PNGBLOGS

OP/ED The allegations are of a plot it is alleged, by Sir Michael for police to arrest Government critic and Opposition MP Belden Namah. Mr Namah is a former minister in Sir Michael’s Cabinet who left the Government because he was part of an Opposition attempt to move a vote of no confidence in the Government. In a statement last night, Mr Namah (Vanimo/Green River MP) said the order for his arrest was over his criticisms of the government’s handling of high-profile controversies involving senior parliamentarians. Mr Namah said he was “informed” at the weekend of the highly confidential directive for his arrest. He then went on to accuse Sir Michael of using State institutions to silence leaders and citizens who dare to openly criticise the Government. Mr Namah’s allegation is very serious indeed. His allegation follows hot on the heels of activist Noel Anjo’s allegations of the Prime Minister ordering his forceful pick up by police and subsequent alleged assault by the Chief and his w

OP/ED The allegations are of a plot it is alleged, by Sir Michael for police to arrest Government critic and Opposition MP Belden Namah. Mr Namah is a former minister in Sir Michael’s Cabinet who left the Government because he was part of an Opposition attempt to move a vote of no confidence in the Government. In a statement last night, Mr Namah (Vanimo/Green River MP) said the order for his arrest was over his criticisms of the government’s handling of high-profile controversies involving senior parliamentarians. Mr Namah said he was “informed” at the weekend of the highly confidential directive for his arrest. He then went on to accuse Sir Michael of using State institutions to silence leaders and citizens who dare to openly criticise the Government. Mr Namah’s allegation is very serious indeed. His allegation follows hot on the heels of activist Noel Anjo’s allegations of the Prime Minister ordering his forceful pick up by police and subsequent alleged assault by the Chief and h

COURIER MAIL PAPUA New Guinea's most powerful family is being investigated over private deals linked to more than $1 million worth of luxury property in Cairns. PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and his son Arthur have been asked to explain how they obtained a luxury inner-city unit and a new $685,000 beach house. Documents have emerged linking the PNG Grand Chief and his powerbroker son to the real estate. Ombudsman Commission legal counsel Vergil Narokobi, one of the top three most senior officials with the anti-corruption watchdog, said they would investigate. "It is quite possible it is legitimate," Mr Narokobi said. "We will look to see if there were any breaches of the leadership code. "To afford such luxuries it is not something ordinary Papua New Guineans can do. It is a situation of unfairness, but that is my own personal view. "We have to give them the benefit of doubt. On the face of it we will respect our leaders until the contrary is shown.

COURIER MAIL PAPUA New Guinea's most powerful family is being investigated over private deals linked to more than $1 million worth of luxury property in Cairns. PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and his son Arthur have been asked to explain how they obtained a luxury inner-city unit and a new $685,000 beach house. Documents have emerged linking the PNG Grand Chief and his powerbroker son to the real estate. Ombudsman Commission legal counsel Vergil Narokobi, one of the top three most senior officials with the anti-corruption watchdog, said they would investigate. "It is quite possible it is legitimate," Mr Narokobi said. "We will look to see if there were any breaches of the leadership code. "To afford such luxuries it is not something ordinary Papua New Guineans can do. It is a situation of unfairness, but that is my own personal view. "We have to give them the benefit of doubt. On the face of it we will respect our leaders until the contrary

AAP A cholera outbreak on Papua New Guinea’s side of Torres Strait has been contained, but health officials fear the deadly bacteria is spreading inland. PNG department of health officials say 30 villagers have died from cholera on Daru, a tiny remote island off the coast of PNG’s Western Province that is close to Australia’s Cape York. More than 800 Daru people have been diagnosed with cholera. The disease spread to the island from an outbreak that was first recorded in September last year on PNG’s northeast coast. Advertisement: Story continues below <iframe id="dcAd-1-4" src="http://ad-apac.doubleclick.net/adi/onl.smh.news/world;ctype=article;cat=world;pos=3;sz=300x250;tile=4;ord=2.9406761E7?" width='300' height='250' scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" allowtranspare

AAP A cholera outbreak on Papua New Guinea’s side of Torres Strait has been contained, but health officials fear the deadly bacteria is spreading inland. PNG department of health officials say 30 villagers have died from cholera on Daru, a tiny remote island off the coast of PNG’s Western Province that is close to Australia’s Cape York. More than 800 Daru people have been diagnosed with cholera. The disease spread to the island from an outbreak that was first recorded in September last year on PNG’s northeast coast. Advertisement: Story continues below <iframe id="dcAd-1-4" src="http://ad-apac.doubleclick.net/adi/onl.smh.news/world;ctype=article;cat=world;pos=3;sz=300x250;tile=4;ord=2.9406761E7?" width='300' height='250' scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" allowtransp

Bloomberg Exxon Mobil Corp. and its partners in a $15 billion liquefied natural gas development in Papua New Guinea are likely to produce more fuel than they initially expected during the first phase of the project, analysts said.  The venture initially may produce 6.9 million metric tons of LNG from two units, up from the 6.6 million tons previously projected, according to Credit Suisse and Citigroup Inc. analysts who cover Exxon’s partner, Oil Search Ltd. The Hides field drilling campaign next year is likely to underpin an expansion of the project to a third processing unit, Sydney-based Credit Suisse analyst Sandra McCullagh said after a visit to the project in Papua New Guinea. A final investment decision on the next stage may occur in 2012, she said. Exxon and partners approved the development of the project almost a year ago. The venture may double the size of Papua New Guinea’s economy, Port Moresby-based Oil Search has said. First exports are