Papua New Guinea has no riches to boast about: Morauta

OPPOSITION leader Sir Mekere Morauta has challenged Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to show proof of all the riches accumulated by his Government, The National reports,

Sir Mekere was responding to a number of statements issued by Sir Michael early this week.

In one statement, the Prime Minister defended the purchase of an expensive Falcon jet, saying PNG was rich enough to afford this executive aircraft.

In a another statement, Sir Michael said Papua New Guineans were better off now than they were at Independence and there was no one starving from poverty in the rural areas.

Sir Mekere said yesterday the Prime Minister’s statements were the ultimate insult to the people, who were suffering lack of basic services, essential drugs and high price of goods and services.

“The Prime Minister and his Government’s social and economic radar is seriously off course.

“He needed to reset the radar to reflect the serious problem the nation is facing,” Sir Mekere said.

“There is no denying that this country enjoyed unprecedented economic growth for the last seven years.

“But that had little to do with what (Sir Michael) put in place; the climate for stability and growth were in place before his Government was voted in.

“PNG enjoyed an economic boom, with large inflow of revenue from high commodity prices, due largely to the economic expansion in China and India.

“We had a tidal wave of added revenue,” he added.

“PNG, according to the Prime Minister, is rich enough to buy a Falcon jet for his use, but not rich enough to pay nurses, teachers and policemen; not rich enough to pay school fees; not rich enough to pay for medicine for rural clinics and provide schools with provisions.

“Port Moresby General Hospital, the nation’s premier hausik, is a national shame.

“People like the Prime Minister and I can be medivac to Brisbane, Singapore, Cairns and Townsville, but what about our uncles, aunties and nephews; the money for the Falcon should be used to provide services for them in the country.

“Stories are bound of serious sick people waiting for days to be attended to at the Port Moresby General Hospital.”

Sir Mekere said millions of kina in public funds had been mismanaged with nothing to show for that could make Sir Michael and his Government proud.

“Where are the new roads, schools, hospitals and clinics?

“Where are the promised houses for public servants and teachers?”

He said the Somare Government beat their own expectations by blowing last year’s budget by K540 million.

“The Government is continuing this reckless spending approach unrestrained, and we can expect a bigger budget deficit this year.

“Of course, we have to borrow to fund these deficits and, like all borrowings, someone has to pay for them.”

Pacific Freedom Forum condemns harassment and detention of Fiji-based journalists

The Pacific Freedom Forum condemns the continued harassment and detention of Fiji-based journalists filing for or providing information to overseas news outlets, in addition to continuing harassment of local media and journalists.

The reported detention of Pita Ligaiula, who was filing for Associated Press and based at the PacNews Secretariat in Suva, occurred alongside the reported harassment of other journalists filing for outlets including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Radio New Zealand.

"This outrageous behavior on the part of Fiji authorities will only serve to still further focus attention on that country's situation, because the story will still be told," Pacific Freedom Forum chair Susuve Laumaea says.

"The reported invitation to 'approved' journalists - whose prior reportage on Fiji will be vetted prior to issuing visas - to come and tell 'positive' stories is ridiculous.

"Local and overseas journalists were, like Pita Ligaiula, trying to provide balanced and accurate reports about Fiji, and all the current Fiji authorities can do is harass and attempt to silence them."

"Locking up reporters such as Fiji TV's Edwin Nand, whose interview with deported ABC reporter, Sean Dorney, was seen world wide, and now AP's Pita Ligaiula, whose reports were also published globally, only demonstrates that those responsible need help and training in what real journalism is all about," says PFF co-chair Monica Miller.

 "The increased pressure on our media colleagues in Fiji has only added to the credibility and respect they have earned from regional and international colleagues; and renewed solidarity amongst Pacific journalists.

"PacNews is produced by the Pacific Islands News Association, itself a long running regional media and journalism support and training organization, which owes no loyalty to anybody except to its members and affiliates, and to the principles of fair, accurate, and balanced journalism.

"The continuing attacks on the Fiji media by the local authorities have been and continue to be condemned globally, and every instance of harassment and intimidation of journalists is being reported. PFF continues to encourage a return to due process by the current regime, by taking their issues through the complaints channels of the Fiji Media Council."

Bainimarama - the conventional view - today's "The Australian"

Letters Blog | April 17, 2009 | 4 Comments

GRAHAM Davis ("Dealing with the dictator”, Features, 16/4) must be naive indeed to believe Frank Bainimarama’s cover story for seizing complete power in Fiji. All Fiji’s coups have been justified by appeals to a greater good—the protection of “indigenous rights” in the case of the 1987 and 2000 coups, “national security” in the case of the army’s intervention in 2000, and “good governance” in 2006. The label may change but underneath lie the ambitions of individuals and groups who want power and are not willing to wait for the cumbersome process of democracy to get it.

What evidence is there that Bainimarama has any democratic instincts at all? He has systematically purged the Fiji Military Forces of constitutionalist officers, demanding they pledge an oath of personal loyalty to him and dismissing those who refuse. He never accepted the authority of the democratically elected government when there was one, and overthrew it by force in the end. He has comprehensively militarised the governing of Fiji, sacking civilians in favour of military officers in most key positions of the Fiji public service. He heads a military that consistently overspends its budget by tens of millions of dollars, draining Fiji of vital public resources. And, last year, he awarded himself Fijian $184,740 in back pay dating to 1978.

