PNGBLOGS

by NICKSON WAIYO In the context of an economically unstable country struggling to perform, politicians who make a long list of promises are no better than those who promise the impossible to people, trying to move heaven and earth. This behavior is not only a mockery, but it is also detestable. A responsible leader has a patriotic duty to speak out about what is at stake and publicly denounce such behavior for the good of society. It is unfortunate that bad leadership is often highly regarded, even by rational individuals. Leadership should not be motivated by extreme greed for material gain and aggressive greed aimed at achieving political milestones through corrupt means. Such a leadership approach is a recipe for anarchy and should not be encouraged. A patriotic leader should engage in self-examination and reflection, asking themselves questions such as "Have I done enough to liberate the people? If not, what has hindered me from doing my personal best?" Instead of using t

By Sam Kaupa WE HAD 25% OF PORGERA IN THE 90s. WE MERGED IT WITH A K2 COMPANY WHICH CREATED PNG FOCUSED AUSTRALIAN OIL AND GAS COMPANY,  OIL SEARCH LTD– AND NOW WE WANT PORGERA BACK AT COST – A TALE SHROUDED IN HIGH LEVEL CORRUPTION AND CONTROVERSY MASTERMINDED BY GREEDY POLITICIANS AND THEIR COHORTS. When our forefathers gained independence in 1975 they established the Mineral Resources Development Company Limited (MRDC) which was 100% owned by the Government of Papua New Guinea. MRDC was incorporated on 27th May 1975 under the Companies Ordinance 1966.  It was not until 1981 that it became fully functional as a company entrusted with the duty to manage mining and petroleum resource equity interests on behalf of the State and Landowners.  It was the ultimate State Nominee to acquire the State and Landowner equity interests in mining and petroleum projects and to manage the equity funds for landowner companies from the major resource development areas of PNG. In 1996 during Sir Julius

by MARK TOKUNAI One of the top brains of this country, Sir Mekere Morauta once described the scale of corruption in this country as “Systemic and Systematic”. Many others have labelled it as having permeated throughout the fabrics of the society. Corruption is said to have widespread in Government and is prevalent in how businesses are conducted both in private and public sectors.  We are experiencing unprecedented number of prosecutions of leaders both by police and the Ombudsman Commission. These are leaders mandated by our people but the law is keeping a check on their exercise of powers. Eventually, their fate will be ultimately determined by the judiciary. Thanks to the Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, who is an unapologetic member of the bench and sending a strong message with the number of people he is sending to jail. Sir Salika seems to be motivated to send wrong doers to jail and has no time hunting escape routes for criminals.  The judiciary, though

by BRYAN KRAMER MP Prime Minister Peter O'Neill was caught lying and misleading Parliament during question time when it resumed its first session in 2018 on Tuesday. O'Neill was responding to a question raised by the Governor of Western Province, Toboi Yoto asking when his people would benefit from Oktedi Mine and when they would receive the share certificates. Western Governor explained that since the O'Neill Government took over the mine in September 2013 it had failed to transfer the share certificates representing 33% interest in the mine to the Western Province people. Further, still, they had yet to receive their dividends. In response, O'Neill claimed when his Government took over the mine from BHP, who at the time wanted to shut down the mine for not being profitable. He said the Government inherited a loss-making machine. He confirmed his Government has yet to transfer 33% interest to the landowners, claiming it was because of stamp duties issue.

by  SIR MEKERE MORAUTA MP Prime Minister Peter O’Neill should just hand himself in to police instead of abusing the legal system any more, former Prime Minister and Member for Moresby North-West Sir Mekere Morauta said today. “Enough is enough. Judge Collin Makail’s words are crystal clear: the arrest warrant is not reviewable,” Sir Mekere said. “The request to overturn it by the Police Commissioner is ‘an abuse of process’, according to the judge. “It is time to do the right thing and the reponsible thing for the nation and for the Office of the Prime Minister. Go to the police and allow due legal process to take place. Justice will always prevail in the end.” Sir Mekere said Papua New Guineans are sick and tired of Mr O’Neill’s legal trickery and his abuse of public office and the public purse. He said it appeared that taxpayers are footing the Prime Minister’s personal legal bills, at a time when the nation is destitute. “We see from official Treasury documents that Tw

