Tari section of H’way unsafe

By RAMCY WAMA

BUSINESS HOUSES, trucking companies and PMV owners operating along the Tari part of the highlands highway are facing a nightmare.
The Tari section of the highway is becoming unsafe for public commuters as youths living along the highway put up continuous roadblocks, hijack vehicles and rob travelers.
As the physical conditions of the highway continues to deteriorate, trucking companies lose millions of kina in road accidents.
Business houses are loosing money when their goods are looted along the highway by youths.
“This road needs to be widened. We (PMV operators) are being held up every day on the road because the road is too narrow for us to make a quick escape,” a bus driver, John Tau explained.
Mr Tau said he ran PMV along the Tari Highway everyday and sometimes him and his passengers were held up and their belongings robbed in broad daylight.
“The frequent roadblocks and hold-ups are done along the Nipa section of the Highway and the stiff hill near Ambua Lodge,” he said.
“Youths collect huge fees on every vehicle that travels on deteriorating parts of the highway that they have patched with few gravels and soil,” Mr Tau said.
 

Hela people call for administrator

By RAMCY WAMA

THE people of the new Hela Province called on the National Government to appoint acting administrator William Pando as full-time administrator.
The people of Hela have high expectation to see tangible development after being separated from the Southern Highlands Province and was fully recognised as a province of its own in 2011 by the National Government.
The people’s dream of seeing an autonomous and fully functional province after the National election in 2012 have all shattered as the province does not have an administrator to fully control and administer governments policies and delegate tasks to public servants in the province.
A local leader, Kopi Yope called on the NEC not to drag time but appoint Mr Pando for he has already acted on the position for months.
Mr Yope responds to the Hela Governor, Anderson Agiru comments on Post-Courier last week undermining the current acting administrator’s capability to run the affairs of the province.
“Why is Hela Governor stubborn? Why is Hela he (Agiru) continually passing the bug around in the media about appointing Hela Provincial Administrator?” he asked.
Mr Yope said Governor Agiru and his provincial government members including Mr Pando held three PEC meetings but there was no administrator for the new province.
“His PEC was there and had three PEC meetings before the LLG election. In these meetings, the PEC members endorsed three nominees for the administrator post for the NEC to select and appoint?
“The PEC does not have powers to make an appointment of a new administrator for a province.
“Agiru must know that Hela Province was not granted as an acting province but was confirmed and approved by NEC and by law as fully separated province,” he said.
Mr Yope asked Governor Agiru not to make decision that would ruin the smooth running of the infant province but to follow and respect the decision the NEC and Department of Personnel Management will make.
He questioned: “Why is Agiru twisting and questioning the NEC and the department? Let NEC appoint an administrator from the three nominees selected by Agiru’s own PEC”.

K160 MILLION ALLOCATED FOR FLY-OVER PASS

Em Tv News

Over K160 million has been allocated by the National Government for the construction of a Fly-over pass bridge to be built in Port Moresby.

 

This is another major road infrastructure development for the capital which will be host to a number of international events in the next few years.

Plans for the construction of the fly-over from Kookaburra Street to Erima had been developed a few years ago; however, that idea was shelved due to insufficient funding.

 

Over the weekend, contracts between the state and New Zealand Company Hawkins Construction were signed at Government House. Governor General Sir Michael Ogio presided over the signing.

 

Also present to witness was NCDC Acting City Manager Leslie Alu. He said the infrastructure projects were needed for upcoming international events.

 

Hawkins Constructions Country Manager and Director Seth Pardoe said the company has an extensive record in building similar infrastructures.

 

He said the Erima fly-over will take an estimated 108 weeks to complete.

 

The National Government’s funding has been dissected into seven key road projects; six have already been signed.

 

The last road remaining is the proposed Paga Hill Ring Road.

