PNGBLOGS

PNGBLOGS Morobe Mining Joint Venture and the Government’s Department of Environment and Conservation came under intense fire today over the environmental approval process and suspicions of waste disposal into the Watut River System. Bulolo MP Sam Basil had both the company and DEC in his sights as he unleashed a scanting attack beginning with the delay in responding to the people’s petition which took 22 months, the approval of a seemingly flawed Environmental Management Plan as well as questionable practice in monitoring assessing key environmental indicators. Drawing from the SMEC Report commissioned by DEC after the September 2009 people’s petition to carry out an Independent Environmental Performance Audit of Hidden Valley Gold Mine, Mr Basil said: “It took the entire 2010 for DEC to work with MMJV to get their act together before this face-to-face meeting with the people. “I believe DEC would not have responded to the issues or formed the Expert Committee if there was no petition

PNGBLOGS Morobe Mining Joint Venture and the Government’s Department of Environment and Conservation came under intense fire today over the environmental approval process and suspicions of waste disposal into the Watut River System. Bulolo MP Sam Basil had both the company and DEC in his sights as he unleashed a scanting attack beginning with the delay in responding to the people’s petition which took 22 months, the approval of a seemingly flawed Environmental Management Plan as well as questionable practice in monitoring assessing key environmental indicators. Drawing from the SMEC Report commissioned by DEC after the September 2009 people’s petition to carry out an Independent Environmental Performance Audit of Hidden Valley Gold Mine, Mr Basil said: “It took the entire 2010 for DEC to work with MMJV to get their act together before this face-to-face meeting with the people. “I believe DEC would not have responded to the issues or formed the Expert Committee if there was no peti

THE highest court in the land is the Supreme Court.Vested in it is the primary responsibility of interpreting the Constitution and all sub-ordinate laws.It is the last post for all matters legal and its decisions are binding on all but itself. Its decisions are final and take the form of laws.It must never create confusion or cause the public to question its decisions.This is an awesome responsibility that must be guarded religiously.Last Friday, the Supreme Court created a lot of confusion and concern by a decision which is yet to be erased from the minds of the people. The court handed down a decision in the matter of Sir Michael Thomas Somare versus the Ombudsman Commission but, at the same time, made observations that impacted a totally different matter which had been decided by an earlier Supreme Court.Last Friday’s court went to great lengths to actually discuss the merits and demerits of that earlier decision in a manner so as to leave no doubts in the mind of the reader that th

THE highest court in the land is the Supreme Court.Vested in it is the primary responsibility of interpreting the Constitution and all sub-ordinate laws.It is the last post for all matters legal and its decisions are binding on all but itself. Its decisions are final and take the form of laws.It must never create confusion or cause the public to question its decisions.This is an awesome responsibility that must be guarded religiously.Last Friday, the Supreme Court created a lot of confusion and concern by a decision which is yet to be erased from the minds of the people. The court handed down a decision in the matter of Sir Michael Thomas Somare versus the Ombudsman Commission but, at the same time, made observations that impacted a totally different matter which had been decided by an earlier Supreme Court.Last Friday’s court went to great lengths to actually discuss the merits and demerits of that earlier decision in a manner so as to leave no doubts in the mind of the reader that t

PNGBLOGS The Opposition today expressed serious concern about the accumulating controversies against the acting Prime Minister Sam Abal which he seems to ignore in pursuit of the nation’s top post. Deputy Leader of Opposition Sam Basil said that the people have had enough of controversies, legal blunders and ill-repute against the top post. “They deserve a Government led by a Prime Minister they can depend on and have confidence in,” Mr Basil said. “In any other country, any impropriety by a member of an acting Prime Minister is sufficient cause for resignation to protect the integrity of the public office. In PNG, we describe it as a police matter and refuse the perception that if a leader cannot manage and mentor those in his household to be good citizens, what qualification does he have to lead a nation?” Mr Basil, who is also Bulolo MP, slammed the latest revelations of questionable funding management in relation to the acting Prime Minister’s district funds. “The integrity with w

