Let Tamate prosecute Somare: Morauta

Acting public prosecutor Camillus Sambua should refrain from prosecuting prime minister Sir Michael Somare, when his leadership tribunal hearing commences on March 10, 2011.

Leader of opposition Sir Mekere Morauta explained that this was because Sambua originated from Angoram, East Sepik province and is also Sir Michael's nephew.

Sir Mekere stressed that any involvement of Sambua in the tribunal hearing would be perceived as compromising the State's position.

"It is fair and in public interest that Mr Sambua is stopped from any involvement in the whole process.

"He is closely related to Sir Michael, "the former prime minister said today.

As well, Sir Mekere urged senior lawyers in the public prosecutor's office to ensure that all material evidence submitted by the Ombudsman Commission was not interfered with or destroyed.

"All evidences must be safe guarded at all cost.

"No evidence must be compromised or amended," he said.

Sir Mekere also said that if the prime minister had any public conscience, he should not have appointed a relative through the attorney general, Sir Arnold Amet.

"It is nepotism in its most naked form and the PNG public should not put up with such nonsense.

"It is public knowledge that Somare used Sir Arnold to appoint his relative simply to put up road blocks in the prosecution process.

"Camillus Sambua was conveniently appointed under the prime minister's instruction simply to frustrate the whole process.

"There is no other reason.

"The whole nation knows the real motive for removing Jim Wala Tamate.

"He fearlessly took a courageous and decisive stand to refer Michael Somare to a leadership tribunal.

"I reiterate my earlier statement that Mr Tamate's removal as acting public prosecutor has the finger marks of the prime minister all over it.

"It does not make any sense to revoke an acting appointment only to be replaced by another person also on acting basis."

Sir Mekere said Tamate should be the lawyer who should present the indictments relating to Sir Michael's alleged misconduct charges in the leadership tribunal hearing.

Sir Mekere noted that the Ombudsman Commission lawyer would also be there to observe, assist and clarify any issue in the process of the tribunal hearing. 

Eye sore!

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has expressed disappointment at the graffiti which appeared on the beautiful bird of paradise sculptures at the Boroko roundabout in NCD.
Graffiti has been sprayed over the less-than-a-month painting of the “birds of paradise”.
Loiterers are also a problem as was captured yesterday in these AURI EVA pictures.
 The prime minister expressed his displeasure while opening the PNG national orchid garden at 14-Mile last Sunday.

Airline ordered to pay K811,000 for pilot's death

Pilot’s family wins 11-year court battle

 

By SAMUEL RAITANO

 

AN AVIATION company was yesterday ordered by the National Court to pay more than K800, 000 to the family of a pilot who died in a plane crash in 1995, The National reports.

The long-fought claim was based on negligence by Trans Niugini Airways Ltd for allowing pilot John Kale to fly an airplane which was not airworthy.

The incident happened on July 25, 1995, when the Britten-Norman Islander (BN2 A-21), carrying 13 bags of coffee weighing more than 700kg, crashed in fine weather during take-off from Karimui airstrip in Chimbu.

Yesterday’s was the second of two decisions by the court. In May 2006, the court ruled against Trans Niugini Airways, which had breached aviation safety practices and standards when it “recklessly permitted an aircraft that was plagued with chronic engineering faults to be flown”.

In yesterday’s decision, Justice Les Gavara Nanu outlined assessment of the cost totalling K811, 742.66.

At the time of the tragedy, the pilot’s wife and plaintiff in the case, Esther Kuri, was 22 years old while their only son was two years old.

Kale, who was 27, then, was a licensed and qualified commercial pilot.

The payment of the claim covered 11 years, 11 months and one week, in which loss of dependency, increase risk of orphanhood, estate claim, special damages, legal costs and interest was looked at.

The decision itemised how much would go to the wife, the son and the pilot’s parents.

The cost of trial on the issue of liability, decided on in 2006, will also be paid by the defendant.

The earlier court decision said that in permitting the deceased to fly such an aircraft, the defendant (company) had acted without due regard for the safety of the deceased and was in breach of its duty of care.

During that time, the court also found that the Civil Aviation report, which attributed the cause of the crash to pilot error, was grossly flawed.

 

 

Police cautioned on arms

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

ACTING Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie has instructed his regional and provincial commanders to start assessing threats of arm build-up leading into the 2012 election, The National reports.

Wagambie said police would start flushing out suspected areas by June in the pre-election operations.

He said this when receiving K270, 000 worth of firearms from Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris in Port Moresby yesterday.

The arms included three Israeli-made Gail Ace 23 semi-automatic rifles and three Glock 19 semi-automatic pistols that were paid for by the Maprik joint district planning and budget priorities committee at a cost of K271, 800 for police in the district.

The presentation was witnessed by East Sepik police commander Charles Parinjo, Maprik rural police station commander James Baugen and district administrator Simon Failou.

