Trio charged with aiding ship escape

By ELIZABETH VUVU

 

EAST New Britain police have arrested two senior male officers from a shipping agent and a senior female customs officer with aiding in the illegal departure of vessel UBT Fjord, which was alleged to have stolen crude oil worth K14.5 million from Autonomous Region of Bougainville, The National reports.

ENB police commander Supt Sylvester Kalaut said Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) manager Davis Tumari from Tufi along with his officer Jack Puipui from Matupit were charged with aiding the Captain of the ship, Ye Wi Aung.

Since both men were also held liable for stealing, they were charged under Section 7 of the Criminal Act. Both were arrested and are still in police custody.

A senior exports officer with Customs in Kokopo, Pirita ToBung, was also arrested and charged with aiding as she had signed and stamped the documents provided by ISS and thus giving it lawful authority.

She is out on K2, 000 bail and will appear before the Kokopo district court for mention today (Thursday).

Kalaut said Ubt Fjord’s company in Singapore had emailed ISS requesting for 55 metric tonnes of fuel oil for the vessel.

ISS filled in the forms and took to Customs to sign which was later given to Islands Petroleum depot in Rabaul to give this amount of fuel.

On Dec 22 last year this fuel was given to the crew on the ship. The ship then reportedly sneaked out of the Simpson Harbour last Saturday.

Kalaut said due to the vessel leaving the country’s shores, the State had been permanently deprived of the use of the crude oil as State property.

He said the two officers from ISS had not even informed authorities formally when this fuel was given to the crew on the vessel.

It is understood, the National Fisheries Authority had alerted fishing vessels out in at sea to look out for the vessel.

 

 

Gulf steps up cholera fight

By ALISON ANIS

 

A 12-year-old girl is among six people from Gulf admitted with cholera at the Kerema Hospital, The National reports.

Senior community health officer at the hospital’s main outpatient, accidents and death section, Farapo Kauoi, said the girl and five adults were admitted last week after the hospital discharged more than 40 people treated for cholera since New Year.

Kauoi, who has served as health officer in the province for 33 years, said they had treated more than 100 patients since the first outbreak reports in Gulf last October.

“There had been no deaths at the hospital since the first case was detected and I would like to commend the medical team and hard working staff of the hospital for their effort under very stressful conditions in treating and monitoring patients,” Kauoi said.

“We fear that more people will come after this so we are stepping up our efforts on awareness and other preventative measures especially in hot spot areas in the province,” Kauoi said.   

Kauoi said people from neighbouring villages of Opau, including Silo, Mewaripi across Kerema Bay, Lapari, Siviri, Karaita, Marua, Wamai, Uamai and Kerema town were affected.

“Our first case was detected at Uamai village on Sept 7. Since then and up until Dec 31, we’ve admitted 62 patients. We have also received one child below five years of age and were able to maintain the young patient’s condition,” he said.

Kauoi said they had to convert the hospital’s outpatient area into cholera care centre as more patients came in.

“We have divided the outpatient into three cubicles and it is very risky situation right now because we are mixing people with cholera with those that are not affected.”

“We have been putting patients on the floor and some along corridors because of the small space.”

Kauoi also said the provincial government, and the health division had turned a blind eye on the situation and called on them to set up a cholera care centre at once to cater for expected increases of cholera patients from riverside communities.

 

 

Sir Pato and Ogio qualify

Critics say it’s a plot

 

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

THE deadline for nominations for the governor-general’s post lapsed at 4pm yesterday with only two candidates confirmed, The National reports.

It was understood that government candidate Michael Ogio and Sir Pato Kakaraya were the only nominees who would go through the secret ballot tomorrow.

Parliament would resume at 10am.

The nominations would go through thorough screening today to ensure all requirements were met before tomorrow’s elimination process.

Ogio is the current member for North Bougainville and is also higher education minister. He would automatically quit his job as MP and minister if he is successful. The win would also mean Ogio losing his parliamentary leadership of PDM.

Critics said the move was a ploy to destabilise the National Alliance-led government as the governor-general would become a “rubber stamp”.

They said Ogio’s only active duty, if he wins, would be to invite the leader of the party, which wins most seats, to form government after the 2012 general elections.

Sir Pato is a pioneer politician who was voted into office in 1972.

He is also a respected Lutheran church leader.

Sir Pato was one of the first highlands MP with Sir Tei Abal to support Sir Michael Somare gain independence for PNG.

As a strong Pangu man, he also supported Paias Wingti become the first highlands prime minister.

Sir Pato was raised by the Lutheran missionaries in Siassi, and had gained the support of Morobe Governor Luther Wenge.

Sir Pato was the first environment and conservation minister and also held the works and public utilities and home affairs portfolios during his time as a politician.

Sir Pato had been contesting the GG’s post since 2002.

