Jails to buy 1,500 semi-automatic weapons, 50,000 rounds from Australia

CORRECTIONAL Services Minister Tony Aimo has confirmed overseas media reports that the Correctional Services will buy non-lethal weapons worth more than K9 million for its jails from Australian defence technology company Metal Storm Ltd, The National reports.

The Brisbane-based company announced separately on its website that the Correctional Services planned to have about 1,500 of these weapons in service starting next year.

Aimo said CS had placed orders worth US$3.364 million (K9.1 million) but no payments had been made as arrangements were being done on a government-to-government level.

The minister, reinstated CS commissioner Richard Sikani and deputy commissioner operations Henry Wavik will travel to Brisbane next week to check on the weapons.

Metal Storm said this week it would supply 500 weapons and 50,000 rounds of ammunition in a deal signed with Aimo.

The semi-automatic weapons would be used with non-lethal ammunition and would be deployed to CS officers in charge of security at jails throughout the country, providing non-lethal response capabilities that could be lifted to immediate lethal response if necessary.

 “PNG is delighted to be able to source weapons at the leading edge of shotgun technology and we hope in due course to have about 1,500 of these weapons in service,” Aimo said.

He said he expected ratification of the urgent purchase through the usual government protocols shortly and the first 50 weapons to be delivered by next February.

Aimo said CS would be getting non-lethal weapons while the police and defence would be beefing up their firepower with lethal weapons.

He said orders had been placed and were going through the normal procurement process.

“If things go well, Correctional Services will be the first to get non-lethal weapons that is aimed at injuring rather than killing of escapees.

“We do not want to kill prison escapees, the message we want to get across is for escapees to go back and serve their jail term, and we (CS) will rehabilitate you into the community as a reformed person.”

Aimo said that CS saw the capacity of the weapon to deliver a rapid and escalating response as exactly what was necessary for security in PNG jails.

Metal Storm CEO Dr Lee Finniear said the production contract was a watershed for the company after many years of research, development and testing.

He said that an additional advantage for the CS was that weapons that were lost or stolen could not be used with conventional illegally obtained ammunition.

“Illegal arms possession is a big problem in PNG and the government are determined to tackle the issue on a variety of fronts.

“By purchasing Metal Storm weapons, the PNG Correctional Services is contributing to government arms control by ensuring that, if stolen, its new weapons cannot be used effectively by criminals,” Finniear said.

 

 

CS Minister: Sikani's reinstatement lawful

THE reinstatement of Correctional Services Commissioner Richard Sikani to the top post is lawful and in line with all public service rules and regulations, minister Tony Aimo said yesterday, The National reports.

He told reporters that all internal and external investigations had cleared Sikani of any wrongdoing into the escape of serial bank robber William Kapris and 11 others from the Bomana prison early this year.

Based on these findings, the minister said cabinet saw fit to give the CS top administrative post back to Sikani.

“Sikani was not personally involved or responsible for aiding and abetting the escape of Kapris and 11 other hardcore prisoners from the Bomana maximum security unit on Jan 12,” Aimo said.

He said the jail commander of the corrective institution was responsible for the day-to-day administration and management of the prison, including the maximum unit.

“It is clearly spelt out in his duty statement,” he added.

He said two prison warders, Abiang Kera and John Weka, had been charged with the offence with their cases now before court.

“My department, through the commissioner, has in place security procedures and protocols, standing orders and operational orders in the management of the maximum security unit.

“The underlying rules and command must be observed and managed by the jail commanders and all their officers at CS institutions throughout the country.

“It is not the task of the commissioner, or even the minister, to stand at the Bomana maximum security unit gate or the CS gate to check every client visiting prisoners,” Aimo said.

“Security protocols of all security units must be strictly executed in all our correctional institutions.”

The minister said an internal investigation into the escape of Kapris and 11 others did not, in any way, implicate the commissioner.

“Having considered all these facts, I, as minister for CS, seeking advice from Public Service Minister Peter O’Neill and the chief secretary to government, Manasupe Zurenuoc, sought cabinet’s approval to reinstate Sikani as CS commissioner.”

The approval was granted on Aug 27.

Aimo urged the commissioner to ensure command and control mechanisms were put in place to get the department up and running.

