PNGBLOGS

SOUTH PACIFIC POST Minister Tony Aimo, implicated in the BSP robbery, also Minister responsible for CIS, do we see a pattern? Correctional Services officers employed around the Beon jail in Madang to guard high profile bank robbery suspect William Kapris have been withdrawn, sparking fears that another Bomana style escape could be staged to free the man. Officers from Port Moresby who were deployed in the high profile operation to guard convicted prisoner and the alleged bank robber have been ordered to return to Port Moresby. The Order was issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Operations Henry Wavik who cited financial problems as the main factor to recall the guards back to Port Moresby. This means that the high profile security operation for the most expensive prisoner has now come to an end and normal guard duties by Beon based officers will commence. But the recall order has been questioned by some officers on the ground in Beon saying the withdrawal of CS Bomana staff will mean that

SOUTH PACIFIC POST Minister Tony Aimo, implicated in the BSP robbery, also Minister responsible for CIS, do we see a pattern? Correctional Services officers employed around the Beon jail in Madang to guard high profile bank robbery suspect William Kapris have been withdrawn, sparking fears that another Bomana style escape could be staged to free the man. Officers from Port Moresby who were deployed in the high profile operation to guard convicted prisoner and the alleged bank robber have been ordered to return to Port Moresby. The Order was issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Operations Henry Wavik who cited financial problems as the main factor to recall the guards back to Port Moresby. This means that the high profile security operation for the most expensive prisoner has now come to an end and normal guard duties by Beon based officers will commence. But the recall order has been questioned by some officers on the ground in Beon saying the withdrawal of CS Bomana staff will m

STEVE ZWICK On Monday, an article attributed to the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported that Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare has officially denounced voluntary carbon schemes as being too risky.  The article – widely replicated in blogs and news outlets – said that Somare was encouraging forest owners to wait for a formal UN REDD regime before preserving their forests to earn credits for saving rainforests.  The message, however, is not posted on Somare's web page , and the voluntary programs he's denouncing were never verified to any recognized standard. It's just the latest in a series of weird signals to come out of PNG, which is under fire on both the compliance and voluntary carbon fronts. On the compliance front, PNG's handling of the REDD+ Partnership drew fire at UN Climate-Change talks in Tianjin, where scores of participants accused their negotiating team of stifling efforts to bring small landowners and indigenous groups into t

STEVE ZWICK On Monday, an article attributed to the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported that Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare has officially denounced voluntary carbon schemes as being too risky.  The article – widely replicated in blogs and news outlets – said that Somare was encouraging forest owners to wait for a formal UN REDD regime before preserving their forests to earn credits for saving rainforests.  The message, however, is not posted on Somare's web page , and the voluntary programs he's denouncing were never verified to any recognized standard. It's just the latest in a series of weird signals to come out of PNG, which is under fire on both the compliance and voluntary carbon fronts. On the compliance front, PNG's handling of the REDD+ Partnership drew fire at UN Climate-Change talks in Tianjin, where scores of participants accused their negotiating team of stifling efforts to bring small landowners and indigenous groups

DR. SAMUEL MAIMA IN the recent weeks, professionals and individuals have expressed outrage against the Pacific Medical Centre. Some of the equipment in the proposed PMC will boast of the latest in cutting edge technology. I take this opportunity to enlighten the poorly informed public on the evolution and planning of the PMC. Two years ago, several American doctors had lively meeting and discussion with the current director of accident and emergency department of PMGH, Dr Sam Yockopua. Through him and certain concerned civil and corporate American citizens started a massive fund raising drive having seen the very plight and poor condition of the PMGH. Even US president Barack Obama was brought into the equation of raising US$4 billion. The decision to invest US$500 million was not initiated by the PNG government. The remaining US$3.5 billion is for training and bringing the most recent medical equipment and technology to PNG. Such a huge capital investment will create a massive job

DR. SAMUEL MAIMA IN the recent weeks, professionals and individuals have expressed outrage against the Pacific Medical Centre. Some of the equipment in the proposed PMC will boast of the latest in cutting edge technology. I take this opportunity to enlighten the poorly informed public on the evolution and planning of the PMC. Two years ago, several American doctors had lively meeting and discussion with the current director of accident and emergency department of PMGH, Dr Sam Yockopua. Through him and certain concerned civil and corporate American citizens started a massive fund raising drive having seen the very plight and poor condition of the PMGH. Even US president Barack Obama was brought into the equation of raising US$4 billion. The decision to invest US$500 million was not initiated by the PNG government. The remaining US$3.5 billion is for training and bringing the most recent medical equipment and technology to PNG. Such a huge capital investment will create a ma

PNGEXPOSED The International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank, has recently published an information sheet about its support for the development of Special Economic Zones in Papua New Guinea. The information sheet concludes with remarks about the proposed Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) in Madang. “Is IFC involved with the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone? No” says the information sheet Then, to make it quite clear, it reiterates “IFC has not been involved with any of the arrangements for the PMIZ.” This is a far cry from the information the  IFC was putting out in June 2009 when it confidently declared its SEZ strategy for PNG… will also address the government’s plan to establish the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone promoting investment in onshore processing of regionally caught tuna.  The project made an important step forward yesterday when the PMIZ project’s National Management Committee and Technical Working Group, along with IFC representatives and members of t

