By BUSTIN ANZU
VEHICLES involved in accidents are the owners' responsibility and must be cleared so that roads are free for other road users, Morobe's police chief Supt Peter Guinness says, The National reports.
He said once a vehicle had been involved in an accident, the owner must try to remove the vehicle so that roads were free for other commuters.
"The owners must remove the remains of the accident. They must not leave the remains or debris from accidents lying around. That will help avoid further accidents," he said.
He said this after visiting the scene of a two fatal accidents that claimed the lives of 13 people.
Guinness said if that semi-trailer had been removed after the first accident in which five people died, the second accident would not have occurred.
He said his officers, who attended to the scene, had advised the owner to remove the semi-trailer but it was ignored and which led to the death of eight other people travelling from Madang a day later.
A frustrated Guinness, who visited the scene on Monday with Assistant Commissioner of Police for Momase Giossi Labi, said the second accident could have been avoided if the semi-trailer had been removed.
Guinness said the owner was negligent and was the cause of the fatal accident.
He said he would seek legal opinion if the driver of the semi-trailer could be charged with manslaughter or murder.
"The second accident will be investigated and presented to the coroner for its deliberation," he said.
A full media briefing will be held today by the Land Transport Board and police regarding the fatal accidents last week.
Meanwhile, Guinness said the rescuers in the helicopter crash in the jungles of Wafi revisited the scene and collected more body parts and pieces of the crashed helicopter.
"The plane crash investigators are working on the case while police will present its report to the coroner," he said.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
People urged to report early campaigning
THE people of East New Britain are being urged to report illegal early campaigning by aspiring politicians, The National reports.
Provincial electoral manager Terence Hetinu made the call after his office received reports of illegal political meetings where aspiring candidates were giving away money and food items.
He called on people to capture the meetings on their mobile phone cameras and record the speeches being made during such gatherings and to pass these on to the electoral office in Kokopo.
He said if such were confirmed as political campaigning, those people would be arrested by police for early campaigning and could be banned from contesting the coming elections.
Hetinu said the Electoral Commission was gearing for a massive awareness programme in the wards to educate the people on the meaning of early campaigning and how the community could distinguish between political and social gatherings.
He stressed that the Electoral Commission wanted the province to conduct a clean and transparent national election next year.
He said people had the right to make decisions and not to be intimidated or have their rights violated on who to vote for in elections.
Hetinu was responding to queries by Kombiu LLG president, Komit Kunai, who complained of early campaigning by candidates.
Provincial electoral manager Terence Hetinu made the call after his office received reports of illegal political meetings where aspiring candidates were giving away money and food items.
He called on people to capture the meetings on their mobile phone cameras and record the speeches being made during such gatherings and to pass these on to the electoral office in Kokopo.
He said if such were confirmed as political campaigning, those people would be arrested by police for early campaigning and could be banned from contesting the coming elections.
Hetinu said the Electoral Commission was gearing for a massive awareness programme in the wards to educate the people on the meaning of early campaigning and how the community could distinguish between political and social gatherings.
He stressed that the Electoral Commission wanted the province to conduct a clean and transparent national election next year.
He said people had the right to make decisions and not to be intimidated or have their rights violated on who to vote for in elections.
Hetinu was responding to queries by Kombiu LLG president, Komit Kunai, who complained of early campaigning by candidates.
Residents told to dump rubbish in proper place
LAE residents have been warned not to dump household, shop and industrial waste into Bank South Pacific Go Green campaign rubbish bins installed around the area, The National reports.
Most home owners, shops and industrial firms are avoiding paying garbage fees by dumping their garbage into the newly-installed bins or piling rubbish near the bins at nights.
Lae City authority health services manager Jonathan Ipang said people found dumping their waste would be fined according to the type and volume of rubbish they leave.
He said fines for household waste varied between K50 to K100, while fines for industrial and commercial waste ranged from K500 to K1,000.
Ipang said the BSP rubbish bins had been installed for people in the business centres to dump wastes like plastic shopping bags, empty drink cans and containers, paper and similar rubbish.
He said those who chewed betel nut if found spitting into the bins or in public places, they would be fined K20.
"Keeping the city clean is everybody's business that starts in homes.
"We must learn to keep our environment at homes, city and workplaces clean so as not to create illness and diseases that might affect our health and production," Ipang said.
Through the Go Green campaign, BSP has provided and installed 50 drums throughout Lae city at locations that include Top Town – 7, Market – 8, Eriku – 7,Voco Point and China Town – 6, Malahang and University of Technology gate three each, Salamanda and St Paul's two each, Snack Bar two, Angau Memorial Hospital two and two each in all five health centres around the city.
The monthly garbage bin sticker for low cost houses costs K20, medium K25 and high covenant K30 while K100 per load for companies that have no service vehicles and require LCA to help them.
For those have service vehicles, shops are to pay K80 while companies K150.
But before heading to the Second Seven dumpsite, they are required to collect a dumpsite entry sticker at LCA office.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Once bitten, twice shy at Old Lae Airport
By MALUM NALU
In the past 18 months, the face of the Old Lae Airport has changed dramatically, and in 2010 alone, over 700 containers of project cargo for the LNG plant were stored on the tarmac until ready for delivery to the Highlands.
Development of the Old Lae Airport epitomises the mind-boggling development Lae is undergoing with all the current resource projects.
The development at the Old Lae Airport worries Jonathan Saing, the vocal chairman of the Ahi Landowners’ Association, which represents the traditional landowners of Lae.
If the Ahi people miss on airport benefits, it will be second time unlucky for them, having first missed out in the 1920s when their land was forcefully taken away from them to build an airstrip during the Wau-Bulolo gold rush.
Saing is growing old; however, his concern for his people of the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Yanga and Wagang is what drives him on.
He says the undeveloped lease land (UDL) at the Old Lae Airport has seen so much foul play and corruption among unscrupulous landowners, businesses and politicians.
“The UDL at the Old Lae Airport is a real mess,” Saing says.
“At the rate we are going, we Ahi people, traditional landowners of the Old Lae Airport, won’t have any footprints there.
“This is very worrying.
“I’m sad to say that our young children will be completely lost.
“I stand between the old and the young.
“I want our Ahi clan leaders to be strong and hold on to their land.
“I also want to uphold the wisdom of elders for the good of the young people.”
In March 2009, in a landmark decision, the Supreme Court approved an application for a stay order taken by Butibam and Kamkumung villagers against the Morobe provincial government and the State over development of the controversial Old Lae Airport land.
The court noted that the landowners had not been adequately compensated for all the anguish and turmoil they had gone through over the years.
It has long been a sore thumb in Lae as Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and his then administrator, Patilias Gamato, fought a war of words both within and out of court with the villagers.
In Early 2009, things came to a head at the Old Lae Airport when some Butibam women were manhandled and beaten by Lae police.
Village elders from Kamkumung and Butibam, at that time, hailed the Supreme Court decision as a huge victory for their people, whom they said had been robbed of their birthright.
This controversial piece of land has a long and colourful history behind it.
The discovery of gold at Edie Creek above Wau in 1926 sparked off a gold rush which led to the exploitation of the rich deposits of the Bulolo-Watut river system by large-scale mechanised mining.
The rigours and cost of the eight-day walk into the goldfields and the difficulty of building a road from the coast led to the early introduc¬tion of an aviation service.
The driving force behind the development of the goldfields was Cecil J Levien, a former Morobe district officer who has been described as a “rare and formidable combina¬tion of opportunist, practical man and visionary”.
Levien persuaded the directors of Guinea Gold NL that startling profits would be made by any aviation company that could provide a service to eliminate the arduous walk between Salamaua and Wau.