PNGBLOGS The Opposition today expressed serious concern about the accumulating controversies against the acting Prime Minister Sam Abal which he seems to ignore in pursuit of the nation’s top post. Deputy Leader of Opposition Sam Basil said that the people have had enough of controversies, legal blunders and ill-repute against the top post. “They deserve a Government led by a Prime Minister they can depend on and have confidence in,” Mr Basil said. “In any other country, any impropriety by a member of an acting Prime Minister is sufficient cause for resignation to protect the integrity of the public office. In PNG, we describe it as a police matter and refuse the perception that if a leader cannot manage and mentor those in his household to be good citizens, what qualification does he have to lead a nation?” Mr Basil, who is also Bulolo MP, slammed the latest revelations of questionable funding management in relation to the acting Prime Minister’s district funds. “The integrity wit

PNGEXPOSED A draconian and probably illegal policy that discriminates against pregnant female students at the Catholic Divine Word University in Madang is forcing young women into illegal backstreet abortions. The University does not allow pregnant female students to continue their studies beyond their current semester and the women are not allowed to re-enrol for two years after giving birth. Faced with such a prolonged delay to their studies and the loss of fees many pregnant students are being forced to seek illegal and often very dangerous back-street abortions in order to stay at the university. The DWU FALSELY claims its policy is a reflection of Papua New Guinea’s labour laws which the University says mandates a period of maternity leave that is greater than the time away from studies allowed in the University regulations. Labor lawyers and human rights activists both agree the University’s claims are complete nonsense. The University also claims its imposition of a two-year wai

PNGEXPOSED A draconian and probably illegal policy that discriminates against pregnant female students at the Catholic Divine Word University in Madang is forcing young women into illegal backstreet abortions. The University does not allow pregnant female students to continue their studies beyond their current semester and the women are not allowed to re-enrol for two years after giving birth. Faced with such a prolonged delay to their studies and the loss of fees many pregnant students are being forced to seek illegal and often very dangerous back-street abortions in order to stay at the university. The DWU FALSELY claims its policy is a reflection of Papua New Guinea’s labour laws which the University says mandates a period of maternity leave that is greater than the time away from studies allowed in the University regulations. Labor lawyers and human rights activists both agree the University’s claims are complete nonsense. The University also claims its imposition of a two-y

IT must be acknowledged that Justice Minister and Attorney-General Sir Arnold Amet is now a political animal and has vested political aspirations and interest to protect. However, it must not be forgotten that as minister, he is the chairman of Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the body that is responsible for the appointment of judges, magistrates and other constitutional office holders like the public prosecutor and public solicitor. While he is no longer the chief justice, there is still this connection that keeps the relationship alive in a fatherly position. He may be a political animal but he still holds the power and authority to protect the integrity of the courts and judges.  Sadly that is not the case anymore. For the attorney-general to come out and gun down the Supreme Court and judges last Friday without the benefit of appreciating the substance of the judgment in the Sir Michael Somare and Ombudsman Commission matter delivered the previous Friday and appraising hims

IT must be acknowledged that Justice Minister and Attorney-General Sir Arnold Amet is now a political animal and has vested political aspirations and interest to protect. However, it must not be forgotten that as minister, he is the chairman of Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the body that is responsible for the appointment of judges, magistrates and other constitutional office holders like the public prosecutor and public solicitor. While he is no longer the chief justice, there is still this connection that keeps the relationship alive in a fatherly position. He may be a political animal but he still holds the power and authority to protect the integrity of the courts and judges.  Sadly that is not the case anymore. For the attorney-general to come out and gun down the Supreme Court and judges last Friday without the benefit of appreciating the substance of the judgment in the Sir Michael Somare and Ombudsman Commission matter delivered the previous Friday and appraising hi

