PNGBLOGS

By ERASMUS BARANIAK   Our moments of triumph on the Olympic stage have not been many. We have had our moments over the last 37 years in the regional sporting events like the Commonwealth Games, the Arafura Games, the South Pacific and the Mini South Pacific Games. In an Olympic year, we are contemplating playing host once again to the next South Pacific Games and the government and the ONeil-Namah political Leadership has not been serious about what is and what ought to have been a matter of priority and pride. The nation is about to face its moment of truth on the regional and international stage. We are about to reveal once again for all to see what we have been about for the last 37 years, at least since the last time we hosted the Games here- then courtesy of the kind people of the People’s Republic of China. At least we had a Sir Anthony Siaguru to lead us out with a committee of equally talented people, showc

By CHRISTOPHER PAPIALI Some claim Beldon Namah because of his money power. Some feared the former Prime Minister, Paias Wingti because of his wealth and political experience. Seeing Paias taking the front seat at O’Neill’s media briefing in Port Moresby prior to the election of the Prime Minister on Friday 3rd August could not prevent people talking about him. More than that is some very notable MPs like Sir Michael Somare. The feeling of him been the ‘power broker’, the true leader on the battle ground does not provide the direction to talk about him due to his discrepancies and unpopularity of NA during the 2012 National Elections. O’Neill can claim himself as the Chief Executive Officer and yet his operation at the public and within his caucus of MPs does lead to things not unturned. He can be the powerful ruler, however, history has demonstrated that a ruler is made powerful by the number of soldiers and horses the ruler has. He did not score an individual try but there were other

Thank you Mr Speaker, before I congratulate my brother and Prime Minister elect of the 9th Parliament, I would like to congratulate yourself for Parliament having confidence in electing you to the highest office in this parliament, being the Parliament Speaker of PNG. Please convey my congratulations to your family and the people of Finchaffen. On the same token, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. Nape who has held the helm of the Speaker for the last ten (10) years. He has made some unprecedented decisions that kept the country at its toes for the last 10 years. Firstly Mr Speaker, I want to congratulate the members of parliament who have been re-elected and those newly elected members of parliament. Those who have been elected recently, the challenge has just begun for you for service delivery to our people in the most rural parts of our districts in the country. And those who have been re-elected, I hope you will continue the good work that you started in continuing service delivery

Thank you Mr Speaker, before I congratulate my brother and Prime Minister elect of the 9th Parliament, I would like to congratulate yourself for Parliament having confidence in electing you to the highest office in this parliament, being the Parliament Speaker of PNG. Please convey my congratulations to your family and the people of Finchaffen. On the same token, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. Nape who has held the helm of the Speaker for the last ten (10) years. He has made some unprecedented decisions that kept the country at its toes for the last 10 years. Firstly Mr Speaker, I want to congratulate the members of parliament who have been re-elected and those newly elected members of parliament. Those who have been elected recently, the challenge has just begun for you for service delivery to our people in the most rural parts of our districts in the country. And those who have been re-elected, I hope you will continue the good work that you started in continuing service delive

By JOHN GADI The Kina TT sell rate is dropping fast in the last couple of days USD 0.4550, USD0.4531, USD0.4526 This is showing sign that this government is throwing the economy down the drain K500million deficit in 9 months is something to worry about Yes the problem list still stand tall regardless of K76billion spend in the last 10 years....constant power blackouts,  incompetent Telikom png with unreliable services, Papua New guineans being paid under colonial pay grade as compared to their expatriate colleague with little experiences, roads system crumbling down  still no company has found innovation in building tar roads that will last for more than a year Housing and health care is a problem for all urban areas in PNG and the worst is still in the rural areas government is not smart enough to develop sustainable agriculture project that can equal the magnitude of the LNG and other mining projects so to save our mineral resources for future industrialization and manufacturing for

By JOHN GADI The Kina TT sell rate is dropping fast in the last couple of days USD 0.4550, USD0.4531, USD0.4526 This is showing sign that this government is throwing the economy down the drain K500million deficit in 9 months is something to worry about Yes the problem list still stand tall regardless of K76billion spend in the last 10 years....constant power blackouts,  incompetent Telikom png with unreliable services, Papua New guineans being paid under colonial pay grade as compared to their expatriate colleague with little experiences, roads system crumbling down  still no company has found innovation in building tar roads that will last for more than a year Housing and health care is a problem for all urban areas in PNG and the worst is still in the rural areas government is not smart enough to develop sustainable agriculture project that can equal the magnitude of the LNG and other mining projects so to save our mineral resources for future industrialization and manufactur

