Utula Samana walked the talk

By ADAM VAI DELANEY

The late Utula Samana (right) with Adam Vai Delaney (centre) and another PNG staffer at the United Nations

It was a freezing January day in Amman, capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The late Utula Samana and I had our business suits pulled over heavy, woolen jumpers. Samana suggested that we visit the place where Jesus Christ was baptised by John, according to the New Testament Bible. As a devout Christian, Samana desperately wanted to use the opportunity to take photographic evidence to show his family and friends that he had stood where one of the greatest events of mankind occurred centuries ago. A picture would speak a thousand words. It was perfectly apt, that whilst in Jordan and with some free time, that we try to achieve this personal ‘pilgrimage.’

 It was year 1996, and we had just ended the final session of the Asian Group Ministerial Meeting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Samana was about a year into his term as PNG’s Permanent Representative (Ambassador) to the United Nations (UN). In Jordan, he was Head of Delegation and I was his sole Adviser, as PNG had decided not to send delegates from Port Moresby to the Conference. With no other Pacific delegates in attendance, we ‘flew the flag’ on behalf of PNG and for the Pacific region amongst our more influential, and large Asian partners.

 The security personal assigned to us was a very senior ranked Jordanian soldier. After short discussion about our plan, he was more than happy to drive us to the Jordan River and then to the city of Eilat in Al Aqaba, near the Gulf of Aqaba, where Jordan shares an active border with the State of Israel and Egypt. It is about 50km from the border with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 When we arrived at the riverbank, Samana stared in awe. Enthusiasm. Finally, he was at the banks of the Jordan River, seeing the sacred water that he had heard about in childhood stories at ‘Sunday School.’ He photographed the river and the banana plants and said to me that he wanted pictures to show ‘our people’ that here, in this land, unlike PNG’s fertile soils, people grew bananas. They made good use out of so little. As a grand believer in the power of agriculture, Samana was in Heaven recording his evidence.

 The ‘Star of David’ fluttered from a visible security-post across the opposite side of the river. With our security-guide close-by, we walked onto the King Hussein Bridge and headed towards the middle of the structure facing the occupied area of Jericho. As Samana and I took more photos from the bridge, a female soldier of the Israeli Defence Force, fully armed, approached us. She spoke in Arabic, waving her hands asking that Samana to stop taking pictures of the river. She seemed unhappy and we were bemused. Our Jordanian Guide then explained to her who we were, and what our interest was in the area. It was a rapid moment of uncertainty and must have been odd for the IDF soldier to see two men in suits taking ‘touristy’ photographs at a common border and that Samana, looking like a Nigerian with his clean, shaved face, and dark skin complexion, and I passing as a Palestinian, with my light brown complexion and a face covered with hair! Appreciating the sensitivity of the area, our security asked that we stop somewhere close to the middle of the bridge and put our cameras away. Another step and we would have been in Israeli side of the river. The two soldiers exchanged a few words and I said to Samana that the IDF was sensitive to anyone taking pictures near their border. She came closer waving frantically as we put our cameras away. We then observed the friendly dialogue in Arabic. With respect, we agreed and returned to our car. Seeking more reassurance, Samana asked our guide again if we were standing above the Jordan River. The guide nodded, but didn’t say a word. The IDF solider returned back to her post.

 Back in the car, Samana gave a short laugh and shook his head as we talked in Tok Pisin. I asked him if he had realised why our security hadn’t replied to him in words about being at the Jordan River. Samana said he hadn’t noticed. I then said that, in this part of the world, names of places, including Rivers, can differ, depending on which side of geo-politics you sit on. Hence, our Jordanian soldier felt that a nod and silence, was perhaps a good answer to his question, in the presence of an IDF soldier.

 Samana had his pictures. We drove off towards the Dead Sea then to Petra and Eilat. Sadly, it was to our last trip together.

 I was deeply saddened to hear of Samana’s passing. Most Papua New Guineans will identify with him as a ‘fire-brand politician” – a cliché description I guess that comes from his colleagues and the media describing his way of campaigning and addressing national issues. The other side of Samana, far removed from politics and fighting injustice, was a hospitable, friendly statesman, a superb debater and a wonderful listener. I remember well the many dinners that he and Fungke hosted at the official residence in Scarsdale, New York, where his children, friends and close guests could freely express their views on current affairs and recall stories. It was a remarkable ‘family’ discussion marked by civility and maturity. Samana would often prod and play the Devil’s Advocate. He loved deep, intellectual challenges but never shied away from new ideas.

