SMEs get boost in new agreement

By BOSORINA ROBBY

 

THE International Financial Council (IFC), the World Bank, and the Papua New Guinea government yesterday signed an agreement to establish a financial programme that will help improve access to credit for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), The National reports.

The collaborative effort was aimed at assisting SMEs, the primary drivers for job creation, poverty reduction and econo­mic growth in PNG, which do not have much access to getting loans to expand their businesses.

World Bank country mana­ger Laura Bailey explained that the programme, which will take months to set up, concentrated on SMEs as they were a little known sector.

Currently, there are  financial institutions providing finance for the micro-level businesses.   

The programme, valued at K150 million, will also help mitigate the default risk that participating banks face by guaranteeing 50% of loans for SMEs.

Bailey said though Bank South Pacific, Papua New Guinea’s largest bank, was the programme’s first partner and it was hoped that when the programme was fully functioning, other banks would come on board.

IFC principal country officer Julia Brickell said SMEs were engines of job creation and growth, thus smaller enterprises made a special contribution, helping to diversify and strengthen local economies.

“They can create significant income opportunities for their workers, generate new tax re­venues for government services and given the right conditions, can grow into large thriving firms,” she said.

Department of Commerce and Industry secretary Stephan Mera, on behalf of the minister, said the department was aware of the role SMEs played  in wealth creation envisaged in Vision 2050.

“In doing so, on behalf of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the government, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the World Bank and its subsidiaries, IFC and International Development Association for the support in developing this project,” he said.

Mera also said the risk sharing facility was not a grant by the government or the World Bank but a means to finance businesses through all partners to put into place delivery mechanism before the launching expected at the end of the year.

“Papua New Guineans must now stand up, take ownership of this programme and ensure that the mindset and attitudes of the SMEs are transformed into a systematic approach to conducting their individual business,” he said.

Abal's relative a prime suspect

Guard sees woman and man enter acting PM’s yard

 

By JUNIOR UKAHA

 

THE prime suspect in the death of a woman at the Konedobu home of Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal is still on the run, The National reports.

Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie yesterday said police had appealed to the man, believed to be Abal’s close relative, to turn himself in and help investigators with a possible murder inquiry.

In parliament yesterday, Abal also assured MPs that police had taken control of the investigation and he and his family would cooperate to ensure the law took its course.

Police have named the prime suspect but The National will not publish the name until he is charged.

Wagambie said that according to witnesses, the relative was the last person seen with the woman when  they entered the D’Albertis Street residence, hand in hand,between 5am and 5.30am on Monday.

A security guard, Willie Bola, had opened the gate for them and, some time later, found the woman’s body in the banana garden and immediately called Abal, he said.

Police did not disclose the woman’s identity, the motive behind the killing, her relationship with the man and what weapon was used.

Wagambie said details would be released after investigations were completed.

“NCD police, under the command of metropolitan commander Supt Joseph Tondop, immediately cordoned off the area and commenced investigations.”

Wagambie said: “A police forensic team collected evidence and witnesses, including people living within the acting prime minister’s residence, were interviewed.”

At the time of the killing, Abal was not in residence, the home being occupied by other close family members and relatives.

A shocked Abal had condemned the killing and had extended his full cooperation to police in their investigation.

During question time yesterday, he assured the nation that everything was under control and police had taken charge of the investigation.

“This is now a police matter and I would appreciate that you do not use it for political connotation and cheap political point scoring,” Abal said in reply to questions from Bulolo MP Sam Basil on the discovery of the body.

“It has been hard for me but I have to ensure truth and justice prevail.”

Nautilus shelves plans to sell shares

NAUTILUS Minerals, which plans to mine copper from the ocean floor in its  Solwara-1 project in the Bismarck Sea, said last Friday that it had shelved plans to raise C$150 million in an equity offering due to adverse market conditions, The National reports

Reuters news last Friday said the Toronto-listed company said it made the decision despite a positive response from investors when it

was marketing the proposed offering.

Nautilus announced the offering on May 24.

It said at the time it would use the proceeds to develop its Solwara-1 project, off the coast of Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean.

 The offering was to be conducted by a syndicate of underwriters led by TD Securities and Credit Suisse.

Some of the cash from the offering had also been earmarked to fund the production support vessel required at Solwara-1.

“While it is disappointing to withdraw the capital raising, we did not believe shareholders would be best served by issuing stock in the current market conditions,” chief executive steve Rogers said in a statement.

“We have a strong cash position and a range of alternative options available to access capital in the future,” Rogers said.

“Nautilus continues to advance its first project at Solwara-1.”

Nautilus is expected to release its first-quarter financial results early next week.

 The company said it had a cash balance of about US$140 million as of March 31, and no debt.

