"I have a dream - I don't want my dream to just die with me, it burns inside my heart," says young Papua New Guinean

by LUCAS KIAP

I KNOW we have a choice in 2017 to make PNG better and that choice is our power to make it really happen.

Some people may think that I have an intention to contest the elections because of my everyday devotion on the issues and challenges facing our beloved country.

Let me remind you that I have been writing about the issues affecting the country for the last 20 years since my young days at the University of Technology in 2001.

I know politics in PNG is all about the 'big boys’ money game – killing pigs, buying airfares for voters, giving cash at funerals, buying coffins, giving cash handouts, dancing and singing till day break, mounting speakers on Toyota Landcruiser, screaming through loudhailers, bribing voters with cash and lamp flaps, cheating and bribing election officials and police, etc.

The fact is I am not a millionaire. I don’t have my own car. I don’t even own a home. I am just a simple government worker earning a K7 fortnightly housing allowance and pay more than a quarter of my salary as income tax and on top of that I pay 10% GST.

But there is one thing I care about and willing to lay down my life for it. Even if it means to stand alone, I will. That is, I don’t want the future of our children remains in the hands of those who have denied ours, the future we deserve in our natural resources rich country.

I know our country is rich in natural resources and any dream can be possible. We can be better off like developed countries with similar living standards. Yet we are poor and beggars in our own rich country accepting poverty as our way for life.

If I am going to contest one of seats in PNG in this coming 2017 General elections, then I have only one reason and that is to make corruption become part of the history and not part of the future. This is the reason why I have been advocating my life for the silent majority for the last two decades.

My fellow brothers and sisters, I have been talking about change for the last 20 years of my life since my high school days during the 1990s. I have a passion that really burns in my heart. I am convinced that our people deserve better. And I don’t want to die without trying to show the people what we deserve in this country. I don’t want my dream of changing this country just die with me.

That’s why I have been educating our people about what we really deserve from our leaders and how countries are run to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of the people.

I know there are guys with money, cars and wealth going to contest the elections. That’s what they have been doing for the last 40 years; throwing our future out of their toilet window, treating our votes merely as a commodity that can be traded with cash and kind. Yet here we are after 40 years, still worse with no hope for a better life. We look upon those who rob our future and worship them like gods in a country; otherwise we all should enjoy similar living standards and quality of life like Hon. MPs and rich people.

I have no interests in politics or elections. That’s what people have been doing for the last 40 years. The same old stories. The same old lies. The same old faces.
But if I am going to contest the elections then I have only one reason and that is to live my dream of changing PNG like the way I see it.

My brother and sisters, I am really serious about changing the face of PNG if I have your power. I know people also want change and have been praying for change for the last 40 years. I don’t want them to die without seeing the answers to their prayers of what change looks like.

I don’t want our children to live in the same substandard lifestyle like us in a rich country, where we all deserve better. I don’t want our children to born into a hopeless country with fewer opportunities. I don’t want the opportunities of our children to be given away to foreigners.

My brothers and sisters, my dream is to change PNG one day like the way I talk about it every day of my life. I want to see our people and their well-being transformed from a poor third world country into modern country with higher living standards and quality of life like people in developed countries. I want to see our people are at the centre of all development efforts by the government to improve their living standards and quality of life. If I don’t achieve it, at least I want to try and lay the foundation to show the way forward for our sons and daughters to achieve my dream.

If I have to start somewhere, then I am going to start in Western Highlands because that’s where I come from.
My brothers and sisters, I am not asking you all to support nor believe me. But if there is something we all want it, something we all can stand together for, something worth fighting together for; then I can assure you all that it is safe to bet your hope in me for a better future because that’s what I have been dedicating my life for the last two decades.

Yes our future is what worth fighting for together. Let’s forget about our differences but let’s disagree to agree because at the end of the day, our future is what worth standing together for.Yes we can change PNG. That’s what we are going to do in the 2017 elections – we are going to change PNG.

Thank you all for your support, dedication and commitment to believe in change and willing to make change happen.

