PNGBLOGS

PAUL BARKER While employment grew across most sectors and regions of the country over recent years of positive economic growth, essential services have remained inadequate and widely deteriorated. Urban housing has also become less accessible or affordable. Indeed, with property, rental (and hotel) prices leapfrogging, it seems PNG has an accommodation market of a wealthy developed country, superimposed upon a poor developing country. In reality it demonstrates a very undeveloped housing market unable to meet rapidly growing demand in most centres and categories of housing. Access to adequate food, potable water and housing are basic human needs and housing (and freedom from forced eviction) is an internationally recognised human right. PNG’s population lives largely in rural areas, providing their own accommodation, using building materials from customary land resources, sometimes with permanent materials. In rural areas the State’s responsibilities are limited to providing basic infr

PAUL BARKER While employment grew across most sectors and regions of the country over recent years of positive economic growth, essential services have remained inadequate and widely deteriorated. Urban housing has also become less accessible or affordable. Indeed, with property, rental (and hotel) prices leapfrogging, it seems PNG has an accommodation market of a wealthy developed country, superimposed upon a poor developing country. In reality it demonstrates a very undeveloped housing market unable to meet rapidly growing demand in most centres and categories of housing. Access to adequate food, potable water and housing are basic human needs and housing (and freedom from forced eviction) is an internationally recognised human right. PNG’s population lives largely in rural areas, providing their own accommodation, using building materials from customary land resources, sometimes with permanent materials. In rural areas the State’s responsibilities are limited to providing basic in

THE NATIONAL THE factions at the centre of the PNGRFL leadership battle have come together in the name of rugby league and to ensure the game maintains its momentum. In a meeting held at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday night, Sports Minister Philemon Embel and chairman of the Rugby League International Federation (IRLF) Colin Love appealed to both parties to determine an interim solution and way forward pending a decision of the leadership from the PNG courts. PNGRFL chairman Gary Juffa was absent as he was out of the country on duty travel. His deputy, Bryan Kramer accompanied by five of his board members, flew in for the meeting from throughout the country. They are Max Tiri (Highlands), Peter Barnanga (Northern), Boski Horta (New Guinea Islands), Lohia Sammuel (Southern) and operations manager Joe Tokam. Former chairman Albert Veratau and PNG schoolboys director Iffyso Segeyaro were the only members of the other board who were present. Love said that the situation had reached crisis po

James Chessell, The Australian The Fiji Times editor Netani Rika goes to work each day knowing about one in five stories placed on the pages each night will be removed. The censors became part of the daily news cycle when they appeared on the editorial floor the day after the military-backed government abrogated the constitution in April last year. Each night they are given page proofs and strike out any story, headline, cartoon or letter they think may offend Commodore Frank Bainimarama's regime. Even seemingly innocuous stories about the poor upkeep of rural roads are dumped. Rika and his night editors have become adept at predicting which stories will be dumped and prepare a B-list of reserve copy to fill the holes. Stories that fail to get approval are not adjusted to suit the censor, making their job more difficult. Rika acknowledges there was "a lot animosity" at first, even among Fijian journalists already accustomed to intimidation. An entire page was left blank o

James Chessell, The Australian The Fiji Times editor Netani Rika goes to work each day knowing about one in five stories placed on the pages each night will be removed. The censors became part of the daily news cycle when they appeared on the editorial floor the day after the military-backed government abrogated the constitution in April last year. Each night they are given page proofs and strike out any story, headline, cartoon or letter they think may offend Commodore Frank Bainimarama's regime. Even seemingly innocuous stories about the poor upkeep of rural roads are dumped. Rika and his night editors have become adept at predicting which stories will be dumped and prepare a B-list of reserve copy to fill the holes. Stories that fail to get approval are not adjusted to suit the censor, making their job more difficult. Rika acknowledges there was "a lot animosity" at first, even among Fijian journalists already accustomed to intimidation. An entire page was le

Disappointed Nationalist The Sale of the 5% shares of BSP to the World Bank owned Investment company - IFC by IPBC smells fishy. The absurdity has also been helped by BSPs sale of another 5% to this international financial institution to make its ownership swell to 10%. NASFUND has been quite disappointed lately on a number of BSP decisions. One of these comments is quoted below. Jury out on excessive capital raising Where NASFUND remains skeptical is the current large capital adequacy of the Bank (approximately 24%) and whether it is required. The Bank has been collecting capital far in excess of current needs. This is also well above the regulatory minimum and currently represents in our view lazy capital. The Banks argument that they need additional capital because they want to participate in increased loan activity surrounding the LNG project cannot be faulted however BSP has probably over estimated the amount of capital required, considering that the evidence to date is that the m

