Black Friday at Weigh Inn Hotel

By GRAHAM POPLE

Manager

 

Friday the 13^th August, 2010, certainly seemed to be aptly named on this most recent occasion.

 Self living at the Weigh Inn Hotel, Konedobu, where I was then Manager.  

Invariably awake at 0400 or thereabouts and have time to have a cup of tea and take my tablet before beginning work at 0500.  

On this occasion had to forego both the tablet and the cup of tea as I slept in till just after 5am.

 A quick shower and shave and dressed and down to the front desk by about 5.15 where once again the Post-Courier had failed to fulfil the order of two copies of the paper.  

Tried to fax complaint through but unable to connect. 

 Eventually sent by email which I had also done the day before and received an assurance that everything had been fixed.  

Friday proved that it hadn’t.

 Opened up the office and storeroom and began counting the floats and mild trouble again and had to re-count both of them but eventually got it right.   

 Sub-conscious helping me to create mistakes??

 Muddled through most of the day with only the usual mild hiccups.

 Friday is our busiest evening as we have a raffle, a patron draw, and a key draw prize for those members who belong to the Jig Saw Club.  

 Patron draw is that everyone attending in the bar is invited to put their name into a hat and then one name is drawn out at 7.30pm and that patron is then given K100 – hopefully to spend here and not take home.

The TV had been turned on in anticipation of everyone wanting to watch the match between the Broncos and the Eels.  

 Just before 7pm. John Young drew my attention to the ceiling over the entrance to the Marsden room where it was getting very damp.

 Raced upstairs to Room 22 where greeted by Paul Kipau whose wife was busy mopping up the floor which had been flooded.  

Paul apologised and explained that their young son had, without their noticing, turned on the tap over the hand basin, which was partially blocked and the water had spilled over onto the floor.

 Back downstairs to find out that, in my absence, the water had flooded into the control room behind the TV and spilled onto the four-socket extension lead, causing everything to short out.

About the same time, Toddy and Doug Booker had turned up and I appealed to them and they came to the rescue.

Eventually managed after a couple of mistakes to find a substitute four-socket extension lead which Toddy and Doug took control of and bingo,  TV and the rugby league match were back in operation.

 However there was further strife as Doug and Toddy told me that water was still leaking down so back to Room 22.   

Here it was noticed that the toilet cistern had jammed and water was spilling out of the cistern.  

Inlet tap closed and Paul advised that when he wanted to use the toilet to turn on the tap again and let the cistern fill and then turn tap off again.

Half an hour or so of very high stress and then the usual raffle, patron and key draw had to be done.  

This was successfully carried out with Geoff Balfour’s name being drawn as the winner of K1, 300 but he had left a couple of days before and you have to be present to win the prize.

 All was not lost, however, as yours truly won a leg of ham in the raffle draw which Kata is supposed to pick up today and use for his family.

 The remainder of the evening was uneventful, everyone enjoying a sing along after the other bad happening which was that Broncos lost to the Eels.

 Fearful of more trouble I decamped to my room at 9pm and managed the rest of the night without further ills.

 Thought you might get some enjoyment out of reading about my troubles.   

After all – ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL.

 I have just noticed that in 2011 there will be another August Friday 13^th.  

Will be wary!!!

 

Happy 6th Birthday Moasing Nalu

Happy Birthday to our Princess, Moasing Nalu, who turns six today.

How so much has happened since August 13, 2004, when you were born.

I still remember that day so clearly as if it was yesterday.

Mum, sadly, won't be with us today but we know she'll be celebrating with us.

Love from 'Baby' Keith, Gedi, Jr Malum and Dad.

We'll have lots of cake and ice cream today.

The going price of loyalty

From PAUL OATES

The going price of loyalty to the Somare regime  - two million kina
It is reported in the PNG media that Prime Minister Somare and his son,Arthur Somare, arranged for members of the their government coalition to be paid K2m each, immediately after Speaker Nape adjourned Parliament in July this year.
Apparently these payments were claimed to be District Support Improvement Programme (DSIP).
Yet it is reported that the Finance Department were instructed not to pay members of the Opposition their DSIP funds.
When challenged by MP Sam Basil, sources at the PNG Department of Finance reportedly confirmed that an unequal disbursement had been made in direct contravention of the PNG Constitution.
The funds were, "to keep the government in power', Department of Finance staff are quoted as saying.
It seems public funds now clearly and openly are being used as bribes to keep Somare and his family in power.

Nau igat wanpla lida,
I tok, 'Nau mi lukim ples klia,
Bai mi baim ol lain,
Na stop longpla taim,
Tasol husat igiamon yumi a?