 

Councillor wins unopposed

By DAVID MURI

 

ENGA’S dignified businessman, philanthropist, Rotarian and ward councillor Paul Kurai will retain his treasured badge and lead his Kamanowan people for another term.
This is after the 55-year-old chief was elected unopposed in the Local Level Government (LLG) elections.
Councilor Kurai succeeded his late father, Joseph Kurai Tapus, who was a pioneer councillor in Wabag during the pre colonial era.
This is not the first time for the award-winning councillor to abscond rivalry.
Cr Kurai was elected unopposed in the last three elections and this is the fourth consecutive term.
This is indeed a matchless feat in a society directly dictated by power and status. “Why do we have to challenge him when we know that he is providing the right leadership at the community level? Leaders, great or small, rise and fall depending on their performances and I feel Cr Kurai has performed to our expectations over the years that warrants continuity,” says Anton Yamoge, deputy chairman of Operation Mekim Save in Enga.
Cr Kurai himself said being a leader at the community level requires a lot pressure and demand. He said councillors fall in the sacrificial category that included pastors, village court magistrates, land mediators and peace mediators who give out more for little or nothing.
“Being a leader at this level involves a lot of sacrifice but I love what I’m doing. My ultimate dream is to see my community unleash its primeval mentality and embrace service through the Word of God,” says Cr Kurai, who donates much of his wealth to church ministry.
“We deal direct with the people. We live with them and know their problems accurately than anybody else. There are challenges where they will knock on your door during odd hours but I have come to conquer these pressures and live among them,” he said.
Cr Kurai paid tribute to the 2500 people of Kamanowan for the privilege and honour accorded to him and his late father for nearly seven-decade of dynasty.
Cr Kurai is the president of THE Party in Enga and president of Rotary Club of Enga. He is an avid giver who donates much of his personal wealth to churches in Enga. He’s bought several trucks for the Catholic Church and built schools and aid posts. Cr Kurai is the ward councillor for 32 years now. Attempts to reach Enga provincial election manager Henry Kyakas for election updates in his province were unsuccessful.

Highlands polls in limb

Breaches likely to see LLG elections cancelled

THE Electoral Commission is seriously considering options available under the law to cancel and fail the 2013 local level government elections in violence ridden areas in the Highlands.
Chief Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen indicated this in a media statement last Friday that pressure is mounting on the EC to exercise its powers under the Organic Law on National and LLG elections to take appropriate action on LLGs and electorates in the Highlands where undemocratic and illegal activities in recent days and weeks have jeopardised the theme of free, fair and safe elections.
The most likely action that would be taken by the Commission is to cancel the LLG polls in the affected LLGs, electorates and provinces and withdraw the election writs under Section 96A Part XIA (Election Cancellations and Failure) of the Organic Law on National and Local-level Governments.
Mr Trawen said provinces that are in the media limelight for serious breach of elections laws include Southern Highlands, Western Highlands and Jiwaka provinces – all in the Highlands region.
He said situation reports from officers on the ground in these provinces are as follows:
* Most polling booths in the Poroma LLG of Nipa/Lake Kutubu Open electorate in Southern Highlands had been hijacked resulting in the burning of 18 ballot boxes in the new police barracks in Poroma.
* The same problem occurred in the Erave LLG of Kagua/Erave Open electorate in Southern Highlands resulting in most of the boxes hijacked and taken by candidates (but were later released).
* In Western Highlands polling is currently being conducted but the situation is not the same as in the 2012 National General Elections because election-related violence has resulted in the destruction of ballot papers and the situation is reported to be beyond control.
Mul LLG – fights going on and polling has been suspended.
Hagen Urban LLG and Hagen Rural LLG – postponed polling to 31st July 2013 due to security problems while Ward 5 in Hagen Urban LLG had all its election material destroyed when election-related violence flared up.
Kotna LLG – after polling in Ward 23(Kimbiki) some candidates allegedly bought alcohol for the youths and after the youths all got drunk they destroyed all the marked ballot papers.
Baiyer LLG – polling in two wards has been suspended indefinitely by due to flare up of election-related violence at the polling venues.
* In Jiwaka, ballot boxes had been hijacked in three (3) wards at Nondugl LLG.

Mendi-Tari road becomes risky

BY PEARSON KOLO

THE Mendi to Tari road in Southern Highlands and Hela provinces and into the PNG LNG project area is becoming very dangerous for both the public and big international companies to travel on.
The highway is literally deteriorating and people are pushing vehicles in many sections of the road while locals freely collecting huge fees on every vehicle after patching some of the bad sections.
 

