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Country Notes: Papua New Guinea - United Nations Economic and Social Commision for Asia and Pacific

UNESCAP Strong economic growth continues •  Pacific island developing economies experienced sharp declines in GDP growth in 2009 on account of the global economic crisis. For 2010, t he results appear to be mixed, with only Papua New Guinea , Solomon Islands , and Palau recording improved GDP growth performance. Most of the other Pacific economies virtually stagnated, with the economy of Tonga actually contracting. •  Papua New Guinea is the star performer with 7.1% GDP growth in 2010 compared with 5.5% growth in 2009. •  The economy benefited from higher commodity prices as a result of a strong demand for its exports (oil, gold, copper, coffee, cocoa, and palm oil). •  The economy was also boosted by the commencement of Papua New Guinea liquefied natural gas project. High inflation is a major concern •  There was some deceleration in inflation in some major Pacific island

Julia Gillard turns to Pacific Solution in Papua New Guinea

Rowan Callick and Paul Maley  The Gillard government is poised to revive one of the most controversial elements of the Howard government's Pacific Solution, with Port Moresby expected to agree to host a refugee processing centre in Papua New Guinea. As pressure mounts on Labor to deal with the asylum-seeker issue in the wake of a large influx of boats over the past three years and violent riots at detention centres in recent weeks, the Papua New Guinea cabinet is today expected to endorse a proposal submitted by Canberra for a centre to be located in the country. One of the options is to open a detention centre on Manus Island, the site of the Howard government's so-called Pacific Solution. In a clear sign the government's original proposal for a centre in East Timor has become an embarrassing failure, Immigration Department secretary Andrew Metcalfe and Richard Marles, the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, travelled to Port Moresby this week for discussi

Julia Gillard turns to Pacific Solution in Papua New Guinea

Rowan Callick and Paul Maley  The Gillard government is poised to revive one of the most controversial elements of the Howard government's Pacific Solution, with Port Moresby expected to agree to host a refugee processing centre in Papua New Guinea. As pressure mounts on Labor to deal with the asylum-seeker issue in the wake of a large influx of boats over the past three years and violent riots at detention centres in recent weeks, the Papua New Guinea cabinet is today expected to endorse a proposal submitted by Canberra for a centre to be located in the country. One of the options is to open a detention centre on Manus Island, the site of the Howard government's so-called Pacific Solution. In a clear sign the government's original proposal for a centre in East Timor has become an embarrassing failure, Immigration Department secretary Andrew Metcalfe and Richard Marles, the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, travelled to Port Moresby this week for dis

Investigation calls for end of PNG police/Esso deal

ESSO places PNG in the same category as Nigera and Angola An independent investigation has recommended that a memorandum of understanding between Papua New Guinea police and Esso Highlands Ltd for security for the LNG project be terminated. The independent committee was set up to investigate the suspension of former police commissioner Gari Baki, who was alleged to have misled the prime minister into approving a more than four million US dollar allocation for police operations  The newspaper, the National, reports that the committee, in its final report, stated that the MoU had impinged on the independence of the Royal PNG Constabulary. The investigators found that the MoU was not vetted by the attorney-general and state solicitor’s office. The report says funding of police personnel’s per diem, accommodation, food and body armour by an organisation other than the constabulary appeared contrary to the constitution and seriously compromised the independence of the police force. The E

Investigation calls for end of PNG police/Esso deal

ESSO places PNG in the same category as Nigera and Angola An independent investigation has recommended that a memorandum of understanding between Papua New Guinea police and Esso Highlands Ltd for security for the LNG project be terminated. The independent committee was set up to investigate the suspension of former police commissioner Gari Baki, who was alleged to have misled the prime minister into approving a more than four million US dollar allocation for police operations  The newspaper, the National, reports that the committee, in its final report, stated that the MoU had impinged on the independence of the Royal PNG Constabulary. The investigators found that the MoU was not vetted by the attorney-general and state solicitor’s office. The report says funding of police personnel’s per diem, accommodation, food and body armour by an organisation other than the constabulary appeared contrary to the constitution and seriously compromised the independence of the police force.

