Citizens taking back control of their country

By REG RENAGI

 

Since Independence, Papuans New Guineans have taken their own country for granted. 

As citizens, the people are somewhat tolerant about the way PNG is presently being cleverly manipulated, if not controlled for many years. 

But I hope this will soon change for the better.

 It is very important that citizens have every right to be concerned at the overall direction PNG has been heading for over three decades. 

As a sovereign country, we are fast losing the ability to control our own destiny, freedoms and national interests guaranteed by our national constitution. 

Since independence we have blindly trusted politicians, bureaucrats and those in positions of authority to apply fairness in our system of politics, and government.  The system has for far too long being manipulated, so unfortunately it really does not guarantee the people’s rights, and freedom. 

This must now be seriously addressed by all citizens. 

Failure to do this may soon see the total demise of PNG.

When we elect local, national and provincial government officials, we give them the job of providing a political, social, economic and judicial framework that allows our society to function in a way we believe is in our best interest.

The fact is that our politicians and bureaucrats have miserably failed us. 

As each month goes by, we are fast losing control of our country. 

It is only a matter of time before we lose total control in the way PNG should be governed, and its rich resources prudently managed today, and for our next generation.

Fortunately, there is a way forward. 

It is time for change with Papua New Guineans taking back full control of their country. 

It is high time the people take full responsibility by telling the politicians and bureaucrats exactly how things are going to be in future. 

As citizens, we will remind them that they are just mere public servants. 

We must keep reminding those in authority from the Prime Minister down that it is time to start serving the public in the national interest.

Papua New Guineans as the citizens of our country should now set out the national agenda, not public servants, politicians and big global business interests. 

These people have for a very long time now has all along proven themselves to be greedy, and self-serving. 

Nowadays, few can fail to be aware that the government wastes their tax money. 

But the true extent of this waste is astonishing, and even worse; is how waste is actually built into the system!

It has clearly been proven over time that it doesn’t matter which political party is in power.

Put very simply, the candidates on both sides tell the same tired lies year after year, and many voters still believe them.

Unfortunately, the same thing happens each time but voters repeatedly elect the same sorts of people come election time.

The real problem is deeper than the mediocre quality of our elected officials. 

Despite strident accusations by the people, I believe these are for the most part not evil men, intent of worsening the lot of citizens who put them into office.

Instead, they are marginally-competent men, unable to understand the larger issues, lost in the mass of immediate details and trying to find a compromise between conflicting needs.

We have all heard the rhetoric of politicians, but they are not answers. 

We also read, listen and watch the media reaction, but they still do not provide answers, just more questions.

What of the future? 

Where are we heading? 

What are we leaving our children?

Our politicians do not show us any vision and backbone required to lead us into the future. 

They are being led ‘willy-nilly’ by international influence and interests.

Are our laws just and fair?

 Does the judicial system provide justice or a job just for the law industry?

The average citizen today must start asking themselves these questions, and more. 

When I think about the manner our people have been constantly lied to since Independence, I become worried, angry and depressed, but motivated all at the same time.

This issue by now should have cause a deep debate on some serious issues that Papua New Guineans should be concerned about. 

We as a nation of people should not just easily accept what we are given or allowed at face value, because we need to enlighten ourselves to what is happening out there.

If we do not set things right by the people now, I say there will be a mass hysteria before the next political regime takes up office. 

I hope what I am saying here causes some serious debate on certain key issues of national importance, and hopefully some readers enter the debate, and possibly come up with some solutions.

In the final analysis, it is all about educating our whole country, adopting a certain point of view that is commonly shared by the majority of Papua New Guineans.  From this, a constructive discussion should follow that hopefully will subsequently result in a better future outcome for PNG.

Hiritano claims one, 13 injured

By STEPHANIE ELIZAH

 

A MAN is dead with 13 others nursing severe injuries at the Port Moresby General Hospital after a vehicle with 18 passengers on board ran off the road and crashed into nearby trees along the Hiritano Highway, Central, last Friday morning, The National reports.