Former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta today announced that he had nominated as a candidate for the seat of Moresby North-West. “I nominated this morning as an independent candidate,” he said. “My decision is based on widespread public support for me to use my experience and knowledge to help put Papua New Guinea back on track and help form a new Government that will act decisively to implement plans to rescue and rebuild the country. “It appears to me and other like-minded people that there is a strong desire for change in Papua New Guinea and I want to be part of that change. I want my vote in Parliament to be counted. I want to be part of the rescue team to reconstruct and lay the foundation for future growth and development.” Sir Mekere said if elected he and other independent candidates and small parties will join forces to ensure that the best Government with the best leadership is formed after the election. The characteristics of a new government should include:

PRESS RELEASE Former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta said today the proposed visit to Papua New Guinea by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is hard to fathom at this time, on the eve of PNG’s national election. Mr Turnbull came to office in September 2015 – over eighteen months ago.  In all that time, he has visited many countries, all over the world.  He has not found time to visit Papua New Guinea, one of Australia’s most important neighbors.  Why come now?  What is so important now that cannot be dealt with by officials? “The two Prime Ministers met in Australia a few weeks ago,” Sir Mekere said.  “They have met countless times at APEC, Pacific Islands’ Forum Leaders’ meetings, UN meetings, and I am sure they talk on the phone from time to time.  What is so pressing now, when Papua New Guinea is suffering at the hands of this corrupt, incompetent, uncaring Government headed by Peter O’Neill?” “It is insensitive and interfering for Mr Turnbull to pay homage to Mr

by LEKEM LAKI Papua New Guinea gained independence from the neo-colonial Australian administration in September 16, 1975. Since then, we have had seven Prime Ministers in the likes of Sir Michael Somare, Sir Julius Chan, Sir Rabbi Namaliu, Paias Wingti, Late Bill Skate, Sir Mekere Morauta and the controversial incumbent Peter O’Neil. Under the leadership of previous Prime Ministers, country enjoyed tranquility with transition of changeover of leadership (PM) through political manoeuvre but peacefully and done and dusted in the spirit of the constitution. Never had one time experienced a political coup except the incumbent wrestled and forcefully taken over a legitimate government that of Michael Somare. It is telling the tenacity of the aggression to grip on to power by becoming untouchable by laws of the land. He has written a new chapter in the brief political history of PNG and is typical of a thief and remember this, a thief comes to steal, destroy and kill. Never had one

by SIR MEKERE MORAUTA   Papua New Guinea needs to take urgent action to save itself from a looming economic and financial storm, former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta said today. Sir Mekere, an economist and former head of Treasury, the Bank of Papua New Guinea and other institutions, said the nation cannot continue on its present course. “The Prime Minister has had plenty of warning from his own expert advisers in Treasury and from eminent foreign institutions and observers,” Sir Mekere said. “Good senior people in Treasury have been side-lined or sacked, or shipped out if a foreigner. Anyone who raises concerns suffers personal attack from the Prime Minister. “Or, as with the peaceful protestors who gathered at Unagi Oval on 26 October, being set upon and bashed up by the Police, no doubt on orders from above. “He has ignored all advice, and now the nation is suffering the consequences.” The latest warnings come from the international ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S

by BRYAN KRAMER I came across an article and research paper by Dr Bill Standish Consultant, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Group published back 1999. I've pasted a number of extracts from the article that interestingly enough are very much relevant today. CRISIS OF GOVERNMENT: THE SKATE ERA The Skate Government attracted international attention after its most senior ministers were videotaped discussing bribery and thuggery; and other personal scandals shocked the PNG community. Catholic bishops warned of popular revolt against declining levels of government services and increasing social misery and crime. It appeared that the independence of the Central Bank and the Judiciary had been seriously compromised. Having pushed through his harsh yet partly unfunded 1999 Budget, on 4 December 1998 Mr Skate used his numbers to adjourn PNG's National Parliament for over seven months. The effect of this was to delay by five months a motion of no-confidence which the Opp