PNGBLOGS

JAMES MONDOLAME The $16 billion Exxon Mobil-led LNG project is hyped to double PNG's gross domestic product with at least 30 years of gas sales to Asian buyers once it comes on line after 2014, but now we hear there is carnage and continued tension amongst landowners. Only yesterday the National reported that a raiding party consisting of frustrated landowners who were overlooked for employment and spin-off benefits raised fears about this project when they attacked and burnt equipment belonging to a company tied with the developer. This raises a lot of questions to everyone including myself, was there proper social mapping done to ensure everyone who lived on the project were accounted for? We need development, we do, but development that is carried out without properly assessing everyone affected affects us all. Since the Oil in Kutubu started flowing out of the Southern Highlands Province in1989, we have not seen anything as a footprint left by the oil and gas giant Chevron. Not

JAMES MONDOLAME The $16 billion Exxon Mobil-led LNG project is hyped to double PNG's gross domestic product with at least 30 years of gas sales to Asian buyers once it comes on line after 2014, but now we hear there is carnage and continued tension amongst landowners. Only yesterday the National reported that a raiding party consisting of frustrated landowners who were overlooked for employment and spin-off benefits raised fears about this project when they attacked and burnt equipment belonging to a company tied with the developer. This raises a lot of questions to everyone including myself, was there proper social mapping done to ensure everyone who lived on the project were accounted for? We need development, we do, but development that is carried out without properly assessing everyone affected affects us all. Since the Oil in Kutubu started flowing out of the Southern Highlands Province in1989, we have not seen anything as a footprint left by the oil and gas giant Chevron.

OP/ED Don Polye is a good man. Well that is what we like to believe. The Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare must have faith in this bearded Highlander for he has allowed him to act as Prime Minister when the Chief had left to tackle work overseas for Papua New Guinea in recent months. And the future looks bright for the man from Kandep, who is seen as the next Prime Minister from the Highlands. The only other Highlands PM was also another bearded man from Western Highlands, Paias Wingti. Mr Polye is very vocal on corruption. He has gone public many times telling the country that corruption has no place in PNG. At one point in time, he was heard threatening to throw his own family behind bars and throw the keys away, should they get themselves involved in any corrupt dealings involving public funds. It is comforting to know that today, when the public has lost confidence in the Government and its implementation arm, the public service, there is at least one senior politician who is stand

OP/ED Don Polye is a good man. Well that is what we like to believe. The Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare must have faith in this bearded Highlander for he has allowed him to act as Prime Minister when the Chief had left to tackle work overseas for Papua New Guinea in recent months. And the future looks bright for the man from Kandep, who is seen as the next Prime Minister from the Highlands. The only other Highlands PM was also another bearded man from Western Highlands, Paias Wingti. Mr Polye is very vocal on corruption. He has gone public many times telling the country that corruption has no place in PNG. At one point in time, he was heard threatening to throw his own family behind bars and throw the keys away, should they get themselves involved in any corrupt dealings involving public funds. It is comforting to know that today, when the public has lost confidence in the Government and its implementation arm, the public service, there is at least one senior politician who is stan

MAUSPASS ST GEORGE Illawarra star Neville Costigan has had an appeal to play for Papua New Guinea in this year’s Four Nations rejected. Costigan knew he was most likely sacrificing his Kumuls jersey when he made himself available for Queensland this season but had enlisted the help of PNG coach Adrian Lam and the Rugby League Professionals Association in having an exception made for him. “I got an email from the RLPA saying they were going to stick to the rules,’’ Costigan told sportsnewsfirst.com.au. “So it looks like I can’t play.’’ The contradiction is that Fiji winger Aquila Uate is being permitted to play for the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII against PNG this month even though he is not eligible for Australia. Uate was named Dally M winger of the year. "I’d love to play for the Blues. It’s a great atmosphere and I’d love to get involved with it," he said at the ceremony. The ARL will attract considerable criticism if it allows Uate to play for Australia and NSW but bl

