Police to probe wife-bashing claim

POLICE will investigate a complaint by an eight-month pregnant wife of a policeman that he hit her with a piece of timber fracturing her arm and injuring her head, The National reports.
National Capital District/Central assistant commissioner Fred Sheekiot said police were alerted about the matter in a report in The National yesterday and would investigate the officer involved.
“I will do it. Now that you’ve given me the name, I will have the matter investigated,” he said.
Director Internal Affairs Unit Supt Tony Duwang had said earlier he would also follow up on the housewife’s complaint.
The police commissioner’s executive officer Chief Superintendent Andrew Sterns said the police hierarchy did not condone any form of violence against women or children and would continue to work with advocate groups to minimise such violence in society.
“The report in The National newspaper will be investigated like every other complaint brought against members of the constabulary, and the policeman referred to in this report will face normal criminal or disciplinary action,” Stern said.
The housewife said she was assaulted after she found out he was having an extra-marital affair. She was sporting a broken right arm and wore a cap to hide to hide a 2cm cut on her head.
The woman, who said she was expecting twins, said it was the third time she had been assaulted by her husband since they married last year. She said she reported her second beating to the police but no action was taken against him.
“He would drink, woma­nise and then come home and beat me up, blaming me for little things such as not washing his uniforms or cooking.”
The assault has also enraged members of the public.
In one social networking site, a group called “Papua New Guineans against domestic violence” and its 5,000 plus members were disturbed by the news.
One comment pasted by a member of the group on Facebook read: “The whole police force needed to be educated on the rights of citizens and responsibilities of wearing a uniform. If this trend is not dealt with, they (police) will end up killing us all.”
Another commentator wrote: “Abuse by anyone is dreadful, but by a person in the position of community trust, such as police, doctors, teachers and clergy is appalling. Public shaming is a good start.”
Another wrote: “Can you at least get a message to her about the page and tell her she has about 5,000 people who would like to give her a hug and who admire her for speaking out.”
Stern, who has worked as the Commissioner’s executive officer for over 30 years, said the top echelon of the consta­bulary shared the views of concerned individuals and groups who had taken up the fight against violence on women.
Stern said the housewife had a right under the law to pursue criminal charges against her husband and police investigators would treat the case as any other assault complaint.
He however denied that the policeman, a probationary constable, was attached to the Commissioner’s office.
“We don’t have a probationary constable working in the Commissioner’s office and the media should get their facts right before publishing such defamatory stories,” he said.

Polye: It is all hogwash

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

THE government has described as “hogwash and misleading” a claim by the opposition that there has been significant expenditure outside the budget in three months, The National reports.
Treasury and Finance Minister Don Polye assured the nation, the business community and development partners that the budget would be tabled next Tuesday with the sovereign wealth fund legislation.
“There has never been any unlawful and illegal expenditure of whatever amount as claimed by the opposition,” he said.
“We are working within the confines of the Public Finance Management Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, medium-term strategies and Vision 2050.
“The economy is in safe hands and we believe in prudent management.”
Polye dispelled claims that MPs were missing out on what he was disbursing in district services improvement programme funds.
“I look at the check-list and finance those districts that have missed out on funding. This is fair, instead of funding those that have already received their share,” he said.
Polye said the priorities of government were health, education and infrastructure – and that was what the government was paying within the budget.
He said the Finance Department was doing its “normal close of accounts” for this
year’s K9.3 billion appropriate expenditure.
“It is a normal pattern of financial management and accounting undertaken at the end of every fiscal year,” he said.
“These bunch of opposition critics are out of touch with financial management and system of government. They do not seem to understand accounting.
“I suspect they are only misconstruing the facts and deliberately falsifying information to discredit a credible government and hope to influence the decision of the courts on Dec 9.”
Polye said the Finance Department had issued a public notice that the 2011 fiscal year would close on Dec 12.
“Any truth about the government’s management of the economy will be known after the close of books by the end of December.”
He said the final report would be published in the 2011 public accounts report to be tabled in the March session of parliament

