PNGBLOGS

by JOHN STEWARD In a remarkable turn of events, and right under the watchful eyes of all thinking Papua New Guineans, the Police Commissioner eliminates almost all potential risks at the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate, by suspending the Director Matthew Damaru, his Deputy Timothy Gitua, another senior office Joel Simitab and other officers who may have been seen solidly supporting their bosses to pursue the arrest of Prime Minister O’Neill in relation to Paul Paraka Lawyers fraudulent payments. Commissioner Baki, in a lengthy media statement attempts to justify his “weekend” actions but not many will be convinced in light of the chain of events leading up to Baki’s decisions. I have gone through the various events leading up to the actions of Baki and here is what I have compiled. (All these events are publicly reported in various media forums if you have been following), On the 5th of April 2016, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed James Marape’s appeal to the S

PNGBLOGS Prime Minister and Ano Pala tried to use the Supreme Court Reference to stay other proceedings including the Sakora J orders in Supreme Court. The Supreme Court five men bench literally tore their application in pieces. THE Waigani National Court has refused an application filed by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the National Executive Council to adjourn the hearing of two notices of motion relating to the legal representation of the Task Force Sweep Team chairman Sam Koim. Lawyer representing O’Neill and NEC Desmond Kipa, from Twivey Lawyers, told the court that lawyer Tiffany Twivey was in charge of the two motions and she could not be available in court because of what happened to her on Monday. Twivey stated in her affidavit that she was locked up at the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption interview room on Monday for about 14 hours with no electricity and water, which affected her physically and psychologically. Her medical certificate was submitted to the cou

by MARK SAULEP A lot has been circulated about the Waigani Court Complex project and we need some straight talk here. Only last month, the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Leo Dion came out publicly concerning the corruption issues surrounding the Provincial Supply & Tenders Board (PSTB) in the provinces. From social media, we are being advised that he will now chair NEC to award the Waigani National Court project to a contractor recommended by the Central Supply & Tenders Board (CSTB). A lot have been said in the News media and the social media with regard to the Waigani National Court Complex tender. The allegations of political interference was also circulated in the social media showing the letter from the Chief Justice to Min. Ano Pala and a copy of part of Tender Evaluation Committee Report (TEC). The tender for the Waigani NCC court is a public tender put out by CSTB and there was public opening. Tenders were in two parts, technical submission and financi

by NANCY GORO   The awarding of contract of the construction of the new Supreme and National Court Complex in Waigani worth K430 million that was being heavily politicised has taken another twist.  The twist now sees the Prime Minister getting directly involved. The National Executive Council (NEC) is set to meet this week and one agenda will be the awarding of contract for the construction of the new Court House complex Waigani.   The Prime Minister is said to be traveling out of the country when NEC meets. He has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion to chair NEC.  This sly tactic by PM is totally uncalled for and is seen to be corrupt practice and tactic. Prime Minister before travelling out has has directed his PNC Party members to support the awarding of the contract to L&A Construction a company.  L&A Construction is closely linked and associated with the PNC Party and Prime Minister O'Neil. Although L&A Constructions bid was out of the budget,

PNGBLOGS The awarding of contract of the construction of the new Supreme and National Court Complex in Waigani worth K430 million is being heavily politicised and the awarding of the contract by NEC for unknown reasons has been delayed for two months now. Although It has been budgeted in the 2016 budget and planned to be completed before the APEC Conference in Port Moresby in 2018. The awarding of the contract went through the the bureaucratic process by going through the Central Supply and Tenders Board before being submitted to the National Executive Council (NEC) it's recommendation. The NEC submission in awarding a contract of the construction of the Supreme and National Court complex in Waigani is based on Supply and Tender Boards submission while in turn is based on careful and professional technical and financial assessment. CSTB have shortlisted 3 very qualified and experienced bidders that we're recommended to NEC. And they are in preference from 1- 3; 1.China Rail