Wagambie praised Kapris for the foresight in providing the “tools of trade” to the police force to carry out their duties in maintaining law and order.

“Today, young criminals are daring, they have no respect for the law and these tools will assist police.”

He said there was a shortage of funds in the police force  and he urged other leaders to follow the example set by Kapris because law and order was a community issue and not for police alone to resolve.

Wagambie said the police were preparing for the pre-election operations by next June to flush out areas of concern of arms build-up and the contribution by Kapris is welcomed.

Kapris said law and order was very important for any economy to prosper and if it was not addressed law and order would eat away at the economy.

“Many investors’ first question is about the law and order situation in PNG. It is hard to explain but we just say it is like any other place on earth.”

Kapris also urged the police personnel to look after what the leaders are helping with because a new vehicle he gave to Maprik police had been wrecked.

“It is costing the state money and we cannot continue to abuse state assets.”

Wagambie also advised his men that the firearms used must be secured at all times and used properly.

“When your life is in danger, shoot to injure. The gun is not for you to go and do things outside of the law and set security procedures.

East Sepik police Chief Insp Charles Parinjo, in expressing his gratitude for the support, said this was the second, with Angoram MP Arthur Somare already handing over four M16 assault rifles and two SIG pistol for Angoram police.

He also commended East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu for buying five vehicles for police in the province.

Judges query tribunal team

SOME Papua New Guinea National and Supreme Court judges are concerned about not being consulted in the appointment of the membership of the leadership tribunal hearing misconduct allegations against Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, The National reports.

A three-man tribunal, comprising pre-eminent overseas retired judges Roger Gyles as chairman, Sir Bruce Robertson and Sir Robin Auld, was scheduled to begin next Thursday.

While the appointment of a leadership tribunal was the sole prerogative of the chief justice, it was an established practice for the CJ to consult his fellow judges before naming the tribunal, The National had learned.

In this case, where tribunal members were drawn from outside PNG court jurisdiction, the local judges were all the more concerned.

The judges, who were approached by The National, had no idea about the tribunal and its membership or preparations.

“I have no idea about the appointment of the tribunal and what criterion was used in the appointment of the tribunal membership,” a judge said.

Consultation is a general and legal requirement in such situations, leading up to the appointment of the members of a leadership tribunal within the PNG judiciary, The National was told.

Another judge said that ideally, tribunal members must had previously served on the PNG bench and were now retired, which was not the case in the case of the current membership of the tribunal.

PNG Law Society president and the prime minister’s lead lawyer Kerenga Kua said the CJ’s appointment of pre-eminent retired overseas judges was in line and was within the bounds of law.

“The law allows for the appointment of sitting judges or retired judges from the PNG’s judicial bench. Or, in the current situation, from comparable jurisdiction – that is, from the common law jurisdictions such as Australia and New Zealand who, like PNG, follow the traditional English common law.

“We do not have any issue with that,” Kerenga said.

Issues are being raised in legal circles, regardless, about whether or not the decisions of the tribunal would be legally binding if its membership did not comprise members of the PNG justice system.

The National was told that the appointment of any tribunal membership, to judge on allegations against any leader, would be done collectively within the judiciary where names of possible candidates are circulated to the sitting PNG judges for their comments.

The names are then returned to the office of the chief justice who consults with the most senior of his colleagues before deciding on a final list.

 

 

Public service is collapsing

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

THE public service system has collapsed and is in total disarray, a senior government official said yesterday, The National reports.

The official said this was evident by the number of acting appointments currently in the public ser­vice.

The source said currently, there was the acting police commissioner, acting correctional services commissioner, acting secretary for national planning, acting auditor general and acting public prosecutor but within departments and government agencies, there were many more on acting positions.

He also revealed that the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) did not even have records of the total number of public service on the government pay-roll.

“I believe the government is paying more than 300,000 public servants, including names of dead persons, wives, children and even some walking around the streets but still getting salaries every fortnight.”

He said the DPM claimed to have less than 100,000 public servants but they did not have proper records to show the total number of government employees, adding that Public Service Minister Moses Maladina had a big task ahead to get his department in order.

Maladina, when contacted, said he was aware of this report but decline to criticise his own department and said he was awaiting the return of secretary John Kali from holidays to map a way forward for the department.

He confirmed that there were too many acting appointments with some acting on the job for more than six months which was illegal.

He said the problem was that three months before the term of an appointment expires, the Department of Personnel Management must advertise the position.

He said during the three months, appointments were confirmed to ensure smooth flow of operations but this had not been happening, resulting in the current situation of acting appointments.

“I have a huge task ahead of me in which I have to conjure up all my experience to deal with this situation.”

Maladina said this year had been declared the “year of implementation” and he would ensure that the public service is put right to deliver government agenda to the majority of the people.