A pregnant woman sustained spinal injuries while a six-year-old girl was badly hurt when she fell off the vehicle. They were among the 13 recovering at the hospital.

Agevairua health extension officer Don Oa said Bereina and Agevairua health centres staff were first on the scene to rescue the injured.

Ambulances from both centres immediately repatriated the severely injured to Port Moresby General Hospital.

“It was a nasty accident with people suffering from broken bones and lacerated skin, but we were prepared.

“This is nothing new to us, our medical staff are used to receiving victims in very bad conditions as a result of vehicle accidents along the highway,” Oa said.

Reports claimed that the vehicle, owned by a villager from Hisiu, was driven by the owner’s 20-year-old son who was transporting relatives to a bride price ceremony in Port Moresby.

“The police will give a clear account but, from what we heard, the cause of the accident may have been a failure on the vehicle gathering speed when climbing up a steep hill between Kaiau and Agevairua village,” Oa said.

“The accident occurred at around 9am and, thanks to the immediate action of the police highway patrol team, we were able to save many lives that morning.”

The driver is in police custody while the body of the dead person is at the hospital morgue.

 

10,000 in Bougainville starving

MORE than 10,000 people in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville are in need of food and medical assistance after continuous rainfall destroyed food gardens and devastated roads, The National reports.

Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President John Momis highlighted the problem last Friday when accepting 4,000 cartons of biscuits worth K180, 000 from the Lae Biscuit Co Ltd.

The company will ship the biscuits in two containers to the ABG office this week.

Weather experts had linked the continuous rainfall to the change in climate as a result of global warming.

According to the 3news.co.nz website, the months prior to July were hot and dry in Bougainville.

“Rainwater storage tanks were running low and any rainfall was occasional and light.

“However, in the last couple of weeks, there has been a major change – rain is now heavy and frequent,” the website said.

Many Bougainvilleans lead a mostly subsistence lifestyle, growing most of their own food in gardens. Others rely on generating income through growing cash crops like cocoa and coconuts.

According to locals, people grow crops fit for the climate, and the crops are grown according to the seasons.

“If weather patterns start to change and crops do not grow, many people have little safety net and will struggle for income and food,” the 3news.co.nz website added.

Typically, July is part of the dry season but, this year, the wet season came early and the heavy monsoon rains were having a massive impact.

“Only small sections of the roads in Bougainville are sealed and the remainder has quickly turned to a series of deep water-filled potholes.

“The rain also caused slips and landslides, creating road blocks that the government in Bougainville does not yet have the capacity to clear quickly,” the website added.

This had impacted greatly on the local communities, as the poor roads meant they could not take their cocoa and copra to the buyers.

Many government and non-governmental projects and programmes had also been affected, officials said.

The rains had not stopped since last month.

“We express our sympathy for the hardships and the life-threatening situations in the affected areas.

“We assure the president and other leaders of the ABG that we are happy to provide whatever we can for the health and safety of the victims of the natural disaster,” Lae Biscuit southern region manager Fabian Chow said.

He also called on the good people of Bougainville around the country to assist their families as much as possible.

“The leaders of Bougainville and other stakeholders can only do so much but it is the families that must now stand together to assist in any way possible your relatives back home,” Chow added.          

Also present to receive the donation with Momis were the Minister for Higher Education and North Bougainville MP Michael Ogio and director of the national coordination office of Bougainville affairs Ellison Towollom.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Lae  Biscuit. Thank you for the tremendous help you have given us in our time of need,” Momis said.

Ogio echoed similar sentiments and emphasised on the importance of strengthening partnership in all sectors of development.

“I call on the people of Bougainville to encourage partnership in your business so that, in times of need, this partnership exists,” he said.

