Search continues for missing expat

By ZACHERY PER

 

POLICE detectives and homicide squads in Chimbu were deployed to the remote Nondri-Amia area of Gumine district to search for a missing European expatriate, The National reports.

The European of Belgium origin, identified only Tony, at this stage was kidnapped by members of Gorekulame sub-clan of Sa tribe last Wednesday and his whereabout is not known, according to police.

Chimbu police commander Chief Insp John Kale deployed the special squad to the area to assist Gumine district police.

He said the pregnant wife of the expatriate was allegedly abducted by more than 10 attackers who repeatedly raped her for at least two days before she was rescued by members of Toma and Barama sub-clans of Sa tribe of Nondri-Amia area.

Kale said two suspects were arrested and are remanded at Kundiawa police cell; they were picked-up by Gumine police at Dirima station when they came out to sell a pig.

He said police would thoroughly investigate to confirm the allegations of rape and ascertain reports of the murder of the expatriate.

“Upon police investigation and confirmation it will determine whether the European man is still alive or dead, he could have escaped or was taken into hiding by other people.It is not yet known at this stage of his whereabouts.

“We expect to make more arrests soon,” Kale said.

He said the pregnant wife, who was recovering at Nondri Health Centre, was brought into Gumine district station and to Kundiawa yesterday afternoon.

She will be admitted at the Kundiawa General Hospital to recover.

Kale went into Gumine yesterday afternoon to be with the investigation team.

Early reports from Gumine stated that expatriate was kidnapped at Kegama village and taken to Morokul village at around 10am last Wednesday.

He was tied to a post inside a house before his kidnappers took his pregnant wife, of mixed Jiwaka and Manus parentage, to a nearby bush where more than 10 men raped her.

The attackers later took the husband (Tony) into a bush where he still remained missing.

The wife was then taken into captivity where they allegedly continued to rape her until the next day.

Gumine district administration assisted police with logistics to look for the missing man.

 

 

 

Agiru: I didn't make any commitments

ONE politician accused by Hides 4 landowner leaders of making commitments which the government cannot meet, yesterday threw out the accusations against him as “absolute lies” and without basis, The National reports.

Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru challenged the leaders to name the specific instances when he had made any commitments to them.

On Tuesday, Erick Ayule, chairman of Girira Hides 4 Joint Venture, the umbrella company

of Hides 4 PDL 7, claimed that Agiru had promised landowner chiefs from PDL7 K1 million each at the Kokopo umbrella benefits sharing agreement meeting and at the license based benefits sharing agreement meetings.

The governor angrily reputed this yesterday and said he never made commitments which his own government had not budgeted for nor obligation to pay.

Agiru said: “I have never made any commitments to any body relating to the LNG and certainly nothing in the amounts spoken off.

“I do not make commitments that I cannot deliver.

“In fact, I have been angry with ministers who have made commitments in the millions of kina without the money being budgeted for.”

He said a payment of K2 million had been paid to chiefs of Hiwa and Tuguba of PDL1 (Kutubu) after the LBBSA talks on their assertion that they had protected the licence area.

“That was paid by Waigani to the chiefs, not I,” Agiru said.

“I defend my people’s right to everything that is rightly owed to them and which has not been coming to them but I will not ask for another toea more or give them anything just because they ask for it.

“That would not be right.

“They ought to know by now that I do not hand out money or make commitments I can not deliver.”

Agiru said government ought to appoint only one person now to be the person responsible for LNG so that landowners as well as the operator and joint venture partners knew who to approach with any issue pertaining to the project.

He said presently there were too many ministers involved in the project and that it would be very easy for anyone to be confused, particularly landowners.

 

City-based landowners converge on prime minister's office

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

MORE than 200 frustrated landowners from the liquefied natural gas project areas in Southern Highlands yesterday marched to the prime minister’s Morauta Haus office to petition the government over their outstanding claims, The National reports.

The claims were related to outstanding LNG business development grants, memorandum of agreement funds and ministerial commitments.