PNGEXPOSED The International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank, has recently published an information sheet about its support for the development of Special Economic Zones in Papua New Guinea. The information sheet concludes with remarks about the proposed Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) in Madang. “Is IFC involved with the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone? No” says the information sheet Then, to make it quite clear, it reiterates “IFC has not been involved with any of the arrangements for the PMIZ.” This is a far cry from the information the  IFC was putting out in June 2009 when it confidently declared its SEZ strategy for PNG… will also address the government’s plan to establish the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone promoting investment in onshore processing of regionally caught tuna.  The project made an important step forward yesterday when the PMIZ project’s National Management Committee and Technical Working Group, along with IFC representatives and members of

Papua New Guinea's prime minister and deputy prime minister appear to be at odds with each other over controversial voluntary carbon trade schemes (VCS) that have plagued their country with scandal. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare issued a media release at the weekend claiming the VCS were risky and premature. Sir Michael wants to pursue forest protection and reduce greenhouse gases through the complex United Nations plan known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). "The voluntary trading of forest carbon is inadvisable at this time," Sir Michael said. But on September 23 this year Deputy Prime Minister Don Polye wrote a letter to carbon trade developer Kirk Roberts saying the PNG government supported and endorsed his VCS projects. Roberts, through the VCS projects, has been promoting carbon trade to PNG villagers as an alternative income to logging. Polye's letter, supported by another letter from the prime minister's legal advi

Papua New Guinea's prime minister and deputy prime minister appear to be at odds with each other over controversial voluntary carbon trade schemes (VCS) that have plagued their country with scandal. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare issued a media release at the weekend claiming the VCS were risky and premature. Sir Michael wants to pursue forest protection and reduce greenhouse gases through the complex United Nations plan known as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). "The voluntary trading of forest carbon is inadvisable at this time," Sir Michael said. But on September 23 this year Deputy Prime Minister Don Polye wrote a letter to carbon trade developer Kirk Roberts saying the PNG government supported and endorsed his VCS projects. Roberts, through the VCS projects, has been promoting carbon trade to PNG villagers as an alternative income to logging. Polye's letter, supported by another letter from the prime minister's lega

NATIONAL Newspaper MEMBER for Vanimo-Green Belden Namah is the new leader for PNG Party. He takes over from founder and former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta. A handover ceremony for the media took place last Friday. Namah, former forest minister and a central part of the National Alliance party, defected to the opposition with former deputy prime minister Sir Puka Temu and former culture and tourism minister Charles Abel in July. A plot to remove Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare during the July sitting did not succeed. The PNG Party suffered defections to the government recently before Namah’s arrival. Imbonggu MP Francis Awesa, Chimbu Governor Fr John Garia, and Henganofi MP Ferao Orimyao recently announced they were leaving the party to join the United Resource Party. Sir Mekere told reporters at the handover ceremony that PNG Party was a national institution, and, therefore, the party wanted to make a change in the political landscape in the country by giving away the leadersh

NATIONAL Newspaper MEMBER for Vanimo-Green Belden Namah is the new leader for PNG Party. He takes over from founder and former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta. A handover ceremony for the media took place last Friday. Namah, former forest minister and a central part of the National Alliance party, defected to the opposition with former deputy prime minister Sir Puka Temu and former culture and tourism minister Charles Abel in July. A plot to remove Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare during the July sitting did not succeed. The PNG Party suffered defections to the government recently before Namah’s arrival. Imbonggu MP Francis Awesa, Chimbu Governor Fr John Garia, and Henganofi MP Ferao Orimyao recently announced they were leaving the party to join the United Resource Party. Sir Mekere told reporters at the handover ceremony that PNG Party was a national institution, and, therefore, the party wanted to make a change in the political landscape in the country by giving away the lea

PNG EXPOSED Records from the bank account of the Komo Margarima District Treasury shows six payments totaling K18 million were made to ‘PNG Construction’ in December 2009. K9 million was transferred directly to PNG Construction in the week ending 3 December in three separate transactions. A further K9 million was paid via three bank cheques in the week ending 17 December. Local people have referred details of these payments to the Prime Minister alleging they were fraudulent transaction made by Acting District Administrator Tumbi Yari as part of an on-going theft of public money. But who is PNG Construction? Local people in Komo allege the company is connected to their local MP Francis Potape, who knew of or collaborated in the fraud. But according to the Registrar of Companies in the Investment Promotion Authority there is NO registered company with the name PNG Construction. There is a registered company with the name PNG Construction and Development – but the Company Extr

