THE East Sepik provincial government yesterday called on the Ombudsman Commission to stop the National Executive Council from reconvening parliament next Tuesday, The National reports.
In an urgent submission to Chief Ombudsman Chronox Manek, East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu said parliament's recall before the scheduled Sept 20 meeting was "sub-judice" and "contemptuous" of the Supreme Court which was presently deciding on the legitimacy of the government under Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.
A five-man bench of the Supreme Court is due to hear the matter tomorrow.
O'Neill announced last weekend that parliament would be recalled on Sept 6 to debate important laws pertaining to the reserved seats for women, the proposed provinces of Jiwaka and Hela and whether or not to retain provincial seats beyond 2012.
Wararu urged the Ombudsman Commission to invoke its powers under section 27(4) of the
Constitution to direct members of the NEC, the speaker and each member of parliament to stop the recall of parliament next Tuesday.
Wararu said that an early recall of parliament was in breach of the Organic Law.
He noted that when parliament adjourned on Aug 9, it had fixed its next meeting for Sept 20.
He said the public notice by the speaker had relied on section 2(1)(a)(iii) of the Organic Law but, in its true context, this only applied "where there is an emergency situation arising within the meaning of Part X of the Constitution".
"Parliament has fixed Sept 20 as the date for the next meeting and only parliament can change that date.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Prime Minister: More arrests soon
PRIME Minister Peter O'Neill has promised that senior public servants, politicians and other people who have stolen millions of kina from the Department of National Planning will be investigated, charged and prosecuted, The National reports.
O'Neill said an investigation into the department was almost completed and arrests were expected soon.
He was speaking in Mendi last Thursday.
He said mismanagement and corruption in governments departments would "bring the country down".
He said an independent commission against corruption would be established next month to look into allegations of corruption.
O'Neill said an investigation into the department was almost completed and arrests were expected soon.
He was speaking in Mendi last Thursday.
He said mismanagement and corruption in governments departments would "bring the country down".
He said an independent commission against corruption would be established next month to look into allegations of corruption.
Duo charged with murder of expatriate man
By JUNIOR UKAHA
Two people have been detained and charged by police with the murder of John Hulse, the expatriate who was killed at NapaNapa in Port Moresby on July 23, The National reports.
Taita Sarah Prichard, 44, and James Paru, 50, both from Hisiu village, Bereina, Central, were charged with one count of murder each on Aug 27.
Hulse, 62, who held dual US and Australian passports, died after being shot with a shotgun while trying to retrieve his lost passport from unidentified callers.
NCD metropolitan commander Supt Joseph Tondop alleged that Prichard, an Australian national and the estranged wife of the deceased was implicated as the prime suspect.
The police brief said Prichard went into Hulse's boat anchored at the yacht club and took his passport and that of his Cambodian girl friend before leaving.
"On Saturday, July 23, at about 10am the first accused and her co-accused rang the deceased to pick up the two passports at the gate of InterOil NapaNapa refinery where he was shot dead and was half burnt by a bush fire," the police statement said.
Tondop said they had recovered the shotgun used in the killing at Paru's house in Sabama, NCD.
"The two accused are detained at the Boroko police cells and will appear in court this week," Tondop said.
Two people have been detained and charged by police with the murder of John Hulse, the expatriate who was killed at NapaNapa in Port Moresby on July 23, The National reports.
Taita Sarah Prichard, 44, and James Paru, 50, both from Hisiu village, Bereina, Central, were charged with one count of murder each on Aug 27.
Hulse, 62, who held dual US and Australian passports, died after being shot with a shotgun while trying to retrieve his lost passport from unidentified callers.
NCD metropolitan commander Supt Joseph Tondop alleged that Prichard, an Australian national and the estranged wife of the deceased was implicated as the prime suspect.
The police brief said Prichard went into Hulse's boat anchored at the yacht club and took his passport and that of his Cambodian girl friend before leaving.
"On Saturday, July 23, at about 10am the first accused and her co-accused rang the deceased to pick up the two passports at the gate of InterOil NapaNapa refinery where he was shot dead and was half burnt by a bush fire," the police statement said.
