By ZACHERY PER
THE leading candidate in the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election has received just over 15% of valid votes – still way below the absolute majority of 24,834 votes – when the count was suspended after the 29th elimination last night, The National reports.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's People National Congress candidate and former minister Peter Waieng maintained his lead with 7,882 votes (15.87%).
His lead after 29 eliminations was closely chased by former agriculture minister and Chimbu politician Mathew Siune on 6,616 votes (13.32%).
PNG Democratic Party candidate Tobias Kulang, who did well at the start of the count last week was running third on 5,442 votes (10.96%) while People's Party candidate Paul Gend maintained his fourth place with 4,393 votes (8.84%).
Former Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Wagi Merimba was in fifth place with 4,348 votes (8.75%).
Others still in the race last night were Paul Moiwo with 3,286 votes (6.63%), William Gumayagl Ongugo on 2,960 (5.96%), Blaise Kal on 2,394 (4.82%), Alphonse Kawagle Palma on 2,241 votes (4.52%), John Naur Mangi on 2,167 votes (4.36%), John Tonar 2,167 votes (4.36%), John Kagl with 2, 039 votes (4.11%), Mark Philip on 2,024 votes (4.08%) and Peter Diniyagl 1,715 on votes (3.45%).
From a total of 52,378 ballots issued, 735 were ruled informal and 51,643 were allowed. But at the end of elimination 29 last night 1,976 ballots were exhausted.
From the 43 candidates running for the seat left vacant by the passing of Joe Mek Teine in April this year, 29 candidates who polled the lowest number of votes were eliminated and 14 are still in the race.
The elimination process continues today and a winner is expected to be declared this weekend.
Kundiawa open returning officer James Piapia thanked counting officials, scrutineers for candidates, police and everyone who played various roles for ensuring the process of the by-election went smoothly.
He urged candidates and supporters to respect the new electronic counting system and the Limited Preferential Voting system.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Leaders tell Agiru to respect Nipa people
TWO community leaders from Nipa-Kutubu have called on Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru to stop messing around with future leaders and educated men from the electorate, The National reports.
Jordon Kium and Nakon Ipa wanted Agiru to focus on getting the new Hela province and leave their future Nipa-Kutubu leaders alone.
They also condemned the manner in which Agiru was allegedly dealing with their leaders by fighting over public service positions.
"William Powi and Lawrence Olkoben are from the Nipa-Kutubu electorate who are concerned about their people.
"Agiru should concentrate on getting a province for the Hela region," Kium said.
They also warned that such political games would only end in disaster "and Agiru will not be here to face the consequences".
"We do not want a repetition of past political conflicts between the Hela people and their neighbouring Nipa," Ipa said.
Jordon Kium and Nakon Ipa wanted Agiru to focus on getting the new Hela province and leave their future Nipa-Kutubu leaders alone.
They also condemned the manner in which Agiru was allegedly dealing with their leaders by fighting over public service positions.
"William Powi and Lawrence Olkoben are from the Nipa-Kutubu electorate who are concerned about their people.
"Agiru should concentrate on getting a province for the Hela region," Kium said.
They also warned that such political games would only end in disaster "and Agiru will not be here to face the consequences".
"We do not want a repetition of past political conflicts between the Hela people and their neighbouring Nipa," Ipa said.
Olkoben says he is administrator
LAWRENCE Olkoben maintains he is still the legitimate Southern Highlands acting provincial administrator, The National reports.
Olkoben, whose three-month term as acting administrator expired on Aug 12, said the provincial executive council had extended his term on Aug 4, eight days before his term expired.
He said the Supreme Court recognised him as acting administrator and dismissed an appeal lodged by former administrator William Powi on July 14.
He said any appointment of the acting provincial administrator must have the recommendation of the council.
Olkoben said in his case, the council had recommended he acted until a permanent appointment was made.
He said the prime minister and cabinet had hijacked the normal procedures by appointing Powi without consulting the provincial council.
Olkoben, whose three-month term as acting administrator expired on Aug 12, said the provincial executive council had extended his term on Aug 4, eight days before his term expired.