Moti Escape? PNG Military officer is wrong

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Susan Merrell and Douglas Marau Robson Djokovic, a senior government appointee of then Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, has spoken out to ‘set the record straight’ about Mr. Julian Moti’s 2006 flight from Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands. Djokovic claims that the story told to the Solomon Star newspaper by an anonymous member of the PNG defence force was “a complete fabrication.” “Sogavare never gave the orders to have Moti flown out of PNG in such a manner,” said Djokovic. And he’s in a position to know. In the company of lawyer Chris Hapa, Djokovic was despatched to PNG by the Solomon Islands government to deliver a diplomatic letter to the PNG government (through the Solomon Islands High Commissioner) informing them of his government’s granting of political asylum to Moti. In the letter, signed by Sogavare, he conveyed to the High Commissioner how “shocked” the government and the nation were by Moti’s arrest and he went on to say: “We now have strong

Plagiarism surfaces at Lawes Road

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EDITORIAL The “p” word is a dirty one in journalism. Indeed, plagiarism goes against one of the most important ethics that journalists are required to uphold. It is usually committed by persons who lack ideas, lack respect for themselves, their peers and the profession, are dishonest and shameless. They steal the work of others and readily take the credit. No self-respecting and credible publishing house would condone plagiarism. Doing so makes the publisher just as guilty as the writer. Indeed, many publishers all over the world have suspended or dismissed writers who had plagiarised the work of others. Even Pulitzer Prize winners were not spared the consequences. Some of these journalists stole only a few paragraphs for their story but still had to pay the price. One newspaper assigned an editor and five reporters, clocking many hours, to investigate a case involving a best-selling author and columnist before finally publishing an explanation on the front page. On April 12, we,

Plagiarism surfaces at Lawes Road

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EDITORIAL The “p” word is a dirty one in journalism. Indeed, plagiarism goes against one of the most important ethics that journalists are required to uphold. It is usually committed by persons who lack ideas, lack respect for themselves, their peers and the profession, are dishonest and shameless. They steal the work of others and readily take the credit. No self-respecting and credible publishing house would condone plagiarism. Doing so makes the publisher just as guilty as the writer. Indeed, many publishers all over the world have suspended or dismissed writers who had plagiarised the work of others. Even Pulitzer Prize winners were not spared the consequences. Some of these journalists stole only a few paragraphs for their story but still had to pay the price. One newspaper assigned an editor and five reporters, clocking many hours, to investigate a case involving a best-selling author and columnist before finally publishing an explanation on the front page. On Apr

Readers and Followers please note

BLOG ADMIN By now you should all be aware that we are fighting a battle for telling the truth, for those who came in late WE ARE NOT FUNDED BY ANY CORPORATIONS OR GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS and therefore will not play by anybody, this is a news opinon blog site, people come here to say whats on their mind, and we will not stop, as long as there is corruption and evil people behind corridors of power stealing and spiffing off money belonging to the mass, we will continue to allow for comments and stories to be put up so people can know. If you have an issue with this please start your own site and talk about us. Other then that, stop the witch hunt.

Readers and Followers please note

BLOG ADMIN By now you should all be aware that we are fighting a battle for telling the truth, for those who came in late WE ARE NOT FUNDED BY ANY CORPORATIONS OR GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS and therefore will not play by anybody, this is a news opinon blog site, people come here to say whats on their mind, and we will not stop, as long as there is corruption and evil people behind corridors of power stealing and spiffing off money belonging to the mass, we will continue to allow for comments and stories to be put up so people can know. If you have an issue with this please start your own site and talk about us. Other then that, stop the witch hunt.

World Bank release US$43 MIllion for PNG Road Projects

PRESS RELEASE Washington, DC, May 3, 2011 – Today the World Bank Board approved a US$43 million credit for the Papua New Guinea Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Project II (RMRP II). Building on the success of an earlier project, which is set to close in December 2011, this new five-year initiative will continue to support the rehabilitation, upgrading and maintenance of high priority national roads and bridges in the country, and help connect people to vital public services such as healthcare and education. The project is expected to make a significant contribution to the Government of Papua New Guinea’s national road maintenance and rehabilitation program. Lack of reliable roads in the country has affected connectivity, disrupted people’s access to essential public services in many parts of the country and hindered economic growth, as transporting goods and people becomes impossible, unsafe, or exceedingly costly. The RMRP II will rehabilitate roads and bridges in several province

World Bank release US$43 MIllion for PNG Road Projects

PRESS RELEASE Washington, DC, May 3, 2011 – Today the World Bank Board approved a US$43 million credit for the Papua New Guinea Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Project II (RMRP II). Building on the success of an earlier project, which is set to close in December 2011, this new five-year initiative will continue to support the rehabilitation, upgrading and maintenance of high priority national roads and bridges in the country, and help connect people to vital public services such as healthcare and education. The project is expected to make a significant contribution to the Government of Papua New Guinea’s national road maintenance and rehabilitation program. Lack of reliable roads in the country has affected connectivity, disrupted people’s access to essential public services in many parts of the country and hindered economic growth, as transporting goods and people becomes impossible, unsafe, or exceedingly costly. The RMRP II will rehabilitate roads and bridges in several prov

Papua New Guinea: Benefiting or losing out in commodity booms?

