as "absolutely false, without basis of evidence and there is no truth in it".
He said he had engaged a law firm to sue her for defamation and character assassination and to recover PNG government property.
In a letter to secretary Michael Maue on April 4, van Camp said: "Since Ambassador Peter Maginde seems unwilling to understand his obligations in respect of the legislation of his hosting country – despite the several reminders from the protocol of the ministry of foreign affairs to backpay my salaries and social security payments, as much as to provide local staff with legal contracts and their due social benefit payments – his Majesty Albert II, king of Belgium, has requested two of his state ministers to take this matter into their hands."
Van Camp confirmed she had taken her administrative work home as her office door lock was changed and she could not access her office and she could not continue because of the harassment.
Maginde responded this week by accusing her of trying to blackmail the embassy.
He said between April and May last year, she was informed that her performance level was not to "our expectations and she was taking many days off so we warned her to improve and comply with all the required instructions".
In the end, he said the situation was untenable and her employment was terminated.
Maginde said: "She is almost 60 years of age and she claims that, due to her age, the embassy is responsible to employ her.
"We have said that is not possible and, thus, have terminated her (employment) officially as of January but legally-effected as of April 2011 due to the three months' notice under the Belgian laws.
"She has been paid all her entitlements and benefits due under law.
"She says that if we terminate her, she would destroy me so that is her intention for the emails to everywhere and everybody."
He said the Belgian foreign affairs had been briefed and had asked her to return all government documents and financial accounts including cheque books.
THE Papua New Guinea embassy in Brussels is embroiled in a bitter feud involving a Belgian national working there and her employer, that threatens to spill into the courts of Belgium, The National reports.
Belgian national Martine-Ghislaine Victoria Chaplin van Camp has complained of sexual harassment, of being locked out of her office and of not being paid for four months, among other things.
Brussels head of mission Ambassador Peter Maginde, in turn, had accused van Camp of blackmail, of removing sensitive documents and the embassy cheque book to her home.
Maginde had engaged a Belgian law firm to assist in recovering embassy property.
Whatever the truth of the matter, letters have been sent to the king of Belgium, the Queen of England as the head of state of PNG, the governor-general and the two governments repeating her accusations and making damaging remarks against not just Maginde but the work habits and character of the people of PNG.
According to van Camp, the king of Belgium had directed two of its ministers to attend to the matter.
Yesterday, a senior PNG Foreign Affairs Department officer confirmed that "several correspondence" had been received relating to the matter, adding the department had urged Maginde to resolve it.
In e-mail correspondence with The National, van Camp gave graphic accounts of the sexual harassment which she claimed took place within the embassy precincts.
It got to a stage, she claimed, where she had to stop wearing skirts and had to go into the ambassador's office accompanied by minister Alois Tabereng or third secretary Aileen Boi.
Maginde described her allegations as "absolutely false, without basis of evidence and there is no truth in it".
He said he had engaged a law firm to sue her for defamation and character assassination and to recover PNG government property.
In a letter to secretary Michael Maue on April 4, van Camp said: "Since Ambassador Peter Maginde seems unwilling to understand his obligations in respect of the legislation of his hosting country – despite the several reminders from the protocol of the ministry of foreign affairs to backpay my salaries and social security payments, as much as to provide local staff with legal contracts and their due social benefit payments – his Majesty Albert II, king of Belgium, has requested two of his state ministers to take this matter into their hands."
Van Camp confirmed she had taken her administrative work home as her office door lock was changed and she could not access her office and she could not continue because of the harassment.
Maginde responded this week by accusing her of trying to blackmail the embassy.
He said between April and May last year, she was informed that her performance level was not to "our expectations and she was taking many days off so we warned her to improve and comply with all the required instructions".
In the end, he said the situation was untenable and her employment was terminated.
Maginde said: "She is almost 60 years of age and she claims that, due to her age, the embassy is responsible to employ her.
"We have said that is not possible and, thus, have terminated her (employment) officially as of January but legally-effected as of April 2011 due to the three months' notice under the Belgian laws.
"She has been paid all her entitlements and benefits due under law.
"She says that if we terminate her, she would destroy me so that is her intention for the emails to everywhere and everybody."
He said the Belgian foreign affairs had been briefed and had asked her to return all government documents and financial accounts including cheque books.
Obama hails PM O’Neill
UNITED States President Barack Obama has congratulated Peter O'Neill on his election as the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, The National reports.
This is the second congratulatory message sent to O'Neill and his two-week-old government by world leaders.
The first congratulatory message was sent two days after O'Neill was elected prime minister on Aug 2 by his Australian counterpart, Julia Gillard.
Gillard phoned O'Neill to say that Canberra was ready to work with him and his new government.
Gillard and O'Neill stressed the importance of continuing the strong bilateral relations that existed and other issues like the Manus asylum seekers processing centre and AusAID programmes in the country.
Obama congratulated O'Neill through the United States embassy in Port Moresby.
His congratulatory message read: "Dear Mr Prime Minister. Congratulations on your recent appointment as prime minister of Papua New Guinea.
"Our nations have a shared interest in the promotion of democracy and rule of law, the preservation of environmental and cultural diversity and stability and prosperity in the Pacific region.
"I look forward to working closely with you and your government to promote these common interests, expand our bilateral economic ties and deepen our co-operation in the region.
"I am confident that through our combined efforts, we will strengthen the ties that bind our countries together and improve the lives of our people.
"Sincerely Yours, Barack Obama.
This is the second congratulatory message sent to O'Neill and his two-week-old government by world leaders.
The first congratulatory message was sent two days after O'Neill was elected prime minister on Aug 2 by his Australian counterpart, Julia Gillard.
Gillard phoned O'Neill to say that Canberra was ready to work with him and his new government.
Gillard and O'Neill stressed the importance of continuing the strong bilateral relations that existed and other issues like the Manus asylum seekers processing centre and AusAID programmes in the country.
Obama congratulated O'Neill through the United States embassy in Port Moresby.
His congratulatory message read: "Dear Mr Prime Minister. Congratulations on your recent appointment as prime minister of Papua New Guinea.
"Our nations have a shared interest in the promotion of democracy and rule of law, the preservation of environmental and cultural diversity and stability and prosperity in the Pacific region.
"I look forward to working closely with you and your government to promote these common interests, expand our bilateral economic ties and deepen our co-operation in the region.
"I am confident that through our combined efforts, we will strengthen the ties that bind our countries together and improve the lives of our people.
"Sincerely Yours, Barack Obama.
Waieng leads in Chimbu
By ZACHERY PER
PEOPLE's National Congress party candidate and former Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Peter Waieng was still ahead midway through the by-election elimination process when counting was suspended last night after the 22nd elimination, The National reports.
Waieng maintained a comfortable lead with 7,328 votes, a difference of 1,988 votes over his nearest rival and former agriculture minister Mathew Siune (5,240).
The six candidates who were eliminated yesterday included Francis Iwainde, John Siune Kela, Francis Otto Gugl, Kiak Bagle, Siune Kua and John Sie Wigle.
After the distribution of their preference votes among the remaining 21 candidates, PNC's Peter Waieng led with 7,328 votes, Siune was second on 5,240, PNG Constitutional Democratic Party candidate Tobias Kulang was third with 4,917 votes, People's Party man Paul Gende fourth on 4,180 and former Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Wagi Merimba was running fifth on 4,047 votes.
A total of 381 ballots had been exhausted after last night's elimination leaving the 21 surviving candidates sharing a total of 51,643 votes.
Chimbu provincial election manager Steven Gore Kaupa said at the Kundiawa Lutheran Day High School the elimination would slow down when the elimination reached the 900 and more than 1,000-vote mark.
Kaupa said they were on track to complete the counting before Aug 26.
PEOPLE's National Congress party candidate and former Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Peter Waieng was still ahead midway through the by-election elimination process when counting was suspended last night after the 22nd elimination, The National reports.
Waieng maintained a comfortable lead with 7,328 votes, a difference of 1,988 votes over his nearest rival and former agriculture minister Mathew Siune (5,240).
