You make it, you undo it, says judge

By PATRICK TALU

 

NATIONAL Court judge Justice Ambeng Kandakasi said that all the landownership disputes and memorandum agreements issues in relation to the current PNG LNG project has been solely created by the government and the government must find a way forward to resolve these issues, The National reports.

He made the remarks yesterday at the Waigani National Court while suggesting a way forward planning to deal with all the PNG LNG-related issues before Christmas.

Kandakasi, who was to preside over several motions filed by Juha PDL9 landowners and Tuguba Tribe of Hides PDL1 yesterday in relation to the disbursement of the so-called seed capital and the MoA grants for the PNG LNG project, told counsel representing the landowners and the State that a better option was a forward planning as to how best the issues could be resolved.

He suggested to counsel of both parties that they should convene a special meeting to discuss a strategy with him that would put to rest all the issues.

If the discussion was successful, it would then pave the way for an alternative dispute resolution for the issues.

“The government had invited the investors and created opportunities and also created the problems.

“The government has to find solutions to all the problems created before problems related to the PNG LNG project get out of hand,” Kandakasi said.

He warned that if the issues were not settled as promised by government, things would get out of hand and fuel frustrations.

Kandakasi was of the view that all matters related to outstanding MOAa and the seed capital for the LNG project area landowners should be resolved before Christmas.

He would meet the counsel representing the state departments and the plaintiffs’ tomorrow afternoon before reaching an agreement whether to resolve all the issues through alternate dispute resolution or through the court.

 

 

Teachers stranded in Hagen

By JAMES APA GUMUNO

 

MORE than 40 teachers from the Southern, New Guinea Islands and Momase regions are stranded in Western Highlands because their leave fares have been reduced by more than 50%, The National reports.

It was alleged that K1, 000 was used as PMV fares to send some teachers back to their villages and provinces.

A woman teacher from Bougainville, who requested K17, 000 in leave fares to travel home with her family, was only paid K5, 000 last Friday.

Another woman teacher at Tiki Memorial Primary School in Hagen Central, who wanted to travel to Alotau and had asked for K6, 000, was only paid K2, 700.

But, a headmaster of a primary school, travelling from Mt Hagen city to Kotna in the Dei district, was paid K1, 000.

Branch president of the Western Highlands Teachers Association Aita Sanangekepe expressed grave concern yesterday and questioned the leave fares committee on the criteria used to pay teachers’ leave fares.

He said he could not understand why a local teacher, who needed only K8 on a return PMV fare was overpaid, compared with teachers from outside of the province.

Sanangekepe claimed that not one teacher from the Southern, NGI and Momase was paid in full.

He said most of the teachers travelling by air could not do so with their families because the money allocated was not enough.

Sanangekepe said he had learnt from past experiences and had appealed to the authorities last week to ensure all teachers were properly accommodated when they take their break. Unfortunately, this did not happen.

He said the leave fare committee had breached the Teaching Service

Commission Act 130 of 1988 when they underpaid teachers from the coastal provinces and overpaid local teachers.

He said it was a serious matter that he would take up with the concerned authorities.

Business easy with VSAT

DOING business with very small aperture terminal (VSAT) can be very efficient and convenient as it is only a click away with the use of modern technology.

People from Bulolo can now do business and make communication easier through the use of VSAT.

This was made possible after Bulolo MP Sam Basil presented a cheque for K200, 000 from his district support grant (DSIP) to Telikom PNG for VSAT rentals to continue the service in his electorate.

He said the payment was worthwhile as the service would go a long way in helping local business and improving the academic performance of students.

Basil said the people were happy with the VSAT service because it had added more value to their life in terms of communication.

 

 

Lae boy ‘Greg’ wins Digicel Stars

By MALUM NALU
Lae boy Greg Aaron has emerged as Papua New Guinea’s latest singing sensation after winning the lucrative Digicel Stars competition on Sunday night.

Greg Aaron belts out another number at the Ahi Festival in Lae last week

The 26-year-old, from the Ahi village of Yanga, in Lae, developed a cult following all over Papua New Guinea this year and Sunday was the icing on the cake.
Aaron pocketed K10, 000 and a major recording contract as his prize for winning the competition, which brings together the best singing talent from all over PNG.
He was at home in Yanga, after bringing the house down at the Ahi Festival last week, when he was named as winner on EMTV on Sunday night.
Yesterday (Monday) he gave the kudos to family members in Yanga, the other five Ahi villages, his Thronz band members as well as supporters from all over Lae and PNG who texted in their support.
“Last night (Sunday), we had a big celebration,” Aaron said.
“The village and the Thronz band had a big celebration at Yanga village.
“I had everything poured on me from coke, to beer, to coffee by celebrating family and supporters.
“I want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who voted for me, my band members, my manager, everyone in Lae and the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Wagang and Yanga.
“A special ‘thank you’ to major sponsor Digicel and all the others.”
Aaron said his immediate plan now was to have a break from his Thronz band and concentrate on recording a solo album next month.
“My plan now is to have a break from the band and have a couple of solo gigs,” he said.
“By mid January, we might start work on the album project.”

