Settlement children mark international day

By ANCILLA WRAKUALE and GRACE AUKA (UPNG journalism students)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Speaker Nape summoned

Court appearance tomorrow over alleged breaches on July 20

 

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“He is not above the constitution.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nape could not be reached for comments last night.

 

Former bureaucrat queries nil dividends

By PATRICK TALU

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Natural disasters and emergencies miss out on budget

By PATRICK TALU

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

K9.3b budget handed down

Strong economic growth forecast

 

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

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

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

The budget highlights were:

* Balanced budget for 2010 and 2011;

* Strong economic growth in 2010 and 2011;

* High price of good and services worry;

* No new direct or indirect taxes;

* Tax on locally-brewed liquor;

* Wage adjustment for public servants;

* Threshold increase for first-time home buyers;

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

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

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

 

 

Education biggest winner

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

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

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

The break-up showed:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

K687.5m for law and order, justice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Budget all set

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The most significant aspects of the MTDP included:

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

3 attacks on Hickey as 146 houses torched

By JAYNE SAFIHAO

 

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

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

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

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

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

“We were nearly killed.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Kidu reminds MPs of reserved seats bill

By JUNIOR UKAHA

 

LONE woman politician and government minister Dame Carol Kidu is optimistic that parliament will pass the proposed Equality and Participation Bill to enact 22 reserved seats for women by an elective process, The National reports.

Dame Carol, who holds the community development portfolio, has been outspoken on women and children issues since entering politics. Among her main agendas had been women’s voice and representation in parliament.

“The prime minister has assured me that the matter will be entertained in parliament,” Dame Carol said yesterday.

In a media statement last Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare committed the government to tabling the proposed bill.

He said the bill was now on the notice paper of the parliamentary business and “the government will discuss it come Nov 16”.

“The government will elaborate on the proposed legislation during the coming parliament session to ensure women have a fair representation in the highest decision-making process,” Sir Michael said.

In reaffirming his ongoing commitment to PNG women, the prime minister also assured visiting US state secretary Hillary Clinton of “the government’s unwavering support to ensure women have a voice at the highest level”.

Dame Carol said women from as far as East New Britain and Manus had rang her and rallied their support for the government to allocate the proposed 22 seats for women in parliament.

The bill is expected to go before parliament this week.

However, it was understood that the supplementary and 2011 budgets would take precedence.

 

 

Australian youth envoy raped in Madang

By JAYNE SAFIHAO

 

AN Australian youth ambassador on a surfing break in Madang was raped at the weekend, The National reports.

The victim was with three other Australians who had travelled to Madang’s North Coast Road looking for surfing spots last Saturday.

Police said the four were carjacked, robbed and then taken to a secluded spot where they were bound to trees and the female raped.

The criminals then used the victims’ car and stole two other cars.

Police said the incident took place near the Bunabun Health Centre at Ivoro village.

According to reports, the four Australians had stopped at Bunabun to drop off their surf boards when they were set upon by four men armed with two guns, a pistol and a dagger.

The four were forced into their vehicle and stripped of all valuables including mobile phones and driven to a secluded area where they tied the other three and took off with the female hostage.

The three, who were tied up, freed themselves and proceeded on foot to Midibar where they used a phone to alert police.

Condemning the attack, Australian High Commission official John Poultar said the youths were in the country under the youth ambassador programme and it was a sad experience when they were out to enjoy a weekend.

“It is about developing a relationship as volunteers in their host country under this AusAID programme,” he said.

In-country programme manageress Julie Bengi had voiced her concern, saying that the project was supporting organisations in a significant way and this incident had created a negative impact.

According to police, three suspects had been apprehended and were in police custody.

Police are looking for another suspect.

Provincial police commander Anthony Wagambie Jnr could not be reached for comments.

Sir Mekere: Somare running scared

Opposition Leader Sir Mekere Morauta said today that the Somare Government is very scared of losing power. 

“It is clearly doing everything it can to make sure that the Opposition’s planned motion of no-confidence is killed,” he said.