Australian firm denies foul play in MVIL’s NSW account

AUSTRALIAN-based financial services provider, Woodlawn Capital Pty Ltd, is disappointed with suggestions that they had acted inappropriately in managing the Motor Vehicles Insurance Ltd (MVIL) funds, The National reports.
It was responding to a statement issued by Minister of Public Enterprises Sir Mekere Morauta on Nov 23 and reported in The National on Nov 24.
Sir Mekere’s statement claimed that funds held in a trust account  by Woodlawn Capital on behalf of MVIL was illegal and its placement in such an account had no proper approvals.
The statement yesterday supposedly released on behalf of both Woodlawn Capital and MVIL was later announced through an e-mail as representing the views of Woodlawn Capital alone.
Sir Mekere said yesterday in a statement that, as far as he was informed, the statement by the companies did not represent the views of MVIL.
“Stop trying to confuse the issue and just bring the money back,” Sir Mekere said.
The company’s statement read: “Statements made by both the Ministry of Public Enterprises and the media report by The National that money has gone missing are completely false, as is any implication that Woodlawn Capital has acted inappropriately or illegally in its dealings with the funds under management it holds under the terms of its investment management agreement with MVIL.
“The directors of Woodlawn Capital Pty Ltd are disappointed by the lack of professionalism and due diligence of the parties who have made these accusations.”
The statement said Woodlawn Capital was an Australian-based financial services company, regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission and was a holder of an Australian Financial Services licence.
Woodlawn Capital is also regulated by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre to comply with anti-money laundering legislation.
MVIL had engaged the company to provide investment management services under a commercial arms-length agreement in 2009.
 The agreement was signed by the MVIL executive management and the board of directors.
 “Any suggestion funds are ‘missing’, ‘siphoned off’ or ‘owned by Woodlawn Capital’ or any other third party is incorrect,” the statement said.
“Investment funds are currently, and have always been, held in a trust account on behalf of and for the benefit of MVIL.
“Woodlawn Capital has at all stages met all reporting requirements both in Australia and to its clients. MVIL is provided with regular reports in relation to the funds under management and MVIL have been issued with independent verification of the funds under management.”
Sir Mekere said MVIL had confirmed to him that it had not authorised the statement released by Woodlawn Capital, purportedly on MVIL’s behalf.

K500 million in state funds misused, claims opposition

lBy ISAAC NICHOLAS

THE national government has blown out about K500 million within three months in unbudgeted funds which will have serious deficit implications, it has been revealed, The National reports.
The figure was released by the opposition in a confidential report which included a print-out of a list of expenditure and payments totalling K439,935,647.07.
But the government yesterday described as “hogwash and misleading” the claim by the opposition that there had been significant expenditure outside the budget in three months (details on page 2).
The report claimed that the handling of the funds was unlawful and expended with non-compliance of the Public Finance Management Act and Appropriation Act.
Some frontline MPs in government were also named as receiving between K5 million and K16 million. A law firm got K18 million.
The report was made in anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling on Dec 9.
It pointed out corrective actions to ensure prudent financial management were maintained by the Department of Finance.
The report said: “The payments are made from accounts receivable notional cash book (consolidated revenue) and used by the current management to draw cheques from unbudgeted claims directed by the minister for finance or acting secretary at their discretion.
“These payments are expenditures incurred not from the lawful budget appropriation, none from any lawfully established trust accounts.
“The gross misuse and misapplying of public funds and drawing from consolidated revenue fund will have serious budget deficit implications and, subsequently, result in a negative cash position and a bank overdraft balance as at the end of the 2011 fiscal year.”
It stated that the 2011 supplementary budget of K600 million had been deposited into various established supplementary trust accounts.
“This will immediately draw down the current Waigani public accounts balance into overdraft balance. The implication will be that government cheques can be dishonoured immediately.
“It will be of serious concern when cheques are dishonoured. The public and private sector will lose confidence in the government for mismanagement of public funds and will reflect negatively on the current government.”
In a media conference, Madang Regional MP Sir Arnold Amet and Wabag MP Sam Abal challenged Sir Mekere Morauta, Bart Philemon and Sir Puka Temu who have been preaching about transparency and good governance to tell everyone whether they knew of what was happening.
The conference was also attended by parliamentarians Sani Rambi, Philip Kikala, Francis Potape and Tony Aimo. They gave copies of the report with expenditure details to the media.
Abal said they had evidence to prove that the treasurer had used his powers to approve 210 project funds totalling almost K500 million which, he said, was gross mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds and the PFMA.
He said the highlands region received the bulk with K168 million, Momase got K99 million, Islands region received K98 million and Southern K63 million.
Of the amount, all but four provinces and 24 open electorates completely missed out.
Abal said more interestingly, the frontline of the purported government benefited with Speaker Jeffery Nape receiving K15 million, Don Polye K12 million, Belden Namah K16 million, Peter O’Neill K14 million, East New Britain provincial government K10 million, Sir Puka K5 million, Dr Bob Danaya K6 million and Young and Williams Lawyers K18 million.
Sir Arnold said the 2012 budget, yet to be handed down, should be a balanced budget but the people now knew that this government, since it took office, had been plundering Finance and Treasury.
“These are excessive hand-outs to individual members of parliament and ministers to keep their support. The 2012 budget will run into a deficit once it is handed down.”

