Appeal planned against governor general vote

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

A NOTICE of appeal will be filed at the National Court this morning restraining parliament from convening and have the nomination period of the governor-general extended by another 14 days.

Parliament was scheduled to meet at 10am today, The National reports.

Appellant Ronald Rimbao, who had publicly announced his intention to contest the GG’s post, would use section 5(4) of the Organic Law on the nomination of the governor-general to stop parliament from meeting until his appeal was heard in a court of law.

Rimbao is arguing that he was not provided a nomination form, to seek endorsement from at least 15 members of parliament to qualify for the race, although his lawyers had written to the clerk of parliament on Dec 31 last year.

In a letter to clerk of parliament Don Pandan on Wednesday, Rimbao said he would also seek to have his nomination form of May 28, 2010, accepted and included among the nominated list for the position of governor-general in this sitting.

However, in his reply the same day, Pandan said he had no powers to get parliament “to meet today or tomorrow” to reverse its meeting schedule.

“The acting speaker’s statement announcing details of the nomination and deadlines cannot be reversed. It was made in parliament and can only be reversed in parliament,” Pandan explained in his letter to Rimbao.

“The only other body that has these powers is the courts.”

The clerk of parliament also pointed out that the entire process of nomination that took place in May and June last year could not be relied on or used.

“The entire process starts again, and did so on Tuesday, Jan 11, at 3.30pm in the chamber with the acting speaker’s statement,” Pandan said in his reply.

This meeting of parliament, which started on Monday, was specifically to nominate and vote in a new governor-general following a Supreme Court order on Dec 10 last year.

It did so after ruling that the election of Sir Paulias Matane as the vice-regal was unconstitutional.

Copies of Rimbao’s letter to Pandan were also delivered to the speaker and solicitor-general.

 

 

University of Goroka management reinstated

THE top management team at the University of Goroka in Eastern Highlands has been reinstated, The National reports.

The management voluntarily stepped aside nine months ago following a student boycott early last year.

An independent investigation committee was formed to probe allegation of academic, administrative and financial mismanagement.

After reviewing the committee’s report, the university council found no evidence relating to the claims and reinstated Vice-Chancellor Dr Gairo Onagi, associate professor Michael Mel (pro vice-chancellor academic) and Dr James Yoko (pro vice-chancellor administration) to their posts on Jan 1.

They were also issued strict performance guidelines.

UoG Chancellor Benais Sabumei announced the decision this week in a statement to all UOG stakeholders.

“The issues raised by the investigation committee did not constitute financial fraud, misuse or mismanagement by the sidelined management that required reviewing or cancelling their contracts.

“In recalling the top management, and in line with the committee’s recommendation, the council will enforce a higher standard of performance criteria and appraisals on the management team; so that their respective performances are under constant review by the council,” Sabumei said.

“The past culture of UoG strikes, boycotts and sit-ins must end and stakeholders must understand and adhere to established, proper legal processes under the UOG statues, laws and other processes to achieve our individual and collective aspirations. 

“The council also seeks cooperation and understanding from all stakeholders in ensuring our university meets the expectations of the government and the citizens of PNG.”

 

 

Abal vows to equip PTB

By PATRICK TALU

 

THE acting prime minister has given the revived plant and transport board (PTB) his full backing and wants it fully operational to seal all 9,000km of national roads in Papua New Guinea by this year, The National reports.

Assuring 20 provincial works managers to revive PTB following a request they made at recent a consultative meeting, Sam Abal, who is also works minister, said he would honour their request and build the capacity of PTB.

However, he set the road-sealing timeframe for this year.

“The national government will fund and upgrade PTB and build its capacity in all provincial works divisions,” Abal told the managers and senior Department of Works staff.

“You are at the forefront and the government will equip and build your capacity through revitalising the PTB so that the rural majority can access services through a decent road network.

“People are dying due to lack of road link. It is our priority to connect them with services.

“I am with you and we will build the capacity in terms of manpower, equipment and other resources required to revive PTB,” Abal said.

The acting prime minister said he had written to Treasurer Peter O’Neill to make funds available to revamp PTB nationwide.

During the consultation yesterday in Port Moresby, the works managers also briefed the acting prime minister about their strengths, weaknesses and their areas of need.

Emphasising the need to revive the PTB, most provincial managers said they were capable of sealing the 9,000km of roads if they had the financial capacity to do so.