“A band of royal visits to Cairns using the aerial PMV (Falcon Jet)which cost the public K130 million to buy – Somare is yet to disclose the operational costs of his PMV – has been going on over the last two weeks to court the Speaker.

“The visits were led by Father Somare and concluded by Son Somare.”

The Opposition Leader said that he was sure the Speaker was fully aware of his duty and obligation under the Constitution to process the motion and let the people’s representatives decide by voting, democratically, as provided for in PNG’s laws.

“I urge the Speaker to withstand the onslaught of rogues who are asking him to disobey the Constitution.”

Sir Mekere has called on Members of Parliament in the current Government ranks and the public to speak out and urge the Speaker to allow the motion to be tabled.

“The Opposition intends to re-submit the motion on Tuesday and expects the Speaker to table it and to adjourn Parliament for a week,” he said.

“PNG Party will lead the march to oust this evil arrogant Government.”

Authorised for Release by:

Mekere Morauta KCMG MP                              

Leader of the Opposition and                                           

Member for Moresby North-West 

Why do we put up with this?

From PAUL OATES

"Why do we put up with this?"
Statement by Sir Mekere Morauta KCMG MP, Leader of the Opposition and Member for Moresby North-West, Sunday 14 November, referring to the actions of current PNG's Prime Minister.
So will a 'No Confidence' motion be allowed to be debated by the Speaker and voted on and if so, will it succeed?
The answer should not be long in forthcoming when this week's expected reconvening of Parliament takes place.
But what if there is yet another adjournment of Parliamentary rule?
What can the PNG Opposition do if the successful muzzling tactics of the Somare government over last two years are repeated yet again?
If the freely-elected representatives of the PNG people are again prevented from meeting and deliberating about where their country is heading, why not meet elsewhere?
If the Speaker's Mace is not available, does that automatically remove the right of elected members to meet? Does the absence of a Mace automatically silence the voices of those who need to speak?
If prevented from speaking in Parliament, those PNG elected representatives of the people should merely hire a public hall and conduct their deliberations in full view of the public.
If a hall is not available, hire a sports oval and invite all the people along.
Members have been elected by their voters to do just this, irrespective of whether the debates are held in Parliament House or not. T
he media should be invited to record all that goes on and what is said and by whom.
Is not Papua New Guinea still a free country?
"Wake up Papua New Guinean elected representatives!"

Marching for justice

 Residents in Wabag town, Enga, took to the streets last Friday to demand that resident court judge, Justice Graham Ellis, remain in the province. Public servants also joined the peaceful march, led by women’s groups, who made their views known in a six-page petition signed by 250 people and presented to National Court officials in Wabag. The march stemmed from reports that Ellis’ two-year term was up and he was leaving Enga. The petitioners claimed they saw “true justice without fear or favour” with the arrival of Ellis and wanted him to stay on.– Nationalpic by JAMES APA GUMUNO

Much at stake in ouster bid

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

THE coalition government is confident of beating a looming vote of no-confidence mooted by the opposition during this session of parliament, The National reports.

The government is so confident that both Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and his deputy Don Polye are out of the country attending to international commitments while the opposition is busy lobbying for numbers to move the vote this week.

Sir Michael and Polye will return today for the budget session tomorrow and facing a possible vote this week.

However, sources claimed that the government, in a move to avoid the vote, would adjourn parliament straight after Treasury and Finance Minister Peter O’Neill hands down his first supplementary and 2011 budgets and return for the opposition reply a week later.

The opposition had claimed that a notice paper on the vote had been given to Speaker Jeffrey Nape, and it was incumbent on Nape to carry out his duties with fairness and impartiality.

The deputy prime minister said in a media briefing, before leaving for Japan at the weekend, that the vote of no-confidence would do more harm than good for the country.

Polye said it was in the country’s interest that the current coalition remained in office until 2012.

Good government policies like the district service improvement programme, treasury roll-out, rural electrification and the transport infrastructure programme under the ADB multi-tranche finance facility were some projects most likely to be affected with a change of government.

Polye said a change would create confusion and uncertainty in the current healthy investment climate.