He secured an option on a small DH-37 plane in Melbourne and engaged a pilot, E A ‘Pard’ Mustar, to bring it to New Guinea.
He then selected Lae as the best place for the coastal airstrip and without bothering to obtain official permission, took on about 250 labourers to clear and level a landing ground under the supervision of Tommy Wright, the foreman of the agricultural station.
The construction of the airfield was perhaps the biggest enterprise ever undertaken at Lae and greatly perturbed the local villagers, who watched amazed as a vast area of bush was torn down and gardens were flattened.
They were in for further surprises when Mustar and his mechanic, AWD Mullins, flew in from Rabaul, where they had been assembling and testing the plane.
Their arrival brought the full power of Western technology home to the villagers with a shock.
The mastery of Europeans, previously seen in their goods and possessions, was now indisputable.
The old Lae airport has played a significant role in the history of the town, Papua New Guinea, and the whole world for that matter.
Mordern day Lae and PNG grew because of the airport
The greatest airlift the world had ever known started from Lae to the Bulolo goldfields in the 1930s.
World attention was focused on Lae in 1937, and continues to this day, when it was the last port of called for the famed American aviatrix Amelia Earhart before she disappeared somewhere over the deep-blue South Pacific ocean.
Lae airstrip was bombed out by the Japanese on January 21, 1942, however, recovered to become a major player in the development of post-war PNG.
The old Lae airport started losing its thunder in 1977 when Nadzab, an American World War 11 strip, became operational.
Fierce political squabbling over the pros and cons of Lae and Nadzab continued until 1982, when, in an unsolved mystery (just like Amelia Earhhart), the Lae airport terminal was burned down.
Nadzab had taken away its glory; however, Lae continued to be used by Air Niugini and other third-level airlines until 1987.
Lae continued to be used as the base for the PNG Defence Force Air Transport Squadron until it was transferred to Port Moresby in 1992.
After that, one of the greatest icons of PNG history was literally left to the dogs, and became covered by bushes.
It was only recently that the land was sub-divided for commercial purposes as well as given back to the traditional landowners.
Once bitten, twice shy, and the Ahi people don’t want to be shortchanged for the second time, surmises Jonathan Saing.
In the past 18 months, the face of the Old Lae Airport has changed dramatically, and in 2010 alone, over 700 containers of project cargo for the LNG plant were stored on the tarmac until ready for delivery to the Highlands.
 |
| Containers of project cargo for the LNG project at the Old Lae Airport |
Saing is growing old; however, his concern for his people of the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Yanga and Wagang is what drives him on.
He says the undeveloped lease land (UDL) at the Old Lae Airport has seen so much foul play and corruption among unscrupulous landowners, businesses and politicians.
“The UDL at the Old Lae Airport is a real mess,” Saing says.
“At the rate we are going, we Ahi people, traditional landowners of the Old Lae Airport, won’t have any footprints there.
“This is very worrying.
“I’m sad to say that our young children will be completely lost.
“I stand between the old and the young.
“I want our Ahi clan leaders to be strong and hold on to their land.
“I also want to uphold the wisdom of elders for the good of the young people.”
In March 2009, in a landmark decision, the Supreme Court approved an application for a stay order taken by Butibam and Kamkumung villagers against the Morobe provincial government and the State over development of the controversial Old Lae Airport land.
The court noted that the landowners had not been adequately compensated for all the anguish and turmoil they had gone through over the years.
It has long been a sore thumb in Lae as Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and his then administrator, Patilias Gamato, fought a war of words both within and out of court with the villagers.
In Early 2009, things came to a head at the Old Lae Airport when some Butibam women were manhandled and beaten by Lae police.
Village elders from Kamkumung and Butibam, at that time, hailed the Supreme Court decision as a huge victory for their people, whom they said had been robbed of their birthright.
This controversial piece of land has a long and colourful history behind it.
The discovery of gold at Edie Creek above Wau in 1926 sparked off a gold rush which led to the exploitation of the rich deposits of the Bulolo-Watut river system by large-scale mechanised mining.
 |
| Lae 1931-32. A Junkers G31 and a Junkers W34 are at centre of picture |
The driving force behind the development of the goldfields was Cecil J Levien, a former Morobe district officer who has been described as a “rare and formidable combina¬tion of opportunist, practical man and visionary”.
Levien persuaded the directors of Guinea Gold NL that startling profits would be made by any aviation company that could provide a service to eliminate the arduous walk between Salamaua and Wau.
He secured an option on a small DH-37 plane in Melbourne and engaged a pilot, E A ‘Pard’ Mustar, to bring it to New Guinea.
He then selected Lae as the best place for the coastal airstrip and without bothering to obtain official permission, took on about 250 labourers to clear and level a landing ground under the supervision of Tommy Wright, the foreman of the agricultural station.
The construction of the airfield was perhaps the biggest enterprise ever undertaken at Lae and greatly perturbed the local villagers, who watched amazed as a vast area of bush was torn down and gardens were flattened.
They were in for further surprises when Mustar and his mechanic, AWD Mullins, flew in from Rabaul, where they had been assembling and testing the plane.
Their arrival brought the full power of Western technology home to the villagers with a shock.
The mastery of Europeans, previously seen in their goods and possessions, was now indisputable.
The old Lae airport has played a significant role in the history of the town, Papua New Guinea, and the whole world for that matter.
Mordern day Lae and PNG grew because of the airport
The greatest airlift the world had ever known started from Lae to the Bulolo goldfields in the 1930s.
World attention was focused on Lae in 1937, and continues to this day, when it was the last port of called for the famed American aviatrix Amelia Earhart before she disappeared somewhere over the deep-blue South Pacific ocean.
 |
| Date with destiny...Amelia Earhart and her Lockheed Electra at Lae, Morobe province, before her flight into oblivion |
The old Lae airport started losing its thunder in 1977 when Nadzab, an American World War 11 strip, became operational.
Fierce political squabbling over the pros and cons of Lae and Nadzab continued until 1982, when, in an unsolved mystery (just like Amelia Earhhart), the Lae airport terminal was burned down.
Nadzab had taken away its glory; however, Lae continued to be used by Air Niugini and other third-level airlines until 1987.
 |
| The old Lae airport in its heyday in the 1970s |
After that, one of the greatest icons of PNG history was literally left to the dogs, and became covered by bushes.
It was only recently that the land was sub-divided for commercial purposes as well as given back to the traditional landowners.
Once bitten, twice shy, and the Ahi people don’t want to be shortchanged for the second time, surmises Jonathan Saing.
Gaming board gives K40,000 to Goroka Show
By MALUM NALU
The National Gaming Control Board is normally a giver in Papua New Guinea, however, today it became the receiver after giving K40,000 to help stage the 2011 Goroka Show next month.
Show committee chairman Gideon Samuel, who is the Air Niugini manager in Goroka, reciprocated with pottery products from Eastern Highlands Cultural Centre in Kainantu.
Samuel said it was a token of appreciation from his committee and all the people of Goroka and Eastern Highlands for the K40, 000.
Chief executive officer of NGCB, Simon Sanangke, said this would be the fourth year in succession for it to sponsor the Goroka Show.
“We need to promote our culture because we are one of the few remaining countries whose cultures are still alive,” he said.
“Goroka has always been a priority as we felt that they were doing the right thing in terms of developing and promoting our culture.
“This is an asset and has big, big potential in this country.
“I’m sure we can get more tourists if we do the right thing.”
Sanangke said NGCB had been supporting shows and expos all over the country, including K40, 000 each to Enga, Mt Hagen and Goroka shows this year.
Samuel said the K40, 000 was an increase of K20, 000 from last year’s sponsorship.
“The Goroka Show is a national icon,” he said.