Many vehicles and the travelling public are even robbed and vehicles stoned and truck drivers are continuously abused.
This has raised question among many people from Hela and Southern Highlands Provinces on where the K300 million infrastructure grants from the LNG project were put to.
A public commuter Henny Hayabe who was travelling to Mt Hagen from Tari on a PMV had to turn back to Tari from Nipa after locals from Nipa tried to rob the PMV bus he was travelling in.
 

Mr Hayabe said the PMV stopped at a bad section of the road and several men jumped out of the bush and tried to hold up the PMV.
“But our driver quickly turned the vehicle and we went back to Tari and travelled to Mt Hagen the next day,” Mr Hayabe said.
Mr Hayabe called on the provincial and national government to do something about the road, saying the road had been used by the the travelling public and big trucks engaged in the PNG LNG prject.
“The construction phase for the LNG project is nearly over and the K300 million infrastructure grants has not achieved anything tangible in the province,” Mr Hayabe said.
“But it is better for the Government to fix the road before it deteriorates further,” Mr Hayabe said.

Electoral process hijacked

By PEARSON KOLO

PEOPLE in many districts throughout the country are not fully aware of the election process and this is a serious issue as it affects the kind of leaders they choose .
The people’s confused understanding of the election process was obvious in the Lumusa LLG in the Western Highlands last week when they voted following a process called ‘tanim teibol’.
In this process, the minority supporters of a candidate and the Assistant Returning Officer and the presiding officials all agreed and allowed the election officials to write down all the preferences in the ballot papers while they stood and watched.
This ‘tanim teibol’ process forcefully took away the right of the people to freely vote for whoever candidates they preferred.
Other illegal incidents observed during the polling in Lumusa included children under the age of 18 years — some as young as nine years old — voting while threats, intimidation and bribery was rampant. The Assistant Returning Officer for Lumusa LLG Tommy Peke who supervised and conducted the polling allowed these illegal processes to take place and did not do anything to stop it
When polling started last week Monday, the voters of Epilisen Ambankausa, Ward 24, Box No. 024 told the election officials to write all the first preference votes for the current Lumusa LLG president and distribute the second and third preference votes to all the 15 candidates who contested for the Lumusa LLG presidential seat.
This raised doubts among the candidates who questioned the ARO and the election officials on the legality of them writing down the votes while the people just stood and watched.
Candidates Ekip Minakasa, Aleke Lakapuwa and Paul Barlus Warte argued without success while the election officials wrote down all the votes in the ballot papers.
“This process is totally against the law and we do not know why the ARO and the presiding officials are allowing this to happen. “Why did they not allow the people to exercise their right to vote?” the candidates questioned. The council wards that followed the ‘tanim teibol’ in the Lumusa LLG were Epilesen AmbanKausa Ward 24 Box No. 024; Independent Ward 25 and Box No. 025; Yuwai Mapogani council ward and Kakemali ward 19 Box No. 019. Candidates running for the Lumusa LLG presidential seat have called on the Western Highlands Election Manager Philip Telape and the Electoral commission to declare the above boxes informal and count the rest. Mr Telape recently called on the people of WHP and the contesting candidates and the elections official to conduct the LLG elections following due process and not to take away the rights of the people to freely vote and elect their leaders.
Voting is still continuing in Lumusa and is expected to end on Wednesday and counting for the Lumusa and Baiyer LLGs will be conducted at Baiyer Police outpost.
 

Polling going well

By JOHNNY POIYA

THE LLG polling in the Chimbu Province has gone smoothly and is expected to be completed by Today.
Chimbu Provincial Election manager Steven Gore Kaupa reported that polling in the remote Karamui LLG, however. is accessible only by air, and therefore would be delayed due to lack of funds to charter an aircraft.
Polling in the province started on Tuesday with Kundiawa and parts of Waiye LLGs covered. It continued in Salt, Digne, Waiye and Yongomulg LLGs on Wednesday.  On Friday, East and West Elimbari, Tabari, Nomane, Kumai Bomai, Kup and Nilgande LLGs were covered.
Mr Kaupa said the 19 LLGs accessible by road were expected to be completed by the end of the week and counting will begin on Tuesday.
 

For the first time in the LLG’s history, Mr Kaupa has instructed the Returning Officer to engage local Karamui people to conduct polling and not outsiders who would influence results.
He said counting for all LLGs would be counted in their respective district headquarters except for Karamui, Salt, Nomane, Kundiawa and Sinesine Yongomulg which would be conducted in Kundiawa.
 