Of biggest concern was a change would affect the positive growth in foreign investment which, he claimed, was the result of favourable economic conditions created by government.

“A change now will make vulnerable the level of focus and certainty that the private sector has in the economy.

“We cannot afford to jeopardise mega projects that the government has brought on board, particularly in the gas and mineral sectors.”

He also said not much would be achieve by a new government, given the time remaining before the next elections in 2012.

Polye said experience had shown that, in PNG, a new government required at least three years to settle in office before getting on in its prime business of implementing its policies, programmes and strategies.

He said it would require another two years for effective and proper implementation, hence a full five years to effectively deliver.

“Any new government formed now will not achieve much for the people, given that only 12 months remain before the general elections.”

He also dismissed reports that there was a split within the ruling National Alliance party, although there appeared to be some cracks over the leadership issues of New Guinea Islands and Southern regions, when pledging the NA Highlands bloc’s loyalty and support for the government.

NA chief rejects Namah's plans

NATIONAL Alliance party president Simon Kaiwi has condemned the desperate moves that continue to be made by PNG Party leader Belden Namah and his opposition cohorts in their attempts to topple a legitimately elected government, The National reports.

“They have used the Supreme Court’s recent rejection of parts of the Integrity Law on Political Parties and Candidates to create the kind of political instability that brought this nation’s economy to a state of near collapse.”

Kaiwi said the guarantee of political stability, since the enactment of these laws, had laid the foundation for the unprecedented nine consecutive years of solid economic growth and resulted in the biggest boost in jobs’ creation ever seen in PNG’s history.

“Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta, the architect of these laws, has sold his soul to those who want to destroy the letter and spirit of this legislation by resorting to any means, fair or foul, to topple this government.

“Unable to find enough support within the ranks of the opposition parties in their desperate grab for power, they have enticed former members of the National Alliance to join their cause in an unholy alliance and some political careers may have been ruined in the process,” Kaiwi said.

“When that move failed, they came up with unsubstantiated claims by a long-time anti-government campaigner, who has caused public chaos by constantly pursuing mass protests, to try and topple the NA-led government.”

Kaiwi said NA had never tried to maintain the government was perfect, but it had created a situation where the population generally could look forward to a future that is brighter than one could have imagined at any time since independence.

“This message will be loud and clear in this week’s national budget.

“The coalition government has firm plans in place to ensure steady improvements are made in the delivery of public services to people throughout the nation.

“Not so long ago, we were totally dependent on aid donors for our development budget. This is no longer the case.

“We have a vibrant economy that is growing strongly despite the ongoing problems in the international arena, sparked off by the 2008 global financial crisis.”

ExxonMobil assured sites are safe

By ELIZABETH MIAE

ACTING police commissioner Tony Wagambie has assured the PNG LNG project developer ExxonMobil that there is no threat to the security of the operations at the project sites, The National reports.

Wagambie gave the assurance yesterday after ExxonMobil expressed concerns that recent changes made by the government to the police hierarchy would see the withdrawal of the current police officers deployed at the project sites in the Gulf and Southern Highlands areas.

He reiterated an assurance to the government and investors that the police force was intact and that they were loyal to the government.

He also brushed aside talks of dissatisfaction within the police force, adding that any reports of officer revolt would be dealt with accordingly.

Wagambie was speaking during a media briefing at the Airlines PNG airport terminal building after returning from the LNG project site in the Southern Highlands yesterday.

He and senior executives from ExxonMobil, including the developer’s regional director for security operations, flew into the province on Saturday and visited Moro, Gobe, Kopi, Mendi and Nogoli.

Wagambie told reporters that the executives from ExxonMobil were happy with the current security arrangement up there.

Upon his arrival in the province, he was welcomed to a reception by his men and women on the ground.

He reminded them of their constitutional duties of being in the police force and told them that if anyone of them had differences and wanted to leave, they were free to go.

“There are 150 police officers currently deployed there and I told them if anybody wants to go, they can go. I can replace them.”

He also appealed to the media to be more accurate in their reporting.