He said the Supreme Court recognised him as acting administrator and dismissed an appeal lodged by former administrator William Powi on July 14.
He said any appointment of the acting provincial administrator must have the recommendation of the council.
Olkoben said in his case, the council had recommended he acted until a permanent appointment was made.
He said the prime minister and cabinet had hijacked the normal procedures by appointing Powi without consulting the provincial council.
Powi: Southern Highlands' K40 milion abused in projects
By JEFFREY ELAPA
MORE than K40 million from the Southern Highlands provincial treasury has been abused within a matter of three months, according to the acting provincial administrator William Powi, The National reports.
He alleged yesterday in Mendi that up to June, a huge sum of money from the provincial treasury was disbursed by the provincial government to shady projects.
He also claimed that a large sum of money was paid out within the first two weeks of this month, a few days before the National Executive Council re-appointed him to the post.
Powi is acting provincial administrator for a period of three months.
Supporters of Powi and the man he was to replace, Lawrence Olkoben, clashed in Mendi on Monday when he arrived to take up the post.
Powi claimed that the attack was orchestrated by Olkoben and his supporters to destroy the treasury records and documents by taking possession of the provincial treasury and the Agiru Centre.
Powi said acting provincial treasurer Kevin Pruno had informed him that K40 million from the provincial treasury had been expended over an alleged period of three months.
Powi said Pruno admitted that for all payments, Governor Anderson Agiru had listed payments detailing who should get how much and directed the officer of the provincial administrator and the provincial treasurer to issue Cash Flow Certificates and stamped what the governor wanted.
He said Pruno further admitted that Agiru had decided who should be paid and how much each person should receive, which was contrary to the Organic Law on the functions of the provincial governors, administrator and treasurers.
But Pruno, when contacted, denied giving the report and said he had never written to any media regarding the K40 million payout during Olkoben's time.
"When Powi asked me, I told him that less than K20 million was disbursed between January and June this year," he said.
He then said K7 million was spent on projects, wages and for administration costs and not K40 million as reported.
Pruno said the payments were made according to the budget of the provincial government and ranged from K300,000 to K400,000 for each project from January to June this year.
He said for example the Nipa and Mendi technical colleges received K700,000 each from the K7 million.
Agiru, when contacted, said he could not comment on an allegation but stated that directions had to be given on where to spend money according to budget.
He said the province had an internal revenue of about K60 million and was still after the Kutubu and Moran royalties in Port Moresby.
"I do not know what money they are referring to, I have no idea," he said.
However, he said generally any money belonging to the province had to be spent on projects as budgeted for.
He declined to comment further on Powi's "baseless" stories.
However, Powi had issued written instructions to Pruno to furnish him a detailed report on the usage of funds, verify and confirm whether the payments were budgeted for and whether they were in compliance with legal processes.
Pruno said the report was not ready and he could give it to the provincial administrator when completed.
However, Powi called on the national government to investigate the abuses which he alleged were "illegal, improper and went against the spirit of good governance".
"Provincial government and provincial governors are policy makers and do not have section 32 functions under the Public Finance Management Act.
"The national government must act immediately," he said.
Powi said the national government should recall Olkoben to Waigani to lay appropriate disciplinary charges against him for disobeying lawful directives and for instigating trouble in Mendi.
The police mobile units 09 and 05 from Tari and Mt Hagen had been dispatched in Mendi to protect state property and allow Powi to take control of the administration.
Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie is understood to be on the ground in Mendi.
MORE than K40 million from the Southern Highlands provincial treasury has been abused within a matter of three months, according to the acting provincial administrator William Powi, The National reports.
He alleged yesterday in Mendi that up to June, a huge sum of money from the provincial treasury was disbursed by the provincial government to shady projects.
He also claimed that a large sum of money was paid out within the first two weeks of this month, a few days before the National Executive Council re-appointed him to the post.
Powi is acting provincial administrator for a period of three months.
Supporters of Powi and the man he was to replace, Lawrence Olkoben, clashed in Mendi on Monday when he arrived to take up the post.
