Greater partnerships and dialogue needed for tangible development and progress

Caption: Minister Pundari receiving a bilum from the women of Bangalum in appreciation for attending the launching 

 

Greater partnerships, constructive dialogue and honest discussions were the key messages given to the people of Mumeng and especially the Middle Watut communities during the launching of a dozer for the Mumeng LLG.

This was given by Mining Minister,  John Pundari to the people who were gathered to witness the occasion including, the Bulolo district administration, Mumeng local level government representatives,  people of Middle Watut and union president, Rueben Mete,  were gathered at Bangalum to witness the launching yesterday.

The minister was responding to calls from Mete regarding sedimentation issues affecting the Watut River and potential litigation action against the Hidden Valley Mine by the Bulolo District.

Pundari told the people gathered that there was nothing wrong with serving the interests and fighting for the needs of the people where genuine national interest was concerned.

"Taking up a cause for the interests of communities is an honourable thing to do provided our intentions are genuine – but also taking into consideration that we need to sit down with concerned stakeholders and consider what the bigger picture is," he said.

The minister's comments were made following similar sentiments raised by Bulolo MP Sam Basil for more community consultation to forge a better and more-constructive path forward that would ultimately be decided by the people whether or not to pursue litigation or opt for infrastructure project developments.

Based on these sentiments, Pundari committed to meeting with 10 representatives, comprising five from the Watut union, five from the Mumeng LLG, including acting Bulolo district administrator, Tae Guambalek, Bulolo MP Sam Basil, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and MMJV representatives to meet with Mineral Resources Authority, Department of Environment and Conservation and the minister in Port Moresby on May 11.

"Bearing in mind that projects like these come with sacrifice, we need to be able to sit down and face up to each other and these concerns in order find the right answers," Pundari said.

"It is our responsibility as the regulators to ensure that we are minimising the impacts to the extent that our people's livelihoods are not impacted and at the same time so that the operators of projects such as the Hidden Valley mine can operate without disruption in order for all of us to enjoy and maximise the benefits that projects of this scale can bring.

"Yes, there will be issues, yes there will be obstacles, but there are ways of overcoming them and that is what we should be focusing on as responsible leaders with the heart for our people and this country."

The planned meeting in Port Moresby will enable all key stakeholders to convene at a proper forum and "get the facts straight" regarding the Watut River concerns of sedimentation that have been raised in the media recently in order to find a better path to progress.

Hidden Valley mine to provide K30, 000 diesel fuel for Mumeng dozer

 

 Caption:Mining Minister Hon John Pundari officially cuts the ribbon signifying the launching of the D3 bulldozer for Mumeng LLG.

 

Hidden Valley Mine will supply K30 000 worth of fuel assistance towards helping the Mumeng local level government's (LLG) district services improvement programme.

The undertaking was made in Sambio yesterday by Hidden Valley community affairs manager, Stanley Komunt, witnessed by Minister for Mines, Hon John Pundari, Bulolo MP Sam Basil, Mumeng LLG representatives and the people of Mumeng during the launching of the districts bulldozer – a continuation of Basil's capacity-building programme for the six LLGs in Bulolo district.

Komunt said the commitment from HVJV to help provide K30, 000 worth of fuel to the district was made after HVJV approached the MP and offered to partner with the district following numerous community requests, so that road access into the middle Watut areas could be re-established.

The bulldozer's first job will be to help –re-negotiate access for the only existing road into the middle Watut from Bangalum Bridge after a number of landslips had rendered the road impassable for vehicles about four years ago.

This would enable the communities living in the area to have much-needed and easier access through vehicle movements to the main highway as well as provide company access when delivering on planned community and regional development programmes.

Pundari commended Hidden Valley mine and MP Basil for coming together to help deliver services to the people of Mumeng LLG and Middle Watut.

"When a leaders' heart is in the right place, tangible developments occur and the people see real service delivery," he said.

The Mining Minister also acknowledged the Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare and his government for ensuring that all 89 districts were given their district support improvement programme (DSIP) funds, regardless of political alliances, opposition or government.

"Real leaders always place national interest and the needs of the people of this country at the forefront because they are mandated to do so by the people," he said,

Basil acknowledged the minister's presence and acceptance to attend the launching, including MMJV and the community for making time to attend.

 Currently, people of the Middle Watut walk very long distances, sometimes, travelling over two days before they reach the main highway or the river further below where they can then get canoes and travel downstream.

The recent fuel assistance will provide the basis for using the districts bulldozer to start work that will hopefully open much-needed access again for the people living along the middle Watut areas.

Madang governor blames governmentt and developers of Pacific Marine Industrial Zone

 

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

THE national government and developers of the controversial Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) have failed to address many outstanding issues before proceeding with the project, Madang Governor James Gau said, The National reports.

