PNGBLOGS

I refer to Frank Kolma’s Building Blocks article “Go for the skies, Wartoto” (Aug 29). I must say that as a seasoned and experienced journalist, the thrust of the article is rather mystifying and bizarre. Although he has made considerable effort to justify his purported patriotic stance, it simply is inconceivable that he has attempted to score some brownie points. If this is how to obtain funds from the government, then he has scored a distinction. The article provides an open invitation for people who have political connections to raid the nation’s treasury at anytime they want and often with no moral restraint or legal recourse from the unsuspecting public. The media has an important role to play, considering if that episode ever occurred in Australia, both Paul Tiensten and Eremas Wartoto would be brought before an inquiry. Just spare a thought for the public, who are mostly illiterate, living below the poverty line, cannot afford school fees or access state-of-art medical treatmen

I refer to Frank Kolma’s Building Blocks article “Go for the skies, Wartoto” (Aug 29). I must say that as a seasoned and experienced journalist, the thrust of the article is rather mystifying and bizarre. Although he has made considerable effort to justify his purported patriotic stance, it simply is inconceivable that he has attempted to score some brownie points. If this is how to obtain funds from the government, then he has scored a distinction. The article provides an open invitation for people who have political connections to raid the nation’s treasury at anytime they want and often with no moral restraint or legal recourse from the unsuspecting public. The media has an important role to play, considering if that episode ever occurred in Australia, both Paul Tiensten and Eremas Wartoto would be brought before an inquiry. Just spare a thought for the public, who are mostly illiterate, living below the poverty line, cannot afford school fees or access state-of-art medical treatm

Justin Tkatchencko received over K3 million in 2010 from the National Capital District as revealed in the schedule of payments below. These payments were authorised by NCDC Governor Powes Parkop in breach of the Public Finance Management Act, the NCDC Act and the Organic Law on the Leadership Code, according to an audit report .   Justin Tkatchenko is a political ally of the Governor and the fundraising Chairman for the Governors  Peoples Social Democratic Front Party thus creating a clear conflict of interest for Parkop. Further, the payments, which were made for work on the NCDC Mini Park, Water Fountain, Waterslide and Zoo and Animal Farm, were made with no quotations provided and no tender advertised or accepted, says the audit report. These failures, say the audit committee, breach the fundamental principles of value for money, transparency, effective competition, fair and ethical dealing and efficiency. -PNG-Exposed

Justin Tkatchencko received over K3 million in 2010 from the National Capital District as revealed in the schedule of payments below. These payments were authorised by NCDC Governor Powes Parkop in breach of the Public Finance Management Act, the NCDC Act and the Organic Law on the Leadership Code, according to an audit report .   Justin Tkatchenko is a political ally of the Governor and the fundraising Chairman for the Governors  Peoples Social Democratic Front Party thus creating a clear conflict of interest for Parkop. Further, the payments, which were made for work on the NCDC Mini Park, Water Fountain, Waterslide and Zoo and Animal Farm, were made with no quotations provided and no tender advertised or accepted, says the audit report. These failures, say the audit committee, breach the fundamental principles of value for money, transparency, effective competition, fair and ethical dealing and efficiency. -PNG-Exposed

I think it is most most most unfortunate that a person who has single-handedly done a lot for the Mining & Petroleum Industries of this country would be singled out and demonized in the way a lot of your readers have done on this site. Those who seek to do so demonstrate very clearly that they have very little understanding of the industry, nor responsibility for the future of the industries in PNG. Greg Anderson deserves a medal and it is way way overdue. Having said that, let me point out that what is driving Byron Chan at present is clearly the unrealized dreams of Sir Julius Chan, mingled with a certain guilt for the past mistakes Sir Julius has made. Sir Julius's mistakes in the past in respect of Lihir ( how that deal was structured was done under the Leadership of Sir J as PM- and he fixed the gold price- without being an expert- he fixed the nations interest at a certain gold price -and he fucked all of us up. All the gold in one of the richest Volcanic calderas dug up

