Madang Info Line

Asian Cheap Labour Tactic at Work - Madang

2013-07-04T23:49:00.000+10:00

By Naith N. Lati

This is Kris from Enga and he is married with 5 children and lived in Madang for more than 10years. He started working with Mamosa Development Ltd (100%Asian Own Company)since 2000 as a shop guard and became one of the utility employee of the company as years passed by. Told me that may have left the company due to poor working terms and conditions of the company but due to his low literacy level being one of the major obstacles to secure a new job, he remained loyal to the company till now. He is the driver, the yard clearer and general labour of Mamosa properties in Madang. I have never discussed with him about his per hour rate and will find out soon as he does more than what is expected and delegated.

One thing that pissed me today and why I interviewed him was, I saw him with bush/grass knives clearing undeveloped land owned by Mamosa. He told me the one man/director/

owner is 'trying to kill me with work'. He has been working on 4x Undeveloped areas covering some hectares with bush/grass knives just cleaning. I saw him working at the undeveloped land at Kupiaru next to 4Square Hostel and stopped by to find out why in the most pressing heat is this highlander doing.
The logical item missing here is so disgusting to comprehend. Its within Madang township and a million Kina company is allowing his employee to sweat in the heat with grass/bush knives. How much does it cost to purchase a petrol powered grass cutter or hire out a tractor/lawn mower to do this work??

I view this as a punishment not an employment and deprivation of rights to work in conducive environment.
Otherwise, this is clear indication of slavery and abuse of our vulnerable people working with Asians in Madang and PNG.

In regards, I will write a letter to the owner of Mamosa Development Ltd to make his work environment conducive by providing him the right tools to work.

SME Summit in Madang a Great Success

2013-07-04T23:44:00.002+10:00

By Christoper Papiali

The SME Summit in Madang was a great success. Many of our Papua New Guineans engaged in SMEs felt it was worth coming. There are an estimate of 66,000 SMEs out of the 7 million people. There have been 23 resolutions passed during this 3 days summit and the Prime Minister received and accepted the resolutions with answers. This government is very serious on SME Sector and Hon. Richard Maru, the champion who is spearheading this drive is in the right direction. In this summit many SMEs called on the government to seriously look at the Reserve Business Activities allocated ONLY for Papua New Guineans and the Prime Minister said his government will revise and revisit each reserved business and announce. The law is already there and we can not wait for another year to revisit this very critical area of business because PNGeans have been derived their opportunities. This summit called for National Content Legislation whereby all resources (renewable and non renewable) should be properly monitored to derive maximum profit and revenue to grow the economy. As discovered the MRDC MD highlighted that currently PNG does not have a specific legislation to control its resources. The PNG LNG project was rushed without identifying maximum benefit that should go towards LOs and the state and the developer will get 99% benefit. In this summit, serious questions were raised regarding the high unemployment rate and the no. of high school leavers, almost 66% not engaged in formal sector and even moving on into high education. There is an urgency to establish Foreign Investment Review Board where all foreign investments should come under the microscope of this board and provide direction on what best investment practice and business plan so that they comply with our laws without any overlapping of business activities. Further, the Minister for Trade and Industry is very optimsitic on establishing SME Development Corporation with a view to establish SME Corporation Act, where the PM should automatically become the Chairman of this council. There is no Social Security System in place where our retired public servants, the elderly and others could get continuous assistance and sustenance from. As shared, this country is experiencing massive economic boom but much of what is taking place is not translating down to the actual living standards of everyone particularly in the rural areas. So the SME sector has to emerge, become so aggressive in keeping our economy balance and move towards attaining robust economy like that of Malaysia and Singapore. Could we wait another year to discuss SME sector? This government can not dump the 23 resolutions reached during this summit and to do so would be a cowardice act and seriously it would be intolerable action that any legitimate government can take. The time has arrived for all SMEs to rise to the occasion and champion the growth of PNG economic sector that should slowly lead to political stability. I am more than confident that one day, all PNGeans will rise to the occasion and claim ownership to their resources so that together we could change the face of this great country.

Govt committed to back SMEs

2013-07-04T18:05:00.001+10:00

Source:

The National, Thursday July 4th, 2013

By GYNNIE KERO in Madang

THE NATIONAL Government will revive the reserve list of businesses for Papua New Guineans to support and grow the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says.
O’Neill made the pledge when addressing more than 400 participants at the closing of the three day SME summit in Madang yesterday.
He said there were several factors such as law and order and infrastructure which affected doing business and growing the country’s SMEs.
“However, the Government is committed to support SMEs.
“We need to take ownership of the issue. We need to participate in SME and grow our economy,” he said.
O’Neill was presented with the Madang declaration and communiqué on the last three days of discussions and recommendations.
Some of these resolutions include the decisions to:

Amend and expand the Reserved Activity List;
Recommend to the Government to develop a National Content Legislation for all sizes and sectors, inclusive of all state sponsored projects, state – joint ventures or State agreements;
Recommend to the Government for business and entrepreneurship skills to be incorporated into the general school curriculum as a core subject such as maths, science and English;
Recommend to the Government to establish training in business and entrepreneurship facilities for school leavers, persons in the SME sector and all other citizens who are not in the formal education system; and
Recommend to the Government to develop and adopt a standardised national diagnostic assessment tool, based on the Malaysian model, for measuring and developing capacity and competency of SMEs.