The O'Neill-Dion Government delivered major infrastructural services, notably building Mt. Hagen as the business center for the highlands region

by MICHEAL IPA 

THE Somare government was running or surplus budget for 10 years with a K10 billion each year. That is a total of K100 billion. Don Polye was the deputy prime minister at the time. What happened to all those money? Where did they spend it.

In 2013, the O'Neill government passed a record budget of K15 billion for the year 2014 because of the need for the Pacific Games infrastructure. The decision to bring the Pacific Games here in PNG was the decision of the then Somare government. They didn't do anything about it. The O'Neill government was forced to carry on that responsibility.

Some of you might be disagreeing with the sporting infrastructures but there is a thing called "Sports Tourism". I have seen more international events played in PNG compared to previous years and this is a testament of the improvement in our sporting facilities. I believe that we will see many future internal events like the Rugby league world cup in 2017 where PNG Kumuls will be playing all his games in Pool C at home soil against Europe and USA. It will generate revenue for the government and the people of PNG.

A lot of people have been complaining about development only happening in Port Moresby, I think you certainly failed to realize the bigger picture. It is necessary and priority. You will understand what I am talking about if you understand the bigger picture.

I will give you examples of development happening in Mt. Hagen.
1. Kapal House
2. Mt. Hagen International Airport
3. Togoba Junction to Kagul Road Sealing
4. The recently approved 4 lane highway from Togoba to Kagamuga Airport.

We must also understand that the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government sets out the financial and functional powers of each level of government. Get yourself educated and read on the responsibility of each of the government levels. For example, It's not the responsibility of the National Government to build feeder roads into your little village or provide water supply for you. Read and find out whose responsibility is that.

In addition to that, in Western Highlands Province alone, each district is being directly getting K10,000.00 every year for the last 15 years since the time of Somare government, if you haven't seen change, ask your Local MP. The Provincial Government has been receiving PSIP, K5 million per district, meaning if WHP has 4 districts, that's K20 million of development grant per year. Ask your Provincial MPs where they're putting them.

Let's not blame everything on PM O'Neill. He is by far, the best working PM this country has ever seen since independence.

He got the loans to build these infrastructures because these are the necessary infrastructures to support the economy of this country. Yes, I can also admit that some of the cost of the infrastructures have unbelievable costs and that's something that the government must engage 3rd party consultants to vet and quantity those costing.

But nevertheless, if you want change, you have got to do something that you have never done before. Even if it means it will hurt.

We will only complain if the Government has raised the GST. To date, they haven't, which means you have been paying for the same tax you have been paying for the last 20 years so stop hallucinating that all over sudden you will be under some sort of stress. NO! You will be fine. You will still get the same pay you worked for, you will still pay the same 10% GST you have been paying for.

When we recover from this recession because of the drop in mineral and petroleum prices, when people like Peter O'Neill as PM, we will see unprecedented changes. Ask Don Polye, name one bridge he built when he was Works Minister and Deputy PM?

None of the other PMs have done it. Peter O'Neill has been the "Infrastructural PM".

Great job, well done. Social media maybe against your decisions, they will never hold this country to ransom. The 85 MPs who have been voted in by their people have confidence in you, the people of PNG are seeing changes, and they are happy for you.

Let history be the judge. Keep your heads down an plow away. Only when we look back, we will judge from then. For now, rest assured, we trust you. Same speed, same speed.

PNG's former Prime Minister and New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan declared autonomous for New Ireland

PAPUA New Guinea's former Prime Minister and New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan told the Provincial Assembly the province is ready for autonomy.

He said its been eight (8) years of hard work “to transform New Ireland Province into a self-reliant autonomous part of Papua New Guinea that is efficient, market-oriented and internationally competitive”.

The only hitch is that it comes without the blessing of Waigani because “we have received little official action on our bid for autonomy”.

“We are asking only that the spirit and letter of the PNG Constitution be upheld. The spirit of the PNG Constitution calls for a self-reliant economy with a decentralized form of government system.”