“This sponsorship will go a long way towards ensuring that out culture is passed on to the next generation.
“One of the highlights of this year’s show will be a Pikinini Cultural Show on the first day.
“The NGCB is the biggest sponsor to date and we will ensure that you get a full financial report, which is vital in maintaining our relationship.”
The 2011 Goroka Show will be held at the National Sports Institute over independence long weekend from Sept 16-18, with this year’s to be the 54th show.
The National Gaming Control Board is normally a giver in Papua New Guinea, however, today it became the receiver after giving K40,000 to help stage the 2011 Goroka Show next month.
Show committee chairman Gideon Samuel, who is the Air Niugini manager in Goroka, reciprocated with pottery products from Eastern Highlands Cultural Centre in Kainantu.
 |
| Goroka Show chairman Gideon Samuel (right) presents pottery products to National Gaming Control Board CEO Simon Sanangke in appreciation for K40,000 sponsorship of this year’s show |
Chief executive officer of NGCB, Simon Sanangke, said this would be the fourth year in succession for it to sponsor the Goroka Show.
“We need to promote our culture because we are one of the few remaining countries whose cultures are still alive,” he said.
“Goroka has always been a priority as we felt that they were doing the right thing in terms of developing and promoting our culture.
“This is an asset and has big, big potential in this country.
“I’m sure we can get more tourists if we do the right thing.”
Sanangke said NGCB had been supporting shows and expos all over the country, including K40, 000 each to Enga, Mt Hagen and Goroka shows this year.
Samuel said the K40, 000 was an increase of K20, 000 from last year’s sponsorship.
 |
| National Gaming Control Board CEO Simon Sanangke (left) presents K40,000 to Goroka Show chairman Gideon Samuel |
“This sponsorship will go a long way towards ensuring that out culture is passed on to the next generation.
“One of the highlights of this year’s show will be a Pikinini Cultural Show on the first day.
“The NGCB is the biggest sponsor to date and we will ensure that you get a full financial report, which is vital in maintaining our relationship.”
The 2011 Goroka Show will be held at the National Sports Institute over independence long weekend from Sept 16-18, with this year’s to be the 54th show.
LLG president charged with fraud
A LOCAL level government president in East New Britain has been committed to stand trial in the Kokopo National Court on charges of misappropriation and false pretence of about K83,000, The National reports.
Toma-Vunadidir president Henry Ningo, 55, of Rabagi village was charged by police with two counts of false pretence and a count of misappropriation.
Magistrate Samuel Lavutul found that there was sufficient evidence to commit Ningo.
Police alleged that on April 29, 2002, the National Gaming Board made a cheque payment for K83,730 to theToBarip United church and that Ningo falsely represented the church and made a submission to the NGCB's community development programme for funding.
Satisfied that the application had met requirements, the NGCB released the cheque on April 29.
Ningo allegedly did not make an attempt to inform the elders of the church and told them on Aug 15 that if he used the church's account to do his transaction, he would made an undertaking to give K10,000 to the church.
Based on that undertaking, the signatories to the church's account signed the deposit and withdrawal forms and handed over the passbook to Ningo.
He deposited the cheque that same day and it was cleared a few days later when he withdrew K83,598 from the church's account.
Ningo was committed to stand trial on a date to be fixed by the National Court registry.
Toma-Vunadidir president Henry Ningo, 55, of Rabagi village was charged by police with two counts of false pretence and a count of misappropriation.
Magistrate Samuel Lavutul found that there was sufficient evidence to commit Ningo.
Police alleged that on April 29, 2002, the National Gaming Board made a cheque payment for K83,730 to theToBarip United church and that Ningo falsely represented the church and made a submission to the NGCB's community development programme for funding.
Satisfied that the application had met requirements, the NGCB released the cheque on April 29.
Ningo allegedly did not make an attempt to inform the elders of the church and told them on Aug 15 that if he used the church's account to do his transaction, he would made an undertaking to give K10,000 to the church.
Based on that undertaking, the signatories to the church's account signed the deposit and withdrawal forms and handed over the passbook to Ningo.
He deposited the cheque that same day and it was cleared a few days later when he withdrew K83,598 from the church's account.
Ningo was committed to stand trial on a date to be fixed by the National Court registry.
K700m allocated for free education
By GABRIEL LAHOC
THE O'Neill-Namah government has already put aside K700 million for free education in a separate trust account for the 2012 academic year, Education Minister Theodore Zurenuoc told a crowd in his native Finschhafen last Friday, The National reports.
Zurenuoc announced this to the delight of the people, especially parents and students.
The amount is K100 million more than that which was announced by the former government.
The money is expected to be included in the 2012 budget as it is not budgeted for this year.
He announced that the funding of K4 million for major projects in Finschhafen was already approved and awaiting construction to start.
"The free education fund will be released in early January to all schools," he told the people.
This will alleviate fears expressed by the Catholic Education agency earlier that past administrations have been not delivering education subsidies on time to schools throughout the country.
"Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has assured me that we have the money to pay for the school fees of the children of PNG.
"Parents, you will not pay any school fees next year," he said.
He said this development meant that parents nationwide would save K700 million.
Zurenuoc also announced funding for the district's agriculture programme and road upgrading programme worth K1 million each.
The isolated Pindiu High School in the Hube local level government will undergo a massive facelift with a K3 million funding that has been approved.
The upgrading of Pindiu will be one of the biggest developments to be undertaken in the district because the school is in dire need to upgrade its facilities.
The much needed projects had been prioritised by the joint district planning and budget priority committee after he and his
administration officers visited more than 90% of the communities in the district early this year.
THE O'Neill-Namah government has already put aside K700 million for free education in a separate trust account for the 2012 academic year, Education Minister Theodore Zurenuoc told a crowd in his native Finschhafen last Friday, The National reports.
Zurenuoc announced this to the delight of the people, especially parents and students.
The amount is K100 million more than that which was announced by the former government.
The money is expected to be included in the 2012 budget as it is not budgeted for this year.
He announced that the funding of K4 million for major projects in Finschhafen was already approved and awaiting construction to start.
"The free education fund will be released in early January to all schools," he told the people.
This will alleviate fears expressed by the Catholic Education agency earlier that past administrations have been not delivering education subsidies on time to schools throughout the country.
"Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has assured me that we have the money to pay for the school fees of the children of PNG.
"Parents, you will not pay any school fees next year," he said.
He said this development meant that parents nationwide would save K700 million.
Zurenuoc also announced funding for the district's agriculture programme and road upgrading programme worth K1 million each.
The isolated Pindiu High School in the Hube local level government will undergo a massive facelift with a K3 million funding that has been approved.
The upgrading of Pindiu will be one of the biggest developments to be undertaken in the district because the school is in dire need to upgrade its facilities.
The much needed projects had been prioritised by the joint district planning and budget priority committee after he and his
administration officers visited more than 90% of the communities in the district early this year.
Agiru: O’Neill did not follow process
SOUTHERN Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru said on Monday that Mendi town was under siege because of rushed decisions by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to reinstate William Powi as administrator, The National reports.
He accused the PM of not following due processes.
Agiru said there was no vacancy in the office of the administrator after Powi's expired.
He said Lawrence Olkoben was appointed by the NEC after all due processes were followed.
He said Southern Highlands had been a no-go zone and that he had restored normalcy in the province in the past four years.
"No action in Waigani or wherever should put off course the Southern Highlands," Agiru said.
Agiru said Southern Highlands was host to the LNG project and these were critical times.
"Gas in the province is still under my feet while Mendi town is under seige by youths."
Agiru said at no stage was he contacted by this government on what was going on in his province.
"The greatest theft of power happened when the Grand Chief's government was illegally removed.