The petition also touched on business spin-off benefits, environmental issues, equities, social mapping and land demarcation and relocation issues.

Earlier, the petitioners had gathered at the Unagi oval at Gordon, hoping that someone would turn up to receive their list of demands.

At Morauta Haus, they had hoped to meet with chief secretary to government Manasupe Zurenuoc.

However, Zurenuoc’s executive officer Kelly Kalit, executive director policy and coordination Avei Puka and executive corporate director Michael Nunulrea met the landowners and advised them that the chief secretary was not available and would meet with them tomorrow.

Meanwhile, chief landowner Philip Undialu said from Hides, through a text mobile phone message, that Hides 4 would remain shut for 11 days while petitions from the Wita clans of Hides PDL1 and Kobalu camp were addressed.

He warned that a negative feedback would mean an end to the project.

Reports from Tari said several other landowner groups were meeting at the Ambua Lodge.

No details were available.

Cabinet met yesterday to discuss the LNG landowners’ issue.

A group of Koiari landowners in Central also joined the LNG landowners, petitioning the government to pay them for the use of their water for hydro electricity and general consumption in NCD.

They said, for 60 years, they had waited patiently.

The Koiari landowners would also present their petition to Zurenuoc tomorrow.

 

 

Owners of gas will also suffer

Government vows to find money and settle promises

 

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

LANDOWNERS are punishing themselves as well as ExxonMobil and the state through unnecessary stop-work and delay on the PNG liquefied natural gas project, National Planning Minister Paul Tiensten said last night, The National reports.

He said the landowners were eroding the value of their own shares by their actions.

“They are punishing themselves further with delay in dividends and royalties,” Tiensten said after emerging from a protracted cabinet meeting where, it was understood, the stopwork at Hides 4 was the main agenda for discussion.

Also yesterday:

* Landowner representatives in Port Moresby marched to Morauta House to petition the government over delays in memorandum of agreement funds, business development grants and unfulfilled ministerial commitments;

* Gobe petroleum development licence (PDL) 4 landowners in Southern Highlands yesterday threatened to shut down the LNG production facility over alleged misuse of their K8.2 million seed capital funds; and

* Government team leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Polye presented his report on his trip to Hides 4 to the government.

Tiensten said the national government would deliver project related grants to improve the lives of Southern Highlands and not cash handouts.

“We must change the cash hand-out mentality in Southern Highlands. We want people to have a sustainable life long after the gas is gone,” Tiensten said.

Tiensten also urged landowners to allow the project to proceed as further delays would directly cost the state, which has a 19.4% stake including landowners (7%), a lot.

“We must all be responsible because such actions will erode the net value of the project and that will be an additional cost to the state including the landowners and joint venture partners.

“Do not think you are punishing the state and ExxonMobil; landowners too will suffer.

“You are eroding the value of your shares by your actions.”

He said some of the commitments made at the UBSA and LBBSA were not captured in this year’s budget; however, money would be sourced from the current basket to meet these commitments.

“We will be going up to the field to deliver various commitments in this year’s budget after all government processes is completed.”

 

 

Economic development through agriculture in Finschhafen

By SENIORL ANZU
Economic development in Finschhafen, Morobe province, remains a priority for the district for improved livelihood of the rural communities.
The Finschhafen electoral revealed that considerable input was already made in agricultural development in the last few years and would continue in 2011 to develop the rural sector.
Finschhafen’s present district development priorities are roads and transport rehabilitation, economic improvement, and integrated community development programme.
Finschhafen MP Theodore Zurenuoc’s first secretary Stanley Leka said the electoral office had put emphasis on selected commodities such as coffee, cocoa, rice and poultry.