Sikani’s first task would be to implement the prison industry authority concept, a vehicle aimed at driving the rehabilitation of rundown institutions and the rural lock-up programme that had grinded to a halt in January.

Sikani promised to do his best.

 

 

Wright’s farewell gift to Telefomin

By JEFFREY ELAPA

Telefomin MP Peter Iwei (left) with chief pilot Gerard Conron near the plane at the Jackson International Airport yesterday.-Nationalpic by JEFFREY ELAPA

FOUR local level governments in West Sepik’s Telefomin district have become the first local level government (LLG) to own a plane to serve their people, The National reports.
And they have much to thank TransAir co-owner Les Wright  for making it possible.
Unfortunately, Wright could not witness the handover yesterday, as he was one of four people killed in the Misima, Milne Bay, plane crash in bad weather last Tuesday.
Telefomin MP Peter Iwei said the nine-seater Cessna 206 was bought for K300,000 using his district support grants which were approved by the district planning and budget priorities committee.
The plane was bought in Cairns, Australia, under an arrangement with Wright before last Tuesday’s tragic plane crash.
Iwei said that the plane would be leased to the Frieda River copper mine in his electorate so that it was sustainable in the long run, allowing the district to collect revenue.
He said Telefomin was one of the most isolated districts, which was only accessible by air, and the plane would ease many transportation problems.
He noted that the plane was small, however, it was appropriate for serving his people whose travel had been restricted for many years.
Iwei thanked third-level airlines like MAF that had served his remote area, and the purchase of the plane was not to compete but for service delivery to his people.
The launching of the plane will take place in Telefomin after it is registered as P2PIW Min Airways.
Villager Collin Tandamat, who turned up to see the plane at the TransAir hanger at the Jackson International Airport, said he was pleased to see the little people owning a plane to serve themselves.
Iwei returned from Telefomin yesterday to learn of the Misima tragedy and passed his condolences to Wright’s family

Ramu tailings case date set

By SINCLAIRE SOLOMON

 

THE trial date for the deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) legal battle against Ramu NiCo management (MCC) and state stakeholders has been confirmed for Sept 21-Oct 1 at the Madang National Court, The National reports.

At directions hearing yesterday, defendants Ramu NiCo, Mineral Resources Authority, Environment and Conservation Department and the state maintained that the trial date should be kept and the trial preparation should be fast-tracked while the plaintiffs should file and serve any affidavits to prosecute their claims.

Justice David Cannings heard three applications which were returnable yesterday:

* First defendant Eddie Tarsie’s application for an expedited trial and related matters;

* Sama Melambo and Pommern ILG’s application to withdraw from the proceedings; and

* Plaintiffs Tarsie, Farina Siga and Peter Sel’s application to have the matter referred to the alternate dispute resolution (ADR) courts for mediation.

Cannings ruled that the plaintiffs should file and serve additional affidavits and notices by Sept 13 and the defendants by Sept 17.

He also expressed concern that the application for mediation was too late in the litigation process; however, he would hear the notice of motion on Friday.

Cannings also accepted an invitation, in principle, from Ramu NiCo to visit the DSTP site at Basamuk, Rai Coast, but not before the trial.

He said the site visit could take place after the close of the submissions but before he hands down his decision.

The plaintiffs had been granted an interim injunction since March, halting work on the DSTP offshore facility construction claiming that the tailings were environmentally damaging to marine life and their livelihood.

Yesterday, Cannings granted leave for Melambo and Pommern ILG to cease the litigation proceedings.

Outside the court, Ramu NiCo said yesterday it would make good preparations for the trial while always ready to start the settlement discussion with the plaintiffs any time this week.

It had sent a letter to all parties on Sept 5 but had not received an indication from the remaining three plaintiffs.

 Ramu NiCo also said that it was seeking legal advice and would be making applications to seek cost and undertakings on damages from third parties who were believed to have financed the litigation.

In a separate but related move last week, four LLG presidents and a magistrate of the area filed affidavits in the Waigani National Court saying that they had not authorised Tarsie, Siga and Sel to be party to the proceedings initiated in March against Ramu NiCo and the state.

The K3.1 billion project was due to go into production at the end of this year.