Wagambie said recent reports of police officers threatening to leave the site was all propaganda and asked journalists to get information from official sources.

APEC leaders release declaration, adopt new vision for regional growth

Issued by the  APEC Secretariat

Yokohama, Japan, November 14, 2010 – APEC Leaders gathered under the theme “Change and Action” to “articulate our vision of further building and integrating the Asia-Pacific region in the 21^st Century, and paths to realize that vision.”

At the conclusion of their two-day meeting, APEC Leaders adopted a declaration as well as a Leaders’ Statement on 2010 Bogor Goals Assessment, the Report on APEC’s 2010 Economies’ Progress Towards the Bogor Goals, the APEC Leaders’ Growth Strategy and Pathways to FTAAP.

Significant progress towards the Bogor Goals

“Through our individual and collective efforts toward achieving the Bogor Goals, the Asia-Pacific region has achieved substantial reductions in barriers to trade and investment. These efforts have led to increased trade and investment flows, sustained economic growth, and a vast improvement in the welfare of people in the region.”

“We are confident that APEC is well on track toward achieving the goal of free and open trade and investment among its economies.”

The assessment was conducted on progress towards achieving the Bogor Goals by the five industrialized economies by 2010 as well as eight developing economies, who volunteered ahead of 2020.

“We endorse the Report on APEC’s 2010 Economies’ Progress Towards the Bogor Goals and conclude that while more work remains to be done, these 13 economies have made significant progress toward achieving the Bogor Goals.”

Path toward a robust economy

“We set forth the APEC Leaders’ Growth Strategy as APEC’s first substantial effort to provide a comprehensive long-term framework for promoting high-quality growth in the region.” 

“We will implement the Growth Strategy out to 2015, focusing on the five desired attributes of balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative, and secure growth.

“Our Growth Strategy includes an Action Plan that encompasses work elements on structural reform; human resource and entrepreneurship development; green growth; a knowledge-based economy; and human security.”

“The Action Plan will be supported and promoted through specific work programs that draw in all aspects of APEC’s work, including sectoral Ministerial meetings, committees, APEC sub-fora, extensive regional networks of experts, and APEC’s close cooperation with the business community.”

“We will review our progress toward implementing the Growth Strategy in 2015.”

Accelerating regional economic integration

“We will take concrete steps toward realization of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), which is a major instrument to further APEC’s regional economic integration agenda. An FTAAP should be pursued as a comprehensive free trade agreement by developing and building on ongoing regional undertakings, such as the ASEAN+3, ASEAN+6, and the Trans Pacific Partnership among others.”

“To this end, APEC will make an important and meaningful contribution as an incubator of an FTAAP by providing leadership and intellectual input into the process of its development, and by playing a critical role in defining, shaping, and addressing the “next generation” trade and investment issues that FTAAP should contain.”

“APEC should contribute to the pursuit of an FTAAP by continuing and further developing its work on sectoral initiatives in such areas as investment; services; e-commerce, rules of origin; standards and conformance; trade facilitation; and environmental goods and services.”

Balanced growth

“We must take steps to build a foundation for stronger, more sustainable, and more balanced growth in the future.”

“We note the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation to promote external sustainability and pursuing the full range of policies conducive to reducing excessive imbalances and maintaining current account imbalances at sustainable levels.”

“We will move toward more market-determined exchange rate systems and enhance exchange rate flexibility to reflect underlying economic fundamentals and will refrain from competitive devaluation of currencies.  Advanced economies, including those with reserve currencies, will be vigilant against excess volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates. These actions will help mitigate the risk of excessive volatility in capital flows facing some emerging market economies.”

Supporting the multilateral trading system

“We should continue to take steps to build a stronger and more resilient global financial system. We remain committed to maintaining open markets and fighting protectionism. We reaffirm our common resolve to support the recovery in a collaborative and coordinated way.”