Finschhafen MP Theodore Zurenuoc cutting the ribbon to officially open a new rice mill shed at Kangaruo in Finschhafen, Morobe province, last month

These were targeted at women and youth, under the economic improvement priority.
These initiatives have been supported using Zurenuoc’s discretionary funds.
Leka said with coffee, the focus was on promoting improved production and quality.
He said the electoral office had since 2009 distributed 205 coffee machines to coffee farmers. This was facilitated through an exchange programme in which coffee machines were exchanged for coffee bags.
The coffee bags were then sold and the income was used to subsidise the purchase of more coffee machines, which were then distributed to other parts of Finschhafen.
Leka said 100 coffee machines were given to the Kote local level government (LLG) and in return got 55 bags, which were then sold, and money earned was used in purchasing another 55 machines marked for coffee-growing areas in the Yabim/Mape LLG.
Farmers from Hube LLG got 50 machines and in 2011, the Brum/Kuat LLG will get another 50 machines.
Leka said the coffee machines were given only to identified groups.
He said training of trainers’ courses would be conducted for representatives from each group on improved practices and technologies of coffee production and basic bookkeeping.
The electoral office is also aiming at promoting co-operatives in the district.
In cocoa, Leka said they had worked with interested farmers in establishing central cocoa nurseries in villages through a concept called ‘central community cocoa nursery’.
“The electoral office provides seeds which are sown in nurseries for distribution to farmers, depending on how many seedlings each farmer wants,” he said.
“The district has so far established 23 community cocoa nurseries and distributed 100, 000 seedlings to farmers, especially in the Kote and Yabim/Mape areas, and plans are in place for more nurseries in cocoa-growing areas.
“More farmers have shown interest and another request of 600, 000 seedlings from 40 villages will be attended to in 2011.”
Leka also said they had purchased two rice-milling machines and plan to get some more for the district.
The electoral office has also established a mini rice central marketing facility in Gagidu, which will be a point for buying, milling and selling of rice farmed in Finschhafen.
Although rice was introduced in Finschhafen for many years, an estimated 80% of farmers have been cultivating it mostly for their own consumption.
With the new initiative, farmers will be encouraged to go into commercialisation.
Leka said the village poultry initiative was aimed at addressing nutritional needs of village households and would target rural women.
In 2011, three villages will be piloted.
His team is setting model farms in strategic locations as demonstration blocks and to stock up seeds and planting materials for distribution to farmers.
This will be undertaken also as a drought-preparedness initiative.
The ICDP initiative revolves around human development in terms of changing mindset and attitude so as to make self-evaluation, identify one’s potential and contribute meaningfully to daily sustenance and community development.
The district is presently focusing on programmes in disabilities, music for development, pikinini sport (soccer and basketball), ex-convicts, beautification and historical sites, spiritual development, women in agriculture and culture and tourism – all to come into effect in 2011.

Produce simple extension material for farmers: Minister

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

Workshop facilitators Prof Anthony Youdeowei (left) and Mohammed Umar (right, black hat) with some of the participants and farmers displaying copies of extension materials at Kamba village

Agricultural officers have been urged to produce extension materials and information that is simple and easily understood by the farmers.
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Ano Pala said that due to the importance of agriculture as the backbone of the economy, there would always be a big demand for simple technical information relevant to the needs of the farmers.
Pala made the call when closing a sub-regional training course on production of agricultural extension material held in Madang recently.
The workshop was funded by Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and Institute for Research and Extension Training in Agriculture (IRETA), with support from the Papua New Guinea government, and included participants from Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and PNG.
Pala said there would always be more demand for agricultural information and extension material, despite PNG experiencing a minerals boom which would not last forever.
He said agricultural officers must be trained with knowledge and skills to continue producing appropriate and simple extension materials in the form of booklets, posters, pamphlets, and others to pass onto farmers.
“In the Pacific region, a strong demand exists for simple technical information relevant to the agriculture sector,” Pala said.
“The information is often available in forms that are not directly useful to extension agents.
“These forms include research reports, technical bulletins, etc.
“Extension materials become more relevant and useful if they can be restructured, rewritten and simplified, according to the needs of different target groups.”
Pala said he was pleased that participants from the three Melanesian courtiers were able to share their experiences and work together to produce extension material relevant for farmers to use in the region.
“Agriculture is the key sector in the region and it is worthwhile for agriculture officers to participate in such training programmes and exchange ideas,” he said,
“Farmers have the power and freedom of choice and when good simple information is provided, they can make good, judicious decisions to adopt technologies to improve production and productivity, resulting in increased profitability.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that our people have access to good information, technology and other resources so that they can be empowered to participate meaningfully in the market economy and contribute to meaningful agriculture development.”
Pala thanked CTA and IRETA for their support in facilitating the workshop in PNG.