MAUSPASS ST GEORGE Illawarra star Neville Costigan has had an appeal to play for Papua New Guinea in this year’s Four Nations rejected. Costigan knew he was most likely sacrificing his Kumuls jersey when he made himself available for Queensland this season but had enlisted the help of PNG coach Adrian Lam and the Rugby League Professionals Association in having an exception made for him. “I got an email from the RLPA saying they were going to stick to the rules,’’ Costigan told sportsnewsfirst.com.au. “So it looks like I can’t play.’’ The contradiction is that Fiji winger Aquila Uate is being permitted to play for the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII against PNG this month even though he is not eligible for Australia. Uate was named Dally M winger of the year. "I’d love to play for the Blues. It’s a great atmosphere and I’d love to get involved with it," he said at the ceremony. The ARL will attract considerable criticism if it allows Uate to play for Australia and NSW but

OSEAH PHILEMON Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare has not made any announcement yet as to his political future and who is likely to succeed him if and when he decides to retire officially from politics. This is despite the much anticipated announcement coming from the highlands where he was visiting recently. All the hype about the eminent changeover of leadership in the ruling National Alliance Party that dominated Papua New Guinea’s political landscape for weeks leading to a political blood bath in Port Moresby seemed to have dried up—at least for now—as opposing parties retreat to their corners to plan their next move. The National Alliance Party was to have had a conference in the newly-created province of Jiwaka in the central Highlands but that conference was suddenly postponed. But no new dates of the meeting has been set. Jiwaka is the home of the National Alliance President Simon Kaiwi who is vying to contest the seat of governor in the 2012 electi

OSEAH PHILEMON Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare has not made any announcement yet as to his political future and who is likely to succeed him if and when he decides to retire officially from politics. This is despite the much anticipated announcement coming from the highlands where he was visiting recently. All the hype about the eminent changeover of leadership in the ruling National Alliance Party that dominated Papua New Guinea’s political landscape for weeks leading to a political blood bath in Port Moresby seemed to have dried up—at least for now—as opposing parties retreat to their corners to plan their next move. The National Alliance Party was to have had a conference in the newly-created province of Jiwaka in the central Highlands but that conference was suddenly postponed. But no new dates of the meeting has been set. Jiwaka is the home of the National Alliance President Simon Kaiwi who is vying to contest the seat of governor in the 2012 ele

AAP A Papua New Guinea judge has lifted a court injunction that blocked a Chinese nickel mine from dumping waste into the sea off the country's northeast coast. The battle between Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) and local Rai Coast villagers, who did not want waste from the mine piped into their bay, came to an end on Friday afternoon. Judge David Cannings lifted the injunction preventing MCC from building a deep-sea tailings pipe from the proposed $1.9 billion Ramu nickel mine in the northeast coastal province of Madang. The costly halt in construction had threatened the entire project. The case was due to resume last Tuesday in Madang's National Court, but the three villagers bringing the action failed to appear and sent a fax message asking the court to drop the proceedings. They also sacked their lawyer, Tiffany Nonggorr. Ordered to appear at Wednesday's court session, the three villagers confirmed they no longer wanted to proceed with the case despite months o

AAP A Papua New Guinea judge has lifted a court injunction that blocked a Chinese nickel mine from dumping waste into the sea off the country's northeast coast. The battle between Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) and local Rai Coast villagers, who did not want waste from the mine piped into their bay, came to an end on Friday afternoon. Judge David Cannings lifted the injunction preventing MCC from building a deep-sea tailings pipe from the proposed $1.9 billion Ramu nickel mine in the northeast coastal province of Madang. The costly halt in construction had threatened the entire project. The case was due to resume last Tuesday in Madang's National Court, but the three villagers bringing the action failed to appear and sent a fax message asking the court to drop the proceedings. They also sacked their lawyer, Tiffany Nonggorr. Ordered to appear at Wednesday's court session, the three villagers confirmed they no longer wanted to proceed with the case despite m