On the receiving end

Luck ran out for three armed robbers last Saturday morning in front of the Big Rooster shop at 4-Mile.
After posing as customers and robbing the fast food outlet, the robbers were intercepted by a patrolling police mobile unit as they made for their getaway vehicle, a stolen Toyota RAV 4 sports utility.
The robbers were searched on the spot for weapons as bystanders look on. – Nationalpic by AURI EVA

Jimi Valley gold a boost for Jiwaka

Gold samples found in exploration areas showed 92.3% purity: Siwi

 

By PATRICK TALU

 

A DISCOVERY of high grade gold deposits in the Jimi Valley could sustain Jiwaka and supplement its agricultural based-economy, The National reports.

The discovery was made three years back from alluvial mining by Damba Gold Ltd (DGL), a local mining and exploration consultancy firm based in Banz, North Wayla..

DGL managing director Michael Konga Siwi told The National last Friday that gold samples mined and tested and analysed  by Golau Pty Ltd in Lae showed 92.3% pure gold.

An airborne geophysical survey and the geological mapping and mineral potential assessment (Geomap) of the PNG highlands done by the Mineral Resources Authority recently confirmed the huge mineral deposits in the current prospect areas.

Siwi said it was a huge gold deposit from eight different prospect areas and had the potential to transform Jiwaka region  and the country if the project became a reality.

He said the gold prospect was located at Yeme Damb area of Upper Jimi and 40km west of current Yandera gold and copper project in Madang.

Siwi said many Jiwakans should not worry about not having natural resources to enhance the new province’s economy.

“Jiwaka has been proposed to be an agricultural based province given the fertile Waghi and Jimi Valley that produce PNG coffee and tea, but now that we have a 92.3% pure gold deposit, we can build the economy and be competitive,” Siwi said.

He said the discovery was made 18 years back but no one took the initiative to pursue and bring in mining and exploration companies until he decided to do so.

“I have been mobilising landowners of Yeme Damb gold prospect area for the past three years to seriously bring in a mining and exploration company.

“We did many tests and sample analysis to test its purity and we have confirmed 92.3% plus to warrant a gold mine in Jimi,” Siwi said.

He also said the Jiwaka Transitional Authority (JTA) had endorsed DGL to further negotiate to bring in a potential developer to mine the gold prospect.

JTA chairman Philip Kapal said: “We are ready for investors to come with funds for a large scale gold mining industrial development.

“We have commercially harvestable gold deposits and we need to invest for its enjoyable benefits in all win-win scenarios,” Kapal said.

Siwi is currently in talks with potential developers to obtain an exploration and mining licence from MRA.

The authority could not be contacted for comments.

 

 

Abal: No changes at departments or NEC

Don’t fret, Sir Michael alive and well, says acting PM

 

THERE will be no changes to heads of government departments and statutory bodies in the New Year but they are all required to start work on Jan 7 with the implementation of next year’s budget, The National reports.

Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal issued the directive yesterday while denying rumours of changes in departments or at the cabinet level.

He also denied rumours last Thursday and over the weekend that sidelined Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had died from a heart attack.

“I appeal to all citizens to remain calm because Sir Michael is in good health and well.

“Those involved in spreading such malicious misinformation must be condemned,” Abal said, promising to ensure those responsible were brought to justice.

“I call on all Papua New Guineans to remain calm and pray for Sir Michael during this difficult time.”

He also said Jan 7 was the date set for implementation and departmental heads who had taken recreational leave had been recalled for duty.

“Departments must start rolling things out by January and not wait until February or March.

“We have capable ministers and departmental heads. There is no need for me to crack the whip,” the acting prime minister said, after noting that Papua New Guineans had the tendency to go on long extended holidays without getting things done.

“I ask for everyone’s cooperation in implementing the biggest budget in the country’s history.”

Before jetting off to Wewak yesterday morning, Sir Michael declared at the Jackson Airport: “I am well and fit. I am all right; there is nothing wrong with me. And, as you can see, I am still alive.

“I urge all people to keep calm during this festive season and to celebrate peacefully with their loved ones,” he said.