The six candidates who were eliminated yesterday included Francis Iwainde, John Siune Kela, Francis Otto Gugl, Kiak Bagle, Siune Kua and John Sie Wigle.
After the distribution of their preference votes among the remaining 21 candidates, PNC's Peter Waieng led with 7,328 votes, Siune was second on 5,240, PNG Constitutional Democratic Party candidate Tobias Kulang was third with 4,917 votes, People's Party man Paul Gende fourth on 4,180 and former Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Wagi Merimba was running fifth on 4,047 votes.
A total of 381 ballots had been exhausted after last night's elimination leaving the 21 surviving candidates sharing a total of 51,643 votes.
Chimbu provincial election manager Steven Gore Kaupa said at the Kundiawa Lutheran Day High School the elimination would slow down when the elimination reached the 900 and more than 1,000-vote mark.
Kaupa said they were on track to complete the counting before Aug 26.
Writs date conflicts with day of prayer
THE date set for the return of writs for the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election coincides with the National Executive Council (NEC) declared public holiday on Aug 26, The National reports.
When Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio issued the writs, he set Aug 26 as the date for the writs to be returned, which falls next Friday.
According to yesterday's newspaper reports, there were "three public holidays remaining this year and 12 public holidays for next year".
Attempts to get comments from PNG Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen were unsuccessful.
However, it was understood that a new date would be set for the return of writs.
When Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio issued the writs, he set Aug 26 as the date for the writs to be returned, which falls next Friday.
According to yesterday's newspaper reports, there were "three public holidays remaining this year and 12 public holidays for next year".
Attempts to get comments from PNG Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen were unsuccessful.
However, it was understood that a new date would be set for the return of writs.
PM urged to make wise decisions
By SAMUEL RAITANO and JEFFREY ELAPA
LEADERS in Mendi, Southern Highlands, want Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and Public Service Minister Bart Philemon to make some wise and sensible decisions on the administration of the province, The National reports.
It comes as the National Executive Council reinstated William Powi as acting administrator for Southern Highlands.
Lawrence Olkoben was acting in the position.
It led to a clash last Monday between their supporters in Mendi town.
Olkoben was appointed by the Somare government while Powi was appointed last week by the O'Neill government.
Powi's move to occupy office on Monday was resisted by Olkoben's supporters and
resulted in the clash which left some people injured and properties damaged.
Both men are understood to be from Nipa, a section of the highway that leads to the LNG project hub, Tari.
The leaders in Mendi said if politicians continued to promote their own cronies to be administrators in Southern Highlands, there was a potential for chaos, anarchy and bloodshed in Mendi and elsewhere in the province.
Community leaders from Hunjahumap, Wogia, Longo, Kiburu, Lai Valley, Upper Mendi, Lower Mendi and the surrounding communities and LLGs want the government to appoint someone neutral to administer the province.
They wanted the government to appoint someone from Mendi or Lai Valley.
Meanwhile, Governor Anderson Agiru claimed the earlier appointment of Olkoben was done through proper procedures.
Agiru said that Powi's appointment was a "rushed move" by the prime minister.
The court registry in Mendi has denied a report that a court case had been filed by Olkoben against Powi.
Powi had earlier this year challenged the Southern Highlands provincial executive council in its decision to have Olkoben appointed.
The matter is still pending in court.
Meanwhile, police in Mendi said the situation in town was still tense following Monday's fight.
Sources from Mendi said people were openly carrying bush knives around the town's streets.
LEADERS in Mendi, Southern Highlands, want Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and Public Service Minister Bart Philemon to make some wise and sensible decisions on the administration of the province, The National reports.
It comes as the National Executive Council reinstated William Powi as acting administrator for Southern Highlands.
Lawrence Olkoben was acting in the position.
It led to a clash last Monday between their supporters in Mendi town.
Olkoben was appointed by the Somare government while Powi was appointed last week by the O'Neill government.
Powi's move to occupy office on Monday was resisted by Olkoben's supporters and
resulted in the clash which left some people injured and properties damaged.
Both men are understood to be from Nipa, a section of the highway that leads to the LNG project hub, Tari.
The leaders in Mendi said if politicians continued to promote their own cronies to be administrators in Southern Highlands, there was a potential for chaos, anarchy and bloodshed in Mendi and elsewhere in the province.
Community leaders from Hunjahumap, Wogia, Longo, Kiburu, Lai Valley, Upper Mendi, Lower Mendi and the surrounding communities and LLGs want the government to appoint someone neutral to administer the province.
They wanted the government to appoint someone from Mendi or Lai Valley.
Meanwhile, Governor Anderson Agiru claimed the earlier appointment of Olkoben was done through proper procedures.
Agiru said that Powi's appointment was a "rushed move" by the prime minister.
The court registry in Mendi has denied a report that a court case had been filed by Olkoben against Powi.
Powi had earlier this year challenged the Southern Highlands provincial executive council in its decision to have Olkoben appointed.
The matter is still pending in court.
Meanwhile, police in Mendi said the situation in town was still tense following Monday's fight.
Sources from Mendi said people were openly carrying bush knives around the town's streets.
SHP locals want ‘powers’ stopped
THE people of Southern Highlands are calling on the national government to immediately withdraw the powers of the Southern Highlands provincial government, The National reports.
Many people rang from Mendi, Southern Highlands, while others from the province living and working in other provinces also rang to call on the government to withdraw the financial powers of the provincial government.
They have also condemned the current administrative struggle between reappointed provincial administrator William Powi and the former and sidelined administrator Lawrence Olkoben.
Senior lawyer Marley Nandi said the government should immediately withdraw the financial powers back to Waigani while an independent investigation team was established to look into the rot in the province.
He said the province had become a milking ground for people since the time of the late Dick Mune, the Hami Yawari regime and the Agiru government.
He said that provincial administrators also needed to be investigated as many unscrupulous activities have been going on in the manner in which the funds of the province have been used.
He said that the recent investigation and jailing of seven people involved in the fraud was just a tip of the iceberg as many such people were still on the run and an immediate investigation was required.
Former member for Kagua-Erave David Basua said so much money into the province's coffers from the resources but it lags in development as the huge sums of funds are squandered by people in authority.
Meanwhile Southern Highlands National Alliance secretary Terence Perene called for another declaration of state of emergency.
He said there were many thing wrong with the governance of the province and it was time the national government intervene to correct it.
He said the coming election was also a threat as more guns were brought in to the province while such weapons were brought into the town without anyone being arrested by police as in the recent clash between the two groups over the administration position.
Basua also condemned the action of the two groups and stated that the position was not a birthright for few people.
He said any credible Papua New Guinean can apply for the position and not just the cronies of politicians and people from one district.
Leaders from Lai valley and surrounding villages of Mendi town have also expressed similar sentiments.
Many people rang from Mendi, Southern Highlands, while others from the province living and working in other provinces also rang to call on the government to withdraw the financial powers of the provincial government.
They have also condemned the current administrative struggle between reappointed provincial administrator William Powi and the former and sidelined administrator Lawrence Olkoben.
Senior lawyer Marley Nandi said the government should immediately withdraw the financial powers back to Waigani while an independent investigation team was established to look into the rot in the province.
He said the province had become a milking ground for people since the time of the late Dick Mune, the Hami Yawari regime and the Agiru government.
He said that provincial administrators also needed to be investigated as many unscrupulous activities have been going on in the manner in which the funds of the province have been used.
He said that the recent investigation and jailing of seven people involved in the fraud was just a tip of the iceberg as many such people were still on the run and an immediate investigation was required.
Former member for Kagua-Erave David Basua said so much money into the province's coffers from the resources but it lags in development as the huge sums of funds are squandered by people in authority.
Meanwhile Southern Highlands National Alliance secretary Terence Perene called for another declaration of state of emergency.
He said there were many thing wrong with the governance of the province and it was time the national government intervene to correct it.
He said the coming election was also a threat as more guns were brought in to the province while such weapons were brought into the town without anyone being arrested by police as in the recent clash between the two groups over the administration position.
