Sepik MPs cry foul over cabinet jobs

 THREE Sepik members of parliament have claim­ed that the new go­vern­ment of Peter O'Neill has overlooked them for mi­nisterial portfolios, The National reports.
The two members, who defected to the op­position camp, were the member for Wosera-Gawi Ronald Asik and member for Wewak Dr Moses Manwau. 
Asik defected to the opposition a week before the change of government while Manwau was behind the move to change government.
The other member is Telefomin MP Peter 
Iwei, who defected to the opposition with Belden Namah during the March Girls move to topple the Somare-led National Alliance go­vernment.
The two East Sepik MPs said their people had not been represented in cabinet although it was a difficult decision to cross the floor from a previous government that was controlled by Sepiks.
Morobe and Western Highlands have four ministers, followed by Eastern Highlands with three and Bougainville, Chimbu, Southern Highlands, Central, NCD, Milne Bay and New Ireland with two each. 
The other eight provinces have one ministry each while the other province that missed out is West New Britain.
"This is not a fair distribution of ministries as the Sepiks have not been represented. 
"The same people on the other side have come again to control government. There is no difference in the new government," they said.
Manwau said he was frustrated because the people of East Sepik did not have representation in cabinet.

Probable O’Neill-Namah cabinet

 WHILE all who were named ministers were sworn in last week, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill is yet to officially name their portfolios, The National reports.
The following is the most probable cabinet line-up based on unofficial information.
The full line-up would be announced today.
Peter O'Neill – Prime Minister
Belden Namah – Deputy Prime Minister; Forestry and Climate Change
Don Polye – Treasury and Finance
William Duma – Petroleum and Energy
Sam Basil – National Planning
Moses Maladina – Implementation and Rural Development
Francis Awesa – Works and Transport
Bart Philemon – Public Service
Sir Puka Temu – Agriculture
Sir Mekere Morauta – State Enterprises
Dr Allan Marat – Attorney-General and Justice
John Boito – Internal Security
Guma Wau – Defence
Sai Sailon Beseo – Correctional Services
Job Pomat – Fisheries
Ano Pala – Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Theo Zurenuoc – Education
Sali Subam – Sports
Martin Aini – Labour and Industrial Relations
Byron Chan – Mining
Charles Abel – Trade; Commerce and Industry
Jim Miringtoro – Communication and Information
Steven Kama – Bougainville Affairs
Andrew Mald – Community Development; Religion and Family Affairs
Mark Maipakai – Government Relations and District Development
David Arore – Higher Education
Thompson Harokaqveh – Environment and Conservation
Puri Ruing – Civil Aviation
Lucas Dekena – Lands and Physical Planning
Jamie Maxtone-Graham – Health and HIV/AIDS
Ken Fairweather – Housing and Urbanisation
Wake Goi – Minister assisting the Prime Minster on Constitutional Matters.
Benjamin Philip – Minister without portfolio

33 in cabinet

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

PRIME Minister Peter O'Neill has appointed 33 new ministers in a cabinet line-up of mostly unknowns which, he claims, "are simple and humble leaders for the people of Papua New Guinea", The National reports.
However, indications were that representation from the highlands was most powerful, securing key economic positions including that of the prime minister, finance and trea­sury plus petroleum and energy.
Political sources said this might backfire on O'Neill and his People's National Congress party in the general election next year.
The southern region National Alliance group that defected to support the opposition was rewarded with five ministerial portfolios.
The United Resources Party, PNC and People's Party factions were rewarded with four ministries.
O'Neill said the distribution of ministries was done in consultation with political parties and leaders. East Sepik and West New Britain missed out completely.
A couple of Sepik MPs, including Wosera-Gawi's Ronald Asik and Telefomin's Peter Iwei, were evidently unhappy with their exclusion and shouted expletives during the swearing-in ceremony.
"One or two have missed out largely because of numbers; many were not been present in government and parties' decisions on who gets a ministry," the prime minister said.
He said there was full consultation between the different coalition partners and he tried his best to cover all provinces in his cabinet.
"The distribution of ministries shows a humble government for the people of Papua New Guinea."
O'Neill congratulated the new ministers sworn-in by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio at Go­vernment House last Friday. 
They included Ken Fair­weather (Sumkar); Charles Abel (Alotau); David Arore (Ijivitari); Guma Wau (Kerowagi); Steven Kama (South Bougainville); Jim Miringtoro (Central Bougain­ville); Martin Aini (Kavieng); Jamie Maxtone-Graham (An­glimp-South Waghi); Thompson Harokaqveh (Goroka); Lucas Dekena (Gumine); Byron Chan (Namatanai); Puri Ruing (Dei); Benjamin Philip (Menyamya); Sali Subam (South Fly); Andrew Mald (Moresby Northeast); Mark Maipakai (Kikori); and Sai Beseo (Kainantu).
O'Neill also challenged the opposition members to re-join their political leaders in the new-look government