The Provincial Autonomy Committee was set up in March 2008, headed by the late Stephen Mokis, had worked for five years to prepare the ground for the autonomy of the province.

The Mokis committee held consultative meetings and workshops with a number of National Government agencies and stakeholders like the Department of Provincial Affairs, held awareness tours throughout New Ireland, presented the autonomy policy to the Department of Provincial Affairs to consider and use in drafting their National Autonomy Policy and drafted and had accepted several submissions on the autonomy policy for the provincial executive council.

The committee also presented a draft Constitutional (Amendment) Law and the Organic Law on the Autonomous Government of New Ireland together with NEC Submission to the National Government presented through the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Provincial Governments and Local-Level Governments in Kokopo.

“As an integral part of PNG, we stand on solid constitutional foundation to seek substantial decentralization or autonomy.”

He said they have made the work of the National Parliament easy.

“We have prepared the necessary Bills and served copies on them not once, not twice, not even three times, but four times.”

The New Ireland position, Sir Julius said, is that:

The highest form of autonomy with legislative, bureaucratic, administrative and financial powers be devolved from Waigani.
New Ireland Province will remain an integral part of PNG, and will not seek independence or break away.

New Ireland Province will cooperate with the National Government to seek mutually agreeable position on its pursuit of Autonomy.
New Ireland firmly believes that Autonomy is the way forward for it to progress and realize its Vision and Mission embodied in the Malagan Declaration.
New Ireland believes that Autonomy should be granted very cautiously on a selective basis – to provinces which are ready, prepared and have the capacity to manage competently their autonomous powers.

PNG former Prime Minister and New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan.

Papua New Guinea is slowly facing a drug shortage in public hospitals, reveals opposition

SHORTAGE of drugs and medical kits in public hospitals and clinics is life threatening, says Opposition Leader Don Polye.

And Mr Polye has called on the fellow citizens to take extra care of themselves.

“Prevention is better than cure. Medical fees at private hospitals are very costly.

“Our common people cannot afford them,” said a concerned Polye.

He said his officers had conducted a research into most of the public hospitals and clinics around the country.

Polye added they learnt that most public hospitals and clinics faced shortage of blood bags, test kits and other medical kits.

 “Shortage of medicines in the public health facilities has never been experienced before.

“This is happening because of the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his government’s lack of fiscal discipline and economic mismanagement,” he said.

He said the free-health care policy was a populist and false promise to make O’Neill looks good, describing it as failed and not genuine.

“When we are in government, we will build four regional referral hospitals in each of the regions.

“We will encourage training of more specialized community health workers and doctors with improved working conditions to improve the healthworker-to-patient ratio in the country,” a determined Polye said.  

The Opposition Leader has called on the Prime Minister to admit the problem and mobilize resources to address it.

He said the PM should stop globe-trotting and take time out to see it for himself.

“Cut down on unnecessary expenditures and prioritize those services like health and education which matter most to our people,” he said. 

Port Moresby General Hospital

Angau Memorial Hospital

Former Prime Minister Sir Micheal Somare implicated in Singapore laundering case

FORMER Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has been implicated in a money laundering case in Singapore.

The Straits Times reports that in 2010 a married couple laundered US$3.6 million which had been meant to set up community colleges in PNG - then gave US$784,000 of it to Sir Michael, the country's prime minister at the time.

Singaporean woman Lim Ai Wah, was given five years' jail while her American husband, Thomas Doehrman, got five years and 10 months - both found guilty on falsification of accounts and charges of transferring the benefits of crime.

Doehrman had been the trustee of a fund set up by the PNG government to set up community colleges in the country.

In their police statements, Lim and Doehrman said bribes had to be paid to Sir Michael in order to get business from PNG.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Alan Loh said the fact that some of the laundered money was traced to Sir Michael's bank account in Singapore will cause public disquiet.

Sir Micheal Somare.

VIDEO: Papua New Guinea's founding father, Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare, tells of his great journey towards PNG's independence in 1975.  He recalls vividly those present during that time, and Sir Michael is pleased with achievements of the country, since independence. 