Now he has muzzled the free media, blocked the FM transmission of Radio Australia, dismissed the entire judiciary of the country so that he can appoint pliable judges, and sacked the able and well-regarded Governor of the Reserve Bank Savenaca Narube, a man who did much to keep the Fiji economy afloat through earlier crises. One fears for the future of the Fiji economy under a military leader who cannot abide opinions different from his own.

Davis is right to say that Fiji ought to have a new electoral system in which race plays no part. But how can we believe that there will be an election held in Fiji under any electoral system? And, if Bainimarama is such a democrat at heart, why do the people of Fiji have to wait five years for that election to happen? The truth is that Bainimarama is a disaster for Fiji.

Stewart Firth Bright, Vic

 

FARMERS URGED TO HARVEST COFFEE

All coffee farmers are called on to move into their coffee gardens now and harvest their coffee, process it and bring out to market to take advantage of the current coffee prices.

Current prices are at K3.80 per kilogram of parchment thus Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) Limited Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ricky Mitio, urges farmers to start harvesting now with the favourable price and dry weather.

Mr Mitio appeals to all coffee farmers to stop tribal fights, wondering around on roadsides and towns and get back into their gardens to harvest coffee.

Cherry ban is still on, but harvesting coffee would prevent perpetrators from stealing cherries to sell resulting in farmers missing out on the benefits of their own hard work.

Coffee cherry sale is still under control and a roadside cherry trade is not permitted by law. 

CIC commends all coffee growers and stakeholders in the marketing chain for last year’s record export earning of K509 million for the calendar year 2008.

This result was achieved on the back of higher prices, combined with higher export volumes. From the total earnings, growers received 66% while exporters and processors retained 19% and 15% respectively. Last year’s record was, by far, the highest level record for the industry.

The previous record was achieved in 2005 valuing K457 million.

“We would like to achieve a progressive record again this year and in the coming years,” said Mr Mitio.

Mr Mitio encourages growers to increase production though rehabilitation and planting new trees in their gardens to gain from higher prices.

He added that the District by District Coffee Rehabilitation Program funded under the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) has commenced in selected districts in the Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands and Simbu Provinces.

All growers are urged to work together with CIC officers to carry out this program to increase production.

District by District Village Coffee Rehabilitation Programme hopes to rejuvenate aging senile coffee trees of coffee gardens especially in the smallholder sector to boost production.

Papua New Guinea Media Council urges Fiji government not to interfere with media

The Media Council of PNG is supporting the call for the Government of Frank Bainimarama to not interfere with the media which is performing its noble roles of promoting good governance.

President of the Media Council of PNG, Joe Kanekane pleaded for the media to be respected as the "Fourth Estate" which is supposed to be independent to perform the functions of a watchdog.

“Please understand that the media must keep a sceptical eye on the activities of the government and the powerful. Without a free and independent media, the public interest will not be guarded, and those in powerful position can abuse the power for personal gains.”

Mr Kanekane said the Government must also respect the freedom of expression and freedom of the media as a basic human right enshrined in Article XIX of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Mr Kanekane commended the courage of the journalists and other media personal including those being intimidated in the newsrooms. He urged them to be fair and report objectively to carry the voices of different sectors of the population and communities in Fiji.

Mr Kanekane appealed to the international community, particularly the governments of the region, development partners, and regional bodies and civil society organisations to continue to demand for the liberalisation of restrictions to the media in Fiji. He asserted that international action is required for the restoration of a free and responsible media, a prerequisite for good governance in Fiji.

Is this what Papua New Guinea needs?

So much money on an executive jet…for so few people

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, despite a public outcry against the Papua New Guinea government wanting to buy a sleek new executive jet, is insistent that the country is “rich enough”.

This is despite the fact that Papua New Guinea is lagging behind in education and health services, infrastructure, law and order, basically everything.

 Air Niugini is buying a Falcon 900 triple engine executive jet (pictured) on behalf of the PNG government.

The plane is described in a number of websites as an advance comfort jet fit for the rich and powerful.

One site said: “The Falcon 900 is one of the most technologically advanced large business jets available.

“Its design incorporates the latest improvements in aerodynamics and flight systems, which results in beautiful flight characteristics, gentle landings and cruise speeds of over 550mph.”

 

Balus

By IAN TAUKURO

 

Seeing how many of us are getting so worked up over the new Falcon for our pollies, I thought I'd send out this picture of what Barack Obama flies around in...

When our Falcon lands at Jackson's, it will obviously be met with disgust and derision by the public.

However, wherever, Air Force One lands, people, especially Americans, gaze in awe at this magnificent symbol of American power and wealth. (The aircraft is responsible for carrying the US president here, there and anywhere he goes and is, essentially, a military aircraft, flown and maintained by military personnel.)

 I understand that the plane has an escort of two or three fighter jets when it is in the air and, if traveling overseas, a few navy ships positioned on the sea under the flight path, just to ensure that nothing goes wrong ... these Americans are truly over the top!

But, if you love planes like I do ... open up the picture and drool away!

 

Ian