PNGBLOGS

THE additional profit tax has been reintroduced in the PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, according to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. The tax scheme was abandoned in early 2003. During negotiations between the National Government and project developer ExxonMobil Corp on the PNG Gas agreement, the Government did not provide any tax concessions, Sir Michael said. He said this in a statement as he expressed congratulatory sentiments to ExxonMobil Corp and project development partners led by operator Esso Highlands Ltd, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corp. “We have had positive economic growth every year since then and I am especially thankful that the PNG LNG project will push this nation’s economic performance to an even higher level. “The challenge for my Government is to convert the benefits of this project to meaningful development that would improve the lives and living conditions of every Papua New Guinean. “The co-venturers in this project will spend US$15 billion (K40

THE additional profit tax has been reintroduced in the PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, according to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. The tax scheme was abandoned in early 2003. During negotiations between the National Government and project developer ExxonMobil Corp on the PNG Gas agreement, the Government did not provide any tax concessions, Sir Michael said. He said this in a statement as he expressed congratulatory sentiments to ExxonMobil Corp and project development partners led by operator Esso Highlands Ltd, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corp. “We have had positive economic growth every year since then and I am especially thankful that the PNG LNG project will push this nation’s economic performance to an even higher level. “The challenge for my Government is to convert the benefits of this project to meaningful development that would improve the lives and living conditions of every Papua New Guinean. “The co-venturers in this project will spend US$15 billion (K

A plot to remove Speaker Jeffery Nape came unstuck when Nape himself refused to entertain what appeared to be proper dissent on his ruling before the house. The surprise move was sprung by the Opposition yesterday, and it appeared to have the support of many in the government side.Mr Nape was shocked when straight after prayer led by Pastor Joseph Walters who was invited in to bless the session, Bulolo MP Sam Basil sought leave of Parliament to move a motion without notice. Speaker Nape asked him to explain the nature of his motion which Mr Basil said was to move a vote of no confidence against the Speaker. His move was quickly seconded by Lae MP Bart Philemon. Realising what was going on, Mr Nape said the Standing Orders of Parliament does not allow vote of no confidence against the Speaker and ruled the motion out of order.Goroka MP and government backbench MP Thompson Harokaqveh quickly moved a dissent against the Speakers ruling. The three MP’s refused to take their seats arguing

A plot to remove Speaker Jeffery Nape came unstuck when Nape himself refused to entertain what appeared to be proper dissent on his ruling before the house. The surprise move was sprung by the Opposition yesterday, and it appeared to have the support of many in the government side.Mr Nape was shocked when straight after prayer led by Pastor Joseph Walters who was invited in to bless the session, Bulolo MP Sam Basil sought leave of Parliament to move a motion without notice. Speaker Nape asked him to explain the nature of his motion which Mr Basil said was to move a vote of no confidence against the Speaker. His move was quickly seconded by Lae MP Bart Philemon. Realising what was going on, Mr Nape said the Standing Orders of Parliament does not allow vote of no confidence against the Speaker and ruled the motion out of order.Goroka MP and government backbench MP Thompson Harokaqveh quickly moved a dissent against the Speakers ruling. The three MP’s refused to take their sea

THE finalisation of financing arrangements with lenders towards the PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project is spreading some cloud over how the interest rates are going to perform in the coming years. This is because the final agreement will determine how much of the money lent would be retained in the local economy and how much would go back overseas. If more dollars from the borrowings are retained in the local banking system, the play of the existing rate would be affected. Generally, however, when the project gets underway, the rates will increase, according to Paul Crimmins, the head of Westpac’s relationship banking. He said until financial close happens, it was yet to know what would be the internal contracts awarded to domestic and foreign companies on the US$15 billion (K40 billion) LNG project which was a US dollar denominated project. These was part of the discussions during yesterday’s economic outlook seminar, part of a series of events m

  THE National and Supreme courts will have separate judges sitting on benches of the two high courts. Parliament gave its first approval with an 85-0 vote for the bill relating to the appointment of separate and distinct judges to sit on the Supreme Court and National Court separately. The amendments, tabled by Esa’ala MP Moses Maladina, stated that unlike other jurisdictions, “in PNG we have both judges presiding over both the National and Supreme courts”. “This is not only inconvenient but also gives rise to the issue of capacity. “We have come to a stage where the population has increased and are at a stage of development now where we require a separate and distinct Supreme Court with fulltime judges and a separate and distinct National Court with its own judges,” he said. Mr Maladina said the amendments had been made in consultation with the Attorney-General and with the Chief Justice. He said this was also in line with the law and justice sector white paper t

PARLIAMENT has taken the first steps to weaken the powers of the Ombudsman Commission, and establishing a parliamentary Ombudsman committee that will have powers to make inquiries of its own. Parliament voted 83-0 to amend section 27(4) of the Constitution to remove the powers of the Ombudsman in issuing directives to ministers and heads of departments. Section 27(4) allows the Ombudsman to issue directives to prevent payments out of public funds, or trips by MPs, or other actions by these office holders if it (the commission) feels impropriety is involved. For example, the commission has, in the past, used this provision to stop MPs taking overseas trips when it felt the trips were a waste of public funds. The commission had also used this provision to prevent cheques issued by the Finance Department if it felt the motives were political.  The commission had, in the past, used this provision to block the release of electoral development fund cheques for MP

  THE alleged mystery woman in the William Nanua Kapris escape from the Bomana prison maximum security unit has been captured by police. The woman who allegedly impersonated a human rights lawyer and went to the jail with others to set free 12 prisoners including suspected bank robber Kapris from Bomana’s maximum security lockup is behind bars. Helen Mark Kuipa, 26, from Kupalis village in Wabag, Enga Province, was apprehended at Talai settlement, Badili. Police claim she had been on the run from them for almost three months. The identity of the “mystery woman’’ was the subject of speculation in the mass media, with those who witnessed her in the Bomana raid describing her as a very beautiful and sophisticated woman, while others likened her to Serah Tancredi, partner of Michael Schofield in the movie Prison Break. On Saturday night at around 8 she was caught at Talai settlement after a tip off from the public. NCD metropolitan commander, Chief Superintenden

Hi all this is Paul, Thank you so much for following my blogs, I have not been up to speed lately with posts, I must admit I have been very busy with my other job that pays for my everyday living.  I have been developing a website for this blog and its still being tested. I hope to have it up before next month, again, I welcome suggestions and comments. If you have news ideas or posts that you would like to put out there please connect with me on my e-mail: paul.reinbara@gmail.com. I would like to thank you all for taking your time in visiting this blog. We need to take our country back from the greed elite, its time for us to rise up and make our stand. Let the world know that we are a country not rules by tyrants but by the will of the people. Thank you Paul Reinbara