“There’s no boycott over allowances. Our policemen are out in strength covering the whole province during the polling period. There were no major incidents. Nothing arose that was not manageable,” he said.
A total of 3650 candidates, 22 of them women, contested in the elections. Six of the women went for the presidential seats against 751 men while 18 challenged 2781 males in the ward councils.
Mr Kaupa said: “So far so good. We’re going on schedule and expect to complete everything on time and peacefully.”
 

Hela manager by year’s end slamed

By RAMCY WAMA

THE Hela Governor Anderson Agiru’s idea of having a permanent Hela Provincial Administrator by year’s end is utter nonsense for politics, an extreme indication of a lack of his leadership.
Hela’s chief and Deputy Chairman of the THE Party Hela Province, Peter Hetaya has slamed Agiru’s idea.
“Why is he misleading the people of Hela and holding the new province to ransom?” Mr Hetaya questioned.
He said Tari Poma, Koroba Kopiago and Komo Magarima, were united for the new province.
“We want to have new, young vibrant provincial administrators in the likes of William Bando to lead the province forward.
“The Helas had seen a lot of physical changes in terms of banking services, effective flow of electricity, the construction of certain feeder roads, significant drop in law and order problems, to name a few and many yet to come, during the Hela Transitional Authority,” Mr Hetaya said.
He said Helas were indebted to the groups and individuals who worked tirelessly to lay the basic foundations of Hela through the chairmanship of James Marape, captainship of William Bando and the crews.
“Since Hela was declared as a province, we need to maintain that kind of political leadership to exhilarate development. This issue of having the permanent administrator has been dragging for too long. There were three PEC meetings in Hela and several ads were put out in media by the PEC members questioning why there is delay in appointing the permanent provincial administrator to properly steer the province. There were not rented crowds getting to the media for their own gains. It was the leaders, the elites of Hela speaking out. That is their right,” Mr Hetaya said.
He said Helas knew Agiru stand during the UBBSA in Kokopo when Hela province’s idea was brought into agreement. They knew his total ignorance to the idea of Hela province.
Mr Hetaya said the people of Hela knew Agiru’s role when boundaries were drawn.
“You went into hiding as if you were not the son of Hela. It was the struggle and sacrifice of some very few in the likes of Hela Kimbu and many others who fought without fear or favour for Hela province.
“We have played our politics already. Hela is a province now and the time to play politics is over. We will play again when the time comes in 2017. Now it’s time to work together for our new province,” he said.
Mr Hetaya said Hela was the hub of the worlds PNG LNG project.
“Helas are known for warfare and tribal conflicts. We now see a huge drop in law and order and tribal warfare problems, a treat to this important project. We know it is the great effort by the authority in the past and we want the continuation of that leadership for our new province.”
He urged Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to look into the issue and give the province a permanent administrator.
“I also challenge the four MPs and the like minded elite to work together for the betterment of Hela,” Mr Hetaya said.
 

Trucks block highway

By DAVID MURI

Constant impasses caused by heavy trucks on the Highlands Highway are described as “neglected nightmares” that continue to rip off motorists and the travelling public.
Many locals express frustrations time and again about the total misery instead of better lives at the back of the lucrative resource boom in their area.
 

Sidelined Nipa district administrator Robin Pip said semi-trailers hauling tonnes of cargo destined for resource projects, compounded with heavy rain are causing havoc on the deteriorating highway.
 

Mr Pip said there are rampant incidences of heavy trucks blocking the highway after skidding off or bogging down on slippery surfaces at various sections.
He said multi-billion kina oil, gas and gold projects at Kutubu, Moran, Hides and Mt Kare are being developed at the expense of the poor road users.
“PMV owners and ordinary citizens suffer daily. Can our government do something to rescue us please,” Mr Pip pleaded.
 

He said motorists dig deeper to pay to pass through bypasses erected by locals on top of excessive costs incurred by the wear and tear on vehicles.
Pip reported that the highway between Poroma turnoff and Margarima was blocked over the weekend by heavy trucks at different locations, completely halting traffic flow and the movement of goods and services.
He asked the government to declare a state of emergency on the road and urgently repair its dilapidating condition to protect properties and lives.
Pip warned that failing this would result in chaos and anarchy as people are already frustrated with the developers and government’s failures in addressing their woes.
He said the worst sections that are currently impassable are Tindom Hill, Kware, Punip Hill, Gim Hill, and Walte.
“The section at Tindom Hill was blocked as of last night again after a semi trailer skidded and is blocking the entire width of the road,” he said.