I think it is most most most unfortunate that a person who has single-handedly done a lot for the Mining & Petroleum Industries of this country would be singled out and demonized in the way a lot of your readers have done on this site. Those who seek to do so demonstrate very clearly that they have very little understanding of the industry, nor responsibility for the future of the industries in PNG. Greg Anderson deserves a medal and it is way way overdue. Having said that, let me point out that what is driving Byron Chan at present is clearly the unrealized dreams of Sir Julius Chan, mingled with a certain guilt for the past mistakes Sir Julius has made. Sir Julius's mistakes in the past in respect of Lihir ( how that deal was structured was done under the Leadership of Sir J as PM- and he fixed the gold price- without being an expert- he fixed the nations interest at a certain gold price -and he fucked all of us up. All the gold in one of the richest Volcanic calderas dug up

The SABL issue could have been prevented by Dr Lawrence Kalinoe and his Land Reform Laws. Instead he acted in the most misguided academic way that has allowed foreigners directly to access our rural people and the unconstitutional facilitation of ILGs that have been sanctioned by Dr Kalinoe as a law reformer. That is why I have my real doubts about these academics with sheep degrees that lack any real understanding of the real world and how people live in villages and organize themselves. They mislead those who ride on and rely on their so called doctoral intellectualism which is all garbage in the real world. ILGs don't own land and for Doctor Kalinoe to hold themout to be so is unlawful and unconstitutional. All those who enter into agreements with ILGs and deal with them do so at their own peril. Well, Dr Kalinoe was only doing this to serve outside powers who pull his strings. In consequence we have lost 5 million hectares, and we will lose more in an expensive inquiry. Thankyo

The SABL issue could have been prevented by Dr Lawrence Kalinoe and his Land Reform Laws. Instead he acted in the most misguided academic way that has allowed foreigners directly to access our rural people and the unconstitutional facilitation of ILGs that have been sanctioned by Dr Kalinoe as a law reformer. That is why I have my real doubts about these academics with sheep degrees that lack any real understanding of the real world and how people live in villages and organize themselves. They mislead those who ride on and rely on their so called doctoral intellectualism which is all garbage in the real world. ILGs don't own land and for Doctor Kalinoe to hold themout to be so is unlawful and unconstitutional. All those who enter into agreements with ILGs and deal with them do so at their own peril. Well, Dr Kalinoe was only doing this to serve outside powers who pull his strings. In consequence we have lost 5 million hectares, and we will lose more in an expensive inquiry. Thankyo

By James Arvanitakis and Spike Boydell The new PNG government has announced big changes to the way negotiations with resources companies will take place - and it's customary landowners who look set to benefit Just three weeks ago we reported on the Ramu Nickel case that placed cash before custom in Papua New Guinea. The next day, on 2 August, there was a change of government in Papua New Guinea. What also followed was an important change of policy intent by the new government regarding the mineral resource wealth of the country.  In his opening address as Minister for Mines, Byron Chan outlined four key mining industry policy issues : 1. Recognition and protection of traditional landowner’s right to mineral ownership on or under their traditional land and seabed; 2. Urgent review of the mining legal regime; 3. Urgent review of deep-sea mining; and 4. Urgent review of environmental protection. In explaining the new policy direction, Chan s

By James Arvanitakis and Spike Boydell The new PNG government has announced big changes to the way negotiations with resources companies will take place - and it's customary landowners who look set to benefit Just three weeks ago we reported on the Ramu Nickel case that placed cash before custom in Papua New Guinea. The next day, on 2 August, there was a change of government in Papua New Guinea. What also followed was an important change of policy intent by the new government regarding the mineral resource wealth of the country.  In his opening address as Minister for Mines, Byron Chan outlined four key mining industry policy issues : 1. Recognition and protection of traditional landowner’s right to mineral ownership on or under their traditional land and seabed; 2. Urgent review of the mining legal regime; 3. Urgent review of deep-sea mining; and 4. Urgent review of environmental protection. In explaining the new policy direction