BY JAMES MONDOLAME It has been reported in today’s National newspaper that a number of Opposition MPs including firebrand opposition spokesman on Finance and Treasury Imbongu MP, Mr Francis Awesa, his son in law and Mendi MP, Mr. Isaac Joseph along with John Garia (Chimbu), Ferau Orimyo (Henganofi) and Steven Kama (South Bougainville) deserted to Mr. Agiru’s URP (United Resources Party). While media reports are sketchy about the confrontation with the current party leader and Hagen MP Mr. William Duma, a lot of questions are now being thrown to the Prime Minister if he is aware of this new move. Is this a ploy to shake the current partnership and test the possibility of wrestling the Deputy Prime Minister post away from NA? Is this a scheme setup by the opposition as a Trojan horse to snatch the numbers in government and breaking the bond with the current coalition? Many questions need asking, but at the same time, the quality of opposition is legendary with the brain trust at helm ri

BY JAMES MONDOLAME It has been reported in today’s National newspaper that a number of Opposition MPs including firebrand opposition spokesman on Finance and Treasury Imbongu MP, Mr Francis Awesa, his son in law and Mendi MP, Mr. Isaac Joseph along with John Garia (Chimbu), Ferau Orimyo (Henganofi) and Steven Kama (South Bougainville) deserted to Mr. Agiru’s URP (United Resources Party). While media reports are sketchy about the confrontation with the current party leader and Hagen MP Mr. William Duma, a lot of questions are now being thrown to the Prime Minister if he is aware of this new move. Is this a ploy to shake the current partnership and test the possibility of wrestling the Deputy Prime Minister post away from NA? Is this a scheme setup by the opposition as a Trojan horse to snatch the numbers in government and breaking the bond with the current coalition? Many questions need asking, but at the same time, the quality of opposition is legendary with the brain trust at helm

DAVID MURI WHILE Papua New Guineans nationwide saluted our flag with happy celebrations, in Nipa district of Southern Highlands, two sisters publicly asked a question few politicians will take seriously. Sisters Ruth and Janet Sol wore black on September 16, PNG’s 35th Independence Anniversary to protest what they see as a lack of real development, prosperity and improvement in law and order and advancement for the common people. Their question was simple - why celebrate when all around, there is little or nothing to show for celebration? It’s a question that nags at the fabric of PNG’s economic growth and prosperity, a question politicians sweep aside with political rhetoric that would rather paint a rosy picture for a country anchored by its natural mineral resources but well known to be mismanaged and poor. Its poor are faceless that Ruth and Janet Sol so courageously stood up for on a breezy mountainside in Nipa, not far from where the nation’s oil and gas wealth will be extracted

DAVID MURI WHILE Papua New Guineans nationwide saluted our flag with happy celebrations, in Nipa district of Southern Highlands, two sisters publicly asked a question few politicians will take seriously. Sisters Ruth and Janet Sol wore black on September 16, PNG’s 35th Independence Anniversary to protest what they see as a lack of real development, prosperity and improvement in law and order and advancement for the common people. Their question was simple - why celebrate when all around, there is little or nothing to show for celebration? It’s a question that nags at the fabric of PNG’s economic growth and prosperity, a question politicians sweep aside with political rhetoric that would rather paint a rosy picture for a country anchored by its natural mineral resources but well known to be mismanaged and poor. Its poor are faceless that Ruth and Janet Sol so courageously stood up for on a breezy mountainside in Nipa, not far from where the nation’s oil and gas wealth will be extrac

LEADERS past and present, including Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, are right in saying that Papua New Guineans must have a stake in their own economy. Politicians have been saying this for the past 35 years. Papua New Guineans must be given the business opportunities and preference must be accorded to local business.The leaders are also right in arguing that locals must have a share in corporate PNG. Partnership or joint ventures are good arrangements and, handled properly, the benefits accruing cover more than just the matter of ownership. But, what must be given careful thought right now is the continuous call for legislative review of laws governing foreign investments. Many have argued that all businesses owned by permanent foreign residents must be restructured to include local equity. The question is whether legislation is the solution. Whatever the experiences elsewhere, and given PNG’s own special circumstances, it may well be the answer 35 years after independence. Indeed,

