Nape: What K30 million?

SPEAKER of parliament Jeffery Nape has hit out at claims that as much as K30 million was paid to him by the government, The National reports.

A statement issued by the speaker’s office said the rumour had been circulating the streets of Port Moresby, and the corridors of the national parliament, in recent months.

The rumour said Nape was given K5 million, some said K12 million and others said K30 million, the statement said.

“Nape does not know anything about such money being made available to him, and does not understand how such malicious rumours could be circulated,” the statement said.

“The office of the speaker categorically denies this rumour and wishes to inform members of parliament and the people of PNG that the rumour is false and malicious in nature.

“This rumour is being perpetrated by some people to discredit the good speaker of parliament for reasons only known to them,” the statement said.

The speaker is currently away on holidays, and could not be reached for comments.

The statement was signed and issued by his second secondary Apa Kua.

Nape would preside over parliament when it resumed in two weeks, and would determine whether or not to allow a notice of a motion of no-confidence in the prime minister to go on the floor.

The prime minister will face a vote of no-confidence if Nape allows the motion through.

The opposition was pushing for this, and was confident the speaker does not have any reason to deny the notice.

PM tasked on abuse claims

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has stressed the “excellent working relationship with Indonesia” amid claims of human rights abuse in West Papua, Indonesia, The National reports.

Sir Michael and US secretary of state Hillary Clinton were holding a joint media conference on Wednesday in Port Moresby when Australian Associated Press journalist Ilya Gridneff posed the question about alleged human rights abuses in West Papua.

The prime minister said there were anti-Indonesian groups distributing such reports alleging human rights abuses.

He said the government of Susilo Bambang Yudyohono was paving the way forward for Indonesia which had seen the granting of special autonomy to some regions in the country.

Sir Michael said the working relationship between PNG and Indonesia had been very good.

He said Indonesia had started on a programme to bring back its citizens and one of them was his personal driver, who was now in Lake Sentani and travelled freely to PNG.

Sir Michael said trade along the border region had increased with people from West Sepik, East Sepik and Madang regularly visiting Indonesia.

Of the alleged human rights abuses, the prime minister said the PNG government was aware of the reports and the Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal had asked the Indonesian government for a response.

Clinton, in response to the question, said the US considered itself a friend and ally, claiming that any matter was discussed and explained.

“I have no comments to the specific matter referred to,” Clinton said.

“If there are continuous violence of human rights, they should be investigated and those responsible be held accountable,” she added.

Group queries market facility

By JASON GIMA WURI

A GROUP of protesters comprising mainly women, youths and children yesterday confronted NCD Governor Powes Parkop as he was about to open the new Lareva market at Hohola 2, The National reports.

The protesters said the new site did not have any water and toilet facilities, fuelling threats of cholera and other diseases.

They also raised concerns on petty crimes and other illegal activities including the safety of women and girls using and visiting the market.

Hohola community chairman Abraham Araupe said a petition outlining these concerns were given to Parkop six months ago but to no avail.

“The market is now sitting right in the middle of our recreational area.

“There is no proper licencing from the NCD lands board and the market was built without proper facilities, planning and health inspections being carried out,” Araupe said.

Community leaders yesterday threatened to take out a court injunction against Parkop and NCDC.

However, Parkop told the protesters that the market had to be moved for the city’s benefit.

“We cannot listen to only one part of a group of people but, instead, we have to get everyone’s views - those from the Highlands, the Papuans, New Guinea Islands and Momase.

“This market does not belong to the Hagens or the Keremas only. It belongs to all of us in the city; it will improve our people’s lives with the vegetables and betelnuts sold here,” Parkop said.

“I understand and take into account your concerns for security, rubbish and health hazards.

“New toilets and water facilities will be in place immediately in the coming weeks.”

He also challenged the community to organise itself and collect taxes from the vendors to pay for security and the upkeep of the market.

The NCD governor also thanked Digicel and BSP for providing 300 and 100 beach umbrellas respectively for distribution to the market vendors.

Westpac to join LNG bandwagon

By PATRICK TALU

WESTPAC Bank PNG Ltd, the oldest bank in the country, will tap into the emerging banking opportunities spawned by the mining and petroleum boom, particularly the gas project, The National reports.

Incoming general manager for Pacific banking Greg Pawson told the media in Port Moresby yesterday the Pacific was a key focus for Westpac and PNG was one of the most focused areas that would  see the bank’s three strategies carried out.

“We are excited about some of the emerging opportunities particularly the gas project and the mining,” Pawson said.

“We are very eager to invest and leverage in terms of where we are now and we are mapping out a three-year strategic plan.

Pawson outlined the three key focus areas as:

* Investment in emerging market opportunities;

* Retails banking; and

* Strong business banking.

Investment in the emerging market opportunity was  along term concern, Pawson said.

On retail banking, there is no need to open new branches but instead, improvement should come in for wider and efficient banking services.

“On business banking, we are looking at how we can take that to the next level where we are looking at a significant relationship with the government, the diplomatic corps and other big corporate organisation to contribute to the growth of the economy of Papua New Guinea,” Pawson said.

Westpac managing director for PNG Ashleigh Matheson said as part of the three-year strategy, a state-of-the-art internet banking services was under way

WHP teachers slam OBE concept

By YVONNE HAIP

Teachers in Western Highlands are planning to go on strike to get rid of the outcome based education (OBE) system, The National reports.

The teachers have given a 20-days notice to Education authorities and Minister James Marape to publicly debate the system, which has drawn widespread criticism in recent times.

