RAMU NiCo, developers of the giant Ramu nickel project in Madang, have failed in the Supreme Court to quash an interim injunction to proceed with the construction of a deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) system and get the mine off the ground, The National reports.
A three-judge Supreme Court last Friday dismissed the appeal by Ramu NiCo and its state partners against the lower court’s granting of the interim injunction which had effectively stopped work on the last stage of the construction at BasamukBay.
The ruling means that a trial date will be set, probably next month, for the substantive matter to be argued in court.
Four landowner leaders – Eddie Tarsie, Farina Siga, Peter Sel and Sama Melambo – and the Pommern Incorporated Land Group had sought the interim orders in the National Court in Madang in March and April that the DSTP system off-shore of the Basamuk and Astrolabe bays would be detrimental to all landowners along the Madang coastal areas and their entire livelihood.
They also claimed that it was not the best practice of environmental management activity.
Justices Catherine Davani, Derek Hartshorn and Don Sawong ruled that while they noted the submissions made by Ramu NiCo and its partners, they were also mindful that if the DSTP was allowed to proceed, “the potential environment harm far outweighs the lifting of the injunction”.
“The balance of convenience lies in maintaining the status quo at least until after the trial of the substantive matter,” they ruled, adding that “it is better to take a precautionary approach than to proceed in haste”.
Ramu NiCo and its partners had, in essence, submitted in their appeal that it was lawful for them to proceed with the construction of the DSTP system as agreed to in their joint venture agreement and also based on the mining development contract signed between the parties concerned, including the PNG government and MCC to start mining nickel in the Kurumbukari area of the Bismarck Ranges before the end of this year.
The partners had argued in court that the landowner leaders, in their ILG in this proceeding, only represented their own interests and not that of the bulk of the BasamukBay people.
PETROLEUM Minister William Duma will be pushing for more ministries from the prime minister for his United Resource Party (URP), The Nationalreports.
Duma said the distribution of ministerial portfolio was at the discretion of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, but “our concern has been raised with him”.
“The prime minister is fully aware and it is now his call,” he said in response to questions on the distribution of ministries which is concentrated in one region.
He also denied media speculations that Sir Michael had offered him the deputy prime minister’s post among four other senior MPs.
“At no stage did he offer the deputy prime minister to me. Right now, we have Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu,” he added.
Duma made the remarks in a media conference last Friday where he welcomed three new MPs who had shifted camp to join URP.
The three MPs have boosted the party’s numbers to 10.
Duma, with Environment and Conservation Minister Benny Allan and Kerowagi MP Guma Wau, welcomed on board Dei MP Puri Ruing, South Bougainville MP Steven Kama and Kagua-Erave MP James Lagea to the party.
Ruing abandoned Sir Mekere Morauta’s PNG Party while Kama had moved from the opposition and Lagea is a one-man PNG Conservative Party who moved after sections of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Duma also denied reports that URP had been talking with the opposition to oust Sir Michael.
“There is no offer for us to consider and we remain with the government.
“Politics is built on speculation and hype and, once the dust settles, everything will be fine.
“In politics, political parties will seek maximum benefit for its members and the prime minister has been approached by URP for additional ministries for the party,” he said.
Duma said the URP did not offer the three MPs any special deals but promised them comradeship and good party policies.
On the no-confidence motion mooted by the opposition, Duma said there was a general feeling that it would take place tomorrow when parliament resumed, but “no motion has been lodged”.
SOUTHERN Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru has apologised to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and the people of Papua New Guinea for the stone-throwing incident at Tari last Thursday, The National reports.
The incident happened when the prime minister was in Tari for the swearing-in ceremony of Hela Transitional Authority (HTA) members.
Agiru made the apology during the swearing-in of local level government (LLG) presidents as provincial assemblymen in Mendi last Friday.
“I apologise to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and the people of PNG for what happened in Tari yesterday (Thursday). Please forgive us.
“The incident was disrespectful, disgraceful, regrettable and stupid act and has also given us bad media publicity.”
Agiru said PNG was moving forward and he challenged his Hela people “to grow-up, change and move with the rest of the country”.