By NATHAN DINGU Photo Credit: EMMANUEL NAROKOBI I find it funny how easily we all are led to believe that something has changed when we hear the word “change”. Papua New Guinea has several parties currently registered, I hear 42 or something like that. Of those political parties, the People’s National Congress has struck ‘gold ‘this time around with others such as Triumph Heritage Party, Papua New Guinea Party and the National Alliance Party tagging along. My question now really is what has changed? I say this because I shall make a rough head count of all the current MP’s who made it back under the banner of People’s National Congress and the Triumph Heritage Party to name a few. The question is, how many of them were part of the former National Alliance team that led the country from 2002 to 2011? Don Polye, Sasa Zibe, Teo Zurenuoc, Paul Tienstan, Paru Aihi, the list is seemingly endless. I don’t have time to really do a head count but a general observation tells me that all the form

By NATHAN DINGU Photo Credit: EMMANUEL NAROKOBI I find it funny how easily we all are led to believe that something has changed when we hear the word “change”. Papua New Guinea has several parties currently registered, I hear 42 or something like that. Of those political parties, the People’s National Congress has struck ‘gold ‘this time around with others such as Triumph Heritage Party, Papua New Guinea Party and the National Alliance Party tagging along. My question now really is what has changed? I say this because I shall make a rough head count of all the current MP’s who made it back under the banner of People’s National Congress and the Triumph Heritage Party to name a few. The question is, how many of them were part of the former National Alliance team that led the country from 2002 to 2011? Don Polye, Sasa Zibe, Teo Zurenuoc, Paul Tienstan, Paru Aihi, the list is seemingly endless. I don’t have time to really do a head count but a general observation tells me that

THE 9TH PARLIAMENT SITTING TODAY ELECTED SOUTHERN HIGHLANDER PETER O'NEILL AS THE NEW PRIME MINISTER BEATING NAMAH 94-12 IALIBU Pangia MP and PNC leader Peter O’Neill was unanimously elected Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea in a one-sided move that stunned Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah this afternoon. O’Neill was elected by 94 MPs while 12 confused MPs remained with a visibly downtrodden Namah. Newly-elected Speaker Theo Zurenuoc asked for nominations for the top post immediately after swearing in highlands governors Paias Wingti and Peter Ipatas who signed their oath of office in his presence. The two governors were declared late yesterday and were present in the chambers for the formation of government. Tari-Pori MP James Marape nominated his PNC leader O’Neill for Prime Minister and was seconded by Tewai-Siassi MP Mao Zeming. Alotau MP Charles Abel closed the motion. The Speaker did not seek further nominations but asked MPs on the floor to move to the right if they supported O

PAPUA New Guinea's fiery former deputy prime minister is reportedly considering legal action to restrain parliament from convening on Friday, when it is expected to elect Peter O'Neill prime minister. Belden Namah told Radio New Zealand on Thursday the sitting of about 106 out of 111 MPs is unconstitutional because because there are still some seats to be declared, while the writs have been extended for three seats until next Wednesday. The report said he was launching legal action. Mr O'Neill, whose People's National Congress won the largest bloc with 27 seats, was formally invited to form government by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio on Wednesday. "I don't know why Mr O'Neill is rushing when he is boasting he's got the majority of MPs," Mr Namah said. "He should not be feeling so insecure. He should be secure and he should adhere to the constitution of our country. The most influential people in Sport "The way things have been rushed,

PAPUA New Guinea's fiery former deputy prime minister is reportedly considering legal action to restrain parliament from convening on Friday, when it is expected to elect Peter O'Neill prime minister. Belden Namah told Radio New Zealand on Thursday the sitting of about 106 out of 111 MPs is unconstitutional because because there are still some seats to be declared, while the writs have been extended for three seats until next Wednesday. The report said he was launching legal action. Mr O'Neill, whose People's National Congress won the largest bloc with 27 seats, was formally invited to form government by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio on Wednesday. "I don't know why Mr O'Neill is rushing when he is boasting he's got the majority of MPs," Mr Namah said. "He should not be feeling so insecure. He should be secure and he should adhere to the constitution of our country. The most influential people in Sport "The way things have been rushed,

The Leader of PNG Party, Hon Belden Namah said today that he was very surprised to hear that the Australian High Commissioner Ian Kemish and the Deputy High Commissioner Margaret Adamson were at Government House when the Governor General issued the invitation to Hon Peter O’Neill, Leader of PNC to form a government. Mr Namah said that he was not aware that this was an occasion open to the general public. “What were the Australians doing there? Were other diplomats invited? Who invited them? Government House, or Peter O’Neill?” “I cannot imagine the PNG High Commissioner to Australia being invited to Government House in Canberra to a meeting between Her Excellency Quentin Bryce and an Australian politician.” “Kemish’s presence is a breach of protocol. It also raises many questions about the relationship between him and his mate Peter O’Neill.” “This Australian High Commissioner seems to have enormous power. He acts as though he is O’Neill’s chief adviser, telling him when Papua New Guin

