This government is a national risk to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
It is absolutely clear that this government does not care at all. This government has proven time and time again to be grossly reckless and negligent in safeguarding the welfare and interests of Papua New Guinea. This government is compromising our National Sovereignty and Security, and our credibility as a mature, safe and credible national state.
This government has skilfully diverted public attention by trumpeting across the country how wonderful its 2013 Budget is, while it not only engages in dubious and questionable activities, but neglects its responsibility to act on numerous matters of national importance.
We highlight below various actions and inactions of the government that are of grave concern.
We begin with the latest saga, where a chartered jet mysteriously landed in Port Moresby with two controversial naturalised Vanuatu citizens of Asian origin on board.
The Prime Minister has smooth talked the people of PNG that the plane and its passengers had not breached any PNG laws and therefore it was okay for the plane and passengers to enter and leave PNG the way they did. This is insulting to the intelligence of Papua New Guineans.
What about the fact that the plane was flown by just one pilot in PNG air space? What about the fact that the plane did not have clearance to enter PNG air space? What about the fact that no PNG control tower had control of the aircraft in PNG air space to eventual landing at Jacksons? Are these, not in violation of the Civil Aviation Act? What about false declarations on arrival cards by members of the delegation? Is this not in violation of the Immigration Act? This Prime Minister cannot simply sweep this saga under the carpet. The story just doesn’t add up.
Why were all of the key airport services officials such as customs, immigration and civil aviation not informed and advised in advance of the plane’s arrival, if people in higher places knew about the flight?
The office of the Prime Minister in Vanuatu has denied any knowledge of any formal engagement for the Vanuatu Foreign Minister in PNG, Could it not be that the Minister and his two Vanuatu associates were here to engage in covert meetings and business dealings between them-selves and people in high places in this country?
Doesn’t the flight path of the plane raise suspicions, in that it has made stops in trouble hot spots and tax havens, given the two brothers alleged dealings in the illegal arms and drugs trade?
Why could it be that the plane made a 12 hour non-stop flight from the tax haven of the Maldives direct to PNG with just one pilot?
Why would it be necessary to use a huge plane for the PNG leg of the journey for just five passengers, except if they were freighting in heavy cargo
Is it proper diplomatic protocol, if we are to buy Lucy Bogari’s story, for the Vanuatu Foreign Minister to come to PNG and greet and exchange credentials etcetera with the new American Ambassador, when it should be the other way around? Who is the Foreign Affairs Secretary providing cover for?
As a matter of fact, the US Embassy has denied any appointment or any meeting of any sort with the Vanuatu Foreign Minister.
The Vanuatu Foreign Minister has now come out saying, that the O’Neill-Dion Government invited him and his partners to PNG. Peter O’Neill has come out branding Carlot as a liar. Who do we believe, Mr Carlot or Mr O’Neill?
Why all the unusual and bizarre events? Could it be that the plane was chartered by the two Vanuatu fugitives to import black money for the benefit of people in high places here?
Why is it, that persons originating from a particular highlands province, have featured prominently in facilitating and clearing the plane and its cargo, beginning in Brussels and ending here in PNG, as well as having a link with our High Commission in the Solomon Islands?
Fellow citizens of Papua New Guinea, you be the judge!
And how about the other actions and inactions of this Government over the last 6 months of being in office….!
This government, as we all know, is presently harbouring an Indonesian millionaire fugitive, Tjandra Djoko. This man was instantly granted citizenship and a PNG passport under a different name, Joe Chan, designed to evade Interpol etc. Is O’Neill government sending a message to transnational criminals that PNG is a haven for them as long as it is government? And isn’t the granting of citizenship instantly to this person without first meeting the requirements under law, a bitter pill for genuine applicants who have for many years lived and contributed much to the development of this country but are still waiting to be granted citizenship?
This government, through a caretaker cabinet rushed to approve the controversial and potentially destructive Sea Bed Mining Agreement in a record three days of being sworn into office and without taking time to understand the full implications of such a pioneering venture.