"We have traditional customs, values that we must uphold including respect for the elderly and the sick," he said, adding the seven MPs from the province were still with Sir Michael's government.
He accused the PM of not following due processes.
Agiru said there was no vacancy in the office of the administrator after Powi's expired.
He said Lawrence Olkoben was appointed by the NEC after all due processes were followed.
He said Southern Highlands had been a no-go zone and that he had restored normalcy in the province in the past four years.
"No action in Waigani or wherever should put off course the Southern Highlands," Agiru said.
Agiru said Southern Highlands was host to the LNG project and these were critical times.
"Gas in the province is still under my feet while Mendi town is under seige by youths."
Agiru said at no stage was he contacted by this government on what was going on in his province.
"The greatest theft of power happened when the Grand Chief's government was illegally removed.
"We have traditional customs, values that we must uphold including respect for the elderly and the sick," he said, adding the seven MPs from the province were still with Sir Michael's government.
Police took sides in Mendi, locals claim
MOBILE squad 9 from Tari in the Hela region is now in charge of security at the 7-storey Agiru Centre in Mendi town, Southern Highlands, The National reports.
The armed policemen were called in after Mendi police personnel were allegedly taking sides in the clash involving the supporters of two acting provincial administrators – William Powi and Lawrence Olkoben – on Monday.
Some members of the provincial executive council told The National yesterday from Mendi that they would lodge a formal complaint with the Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie.
The PEC members alleged that instead of acting neutrally, police allegedly sided with one faction and fired several shots at the other.
Council president for Nipa-Basin and chairman for LLG and district affairs David Navur said they kept some empty shells fired by police.
Navur, who claimed to speak on behalf of other PEC members in the province like Andrew Kit, chairman of law and order, Joe Kunukun (chairman Works and Transport), Benny Putari (chairman education) and Ailo Arapa (chairman Community Service) said the incident happened in front of the people and they were in a process of compiling statements from the witnesses.
He said it was a serious matter and they would take it up with the appropriate authority for disciplinary actions and also sue the state in court for damages.
Navur claimed that two men seriously injured from bullet wounds were taken to Mt Hagen General Hospital on Monday afternoon.
He said nine other people who received bullet pellets were treated at the Mendi General Hospital on Monday and discharged.
He said those injured were with Olkoben.
Navur was not sure how many people from other side were injured.
He said more than 30 other people sustained minor injuries from missiles exchanged between the supporters.
Meanwhile, he said both Powi and Olkoben didn't enter the Agiru Centre yesterday and police from Tari were protecting it.
Provincial police commander Teddy Tei could not be reached for comments.
The armed policemen were called in after Mendi police personnel were allegedly taking sides in the clash involving the supporters of two acting provincial administrators – William Powi and Lawrence Olkoben – on Monday.
Some members of the provincial executive council told The National yesterday from Mendi that they would lodge a formal complaint with the Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie.
The PEC members alleged that instead of acting neutrally, police allegedly sided with one faction and fired several shots at the other.
Council president for Nipa-Basin and chairman for LLG and district affairs David Navur said they kept some empty shells fired by police.
Navur, who claimed to speak on behalf of other PEC members in the province like Andrew Kit, chairman of law and order, Joe Kunukun (chairman Works and Transport), Benny Putari (chairman education) and Ailo Arapa (chairman Community Service) said the incident happened in front of the people and they were in a process of compiling statements from the witnesses.
He said it was a serious matter and they would take it up with the appropriate authority for disciplinary actions and also sue the state in court for damages.
Navur claimed that two men seriously injured from bullet wounds were taken to Mt Hagen General Hospital on Monday afternoon.
He said nine other people who received bullet pellets were treated at the Mendi General Hospital on Monday and discharged.
He said those injured were with Olkoben.
Navur was not sure how many people from other side were injured.
He said more than 30 other people sustained minor injuries from missiles exchanged between the supporters.
Meanwhile, he said both Powi and Olkoben didn't enter the Agiru Centre yesterday and police from Tari were protecting it.
Provincial police commander Teddy Tei could not be reached for comments.
Chimbu eliminations begin
By ZACHERY PER
A TOTAL of 51,643 ballots allowed in the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election count remain "alive" among the 27 surviving candidates after early eliminations yesterday, The National reports.
According to the progressive count posted on the board at the end of 16th elimination there were 74 ballots exhausted.
Kundiawa-Gembogl Returning Officer James Piapia expects more ballots to be exhausted towards the end of today and tomorrow as second and third preferences for eliminated candidates surface.
As Piapia suspended counts last night 16 candidates had been eliminated leaving 27 candidates still in the race.
The elimination continues today with candidates who have the least number of votes to be the next to be forced out of the race.
Candidates eliminated from the race as of the 16th elimination were Christina Num Nulai, William Gumane, John Brown, Philip Gena Kimagl, Maima Gull, Susan Dua Dingi, Peter Baka, Willie Drua, Toby Gende Abraham, Timon Wena, Loko Kal Ongatnem, Paul Gandi Dekemba, Joe Merimba, Tangil Iambakey Okuk, Peter Kuglo Peter and Paul Gegasunga Gags.
When their preferences were distributed, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's Peoples National Congress Party candidate Peter Waieng maintained his lead with 6¸932 votes. Veteran politician and former Minister Mathew Siune is on 5, 117 votes while Constitutional Democratic candidate Tobias Kulang is on 4,379 votes and former MP Wagi Merimba is on 3,814. People's Party candidate Paul Gende is running fifth with 3,725 votes.
A winner is expected to be declared by tomorrow or Friday before the writs are returned to the governor-general by Aug 26
A TOTAL of 51,643 ballots allowed in the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election count remain "alive" among the 27 surviving candidates after early eliminations yesterday, The National reports.
According to the progressive count posted on the board at the end of 16th elimination there were 74 ballots exhausted.
Kundiawa-Gembogl Returning Officer James Piapia expects more ballots to be exhausted towards the end of today and tomorrow as second and third preferences for eliminated candidates surface.
As Piapia suspended counts last night 16 candidates had been eliminated leaving 27 candidates still in the race.
The elimination continues today with candidates who have the least number of votes to be the next to be forced out of the race.
Candidates eliminated from the race as of the 16th elimination were Christina Num Nulai, William Gumane, John Brown, Philip Gena Kimagl, Maima Gull, Susan Dua Dingi, Peter Baka, Willie Drua, Toby Gende Abraham, Timon Wena, Loko Kal Ongatnem, Paul Gandi Dekemba, Joe Merimba, Tangil Iambakey Okuk, Peter Kuglo Peter and Paul Gegasunga Gags.
When their preferences were distributed, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's Peoples National Congress Party candidate Peter Waieng maintained his lead with 6¸932 votes. Veteran politician and former Minister Mathew Siune is on 5, 117 votes while Constitutional Democratic candidate Tobias Kulang is on 4,379 votes and former MP Wagi Merimba is on 3,814. People's Party candidate Paul Gende is running fifth with 3,725 votes.
A winner is expected to be declared by tomorrow or Friday before the writs are returned to the governor-general by Aug 26
National Planning plans visits to LLGs
By ALISON ANIS
THE Department of National Planning and Monitoring is carrying out a consultative programme targeting all local level governments (LLG), Minister Sam Basil says, The National reports.
Basil yesterday announced the consultations process would begin on Monday in Alotau, Milne Bay.
"This is the first time we will be consulting with the LLG managers in all four regions to see how we can work with them to improve service delivery and basic infrastructure," he said at a media briefing at Vulupindi Haus.
Basil said district and provincial administrators were invited to join the meetings planned for this month but the key people during consultations would be LLG councillors and managers.
"These are the people who truly represent the grassroots and people of the country," he said.