The Leader of PNG Party, Hon Belden Namah said today that he was very surprised to hear that the Australian High Commissioner Ian Kemish and the Deputy High Commissioner Margaret Adamson were at Government House when the Governor General issued the invitation to Hon Peter O’Neill, Leader of PNC to form a government. Mr Namah said that he was not aware that this was an occasion open to the general public. “What were the Australians doing there? Were other diplomats invited? Who invited them? Government House, or Peter O’Neill?” “I cannot imagine the PNG High Commissioner to Australia being invited to Government House in Canberra to a meeting between Her Excellency Quentin Bryce and an Australian politician.” “Kemish’s presence is a breach of protocol. It also raises many questions about the relationship between him and his mate Peter O’Neill.” “This Australian High Commissioner seems to have enormous power. He acts as though he is O’Neill’s chief adviser, telling him when P

As you all have witnessed a while ago, I have just returned the Writs for ALL the 89 Open electorates and 18 Provincial electorates to His Excellency the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio. The date for the return of Writs for Western Highlands, Enga and NCD Provincial electorates has been further extended to next Wednesday 08th August, 2012 which I announced yesterday at the Media Centre. I have given advice to His Excellency the Governor General yesterday morning and that advice also covers Chimbu, Jiwaka and Eastern Highlands Provincial electorates in case they run out of time with their eliminations. Fortunately, the Jiwaka Provincial electorate made its declaration at 9:30 this morning with the Writ returned as well. Ladies and gentlemen, the Return of Writs ceremony today officially concludes the 2012 National General Elections in this beautiful country of ours, Papua New Guinea. A lot have been said and done before the Issue of Writs, during polling and counting BUT all these com

As you all have witnessed a while ago, I have just returned the Writs for ALL the 89 Open electorates and 18 Provincial electorates to His Excellency the Governor General Sir Michael Ogio. The date for the return of Writs for Western Highlands, Enga and NCD Provincial electorates has been further extended to next Wednesday 08th August, 2012 which I announced yesterday at the Media Centre. I have given advice to His Excellency the Governor General yesterday morning and that advice also covers Chimbu, Jiwaka and Eastern Highlands Provincial electorates in case they run out of time with their eliminations. Fortunately, the Jiwaka Provincial electorate made its declaration at 9:30 this morning with the Writ returned as well. Ladies and gentlemen, the Return of Writs ceremony today officially concludes the 2012 National General Elections in this beautiful country of ours, Papua New Guinea. A lot have been said and done before the Issue of Writs, during polling and counting BUT all these com

I'm not a big fan of GC. When GC put out his banners celebrating a political career of 40years, I'd drive by screaming at the banners "So what if you've been there 40 or a hundred years! We got nothing to show for it!" I'd get very incensed at his maneuvers to avoid motions-of-no-confidence. I'd complain constantly about him all the time. It's true just ask my fiancé! I didn't like NA. when I was in UPNG, NA had a convention at the MLT. I and like-minded students printed protest posters and pasted them visibly for NA members to read as they had their convention. His govt wasn't the best. And he wasn't my favorite PM. (I'm truly hoping that one day we can have a "favorite"/"best" PM.) When the NA govt amended certain Acts, it disgusted me, raised suspicion and further inflated my contempt for the NA govt...and the GC. But I'm Melanesian who has to justify a lack of respect for my elders. Otherwise my reverence eit

I'm not a big fan of GC. When GC put out his banners celebrating a political career of 40years, I'd drive by screaming at the banners "So what if you've been there 40 or a hundred years! We got nothing to show for it!" I'd get very incensed at his maneuvers to avoid motions-of-no-confidence. I'd complain constantly about him all the time. It's true just ask my fiancé! I didn't like NA. when I was in UPNG, NA had a convention at the MLT. I and like-minded students printed protest posters and pasted them visibly for NA members to read as they had their convention. His govt wasn't the best. And he wasn't my favorite PM. (I'm truly hoping that one day we can have a "favorite"/"best" PM.) When the NA govt amended certain Acts, it disgusted me, raised suspicion and further inflated my contempt for the NA govt...and the GC. But I'm Melanesian who has to justify a lack of respect for my elders. Otherwise my reverence e

By CHRISTOPHER PAPIALI The 9th Parliament is the improvement of the 8th parliament and I believe the best is yet to come. This is what my view is when I look at the line of members entering parliament. However, I am little naïve on my view. When Sir Michael Somare, Sir Julius Chan and other founding fathers of this great nation entered the House of Assembly, one can recall at that time that the knowledge of the world of politics, religion and economics was minimal. The debates and discussions focused on national development ideals. Since the Self- Government and Pre – Post independence periods, a lot of our politicians were not highly educated which meant that their ability to offer critique to the Australian dominated House was insufficient and lacked concrete understanding of western politics and systems of government. What we see now in 2012 National Elections is a team of elite Papua New Guineans, some educated at the very highest level, some very successful businessmen, some very