Tondop said they had recovered the shotgun used in the killing at Paru's house in Sabama, NCD.
"The two accused are detained at the Boroko police cells and will appear in court this week," Tondop said.
Police yet to identify 9-Mile killer
Police have yet to find the people responsible for the death of John Sine Kaupa, the operations manager of Kuima Security Services, The National reports.
NCD metropolitan commander Supt Joseph Tondop said although a few suspects had been taken in for questioning, police were yet to establish whether they were the people who had killed Kaupa.
"Police have questioned two to three suspects believed to be part of the group and others are expected to be rounded up," Tondop said.
He said the Chimbu and Tari community living at 9-Mile lived in close contact and they should know the identities of the killers as the incident took place in daylight.
He said the NCDC law and order committee and police had arranged for a peace mediation meeting between the fighting factions at Jack Pidik Park at 10am today.
He said leaders from the Tari and Chimbu community would meet to talk and restore peace in the area.
Tondop said NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Moresby Northeast MP Andrew Mald and parliamentarians from Chimbu and Tari had been told of the meeting and were expected to address the leaders.
Tondop said ethnic clashes had become a national issue and police alone could not solve the problem.
He said tougher punishment must be issued to people involved in ethnic clashes of any sort, "so that others who are thinking of fighting will think twice".
NCD metropolitan commander Supt Joseph Tondop said although a few suspects had been taken in for questioning, police were yet to establish whether they were the people who had killed Kaupa.
"Police have questioned two to three suspects believed to be part of the group and others are expected to be rounded up," Tondop said.
He said the Chimbu and Tari community living at 9-Mile lived in close contact and they should know the identities of the killers as the incident took place in daylight.
He said the NCDC law and order committee and police had arranged for a peace mediation meeting between the fighting factions at Jack Pidik Park at 10am today.
He said leaders from the Tari and Chimbu community would meet to talk and restore peace in the area.
Tondop said NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Moresby Northeast MP Andrew Mald and parliamentarians from Chimbu and Tari had been told of the meeting and were expected to address the leaders.
Tondop said ethnic clashes had become a national issue and police alone could not solve the problem.
He said tougher punishment must be issued to people involved in ethnic clashes of any sort, "so that others who are thinking of fighting will think twice".
Boat of missing 5 scientists found in Wewak
THE 23-foot dinghy that was carrying the five research scientists from the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR) was found in Wewak, East Sepik, over the weekend, The National reports.
West New Britain provincial police commander Thomas Reu said yesterday that a photo was taken of the boat and sent to the PNGIMR and disaster officials in Kimbe.
They confirmed that it was the boat that the five had got on when they went missing in Talasea waters early this month.
The five are team leader Gibson Gideon from Enga, research scientists Leonard Vavana from East New Britain, George Dogoya from Lufa, Eastern Highlands, plus female members Tania Oakiva from Gulf and Lydia Petrus, from Ialibu, Southern Highlands.
Reu said police had not ruled out foul play.
The five scientists and the vessel's crew had planned to travel from Milimata, on the mainland, to the offshore island of Bali on Aug 1.
They never arrived at their destination.
He said search and rescue operations were still going on.
Acting West New Britain disaster director Leo Mampmani confirmed that two bodies – one female and male – had been found but their identities were yet to be verified.
He said it was important to verify the identities of bodies being washed ashore because apart from the five, another seven people had gone missing in West New Britain waters in July and had not been found.
"The bodies resurfacing could be anyone, which is why verification and confirmation by authorities must be undertaken," he said.
The provincial disaster committee chairman and West New Britain provincial administrator Steven Raphael was expected to give a daily update.
West New Britain provincial police commander Thomas Reu said yesterday that a photo was taken of the boat and sent to the PNGIMR and disaster officials in Kimbe.
They confirmed that it was the boat that the five had got on when they went missing in Talasea waters early this month.
The five are team leader Gibson Gideon from Enga, research scientists Leonard Vavana from East New Britain, George Dogoya from Lufa, Eastern Highlands, plus female members Tania Oakiva from Gulf and Lydia Petrus, from Ialibu, Southern Highlands.