 

 

Agriculture college has key role to play in development

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

HAC acting principal Philip Senat congratulates Wesley Mapa of West New Britain province for being the dux of the 2010 certificate in agriculture class. Mapa came top in management studies, crops and soils, livestock and rural engineering

The Highlands Agricultural College will continue to play an important role in enhancing human resource capacity for the agriculture sector.
However, the college, operated by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Mt Hagen, needs adequate funding to support infrastructure development and institutional strengthening programmes.
DAL’s director for agriculture education and training, Cecilia Kagena, made the remarks during the college’s 37th graduation recently.
A total of 89 students graduated with post-certificate diplomas in tropical agriculture and certificates in agriculture farming.
Kagena, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of the DAL secretary and ministry, said the college, which had produced over 2,000 post-certificate diploma graduates and over 1,500 participants on numerous specialised short training courses, had a special place in the history of agriculture development.
“The college will continue to play a key role in teaching and training both the farmers and the training of trainers who will assist others to improve their living standards, reduce poverty and hunger,” she said.
“Provision of appropriate training will increase the farmer’s capacity to realise their potential to develop their own solutions to emerging and unique challenges they face.
“With the national government’s emphasis in its PNG vision 2050 and the medium-term development programme on human resource capacity development, the college has a huge role to play in enhancing the human resource capacity for the sector.
“Everyone must be mindful that despite the mineral and petroleum boom, the agriculture sector remains the backbone of the country for years to come.”
Kagena said whilst the government had come up with policies and strategies to promote agriculture development, there was inadequate funding made available to support institutional strengthening programs and the college has suffered as a result.
She urged relevant agencies including national planning and monitoring department to give priority to the agriculture budget “if we are to be seen as implementers of the vision 2050 pillar on human capital development and wealth creation”.
Despite inadequate funding for the college operations, Kagena commended the college management and staff for their achievements leading to the successful graduation.
She commended the staff for their tireless efforts in conducting three training programmes run concurrently during the year.
Staff were also informed that there would be more opportunities for staff training programmes in 2011 to enhance their teaching skills.
Kagena told the graduating students that getting formal jobs was not everything and urged them to utilise their knowledge and skills to become farmers themselves.
“Obtaining a certificate is a great personal achievement and a start to a new chapter in your professional career in agriculture,” she said.
“However, I am extremely confident that with the certificate in your hand today, it would make your a more attractive candidate for a job, or as a community leader or as an entrepreneur anywhere in the agriculture sector.
“Be reminded that while we have the LNG project going crazy in recruiting young graduates, do not be sidetracked, however, be mindful also that as farmers we also have the opportunity and a duty to feed the people and be self-sustaining.”

Fight against an invasive alien weed

By JOSEPHINE YAGA of NARI

Mikania project leader Annastasia Kawi conducting laboratory studies on rust fungus, Puccinia spegazzini, in the NARI post-entry quarantine (PEQ) constant temperature room at NARI Kerevat, East New Britain

An alien is any species that is found out of its historically normal range.
Often the species will not survive as may not adapt to its new locale due to the locale having slightly different temperatures, seasonal variation, humidity, wind, predators, pests or diseases.
However, in a minority of cases, a plant will be able to survive.
Even more rarely, perhaps in 10% of cases, an alien will thrive in its new location better than in its original location.
This is often because of the absence of a predator or pest that would normally keep the species in check, and because of a biological trait that predisposes it to fast colonisation, such as a fast growth rate and the production of many seeds.
When this happens, the species can spread quickly to become very common and dominant in its new habitat, and is known as ‘invasive’.
A regional workshop on bio control heard that in the Pacific, 300–500 plant species could be regarded as invaders, with about 150 species classified as aggressive.
Mikania micrantha is one such aggressive and invasive weed species.
Often called “mile-a-minute weed”, it can grow as fast as one metre per month.
Mikania is a very destructive invasive weed which spreads far and wide and smothers other plants.
It is found in 17 Pacific Island countries and territories including Papua New Guinea.
Mile-a-minute is thought to have arrived in the Pacific islands in the early 1900s as contaminants of various imported products and is suspected to be a relatively new addition to the flora of PNG.
It has spread rapidly in most islands and coastal plains of mainland New Guinea.
Mikania has been suppressing forest regeneration or has changed the ecology of areas.
Analysis from a socio-economic survey conducted on Mikania indicated that 80% of the respondents in 15 lowland provinces consider mikania as a problematic weed.
Approximately 44% of farmers of subsistence mixed cropping control M. micrantha at least once a fortnight and implies that a lot of their time is spent on clearing this weed from their land.
The fight against mile-a-minute as an invasive weed in the Pacific’s agricultural sector and food security areas has been picking up in the past years with the release in Fiji and PNG of a pathogen rust fungus, to control mikania.
The rust fungus, scientifically known as Puccinia spegazzini, was imported to Fiji by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the ministry of agriculture as part of their Mikania bio-control project.
The Fiji government gave the permission to import Puccinia following host specificity testing conducted on behalf of Fiji and PNG by the world-renowned Commonwealth Agriculture Bureau International (CABI), based in England.
Some plants, important to PNG and Fiji, were tested by CABI Europe-UK during the whole of 2006 against this rust fungus to make sure it did not attack any of our useful plants or native flora in the Pacific.
Host specificity testing confirmed that the rust fungus was host-specific and restricted to mikania only.
This biological control agent would help reduce unnecessary weeding costs such as labour and herbicide.
Preliminary results from Laboratory studies and field monitoring observations conducted at National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) Kerevat suggests that mikania growth can be suppressed or reduced when the rust fungus is present on the bio-mass.
In November2008, the rust fungus was imported into PNG as part of an Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR)-funded project to control the Mikania weed.
CABI Europe-UK infected mikania plants grown from stock plants obtained from PNG early in November 2008.
Later that month, the plants were hand-carried to PNG NARI Kerevat by SPC project coordinator Warea Orapa.
Upon arrival, the UK-infected plants were transplanted into sterilised soil with water and placed in an inoculation chamber in the NARI post entry quarantine (PEQ) constant temperature room.
This rust fungus is the first of its kind to be introduced in PNG.
At NARI Kerevat, the rust is maintained and mass propagated for field distribution and monitoring.
Inoculation procedures and culturing, impact assessment, field release and monitoring of the rust are work undertaken to assess the progress of the rust and prevent contamination or pest outbreak.
The monitoring activities were jointly conducted by Mikania project staff from PNG Cocoa and Coconut Institute (PNGCCI), PNG Oil Palm Research Association (PNGOPRA) and NARI who are major collaborators of the ACIAR project in PNG.

