New system stalls government operations

THE Government’s agenda for the early implementation of this year’s K9.3 billion budget has been stalled for a whole month, Waigani sources have said, The National reports.

That is because of the sudden introduction of a new, but largely untested, whole-of-government planning, budgeting, accounting and financial reporting system, and known as the integrated financial management system (IFMS), to replace the PNG government accounting system (PGAS).

The switch-over has affected opening of government accounts for the new year, and it is not known when the matter will be sorted out.

The government had announced at the end of last year, at the time Sam Abal was acting prime minister, that as this year was “the year of implementation” it wanted to get into action from the first week. He met with departmental heads on Jan 7 and made clear the government’s intentions and for these chief bureaucrats to get into action.

Sources said, however, this had not been possible for the past three weeks because the introduction of IFMS, however credible the package, has delayed the release of warrants by Treasury Department to other government departments and agencies in order for cheque payments for goods and services to be made on time.

They said the issuance of warrants is an activity that is supposed to be done at the beginning of every month according to every department’s and agency’s expenditure estimates and drawn from their annual budgetary allocations.

IFMS is a project administered by the Department of Finance and funded jointly by the government and donor agencies.

The National could not reach either the Department of Finance or IFMS authorities for comment yesterday.

Abal, the man who gave the directives for the early implementation of government programmes earlier this month is no doubt disappointed at the delay.

According to Abal’s press office, a month’s delay puts back work on a lot of well intended activities and programmes and adds unnecessary pressures on the government, ministers, politicians and bureaucrats.

At the same time providers of goods and services also cannot wait around while the government system tries to get itself organised. Time is money for them and that should be understood by government.

 

 

How green is Port Moresby

By MALUM NALU
Port Moresby’s looking so lush, green and verdant after all that rain over Christmas and New Year and is going to be like that for at least the next three months.

Lush, green vegetables

Vegetable gardens are sprouting up all over the city and its perimeters and markets are chock-a-block with green leafy vegetables, complemented by fresh fish and other seafood, wallaby, deer and bandicoot.
Last Saturday, I wandered through the popular Rainbow Market at Gerehu, marveling at the potpourri of vegetables and seafood on offer.

Fresh fish from the seas around Port Moresby to complement the vegetables

Food, glorious food, everywhere!
The next day, my elder son Jr and I took a refreshing early morning walk from Gerehu to Waigani, enjoying the greenery of vegetable gardens along the route, the industriousness of the many green thumbs, and of course the roadside market at Waigani.

A Central Province villager sells pineapples, watermelon, sugar cane, bananas  and coconuts at a roadside market at Waigani

“How green is Port Moresby,” I tell Jr.
“If only it could like this all year-round!”
All forms of gardening are rewarding and satisfying.
But vegetable gardening, largely because the gardener can be in charge of the whole operation from seed collection to consumption, is possibly the most-rewarding.
In addition, well-grown home-produced vegetables cannot be matched for flavour and nutritional value.
And with care, considerable savings – especially in a city like Port Moresby – in the family’s food budget are possible.

Corn, kaukau and other vegetables

Port Moresby, unlike a place like Goroka – where you can grow all types of succulent, mouth watering vegetables – has an arid year round climate.
This is apart from a brief respite during the December to March period, when the rain comes down in buckets and vegetables – especially corn – abounds all over the capital city.
This creates queues at many gardening shops in Port Moresby, such as major agricultural supplier Brian Bell.
As early as 7am, a long line of people gather in front of the Brian Bell Plaza at Boroko and buy their supplies of corn seeds.
I know this only too well, as for the last couple of weeks, I’ve been trying to buy corn seeds at Brian Bell Boroko and Gordon, but alas, stocks were zilch because of the high demand.
During this period, corn gardens can be seen all over the city, including precarious hillsides.
Apart from corn, there are so many other vegetables you can grow including tomatoes, cucumber, beans, silver beet, pak choi (Chinese cabbage), cabbage, chillies, as well as local favorites such as aibika, aupa, peanuts, cassava and bananas.



