PNGBLOGS

National Editorial PNG is ill-prepared for the impact of liquefied natural gas (LNG). So far, we have watched the progress from gas agreement in May 2008 to financial closure on March 11 with little more than fascination. We have heard the talking-up of PNG LNG, about the enormous wealth creation and its potential to change our fortunes but thought little of how it might impact us individually or as a community. Partly, this has been because there has been little to work on. Nobody has given us any clue on the full cost and benefit of this project.   The blame for this must be placed squarely at the doorstep of the executive Government and on the steps of Parliament House. While there has been a ministerial economic committee formed for the express purpose of the LNG project, its sole purpose, so it would seem, up to now has been to speed up the approval of the project. Little has been done by way of preparing the nation for the effect which will have a tsunami-like consequence upon PN

National Editorial PNG is ill-prepared for the impact of liquefied natural gas (LNG). So far, we have watched the progress from gas agreement in May 2008 to financial closure on March 11 with little more than fascination. We have heard the talking-up of PNG LNG, about the enormous wealth creation and its potential to change our fortunes but thought little of how it might impact us individually or as a community. Partly, this has been because there has been little to work on. Nobody has given us any clue on the full cost and benefit of this project.   The blame for this must be placed squarely at the doorstep of the executive Government and on the steps of Parliament House. While there has been a ministerial economic committee formed for the express purpose of the LNG project, its sole purpose, so it would seem, up to now has been to speed up the approval of the project. Little has been done by way of preparing the nation for the effect which will have a tsunami-like consequence

BENNY SANDEKA   WHEN the National Government granted autonomous powers to the Bougainville government in 2001, few other provinces have also put their hands up. Notable among them are East New Britain followed by New Ireland. Morobe has made an indication to be autonomous but there have not been any serious follow-ups. When these old flames of self determination through autonomy were rekindled again in 2007, Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare laid down the ground rules: Autonomy for Bougainville is a special case and the National Government will not entertain any more quest for autonomy brought to government by aspiring provinces. At the time of the Prime Minister making the public statement, East New Britain was well ahead of its preparation towards the attainment of autonomy. In fact, its bid for autonomy received full backing from East New Britain leaders in Cabinet at that time. But the government's stance on the issue has put their quest for autonomy on hold. Until

BENNY SANDEKA   WHEN the National Government granted autonomous powers to the Bougainville government in 2001, few other provinces have also put their hands up. Notable among them are East New Britain followed by New Ireland. Morobe has made an indication to be autonomous but there have not been any serious follow-ups. When these old flames of self determination through autonomy were rekindled again in 2007, Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare laid down the ground rules: Autonomy for Bougainville is a special case and the National Government will not entertain any more quest for autonomy brought to government by aspiring provinces. At the time of the Prime Minister making the public statement, East New Britain was well ahead of its preparation towards the attainment of autonomy. In fact, its bid for autonomy received full backing from East New Britain leaders in Cabinet at that time. But the government's stance on the issue has put their quest for autonomy on ho

'God save Papua New Guinea' is one phrase that any one person would want to say given the country's current situation where government services are non-existent in rural areas and more so when corruption seemed to take precedence. When we talk about public service delivery, time and time again we refer to the very basic needs of health, education, roads and infrastructure, and law and order. These are the basis of our very survival and existence as a nation, but when these services are not delivered the way it is, then we tend to question what has gone wrong. More often we have the tendency of blaming the political leaders and bureaucrats of the failure on their part for not delivering the much needed services that we lack. But can we really blame them for all the failures or should we blame ourselves for doing nothing to get the leaders responsible for their actions. I believe we should blame ourselves, simply because we failed to exercise the "peoples'

'God save Papua New Guinea' is one phrase that any one person would want to say given the country's current situation where government services are non-existent in rural areas and more so when corruption seemed to take precedence. When we talk about public service delivery, time and time again we refer to the very basic needs of health, education, roads and infrastructure, and law and order. These are the basis of our very survival and existence as a nation, but when these services are not delivered the way it is, then we tend to question what has gone wrong. More often we have the tendency of blaming the political leaders and bureaucrats of the failure on their part for not delivering the much needed services that we lack. But can we really blame them for all the failures or should we blame ourselves for doing nothing to get the leaders responsible for their actions. I believe we should blame ourselves, simply because we failed to exercise the "peoples&

Benny Sandeka THE then Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, Ben Micah has admitted that the Provincial and Local Level Government reforms which he spearheaded in 1995 have totally missed the intentions of the reforms.  Mr Micah said the Provincial Government Reforms which he spearheaded 15 years ago was to improve the delivery of basic services to the masses. However, the new Organic Law on the Provincial and Local Level Government has undergone too many amendments and has made it become ineffective and thus failed to deliver its intentions. Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Puka Temu said, the government is currently looking at ways to improve the system of government in the country. While the national government will remain in its current state, the national government is still looking at ways of how to improve the provincial and local level governments further with the same intents of effectively delivering basic services to the rural masses. "We are looking at retaining

Benny Sandeka THE then Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, Ben Micah has admitted that the Provincial and Local Level Government reforms which he spearheaded in 1995 have totally missed the intentions of the reforms.  Mr Micah said the Provincial Government Reforms which he spearheaded 15 years ago was to improve the delivery of basic services to the masses. However, the new Organic Law on the Provincial and Local Level Government has undergone too many amendments and has made it become ineffective and thus failed to deliver its intentions. Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Puka Temu said, the government is currently looking at ways to improve the system of government in the country. While the national government will remain in its current state, the national government is still looking at ways of how to improve the provincial and local level governments further with the same intents of effectively delivering basic services to the rural masses. "We are looking at ret

PNG Sunday Chronicles THE NATIONAL Parliament will fork out K2 million annually to pay two private law firms when the house itself is rotting away, it has been alleged. This will see in-house lawyers doing nothing when it comes to providing legal directions and advice for Members of Parliament. Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Member for Bulolo, Sam Basil revealed this when commenting on the recent amendments to the Ombudsman Commission bill. "We are not stupid here, but are being misled or deliberately denied legal services by the Speaker of Parliament and if we have less knowledge of the legal implications of bills then we can be easily fooled by the bill sponsors." Mr Basil said the two law firms that have been engaged on retainer arrangement costing tax payers money is unnecessary and they only work for the interest of the government. "I personally think the current system works to the best interest of the ruling party (National Alliance) to easily pas