Headstone for Mum

Friends, especially those in Lae or those who will be in Lae over the independence weekend, we'll be putting up Mum's headstone on Friday September 17 followed by kaikai on Saturday September 18, at our house at Butibam village in Lae, so please feel free to drop by.

 

Malum

Police move into Unitech

Eastern Highlands students studying at the University of Technology waiting in front of the Yanepa building for Governor Malcolm Kela-Smith to present their petition yesterday.

Sepiks turn on students from other provinces

THE University of Technology, despite further intimidation and threats by provincial groups against each other, is assuring safety and appealing to students to return to classes next Monday, The National reports.

The administration said last night that it had also beefed up security with more police presence at the Taraka campus.

Police have been given orders to arrest and charge anyone breaking Unitech rules and regulations and disrupting peace.

On Monday night, Sepik students searched all lodges and dormitories and attacked students from other provinces.

University workers said the Sepiks had retaliated following an attack by Western Highlands students late in the afternoon.

Police were forced to fire warning shots into the air to disperse the unruly group, an academic said.

The Sepik students continued the threats and intimidation yesterday morning and attacked a Central student in front of the union canteen at midday.

Students said the Sepiks were attacking anybody “who is not a Sepik”.

They said the Sepiks were angered when they learnt of a discussion on Monday night by all other provincial groups. They viewed the meeting as collusion to team up against them.

“They thought that everyone is against them,” the students said.

In Goroka, Unitech students from Eastern Highlands yesterday petitioned Governor Malcolm Kela-Smith to assist them to return to complete their studies.

The students fled the Taraka campus last weekend along with other highlands students in fear of attack from Sepik students following a clash that resulted in a death.

President of the Unitech Eastern Highlands Students Association Solomon David petitioned Kela-Smith in front of the Yanepa provincial government building yesterday.

The students called for maximum security to be provided for them to return and complete the remaining five weeks of their academic year.

They also called for financial assistance for transport and political intervention to address the current situation on campus.

The students claimed that the university’s senior management had failed to deal with the problem, resulting in a death, injuries and chaos.

In Mt Hagen, Western Highlands students said they were not involved in the clash.

They said the fight was between the Chimbu and Sepik students, and no Western Highlander had part took in it.

The National, yesterday, reported that the Sepik students were angry that a Western Highlands student, known to them, was instrumental in the fight at the student mess.

The fight reportedly began after a Sepik student was assaulted at the university gates at Taraka.

Meanwhile, Enga students who boarded a PMV bus from Lae to Wabag were allegedly attacked along the Highlands Highway last weekend.

First-year student Terry Kandiu said they were attacked and robbed at Kindeng, but they did not know who the attackers were and why they were attacked.

Police in Mt Hagen confirmed that they had received reports of the incident but had not made any arrests.

Storm wreaks havoc

By PISAI GUMAR

 

NEARLY 500 people have been left homeless in the Huon Gulf district of Morobe after a freak thunderstorm on Monday night flattened their homes, The National reports.

Villagers of Maiama on the coast of the Morobe patrol post lost 32 homes and the remainder of their food gardens in the strong winds and heavy rains.

Women, children and the elderly were pleading for help from relatives in Lae for food supplies and medication.

Fears of flooding and landslides had also been raised for villages along the coast to the border of Northern and in the hinterlands.

It is the second disaster to have affected the village in a week after last Wednesday’s 2m-high flooding of the Masira River that swept away 25 homes and lowland gardens, Morobe patrol post sub-district manager Essing Ulam said last night.

He said last week’s devastation left more than 100 people homeless and Monday night’s had worsened the situation with more than 300 people without either food or shelter.

He said a southeasterly wind lashed the village at 1am on Monday.

Cash crops of vanilla vines and cocoa trees and food gardens were all destroyed.

Ulam said the phenomenon was described by villagers as “some strange wind”.

Ulam and his Department of Agriculture and Livestock officer have compiled a latest report to the Morobe provincial disaster and emergency office for assistence.

They had been visited at the weekend by Huon Gulf district administrator Tony Ase.

Ase said last night that he had requested relief supplies from the disaster office.

In the meantime, the people are scouring their gardens for food.