______________________________________________________

Today's The National
Govt MPs get K2mil each
Source:
By JEFFREY ELAPA
ABOUT 50 members of the ruling coalition government were each paid K2 million to lure support from other members so they could remain in power, sources within the Finance Department revealed yesterday.
The sources said former acting finance minister and treasurer Arthur Somare and Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare allegedly instructed the department to immediately release K2 million each to the 50 members of the government coalition as per their listing soon after parliament ad-journed last month.
The sources also revealed that the department was advised not to release any district support improvement programme (DSIP) funds to the members of the opposition.
According to the sources, the normal transfer process was that the finance secretary would advise  the Bank of PNG to release the funds to the district treasuries after acquittals of previous funds were furnished.
However, the finance and treasury sources admitted that the normal financial management processes of transfer of funds to the district treasuries were not followed.
The funds were dished out to MPs.
Documents revealed that MPs in government were allegedly paid K2 million each straight after Speaker Jeffery Nape adjourned parliament to Nov 16.
Another source confirmed that the funds, from part of the DSIP, were paid out from the Department of National Planning office and collected by individual MPs in person straight after the adjournment.
A bank document obtained by The National showed that national planning deposited K2 million into one member's DSIP account on July 26, five days after parliament adjourned on July 21.
The sources could not confirm if each of the recipients of the funds had submitted their acquittals.
The sources admitted they had to act on political instructions to release the funds, whether or not the processes were followed, as they feared losing their jobs.
However, they said each member of parliament was entitled to K60 million of DSIP funds.
They would receive these funds as and when the secretary gave the approval for the transfer of the funds after receiving their acquittals.
The sources could not confirm when and how much each member of parliament was going to be paid, but it was the secretary's discretion to do so.
Staff at the Department of Finance spoke out after Bulolo MP Sam Basil approached them about his electorate's DSIP funds.
Staff did not divulge much due to the presence of journalists accompanying Basil.
However, the workers did admit that the funds were allegedly not disbursed equally as stipulated in the constitution.
They said many members had not completed their acquittals but were paid the funds to "help the government stay in power".
Basil said as far as he was concerned, opposition MPs had not received any of the K2 million DSIP funds distributed recently.
"We are eager to know when these funds will be released to us in order to implement programmes in our electorates," Basil added.

Kapris pleads guilty

Prisoner says he robbed bank but did not keep loot or kidnap staff

 

TOP robbery suspect William Kapris Nanua yesterday pleaded guilty to robbing the Madang branch of Bank South Pacific in 2008, The National reports.

In a day of drama in court, Kapris broke from 13 other suspects arraigned on similar charges, and pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit a robbery.

But he pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of kidnapping, 14 counts of deprivation of liberty, and one count of receiving stolen property.

The others pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The courtroom in the afternoon was thrown into confusion yesterday when Kapris’ lawyer David Dotaona sought an application to have his client’s matter heard separately after the guilty plea for the two charges was taken.

With Kapris taking his seat first in the witness box, he entertained the courtroom by giving conflicting pleas to Justice David Cannings.

Kapris initially said “yes” when asked by Cannings if he had committed the offences in the 28 counts.

He then had a quick glance across to his lawyer, and changed the answer to “no”.

Dotaona immediately stood to ask leave to speak to his client. After a brief whisper, Kapris said he was sticking with the not guilty plea for the 28 counts.

Earlier in the morning, Dotaona had asked Cannings to allow a two-week extension for him and his client to properly prepare for the defence, but this was refused.

Cannings emphasised that any extension was an unnecessary waste of time and very costly for the state.

“I have considered the cost to the state, the people of PNG having to prepare and get the matter to trial and the security measures in place,” he said.

“I consider it to be in the public interest for the trial to proceed.

“I want a fair trial in an independent court.

“I refuse the application for the two-week extension. The trial will begin now,” he ruled.

It was likely that Kapris could become a state witness despite pleading not guilty to the 27 other charges.

Cannings, when deliberating on the likelihood of having a separate trial, said: “There was no indication given to me during pre-trial. This is a new development.

“I will consider the depositions put ... since he has pleaded guilty, and not being convicted yet ... you want the others to go to trial before another judge?

“I will have to adjourn,” he said as he pondered over the matter.

The Madang BSP robbery occurred on July 5, 2008, when a total of K2,407,315.35 was stolen.

During the robbery, a number of bank workers were allegedly kidnapped and detained in a hotel.

Meanwhile, the court was also advised by Correctional Services officers that Don Aka, Elijah Paul Kapis or Elijah Tinga and Ben Nom, who is also known as “Toi Apet”, were still at large after breaking out of the Bomana prison on Jan 12.

The hearing continues today.

 

 

Government MPs get K2 million each

ABOUT 50 members of the ruling coalition government were each paid K2 million to lure support from other members so they could remain in power, sources within the Finance Department revealed yesterday, The National reports.

The sources said former acting finance minister and treasurer Arthur Somare and Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare allegedly instructed the department to immediately release K2 million each to the 50 members of the government coalition as per their listing soon after parliament ad-journed last month.

The sources also revealed that the department was advised not to release any district support improvement programme (DSIP) funds to the members of the opposition.

