More buai pekpek (betelnut shit) on the streets of Port Moresby

More filth on the streets of Port Moresby - mainly induced by buai (betelnut) - today.-Pictures@MALUM NALU
 

I really admired these women I came across this morning selling coconut brooms. There are a million and one ways of making a honest buck, if only people use their innovation, instead of selling buai (betel nut). Buai selling is for lazy, filthy people!

More buai pekpek outside Mobil Service Station, Waigani!

This fella was selling soft drinks right next to a big pile of buai pekpek (shit) outside BSP Waigani this morning! The informal sector has got so much potential if only it could "clean" up its act!

Feel like taking a jump into this heap outside BSP Waigani this morning?

The rubbish drum outside our infamous rubbish pile at BSP, Waigani, was tilted over some time last night or in the early hours and this is how it looked this morning! Welcome to Port Moresby!

bemobile bus stop, Waigani, this morning!

This is the normal fix for our PNG junkies 24/7, a huge liability in lost working hours for both their employer and the country as a whole!

Do you think this should be allowed on the streets of Port Moresby?

Buai pekpek (shit) in Port Moresby

Starting today, I'm going to start posting pictures of the mess Port Moresby has become because of buai (betelnut) chewing.

Buai spitting and skins have turned Port Moresby into arguably one of the filthiest capital cities in the world.

Buai, needless to say, has become more of a liability than an asset and there must be control of its selling and chewing.

Another week in Port Moresby, more pekpek on the streets!

Welcome to Bank of South Pacific, Waigani!

I would rather see more of these fresh fruit markets on the streets of Port Moresby than that fillthy buai and cigarettes! Tis a lot more healthier as well! Walking out of BSP Waigani, I decided to have lunch of cucumber, guavas and peanuts for a change from fast food! Can you note the difference from a buai market?

Porgera mine recommences operations

Open pit mining activities at the Porgera gold mine in Enga province recommenced over the weekend following a temporary halt to mining late last week after a large number of illegal miners entered the open pit and attacked mine workers and equipment in the early hours of Thursday, March 29. 

Mine managers at the Porgera Joint Venture report that the mine has been relying on the use of ore stockpiles to maintain uninterrupted production as mining activities resume in planned stages.

One employee was injured last Thursday after being struck with a bush knife and three others were held and threatened by the trespassers before being released hours later.

The mine reports that workers had been removed from the open pit area each evening since Thursday as a safety precaution.

PJV confirmed that the intruders damaged a large earthmoving machine, stole solar panels from the open pit high precision platform, destroyed one Toyota Landcruiser and damaged four others, and damaged portable lighting equipment.

PJV is still confirming the likely costs of the event, which will include the cost of repairs or replacement of damaged equipment and medical treatment for employees assaulted by the intruders.

Mine general manager,  Greg Walker, said today (Monday) that while mining activities had resumed, the mine remained concerned at the deterioration of law and order in the Porgera Valley, and the possibility of a repeat event.

“We are concerned that when you have a sizeable group of people in the community who feel that they can act outside of the law for their own self interest, these kinds of events can occur again,” Walker said.

“We have seen a pattern in unlawful behaviour impacting our business over some time - this latest event, while very serious, is just another part of that pattern”.

“We are encouraged by the recent government announcements condemning the acts of those involved and the government’s commitment to act quickly to address this type of lawless behaviour.”

UPNG students told of ‘new-found optimism’

The US$15 billion PNG LNG project and the current resources boom offers “new-found optimism” for the country, graduating University of PNG students have been told.

UPNG students at last Friday’s graduation.-Picture by JAGEN NALU

Business Council of PNG president, Ernie Gangloff, told the 57th UPNG graduation last Friday that the LNG project, new mines and increasing capacity in several mines would change the face of PNG.

 “After a decade of near‐stagnation, a new found optimism has emerged with the commencement of

the US$15 billion PNG LNG project,” he said.

 “Even at the height of the global financial crisis, PNG’s economic growth never fell below 4%.

 “The LNG project is the largest single construction project in the region at present and the largest-ever relative to the PNG economy where GDP is expected to double.

 “This project alone will change the face of PNG, but what about the rest?

•           A second LNG project is planned with an estimated cost of US$10bn;

•           At least five new mines; and

•           Increased capacity in several existing mines.