"We believe that all LLGs and districts in PNG must have the resources and must be empowered to look after themselves," Basil said.
He said his team would be visiting Kokopo, East New Britain, on Aug 24-25 to talk to LLG managers from the Islands region, including the Bougainville Autonomous Region.
Basil said on Aug 26, the department would meet with Highlands LLG heads in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.
Consultations with the Momase group would be held in Madang on Aug 29.
Basil said the aim was to bring tangible development at LLG level and see improvement of services delivery to the people.
"One way to do that is through public-private partnership (PPP) with government agencies, business houses and other credible organisations to see that rural people have direct access to services such as transport, electricity, communications and technology such as provided through the installation of VSat."
Basil said it was the dream of the new government to see that people had access to health, education and that the overall social welfare was improved.
THE Department of National Planning and Monitoring is carrying out a consultative programme targeting all local level governments (LLG), Minister Sam Basil says, The National reports.
Basil yesterday announced the consultations process would begin on Monday in Alotau, Milne Bay.
"This is the first time we will be consulting with the LLG managers in all four regions to see how we can work with them to improve service delivery and basic infrastructure," he said at a media briefing at Vulupindi Haus.
Basil said district and provincial administrators were invited to join the meetings planned for this month but the key people during consultations would be LLG councillors and managers.
"These are the people who truly represent the grassroots and people of the country," he said.
"We believe that all LLGs and districts in PNG must have the resources and must be empowered to look after themselves," Basil said.
He said his team would be visiting Kokopo, East New Britain, on Aug 24-25 to talk to LLG managers from the Islands region, including the Bougainville Autonomous Region.
Basil said on Aug 26, the department would meet with Highlands LLG heads in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.
Consultations with the Momase group would be held in Madang on Aug 29.
Basil said the aim was to bring tangible development at LLG level and see improvement of services delivery to the people.
"One way to do that is through public-private partnership (PPP) with government agencies, business houses and other credible organisations to see that rural people have direct access to services such as transport, electricity, communications and technology such as provided through the installation of VSat."
Basil said it was the dream of the new government to see that people had access to health, education and that the overall social welfare was improved.
State’s lawyer keeps plans ‘confidential’
By SAMUEL RAITANO
LAWYERS representing the state will not disclose how the attorney-general will serve a copy of the amended Supreme Court reference by the East Sepik provincial government to Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, The National reports.
Lawyer Greg Shepard, of Young and Williams Lawyers, is representing Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat.
Shepard said disclosure of such information, though in this case was of public interest, would touch on lawyer-client confidentiality.
When asked what would happen if nobody was allowed to visit Sir Michael, he said the court would direct them on that matter.
Marat yesterday said he and his lawyers would ensure Monday's Supreme Court directions to serve court documents on East Sepik regional MP Sir Michael and four other interveners would be executed.
"It was a Supreme Court direction and it will be done between now and next Tuesday," Marat said.
He said that it would be done as soon as the sealed court directions were received by his lawyers.
The Supreme Court had on Monday ruled that the deadline for the service of documents to concerned parties should be by the end of business on Friday.
The court had ordered that the attorney-general served the documents on allthose who were interested to join. On Monday, seven interested parties were named. The court ruled that any other party interested to join should do so by tomorrow.
Sir Michael, who is sick and under medical care in a hospital in Singapore, would have to be served the reference.
Sir Michael is East Sepik regional MP. It was his post that was allegedly stripped triggering the special reference.
Sources at the attorney-general's office said certain personnel could be sent to Singapore today to serve the reference.
It was understood that even if Sir Michael was not well to study the reference, he would have to appoint a lawyer on his behalf to do it for him, and evidence should be provided of that.
Marat said lawyers would fly to Singapore if that was what it took to serve the court documents
LAWYERS representing the state will not disclose how the attorney-general will serve a copy of the amended Supreme Court reference by the East Sepik provincial government to Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, The National reports.
Lawyer Greg Shepard, of Young and Williams Lawyers, is representing Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat.
Shepard said disclosure of such information, though in this case was of public interest, would touch on lawyer-client confidentiality.
When asked what would happen if nobody was allowed to visit Sir Michael, he said the court would direct them on that matter.
Marat yesterday said he and his lawyers would ensure Monday's Supreme Court directions to serve court documents on East Sepik regional MP Sir Michael and four other interveners would be executed.
"It was a Supreme Court direction and it will be done between now and next Tuesday," Marat said.
He said that it would be done as soon as the sealed court directions were received by his lawyers.
The Supreme Court had on Monday ruled that the deadline for the service of documents to concerned parties should be by the end of business on Friday.
The court had ordered that the attorney-general served the documents on allthose who were interested to join. On Monday, seven interested parties were named. The court ruled that any other party interested to join should do so by tomorrow.
Sir Michael, who is sick and under medical care in a hospital in Singapore, would have to be served the reference.
Sir Michael is East Sepik regional MP. It was his post that was allegedly stripped triggering the special reference.
Sources at the attorney-general's office said certain personnel could be sent to Singapore today to serve the reference.
It was understood that even if Sir Michael was not well to study the reference, he would have to appoint a lawyer on his behalf to do it for him, and evidence should be provided of that.
Marat said lawyers would fly to Singapore if that was what it took to serve the court documents
Corrupt 7 jailed in Southern Highlands
SEVEN people, including a woman, who held leadership positions in the provincial and local level governments in Southern Highlands, have been jailed for misusing public funds totalling more than K300,000, The National reports.
Three others, including former sports minister and Nipa-Kutubu MP Philemon Embel, are either awaiting sentences or still being investigated for misusing more or the same amount of money.
National Anti-Corruption Alliance chairman and Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie said yesterday that the seven were jailed as a result of successful investigations carried out by the alliance and police.
"So far, for Southern Highlands, there have been seven convictions, one acquittal, and two cases pending National Court decisions," Wagambie said.
He said among those convicted was former Ialibu district administrator Francis Ipuke, who was jailed for four years for misappropriating K212,000 belonging to the Ialibu Urban LG.
Wagambie said Rachel Okpio, president of the SHP Women's Council, was jailed for four years for misappropriating K50,000 belonging to the council.
Wagambie said other people who were convicted were:
He said Yoke was remanded at the Bomana prison.
He said bail had been extended to Daniel Undialu, district treasurer for Koroba-Lake Kopiago, who was alleged to have misappropriated district treasury funds totalling K94,000.
He said Embel was accused of misappropriating K165,000 of a church grant and was committed to trial but had appealed through a judicial review which was pending before the courts.
Wagambie said "massive fraud" complaints against the Department of National Planning would be investigated.
"NACA, in a bid to stop corruption, will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who have corruptly taken and used money belonging to the people of PNG," he said.
He expressed satisfaction with the work of NACA and said more was needed to be done in the fight against corruption.
He said the organisation had already undertaken a number of other investigations into the Southern Highlands, Gulf, and East Sepik provinces as well as the Nimamar LLG in Lihir, New Ireland.
He said NACA was made up of 10 government organisations including police, Ombudsman Commission and the departments of provincial affairs, treasury and personnel management, offices of the auditor-general, solicitor-general, public prosecutor, Internal Revenue Commission and PNG Customs.
Three others, including former sports minister and Nipa-Kutubu MP Philemon Embel, are either awaiting sentences or still being investigated for misusing more or the same amount of money.
National Anti-Corruption Alliance chairman and Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie said yesterday that the seven were jailed as a result of successful investigations carried out by the alliance and police.
"So far, for Southern Highlands, there have been seven convictions, one acquittal, and two cases pending National Court decisions," Wagambie said.
He said among those convicted was former Ialibu district administrator Francis Ipuke, who was jailed for four years for misappropriating K212,000 belonging to the Ialibu Urban LG.
