PNGBLOGS

by NIUGINI OUTLOOK THE MOST SOPHISTICATED LEADERS INTENT ON GRABBING ABSOLUTE POWER IN A COUNTRY AREN'T SO STUPID AS TO TRY IT IN ONE STEP OR A SUDDEN COUPE.   That strategy is very risky and it only gives one chance to get things right More likely to succeed is a slow step by step process on multiple fronts that slowly closes off normal democratic checks and balances. Thats the whole framework of what makes a de mocracy work - the legal mechanisms that keep a leader from grabbing too much power while promoting the spread of power across different sections of government and across many individuals.   Peter O'Neill is a brilliant tactician who has virtually completed pulling the wool over the eyes of most people of PNG. The only challenge remaining is to secure the 2017 election in PNC's overwhelming favour, whether honestly or dishonestly, so that he can proclaim that he has a mandate from the people to rule with absolute power. Following that, he can

by MAJOR GENERAL JERRY SINGIROK MBE (rtd) As a graduate Security Analyst I can forecast and make a critical analysis of where PNG is heading  to under the current status quo . By default , association and by choice this government and previous governments have developed two sets of economy. One that with foreign investment and investors and the other with its own people. The foreign investment seems to grow rapidly and the local businesses seems to be shrinking. The other issue is  of leadership and accountability. When matters of economic management seems to fail those in power will attempt to resurrect the economy but in haste. In which case the nation fails thus becoming a FAILED STATE because most if not all arms of government will be denied the resources and budgetary support to enforce government control . Simply there will be no longer any control.  Law and Order and the Justice system will be unable to sustain its constitutional functions . Case in point North

NATIONAL BUDGET SPOOKS PRIVATE BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT IN PNG   by WILSON TALAG Economist Paul Flanagan's recent remarks that appeared in PNG Blogs and elsewhere highlight 8 key areas of what looks to be looming financial disaster.  Mr Flanagan's enlightening report is the basis for this discussion and why the performance of each one of the key areas has started to  spook business and investors.  The seriousness of PNG’s current financial situation is becoming very clear.   A little over a week ago the government came very close to failing to come up with the year end public servant pay.  This near disaster occurred despite supplementary budgets designed to avoid such unexpected money shortages.   Another red flag flying high and warning that behind the scenes, PNG's finances are rapidly deteriorating under the O'Neill government. The 8 key areas of concern are (1) Government lies over the actual size and growth of the PNG economy, (2) Discrepancies  ove

by WILSON TALAG “For a small country whose economy is heavily dependent on volatile commodity prices to  borrow heavily hoping that commodity prices will remain high is the pinnacle of stupidity.” Smart investors are not anywhere as dumb as the average Papua New Guinean citizen whenever  Prime Minister Peter O’Neill speaks.   O’Neill can utter complete lies about the PNG economy and government budget to the public and people will take his words at face value.  Foreign investors and the foreign owned private sector in PNG make good money because they are not so gullible.  They check things out and what they have learnt is disturbing.  The Prime Minister himself does not understand this reality and continues to present only information he wants the investors to hear.  But the investors are wise to his tricks and overall investor confidence in PNG has plummeted close to nil if the side comments of investors are to be taken at face value.    Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minist

by PAUL FLANAGAN PNG’s government must be embarrassed by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) assessment of its economic performance. In an extraordinary step, and the first time in PNG’s 41 year history of Independence, the PNG government has refused to release the IMF’s 2016 summary of the PNG economy. 98% of countries agreed to release this information in 2015 – so the PNG government has moved to the bottom 2% of governments when it comes to economic transparency. In the IMF’s final press release (see here) before Christmas (generally seen as a good time to bury bad news), the International Monetary Fund indicated that “The [PNG] authorities need more time to consider the publication of the staff report and the related press release.” This appears to be polite IMF diplomatic speak for the PNG government not wanting to release the information. The IMF mission visited in mid-2016. An early draft asking for PNG government comments would have been provided about two months ago

This will be a challenging year for Papua New Guinea and PNG Blogs as whole, we have crossed the Rubicon into the new year, 2017. Our challenges remain, our issues remain unsettled, government sponsored corruption,  the practice of partiality in awarding jobs and other advantages to friends or trusted colleagues, especially in politics and between politicians and supportive organizations in Papua New Guinea is at a all time high and in the coming year a lot will be on offer, The national elections, the continuous   eroding of the Judicial branch of the 3 part government system. The continuity of daylight corruption and stealing by Peter O'Neill and his government and many of these issues will remain unsettled. The real issue at hand is the financial status of PNG. Papua New Guinea is broke and we still pretend. We thank all our readers and supporters for sticking around with us for the past 7 years, Here's to another 7. PAUL REINBARA

by JAMES PERA KINAP THE STATEMENT THAT HE IS A "FAMOUS HOMOSEXUAL MP". When the PNG Blogs posting came out on 19th December seemingly connecting Tkatchenko with a Malaysian woman who had overstayed her visa, it included what potentially could have been a much much more slanderous, libelous and defamatory implication - that Justin Tkatchenko was also being referred to on the posting as a "famous homosexual MP". If there was anything on that PNG Blogs posting that could damage an MPs reputation in the kind of cultural environment that operates in PNG, it would be the declaration that he or she was a homosexual. If there was one false allegation on the PNG Blogs posting that would infuriate Justin Tkatchenko, it would be a false declaration that he was a "famous homosexual MP". There would be no possibility of overlooking that statement by Tkatchenko. There are few countries in the world today where anti-gay sentiments are higher than in PNG, althou

  DORA LU'S FORMER MISTRESS, MINING & PETROLEUM MINISTER NIXON DUBAN, IS GIVING AWAY MADANG TOWN LAND AND WHO MIGHT BE MAKING MONEY ON THE SIDE? (from PNG Exposed): In a blatant abuse of position, MP for Madang and Minister for Petroleum, Nixon Duban, has successfully lobbied for two controversial commercial leases to be granted to a company, Dawan Investment, to which he has strong personal ties. Nixon Duban is a member of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s People National Congress party and a former executive officer for the PM. Nixon Duban’s sister, Debbie Duban is the treasurer and vice-chair of Dawan Investment, the beneficiary of the leases: Dawan Investment was set up in 2013 by Nixon Duban’s electoral officer, Collins Iwap. Iwap signed the application for the registration of Dawan Investment and was initially a company Director: Dawan Investment is 50% owned by Stanley Kaut, who works in Nixon Duban’s Ministerial office and 50% by Lamak Katit