PNGBLOGS

by NANCY GORO   The awarding of contract of the construction of the new Supreme and National Court Complex in Waigani worth K430 million that was being heavily politicised has taken another twist.  The twist now sees the Prime Minister getting directly involved. The National Executive Council (NEC) is set to meet this week and one agenda will be the awarding of contract for the construction of the new Court House complex Waigani.   The Prime Minister is said to be traveling out of the country when NEC meets. He has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion to chair NEC.  This sly tactic by PM is totally uncalled for and is seen to be corrupt practice and tactic. Prime Minister before travelling out has has directed his PNC Party members to support the awarding of the contract to L&A Construction a company.  L&A Construction is closely linked and associated with the PNC Party and Prime Minister O'Neil. Although L&A Constructions bid was out of the budget,

PNGBLOGS The awarding of contract of the construction of the new Supreme and National Court Complex in Waigani worth K430 million is being heavily politicised and the awarding of the contract by NEC for unknown reasons has been delayed for two months now. Although It has been budgeted in the 2016 budget and planned to be completed before the APEC Conference in Port Moresby in 2018. The awarding of the contract went through the the bureaucratic process by going through the Central Supply and Tenders Board before being submitted to the National Executive Council (NEC) it's recommendation. The NEC submission in awarding a contract of the construction of the Supreme and National Court complex in Waigani is based on Supply and Tender Boards submission while in turn is based on careful and professional technical and financial assessment. CSTB have shortlisted 3 very qualified and experienced bidders that we're recommended to NEC. And they are in preference from 1- 3; 1.China Rail

by JAMES SEMA - NIUGINI OUTLOOK   Please spread this story as much as you can throughout the social media in the hopes that some witnesses or people who have relevant details will come forward, share what they know, and let us either put this rumor to rest or develop it into a full allegation. Few of you reading this will know how good investigative journalists go about their work. It may surprise you to know that the very best ones who crack the biggest stories use many anonymous sources of information. You may think that such information carries no power, but in fact it does when you combine all the stories of the witnesses and look for common themes in what they're saying. Prophets of defeat will say that none of this is evidence. Ah but you're wrong. Witnesses without hard evidence are in fact powerful evidence. Scattered facts and details here and there can be puzzle parts put together to make up a story. That is what we're doing to further investigate a

by KUNI BIMUNDI I posed a query “who is funding PM O’Neill’s legal fees?”. Gregory Shepherd, believed to be the lead counsel in all the PM’s court cases, responded and said the State is paying for PM’s legal fees. He further asserted that the Attorney General briefed out cases and payment originates from State Solicitor. Gregory however did not stop at his response. He took a swipe at Mr Sam Koim in the guise of responding to my question. I was at a loss trying to connect how Greg was diverting his attention to Mr Koim. Mr Koim responded to Greg’s comments. The ensuing conversations/comments were hilarious and entertaining. Here is my take on the responses and various comments. Gregory Shepherd raised issues that he is already challenging in court hence Koim described him as engaging in “street fights”. Recent media reports of the cases attest to that. Whilst we citizens are bullied by lawyers for discussing court matters, lawyers like Greg himself took Koim to task in a pub

PNGBLOGS   THINK CREATIVE MANAGEMENT’S ‘50 MILLION KINA’ 40 YEARS INDEPENDENCE EVENT FOR PNG Whilst the country is faced with financial problems, the upcoming 40th Independence anniversary is set to see the visit of an iconic world renowned artist. No word has been disclosed as yet, but the company tasked to host a series of events commemorating PNG’s 40th anniversary was paid K50 million. Think Creative Management is primarily owned by Lady Ni Cragnolini, the Chinese wife of Sir Luciano Cragnolini of LA Construction; and Ms. Michelle Monsour an Australian who was the head of Marketing and Sponsorship for the failed $10 million PNG NRL bid. Going through IPA records, there is no indication of a company constitution, however an individual by the name of Sylvester Huta, a PNG National, owns a 20 percent share in Think Creative Management and both Monsour and Cragnolini own 40 percent each. It is not clear exactly how K50 million will be used to entertain Papua New Guineans in a