PNGBLOGS

BY ROD MITCHELL Ten years ago, PNG faced a very different development path, mired in the middle of a credit crunch, collapsed financial institutions and a low demand for major commodities. Sir Mekere Morauta taking over the reigns as prime minister from the haphazard Bill Skate, quickly drove a major reform agenda that saw the liberation and repair of the financial sector, which since has become a well documented international case study of successful reform. These reforms combined with an uptake in commodity prices from 2002 have underpinned the PNG economy over the last six to seven years. The revenues collected from a stable economy with growing resource and commodity income, led to bankable surpluses which helped underpin the PNG economy through the global financial crisis. We mention the reforms of early 2000 for another reason. For without those reforms of stability and independence of the financial system, we would not have had the capital formation that has allowed for such a m

BY ROD MITCHELL Ten years ago, PNG faced a very different development path, mired in the middle of a credit crunch, collapsed financial institutions and a low demand for major commodities. Sir Mekere Morauta taking over the reigns as prime minister from the haphazard Bill Skate, quickly drove a major reform agenda that saw the liberation and repair of the financial sector, which since has become a well documented international case study of successful reform. These reforms combined with an uptake in commodity prices from 2002 have underpinned the PNG economy over the last six to seven years. The revenues collected from a stable economy with growing resource and commodity income, led to bankable surpluses which helped underpin the PNG economy through the global financial crisis. We mention the reforms of early 2000 for another reason. For without those reforms of stability and independence of the financial system, we would not have had the capital formation that has allowed for such

SOUTH PACIFIC POST NON-GOVERNMENT Organisation activist Noel Anjo yesterday dropped a bombshell, claiming he was “kidnapped” allegedly on orders from the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare in 2009. In a press conference yesterday afternoon, flanked by the Member for Vanimo Green Belden Namah, Sam Basil (Bulolo Open) and MP for Anglim South Waghi Open Jamie Maxton Graham,  Anjo told his story about how he was “kidnapped” by persons he claims were plain clothes policemen who dragged him into a car from the Lagatoi Haus in Waigani at about 5pm, on February 16, 2009. Post-Courier became aware of the allegations early this month and took the matter up with Anjo who confirmed the story. This newspaper had tried to speak to Sir Michael and his office advised on two occasions that Sir Michael would give the interview but the appointments did not materialise. Two weeks ago, Betha Somare, his daughter responded and denied the allegations, saying the PM was not in a position to comment since he ha

SOUTH PACIFIC POST NON-GOVERNMENT Organisation activist Noel Anjo yesterday dropped a bombshell, claiming he was “kidnapped” allegedly on orders from the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare in 2009. In a press conference yesterday afternoon, flanked by the Member for Vanimo Green Belden Namah, Sam Basil (Bulolo Open) and MP for Anglim South Waghi Open Jamie Maxton Graham,  Anjo told his story about how he was “kidnapped” by persons he claims were plain clothes policemen who dragged him into a car from the Lagatoi Haus in Waigani at about 5pm, on February 16, 2009. Post-Courier became aware of the allegations early this month and took the matter up with Anjo who confirmed the story. This newspaper had tried to speak to Sir Michael and his office advised on two occasions that Sir Michael would give the interview but the appointments did not materialise. Two weeks ago, Betha Somare, his daughter responded and denied the allegations, saying the PM was not in a position to comment sinc

PURIA IGINI Allow me to express my disgust at the attitude of a few selfish people whose conduct (prima facie false claim) has led to the sudden closure of the Tari Airport recently.   Benson Mangope, who claims to be the deputy chairman of the Tari Airport Association, has alleged landowners from Tari township have been left out by the state in the LNG project and, therefore, feels justified holding the travelling public into and out of Hela at ransom.  Mangope and his faceless men behind the association found that their action was justified. He said the airport was a strategic asset for the state. Of course, it is an important asset for PNG and the Hela region. The LNG project is a completely different subject matter and has no connection at all with Mangope’s alleged claim against the state for compensation. To engage in a self-indulging thinking process that such behaviour is justified in law epitomises nothing but a mental state that borders on idiocy of a worst kind. To

