Treasurer O'Neill focuses on fiscal discipline, growth

NEW Finance and Treasury Minister Peter O’Neill has assured the people that the government’s priority is to maintain fiscal discipline and sustain economic growth.., The National reports.

O’Neill, who is the Public Service Minister, had been given an added responsibility as Finance and Treasury Minister.

He said his immediate priority was to ensure spending was maintained within the budget level and important government programmes were prioritised.

“Key issues that are of government concern are education, health, infrastructure and law and order. These are key areas that the government will prioritise over the remaining part of the year,” he said.

O’Neill said the government’s district service improvement programme would continue as well as other key programmes aimed at empowering and transforming the rural economy.

“We want to maintain stability so that the business sector and investors have confidence in the government,” he added.

“The government will ensure economic growth continues to prosper, creating an environment for growth in the employment sector.”

O’Neill said economic growth was expected to continue at 8%, largely driven by the start of construction of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project and other new mines.

“The government is mindful of past experiences when uncontrolled government spending caused major economic hardships,” he said.

O’Neill said the budget was framed against the government’s medium-term fiscal strategy (MTFS), the medium-term development strategy (MTDS) and the medium-term debt strategy supported by the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA).

He said the government’s adoption and adherence to these strategies underpinned the prudent economic and fiscal management of the economy.

O’Neill, the leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC) party and member for Ialibu-Pangia, is a second-term MP.

Treasury and Finance was left vacant when Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch was suspended by the Supreme Court in May on allegations of leadership breaches.

O’Neill has an honour’s degree in accounting from the University of Papua New Guinea and had served various senior positions in the private sector including being president of the PNG Institute of Certified Practising Accountants, partner in Pratley & O’Neill accounting firm, executive chairman of PNGBC, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Pacific MMI Insurance, Finance Pacific Ltd, Port Moresby Private Hospital Ltd and Remington Technologies Ltd.

He also served in various portfolios when he entered parliament in 2002, including public service and leader of government business and opposition leader.

 

 

Historic MoU signed

PAPUA New Guinea yesterday signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a feasibility study to pipe water resources into Australia from Southern Highlands, The National reports.

The project is valued at A$30 billion (K72 billion).

The feasibility study alone is expected to cost A$20 million (K480 million).

The feasibility project was approved by the National Executive Council in 2008.

The MoU for the feasibility study was signed between the Cairns-based project developer Might and Power Australia Pty Ltd chairman Fred Ariel, Department of Environment and Conservation chief legal adviser Ben Pasigan on behalf of the state and Imbonggu MP Francis Awesa on behalf of Southern Highlands government.

Awesa said: “It’s a historic occasion for the project with a billion kina magnitude.

“It’s indeed the single biggest sustainable and economically viable project involving clean energy, especially water resources in the province and PNG as a whole, apart from oil, gas and other mineral and non-mineral projects.

“Oil and the so-called LNG will deplete in the next 30 years, but water will continue to sustain both Australia and PNG as long as this world exists.”

The opposition stalwart said he had discussed with the Australian federal government and the opposition as well as the Queensland, Victoria and South Australian state governments.

“They are very supportive and that makes this project significant,” Awesa said.

Ariel told the respective stakeholders and reporters that the plan to pipe water into Australia was not an overnight thought.

New Boeing 767 for Air Niugini

Boeing 767-300ER finds new home . . . The Jackson International Airport came alive yesterday evening with the baptism and welcome of Air Niugini’s new Boeing 767-300ER, The National reports.

 Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare (second left) and his deputy Don Polye (left) could not deviate from being part of the official welcome party as they officially cut the ribbon to welcome the 194-seat aircraft to its new home.

 Assisting with the ribbon-cutting was Air Niugini board chairman Sir James Tjoeng and State Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare. - Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

 

Rebellious six back with National Alliance

THE six defectors of the ruling National Alliance party’s Southern region have returned to the fold, saying they are still loyal to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and his coalition government, The National reports.

And, yesterday, the party offered the olive branch to the rebels’ leaders Sir Puka Temu (Rigo MP), Milne Bay Governor Luke Crittin and Charles Abel (Alotau) to follow suit.

New NA Southern region leader Mark Maipakai said the door was still open for the trio, that they had not been sacked by the party.

At a Parliament House media press conference yesterday, the rebel group claimed that their defection last week to the opposition to support a planned motion of no-confidence in Sir Michael was an internal NA party matter, and they had not resigned from the party.

Their spokesman and Ijivitari MP, David Arore, said they had decided to return and support Sir Michael and their new regional leader Maipakai.

“We moved out as a group and now we have come back. We have not resigned and, therefore, we are still members of the party,” he said.

Those who returned, apart from Arore, were Moresby Northeast MP Andrew Mald, Central Governor Alphonse Moroi, Goilala MP Mathew Poia and Gulf Governor Pitom Titus Bombom.

South Fly MP Sali Subam was named but was not present to confirm his return.

Maipakai said the regional split in the party was over the Temu leadership but the group had reunited and was intact under his leadership.

Before the split, the Southern region had 11 MPs in the NA-led coalition but his had been reduced to eight with Temu, Crittin and Abel still with the opposition.

Immediately after the media conference, Maipakai an-nounced that they had a meeting with Sir Michael to iron out their differences and sought ministries in an anticipated cabinet reshuffle.