PNG EXPOSED Records from the bank account of the Komo Margarima District Treasury shows six payments totaling K18 million were made to ‘PNG Construction’ in December 2009. K9 million was transferred directly to PNG Construction in the week ending 3 December in three separate transactions. A further K9 million was paid via three bank cheques in the week ending 17 December. Local people have referred details of these payments to the Prime Minister alleging they were fraudulent transaction made by Acting District Administrator Tumbi Yari as part of an on-going theft of public money. But who is PNG Construction? Local people in Komo allege the company is connected to their local MP Francis Potape, who knew of or collaborated in the fraud. But according to the Registrar of Companies in the Investment Promotion Authority there is NO registered company with the name PNG Construction. There is a registered company with the name PNG Construction and Development – but the Compa

PHILIP PUTAIJA There is a clear misuse of public funds which is indicated clearly on the Bank records (attached) of the Komo Margarima District Account. Millions of Kina from the district account has been diverted into the Acting District Managers personal account for personal use, which we believe is done in consultation or with the knowledge of the local Member of Parliament. The Acting District Manager should be terminated, arrested and locked behind bars for an investigation to begin. We write to your office expressing the concern of the huge misappropriation which occured in the Komo Margarima funds in a short span of time, 2007 2010. This Acting District Administrator for Komo Margarima District has terribly mismanaged the district funds. He illegally did direct fund transfers, made huge withdrawals over the counter under his own name, converting huge amounts of money into bank Cheques to direct transfers to PNG Construction Ltd, a company purportedly owned by the local member of

PHILIP PUTAIJA There is a clear misuse of public funds which is indicated clearly on the Bank records (attached) of the Komo Margarima District Account. Millions of Kina from the district account has been diverted into the Acting District Managers personal account for personal use, which we believe is done in consultation or with the knowledge of the local Member of Parliament. The Acting District Manager should be terminated, arrested and locked behind bars for an investigation to begin. We write to your office expressing the concern of the huge misappropriation which occured in the Komo Margarima funds in a short span of time, 2007 2010. This Acting District Administrator for Komo Margarima District has terribly mismanaged the district funds. He illegally did direct fund transfers, made huge withdrawals over the counter under his own name, converting huge amounts of money into bank Cheques to direct transfers to PNG Construction Ltd, a company purportedly owned by the local member

By WILLIAM KAPRIS The law makers and law enforcers seem to be the sole beneficiaries of the laws that they make in this country. Happy are they that live to enjoy every privilege at the expense of the civil society. Even in times of trouble, it seems easy for them to beat the system and get over their troubles because they are on the playing field, embracing, encouraging and supporting each other while civil society spectates. The laws seems to be of no effect to these class of persons for reasons that they are either above the law or excusable by law. Surely time and history tend to dictate that the laws are made for the ordinary citizen, the so-called grassroots as it remains evident that only grassroots are in prisons branded as hardcore criminals while the most sophisticated criminals are at large simply because they are either above the law or excusable by law. Above all human reasoning, the public or the civil society have correctly given their verdict that there is a divided rul

By WILLIAM KAPRIS The law makers and law enforcers seem to be the sole beneficiaries of the laws that they make in this country. Happy are they that live to enjoy every privilege at the expense of the civil society. Even in times of trouble, it seems easy for them to beat the system and get over their troubles because they are on the playing field, embracing, encouraging and supporting each other while civil society spectates. The laws seems to be of no effect to these class of persons for reasons that they are either above the law or excusable by law. Surely time and history tend to dictate that the laws are made for the ordinary citizen, the so-called grassroots as it remains evident that only grassroots are in prisons branded as hardcore criminals while the most sophisticated criminals are at large simply because they are either above the law or excusable by law. Above all human reasoning, the public or the civil society have correctly given their verdict that there is a divid

AAP Papua New Guinea is stalling crucial global climate change talks in China. Delegates from more than 170 countries are meeting in Tianjin, China to try to revive UN climate negotiations that failed to create a binding agreement in Copenhagen last year. The talks are a prelude to a UN summit starting next month in Mexico, but the US on Wednesday said they had so far failed to make significant progress. The global bickering centres on the details of the complex UN plan to reduce climate change through its Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) agenda. PNG, as co-chair of the REDD negotiations, is arguing for less scrutiny on donor funding as a way to fast-track the process. But PNG forests campaigner, Sam Moko, said this was a worry showing PNG appeared more interested in donor money than seriously tackling climate change. “With a reputation of corruption, complete disregard for land owner rights, free and prior informed consent and accurate estimations of likely

AAP Papua New Guinea is stalling crucial global climate change talks in China. Delegates from more than 170 countries are meeting in Tianjin, China to try to revive UN climate negotiations that failed to create a binding agreement in Copenhagen last year. The talks are a prelude to a UN summit starting next month in Mexico, but the US on Wednesday said they had so far failed to make significant progress. The global bickering centres on the details of the complex UN plan to reduce climate change through its Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) agenda. PNG, as co-chair of the REDD negotiations, is arguing for less scrutiny on donor funding as a way to fast-track the process. But PNG forests campaigner, Sam Moko, said this was a worry showing PNG appeared more interested in donor money than seriously tackling climate change. “With a reputation of corruption, complete disregard for land owner rights, free and prior informed consent and accurate estimations o