PUBLIC finance management procedures may have been breached involving K5.6 million in public funds that were deposited in May last year into the account of a private company owned by Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and three other people. However, Mr Abal said last night there was nothing sinister and there was no impropriety in the establishment of the company which was set up on behalf of three local councils that included Maramuni LLG and Wabag LLG. The company, Wabag District Rural Holdings Ltd, was established to bring in economic development for the area which he described as a “fighting district” which was in transition into a more peaceful area after his “Lusim gun, holim savol” (Throw away the Gun, Pick up a Shovel) campaign and needed a major catalyst to kick-start the economy. No investors were keen to go to Wabag and the government must put the money down to help the people, he said. He said if it was his private company, he would have used private lawyers to set it up and n

PUBLIC finance management procedures may have been breached involving K5.6 million in public funds that were deposited in May last year into the account of a private company owned by Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and three other people. However, Mr Abal said last night there was nothing sinister and there was no impropriety in the establishment of the company which was set up on behalf of three local councils that included Maramuni LLG and Wabag LLG. The company, Wabag District Rural Holdings Ltd, was established to bring in economic development for the area which he described as a “fighting district” which was in transition into a more peaceful area after his “Lusim gun, holim savol” (Throw away the Gun, Pick up a Shovel) campaign and needed a major catalyst to kick-start the economy. No investors were keen to go to Wabag and the government must put the money down to help the people, he said. He said if it was his private company, he would have used private lawyers to set it up a

David Fedele bikpela bagarap from David Fedele on Vimeo . Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most culturally diverse countries on Earth, with over 900 different languages and cultural groups. It occupies the Eastern half of the island of New Guinea, and is located less than 200 kilometres from the Northern tip of Australia. PNG is home to one of the richest rainforests in the world. Papua New Guinea today remains one of the few countries in the world that still allows the export of raw logs, and this is greatly exploited by Asian logging companies. The World Bank estimates that 70% of all logging in Papua New Guinea is illegal, although most unofficial sources put the rate even higher than that. The story of Bikpela Bagarap is told through the voice of regular villagers, without narration. It is a tale of exploitation and broken promises, where local people are treated as second-rate citizens in their own country by Malaysian logging companies and corrupt politicians. Customary la

David Fedele bikpela bagarap from David Fedele on Vimeo . Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most culturally diverse countries on Earth, with over 900 different languages and cultural groups. It occupies the Eastern half of the island of New Guinea, and is located less than 200 kilometres from the Northern tip of Australia. PNG is home to one of the richest rainforests in the world. Papua New Guinea today remains one of the few countries in the world that still allows the export of raw logs, and this is greatly exploited by Asian logging companies. The World Bank estimates that 70% of all logging in Papua New Guinea is illegal, although most unofficial sources put the rate even higher than that. The story of Bikpela Bagarap is told through the voice of regular villagers, without narration. It is a tale of exploitation and broken promises, where local people are treated as second-rate citizens in their own country by Malaysian logging companies and corrupt politicians. C

PNGBLOGS Leo Dion is a Policeman. He is no ordinary Policemen. He was trained and taught by some of the best and he was one of the best of this country at a time when the Police Force was a proper Police Force ( not to take anything away from our current constabulary but you know what I mean?). Well when that big Tolai nose of his smells something is not quite right, something is rotten, he is more likely right than wrong. On this ocassion he is 200 percent correct. However what he is correct about is sad. Sad because he has to now confront fellow Members of Parliament and hold them accountable, especially those from New Britian. We know the K125 Million deal was done not for the best interests of this country. The Management of Nasfund knew it was not a genuine investment. Yet they did it becasue some of them picked up something from the broking firms etc. The broking firm paid the commissions out in Australia. A certain ex Pollie from Madang was instrumental in the whole deal, and c