“It is a huge challenge for me and I will take the bull by the horns if I may put it that way for efficient and effective public service.”

 

Students miss out due to fees, space

By YVONNE HAIP

 

NEARLY half of the registered students in PNG are not yet in school either because they lack school fees or because schools lack space, Education Minister James Marape said in Mt Hagen on Monday, The National reports.

Addressing students, staff and parents at the Mt Hagen Technical School, the minister also revealed that the controversial outcomes-based education (OBE) was less than perfect and had deficiencies.

Speaking during the commissioning of the college as a polytechnic institution, Marape said despite the deficiencies, the government would persist with the reformed system in the hope of overcoming the shortcomings.

The education minister highlighted some of the setbacks in OBE were in the quality of education received and school facilities. But, he said, the reform was only 10 years old and authorities were working to address these shortcomings.

Meanwhile, the upgrading of the Hagen institution would allow it to teach specialised trade courses with certificates, diplomas and degrees being offered.

The Mt Hagen Polytechnic Institution would enrol its first intakes in 2014.

It is one of four such institutions in the country, and the only one for the highlands region.

He also revealed that 47% of registered students throughout the country were yet to be in schools due to school fee-related issues.

Despite these problems, Marape said the reformed system was aimed at providing more opportunities for students to progress through the various levels of education.

He cited the four national high schools, which were taking in a limited number of Grade 10 graduates, as a good example.

Today, upgraded secondary schools in all the provinces nationwide are providing Grade 10 students the opportunity to further their education to Grade 12.Accompanying the minister was acting

Education secretary Dr Joseph Pagelio and senior education officials, who will be attending the 171st national education board meeting in Mt Hagen.

Pacific should not be used as a testing ground

Two campaign organisations, based in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, have joined forces to denounce plans for the Pacific to be used as the testing ground for deep-sea mining.

ACT NOW! and the Pacific Network on Globalisation say the Pacific region has already suffered the negative social and environmental impacts of industrial mining on land and should not take further risks with the marine environment.

“Rather than allowing ourselves to be the testing ground for multinational companies and foreign governments, Pacific countries should focus on new approaches to our own

development that is consistent with our lifestyle, history and social and political realities”, says Effrey Dademo, programme manager with ACT NOW!

Nautilus Minerals has already been granted a license by the PNG government to develop the world’s first deep-sea mine and the European Union has announced plans to help 15

Pacific island countries to develop laws and policies to facilitate such operations across the region.

Maureen Penjueli, coordinator for PANG, says Pacific island countries do not have the resources, capacity or experience to effectively manage and monitor large resource projects and government should focus on supporting their own people rather than large corporate interests.

“We have had an alternative development model forced upon on us by outsiders but it is clear that model is not working for us and, indeed, is failing in the West as well.

“We, as Pacific people, need to find our own voice and return to a focus on our own strengths and knowledge base.

“Deep-sea mining is likely to be another catastrophic failure for the region and we don’t need it.”

 

Petromin to take up state share in Solwara-1

Petromin PNG Holdings Ltd has been nominated to exercise the state back-in right in the Solwara-1 mining project, according to mining minister John Pundari.

Nautilus exploration vessel.-Pictures courtesy of PETROMIN

He made the announcement as Petromin prepares to open its magnificent new Petromin Haus at 2-Mile in Port Moresby on Friday.
Pundari said after consulting prime minister Sir Michael Somare, who is also minister responsible for Petromin, he had exercised his powers under the Mining Act to nominate Petromin, once the state entered the project through the options agreement which was being negotiated with project developer Nautilus Minerals Ltd.
He said based on his advice, Sir Michael had confirmed the nomination under the Petromin Act, conditional on the state entering the project.
“Petromin will now negotiate commercial terms with Nautilus to fund its equity in the project,” Pundari said.
Petromin owns and operates Tolukuma gold mine, the only operating underground narrow vein mine in the country and is venturing into several others.

Solwara drill cores

“I have taken the initiative to nominate Petromin as the state’s nominee to acquire the state’s interest in all upcoming major mining projects that are rapidly advancing into the production stage,” Pundari said.
“These exciting projects include the three upcoming mines: Frieda in East/West Sepik province (copper/gold), Yandera in Madang province (copper/molybdenum) and Wafi-Golpu (copper/gold) in the Morobe province.
“PNG must gain significantly from these projects once these mines begin production.
“I believe the benefits to the state can be greatly maximised if the state participated in these projects as a shareholder.”
Pundari said state equity participation through Petromin would also be beneficial to landowner participation.
“Under the mineral policy, landowners in project areas are entitled to 5% equity in the project to come from the state’s share of equity,” he said.
“The cost of the equity will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.”
Pundari said the landowner equity would be managed separately by the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), pursuant to its constituent law, the Mineral Resources Development Company Pty Ltd (Privatisation) Act 1996.