Time running out for government

By SIR BARRY HOLLOWAY

After the controversy over the election of Governor General and suggestions of a vote of no-confidence, Executive Government must reflect and appraise how to start to get the nation back on course again.

Numerous press reports and diversions continue to tempest the waters on where the nation is heading.

Land owner disputes within the LNG project, horrific crimes and even the belief in sorcery taking hold again, is creating an environment of uncertainty for the future of Papua New Guinea and its children.

It is time for Executive Government to appraise the situation and firmly hold the helm of this ailing Ship of State called Papua New Guinea and steer it through some very rough waters to the nearest port of repair.

It all begins with the credibility of our National Parliament, the hub of our democracy.  This paper addresses issues that must be urgently addressed if we are to maintain a democratic state. 

This follows on to some clear direction to the delivery arm of government – almost in the doldrums.  Based on the performance of the public service over the last two decades this should be a key area that the Executive Government must address without further delay.

We can only hope that the recent meetings in Crowne Plaza between the Acting Prime Minister and the senior public servants from Waigani and the provinces will get the public service moving with the right attitude and embracing the urgency to implement many excellent government programs and project.

First we must address the critical question of where we must begin!

Parliament has been adjourned to 10^th May and the substantive Speaker is the Acting Governor General while the appointed person has to wait in limbo for nearly four months. The Speaker already has been judged by a Supreme Court ruling determining he was unconstitutional in his actions causing the invalid appointment of the former Governor General. What could happen now, with him being Acting Governor General for such an extended period?

If things go wrong concerning any Speaker it is evident that some legislative housekeeping is necessary. There are no provisions in Standing Orders of National Parliament supported by a Constitutional Law to remove him/her in the same way as can be done with a Governor General or a Prime Minister. There cannot be a successful vote of no confidence in a Speaker and if he/she wishes to continue to hold that position, outside of any court action, the Parliament can do nothing about it.

Over the last eight years the close relationship between the Parliament and the Executive Government has not served the interests of the Nation well and sadly this flows on to many ordinary citizens who suffer as a consequence. The public perception of Parliament is low because it is not getting down to its legislative business. This must change.

There are many other legislative issues that must be addressed urgently prior to the next elections in 2012 to reassure the people that we are not heading for a constitutional mess. Time is shortening to a period critical to correct these matters to avoid these dire legal consequences.

The women’s Bill, the Constitutional Amendment (Equality and Participation) 2010, is now before Parliament to enable women to be elected to 22 reserved provincial seats in 2012. 

The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Legislation is required to meet to fine-tune this Bill to re-define provincial electorates for Governors and to include reserved seats for women.

Unless this action is taken soon, both the women’s and Governor’s seats are in jeopardy!

Globally, we could be seen as a backward country with half the population having no female representation in Parliament at all? With their menfolk at large there are many tireless women who work for a pittance to bind the communities of over 85% of the population together with their contributions to elementary schools, improving nutrition and disease prevention, not to underestimate their leadership of youth groups in the villages.

There are alternate reforms to replace Governors and a move to strengthen District level representation both politically and administratively. Currently at most district stations there is very little presence of the public sector administration as they have all migrated to provincial headquarters. Direct funding by MPs for district project are adhoc and remain outside of planned programmes. Local government once a dynamic force in the delivery mechanism has been marginalised.

Does the government intend to have the Constitution redefined to have those proposed seats available together with a provision in the Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections, to enable elections for these seats to take place?

Governors now hold their positions in a constitutional predicament. For the 2012 elections the constitutionality of their electorates and their election could be challenged if this is not fixed soon.

