PETER O’NEIL AND BYRON CHAN JUGGERNAUT COMBINING WELL CATCHING IN THE CASH IN THE MINING SECTOR

by YAKAN LEPAKAILI

This articles stems from Anir land owners from New Island province, through Island Resource Owners Association (IROA) asking Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) to revoke the exploration lease licence (EL 2096) issued to an Australian based exploration company known to be Mayur Exploration Limited.
According to Sunday Chronicle, Sunday October 25, 2015, pg 13, MRA through Mining Advisory Council (MAC) audaciously ignored the land owners call and instead recommended to the Mining Minister to grant the lease license to an applicant company in question.

The action of MRA through MAC tantamount to bullying in nature bulldozing decisions to the dismay of simple people; the resource owners on the ground. Reckon people should have the final say but it isn’t the case with Anir people of New Island. I am tempted to form an opinion that one party is collaborating with the other and in this case, MRA is conspiring with Mayur Exploration Limited denying the land owners. 

There are incidences (known) of MRA officials operate like cowboy and conspire with potential investors and write report in full support of applicant and Anir peoples case isn’t an isolated incident. Such blatant behaviour on the part of MRA is merely fuelled by money exchanging hands, nothing else.
MRA in rebuttal can brash aside and argue its ground but mind you, whatever transaction transpires in complete secrecy is witnessed by the walls of the enclosed room. The reality is, like an indelible ink, one can’t hide the naked fact.

It is typical of MRA using bureaucratic language quoting Section of governing Act to legitimise the decision and the position of MRA with purported explanation calculated to white wash views of ambiguity nullifying views and concerns raised by land owners.

It raises a legitimate question, should MRA was to advise the Mining Minister through MAC against all odds to grant lease license to potential exploration applicant company, what then is the purpose of hosting mine warden hearing? Why then resource owners given the opportunity to lodge an objection using Form 14 when in actuality, it has no bearing on the anticipated outcome? Why not MRA assess the application from Konedobu Mining office and grant the licence instead? It is to the futility and defeating the purpose of hosting Mine Warden Hearing & use of Form 14. No correlation at all when MRA is manipulative and finality of outcome doesn’t favour the resource owners giving false hope to the people.

When decisions are bulldozed, it is evident people have been paid handsomely so that they maintain a tight-lip and by hook or crook, EL is predestined to be awarded to the applicant. The rigorous process from MRA to the Minister via MAC is merely a formality.

People may not have the insight knowledge of what transpires within MRA, however, can’t be ridden on the ignorance of the people. Though they appear naïve and look ignorant but people have the natural instinct to judge and tell.

There are fishy things going on at MRA. Wheels and deals are secretively arranged between MRA officials and potential investors. When resource owners front up at MRA office to make an enquiry, officers come out and take them into one of the rooms and start to lecturer on the administrative protocol. But the resource owners don’t know what transpires behind closed doors with MRA Managing Director, Tenement Registrar, Chief Mine Warden Officer and Manager Technical Assessment section and other officers of rank and pile. Mining Minister and ministerial staff can’t be isolated when it comes to wheels and deals.

Read what Minister Byron Chan and PM Peter O’Neil collaborated in a conspiracy to take over Tolukuma gold field in a secretive arrangement. The value of Tolukuma project was devalued to the tune of K85.5 million. It was reported that a company from Singapore bought Tolukuma but was just to create an impression. In reality, Peter O’Neil and Byron Chan scheme worked so well with a company name Asidokona which has Papuan taste is understood to be registered from Singapore. Read more here, http://www.pngblogs.com/…/a-comprehensive-analysis-of-peter….
It is being reliably told (people who get in and out of MRA and knows who is who) that you can take MRA officials out for lunch or dinner to some secluded places where no other eyes are looking across the table or no CCTV surveillance is zooming down on you, can meet in isolation in complete exclusivity and talk through. In this scenario, surely money exchanges hands whatever the amount may be and this is bribery. They are bribed handsomely on top of hosting the lunch or the dinner. That is their share of the kickbacks on a micro level whilst Peter O’Neil enjoys his kickbacks in a gigantic proportion.

The people of Anir through their LO company, were able to take it to the print media and challenge Philip Samar and his retinue of officers but only the time will tell and what about rest of PNG? Surely there are lot of prospecting going on throughout the breadth and the length of the country and what has and will become of them? Unbeknown to the people (resource owners), so called explorers conned the people, secure the exploration lease license and using that to trade at various SX avenues raising money and at the same time, it raises the company profile. All the while, poor ignorant resource owners are deceived and given what can be termed as lollies.

This adds to the tale of corruption riddled Peter O’Neil government corrupting every system of governance and public institutions of state. Philip Samar’s team is of no exception particularly the key players in the forefront.

MRA, in the very recent past, allowed questionable applicants to apply for exploration lease license despite strong objection from the resource owners. Adding to the dismay, the mining ministry office can’t be isolated. Ministry and MRA officials cover each other’s back so well not to spill the beans.
Why very Papua New Guineans are betraying their own kind for the want of perishable materialism “MONEY”? It is a crime against humanity for individuals using institutions of state to indulge in corruption.

