By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
A UNITED Nations delegation is in Bougainville to review the mission's role in the Bougainville peace agreement, which was signed 10 years ago, The National reports.
Resident coordinator of the UN mission in PNG David McLachlan-Karr is leading the week-long assessment team.
He said on arrival at Buka Airport yesterday that the UN and its development partners were proud of being part of the Bougainville peace process since 2001.
"After 10 years, it was a good time for the UN, the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the state to take stock of what had been achieved," McLachlan-Karr said.
"The mission is designed to be helpful, to position itself where it can provide substantial assistance and how we can support the aspect of the peace agreement."
After talks with stakeholders on the peace agreement tomorrow, the UN mission comprising New York-based UN officers from the Department of Political Affairs would lead a three-day peace-walk through the Numa Numa track from Wakunai, in East Coast Bougainville, to Torokina on the West Coast.
McLachlan-Karr said the walk would focus on youths.
"The 10 years of the peace process provides an opportunity for reflection with the youths to recognise not only their vulnerabilities but, especially, their strengths and the opportunities available," he said.
He said the peace-walk sought to draw attention to the resourcefulness of youths that should be maximised by the policy makers.
"It seeks to draw a special attention to the economic opportunities in Bougainville, especially tourism and employment potentials of the track."
Bougainville President John Momis will launch the peace walk with youths from South, Central and North Bougainville accompanying the UN delegation on the track.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Pagelio admits to OBE flaws
ACTING Education secretary Dr Joseph Pagelio has admitted to flaws in the reformed education system, saying the solutions are provided in the schools learning and improvement programme (SLIP), The National reports.
He told teachers in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, that he had heard their grievances and was aware that the outcomes-based education (OBE) concept had brought about problems with infrastructure, logistics and overcrowding in classrooms.
Pagelio was speaking during the launching of vehicles for standards and guidance officers last Friday.
He said the Education Department had begun setting up school libraries, distributing students and teachers' books, implementing the technical and vocational education and training (TVet) programme with the allocation of K11 million and setting up community colleges.
Pagelio said the purchase of vehicles and the commitment to build houses for the standards and guidance officers were necessary.
He said five houses for the officers would be built at the Pagelio village in Kagamuga.
Another 200 houses would be built throughout the country over the next 10 years.
The department was allocated K30 million in this year's budget and had submitted a K40-million proposal for next year's budget.
Local councillor John Wats also suggested the setting up of a university in Western Highlands.
He said land would not be an issue because locals were willing to give away their land for education.
He told teachers in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, that he had heard their grievances and was aware that the outcomes-based education (OBE) concept had brought about problems with infrastructure, logistics and overcrowding in classrooms.
Pagelio was speaking during the launching of vehicles for standards and guidance officers last Friday.
He said the Education Department had begun setting up school libraries, distributing students and teachers' books, implementing the technical and vocational education and training (TVet) programme with the allocation of K11 million and setting up community colleges.
Pagelio said the purchase of vehicles and the commitment to build houses for the standards and guidance officers were necessary.
He said five houses for the officers would be built at the Pagelio village in Kagamuga.
Another 200 houses would be built throughout the country over the next 10 years.
The department was allocated K30 million in this year's budget and had submitted a K40-million proposal for next year's budget.
Local councillor John Wats also suggested the setting up of a university in Western Highlands.
He said land would not be an issue because locals were willing to give away their land for education.
LLG chiefs slam suspension of Morobe powers
By ELLEN TIAMU and RIGGO NANGAN
SEVERAL Morobe local level government presidents claimed yesterday that the national government has also withdrawn their province's financial powers, The National reports.
Morobe will be the second provincial government to have its powers suspended after East Sepik, although, no formal announcement had been made of the action taken against Morobe.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah alluded to Northern and Enga facing similar fates while visiting Popondetta last week.
Wampar LLG president Peter Namus said the province had not received any notice from the auditor-general citing abuse of funds.
"Therefore, any withdrawal of Morobe's financial powers is unwarranted," he said.
Namus said the LLG presidents hoped cabinet was not reacting to allegations at the whims of certain national politicians.
He warned that the people would be the biggest losers if Morobe's financial powers were withdrawn.
He claimed no audit had been done on the provincial accounts and was suspicious of cabinet's action.
The conditions for a suspension of a provincial government would be warranted if the auditor-general had established that there had been an abuse of funds or if the minister (or special investigating committee) finds an abuse of power by the provincial government as stipulated by section 51 of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments.