Reu said police had not ruled out foul play.
The five scientists and the vessel's crew had planned to travel from Milimata, on the mainland, to the offshore island of Bali on Aug 1.
They never arrived at their destination.
He said search and rescue operations were still going on.
Acting West New Britain disaster director Leo Mampmani confirmed that two bodies – one female and male – had been found but their identities were yet to be verified.
He said it was important to verify the identities of bodies being washed ashore because apart from the five, another seven people had gone missing in West New Britain waters in July and had not been found.
"The bodies resurfacing could be anyone, which is why verification and confirmation by authorities must be undertaken," he said.
The provincial disaster committee chairman and West New Britain provincial administrator Steven Raphael was expected to give a daily update.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Bulolo Show on next month
By RIGGO NANGAN
THE new location of the flood-devastated sub-district headquarter of Mumeng , which is at the Zenag chicken farm land area in Bulolo district, will be the centre of attraction when the six local level governments (LLG) in the district will stage a cultural show during the Independence weekend next month.
A committee has been set in place to organise the show which is expected to lure cultural groups from as far as Waria LLG and the neighboring Menyamya district, who will be participating to show their culture.
The Buang yam culture will be one of several other cultures from the district that will be exhibited. Traditional string bands without the use of musical instruments like the factory -amde guitars and ukuleles, should astonish everyone.
On the commercial side of things, one of the highlights, if all goes well, will be a cross country motor cycle jaunt that will see riders taking off from Lae through the unattended short cut road to Buang from the turn off at Gabensis village.
Organising committee chairman, Stanley Komuts, says companies operating within the district as well as Lae, have been given the opportunity to display their products if they so wish.
Komuts said the formal Independence activities will held on Independence Day , which is Friday , September 16 while Saturday and Sunday will be occupied with cultural show exhibitions and the presentation on Sunday afternoon.
He said gates will be free of charge and every cultural group, string bands and singsing groups will be rewarded for taking part.
The Bulolo cultural show, if successful, will become an annual event in the district in the years to come.
O’Neill appeals to Sepiks
The call was made by O'Neill and senior ministers of his government when he made his first trip to Mendi last Thursday and again in his native Pangia when he visited on Saturday.
Capacity crowds at both locations were told that no law was broken in the election of the prime minister but specific reasons given could not be reported as the matter was pending in the Supreme Court and would be heard on Wednesday.
While former prime minister Sir Michael Somare was praised and wished speedy recovery, son and former public enterprises minister Arthur Somare was singled out for the alleged wrongs of the former government.
O'Neill said in Mendi: "I appeal to those who are bringing this matter to court. I know Arthur Somare wants to be prime minister but he must get the people's mandate first.
"In 2012, the people will let us know if they want Arthur Somare to be prime minister.
"Many of us gave his father respect. He must return that respect.
"I appeal to Wararu (East Sepik governor). I appeal to Arthur Somare. Withdraw this case."
Similar calls were made by Treasurer Don Polye, Works and Transport Minister Francis Awesa and National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop.
Parkop said eminent lawyers in the current government had given the issue and the law much scrutiny before the meeting on Aug 2 where parliament voted convincingly to remove the former government.
He said: "We used the procedure of parliament. The position of the prime minister is not the property of a family or district or province.
"We have the people's power to change the government. Why go to court?
"If they win in court, they do not have the mandate. We will paralyse them."
All speakers spoke generally of the concentration of power in the hands of a few, namely Sir Michael, his son Arthur and a few ministers who were also accused of failing to stay the advance of corruption in high places.
These were offered as the main reason for the huge move against the former government.
Polye said: "Corruption was growing. They were not listening to sound advice.
"They sacked good leaders and held on to corrupt leaders. Business of parliament stagnated. Debate on issues was gagged. That is not democracy."
Health Minister Jamie Maxtone-Graham said: "Decisions were dictated and bulldozed down our throats. Arthur Somare used the position of his father to dictate to us.
"There was too much concentration of power in one family."
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