According to the sources, the normal transfer process was that the finance secretary would advise the Bank of PNG to release the funds to the district treasuries after acquittals of previous funds were furnished.

However, the finance and treasury sources admitted that the normal financial management processes of transfer of funds to the district treasuries were not followed.

The funds were dished out to MPs.

Documents revealed that MPs in government were allegedly paid K2 million each straight after Speaker Jeffery Nape adjourned parliament to Nov 16.

Another source confirmed that the funds, from part of the DSIP, were paid out from the Department of National Planning office and collected by individual MPs in person straight after the adjournment.

A bank document obtained by The National showed that national planning deposited K2 million into one member’s DSIP account on July 26, five days after parliament adjourned on July 21.

The sources could not confirm if each of the recipients of the funds had submitted their acquittals.

The sources admitted they had to act on political instructions to release the funds, whether or not the processes were followed, as they feared losing their jobs.

However, they said each member of parliament was entitled to K60 million of DSIP funds.

They would receive these funds as and when the secretary gave the approval for the transfer of the funds after receiving their acquittals.

The sources could not confirm when and how much each member of parliament was going to be paid, but it was the secretary’s discretion to do so.

Staff at the Department of Finance spoke out after Bulolo MP Sam Basil approached them about his electorate’s DSIP funds.

Staff did not divulge much due to the presence of journalists accompanying Basil.

However, the workers did admit that the funds were allegedly not disbursed equally as stipulated in the constitution.

They said many members had not completed their acquittals but were paid the funds to “help the government stay in power”.

Basil said as far as he was concerned, opposition MPs had not received any of the K2 million DSIP funds distributed recently.

“We are eager to know when these funds will be released to us in order to implement programmes in our electorates,” Basil added.

 

Kokoda crash report set for November

THE families of the 13 people who died in the Kokoda plane crash last year have been told the report into the investigation should be available to them by November, The National reports.

Some relatives of the nine Australians who died in the Airlines PNG Twin Otter crash travelled to Kokoda yesterday for the first anniversary of the crash. They were accompanied to the site by Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu.

PNG’s Accident Investigation Commission said it wanted to assure families that the report was at an advanced stage.

But commission chairman Paulus Dowa said it might not answer the families’ questions and a further inquiry could be called for.

“The company, the relatives, they will also want to dispute the findings of the commission,” he added.

“It is like if a policeman does a report and a witness comes in and says, ‘oh no, I do not agree with the report’, and then they will be required to give their own evidence in other avenues like the court of law or coronial inquest.”

The authority had also made preliminary recommendations about voice recorders and warning systems.

Airlines PNG said its fleet of Twin Otter was undergoing a A$6 million upgrade.

Australian minister for foreign affairs and trade Stephen Smith yesterday extended his condolences to the family and relatives of the 13 who died.

“The anniversary will be a difficult time for the families and partners of those who died. Our thoughts are with them.

“The fact that these nine Australians were looking forward to walking the Kokoda Track, an iconic area of national significance, has made their loss all the more difficult,” the minister said in a statement.

He said Australia was looking forward to the completion of investigations into the crash.

On Aug 11 last year, a Twin Otter plane, captained by Jenny Moala, crashed in Kokoda killing 13 people, including nine Australians who were planning to walk the famous track.

 

 

InterOil secures US$25 million short term credit facility

Pacific LNG Ltd., an affiliate of Clarion Finanz AG, in a vote of confidence in its partner, and immediately following the announcement of the Joint Venture Operating Agreement with Mitsui & Co. Ltd, has advanced US$25 million to InterOil Corp. 

Henry Aldorf, President of Pacific LNG and former President of Marathon International and V.P. Global Upstream Business Development Of Marathon Inc., was quoted as saying “We are pleased to provide additional capital to InterOil in order to accelerate its upstream operations and pre-invest with our partner Mitsui to advance the Condensate Stripping Project (CSP).  Additionally, the company is drilling its second horizontal at Antelope-2. 

“The horizontal well is targeting a higher condensate-to-gas ratio deeper in the reservoir, which can only enhance an already high rate of return project and add resources to the year-end 2009 estimate of 9.1 Tcfe. 

“InterOil’s second rig has arrived and is on the ground at the refinery area in Papua New Guinea and is awaiting deployment to the field in the fourth quarter following modifications for jungle drilling in this now proven basin.”

The term loan facility matures on January 31, 2011 and will be used for upstream development and general corporate expenses.

 InterOil has agreed to pledge to Clarion Finanz a 2.5% interest in Elk and Antelope fields as collateral for the facility. Collin Vissagio, Chief Financial Officer of InterOil commented: “We are pleased to have obtained this facility from Clarion Finanz. It allows us to maintain financial flexibility while seeking potential industry investors in the Elk and Antelope fields.”

 InterOil intends to use the proceeds from the facility to further develop the Elk and Antelope fields in advance of the proposed development of the longer term condensate stripping and liquefied natural gas projects.