Another proud moment in Papua New Guinea aviation history

Caption: From left are Capt Philip Emeck, chief engineer Stanley Joe and Capt James Pima being welcomed by National Aviation Services acting CEO Capt James Imaka at the NAS hangar last Friday.-Picture by MALUM NALU

 

 

By MALUM NALU

 

Another proud moment in Papua New Guinea aviation history was created last Friday with the arrival of a Bell 407 helicopter at Jackson International Airport.

It heralded the birth of PNG's second 100% nationally-owned company involved in helicopters, Heli Solutions.

Champagne was sprayed and there were hugs and congratulations all around as the all PNG crew of captains James Pima and Philip Emeck, together with chief engineer Stanley Joe, arrived with the K7 million helicopter after a 16-hour flight from Sydney, Australia.

The flight took them through Brisbane, Cairns, Daru and Kerema before arriving in Port Moresby at 4.30pm.

Former PNG Defence Force pilots Pima and Emeck, both from Mendi in Southern Highlands, together with Joe, from Madang, are proud owners of the VIP-configured seven-seater, that can carry 1.5 tonnes and has a cruising speed of 130 knots.

It has telephone, stereo, air-conditioning, tinted glass and refrigerator for its anticipated VIP clientele, and had only clocked up 400 hours when bought by Heli Solutions.

Pima and Emeck, after leaving the army, worked for other aviation companies, including another local aviation firm, Helifix, before setting up Heli Solutions.

Emeck thanked all their family members and friends for their support, and especially Westpac for its faith in helping them to buy the helicopter.

They anticipate buying another one or two more helicopters in the very near future to boost up their fleet.

Because Heli Solutions does not have an air-operating certificate from Civil Aviation Safety Authority, it will in the interim operate under another nationally-owned aviation firm, National Aviation Services, until such time that it obtains its own.

NAS is owned and operated by former PNGDF brigadier general and former politician, Ted Diro, who was not present for last Friday's arrival.

Acting CEO of NAS, former PNGDF pilot John Imaka, said aviation was booming in PNG with the mining, oil and gas projects, however, only a few nationals were direct participants in it.

Imaka said NAS was only too pleased to help Heli Solutions because it was an all-PNG company helping another all-PNG company in the highly-regulated aviation industry.

Koroba-Kopiago MP, John Kekeno, said it was a proud moment for Southern Highlands and PNG with the arrival of a helicopter, which was owned and operated by an all-PNG crew.

New plants and animals discovered

Caption: British High Commissioner to PNG Jackie Baron (centre) with WWW country director Neil Stronarch (left) and conservation director Eric Verhaj at the launching.-Picture courtesy of BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

 

 

By MALUM NALU

 

At least 1,060 new species of plants and animals were discovered on the island of New Guinea, comprising Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea, between 1998 and 2008, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

The WWF announced this at the launch of a new species report of recent discoveries made on the island of New Guinea last week.

These were discovered in the forests, wetlands and waters of New Guinea and include 218 plants, 580 invertebrates, 71 fishes, 134 amphibians, 43 reptiles, two birds and 12 mammals.

"Such is the extent of New Guinea's biodiversity that new species continue to be discovered even today," according to the report.

