PNGBLOGS

by LIVINGSTON FONTENU Eastern Highlands Provincial government has made headlines again this weekend with an announcement of US $13 billion (K45 billion) investment from a Korean company. People have taken it online with so much skepticism and concern on the origin, nature, and intention of this investment. Therefore, I decided to do a preliminary digging into this MOA and bring to light some issues to enlighten your mind so discussions on this investment must be taken objectively and with a clear mind. As impressive as this announcement may appear to an illiterate mind, there are too many unknowns, too many compliance issues, and too many variables that do not add up. Though the coveted MOA may be in its infancy stage, it has already attracted too many praises from the illiterate people of EHP, who are known to be easily lured and fooled by sweet music. Signing MOA of projects with such proportions and often with insignificant public awareness isn’t new to PNG. PNG politicians have pre

CABAL REASSERTS CONTROL OF KEY STATE AGENCIES. by JOHN ENDEMONGO KUA It wasn't a surprise to read about the acquittal of the controversial private lawyer - who before his brush with the law had operated the largest legal outfit troughout the nation on engagement by the state to provide pro bono or free legal services to state remandees trough out the nation. Prior to his arrest he was the envy of the prestigious legal profession for having had the determination and foresight to provide a necessary service the state government was unable to provide for its citizens as it just didn't have the capacity to provide the services through its department of justice. For a while it was serving the needs of the people and the government was quite happy with the legal firm was doing until greed came along to use the legal services to draw out extra money. Police obtained a letter which was purported to be signed by the former prime minister authorising the outstanding legal bills of more t

By SAMSON KOMATI PNG Think Tank Group professionals to provide technical advice and recommendations on Government policies, bills or laws, and decisions under a new engagement with Government of PNG via Office of Prime Minister. In July 29, 2017, at the First Forum/ Seminar hosted by PNG TTG Inc at International Convention Center in Waigani, Prime Minister Hon James Marape MP, then Guest Speaker was presented a proposal (request) for K2 million by PNG TTG as one of seed grant to establish its organizational operations. Just last week, after following up on this submission with Prime Minister, I wish to break the news to our 3,000 plus esteemed members on all WhatsApp forums of PNG TTG that a positive respond has been delivered to us. Prime Minister has asked PNG TTG to select professionals from its membership to provide technical advice key government policies and laws and directions under an MOA to be signed for commence this work. The K2 million will be paid by the Marape-Steven Gove

by ROBERT ALEMBO   While we recognise that the State is trying to secure its rights to the Porgera mine by way of this amended legislation, we must make sure that we do not undermine the whole basis of our mining legislation by making quick amendments which are not fully understood.   The amendment to Section 7 of the Mining Act 1992 breaks down the whole basis of the Mining Act which is based on the principle of First Come First Served which is a clear principle in the legislation.  This new provision relates to all reservations in the future and not just Porgera.  This gives the State-owned company a priority over any other Investor in the country, even one which may have applied for a license months or even years before the State Applicant puts in its own application, giving an advantage to the State which other Investors will consider to be unfair and anti-competitive.  We doubt provision this is consistent with the ICCC which guarantees a level playing field for all investors in P

by PAUL AMATIO To Secure Convictions, Satisfy Public Indignation or Just Going Through The Motions? The recent Waigani Committal Court decision by Magistrate Ernest Wilmot must now be seen as a matter of national interest because it involved the alleged abuse of K80 millions of public funds – money that this country can ill afford to squander, impinged on the reputations of those charged and implicated and also on those who investigated the allegations and made the arrests. The costs of the investigation itself would come close to several million as well, I suspect. The learned magistrate cited “abuse of process” as the reason for dismissing the entire 22 charges. So this means that in not a single of these 22 charges did the investigators fail to abuse the process. It would have been enlightening indeed if His Worship had made mention of exactly what process was abused or how the abuse of process occurred. I suppose we will have to find out if and when this matter is appealed. We are

by  Paul Amatio Corruption entered this country and became systematic when those in power chose to abuse their positions for their personal gain. In so doing, they also perverted the laws of the land which had been designed, perhaps at a time when corruption was not endemic. Over time, it appears to have become entrenched in society. Pacific and Asian countries are particularly vulnerable to it because of many reasons, in my view. The first is our traditional systems of reciprocity. The second is because of the traditional trust we placed in our leaders and big men. In Melanesia, there were no Chiefs, particularly in the highlands of PNG. Chiefs were found among the Polynesian and Micronesian descendants living mainly along the coastlines. Certain cultures had them of course, like the Maimai’s in New Ireland. Irrespective of that, we as a people lived within and under the rule of law, both before and after the white man came. These laws were strict and set. Infringement carried various

FED UP AIR Niugini is bankrupt and the State Enterprises Minister knows it. He has been calling on  management reform for years and despite the revolving door at the top, they continue to fail. Worldwide the airline industry is destroyed. Highly profitable airlines around the world continue to file for bankruptcy protection and contract their operations out with thousands being terminated daily. These are the realities of all airlines worldwide yet the national airline of Papua New Guinea – owned by the government cannot understand this. Air Niugini is struggling to live as a dinosaur. Its business model has turned its back on the people of PNG to ensure the flag is flown overseas. Now that the international market has been taken away from them, they are seeking to get back to their forgotten customers. Air Niugini may have been successful in the economy of the 1980s.Look for countries who have 100 per cent ownership in their airlines. Have a look at some of the bailout packages requir

by TED TEMO James Marape is the biggest liar, betrayer and hypocrite of all time. He is the definition of a wolf in sheep's skin. He was PNC, part of PNC and served as the longest serving Finance Minister for seven (7) consecutive years in the PNC Party government. He resigned from PNC Party and lied to this country and her people that he didn’t want to be part of a corrupt O’Neill government. However, to date he has not produced one single evidence and or laid one single complaint with Ombudsman Commission or Police National Fraud and Anti Corruption Directorate on his claims.   He was never genuine from the start. He said he only wanted to remove O’Neill and never wanted to be PM. However, in Laguna camp, he forced himself by putting his name down on VONC Motion Paper has the candidate for PM hoping that he will attract the numbers. Needless to say, he never attracted numbers and so fall short of the required majority (magic number) which is 56 MPs.  In failing his bid, he then w

by DON POMB POLYE I do realise in the mind of the young a DESIRE FOR MORALLY  UPRIGHT ways of life for PNG. An UPRIGHT life for THEMSELVES, do they crave for!!!. The inference I have deduced expressed in social media and talking to many of them is that,  the  poor leadership  that some leaders have provided  has hampered their progress and success. The conduct of some leaderships have set very bad precedence that has misled many of them. The young have been confused as to which is the right example to follow or who would be the  correct lifestyle role model to emulate in National leadership, public service,  private sector,  in  or in other fields. The success stories are very rare in this country while  corruption and failure  is very  frequent and prevalent in their daily lives.The confidence of many of our  young has dwindled. This is very serious matter!!!  Business, politics, religion, family, traditions, cultures, public service, private sector, professionalism, employment , deve