Wagambie said Rachel Okpio, president of the SHP Women's Council, was jailed for four years for misappropriating K50,000 belonging to the council.
Wagambie said other people who were convicted were:
- Councillor Andrew Mambea, president of the Kuare LLG, Kagua, who was sentenced to five years jail for misappropriating K8,700 being allowances for Village Court officials;
- Pisa Solo, LLG clerk for Lai, who was sentenced to three years for misappropriating K20,000 LLG grants;
- Andrew Epei, Ialibu town council manager, who was sentenced to four years for misappropriating K212,000, belonging to the Ialibu Urban LG; and
- Andrew Mambea, council president Kuare LLG, Kagua, who was sentenced to four years jail for misappropriating K10,000.
He said Yoke was remanded at the Bomana prison.
He said bail had been extended to Daniel Undialu, district treasurer for Koroba-Lake Kopiago, who was alleged to have misappropriated district treasury funds totalling K94,000.
He said Embel was accused of misappropriating K165,000 of a church grant and was committed to trial but had appealed through a judicial review which was pending before the courts.
Wagambie said "massive fraud" complaints against the Department of National Planning would be investigated.
"NACA, in a bid to stop corruption, will continue to investigate and bring to justice those who have corruptly taken and used money belonging to the people of PNG," he said.
He expressed satisfaction with the work of NACA and said more was needed to be done in the fight against corruption.
He said the organisation had already undertaken a number of other investigations into the Southern Highlands, Gulf, and East Sepik provinces as well as the Nimamar LLG in Lihir, New Ireland.
He said NACA was made up of 10 government organisations including police, Ombudsman Commission and the departments of provincial affairs, treasury and personnel management, offices of the auditor-general, solicitor-general, public prosecutor, Internal Revenue Commission and PNG Customs.
InterOil records US$23.5m net profit for Q2
INTEROIL Corp last Friday posted a consolidated net profit of US$23.5 million in the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, The National reports.
This compares with a net profit of US$7.8 million for the same period last year, an improvement of US$15.7 million.
The operating segments of corporate, midstream refining and downstream collectively returned a net profit for the quarter of US$34.5 million.
The development segments of upstream and midstream liquefaction yielded a net loss of US$11 million.
This movement was mainly due to higher foreign exchange gains realised on the strengthening of the kina against the US dollar from 0.3895 at the start of the second quarter of this year and ending the quarter at 0.4350, the gains realised on shares acquired as an investment interest in Flex LNG.
InterOil's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation for the quarter was a gain of US$39 million, compared with a gain of US$14.9 million for the same period last year, an increase of US$24.1 million.
Total revenue increased by US$78.5 million from US$225.3 million last year to US$303.8 million for the second quarter this year.
In the quarter, InterOil and Pacific LNG Operations Ltd entered into framework agreements with Samsung Heavy Industries and Flex LNG Ltd, conditional upon a final investment decision relating to the construction and operation of a 1.8 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) floating natural gas liquefaction processing vessel.
The project was intended to be integrated with and augment proposed infrastructure to liquefy natural gas from the onshore Elk and Antelope fields in the Gulf province.
The onshore liquefaction facility was being pursued with Energy World Corp. and Mitsui and Co Ltd.
Subsequent to the quarter end, InterOil announced on Aug 2 the signing of a heads of agreement with Noble Clean Fuels Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble Group Ltd, which was to form the basis for negotiation of a binding, definitive agreement for the supply to Noble of 1.0mtpa of LNG from InterOil's proposed Gulf LNG project in Papua New Guinea.
InterOil chief executive officer Phil Mulacek said: "In addition to continuing to pre-invest in the Gulf LNG project in advance of FID, InterOil achieved another milestone in advancing our development project with the recent execution of a HOA with Noble Group.
"Noble has a proven track record of providing long-term fuel supply to major utilities across Japan, South Korea and China and is a good fit with InterOil's strategy of expanding LNG markets," he said.
He said the addition of Sir Rabbie Namaliu, former Prime Minister and former Petroleum and Energy minister to InterOil's PNG advisory board should assist InterOil in discussions with government departments in developing the Gulf LNG Project.
"Furthermore, we have advanced our understanding of the structure of the Triceratops/Bwata structure, having recently completed the acquisition of three of the four additional seismic lines over the field, and are now preparing to drill the Triceratops 2 well," he said.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Accident victim wants review of road rules
AN injured passenger in a recent fatal road accident at Sasiang Farm, along the Markham plains in Morobe, has called for stringent measures to be established for trucking companies including the issuing of driving licences, The National reports.
Mt Hagen Secondary School deputy principal James Pini (pictured) made the call yesterday from his hospital bed at the Lae International Hospital.
Pini had sustained two broken bones on his right hand while his wife, Naomi, received injuries to her head.
Others admitted at the Angau Memorial Hospital included George Ning, Peter Philip, Joshua Kopugl and Jonny Boy from Moge-Namb in Hagen Central with body and head injuries.
Pini wanted the relevant authorities to seriously review:
.The operating regulations of trucking companies;
.Issuing of driving licences;
.Penalties for careless driving;
.Establishment of weighing stations; and
.Awarding of road contracts and maintenance.
Among the fatal accidents along the Markham plains since last year was the collision of two Coaster buses at Ragiampun which resulted in 40 deaths in January and another involving evangelist Joseph Kingal and his family at Zumim Bridge last November.
Two Fridays ago, a Landcruiser utility belonging to Traisa Transport ran into the back of a semi-trailer belonging to Rookes Marine resulting in three deaths.
Last Thursday, a Coaster bus collided with a KK & Sons semi-trailer resulting in five deaths.
Early last Saturday morning, a Mazda Dyna ploughed into the same semi-trailer which was left on the roadside after Thursday's accident resulting in eight more deaths.
Altogether, 57 deaths were recorded since last year while those who sustained injuries in other crashes went unreported.
Pini also pointed out two other factors resulting in the accidents on the highway – bad road conditions and careless driving.
"Who will be responsible for the expense of the deaths and compensations, hospital surgery and treatment fees for injured persons including living costs for the families of those that died?
"Is it the government or trucking company, PMV and vehicle owners involved?" Pini said.
"The government needs to think critically and put in place measures to guide, control and minimise such road accidents."
Meanwhile, Lae area base medical store (LABMS) manager Polume Jonathan said LOHA Customs and Forwarding, LD Logistics and MDL were the three companies engaged in medical supplies procurement.
"I have no knowledge of the arrangement for the Mazda Dyna involved in the accident, reportedly returning from Madang after procurement of medical supplies," Jonathan said.
The truck is owned by JED Logistics Company, engaged by the Health Department in Port Moresby for procurement of medical supplies.
They were recently established in Lae but cargo forwarding and consignments were done in NCD while, in Lae, they did deliveries only to required destinations.
However, having no proper warehouse, they were allowed to use the LABMS yard but have no proper vehicles, he said.
Youth dies in election clash
A MAN has died following a clash between two groups supporting rival candidates during the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election in Chimbu, The National reports.
A compensation demand of K100,000 and 52 pigs was imposed on the two candidates by relatives of Peter Bob, 18, of Gembogl.
Relatives of the deceased presented the compensation demands to the two candidates last week. Bob had died of head injuries.
Police said immediately after the polling in one of the stations in Gembogl, supporters of the two rival candidates had a fight.
The deceased sustained serious head injuries as a result and was rushed to the Kundiawa General Hospital where he died after a few days.
Chimbu provincial police commander acting Supt John Kale confirmed the incident and said police mediated with the tribes and settled for the compensation.
He said the body of the deceased was taken to his Siago village on the foot of Mt Wilhelm for burial last Thursday.