Source: Radio New Zealand

Papua New Guinea must fight the "real war" - not over domestic petty issues.

by GARY GUFFA

PAPUA New Guinea (PNG) loves fighting for shit that it has zero benefit from. Corned beef for instance, State of Origin and in Bougainville we even took up arms and killed our brothers and sisters for a mine that made profits for others, yet we do not rise up to fight for what should truly concern us.

For instance the health situation where we sat silently while a ridiculous scam of an inflated contract that endangers our lives is allowed to be granted to a foreign owned company that imports its medicine from a company cited by the World Health Organization (WHO) for distribution of counterfeit products.

We say nothing about the granting of citizenship illegally to a criminal fugitive wanted in another nation for banking fraud and we are clearly not worried that they are now granted a monopoly over rice commercialization in PNG. Nor do we care when the same criminal is granted a contract to rebuild a Government building at exceptionally high cost and staff it with foreigners.

Where are our priorities? Papua New Guinea!

We say nothing about the plunder of our forests and marine resources by criminal entities that avoid taxes in elaborate transfer pricing scams while our Government forces Papua New Guinea companies to pay taxes with heavy penalties...

Nor do we even blink an eye when our jobs and opportunities are gifted away as 80,000 school leavers spill into our economy fighting with expats for 10,000 jobs...

Where indeed are our priorities are, people of Papua New Guinea?

Why is it that we are willing to kill each other over a rugby match played in another country and for greasy canned meat made of meat imported from offshore but so apathetic about the state of our health, education, law and order, rights to opportunities and jobs and our resources?

Gary Guffa

Gary Guffa with kids and a man from his village.

VIDEO: The former head of customs and Oro Governor, Gary Juffa, has issued a strong message to Australia saying the Australian government should not subcontract asylum processing to Papua New Guinea.

A challenging but rewarding journey at Investigation Task-Force Sweep (ITFS) - today marks 5 years anniversary

by SAM KOIM

AT end of this month (August) marks 5 years of Investigation Task-Force Sweep (ITFS) – 2 ½ years funded and 2 ½ years defunded. It is also 5 years for me with ITFS as the Chairman –3 years with salary and 2 years without salary.

The last two years had been very challenging. We have tried our best to survive the onslaught of oppression and suppression. We are still legally operational but starved of funds. Imagine paying for office stationary, electricity, internet etc… out of your own pockets to maintain a government office functional as if there is no money in the public coffers. We have personally borrowed to survive but then they accuse us of how we have been surviving instead of at least appreciating that we managed to come thus far. It’s like the accusers threw us out of the ship in the middle of the deep ocean and expected us to drown and die, but when we made it to the shore alive, they then turned around and accused us saying “why are you still surviving?”

I’ve always held this believe that working for fulfilment is a better motivation than working for salary. You need salary because you have bills to pay. Once you minus bills from salary, money ceases to be the focus. Consider all extras as luxury. However, salary can be a demotivating factor and can affect performance if the remuneration is inadequate to take care of the bills. In tough times like what I’ve been through, it is principles like this that will keep you motivated to perform.
For two years, we have held on this fight in servitude to a cause far greater than our own. Reality of survival has however tested my resolute of heart to carry on and just like every other human, I cannot escape reality. I am in the valley of making a decision and if I do, the reasons are too obvious to need elaboration. Until that time comes, we got cases still progressing in court so work is as usual.
There were temptations and opportunities for an easy way out but then, on a second thought, how can one have a testimony if he does not pass the test. We have kept the fight this long despite the challenges.
I thank God for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I thank the O’Neill Government for giving me the opportunity to serve.
It has been a rewarding journey for me and I have learnt a lot. I hope many can be inspired as well.

Sam Koim

VIDEO: Task Force Sweep Chairman Sam Koim says he will not conduct a media trial, but will protect the evidence he has and allow a competent court of jurisdiction to test the material. National EMTV News.

How to choose a leader whom can take back Papua New Guinea

by GARRY GUFFA

HOW TO IDENTIFY A POLITICAL PARTY THAT DOES NOT CARE FOR YOU OR PNG!