State of Origin K1.1 Million Compensation Demand

 

Em TV News

With the decider in Origin days away, people of Tari in the new Hela Province reflected on a game related death in Port Moresby.
27 year old Abel Thomas was apparently killed after an argument during the second same.

 
At the foothills of North Waigani in the nation’s capital on Thursday relatives of the late Abel Thomas performed their traditional rituals prior to handing down their compensation demands.
It was a loss to this community from Tari, as the deceased was a well – educated person, having a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Technology prior to his death. Therefore, the compensation demand stood at K1.1million.
 
The incident took place on the night of June 26th during the second State of Origin Match when Abel Thomas was murdered by a known suspect. His body was found four days later at the Port Moresby General Hospital Morgue. The relatives want their demands met by Amos Pako so they can send the body home for proper burial.
Waigani Police confirmed that they are aware of the situation as the matter is now before the NCD Mediation Unit. But they maintained that compensation demands are not encouraged in the city.

NDB moves to protect money from scams

EM Tv News 



The National Development Bank has taken measures to protect itself against scam and con artists.
 
It has engaged the services data security firm Credit and Data Bureau to ensure that monies lent are given to credible customers.

The bank could not specify but it isT believed hundreds of thousands of kina are lost through scams.
Inside the NDB headquarters, Executive Manager of the Lending Division Trevor Cain presented an K11, 825 mock cheque to Credit & Data Bureau Managing Director, Bruce Mackinlay.
Receiving the cheque Mr Mackinlay said the new system will help the NDB identify scam and con artists, which have cost banks and financial institutions millions of kina.
 
They can also identify those that have multiple loans or have a bad history of credit and debt.
Since their establishment over five years ago, the Credit and Data Bureau has been able to recover over K44 million in debts and credits.
With a major stimulus package of K80 million provided by the government to boost small to medium enterprises, the NDB wants to ensure that this money is protected for genuine beginner entrepreneurs.
NDB will be able to use the new data service within the next few months.

Karanda gets funds

By JOHNNY POIYA

The remote Karanda villages in the Ialibu-Pangia electorate have received K200,000 from the Southern Highlands Provincial Government for various community programs and school infrastructure facilities development.
 

The funds would be used for classrooms, staff houses and a sawmill to use for rural housing schemes. Part of the funding would be used for other community programs such as training school teachers, nurses and church activities. It is the first time government support has been received by the people of Karanda 1, Karanda 2, Rakunapi, Wawai, Pati, Koya, Ralera, Kambiane, Kaporoi and Kana- Palupini villages never received in the past.
Southern Highland Provincial Education Advisor Joel Raitano expressed his gratitude to the Powi regime for having realised the needs of the far-flung rural areas.
Mr Raitano called on the people to wisely use the funding.
He said, “K1 is able to buy 3 pencils, each of which can be used by three children for three months.
 

“Services, whether small or big, perform wonders in someone’s life,” he said.
Karanda Two Community School also received a desktop computer, a gen-set, a heavy duty photocopier, a printer and toner capable of producing 36,000 copies of print.
Former deputy principal for Ialibu Secondary School who is now the head master of Erave High School, Mr Patrick Yamu and Joseph Yapi Kende of a community based organisation Ripulu Foundation for Community Development Association Inc. thanked Mr Powi and Mr Raitano.
“For us this is a lot of money and we are able to achieve many things with it,” they added. 

