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

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

EPHATA SAMUEL As the tumultuous turn of events in the past weeks have led from one crisis to another, Post Courier's memory lane expert Ephata Samuel takes us back in time to another event 19 years ago that plunged the country into a similar period of constitutional uncertainty. Barely a week after Papua New Guinea hosted one of the most successful South Pacific Games ever and won the medal tally for the first time, Papua New Guinea was thrown into its biggest constitutional crisis in history. On Friday September 27, 1991, six days after the close of the 9th South Pacific Games, the Head of State and Governor General Sir Serei Eri defied a Leadership Tribunal recommendation that he dismiss Deputy Prime Minister Ted Diro from office. Instead, in a highly controversial decision, the Governor General (late) Sir Serei Eri reinstated Mr Diro to the position from which he was suspended in April of that year. Then Prime Minister (now Sir) Rabbie Namaliu issued a stern warning to the Gover

EPHATA SAMUEL As the tumultuous turn of events in the past weeks have led from one crisis to another, Post Courier's memory lane expert Ephata Samuel takes us back in time to another event 19 years ago that plunged the country into a similar period of constitutional uncertainty. Barely a week after Papua New Guinea hosted one of the most successful South Pacific Games ever and won the medal tally for the first time, Papua New Guinea was thrown into its biggest constitutional crisis in history. On Friday September 27, 1991, six days after the close of the 9th South Pacific Games, the Head of State and Governor General Sir Serei Eri defied a Leadership Tribunal recommendation that he dismiss Deputy Prime Minister Ted Diro from office. Instead, in a highly controversial decision, the Governor General (late) Sir Serei Eri reinstated Mr Diro to the position from which he was suspended in April of that year. Then Prime Minister (now Sir) Rabbie Namaliu issued a stern warning to th

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD Papua New Guinea's acting prime minister could not say when parliament will reconvene to elect a new governor-general, despite the Supreme Court ordering it done by January 20. PNG's government lawyers are reviewing the controversial ruling, said Sam Abal, now acting prime minister after Michael Somare stood aside on Monday amid two weeks of political turmoil. In his first press conference as acting PM, Mr Abal told reporters on Tuesday that the newly appointed cabinet had met and the government remains intact. "Our legal eagles are checking to see whether the court has the mandate to recall parliament," he said. "We are seeking legal advice as there are some legal issues that need to be closely looked at." Mr Abal said he could not speculate how long he would be in the top job and accused state institutions of being "vindictive" in pursuing charges against the PM. Doubt remains over the legal status of ministers and other

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD Papua New Guinea's acting prime minister could not say when parliament will reconvene to elect a new governor-general, despite the Supreme Court ordering it done by January 20. PNG's government lawyers are reviewing the controversial ruling, said Sam Abal, now acting prime minister after Michael Somare stood aside on Monday amid two weeks of political turmoil. In his first press conference as acting PM, Mr Abal told reporters on Tuesday that the newly appointed cabinet had met and the government remains intact. "Our legal eagles are checking to see whether the court has the mandate to recall parliament," he said. "We are seeking legal advice as there are some legal issues that need to be closely looked at." Mr Abal said he could not speculate how long he would be in the top job and accused state institutions of being "vindictive" in pursuing charges against the PM. Doubt remains over the legal status of ministers a

The Sydney Morning Herald Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Michael Somare, has announced he will step aside as the country's leader so he can face a leadership tribunal regarding alleged misconduct in office. Sir Michael issued a media release late yesterday outlining his plan to ''voluntarily step aside'' after his lawyers earlier in the day failed to stop the public prosecutor advising the country's Chief Justice to set up a leadership tribunal. A newly appointed deputy prime minister, Sam Abal, will assume full function and responsibility of the office of the prime minister while Sir Michael attends to clearing his name, the media release said. ''While the supreme court has yet to give the PM an opportunity to be heard on his reference, the public prosecutor has proceeded to make a referral. The PM respects the due processes and will continue to avail himself to hearings.'' Sir Michael referred to yesterday's court debacle as a '

The Sydney Morning Herald Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Michael Somare, has announced he will step aside as the country's leader so he can face a leadership tribunal regarding alleged misconduct in office. Sir Michael issued a media release late yesterday outlining his plan to ''voluntarily step aside'' after his lawyers earlier in the day failed to stop the public prosecutor advising the country's Chief Justice to set up a leadership tribunal. A newly appointed deputy prime minister, Sam Abal, will assume full function and responsibility of the office of the prime minister while Sir Michael attends to clearing his name, the media release said. ''While the supreme court has yet to give the PM an opportunity to be heard on his reference, the public prosecutor has proceeded to make a referral. The PM respects the due processes and will continue to avail himself to hearings.'' Sir Michael referred to yesterday's court debacle as a