In responses to the 21 recommendations, O’Neill said “the Government is committed to the changes or reforms happening in the country including the SMEs”.
“We need a change in culture of bureaucracy – your government is behind the SME.
“The Government will revive and expand the reserved activity list within the context of the matrix attached hereto as schedule A in 2013;
He said the National Content Legislation for all sizes and sectors is a good model PNG could adapt and put in review.
Meanwhile, O’Neill said the Government was also concerned about the level of unemployment in the country.
“The Government is concerned on the number of school leavers and by next year, we will make it compulsory for children to attend school from Grades 1-12.”

Apologies

2013-07-04T17:06:00.002+10:00

A long apology to the followers of Madang Info Line. Its been quite some time since its last post. Madang Info Line has been offline due to circumstances beyond. Thus, to the many viewers online looking for latest news stories about Madang and the Momase as well as PNG, Madang Info Line is back ONLINE.. Please visit regularly for latest information and news stories from Madang. We hope to provide you with the best possible news update. Thank you for your time and come here more.

Madang police to be deployed

2012-06-21T15:50:00.003+10:00

By ROSALYN ALBANIEL-EVARA, Post Courier

POLICE personnel in Madang will be deployed into the districts starting this week in preparation for polling and counting the province’s top Superintendent Anthony WAgambie (Jnr) says.
Supt Wagambie said all officers had been slotted into the various districts last week during a briefing and are set to leave this week for the polling stations they have been assigned to.
He said for the 2012 National General Elections they had only been assigned four hire cars and one motorised dinghy in which to carry out their operations. This he said was a big cut to the previous elections but was quick to add that this would in no way hinder him and his officers from ensuring that the elections in the province are “fair, free and safe.”
“…We will do our best to ensure the elections are free, fair and safe for the people of Madang with whatever resources we have,” he said. He said of the four vehicles that had been assigned to police, one would be used by the Rapid Response Unit, the other in the Madang Open electorate while the other two, to Usino/Bundi and Bogia districts. He said Madang police were also expected to take delivery of a boat issued by headquarters adding that this would further boost the work of police not only during the election period but for its normal operations.
He said the boats had already left Port Moresby and are expected in Madang on Tuesday.
The PPC said he was pleased to report that campaigning in the province had been progressing very quietly with no major incidences being reported.
In making these comments he commended all candidates and their campaign managers for this achievement.

Ballot boxes yet to be moved to remote areas

2012-06-21T15:46:00.002+10:00

Source:

The National, Thursday June 21st, 2012

SOME ballot boxes and election materials in Madang are still awaiting transportation by helicopter to the remote polling stations, according to returning officer Adolf Duagha.
Duagha said it would need a miracle to move the materials from Madang to the four LLG areas before polling on Saturday.
The Electoral Commission had signed a K13.7 million contract with Heli-Solutions to transport election materials and officers.
The helicopters were used to transport the election materials to the Middle Ramu area.
Heli-Solutions has hired an five helicopters from an Australian firm.
A company source said the aircraft were currently in Wewak.
It needed the finer details from some of the provinces on where they should be flying.
“Despite the EC saying that they are ready, they are not yet ready, including in Madang,” said the source.
Madang also has a shortage of fixed and rotor wings. Islands Airways, the sole company to charter planes in the Middle Ramu area, is fully booked out.
Duangha said boxes for the four LLGs - Arabaka, Kowon, Simbai and Josephstaal - were going to be a problem as most roads were inaccessible.
“My major problem is Josephstaal. The only airstrip is overgrown and pigs forage there,’’ he said.
“There is no road access despite funding made available last year by the sitting MP Ben Semri. I cannot see any road and will have to depend on choppers..
“It is the middle of the week and I need a miracle.”
Middle Ramu has 30 polling teams: 10 in Arabaka, eight in Josephstaal and six each in Kowon and Simbai.
There are 41 police officers allocated to the area.
Preparations for other districts are on target.
For Raicoast, there are 36 polling teams - seven for Naiudo, Naho Rawa and Astrolobe Bay and 15 for Saidor, the biggest in area.
Returning Officer Jimmy Aspel confirmed that all ballot boxes, fuel and the logistics had been sorted out. But he was not too sure about security arrangements.
“There will be police escorting the boxes to polling stations but whether they will be there depends on if and when their allowances are released.
“We will not wait for them. They will have to catch up”, he said.
For Usino Bundi, returning officer Steven Biko said he was confident of ensuring that the election would be conducted in a free, fair and safe manner.
He said helicopters were needed to move ballot boxes into remote areas of the three LLGs - Gama, Usino and Bundi. 27 polling teams will be on the ground - 15 for Usino and six each for the other two.

