PNGBLOGS

FOR every step, a sacrifice. And so it is for Air Niugini. The optimist among us would of course say, for every step, a gain. Whether or not the proposed merger of the national airline with Airlines PNG is a step forward or back or whether there are gains or losses only time will tell but immediately there will be one substantial sacrifice. It is a sacrifice that has nothing to do with the bottom line, which seems to dictate all corporate decisions, but it is one that has endeared the traveller to this airline: safety, the airline traveller’s bottom line. If the national flag carrier is merged with Airlines PNG, gone will be its reputation as the safest airline in the world to fly in. Through half a dozen go­vernments, ever shifting boards and management since 1973, Air Niugini has doggedly nurtured that reputation. At the lowest point in its existence that reputation has never been sacrificed. And now, with one fell sweep, without losing an aircraft or a single life in a flying accide

FOR every step, a sacrifice. And so it is for Air Niugini. The optimist among us would of course say, for every step, a gain. Whether or not the proposed merger of the national airline with Airlines PNG is a step forward or back or whether there are gains or losses only time will tell but immediately there will be one substantial sacrifice. It is a sacrifice that has nothing to do with the bottom line, which seems to dictate all corporate decisions, but it is one that has endeared the traveller to this airline: safety, the airline traveller’s bottom line. If the national flag carrier is merged with Airlines PNG, gone will be its reputation as the safest airline in the world to fly in. Through half a dozen go­vernments, ever shifting boards and management since 1973, Air Niugini has doggedly nurtured that reputation. At the lowest point in its existence that reputation has never been sacrificed. And now, with one fell sweep, without losing an aircraft or a single life in a flying acci

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has directed Attorney-General and Justice Minister Dr Allan Marat to institute a special investigation into the alleged squandering of millions of kina of landowner monies by the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), one of which is the defunct multi-million kina Casino Hotel development. The directive stems from serious allegations of schemes devised to squander landowners’ monies in lieu of investments, royalties and equities from resource projects. The Prime Minister noted that there were also allegations of inflated payments towards the acquisition of properties which do not have clear titles. Similarly, the purchase of 50 percent stake in a helicopter company which appears to have a book value of K30 million (which equates to K15 million) was allegedly purchased and acquired at the cost of K70 million by MRDC. “It is now becoming a concern and we must act fast and address those issues without any further delay. I am aware that these allegations

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has directed Attorney-General and Justice Minister Dr Allan Marat to institute a special investigation into the alleged squandering of millions of kina of landowner monies by the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), one of which is the defunct multi-million kina Casino Hotel development. The directive stems from serious allegations of schemes devised to squander landowners’ monies in lieu of investments, royalties and equities from resource projects. The Prime Minister noted that there were also allegations of inflated payments towards the acquisition of properties which do not have clear titles. Similarly, the purchase of 50 percent stake in a helicopter company which appears to have a book value of K30 million (which equates to K15 million) was allegedly purchased and acquired at the cost of K70 million by MRDC. “It is now becoming a concern and we must act fast and address those issues without any further delay. I am aware that these allegat

SURE, in the minds of many Papua New Guineans, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project will bring a lot of changes into our country. Yes, if revenues are managed and used well, it will be a pillar of the economy. Or otherwise. The question is: will our so-called leaders and bureaucrats manage the revenues from this project with the mindset of developing this nation. PNG gained its independence from Australia in 1975 and its 36 years now. I can feel we are going backwards, fuelled by chronic bad attitudes and systemic corruption. We have a lot of self- interested and power-hungry leaders who do nothing but serve themselves. I often ask myself whether the much talked of multi-billion kina LNG project in the Southern Highlands will really change the lives of the people. With no change in the attitude of MPs, leaders and ordinary people, I believe we will never get anywhere. Attitude is a huge problem here in PNG. Much of the infrastructure we see today was built before independence by the

SURE, in the minds of many Papua New Guineans, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project will bring a lot of changes into our country. Yes, if revenues are managed and used well, it will be a pillar of the economy. Or otherwise. The question is: will our so-called leaders and bureaucrats manage the revenues from this project with the mindset of developing this nation. PNG gained its independence from Australia in 1975 and its 36 years now. I can feel we are going backwards, fuelled by chronic bad attitudes and systemic corruption. We have a lot of self- interested and power-hungry leaders who do nothing but serve themselves. I often ask myself whether the much talked of multi-billion kina LNG project in the Southern Highlands will really change the lives of the people. With no change in the attitude of MPs, leaders and ordinary people, I believe we will never get anywhere. Attitude is a huge problem here in PNG. Much of the infrastructure we see today was built before independence by

Its pleasing to note that the O'Neill-Namah Goverment is really serious about the prevalence of corruption in this country and trying to eradicate it. Corruption is like a cancer that is eating away our country I commend the Goverment for its firm uncompromising stand against this sickness of corruption. In my opinion corruption has become a way of life in PNG and its going to kill this country if we dont join forces and do something positive.  If Mr. Prime Minister is genuine about cleaning corruption in this country, then he must first carry out cleaning exercise in the departments/agencies that are under his jurisdiction. He must start with his wantoks who are corrupting this country. One of the most corrupted agencies under the Prime Minister's jurisdiction is the Mineral Resources Development Company and Group of Companies. This important organisation is headed by Mr. O'Neill's wantok, Mr. Augustine Mano who is alleged to have stolen millions of landowners money in

Its pleasing to note that the O'Neill-Namah Goverment is really serious about the prevalence of corruption in this country and trying to eradicate it. Corruption is like a cancer that is eating away our country I commend the Goverment for its firm uncompromising stand against this sickness of corruption. In my opinion corruption has become a way of life in PNG and its going to kill this country if we dont join forces and do something positive.  If Mr. Prime Minister is genuine about cleaning corruption in this country, then he must first carry out cleaning exercise in the departments/agencies that are under his jurisdiction. He must start with his wantoks who are corrupting this country. One of the most corrupted agencies under the Prime Minister's jurisdiction is the Mineral Resources Development Company and Group of Companies. This important organisation is headed by Mr. O'Neill's wantok, Mr. Augustine Mano who is alleged to have stolen millions of landowners money i

FOR recipients of large cash sums, the above question is moot. They are blinded by the cash and all it promises. It does not matter a wit to them if it were proceeds of crime. We raise the question because the large cash sums and goods such as vehicles and banana boats being handed out by politicians like the realisation of the “cargo cult” dreams of yester-years might well be the proceed of crime. Applying public money for purposes it was not intended for is misapplication or abuse and, therefore, a crime. Even if the money were given for a constructive purpose, for instance the donation of a vehicle for police work in a district, it is still a fraud if the money were intended for something else. All public money is budgeted for each year. There are strict guidelines for use of public money whether they be allocated to departments or for programs. To transfer money from one vote to another without the proper authorisation is illegal. It is important therefore that each time a politici