He also apologised to ExxonMobil, developers of the multi-billion kina PNG LNG project, saying that “with or without these little thugs in the stone-throwing incident”, he welcomed the LNG project and would still push for it.
Agiru also took the time to apologise to the people generally “for any wrongdoings the Hela people had committed against them either in the plantations or in the streets of the main towns over the years”.
“The people of Hela want to build their own province but Helas would need the support of their brothers and sisters throughout the country.
“Therefore, it is important to reconcile with them for any wrongdoings and work together in peace and harmony to move Hela and PNG forward.
“HTA does not belong to one electorate but to the Hela people from the far-flung areas of Komo-Margarima and Koroba-Lake Kopiago who were never given a fair representation at the ceremony in Tari.
“I think the timing, with poor planning and coordination saw many Helas not turning up for the occasion in Tari,” he said.
Agiru also challenged the university students from Hela, whose protest over Hela missing out on LNG benefits during the ceremony in Tari, “to
show some maturity and leadership”.
“They (students) must start showing leadership at family, community, tribe and village level before they can take on bigger responsibilities at district, province and national level.
“We have no time for people who want to intimidate and cause problems.”
Port Moresby is undergoing a massive building
boom at the moment, especially in light of the liquefied natural gas project,
with new buildings and renovation being carried out just about everywhere in
the city.
Koki, site of the famous Koki Market, is no
exception.
Entrance to Good Sheperd Lutheran Church.Note the church does not have a door and the windows are broken.
However, one building that stands out like a
sore thumb amidst the building boom is the iconic GoodShepherdLutheranChurch,
which was first built in the early 1960s.
A view of the rundown Good Sheperd Lutheran Church at Koki
Bell tower at Good Sheperd Lutheran Church
While other Lutheran churches around the country
have progressed over the year, the church building at Koki has become derelict,
with the all-too-conspicuous hands of Father Time.
Not to be outdone, the English and Tok Pisin
congregations at Good Shepherd are now embarking on a major fundraising drive
to renovate the church, at an estimated cost of K500-K600, 000.
Fundraising committee members including English
chairman Kingston Alu, Tok Pisin chairman Perry Gene, maintenance committee
chairman Awan Sete and pastor Jerry Mack are appealing to congregation members
– both past and present – to give generously towards this cause.
Sete is assistant commissioner of police and
divisional commander of national capital district (NCD) and Central provinces.
Already, one business house, Namba Wan Trophy
Ltd (NWTL), has chipped in K50, 000 and has set up collection boxes in all its
stores throughout Port Moresby
to assist the Good Shepherd cause.
NWTL’s range of stores include Kwik Shop,
Paradise Palms, Fone Haus, fone2fone, Sea View Restaurant and NWTL
supermarkets.
“Nambawan Trophy is proud and happy to assist,”
says general manager Gui.
The history of GoodSheperdLutheranChurch
goes back to after World War 11 when a increasing population of expatriate
Lutherans decided to set up a place of worship.
“The building itself was built in the 1960s,”
Mack says.
“All material was brought in from Australian and
these have gone through a lot of wear and tear over the years.
“In the 1960s, New Guineans, especially
Morobeans and Highlanders, came to Port
Moresby as labourers and a Tok Pisin congregation was
established alongside the English congregation.
“To date, these two congregations run side by
side, operating independently, but reporting to the Papua district council.
‘Now, there are talks of merging the two
congregations into one congregation, with two separate church services, and
hopefully, that will be done at the opening of the renovated church.
“Since the establishment of the Lutheran church
in the country, it has produced many educated elite who are holding top jobs in
the country.
“As such, we are appealing to them to give
something back to the church.”
Alu says Koki is the first established Lutheran
congregation in the Papua district.
“From there,” he adds, “it branched out into
Kerema, Alotau, Popondetta, Daru and Kiunga.
“Even in NCD itself, there are now about 10
different Lutheran congregations around the city.
“”This (Koki) is the pioneer congregation.
“At one stage, all the people at Marimari
(Gordon), Gerehu and all the others worshipped only at Koki.
“We are appealing to all those who have
worshipped here at one time or another to help the Good Sheperd congregation
with the project it is undertaking.”