Madang officials told they could not vote

2012-06-21T15:45:00.002+10:00

Source:

The National, Thursday June 21st, 2012

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
POLLING officials in Madang were yesterday surprised after being told that they could not vote in the general election.
Madang Open district returning officer James Apimia spilled the bad news to polling officials gathered yesterday at the Yomba Hall.
When asked by one of the officials if they could use postal voting since they would not be at their polling stations, Apimia said the electoral commission had done away with the system.
He said the postal voting system allowed a lot of foul play and double or triple voting and had to be scrapped totally.
“Postal voting is no longer an option considered by the Electoral Commission as previous experience of the misuse of our own privileges was rife,” he said.
Insp Wesley Tetanga, the security commander in charge of the elections, said one only one police officer would be allocated to each polling station.
This is despite the assurance by provincial police commander Anthony Wagambie Jr that police were all set for the elections.
Tetanga could not clarify whether it would affect the 97 locations in the four local level governments.
He said most of the police officers would be deployed to the remote Usino Bundi area.

Building illegal

2012-06-21T15:41:00.000+10:00

By ROSLYN ALBANIEL-EVARA, Post Courier

MADANG’S Director Lands and Physical Planning Francis Irara says the development taking place adjacent to the Kalibobo Lighthouse is illegal.
Authorities from the Madang Urban Local Level Government have also stated likewise and have since issued a stop work notice to the person concerned.
Last week residents were taken aback to see a two-metre picket fence being erected on Section 8, Allotment 14, which is the block of land between the famous Coastwatchers Memorial Lighthouse otherwise known as the Kalibobo Lighthouse and the Governor’s official resident.
The development had caused quite a stir among residents who had demanded to know who was responsible and who had given the person the nod to do so.
Local reporters found out that the person concerned was John Simi a small businessman from the East Sepik province who had claimed the portion of land not to be reserved and that he had obtained it “fair and square”.
Mr Irara when approached to comment on this development also verified that the land not to be reserved but a residential area.
He stated that Mr Simi had gotten the approval for this property from the office of the Secretary of Alienated Land.
He said given its current status anybody could apply for ownership and if provincial authorities wished for it to be made restricted then it would have to apply to have it zoned as such.
“…because this has not happened anyone can own it,” he said.
However, Mr Irara stated the development to be illegal and questioned the permit for development 025/12 that Mr Simi had in his procession to allow him to progress this development.
He said for any development to take place there were processes and documents which had to be produced before this could happen.
Tantamount was the nod from the Lands and Physical Board which had not met yet to approve this development.
He said for Mr Simi to be able to go ahead with this development he would have to produce a copy of the land title to verify him as the legal owner of the property, Physical Planning approval and Building permit.
The latter two he questioned as the board had yet to meet.
Meanwhile officials from MULLG yesterday also confirmed that a notice of stop work had been issued to Mr Simi and will remain until all processes have been complied with.
Meanwhile, Mr Irara also made known yesterday that Madang did not have a Provincial Land Policy.
He said the only policy in place was the National Land Policy.
He said because of this authorities continued to be caught unaware of developments such as the one now being questioned at Kalibobo.

Manam Islanders flee

2012-06-21T15:39:00.001+10:00

By ROSALYN ALBANIEL-EVARA, Post Courier

MORE than 200 Manam Islanders in Madang province have fled to mainland Bogia following increased volcanic activities over the weekend.
Paul Mamburau a councilor from Dugulava said yesterday morning that Manam had been experiencing increased activities resulting in lava flow and heavy ashfall from the volcanoe since last week.
He said the activities had intensified on Friday resulting in the villagers mostly from Waresi and Dugulava leaving the island for fear of their safety.
He said some 400 plus villagers were still on the island awaiting further notice advice from the Rabaul Volcanic Observatory.
He said the islanders who had left the island over the weekend have moved to Potsdam Care Center in the Yawar Local Level Government area. It is understood that the volcanic activities have since receded but that the people have been placed on high alert.
Attempts to talk to disaster officials in Madang were to no avail as most are out on election duties.
Attempts also to speak to RVO in Rabaul were also not successful

O’Neill stole government from Sir Michael Somare, says Agiru

2012-06-08T10:30:00.002+10:00

Source:

The National, Friday 08th June 2012

SOUTHERN Highlands governor Anderson Agiru has told a political rally in Madang that Peter O’Neill and Belden Namah “stole the government from Sir Michael Somare”.
He said they had to breach the constitution to do that and the people must question them for their action.
The leader of the People’s United Assembly was speaking at a rally for his candidate William Banjoe at Laiwaden Oval. His other candidate is Anton Kulit who is contesting the Sumkar open.
Agiru said the actions of the O’Neill-Namah regime to usurp power in Aug 2, 2011, seriously questioned the integrity of their leadership qualities.
He said the people must not believe in their “sugar-coated” policies of free education and free health care which were unsustainable.
“Nothing is free in this world. We introduced subsidised education in Southern Highlands when I first came to office in 1997,’’ he said.
“But we stopped it.
“Parents became lazy and children did not perform in schools.”
Agiru said although O’Neill was a fellow Southern Highlander, “I did not support him because they broke the constitution”.
“In my life, I fear two things: one is the constitution and the other is God,” Agiru said.
He said because of the politics, “Southern Highlands leaders are divided and Hela leaders are divided”.