 

Misima people regret life after mine closure

By STEPHANIE ELIZAH

 

LANDOWNERS of the Misima mine in Milne Bay have called on the government to review their mine closure plan and the memorandum of understanding affecting the closure, The National reports.

The Eguma special mining lease (SML) landowners also requested that the state honour its mine closure commitment to conduct a socio-economic feasibility study before the end of this year.

Managing director Taulea Mosebi claimed that after Misima Mines Ltd ceased operations, no socio-economic impact study had been conducted.

He said the people’s standard of living had not improved despite the good things that Misima mines brought when it was in operation like well-maintained and supported health, education, transport, electricity and banking services.

Mosebi said apart from the current monitoring of the environment’s rehabilitation, there had been no major economic development on Misima to boost the livelihood of the islanders.

“Our people are struggling.

“No one has made any attempt to find solutions to the problems.

“Since 1989, Misima mine had earned more than K9.9 billion for the state. Yet, after the mine ceased operations, we have rundown buildings, inconsistent power supply and landowner projects initiated during the mine life have not continued,” he said.

Mosebi said Eguma landowners had taken the initiative to spearhead a Misima island project, which is aimed at assessing the island’s social, economical, environmental, cultural and political status.

“We seek to revive the island’s economy and, as such, we have obtained the support of the Milne Bay provincial administration, Department of Agriculture and Livestock and the provincial industry and support services as part of the steering committee,” Mosebi said.

 

Outsiders warned to stay away from LNG wastes

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

A LANDOWNER company from the LNG project area in Southern Highlands is up in arms over the recent announcement of a new joint venture to manage wastes in the project area, The National reports.

Chairman of Hides Waste Management Company (HWMC) Thomas Potape had written to Esso Highlands Ltd warning of possible disturbances if project landowners were bypassed in spin-off businesses.

He said the HWMC is a legitimate landowner company, sanctioned by the Hides Gas Development Company (HGDC), to participate in spin-offs from the LNG project.

Potape said HWMC is registered with IPA and is in advanced stage of permit application with the Department of Environment and Conservation to be involved in waste treatment and disposal activities in Hides PDL 1, Hides PDL 7, Angore and Juha.

Potape said the four major LNG gasfields are located within the geographical boundaries of Komo with a population of 27,000 people.

He said the early works, including the Komo International Airport, major roads from Tari to Komo and from gasfields to Komo station and construction phase of LNG facilities, had started and there was evidence of huge volumes of wastes being generated.

“The local people, who have lived generations in these beautifully pristine environments, are not used to large volumes of wastes in all forms which will be created by a project of this scale, which will seriously affect their lifestyles.

“As a local landowner company, HWMC must be recognised by Esso Highlands to be involved in project spin-off activities as outlined in the national content plan.

“We have reputable overseas joint venture partners who are well placed to enable HWMC vision of waste management in the project areas.

“We have the capacity, the partners and technological know-how to realise our vision, and we believe Esso Highlands and its partners will have to take note of our intentions,” Potape added.

“We will be spending more than K7.5 million for the purpose of contending the environmental effects that may occur as a result of the developments at the LNG project fields and the surrounding communities.”

He said this would include the costs of construction of landfills and other waste treatment plants, storage facilities and other equipment and materials required to effectively manage all waste streams that would be created.

“It is important to note that early works have started with huge volumes of wastes to be produced daily.”

Potape said environmental approvals, which had been granted for early works activities, were conditional to the project developer following approved waste management practices.

“To date, there is no proper permitted company associated with the project to effectively deal with waste management and, as such, our proposed set-up will have to be recognised and considered by the proponent of the LNG project.”

He said recent media reports of Eco Care Engineering and Transpacific, a waste management joint venture, was an attempt by outsiders using their contacts in Oil Search to sideline legitimate landowner companies.

“As there is already an existing HWMC, under no uncertain terms an outside company will be allowed into the project areas of Hides PDL 1, Hides PDL 7, Angore, Juha airport facility and Hides conditioning plant area.” Potape warned.