Based on the AG's findings, the National Executive Council (cabinet) then directs the province to take corrective measures to fix the anomaly or anomalies.
If this is not done, then, cabinet can withdraw all or any of the powers and functions, a process which the presidents alleged had not been followed.
East Sepik and Morobe provincial governments had their financial powers stripped by cabinet on Aug 12.
Morobe had filed legal proceedings in the National Court challenging the decision.
SEVERAL Morobe local level government presidents claimed yesterday that the national government has also withdrawn their province's financial powers, The National reports.
Morobe will be the second provincial government to have its powers suspended after East Sepik, although, no formal announcement had been made of the action taken against Morobe.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah alluded to Northern and Enga facing similar fates while visiting Popondetta last week.
Wampar LLG president Peter Namus said the province had not received any notice from the auditor-general citing abuse of funds.
"Therefore, any withdrawal of Morobe's financial powers is unwarranted," he said.
Namus said the LLG presidents hoped cabinet was not reacting to allegations at the whims of certain national politicians.
He warned that the people would be the biggest losers if Morobe's financial powers were withdrawn.
He claimed no audit had been done on the provincial accounts and was suspicious of cabinet's action.
The conditions for a suspension of a provincial government would be warranted if the auditor-general had established that there had been an abuse of funds or if the minister (or special investigating committee) finds an abuse of power by the provincial government as stipulated by section 51 of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments.
Based on the AG's findings, the National Executive Council (cabinet) then directs the province to take corrective measures to fix the anomaly or anomalies.
If this is not done, then, cabinet can withdraw all or any of the powers and functions, a process which the presidents alleged had not been followed.
East Sepik and Morobe provincial governments had their financial powers stripped by cabinet on Aug 12.
Morobe had filed legal proceedings in the National Court challenging the decision.
Kulang wins Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election
By ZACHERY PER
PNG Constitutional Democratic party candidate Tobias Kulang is the new member for Kundiawa-Gembogl, The National reports.
He is the first member of the newly-formed party and the last to be declared a member of the seventh National Parliament before next year's general election.
Kulang polled 12,038 votes at the end of elimination 41 to muster 51.145% of the total 23,537 ballots remaining, to be declared winner ahead of People's National Congress (PNC) candidate Peter Waieng who managed 11,499 votes (48.85%).
Kulang was declared the winner at 5.30pm yesterday by returning officer James Piapia.
Kulang picked up 2,118 votes from the 40th elimination of former MP Wagi Merimba who was fourth with 6,596 votes and surged to the top with 11,517 votes.
At the 41st elimination of another former MP Mathew Siune, Kulang picked up 521 votes to win the by-election.
At his maiden speech at the declaration, Kulang emphasised that he was among a new generation of leaders to lead the people to prosperity and salvation.
He promised to lead Kundiawa-Gembogl under a clear vision to set a new destiny for the people and steer them towards positive progress and rural development.
"I will do my best to serve with a vision to bring changes within these few months remaining before the general election."
Kulang said one of his priorities would be to fix the Kundiawa-Gembogl road.
He comes from Kegesulo at the foot of Mt Wilhelm.
Witnessing the swearing-in were Deputy Governor of Chimbu Teine Sogan, Simbu administrator Joe Kunda, Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon Kauba, Chimbu elections manager Steven Gore Kaupa, police, counting officials and PNG Electoral Commission staff.
Speakers commended the peaceful conduct of the candidates, supporters and the people of Kundiawa-Gembogl.
Kauba said the people demonstrated that they had matured, understood and respected the process of electing leaders.
"I commend police and the people, especially candidates and their supporters, for their good behaviour during the by-election process," he said.
PNG Constitutional Democratic party candidate Tobias Kulang is the new member for Kundiawa-Gembogl, The National reports.
He is the first member of the newly-formed party and the last to be declared a member of the seventh National Parliament before next year's general election.
Kulang polled 12,038 votes at the end of elimination 41 to muster 51.145% of the total 23,537 ballots remaining, to be declared winner ahead of People's National Congress (PNC) candidate Peter Waieng who managed 11,499 votes (48.85%).
Kulang was declared the winner at 5.30pm yesterday by returning officer James Piapia.
Kulang picked up 2,118 votes from the 40th elimination of former MP Wagi Merimba who was fourth with 6,596 votes and surged to the top with 11,517 votes.
At the 41st elimination of another former MP Mathew Siune, Kulang picked up 521 votes to win the by-election.
At his maiden speech at the declaration, Kulang emphasised that he was among a new generation of leaders to lead the people to prosperity and salvation.