SIR MEKERE: Woodlawn Capital statement a fabrication

Minister for Public Enterprises, Sir Mekere Morauta, said Motor Vehicle Insurance Ltd had confirmed to him that it had not authorised the statement released by Woodlawn Capital today, purportedly on MVIL’s behalf.

“The statement is a fabrication,” he said.

“MVIL confirmed to me that it had not approved its release.

“It also omits one central fact: the transaction was illegal because MVIL did not obtain any of the approvals it was required by law to get before proceeding.

“Stop trying to confuse the issue and just bring the money back.”

Towards improved information and knowledge management in agriculture

By JAMES LARAKI of NARI

Group photo of the workshop participants at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi

 

LAST week experts from the Pacific region on information and communication, agricultural extension, and information management gathered in Nadi, Fiji, for a workshop on information and knowledge management (IKM) for agricultural development.

The workshop ‘moving beyond strategy to improve information and knowledge management for agricultural development in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs)’ was to consider new dimensions in IKM and how they could benefit the pacific region.

It was aimed at assisting the PICTs in making efficient and effective use of information resources, as today’s agricultural innovations are becoming increasingly market-linked and as such will require new approaches and tools.

The forum also explored new technologies and opportunities to disseminate timely, accurate and up-to-date information on agricultural production, pest management and marketing to farmers and communities, supplementing existing agricultural extension strategies and networks. 

The workshop was part of an effort by regional and international organizations including Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, Global Fund Agricultural Research (GFAR), Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) to assist PICTs on effective IKM to meet current and emerging challenges in agricultural development.

These organisations are focusing on the need to implement effective IKM and information and communication (ICM) strategies to address the challenges facing the agriculture sector. 

It is part of their efforts to assist PICTs to develop strategies relevant for the development stage of member countries, depending on their respective needs and constraints. 

It enabled participants to put together ideas and share their experiences on IKM of their respective organisations and countries to devise the way forward collective for agricultural development.

Such forums are essential for us to discuss and offer recommendations on how we can improve our IKM efforts to meet current and emerging challenges to agricultural development through partnerships locally, regionally and with the global community.

It was very timely, given the many challenges that the agriculture sector faces, especially those concerning food security and livelihoods, and impact of climate change induced stresses.

The workshop was a step towards promoting greater involvement and participation of organisations and institutions in the global movement with the coherence in information for agriculture research for development (CIARD) and to promote openness in information and communication management (ICM) models.

New knowledge based on innovative ideas and research is crucial for agricultural and rural development.

But, we should also note that for these innovations to have any impact at the community level, they need to be communicated effectively. 

Many efforts are being made on this front and the use of new tools and systems of information and communication technology (ICT) are becoming essential in the development process.