Basua also condemned the action of the two groups and stated that the position was not a birthright for few people.
He said any credible Papua New Guinean can apply for the position and not just the cronies of politicians and people from one district.
Leaders from Lai valley and surrounding villages of Mendi town have also expressed similar sentiments.
Group cuts off Telikom services
By GABRIEL FITO
ALL telecommunication services in parts of East and West Sepik have been disrupted after people purporting to be landowners unplugged solar panels and heaped rubbish onto the helipad preventing the helicopter from off-loading fuel at the Mt Albawagi repeater station at Dagua in East Sepik, The National reports.
Telikom workmen have made unsuccessful attempts this week to fly in fuel as the helipads were still covered with debris.
Mt Albawagi landowners' chairman Paul Amit said the problem was not caused by the landowners of Woginara but opportunists from Magopin village.
He lodged another complaint at the Wewak police station yesterday
Anit apologised to those who were affected by the actions of the perpetrators, saying the problem had been caused by an outside group.
He called on Telikom management to meet with the landowners immediately to resolve the issue of landowners' chairmanship so opportunist did not take advantage of such situations by disrupting vital services.
The Telikom customer service manager in Wewak could not be reached for comment as she was out of the office yesterday, but an employee confirmed the disruption of services.
ALL telecommunication services in parts of East and West Sepik have been disrupted after people purporting to be landowners unplugged solar panels and heaped rubbish onto the helipad preventing the helicopter from off-loading fuel at the Mt Albawagi repeater station at Dagua in East Sepik, The National reports.
Telikom workmen have made unsuccessful attempts this week to fly in fuel as the helipads were still covered with debris.
Mt Albawagi landowners' chairman Paul Amit said the problem was not caused by the landowners of Woginara but opportunists from Magopin village.
He lodged another complaint at the Wewak police station yesterday
Anit apologised to those who were affected by the actions of the perpetrators, saying the problem had been caused by an outside group.
He called on Telikom management to meet with the landowners immediately to resolve the issue of landowners' chairmanship so opportunist did not take advantage of such situations by disrupting vital services.
The Telikom customer service manager in Wewak could not be reached for comment as she was out of the office yesterday, but an employee confirmed the disruption of services.
‘Blake was forced out'
INDEPENDENT Public Business Corporation managing director Glen Blake was forced out by the new Minister for Public Enterprises Sir Mekere Morauta and did not voluntarily resign as claimed in a newspaper report, The National reports.
Sources said the former minister Arthur Somare said Sir Mekere told Blake to go shortly after taking office, saying his services were not needed.
State entities had performed exceptionally well, making huge returns through sound and prudent management of the state's enterprises since 2002 when the National Alliance-led government took office.
They said there might be a return to a sale of all entities as was the case when Sir Mekere was prime minister.
The government businesses had made "significant progress from insolvency to profitability and marketable organisations", the sources said.
Some notable performances were made by PNG Power and Post PNG, which had improved from being insolvent entities into becoming the best performing entities.
The sources said too much money had been paid to foreign consultants during Sir Mekere's leadership.
The source said decisions were likely to be manipulated by international organisations like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to privatise and sell state entities that were now performing very well.
Sources said the former minister Arthur Somare said Sir Mekere told Blake to go shortly after taking office, saying his services were not needed.
State entities had performed exceptionally well, making huge returns through sound and prudent management of the state's enterprises since 2002 when the National Alliance-led government took office.
They said there might be a return to a sale of all entities as was the case when Sir Mekere was prime minister.
The government businesses had made "significant progress from insolvency to profitability and marketable organisations", the sources said.
Some notable performances were made by PNG Power and Post PNG, which had improved from being insolvent entities into becoming the best performing entities.
The sources said too much money had been paid to foreign consultants during Sir Mekere's leadership.
The source said decisions were likely to be manipulated by international organisations like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to privatise and sell state entities that were now performing very well.
Vehicle owners told to be responsible after accidents
By BUSTIN ANZU
VEHICLES involved in accidents are the owners' responsibility and must be cleared so that roads are free for other road users, Morobe's police chief Supt Peter Guinness says, The National reports.
He said once a vehicle had been involved in an accident, the owner must try to remove the vehicle so that roads were free for other commuters.
"The owners must remove the remains of the accident. They must not leave the remains or debris from accidents lying around. That will help avoid further accidents," he said.
He said this after visiting the scene of a two fatal accidents that claimed the lives of 13 people.
Guinness said if that semi-trailer had been removed after the first accident in which five people died, the second accident would not have occurred.
He said his officers, who attended to the scene, had advised the owner to remove the semi-trailer but it was ignored and which led to the death of eight other people travelling from Madang a day later.
A frustrated Guinness, who visited the scene on Monday with Assistant Commissioner of Police for Momase Giossi Labi, said the second accident could have been avoided if the semi-trailer had been removed.
Guinness said the owner was negligent and was the cause of the fatal accident.
He said he would seek legal opinion if the driver of the semi-trailer could be charged with manslaughter or murder.
"The second accident will be investigated and presented to the coroner for its deliberation," he said.
A full media briefing will be held today by the Land Transport Board and police regarding the fatal accidents last week.
Meanwhile, Guinness said the rescuers in the helicopter crash in the jungles of Wafi revisited the scene and collected more body parts and pieces of the crashed helicopter.
"The plane crash investigators are working on the case while police will present its report to the coroner," he said.
VEHICLES involved in accidents are the owners' responsibility and must be cleared so that roads are free for other road users, Morobe's police chief Supt Peter Guinness says, The National reports.
He said once a vehicle had been involved in an accident, the owner must try to remove the vehicle so that roads were free for other commuters.
"The owners must remove the remains of the accident. They must not leave the remains or debris from accidents lying around. That will help avoid further accidents," he said.
He said this after visiting the scene of a two fatal accidents that claimed the lives of 13 people.
Guinness said if that semi-trailer had been removed after the first accident in which five people died, the second accident would not have occurred.
He said his officers, who attended to the scene, had advised the owner to remove the semi-trailer but it was ignored and which led to the death of eight other people travelling from Madang a day later.
A frustrated Guinness, who visited the scene on Monday with Assistant Commissioner of Police for Momase Giossi Labi, said the second accident could have been avoided if the semi-trailer had been removed.
Guinness said the owner was negligent and was the cause of the fatal accident.
He said he would seek legal opinion if the driver of the semi-trailer could be charged with manslaughter or murder.
"The second accident will be investigated and presented to the coroner for its deliberation," he said.
A full media briefing will be held today by the Land Transport Board and police regarding the fatal accidents last week.
Meanwhile, Guinness said the rescuers in the helicopter crash in the jungles of Wafi revisited the scene and collected more body parts and pieces of the crashed helicopter.
"The plane crash investigators are working on the case while police will present its report to the coroner," he said.
People urged to report early campaigning
THE people of East New Britain are being urged to report illegal early campaigning by aspiring politicians, The National reports.
Provincial electoral manager Terence Hetinu made the call after his office received reports of illegal political meetings where aspiring candidates were giving away money and food items.
He called on people to capture the meetings on their mobile phone cameras and record the speeches being made during such gatherings and to pass these on to the electoral office in Kokopo.
He said if such were confirmed as political campaigning, those people would be arrested by police for early campaigning and could be banned from contesting the coming elections.
Hetinu said the Electoral Commission was gearing for a massive awareness programme in the wards to educate the people on the meaning of early campaigning and how the community could distinguish between political and social gatherings.
He stressed that the Electoral Commission wanted the province to conduct a clean and transparent national election next year.
He said people had the right to make decisions and not to be intimidated or have their rights violated on who to vote for in elections.
Hetinu was responding to queries by Kombiu LLG president, Komit Kunai, who complained of early campaigning by candidates.
Provincial electoral manager Terence Hetinu made the call after his office received reports of illegal political meetings where aspiring candidates were giving away money and food items.
He called on people to capture the meetings on their mobile phone cameras and record the speeches being made during such gatherings and to pass these on to the electoral office in Kokopo.