Vote along party lines, says Amet

2012-06-08T10:29:00.000+10:00

Source:

The National, Friday 08th June 2012

MADANG regional MP Sir Arnold Amet said it was important to vote for candidates along party lines.
“Voting along party lines is important as it is the parties that will form the government,” he said.
“Election is a fight to form government.”
He told a Sepik community at the Biliau Maus settlement that they must not vote for leaders who would go into parliament to make bad decisions affecting the constitution and the people.
He said to vote for them would be a “moral sin”.
He said people should elect leaders of political parties who would stand firm to defend the constitution which protected the rights of people.
He said people should refrain from voting for those who behave like “yoyos” and jump from one party to another.
People appreciated what he said and vowed to support the National Alliance Party return to power as the current government was using heavy-handed tactics to suppress those upholding the constitution.

PNG Job Connect launches Simon Sia Election Website

2012-05-31T14:11:00.000+10:00

With PNG's election drawing nearer and nearer, nominated candidates have been trying their best in displaying their capability in marketing their leadership to the people for the delivering much needed services.

One such candidate is a long time resident of Goroka, owner of Bintangor Group of Companies and proud sponsor to the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, Mr Simon Sia.

He is vying for the Eastern Highlands Regional seat and has contracted a local website developer (Mr Stanley Aisi - founder of PNG Job Connect - http://pngjobconnect.com) here in Madang who has developed his website (http://www.simonsia.com) in the publication of his policies.

Such campaign strategies including the Print Media is one that is being used by many other Candidates in this year's general elections.

Brief history of Simon Sia

The franchise owner of the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, Simon Sia, is running for the Office of the Governor of Eastern Highlands Province (E.H.P.).
Please take a moment to go through his site and learn about what he will do for E.H.P. when elected.
Simon Sia is a long time resident of Goroka, E.H.P and a proud citizen of Papua New Guinea. He runs several successful businesses, including Bintangor Supermarket, Bintangor Wholesale, Bintangor Bakery, and Mandarin Restaurant.
He is a long time Sponsor of the BeMobile Cup and Digicel Cup champions, the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis. He also supports numerous other sports, charities such as the Red Cross, and development projects across E.H.P.
Simon is committed to working with the people, Open Members, and stakeholders to improve E.H.P.

Some of his policies in Brief are as follows;

MAJOR TOWNSHIP
• Focus on law and order (more support for police, village courts, as well as the law and justice sector)
•Youth development and training (job creation, sports, and vocational training)
• Infrastructure development (improved water supply, street lighting, more consistent power supply)
• Main market improvement (paving, installation of tables and covered areas)
• Improvement of public facilities and services (rubbish collection, upgrading of parks and gardens)

EDUCATION
• Extension of free education up to grade 12
• Provide subsidy for E.H.P. students attending tertiary institutions
• Recruitment of new teaching staff to improve studentteacher ratio
• More classrooms and teaching facilities to reduce class sizes
• More funding for better resources in schools (textbooks, teaching materials, science labs, computers)
• Upgrading of school facilities (teachers’ houses, classrooms, equipment)
• Upgrading of sports facilities at schools across E.H.P.
• Equal opportunity for all children to be educated

HEALTH
• Recruitment of Specialist Medical Experts to E.H.P. hospitals, clinics and aid posts (better terms and working conditions for staff)
• Increased funding for rural clinics and aid posts
• Increased funding for new medical equipment at hospitals, clinics and aid posts
• Improved medical services (reduction in waiting time at hospitals, clinics and aid posts; improved availability of
medical personnel)
• Consistent supply of essential drugs /medicines at E.H.P.’s hospitals, clinics and aid posts

ROADS & BRIDGES|
• Upgrading of the Highlands Highway and bridges in E.H.P. (pot hole repair, line painting, signage)
• Extension of roads into rural areas
• Regular upgrading of existing rural roads
• Funding for dedicated E.H.P. road repair personnel and equipment (graders, dump trucks, rollers)
• Road tolls for commercial users of E.H.P.’s roads to fund repairs and maintenance
• Increased road safety (regular highway patrols)

Madang mourns loss of soccer son

2012-04-23T13:59:00.004+10:00

Post Courier

Madang town which is home to thousands of soccer talents is mourning the loss of one of its former top line players.
Madang representative and NSL franchise Madang Fox former striker Richard Lange died yesterday afternoon after he was attacked by armed men in Madang’s North Coast area.
It’s a great loss to for the small town where Lange as a former top striker was yet to impart some of his skills to to the young generation.
Lange, a quiet spoken soccer player was known for his deadly left footer which left many goal keepers stood motion less as the ball whisked past them.
Lange brought much glory to the quiet township as he helped Madang win two Momase Cup titles and one PNGFA Cup in 2003 as it was called back then.
As of last night the news spread like wild fire in the town of Madang as relatives, friends and soccer friends attended the haus krai at Kina Beach to pay their respect.
Lange was attending Diving Word University as a day student.
Lange was one of the pioneer students who were part of the DWU matriculation system where he attended Grade 11 and 12 after finishing from Tusbab High School as it was called back then.
After Grade 12 he went on to complete his Diploma in Business.
He returned to complete his studies and that’s when he met his fate yesterday.
“Poisii” as most of his friends call him is from Bogia, Madang Province.