"A 2009 expedition to the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea featured on the BBC series Lost Land of the Volcano found an estimated 40 new species, including at least 16 new species of frog, two new species of lizard, three new fish species, one new species of bat, and an undescribed endemic subspecies of the silky cuscus, a type of possum.

"Another mammal, and the largest new species of animal discovered during the trip, was a giant wooly rat, found in the forest inside the crater of Mount Bosavi.

"Since 2008, more than 100 new species have been described by scientists, and clearly many more await scientific discovery and discovery."

The report said if managed sustainably, the island's precious habitats such as reefs, rainforests and wetlands would continue to thrive into the next century, because unlike most other parts of the world, these resources were at present relatively untouched.

British High Commissioner to PNG Jackie Barson said the launch happened to coincide with the 2011 International Year of the Forest as declared by the UN General Assembly.

"Forests are home to 80% of all terrestrial species on Earth and 1.6 billion people rely on the resources that forests provide," she said.

"They cover a third of all land areas and are home to 300 million people worldwide.

"So all very pertinent to Papua New Guinea.

"As we know, PNG is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.

"Its wildlife represents about 507 percent of the world's biodiversity as it is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds as well as plants.

"Visiting scientists continue to make remarkable discoveries in different parts of the country.

"The Island of New Guinea contains one of the world's last truly unspoilt wildernesses, a final frontier on the edge of the Pacific that is richly endowed with between 6 and 8% of global biodiversity on less than 0.5 per cent of the earth's landmass.

"With 36 million hectares of PNG still under natural forest cover there is potential for more discoveries but with the effects of climate change, and de forestation, being seen and felt everywhere, there has never been such an important time for Papua New Guinea to grasp environmental education and provide its population with valuable knowledge and skills to look after its diverse forestry which ultimately house these species."

Zurenuoc keen on free education

  FREE education will be implemented now that the new government is in place, caretaker Education Minister Theo Zurenuoc said yesterday, The National reports.
He also promised to scrap the outcomes-based education (OBE) system and replace it with a practical system.
Zurenuoc was appointed Education and Higher Education Minister 24 hours earlier in Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's caretaker cabinet.
"I want to drive an important belief I have and which forms a major part of my People's Progress Party (PPP) policy that the government provides free and subsidised education to the people.
"That is the simplest and most effective way of transferring wealth of the nation to the people.

Abal vows to fight to ‘correct an illegal action’

 By ISAAC NICHOLAS

THE ousted government is taking legal action to "correct an illegal action by the opposition to wrestle power from a duly-elected government", ousted acting prime minister Sam Abal said yesterday, The National reports.
"We are not making an issue out of this for nothing," he said.
Abal, who was surrounded by Sir Arnold Amet, Ben Semri, Fidelis Semoso, Paul Tiensten, Philip Kikala, Paru Aihi and Anderson Agiru, said a political coup had happened.
"It is an illegal thing and we cannot rest until this thing is corrected. It is for our children and our future before we become a laughing stock.
"Parliament was ambushed by the vetting and abetting by the speaker himself. We have created a constitutional crisis because there is no vacancy in the office of the prime minister."
He said the process had started for the lawful removal of the prime minister. But the group in government had decided to ambush it with the help of the speaker who did not check whether there was an appropriate provision for the removal of the prime minister and went ahead and declared a vacancy.
"It was a well-organised coup that was planned with the speaker of parliament."
Abal said the election of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, or any other person, could be carried out but it should be done within the law.
"If we allow this to go, then we are encouraging another kind of coup. It is a very sad day for the Constitution to be ridiculed. Politically, it is a government starting on the wrong foot."
Abal said parliament should not sit until such issues were resolved by the court.
"I am seeking an injunction to stop this kind of rummaging going on. This is outrageous and not acceptable to us as leaders and for the people of Papua New Guinea."
Also yesterday, Abal appealed to departmental heads, especially those looking after the public purse, to be cautious especially of leaders coming after public funds.
"This group is in a rush and will start rolling out cheques to prepare illegally and to fund their elections and that is why they took parliament by storm," Abal said.