LEADERS past and present, including Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, are right in saying that Papua New Guineans must have a stake in their own economy. Politicians have been saying this for the past 35 years. Papua New Guineans must be given the business opportunities and preference must be accorded to local business.The leaders are also right in arguing that locals must have a share in corporate PNG. Partnership or joint ventures are good arrangements and, handled properly, the benefits accruing cover more than just the matter of ownership. But, what must be given careful thought right now is the continuous call for legislative review of laws governing foreign investments. Many have argued that all businesses owned by permanent foreign residents must be restructured to include local equity. The question is whether legislation is the solution. Whatever the experiences elsewhere, and given PNG’s own special circumstances, it may well be the answer 35 years after independence. Indeed,

REUTERS The PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea will stay within its original cost estimates of $15 billion with the first sales by 2014, a government minister said speaking at a conference in Singapore on Wednesday. Paul Tiensten, Papua New Guinea's minister of planning and development, said PNG LNG is still expected to make it's first sales of LNG in early 2014. "We want to sell the first gas by 2014, that is our target... in case of some slippage, we have a contingency plan in place, but so far, we are on target," Tiensten said. Media reports have suggested that the project could be delayed due to landowner disputes with the government. But Tiensten said current landowner disagreements were among the approximately 60,000 landowners affected by the project, some of whom question the division of benefits from the PNG LNG. "I think there are some dissatisfied people because they feel that they should be part of it. This project is a mega-project, it has generated

REUTERS The PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea will stay within its original cost estimates of $15 billion with the first sales by 2014, a government minister said speaking at a conference in Singapore on Wednesday. Paul Tiensten, Papua New Guinea's minister of planning and development, said PNG LNG is still expected to make it's first sales of LNG in early 2014. "We want to sell the first gas by 2014, that is our target... in case of some slippage, we have a contingency plan in place, but so far, we are on target," Tiensten said. Media reports have suggested that the project could be delayed due to landowner disputes with the government. But Tiensten said current landowner disagreements were among the approximately 60,000 landowners affected by the project, some of whom question the division of benefits from the PNG LNG. "I think there are some dissatisfied people because they feel that they should be part of it. This project is a mega-project, it has ge

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REUTERS SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Mining giant Rio Tinto Plc tried to persuade an appeals court on Tuesday to dismiss a long running human rights lawsuit, one of a number of cases to test the reach of U.S. judges over corporations operating on foreign soil. The lawsuit, a proposed class action, involves Rio Tinto's operations on the island of Bougainville in the South Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea, where it once ran one of the world's largest mines for copper and gold. According to the lawsuit, Rio Tinto decimated the island and forced its native workers to live in "slave like" conditions. When workers sabotaged the mine, Rio Tinto allegedly goaded the Papua New Guinea government into exacting bloody retribution against residents of Bougainville, court documents said. Current and former residents of Bougainville are seeking punitive damages and disgorgement of all profits earned from the mine under an 18th century law which allows foreigners to sue in U

REUTERS SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Mining giant Rio Tinto Plc tried to persuade an appeals court on Tuesday to dismiss a long running human rights lawsuit, one of a number of cases to test the reach of U.S. judges over corporations operating on foreign soil. The lawsuit, a proposed class action, involves Rio Tinto's operations on the island of Bougainville in the South Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea, where it once ran one of the world's largest mines for copper and gold. According to the lawsuit, Rio Tinto decimated the island and forced its native workers to live in "slave like" conditions. When workers sabotaged the mine, Rio Tinto allegedly goaded the Papua New Guinea government into exacting bloody retribution against residents of Bougainville, court documents said. Current and former residents of Bougainville are seeking punitive damages and disgorgement of all profits earned from the mine under an 18th century law which allows foreigners to sue

By KOLE COPS ONE of the fundamental questions posed by citizens during this year’s independence celebration is how will PNG move forward in the next 35 years. Work on the LNG project has started and its benefits can only be measured in terms of economic development and growth. Whilst we anticipate the effects of LNG and other resources, we must also be mindful of how to utilise these resources for the future generations. These resources are our children’s resources and we are mere custodians of them. The decisions we make today will affect them in the future. Some of us are only living for the spur of the moment but it is better to look at the bigger picture. Where will PNG be 30 years from now? With corruption rampant across all government departments and agencies with millions of kina being siphoned, I am doubtful PNG this will be a successful voyage. Unless we make wholesale changes for the better, our children and their children will not have a better tomorrow. The much anticipated