Kale has appealed to candidates and their supporters to maintain peace during the counting.
"It is important that people respect each other and live peacefully, because election comes and goes and the people must live peacefully and lead normal lives," Kale said.
Last Saturday evening, police dispersed supporters of the two candidates as they were trying to argue and fight among themselves.
A compensation demand of K100,000 and 52 pigs was imposed on the two candidates by relatives of Peter Bob, 18, of Gembogl.
Relatives of the deceased presented the compensation demands to the two candidates last week. Bob had died of head injuries.
Police said immediately after the polling in one of the stations in Gembogl, supporters of the two rival candidates had a fight.
The deceased sustained serious head injuries as a result and was rushed to the Kundiawa General Hospital where he died after a few days.
Chimbu provincial police commander acting Supt John Kale confirmed the incident and said police mediated with the tribes and settled for the compensation.
He said the body of the deceased was taken to his Siago village on the foot of Mt Wilhelm for burial last Thursday.
Kale has appealed to candidates and their supporters to maintain peace during the counting.
"It is important that people respect each other and live peacefully, because election comes and goes and the people must live peacefully and lead normal lives," Kale said.
Last Saturday evening, police dispersed supporters of the two candidates as they were trying to argue and fight among themselves.
Sepik's challenge on government enters courtroom
By SAMUEL RAITANO
THE East Sepik provincial government's Supreme Court special reference challenging the constitutionality of the O'Neill-Namah government entered the legal scene yesterday, putting to test the jurisdictional responsibilities of the chief justice and the attorney-general in assisting the court, The National reports.
The main drama was when points were raised between first intervener Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat's counsel and Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia as to who should order the serving of the amended Supreme Court reference to the parties named.
This was because the attorney-general and the court shared the same discretion to serve the reference documents to the concerned parties, according to a provision of the Supreme Court rule used to pursue the matter.
In the melee, the referrer's lawyer, Ian Molloy, announced that the "amended" special reference was filed and served early yesterday morning in court and to the defendants before the 9.30am hearing.
The Supreme Court reference was filed on Aug 5 and an amended version was filed yesterday.
The court was told that the amended special reference superseded the previous special reference.
Counsel Manuel Varitimos, for the attorney-general, denied receiving any written document on the amendment.
The court battle promised to gain momentum as lawyers Virgil Narokobi and Kelly Naru for the Ombudsman Commission and the clerk of parliament respectively announced their intentions to join the proceeding as intervening parties.
Narokobi said the Ombudsman Commission was ready to join in the matter and would file their application to do so on the court's direction.
He said the reference was to do with the interpretation and application of constitutional laws which his client was interested in.
Naru said he would make two separate applications to intervene.
One was for the clerk of the parliament in person and the other for the national parliament.
The court raised concern as to whether the jurisdiction in representing the parliament in court lay with the clerk or the speaker.
The attorney-general, in his draft orders, had named seven parties as the ones interested in the matter and who should be personally served with the reference documents.
The parties are Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, former acting prime minister Sam Abal, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah, Parliament Speaker Jeffery Nape, the Ombudsman Commission and the national parliament.
Varitimos also sought the court's approval to personally serve Sir Michael the reference information because "there was no evidence whatsoever proving that Sir Michael was not able to receive it in person".
This point was received with murmurs from the court audience, prompting Sir Salamo to highlight that Sir Michael was under health care in Singapore.
The court highlighted that interested parties were not restricted to the seven and directed that any other parties wanting to join in had to make their applications by Thursday.
This was due to the state's argument that it did not want to have any other party filing similar references on the same matter later.
The court directed the attorney-general to serve the sealed documents personally to the parties concerned before next Tuesday for further directions
THE East Sepik provincial government's Supreme Court special reference challenging the constitutionality of the O'Neill-Namah government entered the legal scene yesterday, putting to test the jurisdictional responsibilities of the chief justice and the attorney-general in assisting the court, The National reports.
The main drama was when points were raised between first intervener Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat's counsel and Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia as to who should order the serving of the amended Supreme Court reference to the parties named.
This was because the attorney-general and the court shared the same discretion to serve the reference documents to the concerned parties, according to a provision of the Supreme Court rule used to pursue the matter.
In the melee, the referrer's lawyer, Ian Molloy, announced that the "amended" special reference was filed and served early yesterday morning in court and to the defendants before the 9.30am hearing.
The Supreme Court reference was filed on Aug 5 and an amended version was filed yesterday.
The court was told that the amended special reference superseded the previous special reference.
Counsel Manuel Varitimos, for the attorney-general, denied receiving any written document on the amendment.
The court battle promised to gain momentum as lawyers Virgil Narokobi and Kelly Naru for the Ombudsman Commission and the clerk of parliament respectively announced their intentions to join the proceeding as intervening parties.
Narokobi said the Ombudsman Commission was ready to join in the matter and would file their application to do so on the court's direction.
He said the reference was to do with the interpretation and application of constitutional laws which his client was interested in.
Naru said he would make two separate applications to intervene.
One was for the clerk of the parliament in person and the other for the national parliament.
The court raised concern as to whether the jurisdiction in representing the parliament in court lay with the clerk or the speaker.
The attorney-general, in his draft orders, had named seven parties as the ones interested in the matter and who should be personally served with the reference documents.
The parties are Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, former acting prime minister Sam Abal, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah, Parliament Speaker Jeffery Nape, the Ombudsman Commission and the national parliament.
Varitimos also sought the court's approval to personally serve Sir Michael the reference information because "there was no evidence whatsoever proving that Sir Michael was not able to receive it in person".
This point was received with murmurs from the court audience, prompting Sir Salamo to highlight that Sir Michael was under health care in Singapore.
The court highlighted that interested parties were not restricted to the seven and directed that any other parties wanting to join in had to make their applications by Thursday.
This was due to the state's argument that it did not want to have any other party filing similar references on the same matter later.
The court directed the attorney-general to serve the sealed documents personally to the parties concerned before next Tuesday for further directions
Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election update
By ZACHERY PER
ONE of two female contenders running in the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election was eliminated yesterday, The National reports.
Independent candidate Christina Num Nulai, who polled 13 primary votes, was eliminated and her second preferences were distributed among 42 other candidates.
The other female candidate, Susan Dua Dingi, is still in the race with 93 first preference votes.
William Gumane, who picked 13 votes in the first count, was also eliminated.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's People's National Congress candidate Peter Waieng maintained a comfortable lead yesterday with 6, 583 votes a difference of 1,629 votes with nearest rival and former agriculture minister Mathew Siune on 4,957 votes.
Running third was Constitutional Democratic Party candidate Tobias Kulang on 4,034 votes. In fourth place was former Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Wagi Merimba with 3,726 votes.
People's Party candidate Paul Gende is in fifth place with 3,571 votes. A total of 51,643 ballots were distributed among the candidates after the eliminations yesterday.
The absolute majority was set at 25,822 and the eliminations will continue today.
Chimbu provincial elections manager Steven Gore Kaupa applauded the excellent efforts of counting officials under the guidance of returning officer James Piapia and staff from the PNG Electoral Commission.
He commended them for the successful completion of first reference counts and urged them to continue the good work in the second and third preference counts.
In a written message to the Kundiawa Lutheran Day counting centre, Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen commended the counting officials and their coordinators for the excellent execution of the counting progress, especially in completing the first counts.
Trawen also praised party officials and members of the police mobile squad 07 from Mt Hagen and squad 08 from Kerowagi for providing security during the polling and counting
ONE of two female contenders running in the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election was eliminated yesterday, The National reports.
Independent candidate Christina Num Nulai, who polled 13 primary votes, was eliminated and her second preferences were distributed among 42 other candidates.