 

 

McGregor cops put up blockade

By ANGELINE KARIUS

 

THE alleged removal of a police vehicle used by director for Special Services Division (SSD) David Manning has infuriated members of the division who set up a blockade to possible security threats within its divisional headquarters at McGregor barracks outside Port Moresby, The National reports.

In the light of SSD’s refusal to hand over a number of weapons to the task force. 

According to a senior sgt major who requested anonymity, a retrenched police senior inspector and two former SSD members tailed director Manning’s five door Toyota Landcruiser vehicle from Bomana Police College into the barracks.

He said Manning’s driver, also a policeman, was held at gunpoint after parking in front of the headquarters car park at around 9pm and 10pm.

He said the driver was asked to give up the keys to the vehicle but refused.

“He was punched by both suspended colleagues on both sides of his ears and kicked when he fell onto the bitumen.

“The senior inspector then removed the keys and drove away in the Landcruiser including two weapons which were in the vehicle,” he said.

He said the driver then called the officer who claims a blockade was set up until daybreak the next day. 

It is understood that the senior inspector involved flew with the contingent that left for Vanimo, West Sepik, to conduct border patrol operations yesterday.

“To our understanding this is a hold-up that took place here.

“We want to know who gave the directives and issued orders to retrieve the vehicle in the middle of the night.

Asked if there was a mutiny looming in the division, he added “we are intact”.

“There is no mutiny and there is no stand-off but only frustration over the alleged incident.

“The public and investors can be assured that there are no such claims as mutiny in the division.

“We are here to serve the RPNGC Commissioner of the day,” he said.   

SSD director is currently on sick leave for an indefinite period.

The National was told that the vehicle was later located at Police Headquarters in Konedobu.

The keys and weapons were handed over to NCD Met Supt Joseph Tondop.

NCD Met Supt could not be reached for comments regarding the blockade and related matters.

 

 

Report: Salt solutions low

By ELIZABETH MIAE

 

ORAL rehydration salts (ORS) are badly needed in large quantities for distribution to all established ORS points in Western including the new ones that would be set up, The National reports.

This is one of the main points highlighted in a situation report by the province’s cholera response committee on Monday.

The report stated that there was an excessive amount of Hartmann’s solution (IV fluids) and that they (committee) did not need any more.

“In fact, a lot of Hartmanns will need to be sent back to Port Moresby for re-supply elsewhere,” the report said.

Last month about 6.5tonnes (374 boxes) of IV fluids were flown by the PNG Defence Force Casa aircraft from Port Moresby to Daru.

According to Health Department surveillance officer Berry Ropa, the supplies were made available by the department upon an assessment report by the response committee.

Even Governor Dr Bob Danaya said the fluids were “most important” as it saved people’s lives however the latest situation report stated the opposite.

The report stated that IEC materials (posters) were needed inside and outside of the hotspot areas.

“Utensils for boiling water (we propose 10l pots) are needed in the Bamu/Gama/Turama River areas. The task force will be purchasing 1,600 of these to distribute along with water containers.

“This estimate is based on the at risk population of this area of approximately 14,000 people with an average family size of eight.”

The committee also pointed out that more water containers were needed in all hot spot areas while another 10,000 collapsible narrow neck 10L water containers for distribution.

“Until appropriate safe water supplies are established in the river communities of this province, storage of boiled water is the choice option that will reinforce the public health and risk communication messages of boiling water and using/storing it for use.”

The deaths are 330 with no new cases reported since Dec 24 while the number of cases was 3, 564 as of last Thursday.

 

Breaking news on election of governor general

Michael Ogio now governor general with 64 votes, Pato Kakarya 22 and informal votes 8

Coffee

By JEFFREY MANE FEBI

Blossom! blossom! in June. Crowds
They stand to proclaim their renewals
And invite bees onto many a pearly stage
Then yellow their limbs with their jewels
As bees in hype and dance engage

Some begin to bow under jovial load
As green gold replaces many a pearly stage
This transformation, bees, send to hive
With gentle persuasion to kindly disengage
Then they, a day of colour prepare to revive

Then masses upon masses, more beautiful
Load grey brown branches and between
Weary green leaves paint them shiny red,
O red! pleasant red! signal to convene
Hurry! please hurry! Or they’ll shed!