PAUL BARKER INA Papua New Guinea is experiencing a boom associated with LNG development and record prices for most of its mineral and agricultural products. One might expect the country’s population to be thriving from this, with the benefits extending right out to rural communities. However, whilst some individuals and businesses are certainly doing nicely from prevailing conditions, including owners of urban real estate, most of the population (and many businesses) are either left out, or unable to take advantage of current or forthcoming opportunities, or in some cases worse off (by growing costs, shortages and bottlenecks). The benefits are therefore localised in a few main centres, businesses and households, whilst even the formal sector employment growth (e.g. construction) has dropped away since its peak in 2008. The weak link is a failing State with its severely underperforming institutions, which struggle from poor leadership, poor coordination, low morale, corruption and in m

Papua New Guinea: Benefiting or losing out in commodity booms?

PAUL BARKER INA Papua New Guinea is experiencing a boom associated with LNG development and record prices for most of its mineral and agricultural products. One might expect the country’s population to be thriving from this, with the benefits extending right out to rural communities. However, whilst some individuals and businesses are certainly doing nicely from prevailing conditions, including owners of urban real estate, most of the population (and many businesses) are either left out, or unable to take advantage of current or forthcoming opportunities, or in some cases worse off (by growing costs, shortages and bottlenecks). The benefits are therefore localised in a few main centres, businesses and households, whilst even the formal sector employment growth (e.g. construction) has dropped away since its peak in 2008. The weak link is a failing State with its severely underperforming institutions, which struggle from poor leadership, poor coordination, low morale, corruption and i

Opposition pushing for answers on Kokopo Loan

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Post Courier THE Government has been urged to come clean on the controversial K125m borrowed from National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) to finance community projects in Kokopo, East New Britain. Opposition Deputy leader Bart Philemon said the Government must produce the Cabinet decision that approved the “loan’’ and also called on Nasfund management to explain on what basis and on whose request the K125m loan to the government was approved. “The Government must justify why the whole nation should carry debts for community projects in one district – Kokopo arising from the issuance of this special purpose securities,” said Mr Philemon, a former Treasurer and Finance Minister. “Did Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare sign the special purpose securities for this community infrastructure project? Or did Treasurer Peter O’Neill sign it? And what role did Department of Treasury play in this deal?” His comments follows the return of Kokopo MP and Communications Minister Patrick Tammur from Sin

Opposition pushing for answers on Kokopo Loan

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Post Courier THE Government has been urged to come clean on the controversial K125m borrowed from National Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) to finance community projects in Kokopo, East New Britain. Opposition Deputy leader Bart Philemon said the Government must produce the Cabinet decision that approved the “loan’’ and also called on Nasfund management to explain on what basis and on whose request the K125m loan to the government was approved. “The Government must justify why the whole nation should carry debts for community projects in one district – Kokopo arising from the issuance of this special purpose securities,” said Mr Philemon, a former Treasurer and Finance Minister. “Did Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare sign the special purpose securities for this community infrastructure project? Or did Treasurer Peter O’Neill sign it? And what role did Department of Treasury play in this deal?” His comments follows the return of Kokopo MP and Communications Minister Patrick Tammur from

Pressure mounts on Barrick Gold’s ‘destructive’ mining in PNG

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PACIFIC SCOOP Friends of the Earth International has backed calls from communities around the world for a halt to the Canadian mining company Barrick Gold’s “destructive practices” in Papua New Guinea and other countries. Campaigners were present at the company’s annual general meeting and joined a protest rally outside the meeting venue in Toronto. Barrick Gold, the largest gold miner in the world, has been the subject of many documented studies of human rights abuses and environmental devastation globally, including in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Tanzania. Friends of the Earth International calls in to question the necessity of the Canadian-owned corporation’s gold mining operations. With the vast majority of gold used for jewellery, Barrick’s gold mines on average use more water than the entire bottle water industry in Canada, and this water is polluted with mining waste products such as cyanide, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, and sulphides. Romel de Vera, coo