Field release on rust fungus to the Oil Palm Research Association (OPRA) staff at Hoskins in 2009

The rust fungus controls mikania by developing many swollen lumps on leaves, stems and petioles forming copper-colored lumps on the surface of the dead plant parts.
High infection densities of these will reduce the ability of the weed to grow and become aggressive and death can be possible in conditions favourable to the fungus.
During the preliminary field release and monitoring strategy observation done in early 2009 at NARI Kerevat, infected plants were placed in amongst mikania-growing under cocoa and monitored for establishment.
Pustules were observed on mikania growing around the infected plants after three weeks.
Field release techniques used in different microhabitats, found that irrespective of the number of pustules, size of infected pots and time of releases, the rust establishes more easily on young growth stages of mikania compared to mature dense infestations.
Mikania project leader, Annastasia Kawi said: “The results of the average number of leaves infected and average number of pustules present on young mikania three weeks after field release suggests that the rust, when released in conducive environmental conditions, can survive.”
She added that the rust fungus had been released in 46 sites in East New Britain since January 2009 and monitoring of sites was conducted to confirm host specificity of the rust in natural environment.
At NARI Kerevat, the rust had been found growing on mikania near many different plant species and to date no inoculation has been observed on cultivated or wild species of any plant other than mikania.
Mikania has been recorded to be present in 1,052 sites in 15 provinces (excluding Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Western Highlands, Enga and Southern Highlands province) in PNG.
The bio-control control agent (rust fungus) has been released in 454 sites in those 15 provinces to date.
A total of 80 sites have established in eight provinces and natural spread has been monitored up to 37km after one year.
Since the rust fungus was field established in 2009 in East New Britain and other provinces, monitoring of field establishment have been an important activity of the project.
It is observed that initial establishment is conducive in total or partial shade and near waterways, hence, once established it does well in wetter and cooler environment.
Kawi cautioned farmers to be observant of the biological control agent as it was environmental-friendly, acted as an alternate control option and sustainable in rural farming communities.
More information on the mikania weed can be obtained from NARI Islands regional centre in Keravat on 983 9145/9200.

No-confidence vote bid ruined

Election of Governor General to take precedence
By ISAAC NICHOLAS and JEFFREY ELAPA

Members of the public rushing up the steps to get inside parliament and secure seats at the public gallery when parliament resumed for its emergency session yesterday afternoon. Many had rushed in thinking that parliament was about to vote on the new governor-general. – Nationalpic by AURI EVA

THE proposed vote of no-confidence by the opposition against Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and his government will not take place, The National reports.
The opposition yesterday failed to deliver a motion on the proposed vote to the office of the acting Speaker, Francis Marus, despite an assurance by senior opposition member Sir Puka Temu.
As such, Marus declared that he would not entertain any other business except that of the election of a new governor-general.
Parliament resumed yesterday afternoon and called for nominations for the position of governor-general.
Soon after, the government caucus met and penned 47 signatures on the nomination form for North Bougainville MP and Higher Education Minister Michael Ogio to contest as its candidate.
Parliament was recalled following a Supreme Court ruling last month declaring the reappointment of Sir Paulias Matane as unconstitutional.
During that period, from Dec 10 last year, the opposition had publicly made known its intention to try and push through a vote of no-confidence motion against the government of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.
Acting parliament Speaker Francis Marus had fixed Friday at 10am as the time and day for the secret ballot to be conducted.
The clerk’s office was swamped with more than 15 candidates rushing to obtain the nomination forms to be filled and handed in by 4pm today after complying with all the requirements.
Candidates vying for the position had swamped the corridors of parliament after nominations opened as they dashed from one MP’s office to another looking for signatures.
They were required to collect 15 signatures to make them eligible to contest the vice-regal’s chair.
Their first stop was at the clerk’s office for the nomination forms before dashing off in search of MPs. One MP could only back one candidate, with six possible nominees expected by the offices of the clerk and acting speaker of parliament.
Among those sighted were Ronald Rimbao, Sir Pato Kakaraya, Sir Makena Geno, Sir Matiabe Yuwi, Sir Barry Holloway, Kagul Korowa and women candidates Enny Moatz and Winnie Kiap.
Marus said the election of the vice-regal would take precedence over all other businesses in compliance with the court order.
He said this was an emergency situation, under section 88(4) of the constitution, and the only business would be to vote in a new GG.
The government yesterday muscled up its numerical strength of more than 67 members for a quorum to start the session, with opposition members slowly walking in as the acting speaker made his nomination statement.
Leader of government business Paul Tiensten said last night that the election of the governor-general would take precedence.
He admitted that the government did not have any other business to deal with until May when parliament next meets.
“The recall of parliament is restricted only for the GG’s election.”
He urged that the process of nomination be completed between now and Friday and not subjected to legal challenges in future.
“Our job is to ensure the process goes smoothly and is not derailed again.
“The government needs to show solidarity and maturity by resolving to have one candidate in on Friday.”