The other female candidate, Susan Dua Dingi, is still in the race with 93 first preference votes.
William Gumane, who picked 13 votes in the first count, was also eliminated.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's People's National Congress candidate Peter Waieng maintained a comfortable lead yesterday with 6, 583 votes a difference of 1,629 votes with nearest rival and former agriculture minister Mathew Siune on 4,957 votes.
Running third was Constitutional Democratic Party candidate Tobias Kulang on 4,034 votes. In fourth place was former Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Wagi Merimba with 3,726 votes.
People's Party candidate Paul Gende is in fifth place with 3,571 votes. A total of 51,643 ballots were distributed among the candidates after the eliminations yesterday.
The absolute majority was set at 25,822 and the eliminations will continue today.
Chimbu provincial elections manager Steven Gore Kaupa applauded the excellent efforts of counting officials under the guidance of returning officer James Piapia and staff from the PNG Electoral Commission.
He commended them for the successful completion of first reference counts and urged them to continue the good work in the second and third preference counts.
In a written message to the Kundiawa Lutheran Day counting centre, Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen commended the counting officials and their coordinators for the excellent execution of the counting progress, especially in completing the first counts.
Trawen also praised party officials and members of the police mobile squad 07 from Mt Hagen and squad 08 from Kerowagi for providing security during the polling and counting
Violence rocks Mendi
By JEFFREY ELAPA and JAMES APA GUMUNO
MANY people were wounded and thousands of kina worth of properties damaged as armed supporters of two acting provincial administrators clashed in the Southern Highlands capital, Mendi, yesterday, The National reports.
Provincial police commander Chief Supt Teddy Tei confirmed that the supporters of reappointed provincial administrator William Powi and those backing sidelined acting administrator Lawrence Olkoben clashed using sticks, stones and bush knives.
There were reports of guns being used but police could not confirm that.
Reports that two men died in the clash could not be confirmed as well last night.
Tei said as Powi flew into Mendi to take up his acting appointment as administrator, armed supporters of Olkoben tried to prevent him from entering the seven-storey Agiru Centre.
Fight then broke out in front of the provincial administration building with bush knives, sticks and stones being used.
"I condemn the action of the people of Nipa for supporting the sidelined administrator by arming themselves and having no respect for the law and other people of Southern Highlands.
"These are the actions of lunatics. They are not human beings with common sense," Tei said.
He commended the handful of policemen and local leaders who managed to contain the situation from spreading further.
All government offices and stores in town closed as the violence spread onto the streets.
Many vehicles had their windscreens smashed by flying missiles.
Olkoben confirmed that several of his supporters were wounded while thousands of kina worth of properties was damaged.
He said the provincial government would pay for all the damages as assured by Governor Anderson Agiru yesterday.
He said seven people were critically wounded and had to be admitted at the Mendi General Hospital while another three were transferred to Mt Hagen in Western Highlands.
Olkoben said he would continue to occupy the office until a permanent appointment was made by the NEC.
Powi blamed Olkoben for starting the commotion.
He said he flew into Mendi to take up his acting appointment but was surprised by the armed supporters.
He said NEC was the final appointing authority and the PEC and Olkoben had to respect due process and allow him to resume and take control of government administration in the province.
A government spokesman said cabinet last week rescinded the appointment of Olkoben because it did not follow proper process.
"Olkoben's appointment fell short of the Public Service Commission requirements and cabinet acted to correct this," he said.
"People must understand this process and what happened in Mendi is a criminal act that the police must deal with," the source said.
Powi was appointed by NEC last Thursday during the changes to some departmental heads.
Mendi hospital chief executive officer Joseph Turian confirmed yesterday afternoon that nine people had sustained pellet wounds and were treated at the hospital.
Turian said while the hospital was opened yesterday, those who sought treatments were charged K1,000 each.
He said the high fee was imposed because hospital staff were forced to attend to patients as a result of a problem brought on by their own doing.
MANY people were wounded and thousands of kina worth of properties damaged as armed supporters of two acting provincial administrators clashed in the Southern Highlands capital, Mendi, yesterday, The National reports.
Provincial police commander Chief Supt Teddy Tei confirmed that the supporters of reappointed provincial administrator William Powi and those backing sidelined acting administrator Lawrence Olkoben clashed using sticks, stones and bush knives.
There were reports of guns being used but police could not confirm that.
Reports that two men died in the clash could not be confirmed as well last night.
Tei said as Powi flew into Mendi to take up his acting appointment as administrator, armed supporters of Olkoben tried to prevent him from entering the seven-storey Agiru Centre.
Fight then broke out in front of the provincial administration building with bush knives, sticks and stones being used.
"I condemn the action of the people of Nipa for supporting the sidelined administrator by arming themselves and having no respect for the law and other people of Southern Highlands.
"These are the actions of lunatics. They are not human beings with common sense," Tei said.
He commended the handful of policemen and local leaders who managed to contain the situation from spreading further.
All government offices and stores in town closed as the violence spread onto the streets.
Many vehicles had their windscreens smashed by flying missiles.
Olkoben confirmed that several of his supporters were wounded while thousands of kina worth of properties was damaged.
He said the provincial government would pay for all the damages as assured by Governor Anderson Agiru yesterday.
He said seven people were critically wounded and had to be admitted at the Mendi General Hospital while another three were transferred to Mt Hagen in Western Highlands.
Olkoben said he would continue to occupy the office until a permanent appointment was made by the NEC.
Powi blamed Olkoben for starting the commotion.
He said he flew into Mendi to take up his acting appointment but was surprised by the armed supporters.
He said NEC was the final appointing authority and the PEC and Olkoben had to respect due process and allow him to resume and take control of government administration in the province.
A government spokesman said cabinet last week rescinded the appointment of Olkoben because it did not follow proper process.
"Olkoben's appointment fell short of the Public Service Commission requirements and cabinet acted to correct this," he said.
"People must understand this process and what happened in Mendi is a criminal act that the police must deal with," the source said.
Powi was appointed by NEC last Thursday during the changes to some departmental heads.
Mendi hospital chief executive officer Joseph Turian confirmed yesterday afternoon that nine people had sustained pellet wounds and were treated at the hospital.
Turian said while the hospital was opened yesterday, those who sought treatments were charged K1,000 each.
He said the high fee was imposed because hospital staff were forced to attend to patients as a result of a problem brought on by their own doing.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Mt Hagen ends 50th cultural show
By YVONNE HAIP
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| Two girls leading adults in a singsing group.-Nationalpic by YVONNE HAIP |
Although the Enga cultural show was held over the weekend, the show, which was first held in 1961, attracted some 570 tourists, a 100% increase, compared to last year's 250.
Two Italian tourists, Giovani Rainero and Francesca Fronte, who travelled from Milan, said it had been worth getting first-hand experience of Papua New Guinea.
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| Tourists mingling with traditional dancers |
As first-timers to the country, they said they had been told negative stories about PNG and its crime rate but they had disproved that and had met many friendly people and they would return.
Many singsing groups from all over the country took part and it was a display of PNG's unique and diverse culture.
Several local singers, including Lista Serum and K-Dumen belted out their hits and the amphitheatre, as usual, was packed to capacity.
Some youths, despite the mud after the rainy season, danced away as their favourite bands played.
The show was witnessed by a delegation of ministers, led by Deputy Prime Minster Belden Namah.
Culture, Arts, and Tourism Minister Benjamin Philip said culture was an important heritage of the country and had to be upheld and strengthened.
He said westernisation was luring youths away from culture but he urged the people to uphold their identity.
He committed K10,000 towards the show's organising committee.
Governor Tom Olga, who officially opened the show, said culture was the pride of their ancestors, the current and future generation and should be passed on
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