Powi claimed that the attack was orchestrated by Olkoben and his supporters to destroy the treasury records and documents by taking possession of the provincial treasury and the Agiru Centre.
Powi said acting provincial treasurer Kevin Pruno had informed him that K40 million from the provincial treasury had been expended over an alleged period of three months.
Powi said Pruno admitted that for all payments, Governor Anderson Agiru had listed payments detailing who should get how much and directed the officer of the provincial administrator and the provincial treasurer to issue Cash Flow Certificates and stamped what the governor wanted.
He said Pruno further admitted that Agiru had decided who should be paid and how much each person should receive, which was contrary to the Organic Law on the functions of the provincial governors, administrator and treasurers.
But Pruno, when contacted, denied giving the report and said he had never written to any media regarding the K40 million payout during Olkoben's time.
"When Powi asked me, I told him that less than K20 million was disbursed between January and June this year," he said.
He then said K7 million was spent on projects, wages and for administration costs and not K40 million as reported.
Pruno said the payments were made according to the budget of the provincial government and ranged from K300,000 to K400,000 for each project from January to June this year.
He said for example the Nipa and Mendi technical colleges received K700,000 each from the K7 million.
Agiru, when contacted, said he could not comment on an allegation but stated that directions had to be given on where to spend money according to budget.
He said the province had an internal revenue of about K60 million and was still after the Kutubu and Moran royalties in Port Moresby.
"I do not know what money they are referring to, I have no idea," he said.
However, he said generally any money belonging to the province had to be spent on projects as budgeted for.
He declined to comment further on Powi's "baseless" stories.
However, Powi had issued written instructions to Pruno to furnish him a detailed report on the usage of funds, verify and confirm whether the payments were budgeted for and whether they were in compliance with legal processes.
Pruno said the report was not ready and he could give it to the provincial administrator when completed.
However, Powi called on the national government to investigate the abuses which he alleged were "illegal, improper and went against the spirit of good governance".
"Provincial government and provincial governors are policy makers and do not have section 32 functions under the Public Finance Management Act.
"The national government must act immediately," he said.
Powi said the national government should recall Olkoben to Waigani to lay appropriate disciplinary charges against him for disobeying lawful directives and for instigating trouble in Mendi.
The police mobile units 09 and 05 from Tari and Mt Hagen had been dispatched in Mendi to protect state property and allow Powi to take control of the administration.
Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie is understood to be on the ground in Mendi.
East Sepik loses ‘money’ powers
By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE National Executive Council has suspended the financial powers of the East Sepik provincial government, The National reports.
Government sources said the council met on Wednesday and decided that all financial powers of the provincial government be withdrawn and reverted to Waigani.
Although the reason for the suspension has not been disclosed, it comes at a time when the East Sepik provincial executive council is seeking a Supreme Court reference on the election of the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill early this month.
It means that all financial powers are managed from Waigani, leaving the provincial government powerless to make decisions and expend funds for any purpose.
There are also talks around the corridors of power in Waigani that the government plans to remove similar financial powers from another provincial government soon. This, however, cannot be confirmed at this stage.
Text messages to members of the NEC to verify the suspension went unanswered.
A press conference scheduled for yesterday by O'Neill to inform the nation about some of the NEC decisions was cancelled and re-scheduled for today.
Responding yesterday to the government's decision to suspend the financial powers of the East Sepik provincial government, Angoram MP Arthur Somare said it was an unlawful and immoral act by an illegitimate regime.
"I strongly condemn this action to subvert a lawful special reference to the Supreme Court," Somare said.
"I call on the Ombudsman Commission, other constitutional office-holders and the public to see this latest ploy for what it is – a bold attempt to subvert the Constitution.
"This is a desperate action by a desperate group of politicians who are hungry for power and who are willing to destroy the constitutional foundations of our democratic society.
"These are desperate people who are willing to break the nation's laws to feed their hunger for greed and power."
Somare said it had been widely speculated in the past two days that the government was convening a National Executive Council meeting with the suspension of the East Sepik provincial government high on its agenda.