When he arrived at the United Nations, as PNG’s Permanent Representative, Samana quickly applied his reputation and a unique style to take on international politics. He built strong friendships with the solid foundation that had earlier been laid by his predecessor, the late Renagi Renagi Lohia. Samana carried forward the mantle that Renagi had carried, including causes for the Kanaks of New Caledonia, Tokelau, Falklands and East Timor as Chairman of the UN Committee responsible for the remaining remnants of ‘colonialism’- known as the ‘C24.’ Samana also headed the PNG delegation to the ground-breaking Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt. In this role, he chaired the Pacific Islands Forum Group and helped that caucus weave through the global, political labyrinth to get the Pacific’s voice heard. Samana’s exceptional, political intuition also played an active role in the hand-over of the Chairmanship of the Alliance of Small Island States from Trinidad and Tobago to Samoa.

 Much of his time though was occupied explaining PNG’s position and developments to members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the sensitive issue of the Bougainville Peace Process. I recall several, impressive high-level meetings that we had with the Russian Federation at the Russian Mission to the UN when it held the rotating Chairmanship of the UNSC. It was his ability to articulate PNG’s position that enhanced his relationships with key allies from both the developed and the developing countries, including the Permanent Five of the UNSC. Samana was a master deal-maker.

 He was an inspirational leader and stood his ground when it mattered for PNG. He loved to see young PNGeans take on challenges and true to his confidence in his team, he would often delegate tasks. He wasn’t a glory hunter. I recall his decision to send me to support then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kilroy Genia, at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. Our participation at that meeting was a watershed moment in the UN’s disposition of the issue on Bougainville

 Samana was great at stepping into an opportunity. One of his coy, yet clever achievements, which he would fondly tell afterwards, was participating at the once-in-a-lifetime photographic event of all the Heads of Governments during the UN’s 50^th Anniversary celebrations. As the PNG Head of Delegation, and unbeknown to the organisers, he was ushered in to stand in the spot reserved for the PNG Prime Minister. At that time, the PNG Prime Minister or the Governor General, had not made it to the event. When the organisers discovered that it was an Ambassador and not a Head of Government that was standing in the spot, it was too late. Samana now stood amongst many of the world’s greatest, including Nelson Mandela, and he had the photograph to prove it!

 Despite him seemingly enjoying the glitz and stress of international politics, diplomacy was not his calling. He wanted something more tangible; less talk, more action. Cutting short his UN term, he and his family then returned to PNG. It was a very rare moment to see Samana with tears in is eyes.

 Back at home, he was much happier being closer to his people in Morobe Province and, as doing best at what he loved doing - walking the talk. His personal goal was to re-enter National Parliament and it must have been a dire, spiritual battle when he didn’t get his people’s blessing for this at the last elections.

 I know that my colleagues that also served him at the PNG Mission to the UN during his term, including Ambassador Max Rai and Kappa Yarka, would agree with me that it was truly a blessing and an honour to work with Samana. PNG has lost a great nationalist and we will miss him. May he Rest in Peace. He now goes to see the Christ that was baptised in the Jordan River.

Adam Vai Delaney was First Secretary to the PNG Mission to the UN. He now works as a Consultant.

Pictures of the launching of Sir Puka Temu's new 'Our Development Party'

Sir Puka Temu (second from left) and New Generation Party leader Bart Philemon with supporters at the launch of Our Development Party at Sir John Guise indoor stadium, Saturday, October 8, 2011.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

Maopa village dancers

Huli wigmen dancers

Bougainville bamboo band

Huge crowd at the Sir John Guise Stadium indoor complex

Viriolo village dancers

Telefomin dancers with their famous penis gourds

A touch of Pacific from Viriolo village girls

Maopa village dancers

Cabinet affirms partnership policy

THE National Executive Council has agreed to continue the public-private partnership policy to assist the country's infrastructure projects, The National reports.
Minister for Works and Transport Francis Awesa said the government had accepted the policy to implement its key infrastructure projects.
He said the government saw the partnership procurement methods as best for the Department of Transport, Works and the National Road Authority.
He said the Lae and Highlands highways, Gulf-Southern Highlands Highway and the Paia wharf would be among the first projects to be implemented.
He said the first part of the Lae-Highlands highway project from Lae wharf to Nadzab would proceed with a four-lane road construction costing about K4 billion.
In addition, the K2 billion Gulf-Southern Highlands Highway and the Kikori seaport development would come under the project.
He said infrastructures such as roads, airports and seaports were important catalyst to the economic growth of any country.