APEC Ministers' Meeting - Upcoming

APEC Ministers to meet in Beijing on September 16-17

Issued by the APEC Secretariat

 

Singapore, 9 September, 2010 – Ministers responsible for Human Resources Development from APEC member economies will meet in Beijing next week to address issues such as unemployment and improving social safety nets to protect the vulnerable following the global financial crisis.

The 5^th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting will tackle the importance of achieving inclusive economic growth so that all sectors of society can share the benefits of free trade and investment and economic integration in the Asia Pacific region.

The meeting, to be held on September 16-17, will be chaired by China’s Minister for Human Resources and Social Security, Yin Weimin, and will provide valuable input to the work of developing APEC’s Growth Strategy, which will be presented to APEC Leaders meeting in Yokohama, Japan in November this year.

The Asia Pacific region is the world’s engine of growth and many member economies are leading the recovery from the global financial crisis. But common concerns remain, including the need to foster job creation, improve social protection and enhance education and training. Many member economies also face long-term challenges such as ageing populations and demands for flexible and adaptable workforces.

During the two-day meeting, Minister Yin Weimin will give a key note speech at the Great Hall of the People. Ministers from member economies will also make presentations and they are expected to adopt and release a joint statement and action plan at the conclusion of the meeting.

The meeting will be attended by Ministers responsible for Human Resources Development, officials and support personnel. The ministerial will follow a meeting of APEC HRD Senior Officials in Beijing on September 15.

For more information, contact Trudy Harris at th@apec.prg or +65 6891 9671.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where is justice?

From IAN TAUKURO

 

I've been following the story in the Post-Courier of the young man who was charged with killing another young man about four years ago through that absolutely stupid male cult practice called 'skelim bros' and was shocked today to learn that the court has now ordered a four year suspended sentence on the perpetrator.

 

The newspaper did not report on the reaction to this sentence from the deceased's parents/family but I'm sure they must be feeling a real sense of injustice right now.

 

Where is justice being served for a boy, who was probably talked into skipping school that fateful day by boys older than himself, forced into drinking homebrew as part of the 'skelim bros' rite of passage nonsense, then held up against a wall and punched to death violently and repeatedly in the chest by the perpetrator, another boy, probably older and who was also drunk not just from the alcohol, but from the sense of power that all bullies possess when they target the weak.

 

And, bullying is what 'skelim bros' is all about. It's protectionism for male teenagers. If you don't get punched in the chest until your sternum/ribs snap or bend inward, at least, you are not considered man enough to be part of the crowd. You are an outsider whom others can ignore and prey on, because you are viewed as being different - and lord knows that is not a feeling you want to have when you're a teenager. It's not exactly a nice feeling when your peers ridicule you or, worse, belt you up.

 

Whilst following the articles, I thought the courts were presented with a good opportunity to send out a strong message that 'skelim bros' and bullying in general, which is, unfortunately, common place in most schools, is wrong and if you punch someone in the chest so hard that the impact collapses the chest cavity, snapping the ribs in the process and causing the broken bones to tear flesh, pierce the heart or lungs and thereby cause a very painful death, you, the bully, will go to jail because you have killed someone deliberately.  

 

But, alas, today, I read that the courts have imposed a slap-on-the-wrist sentence and you can just imagine the relief and happiness that the perpetrator would have felt as he was embraced by his equally relieved family as they walked out of the court room into the fresh air and warm sunshine. It was a beautiful day for them.

 

Meanwhile, the soul of the poor deceased boy, despatched so ruthlessly to the sheer blackness of eternity, roams the great void angrily, restlessly, eternally. And, somewhere, at a school in this country, some poor male student, the child of parents of have worked hard to put their son in school, is either preparing to undergo 'skelim bros' or is either being considered for 'skelim bros' by his peers. The cycle of violence rages on restlessly, eternally.