“We reaffirm our strong commitment to bring the Doha Development Agenda to a prompt and successful conclusion. Bearing in mind that 2011 will be a critically important “window of opportunity,” we direct our Ministers to empower our representatives to engage in comprehensive negotiations with a sense of urgency in the end game, built on the progress achieved, including with regard to modalities, consistent with the Doha mandate.”

“We affirm our commitment to win domestic support in our respective systems for a strong agreement.”

Resisting protectionism

“In our continued efforts to resist protectionism, we agree to extend our commitment on standstill made in 2008 to the end of 2013 to refrain from raising new barriers to investment or to trade in goods and services, imposing new export restrictions, or implementing World Trade Organisation inconsistent measures in all areas, including those that stimulate exports.”

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For more information, contact: Trudy Harris at th@apec.org or (+81) (0)80 3417 3130 (in Japan) or Michael Chapnick at mc@apec.org or (+81) (0)80 40841709 (in Japan)

Somare now behaving like a dictator

Opposition Leader Sir Mekere Morauta said today that Michael Somare is turning Papua New Guinea into “Mugabeland”.

“Somare has all the ingredients and recipes in place,” he said.

“The two most-important disciplinary forces, the Defence Force and the Police have been tribalised and converted into instruments at his disposal and for his use.  “Papua New Guineans should be extremely worried about these developments and must not allow these tribal roots to take hold.

“These moves are fraught with danger and set sickening precedents for others to follow in the future. 

 “Michael Somare has to be blamed squarely for these atrocious, self-serving acts.”

“This is why this Government has to be changed – to save our country and our future.

“The alleged capture by Somare’s bodyguards and alleged bashing of NGO activist Noel Anjo by the Prime Minister and his wife, demonstrate Somare’s preparedness to silence any critic, by any means, including violence and use of the institutions of state.

“I remind Papua New Guineans of the Prime Minister walking across the floor of Parliament to the Opposition front bench, in spitting distance, saying to the Member for Bulolo Sam Basil ‘I will kill you’.

“This again demonstrates Somare’s willingness to stop at nothing to silence any sign of criticism or threat, in ways most inappropriate for a leader. 

“Shameful. 

“Why do we put up with this?”

Sir Mekere concluded:  “This Government has so much to protect that it will stop at nothing to stay in power, even if it destroys the Constitution and people’s freedom. 

“Wake up Papua New Guineans.”

Mekere Morauta KCMG MP                              

Leader of the Opposition and                                           

Member for Moresby North-West                         

Police stable

Wagambie vows to ‘protect and serve’

Acting Police Commissioner Anthony Wagambie (left) and acting deputy commissioner Fred Yakasa talking to reporters and senior police officers at police headquarters, Konedobu, yesterday.

ACTING Police Commissioner Anthony Wagambie yesterday assured the nation and investors that the police force was stable and united in its mandate to protect and serve.

In his first media conference yesterday, a day after his appointment, he said police services would continue as usual.

In a separate statement, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare confirmed the National Executive Council decision on Wednesday to suspend incumbent Gari Baki on disciplinary grounds and appoint Wagambie to act until further notice.

He said the NEC had also directed acting chief secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc to set up an independent committee to investigate Baki’s conduct as police commissioner within the next three months, including allegedly misleading the government to secure K10 million for LNG operations last month.

“I call upon the rank and file for recommitment and dedication to your assigned duties and responsibilities,” Wagambie, flanked by acting deputy commissioner Fred Yakasa and other senior officers, told reporters at police headquarters, Konedobu.

While the changes at the police hierarchy appeared to have gone without a hitch in the past 48 hours, the picture was less rosy in the provinces.

* Morobe, the Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry said police had been operating without fuel and it had chipped in to help but had warned its members of upsurge in holdups in the miles area and cautioned those travelling in or around the area to take extra precautions.

* Mt Hagen, Telikom PNG had disconnected all telephone lines to the Highlands provincial police headquarters for non-payment of phone bills totalling more than K400,000. Communications with resource-rich Enga and Southern Highlands, including the LNG project, were also cut.

* Mendi, Southern Highlands police said they needed more money to effectively monitor the six-month, province-wide liquor ban where liquor-related offences were on the rise.