PNGBLOGS

by JOHN ENDEMONGO KUA After 45 years of self-rule with political independence, a constitution, a flag, a legislature, an anthem with a political territory inhabited by a thousand tribes of indigenous people who settled here more than 6000 years and had engaged in agriculture even before the birth of agriculture in the Nile delta, none of the prime ministers from the first prime minister - Sir Michael Thomas Somare, who served for almost 20 years of the 44 years of political independence, with Peter O'Neill serving 7 straight years and the rest serving under 4 years each had intentionally given a blind eye and played deaf and dumb to the significant factors to economic empowerment and independence to the citizens of this nation out of sheer greed to benefit themselves ahead of the people. All of them were kept in the loop by foreign business interests not to revise the land and resource governance laws that were written by our colonial masters to suit their own interests ahead of in

by KEVIN KEREPO PNG CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES TO STAGE  PROTEST UNTIL JAMES MARAPE IS REMOVED AS PRIME MINISTER OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA.  James Marape is setting the stage for stealing public funds using the public Health Emergency Act 2020. He wants to use COVID 19 to pursue his political dream at the cost of massive debts and unscrupulous spending.  This law is already defective and unconstitutional and threatens all accountability process. It was deceitfully passed in Parliament without proper consultation and will not work for our country.  He has intentionally removed all accountability provisions to hijack public funds in the new law. Now he is bringing in loan money up to a billion and preparing the embezzlement process. People of Papua New Guinea must stand up and remove this most highly corrupt government. This government has killed all our Small and Medium Enterprises. This government has put people out of jobs. This government has forced prostitution into families. This government

by  Beatrice Bisia Geita Talk about Land grabbing, in this picture below, is our office at 16mile. During the SOE period, we were operating in the city with a skeleton crew to keep things going as the central province was on lockdown. While some people who are related to our current PM James Marape are busy illegally erecting posts on our land. I don't know whether to laugh at their stupidity of thinking they can erect a fence right under our faces or get so mad and destroy the whole fence. They have obtained a title on top of our title for a small area behind the bike track, they built few houses and a liquor shop. During the SOE lockdown, no one was present at our office just the day guards, these idiots decided to turn up and put a fence right where our fuel pump is and flatten the whole bike track. This was all done while we all fast asleep, they work at night. "The thief comes in the night to steal, kill and destroy John 10:10" as stated in the bible, if they were g

by PAUL HARRICKNEN We make this Statement as protest. Firstly for the manner the Public Health Emergency Bill 2020 was rushed into Parliament by the Government and passed on Friday 12 June 2020. There was no prior wider consultation, openness, and debate in Parliament. The law was rushed in total secrecy without justification. Secondly, the law has serious constitutional issues, lacking transparency and accountability for political expediency, which required greater consultation with all stakeholders prior to presentation in Parliament. We are told that the Bill that was introduced in Parliament was different to the initial draft that was circulated to Members of Parliament prior to the Parliament sitting on Friday 12 June 2020. The following are our fundamental concerns. First and fundamentally, the Bill takes away the powers and functions of the Legislative Arm to the Executive Arm. In doing so it not only compromises the supervisory and oversight powers of Parliament on the Executiv

by ADRIAN KAMBERAN MINING COMPANIES ARE ALLOWING EXPATRIATES TO ENTER WITHOUT ADHERING TO COVID-19 AND SOE PROTOCOLS. WHY the controllers turning deaf ears and blind eyes on our companies playing hide and seek game on state and her authorities by not following COVID-19 protocols and SOE orders (even before the last day of the SOE) put in place by the authorities? This question must be answered by relevant authorities if you mean business in addressing COVID-19 case in the country. This post is firstly in relation to numerous concerns raised regarding the New Crest Mining foul playing by the authorities undermining the set procedures by allowing direct flights from Australia and are never quarantined. And secondly, it was reported that the Company is asking its employees to either resign or take long leaves. There is something fishy going on in the mining and relevant authorities should conduct a wider consultation and survey at the mine site to assess the realities at the site. Stop th

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