Madang horror! Two dead after being slashed by criminals

2012-04-23T13:57:00.003+10:00

Post Courier

THE beautiful township of Madang is in mourning today following the brutal killing of two men outside a popular Hotel outside of Madang Town.
The two men died later, while others including Madang’s Provincial Administrator Ben Lange are nursing knife wounds after they were attacked by armed criminals outside Madang town.
The two dead are Mr Lange’s younger sibling Richard and his driver.
Madang Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Anthony Wagambie (Jnr) said the incident happened yesterday afternoon at the Malolo Hotel.
Mr Wagambie said Mr Lange and about five others including his driver and brother had gone to Malolo for a picnic.
He said they were down at the waterfront but from where they were they saw a group of men headed towards his car. He said Mr Lange’s brother and driver had gone to investigate ,when they were attacked by the men numbering more than 10 and who were armed with knives and other weapons.
The two were then ordered down to the beach to where Mr Lange and the rest of his companions were. Mr Wagambie said they were ordered by the thugs to lie on the sand before they searched and stripped them of their valuables before slashing all of them all over their body. The criminals then ordered Mr Lange and his group on their feet and marched them back to the Provincial administrators vehicle where they opened the door and ordered them to lie on top of each other before driving off.
He said the person who was driving the vehicle may have been very inexperienced as he had lost control of the vehicle and it overturned. He said all escaped except one suspect from the scene.
The suspect who was caught had been captured by Mr Lange and a member of the group he was with. The injured men were rushed to Modilon but Mr Lange’s brother Richard died soon after arrival while his driver who was in a critical condition died hours later while the suspect is now behind bars at Jomba Police Cells.
A very irate Wagambie condemned the killings stating them to be “Unwarranted and that done by people I would brand as animals”. He said the loss of two lives and in the manner they died was very unnecessary and police will work to ensure that all those involved are brought in.
He said the incident was especially shocking as it had happened in known picnic spot and one which was known to be safe and frequented by many residents and visitors
He has since called on the community along the north coast to assist police by bringing in the suspects

Children at Kubai recieve Gifts

2012-04-03T15:28:00.002+10:00

The following pictures show the great work of Samaritan's Purse.

Samaritan's Purse is a non-denominational evangelical Christian humanitarian organization that works worldwide to assist people in physical need alongside their Christian missionary work. The organization’s president is Franklin Graham, son of Christian evangelist Billy Graham. The name of the organization is based on the New Testament Parable of the Good Samaritan, in which Jesus uses a parable to teach people the second great commandment - how to "love thy neighbour as thyself".
Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries around the world. International headquarters are in Boone, North Carolina, with additional U.S. facilities in Charlotte and North Wilkesboro, N.C. Affiliate offices are in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Hong Kong, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Field offices are located in some 20 countries across five continents.

The Children at the Christ's Ambassador's (CA) Church, along the Airport Road (Kubai)-Kerema Compound, were very delighted to have received gifts from their friends in New Zealand through Samaritan's Purse. The gifts arrived in containers and were distributed among churches in Papua New Guinea for handing to children. Children from the ages of 15 and below were placed into different age groups (infants, 1-5, 5-10, 10-15) and were given their gifts according to gender.

Pastor Charlie Kubai of Christ's Ambassador's (CA), a part of Save Our Souls (SOS) Ministry, expressed great thanks and gratitude for the gifts donated by other countries. He thanked Samaritan Purse for making the life of small children lighten with smiles and happiness. He praised God for the wonderful relationship and said that children are the future leaders of this nation and taking this gifts, parents must continue to bring their children to receive the word of God.

Police assault road safety staff

2012-03-26T11:19:00.003+10:00

Source:

The National, Monday 26th March 2012

ARMED policemen forcefully entered the National Road Safety Authority headquarters last Friday, threatened security guards and assaulted a staff member before taking an impounded vehicle.
National Road Safety Council acting executive director Nelson Terema has called on the police commissioner to investigate the rogue policemen from the Six-Mile station.
Terema said three armed policemen in uniform forced open the main gate at 7.40pm by threatening security guards on duty before driving away a taxi using spare key they had on them.
He said an officer at the premises approached the policemen and questioned them.
But he was assaulted and was left with a bleeding nose and face.
Terema said the assault only stopped when the officer, John Jaruka, who is the son of a former policeman who lives at the Gordon’s police barracks, identified himself.
“These rogue policemen drove to the Six-Mile police station, dropped John in front of the station and then drove off without arresting or charging him,” Terema said.
“When other officers of the NRSC arrived there later, John was there but there was no sign of any policeman.
“The station was completely deserted.
“The actions of these policemen was witnessed by most of our staff who remained to formally farewell one of our longest serving officer who had resigned.”
No comments could be obtained from the police yesterday.
Terema said the impounded taxi was unregistered and there were processes to follow before any impounded vehicle was released.
“The police must know that we have a duty mandated by the National Road Safety Council Act,” Terema added.
“They should not interfere with our duties to please a person who chooses to drive around in a taxi that is not roadworthy.”
“We are trying as much as possible to remove all vehicles that are not roadworthy but this type of act discourages all efforts.”