PNGBLOGS Leo Dion is a Policeman. He is no ordinary Policemen. He was trained and taught by some of the best and he was one of the best of this country at a time when the Police Force was a proper Police Force ( not to take anything away from our current constabulary but you know what I mean?). Well when that big Tolai nose of his smells something is not quite right, something is rotten, he is more likely right than wrong. On this ocassion he is 200 percent correct. However what he is correct about is sad. Sad because he has to now confront fellow Members of Parliament and hold them accountable, especially those from New Britian. We know the K125 Million deal was done not for the best interests of this country. The Management of Nasfund knew it was not a genuine investment. Yet they did it becasue some of them picked up something from the broking firms etc. The broking firm paid the commissions out in Australia. A certain ex Pollie from Madang was instrumental in the whole deal

THE ROAR Papua New Guinea is without doubt a rugby league heartland. The State of Origin would be the most popular annual sporting event in the country. For many men, their most prized possession is the NRL jersey of their favourite team. However, it seems as though, international rugby league has let Papua New Guinea down big time. Back in 1990, the Kummuls drew a Test series with Great Britain. These days, the Kummuls are the whipping boys whenever they play Australia, New Zealand or Great Britain. Why is this so? I believe, a valid comparison can be made with the likes of Tonga, Fiji and Samoa in rugby union. Back in 1991, Samoa, at their first World Cup, shook up the rugby world, by defeating Wales and qualifying for the quarter-finals. Back then, rugby union was not professional, and when it did turn professional, there were fears that the Pacific Island nations would fall behind. These fears are largely unfounded. At the last IRB World Cup, Fiji were one tackle away from defeati

THE ROAR Papua New Guinea is without doubt a rugby league heartland. The State of Origin would be the most popular annual sporting event in the country. For many men, their most prized possession is the NRL jersey of their favourite team. However, it seems as though, international rugby league has let Papua New Guinea down big time. Back in 1990, the Kummuls drew a Test series with Great Britain. These days, the Kummuls are the whipping boys whenever they play Australia, New Zealand or Great Britain. Why is this so? I believe, a valid comparison can be made with the likes of Tonga, Fiji and Samoa in rugby union. Back in 1991, Samoa, at their first World Cup, shook up the rugby world, by defeating Wales and qualifying for the quarter-finals. Back then, rugby union was not professional, and when it did turn professional, there were fears that the Pacific Island nations would fall behind. These fears are largely unfounded. At the last IRB World Cup, Fiji were one tackle away from

NATIONAL Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) chief executive officer Rod Mitchell yesterday confirmed the controversial K125 million so­vereign community infrastructure treasury bills (SCITB) have been parked with Nasfund. “Nasfund is holding onto 125 million treasury notes issued under the Treasury Bill Act (2002). The notes won’t be released until the state clears its side,” Mitchell said. He said that Nasfund had followed legal procedures but the state had not and must find a way correct that. He said this following media reports yesterday where Minister for Communication Patrick Tammur announced that the K125 million was with Nasfund. Mitchell argued that the information that came out in the media, including findings from the study conducted by National Research Institute which categorised the treasury bills as illegal, were incorrect. In its report released last month, the NRI said the deal was done without the approval of parliament as required by the PNG Constitution sections 13 and 1

NATIONAL Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) chief executive officer Rod Mitchell yesterday confirmed the controversial K125 million so­vereign community infrastructure treasury bills (SCITB) have been parked with Nasfund. “Nasfund is holding onto 125 million treasury notes issued under the Treasury Bill Act (2002). The notes won’t be released until the state clears its side,” Mitchell said. He said that Nasfund had followed legal procedures but the state had not and must find a way correct that. He said this following media reports yesterday where Minister for Communication Patrick Tammur announced that the K125 million was with Nasfund. Mitchell argued that the information that came out in the media, including findings from the study conducted by National Research Institute which categorised the treasury bills as illegal, were incorrect. In its report released last month, the NRI said the deal was done without the approval of parliament as required by the PNG Constitution sections 13 a