Shares of Nautilus jumped 16% to C$2.62 in early trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange last Friday.

 

 

Somare visits barred

New ministers and reshuffle expected today

 

VISITS to Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in a Singapore hospital is being restricted by the Somare family, The National reports.

That was the stance of the Somare family who said that the prime minister’s health was more important and did not wish for the PM to be placed in any stressful situation, the PM’s protocol sources said last night.

Sir Michael is still in intensive care at the Raffles Hospital where he underwent a valve replacement and two open heart operations.

He was said to have overcome a complication he experienced with his lungs.

“He is stable, but he will not be able to receive visitors,” the source said.

The family had asked that no visits be entertained and Lady Veronica was said to be personally in charge of Sir Michael’s health and issues such as who gets to see the Grand Chief.

The family position came to light following reports that sacked duo, Don Polye and William Duma, might have flown to Singapore to visit the ailing prime minister.

The visit had touched off some raw nerves in government with one ministerial aide describing the visit as “distasteful, inconsiderate and childish”.

“Do they realise that their visit, in light of their decommissioning by the acting prime minister, could be stressful to the prime minister?

“The prime minister is a heart patient. The last thing Sir Michael needs now is stress or high blood pressure.

“Even if their visit is well meaning, their visit will still trigger some stress in the prime minister.

“This is distasteful, inconsiderate and childish and the two men owe Sir Michael and his family an apology.”

The source claimed that before his decommissioning, Duma and Petromin managing director Joshua Kalinoe had tried to visit Sir Michael to discuss some oil and gas tenement issues and were refused.

The news last night was that nobody from government had visited the Grand Chief over the Queen’s birthday weekend and no one was likely.

Lady Veronica had been very concerned about Sir Michael’s health for some time.

In a rare moment, she was said to have told Sir Michael in front of government officers a few weeks before he left for his operation in Singapore to quit the job completely in light of the gravity of his medical condition.

An officer of the PM’s office said Lady Veronica was said to have told Sir Michael words to the effect: “Em inap nau, papa. Larim ol yangpela mekim wok (This is as far as we go. Let the younger politicians carry on the work).”

Meanwhile, acting Prime Minister Sam Abal is expected to announced new ministers for foreign affairs, trade and immigration and petroleum and energy today.

Together, with the new names, a reshuffle would also be announced with at least one more minister to be decommissioned. The minister was said to be facing criminal proceedings in court.

Public Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare left his father in Singapore and was last night in Cairns en route to Port Moresby.

Somare will face a leadership tribunal on July 4.

Whether or not he is stood aside as minister will be decided by the tribunal when it meets, Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia said last week.

Female body found inside yard of acting prime minister

THE body of a woman was found inside the private premises of acting Prime Minister Sam Abal at Konedobu, NCD, early yesterday morning, The National reports.

While admitting to the discovery, Abal said he had personally called Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie informing him of the incident.

Police have removed the body to the Port Moresby General Hospital morgue and immediate murder investigation into the cause of death and persons involved was underway.

The motive of the killing was not known, but murder had not been ruled out.

Police are also trying to establish the ethnic origin of the deceased.

“The alleged murder took place within the perimeters of my private home,” Abal said in a media statement last night.

“I have directed for normal police process of investigation in establishing the facts surrounding the murder to take place at once.

“I, including my family members, will fully cooperate with police in this investigation. We will not interfere in this case.

“If any of my family members are involved, they will face the full brunt of the law and will not be treated differently as anyone else in similar situations.

“All family members living with me are immediate suspects and are subject to investigation and questioning by police,” the acting prime minister said.

Abal said: “Anyone found to be involved will face the full consequences of the law.

“They will be charged with murder in the same way as another other person in society who has no regard for the value of human life and dignity of a person.

“I will fully cooperate with police during the course of investigations,” Abal said.

 

 

Lutheran laymen cited in bad deal

By PISAI GUMAR

 

DISTRICT bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran church of PNG say that laymen officials have breached the church’s constitution, company laws and, in the process, are in contempt of court in making business decisions, The National reports.

These laymen had also misled the church council for more than six months into believing that certain business-related changes had not been made.

However, the alleged changes had been effected at the Investment Promotion Authority, affidavits filed in the National Court in Lae stated.

The affidavits by the bishops, who are known as presidents, were obtained by The National.

They show that the laymen – church secretary Albert Tokave, finance secretary James Pena, German adviser Lothar Stock and the Jabem church district representatives Titi Solomon and Australian Chinese Ben Woo – were involved in making changes to the IPA records of the church’s trust company ELC-PNG Nominees Ltd last Aug 2 and Aug 13.

These laymen were not a lawful authority to hold a meeting and make changes to ELC-PNG Nominees Ltd or the church’s business arm, Kambang Holdings, the affidavits said.