Audit shows NGCB has K45mil missing

2012-03-26T11:18:00.003+10:00

Source:

The National, Monday 26th March 2012

By JEFFREY ELAPA
AN audit report on the National Gaming Control Board tabled in Parliament last week shows 18 contractors and consultants have been paid more than K7 million, while K45 million remains unaccounted for.
The report, tabled by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, says the Garamut-related companies received more than K39,399,182, while millions of kina were reported to have been made to several shops in Western Highlands province.
Among a number of shops named in the report was Chemica, which sells agriculture supplies.
Among the 18 contractors and consultants, Elemi Lawyers were paid more than K3,830,792 while Hudson Ramatlap was paid K105,400.
The report says Elemi Lawyers were paid thousands of kina every month from 2008 to 2011.
The report says the law firm received eight to 10 different payments at one time for the past 36 months for unexplained reasons.
For example, on April 30, 2010, 12 payments were made to him while on May 31, the firm received 10 payments.
Another consultant Nat Koleala received more than K617,552, while Elma Koleala was paid K30,000.
Others named were Deken Ltd K187,000, Haro Mekere K187,000, Amon Consultants, K418,872, Philip Tiki K310,000 Ami Construction Ltd K212,000, PNG Counselling Services Ltd K390,000, Mag Media Ltd K343,000, Mel Marketing Consultant K203,400 and Nasyl No. 67 Ltd K125,000.
Others were paid less than K100,000.

Trans Highway 7s on

2012-03-26T11:17:00.003+10:00

Source:

The National, Monday 26th March 2012

MOROBE’S leading rugby sevens tournament the Trans Highway 7s takes place on Saturday and Sunday at Lae’s SCRUM oval.
Twenty teams have expressed interest with 10 from the province with the remaining are from the New Guinea Islands, neighbouring Madang, the Highlands and one from Port Moresby.
Tournament director Robin Tarere said the event would be used to select a side to represent the province at the PNG Games in October.
Tarere said the competition was also a good preparation for teams who would be playing in the NGI 7s circuit this year.
He reminded teams that although the deadline for registration had elapsed last Friday he was extending it to Wednesday with teams to contact the chairman of the organising committee Naka Songake on 472 1511.
The tournament could be reduced to a 16-team format if teams did not register quickly.
He also thanked TH7s major sponsor SCRUM as well as minor sponsors and contributors: Coca-Cola, Seeto Kui, Trukai Rice, Prima Smallgoods, Ling’s Freezer, Consort Shipping, Chemcare, Besta IFC and Western Star Transport.
Tarere also thanked No.1 Hire Car for sponsoring the lead-up tournament to the TH7s which was held earlier this year.
The teams for the Trans Highway 7s are: Royals, Harlequins, Unitech Reds, Defence, Defence Academy, Pirates, Old Crocs, Morobe Schoolboys, Markham Sagasek, NARI (Lae), Kimbe Rebels – defending champions, Gigo Hurricanes, Wairas, Black Orchids (NGI), Ramu Sugar, Madang 1, Madang 2 (Madang), Goroka, Mt Hagen (Highlands) and PNG Barbarians (Port Moresby).

PNG Ports threatens to close Buka port

2012-03-26T11:14:00.003+10:00

Source:

The National, Monday 26th March 2012

By FRANK SENGE KOLMA
PNG Ports has threatened to close the port of Buka to all shipping vessels following the burning of three ships belonging to Star Shipping.
Militant elements sympathetic to relatives of Bougainvilleans who perished in the sinking of mv Rabaul Queen off the Finschhafen coast, Morobe, on February 2, severed the moorings of the mv Solomon Queen, the Kopra 3 and Kopra 4 on the evening of March 16 and set all three on fire. The hulled out boats now rest in a mangrove a few kilometres off Buka Island under constant armed guard by the militant elements.
Acting chief executive officer of PNG Ports Corporation, Stanley Alphonse wrote to commissioner and chief executive officer, Dr Billy Manoka, on March 20 outlining the potential closure of the port of Buka should there be any escalation in tension associated with the burning of the ships.
“An important consideration for the continued operation of our ports are the safety and security of not only our own staff but all our stakeholders who do business within the port and particularly consideration in light of the recent turn of events with the burning of the Rabaul Shipping vessels have been received with serious concerns over the continued operation of our port of Buka.”
The militant elements and families of disaster victims met on March 20 and resolved to tow out the three boats and sell them off to the flourishing scrap metal business in the autonomous region and retain the proceeds as partial compensation for lives lost.
Whether this resolution is viewed as an “escalation in tension” by PNG Ports remains to be determined. But the same meeting of relatives has given assurances to all other shippers that their anger is directed at Star Shipping (Rabaul Shipping and owner Peter Sharp) and that other shipping lines can carry on business in ports of Bougainville.
If the PNG Port threat is carried out it will severely affect the people and economy of Buka and the rest of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville as shipping is its life line. Buka is the seat of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
President of ABG, John Momis has unequivocally condemned the burning of the ships and announced the setting up of a task force to bring the militant elements to justice.
“One wrong does not justify another,” Momis said, voicing his own displeasure at the circumstances leading to the ferry disaster.
“Commercial shipping may very well be curtailed for a period of time,” he said.
This will create some temporary hardships to the travel of Bougainvilleans.
Buka port is not closed and is open to regular shipping movement.