This government rushed into securing an historic six billion kina loan from China without a detailed Infrastructure Development Plan and without due regard to the Public Finance Management Act as well as a proper professional analysis of the future financial and economic implications on Papua New Guinea. Thanks to the Chinese, the loan is delayed following demand from China for proper due diligence before the funds could be released.
This government made a deliberate and conscious decision to allow Australia to establish an Asylum Seekers Detention and Processing Centre in Manus Island, knowing full well that it was unconstitutional and unlawful. This scheme particularly is hurtful the opposition and the people of PNG, when the Australian Minister for Chris Brown, when debating in the Australia’s Parliament said, quote, ”In the interest of Australia’s national security, I am prepared to ignore UN Charters and Conventions and PNG’s domestic Laws”
This government has decided to flood the PNG government system with Australian so called experts and advisors by agreeing to add eighty nine (89) more of them to enter the Districts. This is not only undermining our public servants and our elected Members of Parliament but a serious breach of national sovereignty and security. Couldn’t the government negotiate with the Australians for support in capacity building through funding of districts’ physical and administrative infrastructure and skills development and training of district officials?
Are we being taken back to our colonial past, where the norm was YES MASTER, to everything the white men wanted, whether right or wrong?
This government, has seen fit to spend a massive Twenty Five Million Kina (K25m), on a mere feasibility study for the relocation of Murray Barracks and the Lancron Naval Base, while long standing grievances of serving and ex- service men remain un attended. If the intentions were to re build and modernize our Defence Forces, then it is welcome news but shamefully, it is not. It is about land grabbing. The government has made no secret about its intentions. It wants to auction the land, and who will be the successful bidder(s) is any one’s guess,
This government has also failed to follow through and take action on a number of matters that are very important and directly affect the everyday lives of our people.
Why is it that the nation is not informed, and in particular the immediate families of hundreds of Papua New Guineans that have perished, through tragic air and sea accidents, about why and how this accidents happened and what steps are being taken to have people to account and improve future public safety?
Why is it that the public is not informed on whether or not, the Forty Million Kina (K40m), paid out in advance to the contractor (AUSPAC), for the failed Public Service Housing Project at 8 Mile, has been repaid to the state or not?
What has happened to millions of kina that has been paid over a number of years for the rehabilitation of the now abandoned central government offices in Waigani?
What about the continuous border incursions and breaches of border protocols by Indonesian soldiers along our border. The inaction by this government to act on these incursions and the proper and permanent demarcation of the PNG - Indonesia border is deafening and of great concern.
The list goes on….
Is this the type of government that the people of this country deserve? Aren’t these actions and inactions, a clear testimony of a government that is failing in its responsibilities to our people?
We warn Papua New Guineans not to allow them-selves to be misled by a smooth-talking Prime Minister. The Opposition is very concerned about the good governance and transparency record of this regime. The Opposition is also very concerned with the government’s inability to keep pace with and effectively deal with problems and issues affecting our country.
We in the Opposition have now concluded that this government is a liability to this country. We fear for this county’s well-being. It cannot be trusted.
In view of this government’s record of total lack of transparency and good governance and bad management in just under seven (7) months, we cannot co-operate with this government any longer. In this respect, we would like to inform the public, that the Opposition will not support the second vote on the motion to extend the grace period to thirty (30) months.
We supported the first vote on considerations of political stability, however, this government’s continuous corruptive behaviour and its failure to swiftly attend to many issues of national importance is of real worry to us.
We would be failing in our duty to protect the welfare and interests of this country if we give this reckless and under-performing government a huge thirty (30) months without the opportunity for Parliament to censor its performance.
This government is a threat to PNG’s political and socio- economic security. It is a time bomb itself.
Look at Peter O’Neill’s record as Prime Minister in only six (6) months and compare that to what he could do or not do in a space of thirty (30) months. Peter O’Neill does not deserve another 12 months of uncensored government.
The Opposition therefore calls on all Members of Parliament to join us in withdrawing their support for the Thirty (30) months grace period bill. Parliament must keep itself free and ready at all times to be able to keep the executive government in check and accountable.
BELDEN NAMAH MP
Leader of Papua New Guinea Opposition
Comments
Post a Comment
Please free to leave comments.