PURIA IGINI Allow me to express my disgust at the attitude of a few selfish people whose conduct (prima facie false claim) has led to the sudden closure of the Tari Airport recently.   Benson Mangope, who claims to be the deputy chairman of the Tari Airport Association, has alleged landowners from Tari township have been left out by the state in the LNG project and, therefore, feels justified holding the travelling public into and out of Hela at ransom.  Mangope and his faceless men behind the association found that their action was justified. He said the airport was a strategic asset for the state. Of course, it is an important asset for PNG and the Hela region. The LNG project is a completely different subject matter and has no connection at all with Mangope’s alleged claim against the state for compensation. To engage in a self-indulging thinking process that such behaviour is justified in law epitomises nothing but a mental state that borders on idiocy of a worst kind

LIAM FOX, ABC Sediment from a gold mine washing down a river in Papua New Guinea has destroyed the livelihoods of thousands of villagers. The Hidden Valley mine, which is half-owned by Melbourne-based Newcrest Mining and South African miner Harmony, is offering compensation to those affected. Some villagers are eager to take what is on offer, but others are not rushing to sign up. Michael Ansu's life in the village of Witipos, next to the Watut River in PNG's Morobe province, began to change in 2006 - that's when Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV) began building its gold mine upriver. Now, his livelihood is ruined. "The sediment destroyed our garden, destroying our water, our drinking water. We have no fish in our water," he said. The silt choking the river has also crippled the important local industry of small-scale alluvial gold mining. Even the course of the Watut River has changed in places. MMJV accepts sediment washed by rain into the river during th

LIAM FOX, ABC Sediment from a gold mine washing down a river in Papua New Guinea has destroyed the livelihoods of thousands of villagers. The Hidden Valley mine, which is half-owned by Melbourne-based Newcrest Mining and South African miner Harmony, is offering compensation to those affected. Some villagers are eager to take what is on offer, but others are not rushing to sign up. Michael Ansu's life in the village of Witipos, next to the Watut River in PNG's Morobe province, began to change in 2006 - that's when Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV) began building its gold mine upriver. Now, his livelihood is ruined. "The sediment destroyed our garden, destroying our water, our drinking water. We have no fish in our water," he said. The silt choking the river has also crippled the important local industry of small-scale alluvial gold mining. Even the course of the Watut River has changed in places. MMJV accepts sediment washed by rain into the river during

By SCOTT WAIDE      Tucked away behind  the Nobnob mountain  on Madang’s North Coast is a small school – the Nobnob primary school.  Its students are the liveliest bunch of  youngsters  I’ve met this year.   Keen to learn and well behaved even when the teacher is not there.     But like many schools through out Papua New Guinea the  fibro classrooms   show the wear and tear of the  generations of kids who came through this school.    Like many others, I was just passing through to get to a vintage point  where I could get a few take still photographs  of Madang town in the  far off distance.   Walking into a classroom, a met a teacher. I asked If it was alright if I took a few pictures of the school and the children.   Nobnob primary doesn’t have   luxury of  brand new classrooms  but it does have a well maintained playing field and a  tiny library . I guess, that’s what’s really important to kids – being able to play and enjoy growing  up and being a

By SCOTT WAIDE      Tucked away behind  the Nobnob mountain  on Madang’s North Coast is a small school – the Nobnob primary school.  Its students are the liveliest bunch of  youngsters  I’ve met this year.   Keen to learn and well behaved even when the teacher is not there.     But like many schools through out Papua New Guinea the  fibro classrooms   show the wear and tear of the  generations of kids who came through this school.    Like many others, I was just passing through to get to a vintage point  where I could get a few take still photographs  of Madang town in the  far off distance.   Walking into a classroom, a met a teacher. I asked If it was alright if I took a few pictures of the school and the children.   Nobnob primary doesn’t have   luxury of  brand new classrooms  but it does have a well maintained playing field and a  tiny library . I guess, that’s what’s really important to kids – being able to play and enjoy growing  up and