Finance approves Madang’s K109mil budget

2012-03-26T11:13:00.003+10:00

Source:

The National, Monday 26th March 2012

THE Madang provincial budget of K109,183,599 was approved last Friday by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Peter O’Neill.
The bulk of the revenue collected in the province amounting to K16,808,000 was from goods and sales tax (GST) with K4.7 million, Ramu NiCo giving a K5 million advanced royalty, fees and fines worth K2.2 million, business receipts of K7.1 million and miscellaneous K2.7 million.
Ramu NiCo for the first time advanced K5 million royalty payment to the Madang provincial government.
Madang deputy director for finance Thomas Neruse said the traditional sources of income for the province remained stagnant with no big improvement in these areas.
He said there was a reduction of K800,000 for GST compared with last year’s K5.5 million.
Total national government grants worth K87.7 million were made up of functional grants, health, education, village court, transport and primary production (agriculture fisheries and forestry).
Under the province’s development budget, the district support grant which is the non-discretionary component of K250,000 was for six districts plus the provincial member.
The budget is made up
of personnel emoluments
and grants with teachers’
salaries K36,743.50, staff grants K18,023.70, leave fares for teachers K900,000 and public servants salaries K1.2 million.
Transport got a bigger slice of K7 million, health at K5 million and education at K4 million.
Under the goods and services grant there is a local level government grant of K3.3 million.
The medical store or dispensary was allocated K2 million under the provincial improvement plan for this year.
A roll-over of K5.3 million in the budget showed K3 million for the national agriculture development project.
Neruse said the budget was no different from last year.
as the public investment programmes remained stagnant.
Neruse said the team which comprised Governor James Gau, five provincial executive council members, provincial administrator Ben Lange and his deputy Paul Adam and two budget officers were happy that the process of vetting and approval had been completed.
They were looking forward to the implementation stage.

Students march against new bill

2012-03-26T11:11:00.000+10:00

Source:

The National, Monday 26th March 2012

By LESLIE OMARO
HUNDREDS of university students in Port Moresby have petitioned the government to repeal the Judicial Conduct Act which was passed in Parliament last week.
The students, despite being warned by police that their march was illegal, walked from the University of Papua New Guinea campus to Morauta Haus last Friday.
They handed over the petition to the government’s Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc.
Police from the National Capital District – some carrying guns –monitored the activities.
The five-page petition was given to Zurenuoc by the university’s student representative council vice-president Dick Loa.
The petition, signed by 1086 students, urged the speaker of parliament not to entertain the gazetted bill.
The students want a response from the government by tomorrow.
Loa said if the governments failed to address their petition, the UPNG would join other universities in the country to plan other forms of protest.
Loa said student council’s president Emmanuel Isaac was visiting other universities to garner support against the controversial law.
The law was passed in parliament last Wednesday by a 63-7 vote one day after it was introduced.
It gives parliament powers to refer a judge to the governor-general who in turn must appoint a tribunal to investigate the judge while the latter is suspended from duty.
The bill received nationwide criticism from non-governmental organisations, church leaders, prominent citizens, political observers and lawyers.
The bill was condemned as a “vendetta” against Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, a “power-grab” and an unconstitutional document.
NCD police chief Supt Andy Bawa had warned the students before the march that their protest was illegal because their “notice letter” was late.
“Your notice is late because police should have been given seven days notice in advance,’’ he said.
“This is not good because if you march, there are plenty of opportunists out there who will join the march and cause a riot.
“Your security and well-being is important so I ask you students to be patient and let’s come to an understanding.”
The student leaders told Bawa the march would go on with or without police permission.
Bawa was told that if they could not march, then Prime Minister Peter O’Neill or his deputy Belden Namah or the attorney-general should come to the university grounds to get the petition.
Bawa and two student leaders left for Morauta Haus to get one of the three ministers to come.
The students began marching an hour later after they were told that none of the ministers could come to meet them.

UPNG students united in tense atmosphere

2012-03-26T11:09:00.003+10:00

Source:

The National, Monday 26th March 2012

THERE was an air of unity during the peaceful protest march staged by students from the University of Papua New Guinea last Friday in Port Moresby.
The atmosphere was tense as the students united to oppose the Judicial Conduct Bill that was rushed through parliament last Wednesday.
They chanted: “Rausim bill, rausim bill, rausim bill (remove the bill, remove the bill” as they marched along Waigani Drive to Morauta Haus.
A five-page petition signed by more than 1,000 students was handed over to government officials.
Members of the public stopped what they were doing to watch the march.
Some clapped their hands and cheered on the marchers.
Curious onlookers in vehicles who were caught in the consequent traffic jam waved.
The protest was halted three times by police – but each time the students talked their way into continuing.
The second stop, just before the Institute of Public Administration, was a frightening experience as armed police men blocked the students.
But the students simply put their hands up in surrender and resumed their march as police backed down.