Alleged arsonists freed

By JOHNNY POIYA

Mt Hagen police are seeking further evidence to re-try 10 people suspected of burning down ballot boxes for the Jiwaka regional seat.
In September last year the boxes were burnt after petitioner Jamie Maxton Graham served a copy of a petition to Governor William Tongamp.
Investigations by police resulted in the arrest of 11 people, including several policemen, and they were charged with conspiracy and arson.
Ten suspects eventually appeared in Mt Hagen District Court last month where the case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.
The Court made the ruling after the counsel for the defence, Robin Yallon, submitted a statement claiming the prosecution failed to present prima facie evidence.
Senior District Court Magistrate Jeremaiah Singomat said there was no substantial evidence to commit the defendants to the National Court.
Neither the witnesses nor the certificates of interpretation attached to their statements, as required by the Court’s Act, were sufficient enough to do this.
The court also found instances of conflicting evidence where names were provided other than the true identity of persons.
The Highlands Regional OIC Criminal Investigation Division Mazuc Rubiang admitted there may have been failures on their side which resulted in the dismissal but they would continue with further investigations to see justice prevail.
“There was technical error or maybe we didn’t defend our case properly in the committal proceedings which resulted in the dismissal. Though the case was dismissed, I will try all my means and ways to get these people back to court. We already got statements from six witnesses and I appeal to the people of Jiwaka to assist if they have any information.”
Acting Detective Chief Inspector Rubiang said they would not fail the people of Jiwaka and they would continue investigations and make sure those responsible face the full force of the law.
Senior District Court Magistrate Jeremaiah Singomat freed Paul Kes Kaman, John Lepa Mangi, Michael Tau Kenzie, Thomson Tolai Kauke, James Bombie, Otto Du Mong, and Korki Pup.
In an earlier decision the court discharged three of the accused: Andrew Mangi, Morris Millen and Martin Tongamp, also due to lack of evidence.

MP says Police threatened to assassinate him

  EM TV News


 

Chuave Open MP Wera Mori told parliament that police have threatened to assassinate him.
The member gave an account of the threat during question time on Wednesday.

The Chuave MP told the house he has been a victim of malicious attacks by certain members of the Boroko police.
He named the police involved but was encouraged not to continue naming any more involved including political rivals.
Referring to what he termed as a purported document by the National Fraud and Anti-corruption office, he labelled it baseless and misconstrued set out to suit a political agenda.
He asked the Prime Minister if he had obtained a copy of the report which was funded by the former Chuave MP.
He also alleged that the police involved were directors of certain companies in Chuave. 
Mr O’Neill said he was not aware of the report, but he would take the matter up with the police commissioner.
He said police officers are not supposed to act like project officers; a full investigation must be undertaken.
Meanwhile, Western Province Governor Ati Wobiro also gave an account of his provincial administrator being threatened by police.
The damning reports come after the police launched its modernisation plan in April this year.

Infrastructure Development Grants (IDGs)

Andy Pape

Infrastructure Development Grants (IDGs), Business Development Grants (BDGs) and Project Funds are monies budgeted, parked in trust accounts and paid by government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) to the landowners or people who are directly impacted by projects such as gold mine, petroleum developments covering oil & gas projects, timber projects, and other projects that in return bring both cash and non-cash benefits to the country.

Landowners from Hides Gas Field are a certain group of people who are naturally blessed like other landowners in the country. Unlike other projects developed and operated in Papua New Guinea, Hides Gas Field is a nature mother to prestigious petroleum resource, gas. Gas is one of the quite luxurious commodities traded throughout the world.

In compliance to Oil & Gas Act and other related laws such as Benefits Sharing Treaties and others agreements thereto, government of Papua New Guinea of the past and present days, and project developers namely British Petroleum, Chevron Niugini Limited, Oil Search Limited & Exon Mobil through its subsidiary Esso Highlands Limited have been paying hundreds of millions of Kina as IDGs, BDGs and project funds to the Hides landowners, Southern Highlands Provincial Governments and recently to Hela Provincial Government as Hides is now within the electoral boundary of Hela Province. These funds have been paid to Hides landowners through their registered through IPA companies, trusts arrangements, and authorities so that these recognized enterprises and establishments can bring sustainable infrastructural developments to the project impacted communities. There are available clear audit trails that no one will argue that no less millions funds have been paid to the Hides landowners. If someone claims otherwise, then he or she is a fresh Johnny come lately roaming the streets of Tari town.

Of course, it was a great shame to be exposed when Minister for Trade & Commerce unapologetically commented during his visit to Hides Gas Field that ‘where have all these millions of kina paid in the name of tangible development projects gone’. Obviously, all these monies as we know ended up in the filthy pockets of certain corruptively unscrupulous dodgy landowners beating their chest to the expenses very unfortunate poor village men, women and children. These dubious few ones build and hide in their dark tinted comfortable empires in Port Moresby and overseas and poke their faces out and go around with hungry tummy during project fund seasons.