It is envisaged that work will begin next month
and be completed by the end of this year.
Renovation work will include complete
maintenance, replacement of all rotten timber and roofing, new electrical
wiring, state-of-the-art public announcement system and quality tiling.
“This is to make it conducive to worshippers,”
Alu explains.
“We hope to have everything completed by the end
of this year.
“This is a major project for our congregation.
“Congregation members must remember that they
are not only there to worship, but they must also contribute to the wellbeing
of the church.”
Mack says amidst the gloom, doom and despair of
social problems in the city, churches such as Good Shepherd offer a ray of
sunshine.
“In the city, we have a lot of social problems,
law and order problems, alcohol and drug abuse, and the churches have a role to
play in addressing these issues.
“My appeal is that all corporate organisations,
foreign missions and government must realise the importance of the work of the
churches, especially in Port Moresby,
if we are to curtail these problems.
“They must work hand-in-hand with churches to
combat these problems.
“The congregation has appointed the divisional
commander of NCD and Central, assistant commissioner Awan Sete, as the chairman
of the maintenance committee.”
Every Sunday, Lutheran faithful flock to Koki
for service at Good Sheperd, in both English and Tok Pisin congregations.
“We have more than 1,000 people each Sunday,
500-plus in each congregation,” Mack says.
“If they, or anybody out there is willing to
assist in cash or kind, that would be very good.”
Should anybody wish to assist the Good Sheperd
cause, they can contact Sete on mobile 72182373, Mack on 72768997 or Alu on
76881932.
From JOHN FOWKE NEITHER party is inspiring much confidence as we head to an election. THE stage for the election campaign has been set, even if the date isn't yet known. But for voters the choice between the major parties won't be an easy one. Neither side inspires confidence to become custodians of the national interest for the three years ahead.
On the one hand people don't think Tony Abbott is ready to become prime minister, and his team isn't ready to sit confidently around a cabinet table. Even some Liberals think a return to government this year would be too soon. But after a full term of bungled policy implementation by the Labor government, voters know the incumbents aren't worthy of holding on to office either. Labor had hoped its first-term problems would fade into the background once Julia Gillard assumed the prime ministership. But her early mistake of signposting East Timor as a solution to Australia's refugee "problem", without even discussing the idea with the fledgling nation, has highlighted that a change of leader doesn't always bring with it a change of culture.
The Kevin Rudd culture of autocratic leadership might have been brought to an end, internally giving Labor MPs the sense that they are once again being listened to. But from a voter's perspective the culture of government incompetence hasn't changed. That leaves the public with the kind of electoral choice that makes you wish voting wasn't compulsory.
Do we back a government to win a second term despite its record, and in spite of Gillard's early stumbles? Or should we support an opposition carrying too much dead wood that also hasn't learned the lessons of its own defeat just three years ago? This kind of dilemma usually favours incumbents, by virtue of voters deciding to stick with the devil they know rather than gamble on change. But 2010 is less certain because the devil we knew was Rudd, and he was ousted in a bloody coup a few weeks ago. While the injection of Gillard had the potential to give Labor a fresh start in the wake of Rudd's growing unpopularity, the danger after her poor start is that the hard choice of deposing a first-term PM which would have been put on voters has already been taken by the parliamentary Labor Party. Gillard risks not getting the benefit of the doubt if she doesn't lift her game. Abbott has started spruiking the idea that he is a ready-made alternative PM with cabinet experience, and his team is a ready made alternative government because a number of shadow ministers served as ministers under John Howard's leadership. The message is you can go back to the essence of the Howard government if you think the Rudd experiment didn't work. It is designed to lull voters into a sense of security if they vote for the Coalition. But Abbott's construct is highly misleading. The big names from the Howard era have all gone, and those left who do have ministerial experience were very much the 2nd XI from the last Coalition government. Howard centralised power at the top, and relied on a small number of senior ministers for key decision making. The Howard government was run out of the Prime Minister's Office and only his press secretary from that time is now employed in Abbott's office. The PMO functioned with the assistance of a small group of ministers: Peter Costello, Alexander Downer, John Anderson, Nick Minchin, Mark Vaile and Abbott. With the exception of Abbott these names are