Popular posts from this blog

HIGHLANDS FRAUD F*CKS RUNNING GOVERNMENT AGENCY,,,

Image
A Fraudster and unqualified person has been shortlisted for NEC submission for the position of CEPA Managing Director. The candidate in question is Jude Tukulyia. His academic credentials are subject to scrutiny. Further investigation is required to verify the authenticity and legitimacy of his qualifications, particularly the reported diploma in accounting, Bachelor of Laws, MBA from Divine Word and UPNG respectively. It is very suspicious and unprofessional  when the Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change, Hon Simo Kilepa, wrote to UPNG Vice Chancellor asking to confirm Jude’s questioned education qualifications. This very due diligence work is the core responsibility of the Public Service Commission and Department of Personnel Management. What authority does the portfolio minister have to write to the Universities? Dumbfounding indeed if one asks. Ulterior motives written all over the letter. This amounts to  Questionable Academic Qualifications of Mr Tukulyia.    
Read more

AUGUSTINE MANO PNG'S PREMIER CORPORATE CROOK

Image
by  MICHAEL J. PASSINGAN In a significant setback for Mineral Resources Development Corporation (MRDC), the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea has dismissed the company's appeal to stop criminal investigations into its dealings with landowner funds held in the Pacific Balance Fund (PBF). The court ruled that MRDC's appeal was an "abuse of process" and ordered the company to pay costs of the proceedings. MRDC, a unit holder in PBF, had taken legal action against the National Court's decision to dismiss its case, arguing that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter. However, the Supreme Court disagreed and held that MRDC's appeal was nothing more than an attempt to interfere with the police's criminal investigative process. The court found that MRDC had no authority to conducted its own investigation into the activities of the Melanesian Trustee Services Limited (MTSL), the fund manager of PBF, and that its actions were in violation of the Trust Deed
Read more

PNG, VERY RICH YET STILL A VERY VERY POOR COUNTRY

Image
by GARY MONDULAME Papua New Guinea (PNG), a nation blessed with abundant natural resources, continues to grapple with economic challenges that belie its potential wealth. The nation's economic narrative is a paradox—rich in resources yet burdened by poverty. The explanation for this paradox lies not only in economic mismanagement but also in deep-seated corruption that has permeated the political landscape since independence in 1975. Following its independence from Australia, PNG was entrusted to leaders who lacked a vision for a holistic national development. This absence of foresight is evident from the lack of long-term development plans that could have distributed the country’s wealth fairly across all regions and communities. Successive governments failed to establish foundational strategies such as building satellite townships or creating robust rural housing schemes. Instead, they resorted to short-term, reactive measures that did not foster sustainable growth. The nascent l
Read more

BLIND LEADING THE BLIND, WHY THE PNG ECONOMY STILL SUCKS

Image
Elizabeth Genia, Acting Governor Bank of PNG (BPNG) by MICHAEL JOSEPH PASSINGAN The economy of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is at a crucial juncture. Despite some signs of recovery, the country faces several structural challenges that continue to impede its economic progress. The March 2024 Monetary Policy Statement from the Bank of Papua New Guinea sheds light on these issues, providing a comprehensive overview of the economic landscape and the policy responses being implemented to navigate through these turbulent times. In 2023, PNG's economy grew by a modest 1.4%, a significant slowdown from the 5.2% growth witnessed in 2022. This tepid growth is largely attributed to delays in major projects and ongoing economic issues that have not been fully resolved. The anticipated growth for 2024 is around 3.0%, buoyed by the resumption of production at the Porgera gold mine. While this marks an improvement, it remains subdued compared to the potential of this resource-rich nation. One of the mo
Read more

James Marape's Missteps Openly Exposed at Australian Forum

Image
by  MICHAEL J. PASSINGAN  In a recent event that highlighted the complexities of international diplomacy and governance, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, faced a challenging situation during his appearance at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Australia. The Lowy Institute, known for its role as an independent think tank focusing on international policy, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, provided a platform for a candid assessment of Marape's governance. Following his formal address, Marape engaged in a dialogue with Dr. Michael Fullilove AM, the Executive Director of the Institute. Dr. Fullilove, a respected figure in public and international policy, scrutinized Marape's past promises and statements, contrasting them with the current state of affairs in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The discussion took a critical turn as Dr. Fullilove revisited Marape's 2019 speech at the same venue, where Marape had outlined his vision for PNG in a speech titled “A New Boo
Read more

MARAPE & PAITA ABOUT TO SIGN AWAY PNG GOLD

Image
By: Andrew Arthur Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and his planning minister Reinbo Paita are the parties behind the theft of all Papua New Guinea’s gold for the next 100 years! They have given approval for the STATE of Papua New Guinea to sign away all gold rights to an Australian paper company in Refinery Holdings PTE LTD. First, they have done the deal with a paper company even before there is a LAW that says they have the right to do the deal. We see how the real manipulation works out. Marape and Paita now need to get the law passed by Parliament. The law is before the Parliament to set up Papua New Guinea’s first National Gold Corporation. The National Gold Corporation Bill first surfaced in 2012 but successive Government of Sir Michael Somare and Hon. Peter O’Neill, in their wisdom, had refused to pass this Bill as there have been some sinister motives and constitutional issues associated with the Bill. The new bill will allow Refinery Holdings LTD PTE to own 70% of the National
Read more

A Call for Local Ownership and Fairness

Image
by JUSTIN PARKER In recent discussions surrounding the establishment of a gold refinery in Papua New Guinea (PNG), concerns have been raised regarding various aspects of the proposed project. Spearheaded by foreign investors, the initiative has sparked debates over ownership, exclusivity, tax concessions, underwriting, management rights, control over currency, legal protections, and historical failures. These concerns, if unaddressed, could potentially undermine the interests of PNG and its people, particularly the hardworking alluvial miners who form the backbone of the nation's mining sector. At the heart of the issue lies the question of ownership. The proposed ownership structure, favoring foreign investors with a substantial 70% stake, raises eyebrows, especially considering PNG's past experiences with failed ventures like seabed mining. Instead of ceding majority control to foreign entities, many argue that PNG should assert full ownership over the refinery. With the coun
Read more