THE CRITIC Two years ago, the former commander of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, retired Major General Jerry Singirok, raised concerns about the state of the PNGDF. He said in very plain terms that the "army" was in no position to protect the country from an internal security threat similar to that on Bougainville.  Singirok rose through the ranks as a veteran of the Bougainville war then became known as the commander who called on Prime Minister Julius Chan to resign when the government chose to hire Tim Spicer's Sandline mercenaries to end the Bougainville crisis. Singirok believes the country is nearing a tipping point in terms of its internal security. As a member of the Guns Committee he has, on many occasions, said that the police are outgunned, the Defense force limited and inadequate with a little over 2000 men and women while landowners and criminal gangs stockpile weapons for various reasons.  That internal security threat has become more co

THE CRITIC Two years ago, the former commander of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, retired Major General Jerry Singirok, raised concerns about the state of the PNGDF. He said in very plain terms that the "army" was in no position to protect the country from an internal security threat similar to that on Bougainville.  Singirok rose through the ranks as a veteran of the Bougainville war then became known as the commander who called on Prime Minister Julius Chan to resign when the government chose to hire Tim Spicer's Sandline mercenaries to end the Bougainville crisis. Singirok believes the country is nearing a tipping point in terms of its internal security. As a member of the Guns Committee he has, on many occasions, said that the police are outgunned, the Defense force limited and inadequate with a little over 2000 men and women while landowners and criminal gangs stockpile weapons for various reasons.  That internal security threat has become m

Sydney Morning Herald Papua New Guinea's Sports Minister wants the national rugby league coach and administration sacked after a dismal performance in the Four Nations tournament. Amid scathing public criticism of the Kumuls' wooden result, Sports Minister Philemon Embel said the poor result jeopardised their hope of entering a team in the NRL by 2014. "I feel that rugby league in PNG will die a natural death under the present leadership," Embel said in a statement. "I want to see Adrian Lam return as the coach of the Kumuls and return them to their winning Pacific Cup standards. "I cannot support the current rugby league administration and I am very disappointed that unnecessary changes were made against my concern and advice only weeks before the Four Nations." It was always going to be a tough slog for PNG, who lost every game against Australia (42-0), New Zealand (76-12) and England (36-10). Complaints have filled PNG newspaper letter pages for week

Sydney Morning Herald Papua New Guinea's Sports Minister wants the national rugby league coach and administration sacked after a dismal performance in the Four Nations tournament. Amid scathing public criticism of the Kumuls' wooden result, Sports Minister Philemon Embel said the poor result jeopardised their hope of entering a team in the NRL by 2014. "I feel that rugby league in PNG will die a natural death under the present leadership," Embel said in a statement. "I want to see Adrian Lam return as the coach of the Kumuls and return them to their winning Pacific Cup standards. "I cannot support the current rugby league administration and I am very disappointed that unnecessary changes were made against my concern and advice only weeks before the Four Nations." It was always going to be a tough slog for PNG, who lost every game against Australia (42-0), New Zealand (76-12) and England (36-10). Complaints have filled PNG newspaper letter pages for

OP/ED The Bougainville crisis did not just happen. The writing, so to speak, was on the wall for a good seven years before violence erupted. Even in the early days of the crisis, the prolonged and bloody nature of it could have been averted, but it was not. The reason for this was really a series of stupid decisions and unforgivable neglect by those in authority at the time in national government and the Bougainville Copper Ltd. The Bougainville Copper Agreement, signed in 1974, had contained within it a provision for a review to occur every seven years. The first opportunity for such a review fell in 1981, but there was no review. Angry reminders were made in the media, and even in parliament, by the member for Bougainville, John Momis. The crisis started when the second opportunity for a review, 14 years from the signing of the BCA, fell due in 1988 and it looked like nobody was prepared to do it. When the power pylons were felled, Panguna leaders sought the way of peace but, while