Flood forces Papua New Guinea consulate to close

By JUNIOR UKAHA

 

Heavy rains and flash floods in Toowoomba, Australia, has forced the Papua New Guinea consulate in Brisbane to shut its doors and cancel operations yesterday, The National reports.

As of 1pm, Paul Nerau, PNG’s consulate general in Brisbane ordered his staff to stop work and move to safer places due to the floods at the headwaters of Brisbane River that had ravaged homes and displaced the locals at Toowoomba.

Nerau, who spoke on Radio Australia, said the reason for stopping operations was to make sure the staff and their families were safe from the flood.

Nerau made this call after Brisbane lord mayor, Campbell Newman, said that the Brisbane River was expected to flood its bank today by 3m and that the water was expected to rise by another 1.2m to 4.2m tomorrow.

Radio Australia reported that the latest flash flood at Toowoomba had claimed eight people while 72 others went missing and 50 people trapped in a school.

It also said that hundreds of homes and vehicles had been washed away by the flood in what seemed to be a major disaster after 40 years.   

Nerau when interviewed said he was also concerned about the safety of hundreds of Papua New Guineans living, working and schooling in Toowoomba.

“I am concerned as many Papua New Guinean students in particular attend schools in Toowoomba,” he said.

Nerau said at the moment he was working with the relevant authorities in Australia to find out how many Papua New Guineans were affected by the flood and whether or not they have died as a result of the flood.

He, however, did not say anything as to whether or not the PNG government would look at the plight of those Papua New Guineans living in the area and have been affected by the flood.

Meanwhile, Radio Australia reported that places that were worst affected by the flood included Ipswich, Brisbane and Toowoomba, all within the state of Queensland.

The flooding is expected to continue till the end of the week.

 

Government settles for Ogio

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

THE government will endorse North Bougainville MP and Higher Education Minister Michael Ogio for the position of governor-general, The National reports.

The parliament resumed yesterday afternoon and called for nominations.

Soon after, the government caucus met and penned 47 signatures on the nomination form for Ogio to contest as its candidate for the GG’s post.

Parliament was recalled to vote in a new governor-general following a Supreme Court ruling last month declaring the reappointment of Sir Paulias Matane as unconstitutional.

If Ogio wins the secret ballot election, he would automatically resign as member for North Bougainville and lose his ministerial portfolio.

Names of three other candidates – Sir Paulias, Sir Makena Geno and Winnie Kiap – were also tossed in alongside Ogio for the caucus to consider, however, they would now have to look for support elsewhere to nominate.

Acting parliament Speaker Francis Marus fixed Friday at 10am as the time and day for the secret ballot to be conducted.

The clerk’s office was swamped with more than 15 candidates rushing to obtain the nomination forms to be filled and handed in by 4pm today after complying with all the requirements.

Those seen in the clerk’s office included Sir Makena, Sir Matiabe Yuwi, Sir Pita Lus, Akoka Doi, Ronald Rimbao and Kagul Korowa.

Marus said while the Organic Law did make provisions for the proposal forms to be returned at anytime before the start of voting, as a matter of good administrative practice and taking into account the Supreme Court interpretation of the law, it was recommended that the forms be submitted to the clerk in sufficient time.

“This will allow him to scrutinise the forms and make informed decisions on the requirements under the Organic Law.

“Should a proposal for nomination be rejected, the aggrieved person will have sufficient time to appeal to the National Court.”

Under law, a candidate must have no less than 15 members of parliament supporting him.

“If we comply with all the requirements, I expect no more than six proposals to be handed to the clerk by tomorrow (today),” the acting speaker told parliament.

“Similarly, I urge all members to act responsibly when proposing or signing on behalf of a candidate.

“Careless writing on these forms will have dramatic consequences,” he warned.

On Dec 10 last year, the Supreme Court declared the June 25, 2010, election of Sir Paulias null and void.

The bench also ordered the acting speaker, in accordance with section 88(4) of the constitution, to call a meeting of parliament to elect a new governor-general within 40 days of the order.

 

 

Shipping agent charged with retrieving seized items

By VERONICA FRANCIS

 

A SHIPPING agent was charged yesterday and Custom officers questioned in relation to the illegal departure of the vesse lUbt Fjord, which was alleged to have stolen crude oil from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, The National reports.

The vessel was detained by PNG Customs Services and was under the state’s detention when it slipped away from Simpson Harbour in Rabaul during the earlier hours of Jan 8.

PNG Customs Commissioner, Gary Juffa told The National yesterday that the agent had committed various Customs offences, however, the main offence was rescuing of seized goods, failing to obtain clearance, evading duty payment and various other offences.

He said internal investigations were currently underway to determine whether there was neglect on the part of officers responsible for ensuring the security of the vessel and also if there was anyone corroborating with the owners or ship captain to assist in the vessel’s illegal departure.

Juffa said they had already advised the client’s lawyers to immediately advise their clients to return the stolen cargo which belonged to the people of PNG.