Underwater sampling

15% credit for Nasfund members

NASFUND members have been credited with 15% for last year on the back of a strong net profit of K294 million and net value asset of K2.22 billion, The National reports.

However, members were cautioned to lower their expectations as the same might not apply for this year due to expected change in economic conditions.

The e-newsletter yesterday said the fund did exceptionally better in fund returns over one-to-10 year period.

The newsletter cautioned members that the 15% credit rates were extraordinarily high and rarely matched year on year.

The fund, as reported last month, had anticipated a model generated return this year of around 8%-9%.

From last year’s return of 16.93%, some of these returns have been parked in reserves, while anticipating the impact of a higher currency and lower capital values.

Reserves are now around 4% of net asset value.

This made Nasfund the highest reserve fund in the country with over K88 million in reserves, which would also provide some insurance for any shock either in PNG or world economy this year.

The aim for this year is to balance the enormous previous returns based on particular asset class settings and bring the fund’s asset allocation into alignment to counter what is seen as emerging issues both at home and abroad.

To this end, Nasfund will set a course for a soft landing this year and that means a return to lower but more sustainable long term returns.

 Nasfund asks again for members to readjust expectations in light of the current events unfolding and not to assume double digit returns are the norm.

 

Police: No early campaigning

 ‘Offenders will be arrested’

 

By JAMES APA GUMUNO

 

POLICE throughout Enga have been instructed to arrest anyone campaigning for next year’s general elections, The National reports.

And, provincial police commander Supt Martin Lakari has relayed this instruction to all his station commanders.

He said it was illegal for anyone to campaign at this stage.

PNG Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen announced last week that any early campaigning by intending candidates or current members of parliament would be illegal.

Lakari said many intending candidates in Enga were already on the campaign trail but this practice must stop immediately or they would be arrested by police.

He said many were sponsoring sporting events or organising parties to inform the people about their intentions to run for election next year.

He said they were also taking advantage of grieving relatives at funerals to buy food and drinks on the pretext of comforting them when it was a thinly disguised campaign strategy to win hearts and minds next year.

Lakari warned anyone breaching the electoral process and the relevant organic laws would be arrested.

“The law is very clear. Candidates are only allowed to campaign after they have paid their nomination fees when the writs are issued by the governor-general next year.”

Lakari appealed to people not to move around begging for money or goods from intending candidates.

He urged the people to elect leaders of their choice when the time comes next year.

Trawen had warned intending candidates not to campaign until he gave the go-ahead as required under the constitution.

 

 

National Alliance looks at 'a range of issues'

THE ruling National Alliance party held marathon meetings, running all throughout last week, to discuss a range of issues, including the referral of its parliamentary leader Sir Michael Somare, The National reports.

The NA council, which included the full executive wing and the parliamentary wing, discussed, among other things, succession issues pertaining to the leadership of the party should the leadership tribunal decide to suspend the prime minister.

Although a leadership tribunal has been named, Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia had left the issue of suspension up to that august body to decide when it meets on March 10 rather than the automatic application of the law which would have meant Sir Michael was suspended at the naming of the tribunal.

That particular decision, as well as the chief justice’s decision to bring in three judges from common law jurisdictions, had not been without controversy among the bench as well as from the wider community.

Succession issues in National Alliance had been an on-going and contentious point of discussion over the years and The National had learnt it had entered a crucial stage now the prime minister was referred and was most likely to be suspended.

While the highlands faction of the NA had the numerical strength in the party, its deputy leader in Don Polye was no longer the deputy prime minister, which is held by Works Minister Sam Abal. This had presented the party with a dilemma.

The NA constitution stated that the successor to the parliamentary leadership would be drawn from the regional deputies.

Next year’s elections also featured high in last week’s discussions and it was expected that a team would be selected following this NA council meeting to take the party and government into the elections next year.

 

 

NPC takes over LNG claims

THE national planning committee (NPC) will, with immediate effect, vet all memorandums of agreement and ministerial commitments relating to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, The National reports,

Deputy Prime Minister and NPC chairman Sam Abal had directed Treasury and National Planning departments to refrain from effecting payment of all outstanding claims by landowner groups.

He said in a statement yesterday that all payments would be screened by the expenditure implementation committee (EIC), the peak bureaucratic-level committee sanctioning all proposals for funding against the various benefit streams for oil and gas, particularly the LNG business grants, MoAs and ministerial commitments.

He said following EIC vetting and approved lists of proposals made, these would then be subjected to final vetting by the NPC.

“The prime minister has appointed me to ensure LNG-related issues are handled properly and I will do that with full participation of all related committee members,” Abal said.

“Except for one or two BDG cases that are subject to litigation, as far as the government is concerned, the case regarding BDGs is closed.