OP/ED The Bougainville crisis did not just happen. The writing, so to speak, was on the wall for a good seven years before violence erupted. Even in the early days of the crisis, the prolonged and bloody nature of it could have been averted, but it was not. The reason for this was really a series of stupid decisions and unforgivable neglect by those in authority at the time in national government and the Bougainville Copper Ltd. The Bougainville Copper Agreement, signed in 1974, had contained within it a provision for a review to occur every seven years. The first opportunity for such a review fell in 1981, but there was no review. Angry reminders were made in the media, and even in parliament, by the member for Bougainville, John Momis. The crisis started when the second opportunity for a review, 14 years from the signing of the BCA, fell due in 1988 and it looked like nobody was prepared to do it. When the power pylons were felled, Panguna leaders sought the way of peace but, whi

Port Moresby based lawyer, Peter Pena, was confronted and warned to stay away from the plaintiffs in the Ramu nickel mine case and to not go behind the back of their lawyer Tiffany Nonggorr, when he arrived at Madang airport on Friday. Peter Pena was confronted outside the Madang airport terminal building The warning came from Ms. Nonggorr herself, who along with several plaintiffs, including lead plaintiff Louis Medaing, were waiting for Mr. Pena outside the terminal building. It is believed Pena was the orchestrator of the plot that removed the orginal plaintiffs challenging the mine’s marine waste dumping plans. In front of witnesses, Nonggorr was seen to introduce Medaing to Pena and explained to Pena it is unethical and a breach of the lawyers’ Professional Conduct Rules for a lawyer retained by a party in a case to approach or contact another party directly. She told Pena if he wanted to contact any of her clients he had to go through her. The warning came because Mr

Port Moresby based lawyer, Peter Pena, was confronted and warned to stay away from the plaintiffs in the Ramu nickel mine case and to not go behind the back of their lawyer Tiffany Nonggorr, when he arrived at Madang airport on Friday. Peter Pena was confronted outside the Madang airport terminal building The warning came from Ms. Nonggorr herself, who along with several plaintiffs, including lead plaintiff Louis Medaing, were waiting for Mr. Pena outside the terminal building. It is believed Pena was the orchestrator of the plot that removed the orginal plaintiffs challenging the mine’s marine waste dumping plans. In front of witnesses, Nonggorr was seen to introduce Medaing to Pena and explained to Pena it is unethical and a breach of the lawyers’ Professional Conduct Rules for a lawyer retained by a party in a case to approach or contact another party directly. She told Pena if he wanted to contact any of her clients he had to go through her. The warning ca

NZPA U.S Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has declined to comment on Indonesian military filmed torturing West Papuans. In late October Indonesia admitted that its soldiers had tortured Papuan men seen in an online video being beaten and humiliated, and promised a thorough investigation. Amnesty's Asia-Pacific Deputy Director Donna Guest said in a statement at the time:  “The release of this video is the latest reminder that torture and other ill-treatment in Indonesia often goes unchecked and unpunished.” Mrs Clinton is currently in New Zealand for a two day visit. She told reporters during a brief visit to Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, the US was “a friend and ally” of both Indonesia and PNG. “I have no comment on the specific matter you refer to,” she said.  “The government of Indonesia and the Indonesia military has made significant changes in the last years, in the ten years of democracy. “If there are continuing violations of human rights, then they should b

NZPA U.S Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has declined to comment on Indonesian military filmed torturing West Papuans. In late October Indonesia admitted that its soldiers had tortured Papuan men seen in an online video being beaten and humiliated, and promised a thorough investigation. Amnesty's Asia-Pacific Deputy Director Donna Guest said in a statement at the time:  “The release of this video is the latest reminder that torture and other ill-treatment in Indonesia often goes unchecked and unpunished.” Mrs Clinton is currently in New Zealand for a two day visit. She told reporters during a brief visit to Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, the US was “a friend and ally” of both Indonesia and PNG. “I have no comment on the specific matter you refer to,” she said.  “The government of Indonesia and the Indonesia military has made significant changes in the last years, in the ten years of democracy. “If there are continuing violations of human rights, then they shoul