PNGBLOGS

Dr Satish Chand A series of explosions from November 25-27 in 1988 brought several power pylons to the ground and with it the giant Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), a gold and copper mine, located at Panguna in Central Bougainville, to its knees. BCL suspended operations as security deteriorated and was forced to close operations indefinitely six months later. The mine remains closed. The causes of the conflict on Bougainville are complex. What is clear, however, is that the 10 years of fighting that followed the first explosions left the economy in tatters and the people traumatised. Bougainville in this period fell from being the top performer on socio-economic indicators of the 20 provinces in PNG to the bottom. The North Solomons Province that now is the autonomous region of Bougainville had the second highest income per person as of 1983; beaten only by the National Capital District. Pre-conflict Bougainville hosted the largest mine in the country. The province led its

Dr Satish Chand A series of explosions from November 25-27 in 1988 brought several power pylons to the ground and with it the giant Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), a gold and copper mine, located at Panguna in Central Bougainville, to its knees. BCL suspended operations as security deteriorated and was forced to close operations indefinitely six months later. The mine remains closed. The causes of the conflict on Bougainville are complex. What is clear, however, is that the 10 years of fighting that followed the first explosions left the economy in tatters and the people traumatised. Bougainville in this period fell from being the top performer on socio-economic indicators of the 20 provinces in PNG to the bottom. The North Solomons Province that now is the autonomous region of Bougainville had the second highest income per person as of 1983; beaten only by the National Capital District. Pre-conflict Bougainville hosted the largest mine in the country. The province led i

Ilya Gridneff, AAP Papua New Guinea Correspondent December 17, 2010 Papua New Guinea's government has challenged a court ruling that found the governor-general's appointment was invalid and parliament must resit by January 20. As the year comes to a close, PNG remains in confusion regarding the legal status of numerous office holders and the stability of the National Alliance-led government. PNG's Post Courier newspaper reports the government is challenging the Supreme Court ruling, by arguing the court may have "misapprehended the constitution" and cannot order parliament to reconvene. Last week, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare voluntarily stepped aside to face a leadership tribunal for misconduct in office, regarding allegations he failed to lodge financial statements. Sam Abal is now acting prime minister, but it is not clear who is the acting governor-general, after the supreme court deemed Sir Paulias Matane's controversial June re-appointment invalid.

Ilya Gridneff, AAP Papua New Guinea Correspondent December 17, 2010 Papua New Guinea's government has challenged a court ruling that found the governor-general's appointment was invalid and parliament must resit by January 20. As the year comes to a close, PNG remains in confusion regarding the legal status of numerous office holders and the stability of the National Alliance-led government. PNG's Post Courier newspaper reports the government is challenging the Supreme Court ruling, by arguing the court may have "misapprehended the constitution" and cannot order parliament to reconvene. Last week, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare voluntarily stepped aside to face a leadership tribunal for misconduct in office, regarding allegations he failed to lodge financial statements. Sam Abal is now acting prime minister, but it is not clear who is the acting governor-general, after the supreme court deemed Sir Paulias Matane's controversial June re-appointment in

PAUL REINBARA a/PM and former GG, Nationalpic by Evah.Kuamin Today the National is reporting that acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and a couple of ministers flew out to Kokopo yesterday to see Sir Paulias Matane on behalf of the side-lined Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. As reported Sir Arnold Amet who appears to be the spokesman of the group said they were there to “pay respects to the former GG”. After being the point man for the National Alliance party in legal matters Sir Arnold has turned himself into a laughing stock and has taken the acting Prime Minister with him on this joyride. This trip could pose a number of possible or likely options the Government under the leadership of Mr Abal are trying to commandeer on, pending the leadership referral brought to their leader Sir Michael. The likelihood of Sir Matane contesting the GG post is now a possibility as this was seen to be the work of Sir Michael to telling him (Sir Matane) that we are still on this and he should not give

PAUL REINBARA a/PM and former GG, Nationalpic by Evah.Kuamin Today the National is reporting that acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and a couple of ministers flew out to Kokopo yesterday to see Sir Paulias Matane on behalf of the side-lined Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. As reported Sir Arnold Amet who appears to be the spokesman of the group said they were there to “pay respects to the former GG”. After being the point man for the National Alliance party in legal matters Sir Arnold has turned himself into a laughing stock and has taken the acting Prime Minister with him on this joyride. This trip could pose a number of possible or likely options the Government under the leadership of Mr Abal are trying to commandeer on, pending the leadership referral brought to their leader Sir Michael. The likelihood of Sir Matane contesting the GG post is now a possibility as this was seen to be the work of Sir Michael to telling him (Sir Matane) that we are still on this and he should no

MORATA SWAMP Somare is still in control regardless of the changes, both PM's and DPM's endowed authority resides within him as the political event unfolds to this present times.This leaves me to say that Somare (Jnr) has finally completed his next heir to the thrown strategy by destroying Polye-yet not so powerful but is seen as the next PM. Somare did successfully by demoting first Dr. Marrat and Maladina outside of NA party lines and did likewise within NA party lines to first Bart Philemon, Dr.Puka, first as minister and then as DPM, Pruaitch and Teinsten. Polye was the final blow not so to say at an expense of Somare (Senior) long pending referrals, but Polye is now seen as the sacrificial lamb which neither Polye offers for it nor deserves it that way. Polye was strong but remained loyal to Somare whilst in the event failed and or ignored to stand up for his capability when the chances were there. He missed two important political events crosses before him.First, he should

MORATA SWAMP Somare is still in control regardless of the changes, both PM's and DPM's endowed authority resides within him as the political event unfolds to this present times.This leaves me to say that Somare (Jnr) has finally completed his next heir to the thrown strategy by destroying Polye-yet not so powerful but is seen as the next PM. Somare did successfully by demoting first Dr. Marrat and Maladina outside of NA party lines and did likewise within NA party lines to first Bart Philemon, Dr.Puka, first as minister and then as DPM, Pruaitch and Teinsten. Polye was the final blow not so to say at an expense of Somare (Senior) long pending referrals, but Polye is now seen as the sacrificial lamb which neither Polye offers for it nor deserves it that way. Polye was strong but remained loyal to Somare whilst in the event failed and or ignored to stand up for his capability when the chances were there. He missed two important political events crosses before him.First, he sh

BLOOMBERG Exxon Mobil Corp.’s liquefied natural gas project in Papua New Guinea could add a third production line because of the possibility of finding more natural gas, Sanford C. Bernstein &Co. said. The Hides gas area may contain 50 percent additional deposits compared with currently booked reserves, Bernstein said in a report today. Exxon and Oil Search Ltd. plan to produce 6.6 million metric tons a year of the frozen fuel in 2014 from two production lines at a $15 billion LNG venture. “The main trunk-line for PNG LNG has the capacity to accommodate a third and possibly fourth LNG train at a low cost, making the marginal return on LNG expansion extremely attractive,” Hong Kong-based analysts, Neil Beveridge and Angus Chan, said in the e-mailed note. Oil Search and InterOil Corp. are among those planning to build LNG projects in Papua New Guinea to supply growing Asian economies. The country remains under-explored and under- appraised, and the possibility of multi-trillion cubic