Kapris tells critic to run for election next year

MAPRIK MP Gabriel Kapris has called on public servants wishing to contest the next general election to resign from their jobs instead of issuing misleading media statements against politicians, The National reports.
Kapris said this in response to Simon Kwingu, of Lae, who was critical of Kapris and his People's Action Party's move to join government and his involvement in controversial projects like the casino hotel in NCD and the PMIZ project in Madang.
Kapris said Kwingu was a teacher at the Balob Teachers College who had contested the Maprik seat in 2002 and lost.
"I challenge him to leave his comfort zone and return to Maprik and challenge me in the 2012 general election," he said.
Kapris called on people who did not know about the marine industrial zone in Madang to shut up.
He said the PMIZ project had so much benefit compared to the LNG project.
He said the PMIZ would make the country the world's major tuna exporter, create 40,000 jobs, help other maritime provinces and create many business opportunities.
"There are issues like landowner benefits and environment issues that the government is managing very well," Kapris said.
Kapris said PAP's move to government was not a mistake.

Probe ordered for Lae roads

By JEFFREY ELAPA

WORKS Minister Francis Awesa has ordered an investigation into the Lae City Council over sub-standard road works carried out there, The National reports.
Awesa has instructed the Department of Works to carry out the investigation before releasing the next K100 million for road repairs in the city.
"If we find out that (the money) was misused, then, we will not release the next K100 million until things are cleared," he said.
Awesa, who has a background in the construction industry, said many small companies were not delivering projects as required.
"The standards are low and is not worth the value of the money spent," he said.
Awesa claimed that the K100 million road development in Lae was wasted and that the government "will now look into the use of the funds".
Awesa said before releasing the next K100 million allocated from the supplementary budget, the Department of Works, which was never involved in the project, "will carry out the investigation".
"The K100 million has done nothing. The quality and the work done were poor and we need to find out how the funds were used before we release the other K100 million."
He said this when announcing a National Executive Council decision to continue the public-private partnership policy to enable the implementation of the country's most needy infrastructure.
The partnership procurement method is seen as the best method the Department of Transport, Works and National Road Authority will apply to implement the government's nominated high impact national interest infrastructure projects in the country.
Awesa said the Lae city roads and the wharf were important
national government impact projects and the quality of work must be considered by the constructors.
He said the investigation was part of the government's move to fight corruption, including misappropriation and mismanagement of funds and resources.

Utula Samana farewelled in Port Moresby

By MALUM NALU

Firebrand former Morobe Premier Utula Samana was farewelled at a moving funeral service at the Sione Kami Memorial Church in Port Moresby yesterday.

Utula Samana's casket is hoisted by military pallbearers after the service.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

Samana, 64, also a former Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and PNG Ambassador to the United Nations, was remembered by among others, Prime Minister's chief-of-staff Ben Michah, NCD Governor Powes Parkop, his deputy at the UN Max Rai, and former DAL Secretary Ted Sitapai.

Rev Qogi Zongorrenr, Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG Papua Region Bishop (left) and preacher Rev Taiye Zawia lead the funeral possession

Rai and Sitapai said Samana achieved much more for Papua New Guinea than what many people gave him credit for, including chairing many committees at UN level, and fighting for the development of agriculture.

Michah, in his obituary, talked about a student protest at the University of Technology outside Lae in 1983 over the suspension of Morobe academic Jonathan Soten.

Tears fall for Utula Samana

Police were about to move in and arrest all ringleaders, Micah being main culprint, as the then Student Representative Council president.

Samana suddenly drove in and ordered the withdrawal of police.