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Are you voting in 2017?
2. Which candidate for?
3. What Party is he/she in and is it part of the Government?
4. Has that Party stood for your LAND?
5. Has that Party stood for OWNERSHIP OF YOUR ECONOMY?
6. Has that Party fought for OWNERSHIP OF YOUR RIGHT TO DEVELOP YOUR RESOURCES?
7. Has that Party fought for OWNERSHIP OF YOUR JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES?
8. Has that Party stood up for OWNERSHIP OF YOUR FUTURE and DESTINY?
9. Has that Party heard your cries to put a stop to scams and schemes that are against your interests?
10. Has that party protected your interests in its decision making?

NOTE THAT YOUR CANDIDATES PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER AND QUALIFICATION MEAN NOTHING IN REGARDS TO HOW HE PERFORMS IN PARLIAMENT...ITS THE PARTY THAT DECIDES..

Get some A4 Paper.

Make a list of the parties currently registered.

Write the 10 Questions down on a sheet with the Party's name.

Write down the 10 questions. Next to each Question write "Y" and "N".

The answers to these 10 questions should tell you which Party to reject at the next elections.

The list is not exhaustive. You can add to it those concerns you have that are peculiar to you, your electorate or province.

Its time to take back your country.

Spread the word and educate your friends and family.

Children are the future of Papua New Guinea.

Garry Guffa with his friend at home.

Source: Garry Guffa / Facebook post

Special Mining Lease Application submitted for the Wafi-Golpu project

by PETER KINJAP

PAPUA New Guinea's Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture has submitted an application for a Special Mining Lease (SML) with the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA).

Project Director Bryan Brailie said the lodgment sees a crucial milestone in the progressing the Wafi-Golpu Project.

“We look forward to work with the government, landowners and other stakeholders,” Mr. Braillie said.

The application follows the review earlier this year by the Board of Directors of both Newcrest Mining Limited and Harmony Gold Mining Company of a project feasibility study and pre-feasibility study.

The SML application includes a proposal for development, which incorporates the feasibility study report and supporting documents such as a national content plan, which underpins land ownership study, sets out the proposed approach to workforce and supplier development and community investments including potential employment and local business opportunities.

It is anticipated that, if developed, the project will make a substantial positive impact to Papua New Guinea’s economy at both a national and provincial level. It will be the first major large-scale resource project in the Morobe Province since the Hidden Valley mine commenced operations in 2009.

"The Landowner communities would benefit from royalty streams, compensation and community development projects which focus on skills development, local business opportunities, agribusiness, health and education. Key milestones An Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared for the Project and is expected to be lodged with the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) in the near future," the statement said.

Any future development of the Project will be subject to the grant of an SML and obtaining all other necessary permits, approvals and agreements required from the Government, landowners and other stakeholders, and ultimately approval by the Board of Directors of both Newcrest and Harmony.

The Wafi-Golpu deposit is located approximately 65 kilometres south-west of Lae in the Morobe Province of PNG. Lae is the second largest city in PNG. Newcrest and Harmony each currently own 50% of the Wafi-Golpu Project through the WafiGolpu Joint Venture. The Independent State of Papua New Guinea retains the right to purchase, at a price pro-rata to the accumulated exploration expenditure, up to a 30% equity interest in the Wafi-Golpu Project, at any time before the commencement of mining. If the State chooses to take up its full 30% interest, the interest of each of Newcrest and Harmony will become 35%.

Executive team with the document for submission.

"I found courage and learned to accept the fact that my father passed away so early but he left a legacy to build my own life on," tells Kiap.

by LUCAS KIAP

IF there is anyone in my life who has shaped my life for the better, this person is my father, late Kiap Palg. He has been my role model.

He was a Chief leader of the Nenga tribe in the Western Highlands Province. He was a warrior and a peace maker. The best father and husband. He was the jack of all trades. 