“It has been paid on site and there are no further payments to be made.”

The deputy prime minister said with regards to MoA commitments, “we sympathise with the landowner groups that have waited long”.

“Payment of MoAs will be the government’s most immediate focus and attention.

“Ministerial commitments made within the context of the PNG LNG negotiation and the BSA will be the next to be considered.

“Through NPC, we will seek to settle these claims as soon as possible.”

Abal also reaffirmed his early direction that all payments would be paid on-site in front of the people to whom these monies were intended for in improving their livelihoods and standard of living.

He appealed to landowner groups living in Port Moresby not to complicate issues for the government by resorting to a “confuse and plunder” strategy but return to their people in project areas and organise from there.

“We must cooperate with the government to settle these issues once and for all,” Abal said.

 

 

Borer decreases yield

By ELIZABETH VUVU

 

EAST New Britain’s economy has been devastated by the cocoa pod borer since it first showed up in 2005, deputy governor Boniface Setavo told The National yesterday.

Setavo said cocoa production in the province had dropped from 28,000 tonnes two years ago to 8,000 tonnes – a drastic drop of 20,000 tonnes which he attributed in part to the CPB.

This equated to a loss of income to ENB of around K150 million, he said.

He said CPB had taken a toll on the lives of many rural cocoa farmers who contribute the most to the total cocoa production in the province.

 “This is a disaster quite diffe­rent to the 1994 twin volcanic disasters, but it has an equal or greater impact that has affected many rural farmers who depend exclusively on income from cocoa,” Setavo said.

He said the loss of this revenue had multiple effects on other economies in the province and with such a huge socio-economic effect, it was important that the national government must save the industry by injecting much needed funds.

Setavo also indicated that the World Bank would be injecting much-needed funds for a nationwide CPB eradication programme.

He said these funds must be channelled through the legally established institutions charged with the responsibility of resurrecting the industry.

Setavo supported calls made by the PNG Growers Association to the minister for agriculture and livestock to look into the appointment of a representative board to the Cocoa Board.

He said this board should concern itself with quality control and other regulatory measures and leave the rest of the activities to the other participants in the industry.

ENB currently has a centre point of coordination and implementation of much needed funds for the CPB eradication programme called the provincial CPB committee.

He suggested that the committee should be the focal point for coordination of the different sectors.

Currently, the growers were not seeing much assistance and those farmers receiving some help were being confused by different agencies competing to provide service to them, he said.

Setavo expressed some delight in the farmers’ resilience to CPB and who had learnt and were now diversifying into other short, medium and long term crops.

The province is witnessing the emergence of a diversified agro-based economy based on alternate crops which has been possible through a number of integrated projects including Toriu Headwaters, Illi Stand Alone, Illi Wawas, Suikoi, Memalo and Mukus-Tolo development pro­jects which would see major developments in oil palm, cocoa, balsa and reforestation.

 

Chief justice must resign, says opposition

Namah calls for Injia's resignation

 

Amidst serious dissent within Papua New Guinea's judiciary over the appointment of foreign judges to deal with prime minister Sir Michael Somare's alleged misconduct charges, chief justice Sir Salamo Injia has been called on to quit his job.

Leader of PNG Party and Vanimo/Green MP Belden Namah said that in PNG's national interest, Sir Salamo should resign because he had no trust and confidence in his fellow indigenous National and Supreme Court judges to hear Sir Michael's alleged misconduct charges.

"Sir Salamo's unilateral decision to appoint foreign judges to the prime minister's leadership tribunal is an insult to the intelligence and capabilities of our most loyal, dedicated and learned judges," Namah said.

"It is an act of disturbing distrust and no confidence in the current serving judges, who are held with highest esteem by the wider PNG community.

"It is not only an act of distrust, but undermining the profound statue of the very judges who uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary - the third arm of government.

"By having no faith, trust and confidence in PNG's very own judges, the office of the chief justice has been brought to disrepute, thereby demeaning that office.

"It is no wonder that many judges were angered because there were no consultations among the judges."

On February 21.  2011, Sir Salamo named three pre-eminent retired judges: Australian Roger Gyles as chairman of the tribunal with members, New Zealander Sir Bruce Robertson and British Sir Robin Auld to Sir Michael's leadership tribunal.

Namah said he respected the three eminent judges, but was concerned of PNG's own judges not consulted and considered to be on the tribunal.

As well, he noted with concern the comments by a senior judge, who wanted to remain anonymous that "the decision to overlook our own judges is open to all manner of justifiable criticisms"

"It is justifiable for people to think that our judges are incompetent, biased and bribable.

"I feel insulted - what can the appointed members (of the leadership tribunal) do that I can't?" the judge said.

Namah said the comments by the senior judge were very serious and should not be taken lightly and simply swept under the carpet and forgotten.