“This was fraudulently done and backdated to June 17,” the affidavits stated.

The presidents said when the names of the laymen were nominated last June, there was a dispute and the matter was deferred to the November session of the church council.

The presidents explained that all shareholders’ meetings were governed by processes described under section 102 while appointments were under section 134 of the Companies Act 1997 and schedule 1 of the constitutions of both ELC-PNG Nominees Ltd and Kambang Holdings.

The process would entail a minute from the church council to the trust company (Nominees) for it to act.

There was no minute of the shareholders’ meeting of June 17 for Nominees Ltd and for Kambang Holdings on Sept 21 last year – the days when decisions were made to make the changes, the affidavits said.

The presidents said the five laymen were also in breach of schedule 4 section 4 in which they held meetings and made decisions when they did not have the required quorum of six, thereby, also contravening section 108 of the Companies Act.

“Therefore, Nominees Ltd does not have a company board,” the affidavits stated.

The affidavits noted several other discrepancies:

*Pena holding five senior positions as finance secretary, director as well as company secretary of ELC-PNG Nominees Ltd and director and also surrogate secretary of Kambang Holdings;

*Tokave, according to the church constitution, should be the public officer, or the proxy, and could not be a member of ELC-PNG Nominees board;

*Stock, the German, could not be holding any substantive post because he was in an acting capacity as treasurer, and that diplomatic protocol between Lutheran churches overseas (including Germany) do not allow expatriates from taking any roles and responsibilities other than that which they were brought to PNG for;

*Woo, the Australian Chinese Lae-based businessman, not being a council member; and

*Solomon, not being nominated in the council and yet appearing on the IPA registry.

94 bag awards from queen

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

NINETY-FOUR people have been recognised for distinguished services to the community in this year’s Queen’s birthday honours list.

Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio announced the names of recipients yesterday, The National reports.

Noel Levi was awarded a knight bachelor for service to the public administration in his former roles as a minister of state, senior public servant and diplomat and secretary-general of the Pacific Forum and to John Ralston Wild for service to commerce, particularly in air transport and tourism and for community and humanitarian endeavours.

The order of Saint Michael and Saint George (civil division) was given to Andrew Kumbakor for service to the community as a member of the national parliament and minister of state and Erna Kathleen Pita for service to the community and the advancement of women’s status and welfare.

The order of the British empire (civil division) was awarded to Gari Baki, Peter Humphrey, Charles Lepani, Mathew Tjoeng while Dr Umadevi Ambihaiphar, Ni Cragnolini, Neville Henry Howcroft, Richard Maru, Rev Father Patrick McIndoe, Ricky Moke Mitio, Steven Mokis, Susan Ranjanayagam, Frederick Sheekiot, Dr Robin Sios, Akuila Tubal and John Wauwia were awarded OBEs.

Those who received MBEs were Orly Alvarez, Ian Andrew Chow, Igo Daure, Chief Insp Cathy Dobb, Robert Ian Howden, Guwi Kambi, Alphonse Krau, Anthony Kundila, Kay Wakerley Liddle, Aravapo Lohia, Moses Makis, David Kym Mitchell, Kandaso Napi, Simon Passinggan, Gerald Philip, Graham Pople, Wayne Leslie Satchell, Wan Sete, Lahui Tau, Sebulon Tovaira, Alois Chris Valuka, Russel Waibauru, John Warbat and Rev Dondoli Wawe.

Imperial service order awards were given to Tommy Nahuet and David Naon, while British empire medals were presented to Michael Sigiho Buka, Dominic Bre, Nancy Dabada, Peter Du, John Hinalu, Mavis Holland, Clare Ivia, Juliana Jiki, Alois Rokoa Kanakana, Avosa Kave, Peter Nere Kupo, Timothy Laemeta, Timothy Meria Lapeya, Ding Mathew, Rev Mondopa Mini, Joseph Muna, Giyame Mashleen Nagwi, Yaku Nolepo, Joseph Panu Arimax Magabe Peyape, Bothen Pusembo, Paias Puwa, Michael Sau, Yori Sauna, Araga Dikana Sere, Gitene Somole, Elijah Taksir, Joyce Talibe, Imbi Tanda, Janet Diribu Telabe, Kee Tine, Walter Unam, Richard Waera and Edward Yaliui.

Sir Michael announced that Brig-Gen Francis Agwi was the recipient of the order of the British empire (military) CBE award while Col Joseph Fabila was awarded OBE and a MBE went to Commander Michael David, Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Kumun and Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Augustine Daniels.

Sir Michael announced Chief Warrant Officers Dick Roy, Steven Narimonda Jonah Pomeleu, Francis Tule and Michael Taram Valuka as recipients of the British empire medal (military) medal.