“The numbers are huge and the transformation impact on the country is too big to properly imagine.”

 Gangloff told the students that the single biggest challenge for PNG was how to manage the expected boom in the PNG economy, and challenged them if they were ready to play their part.

 “We need qualified people in all sectors but more importantly, we need qualified people who can think outside the box,” he said.

 “We need people who are capable of mixing it with international best practice but also to look critically at current processes and ask ‘how can I make it better?

 “We need innovative leaders.

 “This will take time to accomplish but the process for you must start now.

 “This institution has taught you not just your professional skills but how to learn, the latter is relevant if one is to become innovative. “

Gangloff told the students that they were recognised by employers if they could add value to the organisation.

 “Employers in PNG recognise that you are the future of this country and as a young country, we have to build our road map,” he said.

 “ There is no template for sustainable development, we are unique, our customs are unique, our solutions have to be developed from a blank sheet, yes we are able to draw on examples from other developing and developed countries but ultimately what works for PNG must be home grown.

 “This can be achieved if we adopt a ‘can do’ attitude and think innovation.

 “You will all have been through multiple interviews and job offers.

 “Employers acknowledge your qualification.

 That gets you on the interview short list as they look for the graduate with the potential to add value to their organisation.

 “They are looking for someone who can build a long-term career.”

PNG government fails to have leader case reheard

By Eoin Blackwell

AAP Papua New Guinea Correspondent

The government of Papua New Guinea has failed in a bid to have last year's constitutional case about who is the country's legitimate leader reheard, after a judge said allowing it would sanction "legislation by surprise and ambush".

However, the court has yet to decide on whether the nation's chief justice, Sir Salamo Injia, and justice Nicholas Kerriwom should step aside amid allegations of bias against the government.

In what was supposed to be the first day of hearings into the legality of parliamentary decisions since the government of Peter O'Neill took office, lawyers instead revisited old ground on Monday.

Government lawyers argued to have the 2011 case be reheard because parliament passed laws disqualifying former prime minister Sir Michael Somare from parliament.

The laws passed three days before the court handed down its December 12 judgment that Sir Michael was unconstitutionally deposed from office and was still PNG's legitimate prime minister.

The same five-man bench who ruled against the O'Neill government in 2011 also opposed the latest move.

"We are of the unanimous view that there is no need for a separate application at this late juncture," Justice Bernard Sakora said in reading out the judgment.

"To do so would sanction legislation by surprise and ambush."

Following a brief adjournment, lawyers for Mr O'Neill applied to have Justice Nicholas Kerriwom removed from hearing the current case due to a perceived apprehension of bias.

On March 13 a document bearing Justice Kerriwom's signature and calling on judges to defend themselves against attacks from the O'Neill government was leaked online.

The memo, leaked to the blog PNGExposed, calls on the court registrar to take out a full-page advertisement in local newspapers to defend Sir Salamo, whom the government and police have accused of mishandling the funds of a dead judge's estate.

Attorney General Allan Marat's lawyer, Tiffany Twivey, argued that the authenticity of the document was not an issue, only that it bore Justice Kerriwom's signature and had been seen by the public both online and in newspapers.

"The memo is up there and has been commented on by the public," Ms Twivey said.

"There are statements in the memo that if they are true (show an apprehension of bias).

The court will deliver its judgment on Justice Kerriwom at 9.30am AEST on Tuesday, after which government lawyers are expected to attempt to have Sir Salamo step down.

The latest legal waltz is the most recent in repeated moves to have Sir Salamo removed from the court altogether.

The O'Neill government tried three times to have him removed from hearing the 2011 case.

It then tried and failed to have him removed from the bench.

Police arrested him last month on allegations of perverting the course of their investigation into his handling of funds, but the court issued a permanent stay on that case.

The government last month passed the controversial Judicial Conduct Bill 2012, which effectively gives parliament the power to suspend judges.

After public opposition to the bill - which is seen by many as a way of removing Sir Salamo - Mr O'Neill indicated last week his government would consult more widely before implementing it.

Parliament will resume at 2pm (AEST) on Tuesday

Central bank: PNG economy grows strongly in 2011

By MALUM NALU

Papua New Guinea has realised high economic growth rate as measured by the increase in gross domestic product of 8.9%, while inflation for the year was a moderate 6.9%, according to the Bank of PNG, The National reports.