Earlier, the group had written an apology letter which was hand-delivered to the prime minister.

Maipakai said the Southern bloc remained committed to the prime minister until the 2012 elections.

Maipakai was elected regional leader and Mald his deputy during a regional party meeting last Thursday.

 

 

National Alliance denies top job vacancy

THE National Alliance has denied claims of a vacancy in the party’s political leadership, The National reports.

The party’s national president, Simon Kaiwi, said the Post-Courier’s front-page report on yesterday, claiming that Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare would step down before Aug 14, was grossly misleading.

He said it appeared that the report was fabricated by people who were ignorant of the NA constitution and did not know the basic processes of government and parliament.

According to the newspaper report, quoting Deputy Prime Minister Don Polye, the prime minister had told a party caucus meeting that he would step down before next month and hand over the top job of running the country to another person within the National Alliance.

However, Kaiwi said this was not true, adding that the party has a provision within the NA constitution for the nomination of its leadership.

He said there was no vacancy in the party leadership and Sir Michael was still the parliamentary NA leader.

According to the NA constitution, the selection of a new party leader is taken during party conventions by party members. The prime minister is elected by members of parliament, not by individuals and political parties.

It is understood that the party leadership issue would be one of the highlights at the NA national convention in Western Highlands’ Jiwaka region.

 

 

Parkop pays tribute to a friend and humanitarian

THE late Sir Brian Bell has been described as a great friend, an astute businessman and a true humanitarian and philanthropist, The National reports.

When expressing sadness at the knight’s passing, NCD Governor Powes Parkop said Sir Brian had progressively and successfully worked towards developing and rehabilitating the city since arriving in Port Moresby.

“I am very sad to hear of the death of Sir Brian Bell.”

He said Sir Brian’s contributions had been “through both his entrepreneurial endeavours and his humanitarian and philanthropic efforts.

“His keen business acumen has seen to the establishment of 10 retail outlets and more than 25 distribution agencies, not just in Port Moresby but all major commercial centres in PNG bringing employment to thousands of Papua New Guineans and quality, affordable services to individuals, companies and government departments throughout the country,” Parkop said.

“His humanitarian and philanthropic efforts are just as extensive.”

Sir Brian was on the board and committee of many charities, the notable ones being the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal and the Port Moresby General Hospital, which he served as chairman for a very long time.

“As chairman, Sir Brian directed the PMGH board the way he directed his many businesses – astutely and based on good business practices.

“He was always punctual and chaired his meetings concisely, always interested in outcomes.

“It was his dream to make PMGH the best in the country.”

Parkop said that one of the administrative matters he pushed hard for and achieved was the purchase of the hospital incinerator.

The Brian Bell group bought the incinerator for the hospital.

“Unfortunately, this is now lying idle as we await approval from the Department of Environment and Conservation.

“In my association with him, I have come to realise Sir Brian to be a man of principle and humility who always attributed his successes to PNG and its people and, so, endeavoured all the time to return to PNG (and this city) his time and efforts through his humanitarian and philanthropic endeavours.

“Sir Brian’s loyalty and generosity to PNG will, no doubt, be hard to fill.

“Through the most difficult times of Port Moresby’s and the country’s economic life, when he could have easily resigned and returned to Australia, Sir Brian persevered in his adopted country.

“City Hall has lost a visionary leader, Port Moresby has lost our leading citizen and friend, PNG has lost our immeasurable development partner,” Parkop said.

Farmer calls for coffee bank

Warigiso (right) with DAL highlands regional office administration officer John Kawage.

 By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

A coffee farmer in the highlands has called on the Government to establish a lending bank solely for the coffee industry.

 “Coffee is the major export revenue earner and involves the majority of the rural population, therefore it deserves a bank of its own,” says Francis Warigiso.

 Warigisio, a long-time coffee farmer in Eastern Highlands province, claimed there was no commitment by the Coffee Industry Corporation and relevant government agencies in promoting the coffee industry and supporting small coffee groups and individuals.

 He is a key figure in the success of the Namauka and Lupae coffee business development groups.

 “Coffee industry makes a lot of money for the country but where is the money going to?” Warigisio wonders.

  “I believe it is about time that the money is pumped into establishing a coffee bank – a bank that only coffee farmers can utilise.

 “These are public funds that should be used in improving the coffee industry especially for the sake of the future generations.”

 Warigisi, a onetime provincial politician who started producing coffee more than 20 years ago, suggested that a major coffee survey be conducted to seek the views of the coffee farmers and stakeholders.

 “Many coffee farmers, producers, buyers and stakeholders are not satisfied with the services provided by CIC and other government agencies and will support moves to revitalise the industry,” he said.

 Warigiso said coffee export licences were given to those who were not genuine in developing the industry.

 The levy collected from coffee sales should be given back as a bonus to the farmers, he added.

 From Fimito village outside Goroka, the enterprising farmer, who also grows rice, said any monies raised from coffee should be used wisely to improve the industry and to benefit the farmers who worked so hard.

 More funding should be used to set up coffee nurseries in every district.  

 Warigiso said many Papua New Guinea-owned coffee groups were operating successfully because of good management.

These groups deserved more support from the government due to increase in costs of goods and services.