It is indeed welcoming news for concerned on watchers when this fair man, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea announced today that all these project grants will be audited for true & fair opinion before further project funds are released. A case that definitely would not be missed is all funds paid to Hides Gas Field landowners would be investigated and proved whether the funds have been truly spent on their intended purposes. There was this project funds payout situation in 2012 where monies were given to all sort of paper companies ranging from amounts tens of thousands to hundred millions. It would be interesting to know at the end of this special audit/investigation whether these project funds have been paid to legitimate companies and they have actually gone back to Hides and put up community projects.

By seeing successful initiatives that have been established and pursued by Peter O’Neill and his government, it is very likely that this plan will be implemented accordingly. Interestingly he is the chairman to the so called ‘ad hoc committee ‘that will govern and spearhead this investigation or if you like, this exercise.

It would be a fair outcome if some of these dodgy landowners, untrustworthy government officers and dubious member of parliaments are punished if they are implicated in the misuse of these project funds.

MP gives vehicle, uniforms

By RAMCY WAMA

THE Member for Mendi-Muniuh, De Kewanu presented a new ten-seater vehicle, K50,000 worth of uniforms and K80,000 allowances for the village court officials.
The presentation of the uniforms, vehicle and funds village court officials received is a big boost for the law and order agencies in the electorate.
Mr Kewanu on an electoral visit last week delivered the K80,000 allowances for the last six months and sets of uniforms to all village court officials and land mediators.
The event was witnessed by over 3000 people at Mongol Secondary School in Upper Mendi LLG on Friday.
The presentation of uniforms, allowances and the new ten-seater for the village court runs was a historic gift from the MP to the people as such gifts were never received by the officials from the past MPs.
Mr Kewanu said for so long these people were ignored by relevant authorities of the significance they have in the society.
He said: “So long as I’m in power I will ensure and oversee such support continue. The village court officials play significant role in ensuring order, peace and harmony in the society, yet we tend to ignore their in-put.
“Despite authorities’ ignorance they still continue to serve society with a big heart.”
Mr Kewanu presented the new vehicle to the Chairman of Peace and Good Order committee Yaungtain Koroba.
Yaungtain Koroba upon receiving the keys of the vehicle assured Mr Kewanu and his administration the vehicle would be used for village court purposes and that such a historic gift would make the officials to carry out their duties with their hearts.
“I would like to thank Mr Kewanu and your administration for the historic support towards the law and order officials in the electorate. This vehicle will only be used to support the law and order officials and their duties. We will give the best in serving the people of Mendi-Muniuh,” he said.
The District Affairs Officer, Masa Apon, added that for a very long time the people of Mendi-Muniuh were ignored but thanked Mr Kewanu for boosting the law enforcing agencies with the surprise gifts.
During the presenhtation, Mr Kewanu announced road rehabilitation works of K700,000
Mr Kewanu said the K700,000 would be used for the upgrading and construction of Kundap Muniuh turn-off to Kip in the Lai Valley LLG area.
He said Kundap-Muniuh road had been ignored for more than 20 years and he wanted to make history.
Mr Kewanus said the newly purchased PC 200 excavator would start working on the road next month.
“I am proud to be your member to work with you and to provide the basic needs. I will upgrade the road and the foot bridges that are of priority now but I need shared responsibility. Once I put these basic services in place, I need you to get into farming and that’s what I want from you. I want you to capture the economic opportunities that we can get from our land. Our land has the potential to supply PNG with fresh vegetables and that is what I want Lai Valley and the rest of the district to look into,” he said.

Electorate to have engineering unit

 

The Mul-Baiyer electorate in the Western Highlands is preparing to establish a district engineering unit to have all its road infrastructure fixed. This was made known during the delivery of two vehicles –one to the Provincial Works Department and one to the District Administration on Friday. District Administrator Olga Makindi and Douglas Kilipi from local MP Koi Trappe’s office, said the vehicle to the Works Department would be used to oversee all infrastructure development projects in the electorate. The two men said the vehicle would allow engineers from the Works Department for electoral visits and inspect all projects carried out by contractors. For a first in the Highlands, with the completion of the District Works Department, all vehicles would be logged in and out and kept pooled to prevent misuse. During the former MP’s reign, 30 vehicles for the electorate were bought. Only 10 of those vehicles remain while the whereabouts of the rest is unknown. Mr Trappe already purchased an excavator and two dump trucks for road development in the electorate.
Pictured above is Mr Makindi receiving the keys to the two vehicles from Mr Kilipi at the Mt Hagen Works depo. Words and Picture: JOHNNY POIYA.

