PNGBLOGS

by JULIAN MARK Its now 13 weeks, the frustrated people now have vied to crossfire using arms against the National Security Forces and looking at different perspective to solve the problem their own way, while Government Services have stand-down or provincial administration services abandoned and public servants ran away to protect their lives. We womenfolk call for immediate supplementary election as soon as possible because declaration of the current count will not satisfy the people of SHP.  WE KNOW OUR FRESH BALLOTS HAVE BEEN TAMPERED AND THE DECLARATION OF A WINNER FROM THE CURRENT PROLONGED COUNT DOES NOT REPRESENT OUR CASTINGS.  So the SHP Governor Seat has to be called for supplementary election. The disaster is collosal, but we are clouded to see the deafening and ignorant Electoral Commissioner's delay to let more deaths occur? See these photographs of empty live ammunition and properties damaged by both police and supporters of a candidate in Mendi Tow

by PAUL FLANAGAN Following are three key questions which potential investors should be seeking answers for at the PNG Investment Conference being held in Sydney on 7 and 8 September. First, what are my peers doing? While a good business investor will be open to finding a niche market with great potential, it is relevant to know what their investment peers are doing. There was a rather disingenuous Bloomberg article last week titled “Australia Would Rather Invest in Papua New Guinea Than in China” – see here. A more comprehensive set of figures, based on total Australian investment in these countries is shown in the graph below.   [Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Catalogue 5320 Table 5 issued 10 May 2017.] Three key elements.  First, one should consider more than just direct investment.  This dominates the PNG picture but is a much, much smaller element than in China where investment options are much more diversified. Second, investments in Hong Kong are also rele

by WARREN WAMUNAP L&A Constructions are Luciano Cragnolini, Yumei Ni Cragnolini & their strange sleeping partner & bedfellow in our one and only Peter O’Neill. The ridiculous Parliament tiles over pebbles job is nothing compared to what other stunts they have pulled and are pulling all over the place in PNG. Luciano & Yumei Ni Cragnolini were in the right place at the right time to do Peter O’Neill special favors when he was just a senior Minister in Somare’s Cabinet. Yumei Ni Cragnolini, in particular, saw in Peter O’Neill what her husband couldn't see. And so she is one woman who needs to be credited with having the eye to the future in that family. These days, when her children question what she seeing in O’Neill, even O’Neill as Prime Minister is out to protect Yumei Ni’s vision of what was, what is, and what could be.There is a strange case of one of Yumei Ni’s step sons questioning Peter O'Neill deep commitment to the family a few years ago at Airways,

by LAKEN LEPATU AIGILO Greetings PI, foremost, let me congratulate you for winning the Enga Regional Seat in the 2017 National Election through election-corruption. In one of the days of February 2017 before the election, we met at the opening of Waiyep Lodge at Laiagam and I heartedly greeted you. You exchanged with a handshake with your trademark smile and called me ‘Son!’ I replied, ‘Yes Dad, I’m here to greet you!’ and you elaborated, ‘Almost Son!’ I responded, ‘Yes we are father-son,’ then we had little conversation about the event and I concluded by saying, ‘Ikinigim Takange pigelion sin namenakap’ (Son challenging father so don’t hold my sins). You responded, ‘You are exercising your democratic rights and I don’t mind but let us play a ‘FAIR GAME.’ I was thrilled by your response and agreed for a ‘FAIR GAME’ and we dismissed. However, the outcome speaks otherwise that you had willfully LIED! I regret calling you dad. I don’t know what to call you; a Liar, a snake in the

by YAKAN LEKAPALI Will Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia settle the law on re Powers, functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Commissioner of Police? The grant of interim stay orders by the Supreme Court instituted by Chief Justice Sir Salamo has not settled well with many frustrated citizens. This is understandable given the grave negativity with the recent incidents involving senior judges. But hold on and be patient for now. Was the grant on the stay orders legal? In short, YES. Like other citizens, Peter O'Neill has the right to appeal as allowed by the law. Hence, among other factors, the execution of the warrant of arrest stay in the interim is in order. Without the temporary stay order, the whole purpose of the appeal could stand defeated.  Note that the time gap between execution of the warrant by police lapsed when Police Commissioner Gari Baki delayed executing warrant of arrest on PM. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill must, therefore, thank Gari Baki for the de

by JOHN BRIA Planet Shakers ' a gospel concert turn into a mob gathering as youths take absolute control and third night cancel for security reasons. The aftermath outcome of the concert in NCD resulted in the news of rape, killing, assault, bag snatching, drunken brawl, harassment etc, etc, as neighbors within the vicinity hear nothing but 'gun shots and, tear gas. What does it tell us? This picture itself tells a thousand stories of the grim reality of the potential looming danger of PNG's internal security which also has the potential to ignite national security threats. It is estimated about 85% of PNG's population are made up of youths between the ages of 15-45 years of age and this is the most active age group. In PNG, in metropolitan cities Port Moresby, Lae and Mt Hagen, there is widespread social disorder like crime and prostitution associated with socioeconomic factors like unemployment, school drop outs, rural urban drifts etc. It's now p

by PAUL FLANAGAN PNG’s new Treasurer and DPM, Charles Abel, has released the promised 100 Day Economic Stimulus Plan (see  here ). Overall, there are some positives in the plan. But politics is already circumscribing necessary actions to get PNG back onto the right economic path. Starting with the positives, even having a 25 point plan is a useful statement that the new government recognises PNG’s economic challenges. The five elements of the plan are appropriate. There is a focus on raising revenues as well as fiscal discipline. Population policy is given priority.  The plan announces the suspension and review of some scary micro-economic policies in areas such as land, agriculture, bio-security and mining. Some politically brave action is foreshadowed to at least temporarily reduce politicians’ discretionary electorate spending (PSIPs and DSIPs). There seems a commitment to on-going sensible strategic budgetary and planning processes. There is no mention of the absurd “gold bu