Chief: I will lead NA

2012-03-26T11:08:00.003+10:00

Source:

The National, Monday 26th March 2012

By CYRIL GARE
GRAND Chief Sir Michael Somare will lead the National Alliance party into the June election and is confident of securing the numbers to form the next government.
Sir Michael will re-contest his East Sepik provincial seat. He made this known on NBC Radio East Sepik last Tuesday and during his visits by helicopter to Angoram and Marienberg the next day, followed by Maprik, Kawanga (Dreikikir) and Yambun (Ambunti) last Thursday.
He said the NA party was placing candidates in all the seven East Sepik seats.
Apart from him, other names confirmed were his son Arthur for Angoram Open, Peter Wararu Waranaka for Yangoru-Saussia, Tony Aimo for Ambunti-Dreikikir and John Simon for Maprik Open.
No names had been put forward for Wewak Open and Wosera-Gawi.
In January, more than 500 ward councillors in East Sepik gathered at the Divine Word University Kaindi campus in Wewak and re-affirmed their loyalty and support for Sir Michael.
They were not happy with how he had been treated by the Peter O’Neill-led government since Aug 2 last year.
O’Neill’s People’s National Congress party had recently sent a candidate recruitment team to East Sepik.

PM defends judicial act

2012-03-26T11:04:00.003+10:00

Source:

The National, Monday 26th March 2012

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has defended the recently-passed Judicial Conduct Act, saying it will not weaken the judiciary.
Responding to public criticisms of the law rushed through parliament in a space of 24 hours last week, O’Neill said last night there was no sinister agenda behind it and that the government was not in a fight with the judiciary.
“There is nothing secretive and sinister about the new judicial conduct law,’’ he said.
“This law will not weaken and erode the independence of the judiciary.”
“It is not a law that erodes the fundamental principles of democracy nor does it compromise the separation of powers between the legislature,
the executive and the judiciary,” O’Neill said.
“The new law was aimed at defining and imposing clarity on judicial behaviour that the wider community or affected parties in lawsuits may consider or perceive as biased.”
He said the law was not draconian and did not erode the impartiality of the judges.
He pointed out that Australia, India, Canada and other Commonwealth nations had similar legislation or ethical standards to scrutinise judicial conduct and behaviour.
He said the march last Friday by University of Papua New Guinea students to protest against the new legislation as “acting in the public interest”.
“It is true a new law was made by parliament to give legislative teeth to administer any instances of perceived or real judicial bias, where judges continue to hear cases that have serious conflicts of interest,” O’Neill said.
“It was done for the sake of clarity and to better define and strengthen the role and conduct of National and Supreme Court judges.”
He said the law was not a “knee-jerk legislation” and was not designed to remove certain members of the judiciary from office.
But he said judges, such as any public servant, should be disciplined if there was “reasonable evidence of ethical and professional lapse in their conduct and in the
carriage of their duties and responsibilities”.
The bill was introduced last Tuesday and passed by a 63-7 vote after three readings the following day.
It gave parliament the power to refer a judge to the governor-general who, in turn, must appoint a tribunal to investigate the judge who would be suspended from duty.

Esso pulls out of LNG site

2012-03-26T11:02:00.003+10:00

Source:

The National, Monday 26th March 2012

By JEFFREY ELAPA and ISAAC NICHOLAS
THE government last night vowed to implement tough measures – including the declaration of a state of emergency in a province – as a PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project developer Esso Highlands began withdrawing workers from its site.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill will call a National Executive Council meeting today to discuss the measures to be taken as the developer of the PNG LNG project in Southern Highlands started pulling its workers from the Hides 4 area. Landowners had stopped work at the site over compensation demands which the developer, Esso Highlands, had been trying to resolve.
A source said the developer began evacuating its workers from the project sites in three chartered aircraft yesterday.
The source predicted it would be the end of the project if the closure continued this week.
It could not be confirmed last night how many employees had left.
Company spokeswoman Rebecca Arnold will issue a statement today.
O’Neill told The National last night tough measures were needed to protect the LNG project.
“I am calling a special cabinet meeting (today) to make tough decisions to protect workers on site and to protect the interest of the nation,” he said.
The landowners had stopped all LNG-related activities at Hides 4 in the Southern Highlands.
Vehicles hired by Esso Highlands and the contractors had been returned to their owners because the companies could not continue to pay when they are lying
idle.
O’Neill said: “I am aware of the landowner issues around the project area and concerns have been expressed to the government about the security of the project as a result of certain groups putting in demands that are outside the UBSA (umbrella benefits sharing agreement) and LBBSA (licensed-based benefits sharing agreement).”
He said some of the measures the council would consider today
included the declaration of a state of emergency in the Southern Highlands, the deployment of PNG Defence Force troops there, additional police manpower and additional funding for the exercise.
“The demands are unreasonable and unfair to the nation. I appeal to landowners to reconsider their actions which are undermining the project,” O’Neill said.
He said the government had already made the decision for a call-out of the PNGDF and troops should be deployed immediately.
“We will ensure the security of the project is protected,” he said.
The source said officials from the department of petroleum and energy and ExxonMobil had been sent to the site but could not resolve the landowners’ grievances.
The landowners have demanded K99 million from Esso Highlands as compensation for the different projects activities in the area.
Other demands include the upgrading of the:
qPara Health Centre to a referral hospital; and
qPara Community School building;
qHides-Komo road to start immediately.
They also wanted employment and contracts be given to locals plus a permanent water supply for the people.
Hides 4 Landowner Umbrella Association Inc chairman Chris Payabe had said landowners wanted the government to immediately take ownership of the project and address their concerns.
He maintained that the project would remain closed if their demands were not addressed.