He confirmed that they had also advised Customs authorities in all countries to impound the vessel and detain the crew including the captain for failing to obtain clearance to rescuing the seized goods and

for escaping his

criminal charges. 

“This is yet another example of foreigners fleeing the country when granted bail. On many occasions Customs has sought custody while cases are pending and yet courts grant bail to foreigners who evade justice and leave,” he said.

It is understood Customs and police are investigating the matter, as the vessel is being pursued by a defence force patrol boat and intercept it before it crosses our borders.

 

 

Man dies from cholera in Moresby

By ELIZABETH MIAE

 

THE National Capital District (NCD) has reported its first death from cholera for the New Year as the spread of the disease in the city becomes more serious, The National reports.

The latest casualty brings the total number of deaths in NCD to five since the outbreak last May.

When cholera first broke out in the city last year, it claimed three lives from Elevala and one from Tatana villages.

NCD cholera task force leader Dr Timothy Pyakalyia said that the victim who died last Thursday was a male adult who suffered from a kidney disease.

He said as of yesterday morning the number of admissions at the Port Moresby General Hospital’s (PMGH) cholera treatment centre (CTC) stood at 130, adding that these were people with severe diarrhoea.

Pyakalyia said confirmed test results from the Central Public Health Laboratory showed that cholera was present in 24 locations in the city or otherwise widespread.

He said out of 1,436 people (from NCD and Central) who were admitted to the CTCs at the PMGH and St John Hospital in Gerehu, only three deaths were reported.

Pyakalyia highlighted that the medical assistance given by staff at the CTCs and the oral re-hydration points had saved a lot of people’s lives.

He added that cholera was capable of killing many people within hours however it was managed and control very well which resulted in the case fertility rate for NCD below 1%.

While the medical side of things is moving effectively, the spread of the disease was another problem that health authorities are struggling to control.

Pyakalyia told The National that the spread was not only due to the Christmas and New Year celebrations but other factors also.

These factors include poor hygiene practice and sanitation.

He further added that if the trend continued to worsen they would consider opening another CTC in the city.

However, Pyakalyia was most concerned that adults were falling victims to the disease.

 

 

'Garden rice' lifts local grain supplies

By BOSORINA ROBBY

 

Eastern Highlands, Enga, Central, Morobe, East New Britain and West and East Sepik provinces are now actively producing rice, thus boosting the grain’s supply in the country, The National reports.

This became possible after these areas have been involved by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in rice production for consumption and as source of additional income for the rice farming families.

This initiative by the government to increase emphasis on locally produced foodstuff is aimed at addressing the issue of food security in the country.

The ICCC Rice Industry review 2010 noted that rice could be used to address this as it could be grown and harvested three times a year.

When properly milled, treated and stored, the grain could last up to three years, the review said.

Known as “garden rice”, locally grown and milled rice is being sold in open markets and trade stores-wholesalers in some rural areas.

The review also said that production estimates received by ICCC on garden rice has averaged 10,000 metric tonnes (mt) per year since 2006.

Further consultations suggested that this number may have significantly increased in recent years with rice farming training and extension programmes being run by the DAL, and aid agencies and church-NGO groups, through a range of provincial agricultural divisions.

This trend is expected to continue, with DAL aiming to increase annual domestic production to 60,000mt by 2016.

ICCC forecasts that the increase in production and sale of garden rice has the potential to become a significant component of the formal market.

Papua New Guinea opposition fails in no-confidence motion bid

The opposition in Papua New Guinea has failed in its bid to put a motion for a vote of no confidence in the government before the parliament, Radio New Zealand reports.
Parliament has agreed that a vote for the position of governor general will take place on Friday.
Nominations for the position have now opened and will close on Wednesday afternoon.
Our correspondent Alex Rheeney says the opposition tried unsuccessfully to use the parliamentary session to put forward the no confidence motion.
“That did not eventuate. The leader of government business moved for parliament to be adjourned to Friday and the government was able to use their numbers and voted for the house to be adjourned until Friday. So the opposition did not actually get the opportunity to get the speaker to entertain other business in which the vote of no-confidence motion could have been discussed.”
Alex Rheeney says the opposition has indicated it will try again to put a motion for a vote of no confidence on Friday.
But he says this unlikely to be successful as the government walked into the parliamentary chamber together on Tuesday in a show of its strength of numbers.
Alex Rheeney says the indications are that the government will support the nomination of the former Governor General Sir Paulias Matane to return to the position, but other contenders may include Barry Holloway.
The opposition has indicated it will support a number of candidates including two women, Winnie Kiap and Enny Moatz.

The dame can be better than the knight

By REGINALD RENAGI

Apart from having a good deputy prime minister put up as the next Papua New Guinea prime minister, there is stiil another political option that may seem a controversial outcome, but not impossible. 

This option could be another record breaker for grand chief Michael Somare that will be unbeatable in both PNG and Commonwealth politics. 

If Somare is really serious about elevating the status of PNG women in his twilight years of politics, he will now give his job to the best-performing MP in the coalition government, Dame Carol Kidu. 

The Dame as an MP has no equal.

This only woman MP's actions speak louder than words. 

Dame Carol Kidu is ably supported by a good department secretary running an effective state agency than most of her MP peers.

This decisive action by grand chief Somare will be in full recognition for the tireless efforts of a lone women MP in parliament (and one of PNG’s best lawmakers in recent times). 