Despite the lack of education, Kiap Palg was one of those few leaders during the colonial times and after independence who took over the leadership from the Australian colonial government. Several times he was the Council President of the Mul LLG in WHP. Several times he contested and came second in the Western Highlands Provincial government elections. 

It just happened too quick that he left suddenly to be with the Lord. He passed away after a long illness in 1998. But I don't regret his absence in my life as everything happens for a reason. I found courage and learned to accept the fact that I don't have a father but a legacy to build my own life on. 

I am so thankful of the fact that his sudden disappearance from my life has played a very significant part in shaping my life to be a leader at the early ages. I may not be the perfect son in every way he would have wanted but I have tried my best to fill his big shoes and I won't give up trying. 

Lucas Kiap 

"Black and white image of my late father Kiap Palg contesting in the 1984 Provincial Government elections in the Minjgina Constitutensi in the Western Highlands Province,". 

People are dying of curable diseases: A consequence of leadership failure

by SAM KOIM

I recently attended a ‘haus krai’ (funeral) of a loving mother struck down in her prime whilst seeking medical treatment overseas. In conveying my condolences to the immediate family, I posed these resounding questions to the mourners.

Why would our people, who pay a lot of taxes for their government to provide quality health care, dig further deep into their own pockets to pursue this essential service overseas when such should be provided here? Those who have the means to afford are doing so without complaining because it concerns their own lives.


But just imagine the masses who could not afford and are bereaved of their future just because of lack of medical treatment. At times, we somehow attribute the cause of death to sorcery, curse, or God just took his life explanations. We have come to a stage of tolerance, acceptance and passing the blame.

It would cost less than K100,000 to afford a simple Tuberculosis testing machine (GeneXpert –GX4 Machine), that is far less than the price of a Toyota land cruiser. I believe other live-saving medical equipment are less than K500,000. Our resource allocators seem to have a lot of money to spend on buying vehicles, funding bogus projects, even entertainment and sports etc, yet we do not have drugs and medical equipment in our hospitals and health centres. We have some of the best and well trained medical doctors but they are more often demoralized from performing their jobs when they could not save lives from curable diseases owing to the lack of these medical supplies.

In my considered view, I believe it demonstrates leadership divorced from reality –leaders who are vested with the mandate to allocate resources but are themselves untouched by the reality.

Since when was the last time you saw one of our MPs attended medical treatment at Mount Hagen General Hospital? If they had gone to Hagen Hospital, they would know the kind of treatment an average person is receiving. In fact, they don’t. When they are sick, they resort to medical treatment overseas and we the people pay for their expenses.

If the very people who would effect change are instead seeking ready-made services overseas, who else is going to do it? The untimely death of this mother is the consequence of leadership without the seeing eye to see the needs of the people they purport to lead.

Sam Koim..."It would cost less than K100,000 to afford a simple Tuberculosis testing machine (GeneXpert –GX4 Machine), that is far less than the price of a Toyota land cruiser."

Source: Facebook.

The breeding ground for corruption is within the family circles, street preacher told listeners

by AMOS TARA PORA

YESTERDAY evening after work I saw a multitude of people at Kamkumung market listening to a Canadian white man preaching to the people. He was talking about corruption in Papua New Guinea. I joined and listen closely to what he was saying and the points I noted are;

1. The Breeding Grounds of Corruption
2. Who is responsible for Corruption
3. Evidence of Corruption
4. Solution to Corruption

In PNG we say the breeding ground of corruption is at the Highest Institution. Is it the Parliament? National Universities? Police Force? Defence Force? Or the Top Government Offices?

The answer may be 'yes' for some but it is the tip of the Iceberg. But in fact none of these is the Highest Institution.

He then said the Highest Institution is instead the family and the fathers in every family is responsible for most corrupt activities we see today. Which means the breeding ground for corruption is in the family.

How does it evolve? Since the father is the head of the family, he is responsible for everything. He must treat his child well. Must not abuse the child and the mother. Provide food for the house, discipline the children without abusing them and show them to live a good life.

Children learn from their fathers. If you beat your wife, swear, steal, drink beer without providing enough for family and other corrupt activities in front of the children, they will learn from it.