"This is because it is generally accepted in PNG that if the other two arms of the government, the executive government and legislature (parliament) are non-functional, the judiciary remains the nation's beacon of hope" he said.

"That hope, trust and confidence of the judiciary is now seriously eroded to the point that the general public is asking whether or not the judiciary has become a rubber stamp of the current Somare government.

"With that backdrop, it is proper for the honorable chief justice to voluntarily resign in PNG's long-term national interest and restore the confidence of the third arm of government."

Has Papua New Guinea descended into dictatorship?

From PAUL OATES

Has Papua New Guinea descended into dictatorship?

PNG's Prime Minister Somare has previously denied he has become a dictator but what is a dictator? Here are a couple of definitions:

Wikipedia: A dictator is a ruler (e.g. absolutist or autocratic) who assumes sole and absolute power ….

Concise Oxford Dictionary: Dictator – absolute ruler … who suppresses or succeeds a democratic government.

The PNG Parliament has been suspended for the third time in a row, an action that has been claimed to be directly contravening the PNG Constitution.

 Surely one can but draw no other conclusion than Parliament has been suppressed.

 But has democratic government been suppressed?

The essence of democratic government is defined in Wikipedia as: 'a form of political organization in which all people, through ….. elected representatives … exercise equal control over the matters which affect their interests.'

The Concise Oxford Dictionary goes a step further: 'government by the people, direct or representative; the politically unprivileged class.

The last definition highlights that the 'unprivileged class', or everyday person, should be actually running the affairs of government through their elected representatives.

However, does anyone really believe that in today's PNG, the unprivileged class or everyday citizen or even their elected representatives actually in control?

 If not, then who is in control of the country?

Quoting from the PNG Constitution:

'211. ACCOUNTING, ETC., FOR PUBLIC MONEYS.

(1) All moneys of or under the control of the National Government for public expenditure and the Parliament and the Judiciary for their respective services, shall be dealt with and properly accounted for in accordance with law.

(2) No moneys of or under the control of the National Government for public expenditure or the Parliament and the Judiciary for their respective services, shall be expended except as provided by this Constitution or by or under an Act of the Parliament.'

In a recently-reported statement, a PNG deputy police commissioner publically identified that half of PNG's annual budget was lost to corruption.                                                       Amazingly, no government minister or representative rose to deny this statement or defend their responsibility to effectively and accountably govern PNG.                                                    Of course with parliament suspended, there could be no forum for this disastrous situation to be debated and fully examined could there?                                                                              So can anyone really say that there is a government in control of PNG at the moment.               If no one is obviously in control of the country then clearly there cannot be an existing dictatorship.
Maybe there is reality, just a vacuum waiting to be filled.

Petromin Haus adds to changing Port Moresby skyline

By MALUM NALU

The magnificent Petromin Haus today.-Picture by MALUM NALU

The changing skyline of Port Moresby continues with the magnificent new Petromin Haus at 2-Mile in Port Moresby, opposite Murray Barracks, which will be opened on Friday by prime minister Sir Michael Somare.
Petromin today gave no costs for the building, except to say that all would be announced at the opening.
“The building was pre-fabricated in Indonesia to Petromin specifications, and delivered, with all furniture and fittings, in containers,” according to the company.
“This includes the cost of land, design, materials, fittings, furniture, and security features.
“The building is one of PNG’s first green buildings, and has many energy-saving features, including climate control, insulated roofing, and reflective glass panelling.
“It is designed to save energy.
“The building was designed to company specifications by a Jakarta-based firm, and was constructed over a period of 10months.
“It is earthquake proof, and the structure is coated in a fireproof material that ensures that despite fire damage, the structure will remain intact.”
Petromin staff began operating from the premises on Jan 3, 2011.
All divisions and subsidiaries of the company are located within the building, except for the Tolokuma gold mine administration, which is still based at Waigani.
Petromin PNG Holdings Ltd is an independent company created by the state of Papua New Guinea to hold the state's assets and to maximise indigenous ownership and revenue gains in the mineral and petroleum sectors.
It is empowered as the vehicle to better leverage the state's equity holdings and encourage more production and downstream processing of oil, gas and minerals in PNG through proactive investment strategies either wholly or in partnership with resource developers.

Red ants wage war on borer

ENB cocoa experts to check on locals’ claim

 

By ABIGAIL APINA

 

A COUPLE in East New Britain has claimed that red ants have played a vital role in tackling cocoa pod borer (CPB) in their cocoa block, The National reports.

They noticed a few weeks ago that the quality of cocoa that was covered with red ants was better than those without ants.

“The quality of cocoa with red ants on them is good and creamy, and we believe this could be a possible solution to fighting CPB throughout the country,” they said.

James and Bonnie Wartovo said they were amazed when they realised the difference when harvesting cocoa in the past few weeks.