This will no doubt upset the men in parliament, but will soon get over it to see that good governance, accountability, responsibility and ‘sanity’ return to both parliament; and government before the 2012 national elections.

Finally, I predict PM Michael Somare is not yet ready to quit politics in 2011 and before the 2012 national elections. 

Importantly, there are still many outstanding political reforms left by former PM, Sir Mekere,  that this government has yet to introduce any real substantial improvements , hence; this is no time to be quitting politics.

But today, PNG has the wrong political leadership running the country.

It should not be this way at all for our country. 

So who’s going to do it for PNG?

 

Who will be the next prime minister of Papua New Guinea?

By REGINALD RENAGI

Recently the media raised three interesting questions: “Who will be the next prime minister?; will the prime minister quit politics in 2011 before the 2012 national elections;  and what will happen to the National Alliance Party or the current government?

This is a subjective issue and you will get many different answers. 

 I will try to predict what may happen gauging from public perceptions and opinions of a coalition government’s performance since the 2002 national elections.

 So who will be the next PM?  This is easy in an ideal political world where the job will naturally go to the next senior MP after the prime minister in the ruling party’s hierarchical ‘chain of command’. 

 In this case, it should go to the deputy PM, if the PM quits politics this year as speculated in the media. 

 This will not happen because we are not in an ideal political world.  There are many competing interests and shifting alliances within any coalition party government. 

 First of all, PM Somare will not quit politics in 2011 and before the elections. 

 Somare is enjoying the feeling of power and controlling the destiny of over six million citizens that he would still like to extend his record of being in politics until after the 2012 national elections.   

 More so, no-one believes Michael Somare's occasional talks of leaving politics any more in the media.

 The people of PNG have heard it many times before, like prior to the 2002 and 2007 elections as predicted.

 The man just does not keep his word anymore so the public does not now take him seriously at his word.

 The PM did not quit politics as speculated by the media. 

 On a hypothetical note, if the PM was to quit politics in 2011 due to some reason like ill-health, the NA party will most likely see splits in its senor ranks. 

 Some NA party members have openly shown that they do not want the job going to the deputy PM incumbent as they see themselves as the ideal choice for the top job. 

 A prediction is the NA party may not do too well in the 2012 polls without the stabilizing presence of its drawcard, Michael Somare; the glue holding the NA party together.

 With due respect to other NA party members, no-one is eminently qualified with the required seniority, depth of public administration knowledge and experience; and political  maturity to succeed the PM Somare than the former deputy PM, Sir Puka Temu. 

Sir Puka had the edge over all the NA party’s regional deputies as none were effective departmental heads like him before entering politics. 

But alas, this is not to be as he has left for the opposition. 

Another former DPM, Don Polye, has also been recently dispensed by Somare for fellow Engan, Sam Abal.

Michael Somare will not simply bow out of politics with a whimper but a loud bang in the 2012 national general elections.

 

Reginald Renagi

Port Moresby

 

Two die in Port Moresby ethnic clash

Woman among two with limbs chopped off

 

By ANGELINE KARIUS

 

TWO people are dead, another two hospitalised and a number of properties and houses have been destroyed in the latest of a number of ethnic clashes that have plagued the country recently, The National reports. 

The latest incident in Port Moresby involved settlers from Goilala in Central and Tari from Southern Highlands residing at the Badili, Vanagi and 2-Mile Hill settlements.

The fight started on Sunday afternoon and spilled into the early hours of yesterday morning.

Tension was high yesterday and traffic into downtown Port Moresby was diverted via the Poreporena Freeway. There was no access into 2-Mile and Badili areas.

There was no police presence within the fighting zone on Sunday.

In Bulolo, Morobe, several attempts at negotiations finally resolved ethnic clashes involving the people of the two Sepik provinces and the locals.

Early last month, Engans and Eastern Highlanders living at the Horse Camp settlement at Sabama came to blows which resulted in a number of injuries and damage to properties.

In the latest incident, NCD metropolitan superintendent Joseph Tondop said the fight started following the killing of a man from Goilala late on Sunday afternoon.

Blaming the people of Tari in Southern Highlands, the Goilala people residing at Koki mobilised and attacked the Taris, resulting in the death of a man early yesterday morning.

Two bystanders also had their limbs chopped off. The woman victim, said to be from one of the highlands provinces, had her left arm chopped off while a man lost his foot during the confrontation.

Although police could not confirm how the fight initially started, it was believed that a group of youths from Tari, residing at the Vanagi settlement, had allegedly consumed alcohol and assaulted a family from Goilala at the Koki market.

A fight broke out resulting in the death of the man from Goilala.

NCD police superintendent operations Jim Namora yesterday confirmed that properties and houses were also destroyed in the fight.

Among the homes destroyed was that of former politician and Kiriwina MP William Ebenosi.

Namora said Ela Motors also had one of its cars’ windscreens smashed by a flying missile.

Tondop said police yesterday took control of the situation.

“I appeal to community leaders from Badili, Vanagi and the 2-Mile Hill settlements, including Koki, to come to the police station and have the matter sorted out.

“Please, respect the rule of law and do not take the law into your own hands,” Tondop said in his appeal to the warring factions.

Police had apprehended five suspects – two from Goilala and three from Tari.

Reports claimed that firearms, apart from knives, axes and other weapons, were also used in the clashes.