He said if such were confirmed as political campaigning, those people would be arrested by police for early campaigning and could be banned from contesting the coming elections.
Hetinu said the Electoral Commission was gearing for a massive awareness programme in the wards to educate the people on the meaning of early campaigning and how the community could distinguish between political and social gatherings.
He stressed that the Electoral Commission wanted the province to conduct a clean and transparent national election next year.
He said people had the right to make decisions and not to be intimidated or have their rights violated on who to vote for in elections.
Hetinu was responding to queries by Kombiu LLG president, Komit Kunai, who complained of early campaigning by candidates.
Residents told to dump rubbish in proper place
LAE residents have been warned not to dump household, shop and industrial waste into Bank South Pacific Go Green campaign rubbish bins installed around the area, The National reports.
Most home owners, shops and industrial firms are avoiding paying garbage fees by dumping their garbage into the newly-installed bins or piling rubbish near the bins at nights.
Lae City authority health services manager Jonathan Ipang said people found dumping their waste would be fined according to the type and volume of rubbish they leave.
He said fines for household waste varied between K50 to K100, while fines for industrial and commercial waste ranged from K500 to K1,000.
Ipang said the BSP rubbish bins had been installed for people in the business centres to dump wastes like plastic shopping bags, empty drink cans and containers, paper and similar rubbish.
He said those who chewed betel nut if found spitting into the bins or in public places, they would be fined K20.
"Keeping the city clean is everybody's business that starts in homes.
"We must learn to keep our environment at homes, city and workplaces clean so as not to create illness and diseases that might affect our health and production," Ipang said.
Through the Go Green campaign, BSP has provided and installed 50 drums throughout Lae city at locations that include Top Town – 7, Market – 8, Eriku – 7,Voco Point and China Town – 6, Malahang and University of Technology gate three each, Salamanda and St Paul's two each, Snack Bar two, Angau Memorial Hospital two and two each in all five health centres around the city.
The monthly garbage bin sticker for low cost houses costs K20, medium K25 and high covenant K30 while K100 per load for companies that have no service vehicles and require LCA to help them.
For those have service vehicles, shops are to pay K80 while companies K150.
But before heading to the Second Seven dumpsite, they are required to collect a dumpsite entry sticker at LCA office.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Once bitten, twice shy at Old Lae Airport
By MALUM NALU
In the past 18 months, the face of the Old Lae Airport has changed dramatically, and in 2010 alone, over 700 containers of project cargo for the LNG plant were stored on the tarmac until ready for delivery to the Highlands.
Development of the Old Lae Airport epitomises the mind-boggling development Lae is undergoing with all the current resource projects.
The development at the Old Lae Airport worries Jonathan Saing, the vocal chairman of the Ahi Landowners’ Association, which represents the traditional landowners of Lae.
If the Ahi people miss on airport benefits, it will be second time unlucky for them, having first missed out in the 1920s when their land was forcefully taken away from them to build an airstrip during the Wau-Bulolo gold rush.
Saing is growing old; however, his concern for his people of the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Yanga and Wagang is what drives him on.
He says the undeveloped lease land (UDL) at the Old Lae Airport has seen so much foul play and corruption among unscrupulous landowners, businesses and politicians.
“The UDL at the Old Lae Airport is a real mess,” Saing says.
“At the rate we are going, we Ahi people, traditional landowners of the Old Lae Airport, won’t have any footprints there.
“This is very worrying.
“I’m sad to say that our young children will be completely lost.
“I stand between the old and the young.
“I want our Ahi clan leaders to be strong and hold on to their land.
“I also want to uphold the wisdom of elders for the good of the young people.”
In March 2009, in a landmark decision, the Supreme Court approved an application for a stay order taken by Butibam and Kamkumung villagers against the Morobe provincial government and the State over development of the controversial Old Lae Airport land.
The court noted that the landowners had not been adequately compensated for all the anguish and turmoil they had gone through over the years.
It has long been a sore thumb in Lae as Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and his then administrator, Patilias Gamato, fought a war of words both within and out of court with the villagers.
In Early 2009, things came to a head at the Old Lae Airport when some Butibam women were manhandled and beaten by Lae police.
Village elders from Kamkumung and Butibam, at that time, hailed the Supreme Court decision as a huge victory for their people, whom they said had been robbed of their birthright.
This controversial piece of land has a long and colourful history behind it.
The discovery of gold at Edie Creek above Wau in 1926 sparked off a gold rush which led to the exploitation of the rich deposits of the Bulolo-Watut river system by large-scale mechanised mining.
The rigours and cost of the eight-day walk into the goldfields and the difficulty of building a road from the coast led to the early introduc¬tion of an aviation service.
The driving force behind the development of the goldfields was Cecil J Levien, a former Morobe district officer who has been described as a “rare and formidable combina¬tion of opportunist, practical man and visionary”.
Levien persuaded the directors of Guinea Gold NL that startling profits would be made by any aviation company that could provide a service to eliminate the arduous walk between Salamaua and Wau.
He secured an option on a small DH-37 plane in Melbourne and engaged a pilot, E A ‘Pard’ Mustar, to bring it to New Guinea.
He then selected Lae as the best place for the coastal airstrip and without bothering to obtain official permission, took on about 250 labourers to clear and level a landing ground under the supervision of Tommy Wright, the foreman of the agricultural station.
The construction of the airfield was perhaps the biggest enterprise ever undertaken at Lae and greatly perturbed the local villagers, who watched amazed as a vast area of bush was torn down and gardens were flattened.
They were in for further surprises when Mustar and his mechanic, AWD Mullins, flew in from Rabaul, where they had been assembling and testing the plane.
Their arrival brought the full power of Western technology home to the villagers with a shock.
The mastery of Europeans, previously seen in their goods and possessions, was now indisputable.
The old Lae airport has played a significant role in the history of the town, Papua New Guinea, and the whole world for that matter.
Mordern day Lae and PNG grew because of the airport
The greatest airlift the world had ever known started from Lae to the Bulolo goldfields in the 1930s.
World attention was focused on Lae in 1937, and continues to this day, when it was the last port of called for the famed American aviatrix Amelia Earhart before she disappeared somewhere over the deep-blue South Pacific ocean.
Lae airstrip was bombed out by the Japanese on January 21, 1942, however, recovered to become a major player in the development of post-war PNG.
The old Lae airport started losing its thunder in 1977 when Nadzab, an American World War 11 strip, became operational.
Fierce political squabbling over the pros and cons of Lae and Nadzab continued until 1982, when, in an unsolved mystery (just like Amelia Earhhart), the Lae airport terminal was burned down.
Nadzab had taken away its glory; however, Lae continued to be used by Air Niugini and other third-level airlines until 1987.
Lae continued to be used as the base for the PNG Defence Force Air Transport Squadron until it was transferred to Port Moresby in 1992.
After that, one of the greatest icons of PNG history was literally left to the dogs, and became covered by bushes.
It was only recently that the land was sub-divided for commercial purposes as well as given back to the traditional landowners.
Once bitten, twice shy, and the Ahi people don’t want to be shortchanged for the second time, surmises Jonathan Saing.
In the past 18 months, the face of the Old Lae Airport has changed dramatically, and in 2010 alone, over 700 containers of project cargo for the LNG plant were stored on the tarmac until ready for delivery to the Highlands.
 |
| Containers of project cargo for the LNG project at the Old Lae Airport |
Saing is growing old; however, his concern for his people of the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Yanga and Wagang is what drives him on.
He says the undeveloped lease land (UDL) at the Old Lae Airport has seen so much foul play and corruption among unscrupulous landowners, businesses and politicians.
“The UDL at the Old Lae Airport is a real mess,” Saing says.
“At the rate we are going, we Ahi people, traditional landowners of the Old Lae Airport, won’t have any footprints there.
“This is very worrying.
“I’m sad to say that our young children will be completely lost.
“I stand between the old and the young.
“I want our Ahi clan leaders to be strong and hold on to their land.