He promised to lead Kundiawa-Gembogl under a clear vision to set a new destiny for the people and steer them towards positive progress and rural development.
"I will do my best to serve with a vision to bring changes within these few months remaining before the general election."
Kulang said one of his priorities would be to fix the Kundiawa-Gembogl road.
He comes from Kegesulo at the foot of Mt Wilhelm.
Witnessing the swearing-in were Deputy Governor of Chimbu Teine Sogan, Simbu administrator Joe Kunda, Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon Kauba, Chimbu elections manager Steven Gore Kaupa, police, counting officials and PNG Electoral Commission staff.
Speakers commended the peaceful conduct of the candidates, supporters and the people of Kundiawa-Gembogl.
Kauba said the people demonstrated that they had matured, understood and respected the process of electing leaders.
"I commend police and the people, especially candidates and their supporters, for their good behaviour during the by-election process," he said.
Somare out of hospital
GRAND Chief Sir Michael Somare has checked out of Singapore's Raffles Hospital four months after he was admitted for open heart surgery, The National reports.
He was reported to have checked into an apartment in Singapore as his doctors had advised that he was not yet fit to travel back to PNG.
Sir Michael, who has been visited by a number of close friends, was served court documents in person last Friday at the Singapore Raffles Hospital in the presence of his son, Angoram MP Arthur Somare.
The service of the Supreme Court Reference, filed by the East Sepik provincial executive council, on Sir Michael was executed by Singapore-based lawyer Timothy Ng.
Sir Michael had been drawn in as a party to the court reference which sought to establish whether or not the election of Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O'Neill as prime minister on Aug 2 was constitutional.
Sir Michael was admitted in April at Raffles where he underwent three heart surgeries.
He had been in intensive care for most of that time when his family announced to the nation that the Grand Chief would retire from active politics.
Christian congregations around the country have been praying for the devout Catholic and father-of-five ever since he was hospitalised.
During that time, he lost his position as leader of the National Alliance party and prime minister of PNG.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Residents urged to keep city clean
Caption: NCD Governor Powes Parkop (second right) demonstrating the proper way of using the bins. With him are Hardware Haus staff.
NATIONAL Capital District Governor Powes Parkop is urging everyone to look after the city by disposing of rubbish in public places.
Speaking at the opening of the Bank South Pacific Go Green campaign at Ela Beach yesterday, Parkop said keeping the city clean was a continuous challenge that everybody had to take up.
"It is up to the public to take good care of recreation facilities if they want to live a safe and enjoyable life in the city," he said.
The BSP 'Clean up Ela Beach' exercise was a success yesterday as staff of corporate organisations in Port Moresby turned out at the popular beachfront to promote safe and healthy living.
Parkop launched rubbish bins on wheels donated by Hardware Haus.
The bins will be placed along the beachfront.
About 1, 000 people, including business executives, staff members and relatives, picked up rubbish along the beach.
They were given plastic bags and hand gloves to use.
The rubbish collected was later disposed of at the city dumps by NCD Commission contractors.
The initiative was to demonstrate to people that business leaders were committed to keeping the environment clean, green and healthy for all.
The exercise was a joint initiative by Hardware Haus and BSP's Go-Green campaign, and supported by other corporate houses.
The plan is to make the event an annual exercise on Sept 23 and 24.
Parkop condemns killing
NATIONAL Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has condemned yesterday's killing of a man at Sikirap Market in 9-Mile, Port Moresby, The National reports.
The man was John Sine Kaupa from Chimbu, who was the operations manager of Kuima Security Service.
He died from multiple bush knife wounds.
The fight left some critically-injured and properties burnt and was between two highlands ethnic groups.
Parkop said the main concern was the killing of a fellow human being in an alcohol-related violence.
"I condemn the killing and appeal to the community to assist the police in bringing the perpetrators to justice," Parkop said.
He said the parties involved should respect each other and not let the violence escalate.
Parkop said the capital city was made up of different ethnic groups in the country and they should by now learn to live peacefully with each other.
"There are better ways to solve grievances. Resorting to fighting is not the solution. We have to learn to respect lives and properties," Parkop said.
He requested the relatives of the deceased to refrain from "pay-back killings".
Properties worth thousands of kina have been destroyed while opportunists and angry mobs looted trade stores at the scene.
The incident which happened yesterday morning has been what the NCD government strongly campaigned against in its bid to make the capital city safe and crime-free.
Police have already started investigations into the incident.
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