Wingti: Do away with tribalism

By JOHNNY POIYA

Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti has called on his people to do away with Tribalism and nepotism if they want development and government services.
The former three times Prime Minister said MPs were playing around with a lot of money but not all of them were honest, transparent and development and service delivery orientated because they got into parliament through the support from their tribes and friends.
Speaking in Dei District on Friday during a K5 million road project funded by local MP Wesley Nukundi, Mr Wingti called on the people to open their eyes and be realistic when it came to election because, when people resorted to tribalism and nepotism, the end result was ‘no delivery of government services’ because the people chose to follow a tribesman, even if he was corrupt and had no leadership qualities.
Mr Wingti said: “We have to liberate ourselves from the tribalism thing and follow honest leaders with vision to work for you. Only then will we change. You follow a corrupt leader, you will not see and experience any improvements.” He said Dei District was lucky to have Mr Nukundi, who has begun some impact projects within the short period he took office.
“A lot of our new MPs are scared to deliver services because they choose to pay their supporters through cash. They fear they will lose if they don’t pay their supporters. You know that this is wrong but you still keep on following such corrupt leaders. The end result, you don’t see any changes in your electorates because the funds are being misused,” Mr Wingti said.
The Governor said the government had a lot of money funded into its districts and there was no reason why the electorates should not change.
“When you don’t experience any development and changes in your districts within the five years of an MP’s term, you should know immediately that you have elected a thief and a corrupt leader.
“All the funds meant for development are stolen. There is no logic when your tribesman is an MP who doesn’t deliver but you keep on supporting him.
“It’s time to change now and liberate yourselves from supporting your relatives.” Mr Wingti said.

Villagers donate quarry for road work

 

DAULI villagers in the Komo Margarima district last week created history by voluntarily offering free quarry for the construction of the new Dauli to Peli -Yangali road that would connect with Hambuali village in the neighboring Tari town.
Local Chief Talu Halimbu and Councilor Pubira Nelara said, during the launching of the road project on Tuesday evening at Dauli village, that for many years, more than 10,000 people living in the area have suffered and longed for a good road link to get basic services into their area.
The two men said they are thankful and grateful to Komo Margarima MP Francis Potape who in his wisdom has decided to deliver them the road project that would also serve as an alternate route for the Hulia and Tari Pori people.
Chief Halimbu and Cnr Nelara said for nearly 36 years, they have being using hand tools like spades, bush knives, axes and digging sticks to work on the road and they are now excited to see excavators, bulldozers, trucks and other machines starting work on the road.
The leaders said as they are proud of the new road project, they are giving up the quarry situated in their land for free while they would also vigorously support the project and stop all unnecessary compensation payments in order for the road project to be completed and delivered.
Mr Potape said the national government headed by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is adamant to see services reaching the little people of this country and as a member of O’Neill’s ruling Peoples National Congress (PNC) party, he was determined to do his bit in implementing this policy.
Mr Potape said the National Government also wants to do away with compensation claims on the Highlands Highway which only hinder progress and development.
Mr Potape who is the second term MP for the electorate said he has made it his business to open up all available road networks in his term of being in office and so far he has achieved some of this with the support of Hela Governor Anderson Agiru. Mr Potape said Dauli and Hulia LLG hosts some of the country’s notable establishments like the Angore gas project field, Dauli Teachers’ College, Tari Secondary School, Ambua Lodge and the Beneria pipeline route in the multi-billion kina PNG LNG project while some of the country’s elites like himself, Governor Agiru, businessmen and brothers Johnson Tia, Robert Tia, Peterson Pipi and others hail from the area.
He said as such, it was a fitting image if a properly sealed road link with electricity supply are delivered in the Hulia area and he is adamant to deliver those projects. The locals said they would also put up a huge billboard near the Dauli Teachers College junction, naming the new road as ‘Potape Highway’ in appreciation to the MP for delivering this vital road link.