He said although he supported the PMIZ as a major investment and revenue generation initiative for the province, he did not agree with the manner in which the project was "bulldozed by the state".

Gau claimed the state had failed to involve the provincial government, other stakeholders and landowners in all the consultative processes.

He said the national government had also failed to carry out education and awareness programmes, outlining all benefits and impacts, before kicking off the project.

"How can the second tier of government and customary custodians of the land be left out of the entire project?" he asked.

"This is not right. The provincial government and the people should be involved in all consultative processes.

"Important information has not been disseminated to the people. The people are still confused," he added.

Gau voiced concern over the state's failure to provide environmental impact study reports.

He said the environmental study report was important for "all parties concerned to be informed of how well the environment will be protected and how industrial wastes will be controlled".

He said operations of RD Tuna were already emitting a foul smell that hung over the area.

He said work should proceed as planned but many important issues had not been followed and "that is the concern for the provincial government and the people of Madang".

"If the government is concerned, it should carry out more education and awareness and the dissemination of any information should be clear and precise.

"It needs to involve the provincial government and landowners in any consultative processes and, finally, make the environmental impact plan available," Gau said.

 

Probe on Baki reveals major flaws

 

THE prime minister and national executive council may have erred in suspending former police commissioner Gari Baki, an independent investigation has found, The National reports.

The independent investigation committee had delved into the matter and presented its report to cabinet.

The contents of the report would be an embarrassment to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and the government which had suspended Baki, claiming that he had misled cabinet in asking for K10 million for operations in the LNG project area.

The committee's report, a copy of which had been obtained by The National, stated in part that:

*It was unable to find any evidence to conclusively uphold the allegation that Baki had "deliberately misled NEC;

*There was no written record of Baki's verbal briefing to cabinet on Oct 28 last year; and

*NEC should not, unless in very urgent and special circumstances, allow verbal submissions.

According to the report, the prime minister had received two different sets of advice, one provided by Baki on Oct 28 last year and another by Peter Graham on Oct 29 last year.

"On the basis of the two differing sets of information, it appears that NEC had concluded that the information provided by Esso Highlands Ltd was accurate; effectively rendering Baki's advice inaccurate and that Baki 'had deliberately misled' the prime minister and NEC," the committee said in its report.

On Oct 28 last year, Baki was summoned to appear and brief cabinet on the security issues at the LNG project sites. He did and pleaded for financial support.

Baki advised that two sections of the police mobile unit, deployed at Gobe to investigate an arson case, had to withdraw because of lack of logistical and technical support.

The former top cop, in his briefing, stated that Esso Highlands could not assist because investigating and apprehending suspects would involve police venturing into isolated local territory known to police as heavily armed with modern weapons.

The Gobe deployment was not long term and only involved investigating the burning of heavy equipment allegedly by locals.

The NEC approved a K10 million funding to provide additional support to police the project sites.

The following day, Graham requested and was granted an opportunity to make a presentation to Sir Michael.

Graham informed the prime minister, among other issues, that the police mobile unit had pulled out of the southern area of the LNG project and that they could not continue operations and had ceased work.

He further indicated to the prime minister that certain operational costs, associated with the police deployment, were paid for by Esso Highlands through an MoU with the constabulary.

The investigation revealed that following Graham's presentation, Sir Michael formed an opinion that Baki had misled NEC in his briefing the previous day.

The NEC, at a special meeting on Nov 9 last year, suspended Baki and set up the committee to investigate the matter.

The committee found that Baki was not involved in the decision to withdraw the police personnel.

It was a tactical decision by ground commanders "to withdraw and regroup" once the unit was better equipped and resourced.

The mobile squad withdrew last Oct 23 and the contractor withdrew five days later. However, by 1800 hours the same day (Oct 28, 2010), the police mobile unit was re-inserted after NEC intervened.

Graham was not aware of the move as, on that day, he was briefing the prime minister that police mobile personnel had been re-deployed elsewhere.

The committee found that the real reason for the withdrawal of CCJV workers was the alleged careless and negligence by the company resulting in the death of two people, a fact the committee found "odd and regrettable" that Graham had not highlighted in his briefing to the prime minister on Oct 29.

The investigating team included Personnel Management secretary John Kali as chairman, Nemo Yalo, PEA president Michael Malabag and Allan Bird.

The committee started its investigations on Nov 29 last year and finalised its report after three months.

It was presented to cabinet for deliberation early last month.

Amet is not in fair weather

The Opposition has come to the defence of Sumkar MP, Ken Fairweather, who has been subjected to racial remarks - courtesy of Attorney General, Sir Arnold Amet.