What of the new provinces for Hela and Jiwaka?  The four resulting new provinces to date have not been gazetted by the Minister for Inter-Government Relations under the Organic Law on Provincial Boundaries (Amendment) Law 2010 to enable the establishment of their provinces in 2012. If and when they are, they obviously want to elect a Governor like other provinces.

As well as the issue of women’s representation, are Governors and potential candidates for this position aware that this seat may not be available for year 2012 election?

The Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections is a constitutional law, which states we should have between 110-120 Open Electorates in the 2012 lections. We were already in breach of the same constitutional law last elections, which by default or intent has not been challenged before the last election. It is now too late for the electoral Boundaries Commission to develop a report and recommendations and have them accepted by Parliament. To rescue a potential constitutional crisis, that Organic Law should be amended to provide a new range of 89-120 Open Electorates. If nothing is done about this we are exposing the Electoral Commission to a legal quandary.

Corrective legislation is also necessary in regard to obtaining a balanced and equitable sharing of political power. Local-level Government Councillors, through a set of circumstances, have a reduced term of office of just over 3 years. Their required full term of five years cannot be made concurrent with the term of Parliamentarians as required, unless appropriate changes are made to the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments to give then five year terms at elections held separately to those of the National Parliament as recommended by previous electoral observation teams.

There is growing dissent among them while they hover in this uncertainty. Councillors feel left out of the big picture by the policy makers marginalising their role in a purportedly decentralised system of government.

A Legislative Working Group has been established by Cabinet (decisions 91/2010 and 182/2010), which discusses and works consistently on these and other issues and those of future reform. There are many leaders in the public sector who resent the understanding, and practical experience these people have to contribute and are tardy in their communications with them. Departments responsible fail to coordinate with other agencies and are inadequate in openly debating solutions to solve these problems openly, mainly because they do not know how to manage them.  Among this faction in some departments there is also an attitude problem. They resent and will not listen to those with proven experience and are not honest and straightforward in advising the Executive Government.

I am Deputy Chairman of this group (the Chairman, a Professor of Law at the UPNG, is overseas as I write) and have over 57 years experience in district administration, local government including 19 years in parliament and time in the hard world of the private sector. Others in the group have similar experience as well as being unmatched as being technically competent on these issues.

I have never experienced such dysfunction and lack of coordination in the public sector. There is a mind-set problem among certain ‘gatekeepers’ who inhibit the work and thinking of our younger enthusiastic public service recruits.

These people do not lack intelligence and they pray to God, as many of us do, but there is an element of ineptness among them, which they cover up with meetings, workshops, and meaningless junkets exploiting their travelling allowance without achieving any results to better the lives of our people.

Public Servants should be paid more, but first, let us get the right people with a ‘can do’ spirit for the job.

The issues mentioned above are not the highways, clinics and schools we should urgently build and maintain or the administrators, medical people and teachers we should budget as priority for future development, but are about establishing integrity in our key institutions, so we can begin to plan and implement these essential capacity building programmes.

As a result, Ministers and other Parliamentarians have a difficult job. It is traditional that one arm of government will blame another. Our leaders getting back to basics to establish a solid base for good governance can help to solve this.

Events in other countries demonstrate the dangers of unstable national governments imposed by Prime Ministers and Presidents.  The National Government must not only learn from Haiti and Baby Doc, Tunisia and Ben Ali, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe but more importantly take the necessary steps now to avoid falling into the same mess as these countries have.

Under the Constitution, Parliament can move a vote of no confidence up until early August this year. Let us get more focus, be positive, and get Parliament moving again on real issues, sooner than later. Set aside our differences before our stormy waters develop in a devastating cyclone.

I believe that the most critical issue the Somare Government must address is the performance of the public service and especially that of the heads of government departments and agencies.  In my next article, I will share some of my recent experiences and offer some suggestions on options for the way forward.

 

Barry Holloway, CSM, KBE

Deputy Chairman

Legislative Working Group