going or gone, and Abbott was widely identified as the loose cannon of the group, only part of it because he was ideologically close to Howard. In earlier incarnations of Howard's regime there were other senior figures on the inner sanctum such as Peter Reith, but they had already retired before the Coalition's final term in power. I can't tell you the number of times senior Liberals interviewed for John Howard's biography told me stories from cabinet about instances when the former PM had to put an end to a discussion initiated by Abbott because he thought it was too impractical to even contemplate. Those instances were relayed to me for the biography in a context where an Abbott ascension to the leadership was unlikely. But with Abbott now leader, it will be much harder for remaining Liberals on the front bench (and remember few of them carried authority from the Howard years) to scoff at his ideas. If Abbott wins the next election he would have unparalleled authority even for a Liberal leader. Defeating a one-term government, including forcing Labor to replace a previously popular PM, would set Abbott up as the ultimate political messiah. If Liberals thought Howard was a dominant PM, an Abbott prime ministership so soon after being forced into the political wilderness would dwarf Howard's one-time authority. How much more strident he might become with that kind of authority concerns some Liberals, moderates in particular. We have already caught a glimpse of it with Abbott's rhetoric on boatpeople: the armada coming our way, the peaceful invasion threatening our national security. More important than internal Liberal concerns is the fact Labor has identified some voters are concerned what an Abbott prime ministership might bring. There is no doubt that Labor is trying to exploit the potential of the characterisation of Abbott as a risky PM with voters still making up their minds. That's why every time Labor backbenchers are wheeled out for television and radio interviews they diligently run the lines the central office has given them; lines tested in qualitative focus groups with swing voters, distributed each morning. "Abbott is a risk", "Abbott is a danger", "Abbott is a threat". The lines are all about putting enough doubt in voters' minds such that they stick with the devil they know and vote Labor. "He'll bring back Work Choices" (as if Abbott's that politically stupid), "he's too religiously extremist" (this point is usually implied lest Labor upset religiously conservative voters), "he's Mark Latham in waiting" (they tried this line on Malcolm Turnbull too). What must worry Labor MPs is that if you don't like Abbott, and don't like his hard Right views on issues (as I often don't), the worst thing you can do is meet him. He is hard not to like. An election campaign has the potential to widen that view to the general public, so long as Abbott doesn't blow up like he did on the 2007 election trail. The constant attacks are designed to ensure this doesn't happen. When Abbott was elected Liberal leader by just one vote in his showdown with Turnbull, staffers in Rudd's office literally started high fiveing each other in the corridors. They brandished around research which showed Abbott couldn't have started with a worse set of negatives. It was literally off the charts. But in the end it counted for little. Rudd is gone and Abbott has a genuine chance at the election. Whether the election ends up being close or a blowout, one thing is certain: it is going to be a good contest. But for those of us who would have liked a campaign where the deciding issue in people's minds when they walked into polling booths was more than choosing the lesser of evils, this won't be a campaign to enjoy.
It’s the only game in town. It’s hot media topic right now making front page news. The political punters are betting on one of two outcomes when parliament sits this week: who is going to be the next PM or will it be Somare again.
But I am quietly confident that it's not time yet for PM Somare's swansong to be playing in the background. Or it could well be Kenny Roger's song: you picked a fine time to leave me,NA ... being hummed along the corridors of the Haus Tambaran, this week.
Already there is excited talk in the streets of 'Mosbi' (Port Moresby). In the suburbs and settlements, street-bookies may already be making a wager or two with 'wantoks'.
This is done in ways not to risk unnecessary altercations within one's own close-knit regional groupings that makes up our diverse social strata of the capital. Care is taken here as one never knows who one is talking to and whether that particular person is a Somare supporter, or not.
The media has speculated for over a week. It's now public knowledge that the Sir Mekere-led opposition party intends to move a vote of no-confidence motion in this week's parliamentary session. Their aim: to remove Somare as PM.
This will be a difficult task and recent changes in the OLIPAC law will not make it any easier. Many political variables still remains that even those thinking of crossing the floor are still not sure of whether it's the right thing to do at this stage.