Leader of PNG PartyBelden Namah said for a so-called "highly-respected Christian leader and former Chief Justice to stoop so low with highly racial slurs is totally unbecoming and demeaning of a Knight".

"Leveling racial slur to a senior naturalised citizen who has contributed immensely to the development and advancement of Karkar Island and Papua New Guinea as a whole, is unwarranted, unfortunate and most regrettable," Namah said.

"Mr Fairweather is a long-time businessman and owns the Wakilon and Kawailo plantations on Karkar Island, where Sir Arnold comes from.

"The plantation has helped provided employment and business opportunities for many Karkar Islanders and local companies, which Sir Arnold could not."

During a public forum in Madang last week, Sir Arnold said: "I'm not a white man's cargo boy my friend, I don't need you, you pack up and leave my island."

Namah said: "In the 21st Century, there is no room for racist sentiments, particularly from professed Christians like Sir Arnold.

"Racism and apartheid are things of the past.

"The world hates both."

"The Attorney General's outburst clearly demonstrates his racist feelings from his inner heart. "People should be wary of such comments, which sends very negative perception of PNG in the global community.

"He should immediately re-track his highly inflammatory racial comments.

"He should also apologise publicly to Ken Fairweather.

"Failing that he should resign immediately forthwith."

Namah also called on the Ombudsman Commission to cite Sir Arnold for official misconduct for the use of racist comments against a naturalized citizen who has given his entire life to promoting and protecting PNG's interest.

Amet is not in fair weather

The Opposition has come to the defence of Sumkar MP, Ken Fairweather, who has been subjected to racial remarks - courtesy of Attorney General, Sir Arnold Amet.

Leader of PNG PartyBelden Namah said for a so-called "highly-respected Christian leader and former Chief Justice to stoop so low with highly racial slurs is totally unbecoming and demeaning of a Knight".

"Leveling racial slur to a senior naturalised citizen who has contributed immensely to the development and advancement of Karkar Island and Papua New Guinea as a whole, is unwarranted, unfortunate and most regrettable," Namah said.

"Mr Fairweather is a long-time businessman and owns the Wakilon and Kawailo plantations on Karkar Island, where Sir Arnold comes from.

"The plantation has helped provided employment and business opportunities for many Karkar Islanders and local companies, which Sir Arnold could not."

During a public forum in Madang last week, Sir Arnold said: "I'm not a white man's cargo boy my friend, I don't need you, you pack up and leave my island."

Namah said: "In the 21st Century, there is no room for racist sentiments, particularly from professed Christians like Sir Arnold.

"Racism and apartheid are things of the past.

"The world hates both."

"The Attorney General's outburst clearly demonstrates his racist feelings from his inner heart. "People should be wary of such comments, which sends very negative perception of PNG in the global community.

"He should immediately re-track his highly inflammatory racial comments.

"He should also apologise publicly to Ken Fairweather.

"Failing that he should resign immediately forthwith."

Namah also called on the Ombudsman Commission to cite Sir Arnold for official misconduct for the use of racist comments against a naturalized citizen who has given his entire life to promoting and protecting PNG's interest.

2 die, 13 hurt in Bulolo fight

By JAYNE SAFIHAO

 

TWO people are dead, 13 others hospitalised and eight homes have been torched after a retaliatory attack in Bulolo, Morobe, on Saturday afternoon, The National reports.

Of all those hospitalised with pellet wounds, eight were in critical condition.

Confirming the incident, Morobe provincial police commander Peter Guinness said the deaths, injuries and destruction stemmed from a drunken brawl allegedly involving a man from Finschhafen living at the Madang block and another from Patep near Mumeng.

Guinness said the fight started late in the evening at Bulolo market after the two men had a heated argument.

He said a fight ensued in which the Patep man was beaten and suffered injuries.

He then mobilised his supporters and converged on Madang block where the Finschhafen people live and set alight eight houses, which were razed.

The settlers retaliated and shot at their attackers.

He said when that group started to burn the houses down, they were turned upon and shot at by the mixed group of settlers living at Madang block.

Fifteen casualties were reported; 13 were in critical condition at the Bulolo Hospital.

Of the two dead, one succumbed to pellet injuries and the second was chopped up.

Guinness confirmed that a police task force team from Lae had been dispatched to the area

to monitor the situation and prevent further unrests.

He said controlling guns in Bulolo was a real challenge because this was one area in the country where World War II ammunition for .303 rifles, 7.6mm and 40mm heavy artillery could be found in abundance.

"These are very dangerous for both the enemy and the attacker," Guinness said.

He also expressed concern that it was becoming difficult to tell if a gun was acquired lawfully or made at home.

Bulolo police were also having vehicle problems and could not maintain daily routine patrols.