"I'm sure the legal advice they received indicated that suspension of the provincial government was only possible through a declaration of a national emergency, which would be impossible to prove,'' Somare said.
"As a result, they have adopted another illegal tactic by suspending the ESPG financial powers effective from Aug 18, 2011. An instrument to this effect has been signed by Treasurer Don Polye.
"Only evil-minded people can stoop to these levels.
"They have acted in this manner because they know that their Supreme Court case is weak. Their questionable regime is now attempting to financially cripple a court action that will show up the illegitimacy of their actions in parliament on Aug 2."
THE National Executive Council has suspended the financial powers of the East Sepik provincial government, The National reports.
Government sources said the council met on Wednesday and decided that all financial powers of the provincial government be withdrawn and reverted to Waigani.
Although the reason for the suspension has not been disclosed, it comes at a time when the East Sepik provincial executive council is seeking a Supreme Court reference on the election of the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill early this month.
It means that all financial powers are managed from Waigani, leaving the provincial government powerless to make decisions and expend funds for any purpose.
There are also talks around the corridors of power in Waigani that the government plans to remove similar financial powers from another provincial government soon. This, however, cannot be confirmed at this stage.
Text messages to members of the NEC to verify the suspension went unanswered.
A press conference scheduled for yesterday by O'Neill to inform the nation about some of the NEC decisions was cancelled and re-scheduled for today.
Responding yesterday to the government's decision to suspend the financial powers of the East Sepik provincial government, Angoram MP Arthur Somare said it was an unlawful and immoral act by an illegitimate regime.
"I strongly condemn this action to subvert a lawful special reference to the Supreme Court," Somare said.
"I call on the Ombudsman Commission, other constitutional office-holders and the public to see this latest ploy for what it is – a bold attempt to subvert the Constitution.
"This is a desperate action by a desperate group of politicians who are hungry for power and who are willing to destroy the constitutional foundations of our democratic society.
"These are desperate people who are willing to break the nation's laws to feed their hunger for greed and power."
Somare said it had been widely speculated in the past two days that the government was convening a National Executive Council meeting with the suspension of the East Sepik provincial government high on its agenda.
"I'm sure the legal advice they received indicated that suspension of the provincial government was only possible through a declaration of a national emergency, which would be impossible to prove,'' Somare said.
"As a result, they have adopted another illegal tactic by suspending the ESPG financial powers effective from Aug 18, 2011. An instrument to this effect has been signed by Treasurer Don Polye.
"Only evil-minded people can stoop to these levels.
"They have acted in this manner because they know that their Supreme Court case is weak. Their questionable regime is now attempting to financially cripple a court action that will show up the illegitimacy of their actions in parliament on Aug 2."
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Ramu Agri Industries Ltd gives sweet K5,000 to Goroka Show
By MALUM NALU
Ramu Agri Industries Limited (RAIL) has given K5, 000 and 50 cartons of sugar sachets to the Goroka Show.
 |
| From left is John Piawu presenting the K5, 000 to chief inspector David Seine, deputy chairman of the Goroka Show organising committee. Looking on in the middle is Maurice Owens, national sales manager of RAIL |
While presenting the money and sugar to deputy show chairman Inspector David Seine, Owens said Ramu Sugar was a locally-grown product and RAIL’s focus was towards the cultural side of the Show.
The K5, 000 and sugar will go towards supporting the singsing groups that will participate in this year's show.
Seine thanked Owens and Piawu for travelling all the way from Gusap to make the donation and extended his appreciation on behalf of the organising Committee to the management of RAIL for coming on board to support this year's show.
He said RAIL had always sponsored the traditional singsing category and expressed his sincere gratitude for the support.
He said the sugar would be distributed to singsing groups for their morning tea and that should lighten the burden on the committee in feeding the singsing groups that would be coming from outside Eastern Highlands province.
Piawu said that RAIL hoped their support would assist in making this year's show bigger and better.
He said Goroka Show is the most-peaceful show in the country and that was attributed to the general peace-loving nature of Eastern Highlanders as well as the people in the organising committee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)