Politics in PNG is always fluid and is a numbers game, among other factors. And Sir Mekere knows very well that he is up against a tough veteran opponent who knows how to play the numbers' game better than anyone past or present, except perhaps Sir Julius; as the other maestro. So far, the astute New Ireland Governor knows a thing or two about PM Somare that the young guns today do not know in parliament.
Sir Julius was Somare's first Treasurer and later PNG's second PM.
In PNG today, whilst important; party policies is a secondary matter. Those who will be enticed or seduced will already have a weakness the behind-the-scenes facilitator (a shadow Mr. Fix-it) will work hard on.
Among other incentives, the carrot to attract weak-willed MPs will be a cash gifts or promises of certain Ministries if one is to vote for, against or abstain from a vote of no-confidence motion in parliament. This is regardless whether that particular MP has the required qualifications or not.
So in order to beat Somare, Mekere must have the required numbers by this week before parliament sits. If he fails here, then his chances of removing a recently-perceived dictator would not happen.
The people will also miss an ideal opportunity to put someone to properly run this government for the next two years. This is important.
For now, the opposition has made a bold move by publicly inviting other MPs to join them to "remove Somare...”
It seeks like-minded MPs within the coalition and middle-benches unhappy with Somare's leadership to defect for the planned 'no-confidence' motion vote in parliament.
The Grand Chief is not leaving politics as yet. This may only further frustrate his inner party circle that he has once again misled his party, the nation by delaying a long-awaited cabinet reshuffle (and quiting politics).
On the other hand, many NA insiders have long secretly fear that the PM may do something very stupid that could seriously threaten NA party's internal stability now that the pressure is on for his job. Many party members feel threatened that in a 11th hour surprised move, Somare will forget the country's national interest and give the top job away to his own own son, and damn his party deputies.
This may not be possible under party constitution. But there have been some media speculations a while back of amending certain provisions of the constitution that could facilitate this. If it happens, then it could be plain suicide for the man who has stayed too long in PNG politics. The NA regional deputies will indeed challenge this and prompt a possible internal revolt, or simply dump Somare squarely by defecting to the other side.
This week, we will know whether PNG has a new PM (or government). But one thing is clear. Sir Mekere may not have the required numbers in the time available. The opposition has not even told the nation why they should be in government and what will it give PNG as the 'Alternative Government'.
THE launching of the Hela Transitional Authority (HTA) for Southern Highlands’ Hela region in Tari yesterday was marred by a stone-throwing incident perpetrated by a small group of frustrated youths, The National reports.
The incident happened in the presence of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, who was the guest of honour at the ceremony.
Cabinet ministers, MPs and invited guests and thousands of people gathered for the occasion.
Police said before the prime minister could speak, some disgruntled members of the public booed at a speaker and, in the process, stones were thrown at those seated in the grandstand including the prime minister.
A stone hit the master of ceremony and radio personality, Roger Hau’ofa.
Police said the prime minister was shaken by the incident as one of the stones missed him by inches.
nFrom Page 1
A National Alliance party official said it was a close call, and others on the grandstand quickly formed a barricade around the prime minister, afraid that more stones would be hurled onto the grandstand.
Police had to fire shots into the air to bring the situation under control when people fled the ceremonial area.
The prime minister’s protocol and security officers and cabinet ministers quickly whisked Sir Michael away, however, Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru talked the PM into returning to give his speech.
Police officer-in-charge of security Jim Namora, in confirming the incident, described it as “disgraceful and unfortunate”.
He said according to reports, a drug addict among the crowd had thrown the stone that missed the prime minister.
Police are looking for the suspect.
Last December, stones were thrown at several government ministers attending the LNG licenced-based benefits sharing agreement (LBBSA) forum in Tari by frustrated youths who felt they had been left out.
The prime minister was accompanied to Tari by National Planning Minister Paul Tienstein, Arthur Somare (State Enterprises and Finance), Patrick Tammur (Communications), Don Polye (Works, Transport and Civil Aviation), Sasa Zibe (Health), Peter O’Neill (Public Service), Philemon Embel (Sports), Sam Abal (Foreign Affairs) and Western Highlands Governor Tom Olga.