by SONJA BARRY RAMOI IN THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE of Papua New Guinea, Attorney General & Minister for Justice Ano Pala’s application for orders to restrain the then Commissioner of Police Geoffrey Vaki and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary from arresting him was heard by His Honour Justice George Manuhu earlier this week, over a two day period, on Tuesday the 27th & Wednesday the 28th of October 2015. In the matter listed as ‘SCM NO. 26 OF 2015’, His Worship Presiding Magistrate Cosmas Bidar was named as First Respondent, the then Commissioner of Police Geoffrey Vaki as Second Respondent, and The Independent State of Papua New Guinea as Third Respondent. In handing down his Ruling, His Honour Justice Manuhu cited the following cases: Wari Mugining v R [1975] PNGLR 352, Rimbink Pato v Anthony Manjin (1999) SC62, Eremas Wartoto v The State (2015) SC1411; and stated: “This is an application by the Appellant made pursuant to Section 5 (1) (b) of the Supreme Court

by BRYAN KRAMER   Yesterday  (Wednesday 28/10/15) Opposition has delivered on their promise to move a Motion of No Confidence against the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Opposition held a press conference today before serving the motion on the Acting Speaker Aide Ganasi who is the chairman of Private Business Committee (PBC). In accordance with the Standing Orders of Parliament the PBC will vet the motion to ensure it has complied with constitutional requirement s; giving no less than 1 weeks notice; signed by at least 12 MPs; nominating the next Prime Minister and is of national importance. The Clerk of Parliament will verify the signatories before it is considered by the Committee. Once approved it will be delivered back to the Clerk to list on the Notice Paper possibly for next Thursday's sitting. The motion was moved by leader of Pangu Sam Basil and the nominee is the Opposition Leader Don Polye. It seems the opposition has taken the strategic position

by MICHAEL J. PASSINGAN The lies continue to adulterate the Bureaucracy, even the Chief Secretary who is understood to be physically weak to contain the pressure of convincing his Lutheran mind. The Chief Secretary was reported by the media yesterday that he defended his action to refer Chief Magistrate Nerrie Eliakim to the Attorney General by saying what he did was procedural and administrative. He claimed that it is his job to refer complaints about public office holders to their appointment authorities. He sounded innocent and bona-fide by saying "I know the timing is not good and everyone thinks it is in relation to the PM'S case but it is not," It makes the thinking lot of us sick to the core when the corrupt pollies and their stooged servants continue to want us believe to their idiocrasy and lameness. LET’S LOOK AT THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S RESPONSE CLOSELY. The Chief Secretary to Government is the Departmental Head of the Department of Prime Minister a

MORAUTA Haus, which houses the office of the prime minister, was under siege yesterday as ex-servicemen and their families converge on the government office, demanding that they be paid their outstanding entitlements. The National reports , Although the protest was peaceful, the amount of tension and frustration made it potentially explosive, especially as this was timed to coincide with an NGO-organised anti-government rally which police had called off early this week. But, there were reports of violence and looting in other towns, including Goroka. Disgruntled former members of the PNG Defence Force and their families barricaded the building, preventing workers from the offices of the prime minister and NEC and the Department of Personnel Management from leaving. Police had to be called in to enforce order before the Minister for Public Service and Finance and Treasury, Peter O’Neill, met the ex-servicemen and promised more talks with them next Tuesday at Murray Barracks. O’Neill was

MORAUTA Haus, which houses the office of the prime minister, was under siege yesterday as ex-servicemen and their families converge on the government office, demanding that they be paid their outstanding entitlements. The National reports , Although the protest was peaceful, the amount of tension and frustration made it potentially explosive, especially as this was timed to coincide with an NGO-organised anti-government rally which police had called off early this week. But, there were reports of violence and looting in other towns, including Goroka. Disgruntled former members of the PNG Defence Force and their families barricaded the building, preventing workers from the offices of the prime minister and NEC and the Department of Personnel Management from leaving. Police had to be called in to enforce order before the Minister for Public Service and Finance and Treasury, Peter O’Neill, met the ex-servicemen and promised more talks with them next Tuesday at Murray Barracks. O’Neill