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.

FW: Tempers flare at Madang forum

By JAYNE SAFIHAO     

 

SENIOR government ministers were branded "conmen and thieves" at a public rally organised by Justice Minister and former Madang governor Sir Arnold Amet last Friday, The National reports.

The rally, at Alexishafen, saw angry landowners and villagers expressing their frustration over outstanding land issues and refusing to let the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone project go ahead until all issues were resolved.

Ministers of two of the three leading departments, Trade and Industry and Commerce and Environment, Gabriel Kapris and Benny Allan arrived two hours late for the gathering, scheduled for 11am.

A notable absentee was Fisheries Minister Ben Semri, who was said to be overseas.

People from the impact areas in the crowd commented that they had received little support from the concerned departments.

Outstanding issues highlighted included organising of incorporated land groups and infighting among executives and clan members of the two umbrella companies, Kananam Investment Ltd and Rehammb Holdings, over positions of power; the absence of a working memorandum of understanding and agreement yet to be formulated; the exclusion of any legislation protecting the people's interest regarding long-term effects to their environment, health or land; the government's failure to conduct thorough awareness exercises in discussing boundary issues concerning underwater leases already marked and taken over by the project; and the question of equity for the people and provincial government.

Thirteen speakers grilled the ministers repeatedly on the outstanding issues.

Provincial government officers said since the inception of the project, the Madang provincial government, its project representative Francis Irara and impacted locals had been "in the dark" on how the project was progressing.

Francis Gem, a NGO representative and landowner, incited a scuffle on stage and started the name-calling.

He pointed at the ministers' faces, and said: "Konman ya. Yupela olgeta konman (you are all conmen)".

This was after Gem asked the crowd if they wanted the PMIZ pro-ject to continue and the crowd shouted "nogat (no)".

His outburst, which did not settle down well with Allan, who stood up to confront Gem and was shoved aside, brought provincial police commander Anthony Wagambie Jr and his men promptly on stage to calm things down.

Gem insisted on finishing his speech despite attempts by police to get him off-stage.

He was allowed to do so as villagers crowded the small stage, shouting menacingly.