That's why our country is in chaos. Children of corrupt fathers will always lead in a corrupt way. Be a real man so that your child will be a real man/ woman tomorrow.

"Let us be real, here. It is hard to be a real man. It is hard to be a man of courage when everyone around you has no courage to do what is right. Actually it is impossible. Just as it is possible to be a real man and look at pornography on your phone when you purchase a data bundle. Why? Because you are not acting like a man but a pervert.

Just as it is impossible to be a man if you lie and cheat your boss. Why? Because you are not acting like a real man but a "giaman" man (lair).

Just as it is impossible to be a man if you act corruptly and accept bribes or give bribes to get ahead. Why? Because you are not a real man but a "con-man" (cunning man).

Just as it is impossible to be a man if you beat your wife and cheat on her. You are not a real man but a beast and an adulterer!

Just as it is impossible to be a man if you use your fortnight to buy beer and hang with you friends while your family suffers. You are not a real man but a selfish drunkard!

Yes it is impossible to be a real man, a man of wisdom and courage and honesty and humility if you are not connected by faith to the Man who saved you. Read John 15:5".

PNG, what's happened has happened. What's happening right now is the fruit of the seed that has been planted in our sons some years ago. Now is the time for us to change. Be a real man, weed out corruption, plant the right seed in your son's and daughter's heart. Among us are very few real man. Choose them in 2017.

Change yourself first and later ask others to change. May God Bless PNG

Sourced from the Voice of PNG / Facebook / 2016.

The Canadian white-man preaching in Lae, Morobe Province about corruption in Papua New Guinea.

District Development Authority not functioning well, says MP

THE newly created District Development Authority act which was passed by Parliament is not functioning well at the district.

The DDA act which was a brain child of the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and executed by the former Chief Secretary to the Government Manasupe Zureounoc to supersede Joint District Planning and Budget Priority Committee (JDP & BPC).

While presenting the acquittal reports to the Department of Implementation and Rural Development of the Obura Wanenara district for 2015 fiscal year, local MP Mehrra Kipefa expressed that the DDA act is not functioning well at the district level because there is no funding appropriated by the government to fully functional DDA.

“If there is funding being allocated to the DDA so as an authority that would see self-sustaining income revenue being generated into DDA account, then we say DDA is working.

“Otherwise it’s just the name amended to the existing JDP & BPC, as well as the district administrator’s title has been altered to Chief Executive Officer, which people thinks that DDA act is fully functional,” the first time MP stressed this while asked to comment his views on DDA act.

Mereha said that there is no budget allocated to successfully implement the DDA act.

He said there is no clarity on who the key players to ensure roles and responsibilities that leaders, public officials and non -state actors need to perform, specified in program policy guidelines, in planning and implementing projects under the SIP and Constitutional Grants.

Most of the MPs interviewed have expressed similar sentiments saying DDA has got no structure in place, no recurrent budget to cater for its operations.

Right now DSIP or development grants has been misapplied. DDA is an entity and should have its own re-current budget.

The Chief Executive Officers or the district administrators are caught in between whom to report whether to Provincial Administrator or the Chairman of the DDA board.

It has lot of political, legal and administration implication which the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs need to address.

 Obura Wanenara MP Mehrra Kipefa 

=========================
Source: PNG Facts / Port Moresby / 18/8/2016

PNG Immigration Office in Port Moresby facing closer due to low operational funds

PAPUA New Guinea's Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority in Port Moresby is facing closer due to a constant low operational funds to keep its office running.  

Sources within the department informed online media that PNG Power has cut off the energy supply into the department for almost a month now. It has been noted that important roles of the department such as printing and issuing of PNG Citizen passport documentation have been delayed, causing travelers to queue up at its Waigani's office to avail.   

Attempts to get the CEO's comments failed and staff on duty confirmed there was power cut-off for more than a month due to none-payment of bills to PNG Power.

Photos: PNG Passports/ Supplied.