PAUL REINBARA We know now partly on what transpired on the floor of the last session when Parliament rose to appoint Paulias Matane, it is ironic to think that 8 years in one position as the Speaker of the House would at least instil some experience in the running of the Parliament but our Speaker Jeffrey Nape is somewhat a total villager and is not even capable in seeking advice before making a ruling. Speaker Jeffrey Nape had the Parliament Clerk Mr. Don Pandan a very experienced public officer who in the past has worked under the likes of now Rigo MP Mr. Ano Pala and former Chief Ombudsman Mr. Simon Pentanu.  He has heaps of lawyers working in Parliament under him to which he can seek advice given the limited knowledge he has in running the affairs of Parliament.  Yet he chose not to and allowed to be bullied around by the government and allowed for the “nomination” of Sir Paulias to be declared the winner without having a secret ballot. What carnage and what a blow to the Parliame

PAUL REINBARA We know now partly on what transpired on the floor of the last session when Parliament rose to appoint Paulias Matane, it is ironic to think that 8 years in one position as the Speaker of the House would at least instil some experience in the running of the Parliament but our Speaker Jeffrey Nape is somewhat a total villager and is not even capable in seeking advice before making a ruling. Speaker Jeffrey Nape had the Parliament Clerk Mr. Don Pandan a very experienced public officer who in the past has worked under the likes of now Rigo MP Mr. Ano Pala and former Chief Ombudsman Mr. Simon Pentanu.  He has heaps of lawyers working in Parliament under him to which he can seek advice given the limited knowledge he has in running the affairs of Parliament.  Yet he chose not to and allowed to be bullied around by the government and allowed for the “nomination” of Sir Paulias to be declared the winner without having a secret ballot. What carnage and what a blow to the Parl

National Reports Sir J wants Somare to step down as PM Former prime minister and New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan has called on Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to step down and allow the law to take its course. He said over the weekend that Sir Michael, as a founding father of the nation and a prominent Melanesian leader, must gracefully allow and uphold the integrity of the judiciary to deliberate without fear and allow the due processes of law to run its course. Sir Julius said he was encouraged by Sir Michael’s willingness to allow due process of law to deliberate. “He will have the opportunity to legally defend and prove his innocence and clear his name before the people and the nation, rather than contest and circumvent the normal system under the Leadership Code law, which in itself implies his possible guilt. “Many peers, including former governor-general Vincent Eri, myself, deputy PM, ministers and MPs have gone through and accepted the outcomes of leadership tribunals.”

National Reports Sir J wants Somare to step down as PM Former prime minister and New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan has called on Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to step down and allow the law to take its course. He said over the weekend that Sir Michael, as a founding father of the nation and a prominent Melanesian leader, must gracefully allow and uphold the integrity of the judiciary to deliberate without fear and allow the due processes of law to run its course. Sir Julius said he was encouraged by Sir Michael’s willingness to allow due process of law to deliberate. “He will have the opportunity to legally defend and prove his innocence and clear his name before the people and the nation, rather than contest and circumvent the normal system under the Leadership Code law, which in itself implies his possible guilt. “Many peers, including former governor-general Vincent Eri, myself, deputy PM, ministers and MPs have gone through and accepted the outcomes of leadership trib

PAUL REINBARA The recent Supreme Court Ruling on the reappointment of Sir Paulias Matane on Friday leaves a lot to be asked about this current government’s direction. There were a lot of questions asked when this matter was brought before parliament and if the parliamentary process to elect a new GG was stretched to its limits before Matane was drawn as the appointee. Between the two groups in Parliament we now see no debate at all, there is less time spent in addressing issues affecting the country, the game of cat and mouse and the cunning ability by the government to use its power in numbers with the usual puppet the Speaker have their ways before anything is even argued and a proper debate is held. Papua New Guinea needs to know the process we know called democracy and what it means in the Parliament, to me it sounds more to demonstrate craziness. Right now we have a bunch of monkeys in a zoo the so called House Tambaran fighting over bananas. We are fed with lies by cohorts such a

PAUL REINBARA The recent Supreme Court Ruling on the reappointment of Sir Paulias Matane on Friday leaves a lot to be asked about this current government’s direction. There were a lot of questions asked when this matter was brought before parliament and if the parliamentary process to elect a new GG was stretched to its limits before Matane was drawn as the appointee. Between the two groups in Parliament we now see no debate at all, there is less time spent in addressing issues affecting the country, the game of cat and mouse and the cunning ability by the government to use its power in numbers with the usual puppet the Speaker have their ways before anything is even argued and a proper debate is held. Papua New Guinea needs to know the process we know called democracy and what it means in the Parliament, to me it sounds more to demonstrate craziness. Right now we have a bunch of monkeys in a zoo the so called House Tambaran fighting over bananas. We are fed with lies by cohorts suc