While ICT is a useful tool, it is also a challenge in the pPcific region. 

The small farm sizes, scattered nature and remoteness of farms, infrastructure, adapting to climate, and loss of biodiversity add further challenges.

International partners such as FAO, GFAR, APAARI and CTA are also aware that inappropriate policies and weak institutional capacity in the public and private sector is limiting the use of ICT tools for effective dissemination of agricultural innovations to the farming community.

Investment of in information and communication is also overlooked in the pacific countries, while ICT tools can facilitate delivery of information to rural communities. With lack of investment and other constraints, information providers in the region are having difficulty in understanding the needs of users and their relevance, type of information required by different user groups, the format required and appropriate ICT tool to use for maximum impact and desired outcome.

It is for these reasons that the workshop has tried to identify appropriate solutions to these constraints. 

We have to be a little more innovative and take steps to mix traditional approaches with modern tools, doing what we can within our means. 

International partners are willing to work with us in promoting and sharing experiences of other countries in the Asia-Pacific region on good practices on agriculture supported by ICT tools.

Mobile telephone has been a huge success in PNG since 2005 when new mobile phone company, Digicel was officially launched to compete with state-owned bemobile.

This success is also benefiting the farming communities through the mobile market information for fresh produce growers from Fresh Produce Development Agency in partnership with Digicel, a pilot project supported by AusAID.

This and many other innovative initiatives using mobile phone technologies and other emerging tools should be explored. 

The workshop was in a way trying to facilitate stronger partnership and share our experience with organisations within the region and globally in the area of information and communication for development.

We hope that such forums will be a means for improved awareness on new dimensions in IKM for agricultural research for development and strengthened information sharing and networking. 

The partnerships established regionally and international will go a long way in improving IKM in the region and contribute effectively towards agricultural development.

Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation prepares for World AIDS Day with the aim of “Getting to Zero”

By Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation

With this year’s World AIDS Day theme “Getting to Zero, Zero new HIV infections, Zero Discrimination, and Zero related AIDS deaths,” the Pacific region will be joining international communities to commemorate and promote the message of getting to zero with major events and activities in respective countries.

 UNAIDS has decided that for December 1,  2011,  right up until 2015 it’s envisioned that different regions and groups will each year choose one or all of the zeros that best addresses their situation.

 Preparations for the World AIDS Day (WAD) in the region have commenced and the Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF) together with its partners will be commemorating the day in Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands on the December 1. 

 Some of the Pacific Island countries have focused on one of the three zeros as their main theme in which they plan to carryout awareness raising activities for this year while others have integrated the overall theme in their activities and PIAF together with its partners have committed their support.

 PIAF has joined in the preparations in the Cook Islands with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to create awareness on Volunteer Confidentiality Counseling and Testing (VCCT) through the local media.

 PIAF’s positive community programme coordinator, Temo Sasau, says there are a lot of planned lead up events to December 1 and PIAF will link up with its trained AIDS Ambassadors in respective countries in the region.

 Sasau said Fiji had focused on “Zero Discrimination” as its main theme for this year, and most of the activities wiould heavily promote zero discrimination in all forms against PLHIV and those affected by HIV and AIDS. 

He is also expected in Tonga to participate with WAD activities which have already commenced with the 16 Days of Human Rights Activism. 

 Moreover, from the 10 goals set by UNAIDS on this year’s WAD theme, PIAF continues to strengthen the Regional HIV Response through its legal programme by fast tracking respective legislative responses in the region. 

 2011 has been a year that PIAF has partnered with respective governments and national AIDS councils in the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, and Kiribati to have policies and legislations on HIV enacted.

 The programme has taken a legal and rights-based approach that acknowledges the central role of PLHIV based on the notion that positive people are the most-effective tool in HIV prevention; the legal response is one of the most effective responses to HIV; and the evidence based human rights approach to HIV is the most effective response to HIV.

 The legal programme sets out national and regional legal obligations, and marks out the path to getting to zero by having legislations in place which oblige leaders to respond better to HIV.