Meanwhile, acting Police Commissioner Anthony Wagambie yesterday denied reports of an alleged blockage mounted by members of the police special services division (SSD) at McGregor outside the city.

He said the incident only involved four drunken policemen.

Media reports alleged that SSD members had erected the barricade into the McGregor barracks last Saturday after refusing to hand over a number of weapons to a task force set up by police headquarters for a police contingent to fly over to Vanimo for a joint border patrol operation.

They claimed that the border operation was for the SSD and that the hand-picked men, by the acting commissioner and his acting deputy, were not fully trained men for such sensitive operations.

However, Wagambie yesterday assured the public and investors that the special services division was intact and orders had been served to deploy a contingent to Vanimo for border duties.

“Normal police investigations will be carried out into the matter and those responsible will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

 

Parkop: Get vote on governor general out of house

THE nomination and election process of the governor-general should be removed from parliament and vested in a committee of eminent persons, NCD Governor Powes Parkop said yesterday, The National reports.

He said such a move would maintain the integrity and reputation of the office of the governor-general.

Parkop was commenting on what he termed as “increased politisation of the nomination and election process” of the governor-general.

The Supreme Court, on Dec 10 last year, annulled the reappointment of Sir Paulias Matane and ordered parliament to resume this year to elect a new governor-general.

Nominations for the vice-regal post would open today at 2pm.

“The committee should comprise the prime minister, leader of the opposition, chief ombudsman and the chief justice or their nominees,” Parkop said.

He said the practice of candidates lobbying for support among parliamentarians had also demeaned this high office “where, even MPs, are caught in political affiliations and do not seriously consider the integrity of the process and the office”.

He said by removing the election and appointment process from parliament, “we ensure the process of nomination and election is not compromised by political interest or influences and that the best candidate is appointed based on merit”.

“Alternatively, we should remove the office of the governor-general and have a head of state elected by the people under the presidential system of government,” Parkop suggested.

“Our experiences in the last 35 years, and the lessons to be learnt from the world, shows that the presidential system of government is most preferable and successful.

“It is time Papua New Guinea considers this option seriously.”

 

 

Senior cop: I did not abuse powers

THE senior police officer in the NCD Central Command who was accused of unprofessional conduct and abuse of process by a businessman in Port Moresby has denied the allegations levelled against him, The National reports.

He explained that the person accusing him, Simeon Manihia, was purported to have a legal relationship with his adopted daughter but that, he claimed, was false because they were just living together in a de facto relationship.

Manihia told The National on Sunday that the officer had abused his position as a senior police officer by getting involved in a trivial family matter.

He claimed the officer had used his position to get armed policemen to front up at his Tokarara home last Friday evening over differences over a nine-month-old child.

However, according to the senior officer: “Manihia has maliciously released a one-sided story to The National, alleging that I had not followed proper procedures and that I had used my position to get my officers to go to his home and harass him and his relatives.

“It was my adopted daughter who had laid a complaint and sought police assistance to go and get her baby who was still breast-feeding.

“The mother had gone to get her baby earlier but Simeon refused her request outright, and swore and threatened her, which resulted in her seeking police assistance.

“That was when police responded and I, as a father and a grandfather, felt obliged to follow my daughter and get the nine-month-old baby who is still breast-feeding and needed her mother’s  care more than the father’s.”

He said the claim by Manihia that armed policemen had entered his premises was not true.

“I was there and nobody was armed when we went into the area; the armed officers were outside the gate.

“A senior NCO and a member of the unit accompanied my daughter into the yard to get the child for fear of being attacked by her partner.

“I wish to categorically deny the allegations that I had used my position or rank to get policemen to do their duties.

“Like any other person or member of the public, my daughter was threatened by her husband so she had to seek police assistance.”

 

 

Cholera claims five in Abau outbreak

By ELIZABETH MIAE

 

FIVE people from Mailu Island in Central’s Abau district died from cholera during the festive period, The National reports.

Central health authorities believed that the outbreak occurred during the Christmas and New Year period.

Abau district health coordinator Etene Boyama said yesterday that the first cases were reported last Tuesday at the island’s health centre.

She said 44 people (in severe condition) were admitted and treated including those with mild diarrhoea throughout last week.

Boyama told The National that a team was sent into the area with medical supplies as well as information material to conduct awareness.

She said they managed to contain the spread and the situation was now under control but closely monitored.

More medical supplies have been transported to the Kupiano health centre where they would be taken to Mailu by dinghies on a six- hour journey.

Boyama said Wanigela village was also hit by the outbreak during that same period.

She said there was a possibility that the Wanigelas from Port Moresby’s Koki settlement, who went up for the holidays could have infected those in the village which caused

the spread.

Quick response by health workers at Kupiano health centre helped to contain the spread of

the disease.

Boyama said they were now putting together logistics to continue awareness and provide medical assistance to those affected.

Wanigela and Waiori villages located in the Marshall Lagoon area of Abau were hard hit by the disease last June which claimed 11 lives.

ICCC to monitor Roots Rice prices

By BOSORINA ROBBY

 

TRUKAI Industries’ Roots Rice brand will be monitored over a period of five years to make sure there is no unjust price increases on the staple grain, Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) said yesterday, The National reports.

The move was arrived at following an extensive price regulatory review on the product by ICCC last year.

Price monitoring on this brand began on Jan 1 and will end on Dec 31, 2015, ICCC said, adding that it would also monitor the brand’s ex-factory gate prices and sea and road freight charges.