Bank of PNG Governor Loi Bakani, in the bank’s six-monthly monetary policy statement released last Friday, said real GDP growth was expected to remain buoyant in 2012 of around 8%, supported by strong domestic demand, as construction activity for the PNG LNG project peaked, production at Ramu nickel/cobalt mine commenced, other private sector investments came on line, and private spending ensued in the lead-up to the national elections.

Bank of PNG Governor Lo Bakani gives BPNG’s monetary policy statement during breakfast organised by Institute of National Affairs at the Royal Papua Yacht Club last Friday.Picture by MALUM NALU

“All sectors are expected to grow, led by manufacturing, building and construction, and transportation/storage/communication,” Bakani said.

“The bank projects annual headline inflation for 2012 to be around 8%, and both the exclusion-based and trimmed mean measures to be around 7.5%.

“PNG has also experienced significant levels of excess liquidity within the banking system in recent years, which poses a threat to the soundness of the financial system and to macroeconomic stability.

“The main source of liquidity is the foreign exchange reserve build-up, stemming largely from dollar-denominated mineral tax earnings, inflows related to the PNG LNG project and other private foreign direct investments.

“Whilst liquidity does not seem to currently have an impact on inflation via private sector credit, despite strong economic growth, the Bank of PNG is concerned about its potential adverse impact on price stability.”

Bakani said balance of payments recorded a surplus in 2011 and was projected to increase further in 2012.

“This outcome is associated with inflows for the PNG LNG project and high export earnings,” he said.

“At the end of 2012, the gross foreign exchange reserves are projected to be around US$5.087 billion (K10.598 billion), sufficient for 7.6 months of total and 19.9 months of non-mineral import covers.”

Bakani said the increase in international reserves led to growth in the money supply and liquidity.

“The trends in growth of monetary aggregates as experienced in 2011 are expected to continue in 2012,” he said.

“In 2012, broad money supply is expected to increase to increase by 14.8%, driven mainly by an increase in the net foreign assets (NFA) of the banking system.

“Monetary base and private sector credit are expected to grow by 33.2% and 7%, respectively.

“The government projects a balanced budget of K10.5 billion for 2012, with emphasis on key priority areas, consistent with its medium-term plans.

“However, any further increases in government expenditure in relation to the national elections and rapid draw down of trust accounts at the Central Bank would exacerbate the already high levels of liquidity.

“It is therefore important that there is close coordination between fiscal and monetary policy to ensure macroeconomic stability.”

Bakani also spoke about:

• ·         Creation of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) Act of February 2012 in anticipation of sizeable revenue inflows from LNG; and

• ·         The bank maintaining a tight policy stance so inflation was at an acceptable level and stability in the financial system was maintained.

Troops sent to PNG regions

By Eoin Blackwell
AAP Papua New Guinea Correspondent
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has formally announced a troop call-out to the resource rich Hela region of Papua New Guinea amid ongoing disruptions to mining activity.
Troops will be sent to both Enga and Southern Highlands provinces on Monday to bolster a police presence amid ongoing law and order issues.
On Thursday, hundreds of illegal miners reportedly converged on the Polgera gold mine in Enga, threatening and injuring staff and destroying equipment.
Road blocks in the Southern Highland town of Tari have disrupted parts of the massive Exxon-Mobil lead PNG Liquefied Natural Gas project.
The road blocks were set up in the weeks after up to 29 settlers were killed in a landslide at the Tumbi quarry, which Exxon has said it closed months before the accident.
"As a responsible government, we cannot sit back and allow hooligans in our community to threaten and disrupt normalcy, and place vital economic projects at risk," Mr O'Neill said in a statement.
"We must bring these situations under control quickly and reassure our citizen and investment partners of our ability and commitment to addressing law and order issues decisively."
He said Defence Force head, Brigadier General Francis Agwi and senior defence staff left Port Moresby for the Southern Highlands capital of Mendi on Thursday to make a formal assessment of the situation.
No details were provided on the size of the call-out.
Polgera mine manager Greg Walker called on the government to intervene after a pit in the mine was raided by illegal miners - people who break into the mine site and independently mine its gold ore.
"We are calling on them to act swiftly to restore law and order to Porgera," he said on Thursday.
The raiders reportedly captured three staffers, seriously injuring one, and later freed them.