The 20-day notice expired last Friday with no response.

The teachers, through their organisation Teachers Rights Movement group, signed a petition and held a public rally in Mt Hagen last month, challenging Marape to a public debate.

The teachers argue that OBE was not in the best interest of teachers and students.

They said as implementers of the system, they were concerned about the students and were willing to engage in a public debate with authorities so that solutions could be discussed.

They now plan to hold a sit in protest or would not return to classes until education authorities meet with them.

The teachers said they had deferred their strike to next week due to the Grade 8 examinations being conducted this week.

Teachers from the elementary, primary, high, secondary, and technical schools have all shown interest in the public debate.

Spokesperson, Nius Rom, who teaches Grades 11 and 12 history at Mt Hagen Park Secondary School, said the public forum would discuss factors brought on by OBE.

He said these included class size where teachers taught more than 30 students in a class, lack of student material, failure in the education delivery system, teachers work conditions, and the purpose of the teachers union.

He said teachers would be “exercising their freedom of expression to professionally call for changes for the betterment of the future generation”.

He said the teachers would take a firm stand on the matter and were willing to “put their jobs on the line” as it was for a worthy cause.

“We are now on the crossroads, that is whether to make changes and improve the failing education system or ignore these calls,” Rom said.

“We cannot pretend that nothing is wrong and start to jump up and down later after the whole education system has collapsed,” he added.

Rom also said that from the classroom perspective, the reform system which began in 1995, had failed to achieve its intended purpose of quality relevant education over the past 15 years and would continue if not addressed.

The teachers said they had carried out their research and would produce facts and figures during the debate.

We’re with you

Visiting US secretary of state reaffirms ties

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton addressing women in parliament flanked by Papua New Guineans dressed in their different traditional costumes representing all provinces of the country. Leading them, and on Clinton’s left, is diplomat and foreign affairs senior official Lucy Bogari, adorned in her Northern tapa colours.  – Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has reaffirmed the United States of America’s commitment to assist Papua New Guinea avoid the “resource curse” by building institutional capacity to govern revenue from its natural resource extraction, The National reports.

She said that PNG, with its vast natural resources, would become a strong regional leader but must have strong commitment to governance, accountability and transparency.

“The United States stands ready to assist translate Papua New Guinea’s natural resources into a vibrant developing nation,” Clinton said.

She told a joint media conference after her meeting with Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare on bilateral issues.

“A lot of countries with such excitement like what is happening here have not done it.

“As Papua New Guinea begins to develop its liquefied natural gas (LNG) resources, the US state department hopes to assist the PNG government, especially the department of Petroleum and Energy, as well as tax and finance agencies, to maximise value and efficiency of oil and gas production and revenue flows.”

She said the Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative (EGCI) would seek to bolster institutional capacities related to governance, revenue management and technical capability.

Clinton said she was very excited to visit PNG after her husband, former US president Bill Clinton’s visit to promote his Clinton Foundation in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

She said her planned visit in January was cancelled due to the earthquake in Haiti that forced her to turn back from Honolulu, Hawaii.

“It is well known that the journey from Washington DC to Port Moresby is a long one. But I left to come see you in January and I am only arriving now. So, thank you for your patience, I am thrilled to be here today.”

She said the government and people of PNG were trusted partners today, and had been for more than 60 years and that was why she saw the visit as a privilege and a priority.

Clinton said the partnership was serious and wide-ranging and soon new grounds would be broken for a new and larger embassy in Port Moresby.

She arrived in Port Moresby at 5pm and left about 11pm for the New Zealand-Australia leg of the regional visit.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said they had a wonderful dialogue on a number of issues including climate change, women empowerment, human smuggling and trafficking, gender development and US assistance.

We're with you

Visiting US secretary of state reaffirms ties

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has reaffirmed the United States of America’s commitment to assist Papua New Guinea avoid the “resource curse” by building institutional capacity to govern revenue from its natural resource extraction, The National reports.

She said that PNG, with its vast natural resources, would become a strong regional leader but must have strong commitment to governance, accountability and transparency.

“The United States stands ready to assist translate Papua New Guinea’s natural resources into a vibrant developing nation,” Clinton said.

She told a joint media conference after her meeting with Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare on bilateral issues.

“A lot of countries with such excitement like what is happening here have not done it.

“As Papua New Guinea begins to develop its liquefied natural gas (LNG) resources, the US state department hopes to assist the PNG government, especially the department of Petroleum and Energy, as well as tax and finance agencies, to maximise value and efficiency of oil and gas production and revenue flows.”

She said the Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative (EGCI) would seek to bolster institutional capacities related to governance, revenue management and technical capability.

Clinton said she was very excited to visit PNG after her husband, former US president Bill Clinton’s visit to promote his Clinton Foundation in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

She said her planned visit in January was cancelled due to the earthquake in Haiti that forced her to turn back from Honolulu, Hawaii.

“It is well known that the journey from Washington DC to Port Moresby is a long one. But I left to come see you in January and I am only arriving now. So, thank you for your patience, I am thrilled to be here today.”

She said the government and people of PNG were trusted partners today, and had been for more than 60 years and that was why she saw the visit as a privilege and a priority.

Clinton said the partnership was serious and wide-ranging and soon new grounds would be broken for a new and larger embassy in Port Moresby.

She arrived in Port Moresby at 5pm and left about 11pm for the New Zealand-Australia leg of the regional visit.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said they had a wonderful dialogue on a number of issues including climate change, women empowerment, human smuggling and trafficking, gender development and US assistance.