“I also want to uphold the wisdom of elders for the good of the young people.”
In March 2009, in a landmark decision, the Supreme Court approved an application for a stay order taken by Butibam and Kamkumung villagers against the Morobe provincial government and the State over development of the controversial Old Lae Airport land.
The court noted that the landowners had not been adequately compensated for all the anguish and turmoil they had gone through over the years.
It has long been a sore thumb in Lae as Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and his then administrator, Patilias Gamato, fought a war of words both within and out of court with the villagers.
In Early 2009, things came to a head at the Old Lae Airport when some Butibam women were manhandled and beaten by Lae police.
Village elders from Kamkumung and Butibam, at that time, hailed the Supreme Court decision as a huge victory for their people, whom they said had been robbed of their birthright.
This controversial piece of land has a long and colourful history behind it.
The discovery of gold at Edie Creek above Wau in 1926 sparked off a gold rush which led to the exploitation of the rich deposits of the Bulolo-Watut river system by large-scale mechanised mining.
 |
| Lae 1931-32. A Junkers G31 and a Junkers W34 are at centre of picture |
The driving force behind the development of the goldfields was Cecil J Levien, a former Morobe district officer who has been described as a “rare and formidable combina¬tion of opportunist, practical man and visionary”.
Levien persuaded the directors of Guinea Gold NL that startling profits would be made by any aviation company that could provide a service to eliminate the arduous walk between Salamaua and Wau.
He secured an option on a small DH-37 plane in Melbourne and engaged a pilot, E A ‘Pard’ Mustar, to bring it to New Guinea.
He then selected Lae as the best place for the coastal airstrip and without bothering to obtain official permission, took on about 250 labourers to clear and level a landing ground under the supervision of Tommy Wright, the foreman of the agricultural station.
The construction of the airfield was perhaps the biggest enterprise ever undertaken at Lae and greatly perturbed the local villagers, who watched amazed as a vast area of bush was torn down and gardens were flattened.
They were in for further surprises when Mustar and his mechanic, AWD Mullins, flew in from Rabaul, where they had been assembling and testing the plane.
Their arrival brought the full power of Western technology home to the villagers with a shock.
The mastery of Europeans, previously seen in their goods and possessions, was now indisputable.
The old Lae airport has played a significant role in the history of the town, Papua New Guinea, and the whole world for that matter.
Mordern day Lae and PNG grew because of the airport
The greatest airlift the world had ever known started from Lae to the Bulolo goldfields in the 1930s.
World attention was focused on Lae in 1937, and continues to this day, when it was the last port of called for the famed American aviatrix Amelia Earhart before she disappeared somewhere over the deep-blue South Pacific ocean.
 |
| Date with destiny...Amelia Earhart and her Lockheed Electra at Lae, Morobe province, before her flight into oblivion |
The old Lae airport started losing its thunder in 1977 when Nadzab, an American World War 11 strip, became operational.
Fierce political squabbling over the pros and cons of Lae and Nadzab continued until 1982, when, in an unsolved mystery (just like Amelia Earhhart), the Lae airport terminal was burned down.
Nadzab had taken away its glory; however, Lae continued to be used by Air Niugini and other third-level airlines until 1987.
 |
| The old Lae airport in its heyday in the 1970s |
After that, one of the greatest icons of PNG history was literally left to the dogs, and became covered by bushes.
It was only recently that the land was sub-divided for commercial purposes as well as given back to the traditional landowners.
Once bitten, twice shy, and the Ahi people don’t want to be shortchanged for the second time, surmises Jonathan Saing.
Gaming board gives K40,000 to Goroka Show
By MALUM NALU
The National Gaming Control Board is normally a giver in Papua New Guinea, however, today it became the receiver after giving K40,000 to help stage the 2011 Goroka Show next month.
Show committee chairman Gideon Samuel, who is the Air Niugini manager in Goroka, reciprocated with pottery products from Eastern Highlands Cultural Centre in Kainantu.
Samuel said it was a token of appreciation from his committee and all the people of Goroka and Eastern Highlands for the K40, 000.
Chief executive officer of NGCB, Simon Sanangke, said this would be the fourth year in succession for it to sponsor the Goroka Show.
“We need to promote our culture because we are one of the few remaining countries whose cultures are still alive,” he said.
“Goroka has always been a priority as we felt that they were doing the right thing in terms of developing and promoting our culture.
“This is an asset and has big, big potential in this country.
“I’m sure we can get more tourists if we do the right thing.”
Sanangke said NGCB had been supporting shows and expos all over the country, including K40, 000 each to Enga, Mt Hagen and Goroka shows this year.
Samuel said the K40, 000 was an increase of K20, 000 from last year’s sponsorship.
“The Goroka Show is a national icon,” he said.
“This sponsorship will go a long way towards ensuring that out culture is passed on to the next generation.
“One of the highlights of this year’s show will be a Pikinini Cultural Show on the first day.
“The NGCB is the biggest sponsor to date and we will ensure that you get a full financial report, which is vital in maintaining our relationship.”
The 2011 Goroka Show will be held at the National Sports Institute over independence long weekend from Sept 16-18, with this year’s to be the 54th show.
The National Gaming Control Board is normally a giver in Papua New Guinea, however, today it became the receiver after giving K40,000 to help stage the 2011 Goroka Show next month.
Show committee chairman Gideon Samuel, who is the Air Niugini manager in Goroka, reciprocated with pottery products from Eastern Highlands Cultural Centre in Kainantu.
 |
| Goroka Show chairman Gideon Samuel (right) presents pottery products to National Gaming Control Board CEO Simon Sanangke in appreciation for K40,000 sponsorship of this year’s show |
Chief executive officer of NGCB, Simon Sanangke, said this would be the fourth year in succession for it to sponsor the Goroka Show.
“We need to promote our culture because we are one of the few remaining countries whose cultures are still alive,” he said.
“Goroka has always been a priority as we felt that they were doing the right thing in terms of developing and promoting our culture.
“This is an asset and has big, big potential in this country.
“I’m sure we can get more tourists if we do the right thing.”
Sanangke said NGCB had been supporting shows and expos all over the country, including K40, 000 each to Enga, Mt Hagen and Goroka shows this year.
Samuel said the K40, 000 was an increase of K20, 000 from last year’s sponsorship.
 |
| National Gaming Control Board CEO Simon Sanangke (left) presents K40,000 to Goroka Show chairman Gideon Samuel |
“This sponsorship will go a long way towards ensuring that out culture is passed on to the next generation.
“One of the highlights of this year’s show will be a Pikinini Cultural Show on the first day.
“The NGCB is the biggest sponsor to date and we will ensure that you get a full financial report, which is vital in maintaining our relationship.”
The 2011 Goroka Show will be held at the National Sports Institute over independence long weekend from Sept 16-18, with this year’s to be the 54th show.
LLG president charged with fraud
A LOCAL level government president in East New Britain has been committed to stand trial in the Kokopo National Court on charges of misappropriation and false pretence of about K83,000, The National reports.
Toma-Vunadidir president Henry Ningo, 55, of Rabagi village was charged by police with two counts of false pretence and a count of misappropriation.
Magistrate Samuel Lavutul found that there was sufficient evidence to commit Ningo.
Police alleged that on April 29, 2002, the National Gaming Board made a cheque payment for K83,730 to theToBarip United church and that Ningo falsely represented the church and made a submission to the NGCB's community development programme for funding.
Satisfied that the application had met requirements, the NGCB released the cheque on April 29.
Ningo allegedly did not make an attempt to inform the elders of the church and told them on Aug 15 that if he used the church's account to do his transaction, he would made an undertaking to give K10,000 to the church.
Based on that undertaking, the signatories to the church's account signed the deposit and withdrawal forms and handed over the passbook to Ningo.
He deposited the cheque that same day and it was cleared a few days later when he withdrew K83,598 from the church's account.
Ningo was committed to stand trial on a date to be fixed by the National Court registry.
Toma-Vunadidir president Henry Ningo, 55, of Rabagi village was charged by police with two counts of false pretence and a count of misappropriation.