Another villager also claimed that ants were fighting CPB in her backyard cocoa block.

She told The National that she had been monitoring her cocoa trees for a few weeks and later concluded, after several harvests, that red ants were fighting the borer.

A scientist at the Cocoa and Coconut Research Institute (CCI), Dr Eremas Tade, said there was a possibility red ants were fighting CPB.

He said black ants were used to fight CPB in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Research showed that biological controls such as black ants were harmless to the pods and deadly to the borers.

He said the claims made by these villagers were important and CCI would send a team to investigate these cocoa trees and to confirm the role of red ants in CPB management.

 

Ogio sworn in as governor general

GG Ogio sworn in ... Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia is the first to offer his congratulations after Governor-General-elect Michael Ogio was sworn into office at the parliament chamber last Friday. A guard of honour, put on by members of the disciplinary force, set the pace for the 30-minute swearing-in ceremony. Parliament was then adjourned to resume at 2pm on May 10. Ogio will travel to Buckingham Palace next week to present his credentials to the Queen as her representative in PNG.– Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

MICHAEL Ogio was sworn into office as the ninth governor-general of Papua New Guinea in a colourful ceremony at parliament house last Friday, The National reports.

Ogio made his entry to the front of parliament to a guard of honour by the PNG Defence Force with the combined band from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and Correctional Services pipes and drums.

His arrival followed that of PNGDF Commander Francis Agwi, acting Speaker Francis Marus and wife, Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta and Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.

The dignitaries were invited to the Speakers Lounge before being led to the parliament chambers.

The chief justice was then invited by the acting speaker into the chambers to conduct the swearing-in ceremony.

Vice-regal elect Ogio was then invited into the chambers where he placed his hand on a Bible to take his oath of allegiance, declaration of loyalty and declaration of office.

Immediately after his swearing-in Parliament Speaker Jeffrey Nape, who had been acting GG until Friday, took up his chair in the chambers.

Nape offered his congratulations and wished the new GG every success in the high office that he has been elected into.

The leader of government business then moved that parliament at his rising be adjourned to 2pm on Tuesday, May 10.

It was a snap session for the swearing- in that took about 30 minutes to end for parliament to go into recess for two months.

Conspicuous by their absence was a large number of Opposition MPs.

All the invited guest and dignitaries, including heads of diplomatic missions, were then invited to the State Function room where they offered congratulations to Ogio as the 9th Governor-General of PNG.

Ogio will be travelling to Buckingham Palace next week to present his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II as her representative in PNG.

The ceremony went ahead without any hitch after attempts to block the swearing-in was thrown out by the Supreme Court last Thursday.

The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal by Ronald Rimbao to prevent the swearing-in ceremony after it was found that the appellant had no legally arguable case and that the court was satisfied that there was an abuse of process by the appellant.

Fraud and corruption come under microscope

By MALUM NALU

There has never been a greater need for more education on fraud, corruption and bribery, according to the facilitator of a week-long course on forensic accounting and fraud investigation.

Prof John Oliga of the PNG Graduate School of Management said this yesterday at the end of a week-long course on forensic accounting and fraud investigation, organised jointly with the Australian Institute of Certified Management Accountants, which brought together participants from various government departments and statutory organizations.

The course was the first of its kind in the country and was well attended by participants (pictured above) from the departments of Justice and Attorney General and Defence, Post PNG, PNG Forest Authority and self-sponsored participants.

Presenters covered a wide range of topics including planning investigation, source of information, interviewing prospective witnesses, evaluating deception, admission-seeking interviews, signed statements, report writing and legal elements.

"The objective of the programme is to get as many Papua New Guineans as possible to see the seriousness of the problem – politically, economically and socially – as the multi-billion LNG project gets underway," Prof Oliga said.

"There is more and more corruption likely to take place.

"It is also perhaps timely when the next general elections are coming in 2012."

Prof Oliga said the recent revelation by deputy police commissioner Fred Yakasa that 50% of the national budget, amounting to a whopping K4 billion, was defrauded from the state by public servants underlined the urgent need to arrest the problem.

"This programme will be running over the next couple of months in order for more participants to become aware of the enormity of the problem and perhaps begin to take pro-active action to arrest this national problem," he said.

"This programme is unique, with nobody having done such before.

"The problem (corruption, fraud and bribery) is widespread and can't be solved only by police.

"The programme is really to help save the country from the ever-growing cancer of fraud.

"We hope that when the participants go out from here, they will start implementing what they have learned here."

PNGFA senior internal auditor Peter Peya concurred with Prof Oliga that there was an urgent need for more such workshops.

"With all the fraud and corruption in PNG, we need to sharpen up on our skills and knowledge, and that will help us to undertake effective investigations," he said.

"The presentation, however, has to be more tailored to PNG's needs.