Disappointed Nationalist The Sale of the 5% shares of BSP to the World Bank owned Investment company - IFC by IPBC smells fishy. The absurdity has also been helped by BSPs sale of another 5% to this international financial institution to make its ownership swell to 10%. NASFUND has been quite disappointed lately on a number of BSP decisions. One of these comments is quoted below. Jury out on excessive capital raising Where NASFUND remains skeptical is the current large capital adequacy of the Bank (approximately 24%) and whether it is required. The Bank has been collecting capital far in excess of current needs. This is also well above the regulatory minimum and currently represents in our view lazy capital. The Banks argument that they need additional capital because they want to participate in increased loan activity surrounding the LNG project cannot be faulted however BSP has probably over estimated the amount of capital required, considering that the evidence to date is that the m

PETER NIESI We have watched you rise in stature as the nation’s vice regal, Governor-General, Head of State of Papua New Guinea on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. You have presented yourself as a champion in the fight against corruption with consistent, consecutive leadership in word and through Transparency International (PNG) Inc annual Walk Against Corruption. Papua New Guinea, sir, is crying out for role models of righteousness in the light of much questionable decision-making by the elected government of the day. To date, as Head of State, the citizens have not seen you refuse to certify legislations passed by Parliament that there has been wide-spread outcry against. This includes the parts of the constitutional amendments against the laws governing the Ombudsman Commission; recent Forestry Act amendments; and we wonder what you would do with the amendments to the Environment Act. All of those, however, do not oblige you to act in your symbolic role contrary to the adv

PETER NIESI We have watched you rise in stature as the nation’s vice regal, Governor-General, Head of State of Papua New Guinea on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. You have presented yourself as a champion in the fight against corruption with consistent, consecutive leadership in word and through Transparency International (PNG) Inc annual Walk Against Corruption. Papua New Guinea, sir, is crying out for role models of righteousness in the light of much questionable decision-making by the elected government of the day. To date, as Head of State, the citizens have not seen you refuse to certify legislations passed by Parliament that there has been wide-spread outcry against. This includes the parts of the constitutional amendments against the laws governing the Ombudsman Commission; recent Forestry Act amendments; and we wonder what you would do with the amendments to the Environment Act. All of those, however, do not oblige you to act in your symbolic role contrary to th

A COMBINED police team investigating high profile crimes in the nation’s capital yesterday made a major breakthrough when they arrested a wanted suspect. The arrested man Alphonse Sailas or Alfie as commonly known, who is alleged by high-profile robber William Kapris Nanua to have been the mastermind behind the 2007 Metals Refining Operations (MRO) armed robbery, was arrested over allegations of abduction and rape. Kapris had also claimed during a police interview and which was recorded in a widely circulated tape and recently said in court that the man was among the group involved in the MRO robbery. Last month, the arrested man was also referred to by senior National Court judge, Justice Bernard Sakora as the “mastermind’’ in the robbery that Kapris was part of in 2007 in which K78,000 cash and more than K2 million worth of gold bars were stolen. Justice Sakora made the query in light of Kapris’ testimony alleging the man to be the person who went ahead to organise the crime and late

A COMBINED police team investigating high profile crimes in the nation’s capital yesterday made a major breakthrough when they arrested a wanted suspect. The arrested man Alphonse Sailas or Alfie as commonly known, who is alleged by high-profile robber William Kapris Nanua to have been the mastermind behind the 2007 Metals Refining Operations (MRO) armed robbery, was arrested over allegations of abduction and rape. Kapris had also claimed during a police interview and which was recorded in a widely circulated tape and recently said in court that the man was among the group involved in the MRO robbery. Last month, the arrested man was also referred to by senior National Court judge, Justice Bernard Sakora as the “mastermind’’ in the robbery that Kapris was part of in 2007 in which K78,000 cash and more than K2 million worth of gold bars were stolen. Justice Sakora made the query in light of Kapris’ testimony alleging the man to be the person who went ahead to organise the crime and

JEREMY HANCE On May 28th the parliament in Papua New Guinea passed a sweeping amendment that protects resource corporations from any litigation related to environmental destruction, labor laws, and landowner abuse. All issues related to the environment would now be decided by the government with no possibility of later lawsuits. Uniquely in the world, over 90 percent of land in Papua New Guinea is owned by clan or communally, not be the government. However this new amendment drastically undercuts Papua New Guinea's landowners from taking legislative action before or after environmental damage is done. Essentially it places all environmental safeguards with the Environment and Conservation Minister. Comparing the amendment to the US deregulation that paved the way for the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Papua New Guinea environmental and human rights lawyer, Tiffany Nonggorr, said the amendment seeks "to remove the checks and balances of the Environmental Act for proje

JEREMY HANCE On May 28th the parliament in Papua New Guinea passed a sweeping amendment that protects resource corporations from any litigation related to environmental destruction, labor laws, and landowner abuse. All issues related to the environment would now be decided by the government with no possibility of later lawsuits. Uniquely in the world, over 90 percent of land in Papua New Guinea is owned by clan or communally, not be the government. However this new amendment drastically undercuts Papua New Guinea's landowners from taking legislative action before or after environmental damage is done. Essentially it places all environmental safeguards with the Environment and Conservation Minister. Comparing the amendment to the US deregulation that paved the way for the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Papua New Guinea environmental and human rights lawyer, Tiffany Nonggorr, said the amendment seeks "to remove the checks and balances of the Environmental Act for