Magistrate Samuel Lavutul found that there was sufficient evidence to commit Ningo.
Police alleged that on April 29, 2002, the National Gaming Board made a cheque payment for K83,730 to theToBarip United church and that Ningo falsely represented the church and made a submission to the NGCB's community development programme for funding.
Satisfied that the application had met requirements, the NGCB released the cheque on April 29.
Ningo allegedly did not make an attempt to inform the elders of the church and told them on Aug 15 that if he used the church's account to do his transaction, he would made an undertaking to give K10,000 to the church.
Based on that undertaking, the signatories to the church's account signed the deposit and withdrawal forms and handed over the passbook to Ningo.
He deposited the cheque that same day and it was cleared a few days later when he withdrew K83,598 from the church's account.
Ningo was committed to stand trial on a date to be fixed by the National Court registry.
K700m allocated for free education
By GABRIEL LAHOC
THE O'Neill-Namah government has already put aside K700 million for free education in a separate trust account for the 2012 academic year, Education Minister Theodore Zurenuoc told a crowd in his native Finschhafen last Friday, The National reports.
Zurenuoc announced this to the delight of the people, especially parents and students.
The amount is K100 million more than that which was announced by the former government.
The money is expected to be included in the 2012 budget as it is not budgeted for this year.
He announced that the funding of K4 million for major projects in Finschhafen was already approved and awaiting construction to start.
"The free education fund will be released in early January to all schools," he told the people.
This will alleviate fears expressed by the Catholic Education agency earlier that past administrations have been not delivering education subsidies on time to schools throughout the country.
"Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has assured me that we have the money to pay for the school fees of the children of PNG.
"Parents, you will not pay any school fees next year," he said.
He said this development meant that parents nationwide would save K700 million.
Zurenuoc also announced funding for the district's agriculture programme and road upgrading programme worth K1 million each.
The isolated Pindiu High School in the Hube local level government will undergo a massive facelift with a K3 million funding that has been approved.
The upgrading of Pindiu will be one of the biggest developments to be undertaken in the district because the school is in dire need to upgrade its facilities.
The much needed projects had been prioritised by the joint district planning and budget priority committee after he and his
administration officers visited more than 90% of the communities in the district early this year.
THE O'Neill-Namah government has already put aside K700 million for free education in a separate trust account for the 2012 academic year, Education Minister Theodore Zurenuoc told a crowd in his native Finschhafen last Friday, The National reports.
Zurenuoc announced this to the delight of the people, especially parents and students.
The amount is K100 million more than that which was announced by the former government.
The money is expected to be included in the 2012 budget as it is not budgeted for this year.
He announced that the funding of K4 million for major projects in Finschhafen was already approved and awaiting construction to start.
"The free education fund will be released in early January to all schools," he told the people.
This will alleviate fears expressed by the Catholic Education agency earlier that past administrations have been not delivering education subsidies on time to schools throughout the country.
"Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has assured me that we have the money to pay for the school fees of the children of PNG.
"Parents, you will not pay any school fees next year," he said.
He said this development meant that parents nationwide would save K700 million.
Zurenuoc also announced funding for the district's agriculture programme and road upgrading programme worth K1 million each.
The isolated Pindiu High School in the Hube local level government will undergo a massive facelift with a K3 million funding that has been approved.
The upgrading of Pindiu will be one of the biggest developments to be undertaken in the district because the school is in dire need to upgrade its facilities.
The much needed projects had been prioritised by the joint district planning and budget priority committee after he and his
administration officers visited more than 90% of the communities in the district early this year.
Agiru: O’Neill did not follow process
SOUTHERN Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru said on Monday that Mendi town was under siege because of rushed decisions by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to reinstate William Powi as administrator, The National reports.
He accused the PM of not following due processes.
Agiru said there was no vacancy in the office of the administrator after Powi's expired.
He said Lawrence Olkoben was appointed by the NEC after all due processes were followed.
He said Southern Highlands had been a no-go zone and that he had restored normalcy in the province in the past four years.
"No action in Waigani or wherever should put off course the Southern Highlands," Agiru said.
Agiru said Southern Highlands was host to the LNG project and these were critical times.
"Gas in the province is still under my feet while Mendi town is under seige by youths."
Agiru said at no stage was he contacted by this government on what was going on in his province.
"The greatest theft of power happened when the Grand Chief's government was illegally removed.
"We have traditional customs, values that we must uphold including respect for the elderly and the sick," he said, adding the seven MPs from the province were still with Sir Michael's government.
He accused the PM of not following due processes.
Agiru said there was no vacancy in the office of the administrator after Powi's expired.
He said Lawrence Olkoben was appointed by the NEC after all due processes were followed.
He said Southern Highlands had been a no-go zone and that he had restored normalcy in the province in the past four years.
"No action in Waigani or wherever should put off course the Southern Highlands," Agiru said.
Agiru said Southern Highlands was host to the LNG project and these were critical times.
"Gas in the province is still under my feet while Mendi town is under seige by youths."
Agiru said at no stage was he contacted by this government on what was going on in his province.
"The greatest theft of power happened when the Grand Chief's government was illegally removed.
"We have traditional customs, values that we must uphold including respect for the elderly and the sick," he said, adding the seven MPs from the province were still with Sir Michael's government.
Police took sides in Mendi, locals claim
MOBILE squad 9 from Tari in the Hela region is now in charge of security at the 7-storey Agiru Centre in Mendi town, Southern Highlands, The National reports.
The armed policemen were called in after Mendi police personnel were allegedly taking sides in the clash involving the supporters of two acting provincial administrators – William Powi and Lawrence Olkoben – on Monday.
Some members of the provincial executive council told The National yesterday from Mendi that they would lodge a formal complaint with the Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie.
The PEC members alleged that instead of acting neutrally, police allegedly sided with one faction and fired several shots at the other.
Council president for Nipa-Basin and chairman for LLG and district affairs David Navur said they kept some empty shells fired by police.
Navur, who claimed to speak on behalf of other PEC members in the province like Andrew Kit, chairman of law and order, Joe Kunukun (chairman Works and Transport), Benny Putari (chairman education) and Ailo Arapa (chairman Community Service) said the incident happened in front of the people and they were in a process of compiling statements from the witnesses.
He said it was a serious matter and they would take it up with the appropriate authority for disciplinary actions and also sue the state in court for damages.
Navur claimed that two men seriously injured from bullet wounds were taken to Mt Hagen General Hospital on Monday afternoon.
He said nine other people who received bullet pellets were treated at the Mendi General Hospital on Monday and discharged.
He said those injured were with Olkoben.
Navur was not sure how many people from other side were injured.
He said more than 30 other people sustained minor injuries from missiles exchanged between the supporters.
Meanwhile, he said both Powi and Olkoben didn't enter the Agiru Centre yesterday and police from Tari were protecting it.
Provincial police commander Teddy Tei could not be reached for comments.
The armed policemen were called in after Mendi police personnel were allegedly taking sides in the clash involving the supporters of two acting provincial administrators – William Powi and Lawrence Olkoben – on Monday.
Some members of the provincial executive council told The National yesterday from Mendi that they would lodge a formal complaint with the Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie.
The PEC members alleged that instead of acting neutrally, police allegedly sided with one faction and fired several shots at the other.
Council president for Nipa-Basin and chairman for LLG and district affairs David Navur said they kept some empty shells fired by police.
Navur, who claimed to speak on behalf of other PEC members in the province like Andrew Kit, chairman of law and order, Joe Kunukun (chairman Works and Transport), Benny Putari (chairman education) and Ailo Arapa (chairman Community Service) said the incident happened in front of the people and they were in a process of compiling statements from the witnesses.
He said it was a serious matter and they would take it up with the appropriate authority for disciplinary actions and also sue the state in court for damages.
Navur claimed that two men seriously injured from bullet wounds were taken to Mt Hagen General Hospital on Monday afternoon.
He said nine other people who received bullet pellets were treated at the Mendi General Hospital on Monday and discharged.