PNG's forgotten backwater of Daru Hospital to receive a face-lift

THE forgotten backwater of Papua New Guinea's Daru will now receive counter funding from Australian Aid to its Daru Hospital. NAU FM reports Daru hospital has only three wards in one unit. According to Hospital CEO Sister Orpah Tugo, the Pediatrics ward, the Surgery ward and the Medical ward are all stationed in one unit with 10 beds allocated for each ward.

 Furthermore, the Gynecology ward, the Labour Ward and the Obstetrics ward share one unit again with 10 beds allocated for each ward. With the risks posed by contagious diseases and health standards to maintain, the hospital with the counter fund of Australian Aid is looking at building new wings to isolate each ward. CEO Tugo said that the hospital is in desperate need of uplift and they will also look at expanding the Operating Theatre.

Meanwhile staff housing is also being look at with plans to demolish old houses and hospital is in talks with the National Planning Office for the project.

Old referee corner in Daru town. Image: David Williams.

People living in the boat in Daru. Image: David Williams. 

Daru Hospital that will now go under renovation. Image: David Williams

Story source: NAU FM News

Photographs by David Williams on Malum Nalu's blog.

DSIP / PSIP, District and Provincial slash funds are discretionary or Government policy oriented?

THE O'Neill-Dion Government, like any other government in the past, has been challenged and brought to the test of fullness in confidence of the stewardship of the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill in recent weeks. More than 80 MPs, almost 3/4 of the national leaders in Parliament rally behind Peter O'Neill although he has outstanding police fraud investigations to answer, to retain him as the Prime Minister during the Vote of No-Confidence. 

The 80 plus MPs were claimed being toyed with the DSIP/PSIP funds. What many Papua New Guineans know is that DSIP/PSIP funds were discretionary. But in recent days, Finance Minister James Marabe said these funds are Government policy oriented and should not be used at the discretionary of the leaders. Now if any MPs is seen to be using the funds outside of Government policy, would that be corruption?

Dishing out monies by MPs to the churches, women groups, youths groups and NGOs: are those speculated under the Government policy?  Government policies in principle are to serve the interest of the people, are MPs really serving the interest of the people?            

Photo gallery below is Government MPs teaming up to rally behind O'Neill-Dion Government for political stability. 

 Photographs: NAU FM news / Facebook/ 2016.

MRDC's meeting with disgruntled landowners to review their petition did not go down well: Meeting to be continued tomorrow.

THE PNG LNG landowner's petition for PDL 1 landowners have been reviewed yesterday in a meeting chaired by Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) Managing Director Augustine Mano. Those present in the meeting were A/Secretary Department Petroleum and Energy David Manau, Community Affairs Manger Kumul Petroleum Ian Maru and other officials. Discussions to continue on Monday.

No positive outcome through this meeting on Saturday (13/08/16) in Port Moresby. 

Meanwhile, since 2014 the usual maximum LNG flow rate from PNG LNG Marine Terminal in Port Moresby to ships has been reduced from 12,000 cubic meters/h to 6,000 m3/h as of yesterday (Friday 12/08/16) when loading for the 221st shipment. When asking this reduction in half gas export, the marine supervisors at the terminal said its due to closing down of valves by Landowners at Hides resulting in reducing the flow rate.

Company officials were tight-lips on this fact due to maintaining Exxonmobil's global image of good social corporate responsibility. Although the company suffers greatly, it plans to shift this cut to stakeholders including PNG Government and landowners.

It was reported that the valves stations were not closed in media but it is confirmed by landowners in Hides PDL1-7 valves are shutdown until a good respond is given.

In the meeting, there was no new item was discussed, rather the same old things discussed in Hides last week with the Government delegate lead by senior ministers. 

In Hides yesterday, a State team visited again to reopen the valves while negotiations take place in Port Moresby but failed.

Larry Andagali in the meeting yesterday. Image: Supplied.

Augustine Mano chairing the meeting in Port Moresby to review the landowner petition. Image: Supplied. 

Augustine Mano chairing the meeting in Port Moresby to review the landowner petition. Image: Supplied.