Mourners line up

"His action on that day was a mesmerising introduction for me to the persona, character and leadership of Utula Utuoc Samana," Michah said.

"That day defined and established a relationship that developed into a close friendship that lasted 28 years up to the early hours of Sunday, Oct 2, 2011.

Final viewing of body

"During most of that period, I came to intimately know and understand some of the character traits that made Utula who he was and the great leader the people of Morobe, Papua New Guinea and even the world has come to know.

"He was an intellectual who could translate knowledge into concepts, devise plans and develop practical steps for introduction.

Mourners paying their last respects

"His depth of knowledge in diverse subjects such as politics, religion, law, agriculture, sociology, anthropology, administration and the list goes on was amazing.

"Many times we would debate for hours on how the thoughts of Vladmir Lenin, Chairman Mao, Ho Chi Min, Fidel Castro or Juliys Nyerere could be integrated into our own brand of Melanesian socialism."

Military guard of honor

Micah said the Biwat people in Lae would remember Samana for rescuing them when PNG Readymix was about to bulldoze their homes into the Bumbu River.

When the Bumbu River burst its banks in 1983, it was Samana who sought the help of the PNG Defence Force, and built what has become known as 'Tent City'.

Micah said Samana mellowed somewhat after losing the Morobe provincial seat to arch rival, Jerry Nalau, in the 1992 elections.

"He truly believed that in his lifetime he could politically engineer the transformation of our country from the Third World into a developed nation," he said.

"The voters of Morobe denied him this dream, and to all other citizens, a real opportunity that I can tell you in all great confidence Utula Samana was capable of delivering.

"He always reminded me that if Lee Kuan Yew could do it in Singapore without natural resources, we could do it in no time with our abundance of resources.

"Today, it is with great sadness that we gather to farewell one of the greatest sons of our nation."

Samana's body was flow to Lae today.

Tomorrow, it will be flown to his mother's Nanduo village in Finschhafen, and then on to Bau Village in Morobe Patrol Post.

On Tuesday, the body will lie in the Morobe provincial assembly chamber for leaders to pay their respects and tributes.

On Wednesday, the funeral service will be held at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, before being buried at the Old Lae Airport Cemetery.

Sir Puka Temu launches new political party

By MALUM NALU

Hundreds of people converged on the indoor complex at Sir John Guise Stadium yesterday for the launching of Agriculture and Livestock Minister Sir Puka Temu's brand-new Our Development Party.

Truckloads of villagers from Sir Puka's Abau electorate in Central, a large contingent from Southern Highlands, many more from around the country, as well as invited guests packed the indoor stadium to capacity for the launch.

Unlike other party launchings, which are usually held in restaurants, this one was held in public with no-one paying to attend.

People feasted on taro, bananas, yams, sago, fish and crabs brought especially for the launching of ODP.

Guests included Public Service Minister and Lae MP Bart Philemon representing the government, Treasurer and Kandep MP Don Polye, Koroba-Lake Kopiago MP John Kekeno, senior public servants and members of the business community.

Following the launching by New Generation Party leader, Philemon, donations and pledges totaling almost K500, 000 were made.

Live entertainment was provided by dance groups from Abau, Tari in Southern Highlands, Telefomin in West Sepik and Bougainville.

Sir Puka told a cheering crowd that ODP was ready, willing and able to take on the challenge to build a bigger, better and brighter future for Papua New Guinea.

"Like you all, Our Development Party was established and motivated by our strong belief that our young nation needs visionary, strong and smart leadership if we are to achieve sustainable economic growth and prosperity for every citizen," he said.

"Our vision is to transform our people and our nation by transforming our mindset and attitudes, providing the framework to reform and align our institutions and systems so that all our citizens enjoy the highest quality of life that PNG is offering.

"Currently, our economy is dominated by mining and energy sectors contributing an estimated 80% of our total export revenue.

"We believe the best way to achieve strong and sustainable broad-based economic development for the future is to focus on our strengths, which are our people and our vast renewable resources such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism.

"We will therefore manage and leverage the revenues from the mining and energy sectors to build and develop world-class and internationally-competitive agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism sectors in the future."

Sir Puka said he was the architect and champion of the PNG Vision 2050 and would ensure that this served as a cornerstone for the future.