He said those injured were with Olkoben.
Navur was not sure how many people from other side were injured.
He said more than 30 other people sustained minor injuries from missiles exchanged between the supporters.
Meanwhile, he said both Powi and Olkoben didn't enter the Agiru Centre yesterday and police from Tari were protecting it.
Provincial police commander Teddy Tei could not be reached for comments.
Chimbu eliminations begin
By ZACHERY PER
A TOTAL of 51,643 ballots allowed in the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election count remain "alive" among the 27 surviving candidates after early eliminations yesterday, The National reports.
According to the progressive count posted on the board at the end of 16th elimination there were 74 ballots exhausted.
Kundiawa-Gembogl Returning Officer James Piapia expects more ballots to be exhausted towards the end of today and tomorrow as second and third preferences for eliminated candidates surface.
As Piapia suspended counts last night 16 candidates had been eliminated leaving 27 candidates still in the race.
The elimination continues today with candidates who have the least number of votes to be the next to be forced out of the race.
Candidates eliminated from the race as of the 16th elimination were Christina Num Nulai, William Gumane, John Brown, Philip Gena Kimagl, Maima Gull, Susan Dua Dingi, Peter Baka, Willie Drua, Toby Gende Abraham, Timon Wena, Loko Kal Ongatnem, Paul Gandi Dekemba, Joe Merimba, Tangil Iambakey Okuk, Peter Kuglo Peter and Paul Gegasunga Gags.
When their preferences were distributed, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's Peoples National Congress Party candidate Peter Waieng maintained his lead with 6¸932 votes. Veteran politician and former Minister Mathew Siune is on 5, 117 votes while Constitutional Democratic candidate Tobias Kulang is on 4,379 votes and former MP Wagi Merimba is on 3,814. People's Party candidate Paul Gende is running fifth with 3,725 votes.
A winner is expected to be declared by tomorrow or Friday before the writs are returned to the governor-general by Aug 26
A TOTAL of 51,643 ballots allowed in the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election count remain "alive" among the 27 surviving candidates after early eliminations yesterday, The National reports.
According to the progressive count posted on the board at the end of 16th elimination there were 74 ballots exhausted.
Kundiawa-Gembogl Returning Officer James Piapia expects more ballots to be exhausted towards the end of today and tomorrow as second and third preferences for eliminated candidates surface.
As Piapia suspended counts last night 16 candidates had been eliminated leaving 27 candidates still in the race.
The elimination continues today with candidates who have the least number of votes to be the next to be forced out of the race.
Candidates eliminated from the race as of the 16th elimination were Christina Num Nulai, William Gumane, John Brown, Philip Gena Kimagl, Maima Gull, Susan Dua Dingi, Peter Baka, Willie Drua, Toby Gende Abraham, Timon Wena, Loko Kal Ongatnem, Paul Gandi Dekemba, Joe Merimba, Tangil Iambakey Okuk, Peter Kuglo Peter and Paul Gegasunga Gags.
When their preferences were distributed, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's Peoples National Congress Party candidate Peter Waieng maintained his lead with 6¸932 votes. Veteran politician and former Minister Mathew Siune is on 5, 117 votes while Constitutional Democratic candidate Tobias Kulang is on 4,379 votes and former MP Wagi Merimba is on 3,814. People's Party candidate Paul Gende is running fifth with 3,725 votes.
A winner is expected to be declared by tomorrow or Friday before the writs are returned to the governor-general by Aug 26
National Planning plans visits to LLGs
By ALISON ANIS
THE Department of National Planning and Monitoring is carrying out a consultative programme targeting all local level governments (LLG), Minister Sam Basil says, The National reports.
Basil yesterday announced the consultations process would begin on Monday in Alotau, Milne Bay.
"This is the first time we will be consulting with the LLG managers in all four regions to see how we can work with them to improve service delivery and basic infrastructure," he said at a media briefing at Vulupindi Haus.
Basil said district and provincial administrators were invited to join the meetings planned for this month but the key people during consultations would be LLG councillors and managers.
"These are the people who truly represent the grassroots and people of the country," he said.
"We believe that all LLGs and districts in PNG must have the resources and must be empowered to look after themselves," Basil said.
He said his team would be visiting Kokopo, East New Britain, on Aug 24-25 to talk to LLG managers from the Islands region, including the Bougainville Autonomous Region.
Basil said on Aug 26, the department would meet with Highlands LLG heads in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.
Consultations with the Momase group would be held in Madang on Aug 29.
Basil said the aim was to bring tangible development at LLG level and see improvement of services delivery to the people.
"One way to do that is through public-private partnership (PPP) with government agencies, business houses and other credible organisations to see that rural people have direct access to services such as transport, electricity, communications and technology such as provided through the installation of VSat."
Basil said it was the dream of the new government to see that people had access to health, education and that the overall social welfare was improved.
THE Department of National Planning and Monitoring is carrying out a consultative programme targeting all local level governments (LLG), Minister Sam Basil says, The National reports.
Basil yesterday announced the consultations process would begin on Monday in Alotau, Milne Bay.
"This is the first time we will be consulting with the LLG managers in all four regions to see how we can work with them to improve service delivery and basic infrastructure," he said at a media briefing at Vulupindi Haus.
Basil said district and provincial administrators were invited to join the meetings planned for this month but the key people during consultations would be LLG councillors and managers.
"These are the people who truly represent the grassroots and people of the country," he said.
"We believe that all LLGs and districts in PNG must have the resources and must be empowered to look after themselves," Basil said.
He said his team would be visiting Kokopo, East New Britain, on Aug 24-25 to talk to LLG managers from the Islands region, including the Bougainville Autonomous Region.
Basil said on Aug 26, the department would meet with Highlands LLG heads in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.
Consultations with the Momase group would be held in Madang on Aug 29.
Basil said the aim was to bring tangible development at LLG level and see improvement of services delivery to the people.
"One way to do that is through public-private partnership (PPP) with government agencies, business houses and other credible organisations to see that rural people have direct access to services such as transport, electricity, communications and technology such as provided through the installation of VSat."
Basil said it was the dream of the new government to see that people had access to health, education and that the overall social welfare was improved.
State’s lawyer keeps plans ‘confidential’
By SAMUEL RAITANO
LAWYERS representing the state will not disclose how the attorney-general will serve a copy of the amended Supreme Court reference by the East Sepik provincial government to Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, The National reports.
Lawyer Greg Shepard, of Young and Williams Lawyers, is representing Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat.
Shepard said disclosure of such information, though in this case was of public interest, would touch on lawyer-client confidentiality.
When asked what would happen if nobody was allowed to visit Sir Michael, he said the court would direct them on that matter.
Marat yesterday said he and his lawyers would ensure Monday's Supreme Court directions to serve court documents on East Sepik regional MP Sir Michael and four other interveners would be executed.
"It was a Supreme Court direction and it will be done between now and next Tuesday," Marat said.
He said that it would be done as soon as the sealed court directions were received by his lawyers.
The Supreme Court had on Monday ruled that the deadline for the service of documents to concerned parties should be by the end of business on Friday.
The court had ordered that the attorney-general served the documents on allthose who were interested to join. On Monday, seven interested parties were named. The court ruled that any other party interested to join should do so by tomorrow.
Sir Michael, who is sick and under medical care in a hospital in Singapore, would have to be served the reference.
Sir Michael is East Sepik regional MP. It was his post that was allegedly stripped triggering the special reference.
Sources at the attorney-general's office said certain personnel could be sent to Singapore today to serve the reference.
It was understood that even if Sir Michael was not well to study the reference, he would have to appoint a lawyer on his behalf to do it for him, and evidence should be provided of that.
Marat said lawyers would fly to Singapore if that was what it took to serve the court documents
LAWYERS representing the state will not disclose how the attorney-general will serve a copy of the amended Supreme Court reference by the East Sepik provincial government to Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, The National reports.
Lawyer Greg Shepard, of Young and Williams Lawyers, is representing Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat.
Shepard said disclosure of such information, though in this case was of public interest, would touch on lawyer-client confidentiality.