"Material should be from PNG experience.

"That will place us in a comfortable situation, which we can understand and apply back in our workplace."

Joel Dami, an accountant with justice and attorney general, said the course was an eye-opener.

"This is the first time that we have attended a course like this on fraud investigation," he said.

"Currently, we have the LNG project and a lot of other developments coming up in PNG.

"The course is timely, so that we can have an idea of problems like, for example, the landowners fighting outside Vulupindi Haus."

Labor Senator Conroy geographically challenged

From John Pasquarelli

 

Labor Senator Conroy claimed in Foreign Affairs Estimates Thursday Feb 24,  2011,  that "Indonesia is our closest neighbour". 

Papua New Guinea,  of course,  is Australia's closest neighbour (4km away at the narrowest point compared to closest point between Australian territory and Indonesia – 500km).

Is Labor unaware of the existence of PNG?

Remote Telefomin to get oil palm and rubber project

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

One remote community in Telefomin district in West Sepik province has given its backing for a major oil palm and rubber project.
People from several villages in one of the country’s least-developed areas say they support the proposed agriculture project because it will open up more cash income-earning opportunities and bring in much-needed basic services including roads and enable accessibility to markets.

Villagers in traditional dress, including penis gourds, welcome visitors

Villagers, mainly landowners, told a public hearing conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock that Telefomin had been neglected for too long and there had been lack of development and services for many years.
Villagers from the rural communities have suffered from poor or inadequate transport and infrastructure, market accessibility, health, schools, police and social services.
The public hearing was held at Worikori village in the Namea local level government early this month to seek the views of land and resource owners on the proposed Wammy rural development project, which aims to introduce a major oil palm and rubber project covering over 84,000 ha.
Villagers from the project area had to walk for two days or more to reach Worikori in time for the hearing.
Many people who attended, especially the elderly men and women, wept as the helicopter transporting the government team touched down.

A big crowd turned up for the public hearing, many having walked for a day or more to Worikori

Visitors were given a traditional welcome including the rubbing of mud all over their bodies.
Ward councillor Esorom Nasone, in welcoming the government team, said village people from rural communities suffered from lack of basic services and would welcome potential agricultural development which would be beneficial and open up opportunities. He said resource owners should realise that by making their customary land available to investors then they could expect to see changes in their livelihood.
Managing director of landowner company Wammy Ltd, John Anis, said more than 3, 000 people from 25 villages were supportive of the proposed project which would also involve other agricultural crops besides oil palm and rubber.
He said the project would lead to introduction of services to remote areas including roads, airstrips, and aid posts and improve marketing services.
The project will have a big impact in the people’s lives and boost the local and national economy.
He said the people had been crying for development over the years and this project would provide that opportunity and boost the image of Telefomin.

Agriculture college needs teaching manpower

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL
Highlands Agricultural College is the country’s premier agricultural training institution, having produced many agricultural graduates over the years.
The college, operated by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock has an important role to play in promoting human resources development in the agriculture sector and must be fully funded and resourced to carry out its role and functions effectively.
Since its establishment some 37 years ago in Mt Hagen, the college has also trained many Pacific island graduates.
It offers courses in post-certificate diploma in tropical agriculture, as well as short-term courses including certificate of attainment in agriculture (farming), certificate in agriculture, certificate of attainment in plantation operational skills, and certificate in in-service training (rice production).
Since 2007 the college has taken the initiative and re-introduced certificate courses in agriculture and agri-business management courses for farmers and school leavers.
These strategies are in line with the Government’s policies and plans including Vision 2050.
The college has the capacity to train up to 150 students annually.
However, the college is now facing a shortage of teaching staff and is seeking to recruit qualified personnel to fill in the vacant spots.
A number of long-serving staff have been retrenched and the college management wants interested people with relevant qualifications and skills in agriculture education and training to apply.
College acting principal Phillip Senat, whose position is also being advertised, confirmed that DAL was seeking suitable applicants to apply for the vacant positions which needed to be filled immediately.
He said applicants must have a minimum qualification of bachelor’s degree in agriculture or equivalent to qualify with two to three years teaching experience.
The vacant teaching positions include lecturers and senior lecturers in crops, livestock, management studies and rural engineering.
Other positions include senior training officer, co-ordinator, senior AMT officer and farm manager.
Senat took the opportunity to also pay tribute to six long serving officers namely Ablam Mawa, Any Yowano, Vela Koiari, Bernard Pahau, Robin Vogel and Karl Mondo for their commitment to the college.

Five of the six departing HAC teaching staff with a total of 209 years service. From left are Karl Mondo (38 years service), Vela Koiari (35), Amy Yowano (39), Robin Vogel (28) and Bernard Pahau (35). Most of them have also been recognised by the government and received Queen’s awards and Logohu awards