SPEAKER of Parliament, Jeffery Nape, bowed to pressure from the Government to declare Sir Paulias Matane as Governor-General for a second term against advice from his own Parliamentary legal counsels. This is according to Parliamentary witnesses who said Mr Nape had been advised by his lawyers to seek a Supreme Court interpretation on the uncertainty surrounding Section 87(5) of the Constitution following a point of order raised by East Sepik Governor, Peter Wararu. They said this was to maintain the integrity of the Chair and the House in accordance with adopted and normal parliamentary best practices. They said despite clear advice also on maintaining the independence of the Chair, the Speaker announced the Government’s interpretation of the constitutional provision. Parliament had taken a vote on the eligibility of Sir Paulias as the incumbent Governor-General under the provision which saw him muster 84 votes with only 13 against. Mr Wararu’s point of order was for the Speaker’s rul

SPEAKER of Parliament, Jeffery Nape, bowed to pressure from the Government to declare Sir Paulias Matane as Governor-General for a second term against advice from his own Parliamentary legal counsels. This is according to Parliamentary witnesses who said Mr Nape had been advised by his lawyers to seek a Supreme Court interpretation on the uncertainty surrounding Section 87(5) of the Constitution following a point of order raised by East Sepik Governor, Peter Wararu. They said this was to maintain the integrity of the Chair and the House in accordance with adopted and normal parliamentary best practices. They said despite clear advice also on maintaining the independence of the Chair, the Speaker announced the Government’s interpretation of the constitutional provision. Parliament had taken a vote on the eligibility of Sir Paulias as the incumbent Governor-General under the provision which saw him muster 84 votes with only 13 against. Mr Wararu’s point of order was for the Speaker’

ACTNOW Prime Minister, Michael Somare, has a secret legislative plan that will make the proposed changes to the Leadership Code and even the recent amendments to the Environment Act seem relatively benign and insignificant. The PM is waiting for the opportunity to again by-pass proper Parliamentary process and bulldoze through legislation for a Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that will further impoverish rural Papua New Guineans and boost the profits of foreign multinational companies. The legislation will allow the government to declare key ports and coastal areas as Special Economic Zones where foreign companies can import goods duty free, enjoy lengthy tax holidays and avoid any minimum wage restrictions for the workers they employ. With this legislation the Prime Minister seems determined to further enslave his own people and consign them to a life of poverty while he lives the high life in the bosom of the foreign companies and governments he is allowing to plunder PNG. It is unders

ACTNOW Prime Minister, Michael Somare, has a secret legislative plan that will make the proposed changes to the Leadership Code and even the recent amendments to the Environment Act seem relatively benign and insignificant. The PM is waiting for the opportunity to again by-pass proper Parliamentary process and bulldoze through legislation for a Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that will further impoverish rural Papua New Guineans and boost the profits of foreign multinational companies. The legislation will allow the government to declare key ports and coastal areas as Special Economic Zones where foreign companies can import goods duty free, enjoy lengthy tax holidays and avoid any minimum wage restrictions for the workers they employ. With this legislation the Prime Minister seems determined to further enslave his own people and consign them to a life of poverty while he lives the high life in the bosom of the foreign companies and governments he is allowing to plunder PNG. It

NATIONAL EDITORIAL THE legal advice provided to the prime minister on the appointment of the governor-general is seriously flawed. The actions of Parliament in the recent controversial re-appointment of the governor-general were contrary to the explicit directions provided by the Constitution. The appointment of Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane for a second term as governor-general, therefore, cannot be held to be legal. The legal advice or, as it turned out, the legal position adopted by the government and Parliament, is a clear misreading of section 87 of the Constitution and should not stand any serious contest of it in a court of law. The part of the Constitution cited as the basis for the advice is section 87(5). Clearly, and in plain English, that entire section deals only with “qualifications for appointment” to the post of governor-general. It makes no mention of the process for the “appointment of the GG” which is, again, very clearly spelled out in the following section. Sectio

NATIONAL EDITORIAL THE legal advice provided to the prime minister on the appointment of the governor-general is seriously flawed. The actions of Parliament in the recent controversial re-appointment of the governor-general were contrary to the explicit directions provided by the Constitution. The appointment of Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane for a second term as governor-general, therefore, cannot be held to be legal. The legal advice or, as it turned out, the legal position adopted by the government and Parliament, is a clear misreading of section 87 of the Constitution and should not stand any serious contest of it in a court of law. The part of the Constitution cited as the basis for the advice is section 87(5). Clearly, and in plain English, that entire section deals only with “qualifications for appointment” to the post of governor-general. It makes no mention of the process for the “appointment of the GG” which is, again, very clearly spelled out in the following section. Sect