When asked what would happen if nobody was allowed to visit Sir Michael, he said the court would direct them on that matter.
Marat yesterday said he and his lawyers would ensure Monday's Supreme Court directions to serve court documents on East Sepik regional MP Sir Michael and four other interveners would be executed.
"It was a Supreme Court direction and it will be done between now and next Tuesday," Marat said.
He said that it would be done as soon as the sealed court directions were received by his lawyers.
The Supreme Court had on Monday ruled that the deadline for the service of documents to concerned parties should be by the end of business on Friday.
The court had ordered that the attorney-general served the documents on allthose who were interested to join. On Monday, seven interested parties were named. The court ruled that any other party interested to join should do so by tomorrow.
Sir Michael, who is sick and under medical care in a hospital in Singapore, would have to be served the reference.
Sir Michael is East Sepik regional MP. It was his post that was allegedly stripped triggering the special reference.
Sources at the attorney-general's office said certain personnel could be sent to Singapore today to serve the reference.
It was understood that even if Sir Michael was not well to study the reference, he would have to appoint a lawyer on his behalf to do it for him, and evidence should be provided of that.
Marat said lawyers would fly to Singapore if that was what it took to serve the court documents
Corrupt 7 jailed in Southern Highlands
SEVEN people, including a woman, who held leadership positions in the provincial and local level governments in Southern Highlands, have been jailed for misusing public funds totalling more than K300,000, The National reports.
Three others, including former sports minister and Nipa-Kutubu MP Philemon Embel, are either awaiting sentences or still being investigated for misusing more or the same amount of money.
National Anti-Corruption Alliance chairman and Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie said yesterday that the seven were jailed as a result of successful investigations carried out by the alliance and police.
"So far, for Southern Highlands, there have been seven convictions, one acquittal, and two cases pending National Court decisions," Wagambie said.
He said among those convicted was former Ialibu district administrator Francis Ipuke, who was jailed for four years for misappropriating K212,000 belonging to the Ialibu Urban LG.
Wagambie said Rachel Okpio, president of the SHP Women's Council, was jailed for four years for misappropriating K50,000 belonging to the council.
Wagambie said other people who were convicted were:
He said Yoke was remanded at the Bomana prison.
He said bail had been extended to Daniel Undialu, district treasurer for Koroba-Lake Kopiago, who was alleged to have misappropriated district treasury funds totalling K94,000.
He said Embel was accused of misappropriating K165,000 of a church grant and was committed to trial but had appealed through a judicial review which was pending before the courts.
Wagambie said "massive fraud" complaints against the Department of National Planning would be investigated.
"NACA, in a bid to stop corruption, will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who have corruptly taken and used money belonging to the people of PNG," he said.
He expressed satisfaction with the work of NACA and said more was needed to be done in the fight against corruption.
He said the organisation had already undertaken a number of other investigations into the Southern Highlands, Gulf, and East Sepik provinces as well as the Nimamar LLG in Lihir, New Ireland.
He said NACA was made up of 10 government organisations including police, Ombudsman Commission and the departments of provincial affairs, treasury and personnel management, offices of the auditor-general, solicitor-general, public prosecutor, Internal Revenue Commission and PNG Customs.
Three others, including former sports minister and Nipa-Kutubu MP Philemon Embel, are either awaiting sentences or still being investigated for misusing more or the same amount of money.
National Anti-Corruption Alliance chairman and Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie said yesterday that the seven were jailed as a result of successful investigations carried out by the alliance and police.
"So far, for Southern Highlands, there have been seven convictions, one acquittal, and two cases pending National Court decisions," Wagambie said.
He said among those convicted was former Ialibu district administrator Francis Ipuke, who was jailed for four years for misappropriating K212,000 belonging to the Ialibu Urban LG.
Wagambie said Rachel Okpio, president of the SHP Women's Council, was jailed for four years for misappropriating K50,000 belonging to the council.
Wagambie said other people who were convicted were:
- Councillor Andrew Mambea, president of the Kuare LLG, Kagua, who was sentenced to five years jail for misappropriating K8,700 being allowances for Village Court officials;
- Pisa Solo, LLG clerk for Lai, who was sentenced to three years for misappropriating K20,000 LLG grants;
- Andrew Epei, Ialibu town council manager, who was sentenced to four years for misappropriating K212,000, belonging to the Ialibu Urban LG; and
- Andrew Mambea, council president Kuare LLG, Kagua, who was sentenced to four years jail for misappropriating K10,000.
He said Yoke was remanded at the Bomana prison.
He said bail had been extended to Daniel Undialu, district treasurer for Koroba-Lake Kopiago, who was alleged to have misappropriated district treasury funds totalling K94,000.
He said Embel was accused of misappropriating K165,000 of a church grant and was committed to trial but had appealed through a judicial review which was pending before the courts.
Wagambie said "massive fraud" complaints against the Department of National Planning would be investigated.
"NACA, in a bid to stop corruption, will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who have corruptly taken and used money belonging to the people of PNG," he said.
He expressed satisfaction with the work of NACA and said more was needed to be done in the fight against corruption.
He said the organisation had already undertaken a number of other investigations into the Southern Highlands, Gulf, and East Sepik provinces as well as the Nimamar LLG in Lihir, New Ireland.
He said NACA was made up of 10 government organisations including police, Ombudsman Commission and the departments of provincial affairs, treasury and personnel management, offices of the auditor-general, solicitor-general, public prosecutor, Internal Revenue Commission and PNG Customs.
InterOil records US$23.5m net profit for Q2
INTEROIL Corp last Friday posted a consolidated net profit of US$23.5 million in the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, The National reports.
This compares with a net profit of US$7.8 million for the same period last year, an improvement of US$15.7 million.
The operating segments of corporate, midstream refining and downstream collectively returned a net profit for the quarter of US$34.5 million.
The development segments of upstream and midstream liquefaction yielded a net loss of US$11 million.
This movement was mainly due to higher foreign exchange gains realised on the strengthening of the kina against the US dollar from 0.3895 at the start of the second quarter of this year and ending the quarter at 0.4350, the gains realised on shares acquired as an investment interest in Flex LNG.
InterOil's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation for the quarter was a gain of US$39 million, compared with a gain of US$14.9 million for the same period last year, an increase of US$24.1 million.
Total revenue increased by US$78.5 million from US$225.3 million last year to US$303.8 million for the second quarter this year.
In the quarter, InterOil and Pacific LNG Operations Ltd entered into framework agreements with Samsung Heavy Industries and Flex LNG Ltd, conditional upon a final investment decision relating to the construction and operation of a 1.8 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) floating natural gas liquefaction processing vessel.
The project was intended to be integrated with and augment proposed infrastructure to liquefy natural gas from the onshore Elk and Antelope fields in the Gulf province.
The onshore liquefaction facility was being pursued with Energy World Corp. and Mitsui and Co Ltd.
Subsequent to the quarter end, InterOil announced on Aug 2 the signing of a heads of agreement with Noble Clean Fuels Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble Group Ltd, which was to form the basis for negotiation of a binding, definitive agreement for the supply to Noble of 1.0mtpa of LNG from InterOil's proposed Gulf LNG project in Papua New Guinea.
InterOil chief executive officer Phil Mulacek said: "In addition to continuing to pre-invest in the Gulf LNG project in advance of FID, InterOil achieved another milestone in advancing our development project with the recent execution of a HOA with Noble Group.
"Noble has a proven track record of providing long-term fuel supply to major utilities across Japan, South Korea and China and is a good fit with InterOil's strategy of expanding LNG markets," he said.
He said the addition of Sir Rabbie Namaliu, former Prime Minister and former Petroleum and Energy minister to InterOil's PNG advisory board should assist InterOil in discussions with government departments in developing the Gulf LNG Project.
"Furthermore, we have advanced our understanding of the structure of the Triceratops/Bwata structure, having recently completed the acquisition of three of the four additional seismic lines over the field, and are now preparing to drill the Triceratops 2 well," he said.
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