Woman sorting out her cassava

 Regular watering (well, you don’t really need to, given the frequent rain) and home-made compost and mulch, and after about two months, you start to reap the fruits of your harvest: tubs of corn, tomatoes, cucumber silver beet, pak choi, chillies and other garden-fresh produce.
You can make a killing if you go to market; otherwise, this is strictly for family consumption.
Suffice to say, it can greatly reduce your food budget.
For your children, it can be a great way to teach them about gardening and agriculture, especially in an urban environment like Port Moresby.
For those who spend most of their time in the office, backyard gardening is a great way to relax after work as well as at weekends talking to your vegetables.
Try it: you’ll really reap what you sow!
According to authors Michael Bourke and Bryant in the highly-acclaimed 2010 publication Food and Agriculture in Papua New Guinea, “agriculture is the most-important activity carried out by the vast majority of Papua New Guineans”.
“For most people, agriculture fills their lives, physically, culturally, economically, socially and nutritionally.
“Yet agriculture is the most-undervalued and misunderstood part of PNG life.
“The reasons for this are partly because mineral and oil exports make PNG comparatively wealthy for a developing country; partly because agriculture is practiced in the countryside, away from towns, and is therefore largely ‘invisible’ to urban people and international visitors; and partly because agriculture is viewed as not being ‘modern’.”
Contrary to what many people think, the majority of fresh produce in Port Moresby is supplied by local sources, and does not come from the Highlands
This includes that from the many hillside gardens popping up everywhere, settlements and surrounding areas such as Laloki, Bomana and Sogeri.
The Fresh Produce Development Agency’s 2009 Feeding Port Moresby Study shows that Port Moresby supplies most of its fresh produce.
Other key findings were:
• The volume of fresh produce being supplied from the Highlands into Port Moresby appeared to be decreasing while supplies from Central Province and NCD are increasing;

• Increasing amounts of fresh produce marketed into Port Moresby were handled through middlemen, rather than by grower-vendors themselves and their wantok networks. However, some farmers still preferred to sell their produce themselves at the open market;

• The annual volume of fresh produce imported into Port Moresby in 2007 was estimated to be just under 7, 500 tonnes, comprising 2,500 tonnes from international air and sea arrivals; 3, 500 tonnes from domestic sea arrivals; and 1, 430 tonnes from domestic air arrivals;

• Fresh produce production in the peri-urban areas was approximately 8, 500 tonnes during the dry season from the six surveyed settlement areas, which translated into a total production of 50,000 tonnes per year from all settlements;

• Most fresh produce was sourced from Central province and the NCD and very little was sourced from overseas or the Highlands. The total supply of fresh produce to Port Moresby was estimated at 57, 780 tonnes, with 7, 430 tonnes (15%) coming from overseas and rest of PNG, and 50, 350 tonnes (85%) from peri-urban production;

• Annual demand for fresh produce in Port Moresby was estimated to be around 140, 500 tonnes;

• Shortfalls between estimated demand and supplies were significant in volume and likely to come from Central province and home gardens;

• Facilities in the six open markets in Port Moresby are of poor quality, with common complaints from the vendors being lack of shade; poor water and sanitation facilitation facilities; and the need for benches to better look after their produce during wet days;

• Temperate vegetables continue to be supplied from the Highlands, however, green leafy vegetables and perishable fruit vegetables were supplied from NCD. Hardier crops such as sweet potato, banana, taro and yams come from Central province;

• Buyers and re-sellers stated that graded products (even if only by appearance) sell better;

• Buyers tended to buy on short notice and formal supply arrangements were rare. Buyers prefer carton packaging for leafy vegetables and bags for sweet potato and potato, with some limit on size/weight; and

• Imported produce were only relied upon by retailers but not to wholesalers or hotels and restaurants except in the case of some fruit produce.

“The increase in peri-urban production has vastly improved Port Moresby’s capacity to feed itself,” according to the study.
“There are several reasons for the increase.
“Firstly, there is emigration of more-experienced and innovative farmers, especially from the Highlands, into Port Moresby.
“Secondly, horticultural techniques have vastly improved and the use of fertilisers, herbicides and insecticides has allowed huge increases in productivity.
“Finally, in recent years, weak PNG currency, which increases the price of imports, has also increased the demand for cheaper, locally-grown food and has helped to spur local production.
“Peri-urban producers have several advantages over their Highlands and rural counterparts in supplying the Port Moresby market.
“Firstly, peri-urban producers tend to be better informed and better linked to the market than farmers in the rural and more-remote areas.
“Seeds and other farm inputs are cheaper, fresher, of higher quality and more-accessible.
“Peri-urban producers are better equipped, as the cash flow from off-farm incomes enables purchase of agro-chemicals and better equipment.
“Proximity to the market and the city enables farmers to spot and respond to price signals.
“However, there are concerns over land tenure and food safety associated with the use of contaminated water and soil for food production.”
Happy gardening folks!