The government of Papua New Guinea has failed in a bid to stop the chief justice of the Supreme Court from presiding over case challenging the election of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Mr O'Neill's lawyers had filed a motion asking the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia to remove himself from hearing the case, because his son, Terry Injia, worked for a law firm employed by the opposition. But Sir Salamo ruled on Wednesday there would be no conflict of interest after lawyers for former acting prime minister Sam Abal announced they had dropped Terry Injia's law firm, Steeles Lawyers, earlier in the day. "He is no longer involved in this case," Sir Salamo said, handing down his decision to a packed court room in Port Moresby. "My son has not appeared in these proceedings heard before me and he has not appeared today. "It was clear this morning that the firm has now withdrawn from the case." It was noted that Mr Injia had filed briefs for his firm, but

The government of Papua New Guinea has failed in a bid to stop the chief justice of the Supreme Court from presiding over case challenging the election of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Mr O'Neill's lawyers had filed a motion asking the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia to remove himself from hearing the case, because his son, Terry Injia, worked for a law firm employed by the opposition. But Sir Salamo ruled on Wednesday there would be no conflict of interest after lawyers for former acting prime minister Sam Abal announced they had dropped Terry Injia's law firm, Steeles Lawyers, earlier in the day. "He is no longer involved in this case," Sir Salamo said, handing down his decision to a packed court room in Port Moresby. "My son has not appeared in these proceedings heard before me and he has not appeared today. "It was clear this morning that the firm has now withdrawn from the case." It was noted that Mr Injia had filed briefs for his firm

PAPUA New Guinea's founding father, Michael Somare, has left the Raffles hospital in Singapore, 4 1/2months after a series of operations for his heart condition. Aged 75, he emerged no longer prime minister or leader of the National Alliance, the biggest party in parliament. His son Arthur, who is also a parliamentarian, told AAP: "He's in good health and he'll be in Singapore a little while longer, quite simply to ensure he's in close proximity to the hospital." The National newspaper in PNG published an undated photo released by the Somare family of Sir Michael and Arthur Somare, taken at the hospital. The younger Somare told a court in Port Moresby on Monday that he supervised the service to his father, last Friday afternoon, of court papers to facilitate a legal challenge filed by the executive council of East Sepik province, which Sir Michael has represented in parliament for 43 years. The council is challenging the legitimacy of the parliamentary electio

PAPUA New Guinea's founding father, Michael Somare, has left the Raffles hospital in Singapore, 4 1/2months after a series of operations for his heart condition. Aged 75, he emerged no longer prime minister or leader of the National Alliance, the biggest party in parliament. His son Arthur, who is also a parliamentarian, told AAP: "He's in good health and he'll be in Singapore a little while longer, quite simply to ensure he's in close proximity to the hospital." The National newspaper in PNG published an undated photo released by the Somare family of Sir Michael and Arthur Somare, taken at the hospital. The younger Somare told a court in Port Moresby on Monday that he supervised the service to his father, last Friday afternoon, of court papers to facilitate a legal challenge filed by the executive council of East Sepik province, which Sir Michael has represented in parliament for 43 years. The council is challenging the legitimacy of the parliamenta

Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court has cleared the way for initial operations to begin next month at the $US1.5 billion ($A1.44 billion) Ramu Nickel project, a shareholder said in a statement. The Chinese majority-owned nickel and cobalt project, located about 75 kilometres west of the northern city of Madang, has faced 18 months of delays on environmental concerns. Australia-based minority shareholder Highlands Pacific Ltd said the Supreme Court had rejected an application for an injunction that would have stopped the project using a system of deep sea placement of tailings from the mine with a pipeline. It followed a similar ruling by the National Court of Madang on July 26. Highlands holds 8.56 per cent of the project. Metallurgical Corp of China leads a Chinese syndicate which holds 85 per cent. The rest of the project is held by the Papua New Guinea government. Ramu "will commence ore commissioning activities at the Basamuk treatment plant in September," managing direc

Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court has cleared the way for initial operations to begin next month at the $US1.5 billion ($A1.44 billion) Ramu Nickel project, a shareholder said in a statement. The Chinese majority-owned nickel and cobalt project, located about 75 kilometres west of the northern city of Madang, has faced 18 months of delays on environmental concerns. Australia-based minority shareholder Highlands Pacific Ltd said the Supreme Court had rejected an application for an injunction that would have stopped the project using a system of deep sea placement of tailings from the mine with a pipeline. It followed a similar ruling by the National Court of Madang on July 26. Highlands holds 8.56 per cent of the project. Metallurgical Corp of China leads a Chinese syndicate which holds 85 per cent. The rest of the project is held by the Papua New Guinea government. Ramu "will commence ore commissioning activities at the Basamuk treatment plant in September," managing

National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop, has been accused of gross financial mismanagement in an internal audit report. READ THE REPORT HERE The audit report presents prima facie evidence that Parkop, City Manager, Leslie Alu and the Executive Management Committee have all acted beyond their powers in approving substantial payments to named individuals and companies without following proper processes. Parkop is also accused of breaching the Public Finance Management Act, the NCDC Act and the Organic Law on the Leadership Code. One prominent beneficiary of the Governor’s largess has been Justin Tkatchenko, a political ally of the Governor and the fundraising Chairman for the Governors Peoples Social Democratic Front Party. Payments made to Tkatchenko companies in 2010 totaled over K3 million for work on the NCDC Mini Park, Water Fountain, Waterslide and Zoo and Animal Farm. No quotation were provided for any of these works and there was no tender advertised or accepted, says t

National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop, has been accused of gross financial mismanagement in an internal audit report. READ THE REPORT HERE The audit report presents prima facie evidence that Parkop, City Manager, Leslie Alu and the Executive Management Committee have all acted beyond their powers in approving substantial payments to named individuals and companies without following proper processes. Parkop is also accused of breaching the Public Finance Management Act, the NCDC Act and the Organic Law on the Leadership Code. One prominent beneficiary of the Governor’s largess has been Justin Tkatchenko, a political ally of the Governor and the fundraising Chairman for the Governors Peoples Social Democratic Front Party. Payments made to Tkatchenko companies in 2010 totaled over K3 million for work on the NCDC Mini Park, Water Fountain, Waterslide and Zoo and Animal Farm. No quotation were provided for any of these works and there was no tender advertised or accepted, say

The proposal by Mining Minister Byron Chan, the son of former prime minister Sir Julius Chan, has been tabled just as PNG -- which is often described as an island of gold in a sea of oil surrounded by gas is entering a massive resources boom. The industry, which employs 30,000 people, provides 80 per cent of PNG's export earnings and is sending annual economic growth soaring, up to 9.7 per cent of gross domestic product last year and 11 per cent expected in 2011. But analysts say any move to change the rules could derail the mining boom, which has led to most big mining companies in Australia move back into PNG in the past few years. "This was totally unexpected, and is especially explosive in election year, with landowner groups expected to cheer and push for renegotiation even of existing projects," one analyst said. Several planned LNG projects would also be affected. Greg Anderson, executive director of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, yesterday told The Austra

The proposal by Mining Minister Byron Chan, the son of former prime minister Sir Julius Chan, has been tabled just as PNG -- which is often described as an island of gold in a sea of oil surrounded by gas is entering a massive resources boom. The industry, which employs 30,000 people, provides 80 per cent of PNG's export earnings and is sending annual economic growth soaring, up to 9.7 per cent of gross domestic product last year and 11 per cent expected in 2011. But analysts say any move to change the rules could derail the mining boom, which has led to most big mining companies in Australia move back into PNG in the past few years. "This was totally unexpected, and is especially explosive in election year, with landowner groups expected to cheer and push for renegotiation even of existing projects," one analyst said. Several planned LNG projects would also be affected. Greg Anderson, executive director of the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, yesterday told T