According to the 2010 rice industry pricing review final report on the regulated segment of the market, Trukai’s Roots Rice products accounted for more than 70% of the overall sales in the domestic market.

The ICCC, which promoted competition, fair trade and regulation of prices of certain goods and cervices, said only this brand would be monitored to ensure that there were no unjust price increases.

It said Roots Rice was traditionally consumed by low to middle income earners and is currently the leading brand in the market.

“Any price changes would automatically lead to price increases of other rice brands,” the watchdog said.

The PNG rice market showed many of the characteristics of an effectively competitive market but ICCC would continue to monitor them, especially Roots Rice.

In 2005, the ICCC undertook a comprehensive review into the price setting arrangements for rice products.

Following this, then Treasurer Peter O’Neill determined that prices of Roots Rice should be monitored under the provision of the prices regulations Act and the ICCC Act 2002.

This is stepping away from price setting regulation to a price monitoring approach, which is light-handed approach used by regulators.

This ended last Dec 31 and contributions from stakeholders, interested parties and the industry had concluded that the methods used before would continue.

These and the wholesale and retail charges are all currently declared as monitored goods and services under the provisions of Section 32A of the PR Act.

However, ICCC is giving Trukai Industries a chance to apply for the lifting of    price monitoring regime on Roots Rice products based on evidence “that competition in the rice industry is good”.

The ICCC will now use Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) medium grain index as its main rice price guide and would also maintain the use of existing Australian bureau of statistics (ABS) index to monitor Roots Rice prices.

Any significant changes between Roots Rice and FAO would be reviewed by ICCC in comparison with ABS index and information on the world-wide supply and demand balance.

The ICCC considered that at this point, the overall welfare and long term interest of PNG was best served by retaining a degree of oversight of the flour and rice markets, given the staple nature of these products.

The decision to maintain a degree of oversight in these markets was related to the ICCC’s concerns regarding the general cost of living, which is rapidly increasing more than the wages.

 

Basil and Michaels are new recruits for PNG Party

 Bu M  Bulolo MP Sam Basil and Tewaii Siassi MP Vincent Michaels have joined the PNG Party.

 

Basil was formerly with People's Progress Party while Michaels was with New Generation Party.

They move in the footsteps of fellow opposition MPs Konie Iguan (Markham) and Bonnie Overa (Okapa) who moved ahead of them late last year to join the PNG Party.

"The move now brings to four the number of our faction into PNG Party," they said. 

"There are many reasons why we have decided to leave our party to make this move but we will outline just a few here.

"We believe that there are too many political parties, both registered and deregistered out there, just enough to make almost every members of parliament as party leaders with a handful of party members - just like too many chiefs and not enough Indians.

"There should be at least four or five major political parties in Papua New Guinea because every man and his dog now owns a political party which in the future must be discouraged.

"Every political party must demonstrate and work towards institutionalisation with better policies and management in place.

 "We urge the public and political advisors to help by not encouraging MPs and political aspirants to create new political parties at will, adding to the unprecedented number of political parties we now have in the Commonwealth of Nations.

"The National Alliance Party has demonstrated a working political institution which has remained in power for over eight years now, creating political history.

"The political leadership of Sir Michael Somare and his kitchen cabinet has eroded the ability and the credibility of the single and the biggest political party in power today, and must be challenged, if not now, then in the 2012 elections.

 "In doing so we believe that like the law of the universe,   greater mass creates its own gravitational field that can attract and in order to match and fight the National Alliance,  we must build up to their level and capacity to match them on the battlefield and there is no other better way than this.

"Papua New Guinea, since gaining Independence in 1975 with over a million population, now has over 6.5 million people and we acknowledge here that there are many smart and dedicated people out there too - people who have the heart for this nation and one day can become our political leaders too.

"Our political party system must be seen to evolve as well to see a generational change in political leaderships.

"We say this with no regret because we totally think differently from the old guard, and there are many reasons out there which we need not to elaborate here.

"While at that, we would like to acknowledge the bold move made by Hon Sir Mekere Morauta to allow the PNG Party's leadership into the hands of younger generation leaders like Hon Belden Namah.

"Sir Mekere Morauta, being younger then Sir Michael Somare, has set precedence and demonstrated that PNG Party will now evolve with the younger generation MPs which he will be also be part of as a mentor.

"We urge our founding fathers to do the same because from the 6.5m population, there are many aspiring young, bright and upcoming leaders who will be passing through this parliament one day, therefore, a new culture of political evolution must be adopted.

"We need our founding fathers as mentors now from behind while they are still alive, and not from their graves, because it will be a great loss to the nation if they leave without mentoring the younger generation leaders.

"We would like to acknowledge Hon Bart Philemon and Sir Julius Chan respectively as great leaders of this nation, and will still maintain our close working relationship with them, in within opposition ranks and towards the 2012 general elections.

"Our exit from their leadership is to fight a fight that we all share, but we see it from a different angle, and it is to build a formidable political force while taking into consideration our political future.

"We cannot take on National Alliance from many smaller, fragmented political groupings, because we will just repeat the 2007 general election results again come the 2012 general elections.

"There are times when we humble ourselves our egos and our pride to mass up to match our opponent and this is just what we are simply doing.

"To our supporters around the country, I urge you to think the same because we all share the same sentiments and this is the best option we believe in and have taken."