Esso: Wealth from gas plan

But economic windfall comes with a host of problems like STD, social conflicts

 

The PNG LNG project will bring a windfall of economic benefits to the economy alongside a host of social problems like sexually transmitted diseases and social conflicts between the locals and outside job seekers, The National reports.

This was gleaned from the latest report covering the first three quarters of last year issued by Esso Highlands Ltd, operator of the project and subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corp.

However, EHL is certain the economic benefits would outweigh the feared social problems that the gas economy would spawn.

In its report, EHL said has repeated an already known fact that the gas project is scheduled to deliver starting 2014.

EHL said during this time, the country’s gross domestic product is forecast to double an average of K18.2 billion as a long-term benefit.

The reports said as the GDP doubles, the opportunity exists for the national and provincial governments to use it to address associated impacts that will most likely result such as a demand for improved health and education systems, infrastructure, and the provision of appropriate judicial and law enforcement systems.

However, the report has warned that although there would be significant economic benefits, there would also be social issues that could arise that would need to be managed.

For instance, it cited problems like sexually transmitted diseases, migrations to work and illegal settlements and the potential social conflict between local populations and employment seekers.

The report said a key component of the project is an effective, ongoing communications programme involving the operator, national and provincial governments, local communities, landowners, NGOs and other interested stakeholders.

The aim is to ensure there is an understanding of the project, its implications and how issues will be addressed.

The report said the economic impacts of an LNG development in PNG would reach well beyond the direct investment in country and the tax and equity returns to the state.

During the project life, tax revenue is expected to total around K67 billion, with royalty payments estimated to total K5.3 billion.

This is split as follows: local landowners - 50%; provincial government-33%; local government -10% and the State - 7%.

EHL said the project’s direct benefits could be derived from:

* Revenue, which from a case study assumption, direct cash to the PNG government and landowners is estimated to be over US$32 billion in the 30-year project life;

* Employment, which once operational, should have approximately 1, 250 full time positions to be filled by nationals; and

* Business opportunities for landowner companies who can supply various support services such as camp maintenance, local personnel transportation, vehicle hire, catering and minor civil works.

The true potential of the project lies in its ability to influence economic performance indirectly such as:

* The spending by project participants, employees, landowners and others;

* The investment in assets for infrastructure, education and health; opportunities for local businesses;

* Indirect macroeconomic impacts on GDP, consumption, employment and doubling of foreign currency exchanges; and

* All of these contributing to the upward pressure on the kina.

 

 

 

Teachers reminded

By DULCIE OREKE

 

TEACHERS have been reminded to resume duties on Monday, Jan 31, The National reports.

Acting secretary for education Dr Joseph Pagelio said teachers were required by law to complete the resumption of duty summary sheet (RoDSS) on the first day that they resume duty at the school.

“This activity is important because it will confirm that the teacher posted to that school by the national education board (NEB) or provincial education board (PEB) and had actually taken up the duty on the appointed position,” Pagelio said in a statement yesterday.

He said, filling the RoDSS would also determine continuity of the teacher’s salary payments for the year.

Pagelio said principals, head teachers, managers and senior teachers present on the first day of school must check to ensure all entries on RoDSS were completed properly and signed by all teachers.

He said RoDSS must then be forwarded to the provincial education office for teachers in provincial institutions and respective assistant secretaries at Fincorp Haus for teachers in the national institutions for the forms to be submitted to payroll and related services branch within the time-frame.

Pagelio warned that teachers whose RoDSS are not received at Waigani on Feb 28 “will receive their last pay on pay number 5 on March 11”.

He said teachers whose RoDSS are not received at Waigani by Feb 28 would be suspended from the payroll on pay number 6 on March 25.

The secretary urged all officers involved in the resumption exercise to ensure all the necessary forms are completed, checked thoroughly and lodged to the respective offices on the dates stated for the school year to start smoothly.

Pagelio has urged new student intakes for technical, business and polytechnic institutions this year to contact their respective institutions by phone or otherwise before travelling to the college.

Pagelio said students must obtain relevant information about the school fee component prior to their travels on Monday, Feb 7.

He said under the higher education category assistance scheme (HECAS) guidelines, students who have been awarded HECAS at these institutions must pay 75% component of the fees.

 

 

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.