Lands minister Rosso must act on long-running SABL scandal

EDDIE TANAGO | Campaign Manager, Act Now!

PORT MORESBY - New lands minister John Rosso must make the Special Agricultural Business Lease (SABL) land scandal his number one priority!

It is a national disgrace that six years after a commission of inquiry most of the unlawful leases recommended for cancellation still exist.

For six years, the O’Neill government made promise after promise to cancel the leases, stop the logging and return the land to its customary owners, but all we have seen are lies and obfuscation.

Act Now! says if the new Marape government is serious about tackling corruption then the SABL scandal must be finally put to bed.

The minister should start by publishing a list of all the SABLs and their current status. The people have a right to know, which leases have been cancelled and which have not.

We have written to the previous government and made numerous public requests for information but these have been ignored.

Will the new minister and the new government be any more open and honest with the people?

The minister needs to then set out a timetable for when the remaining leases will be cancelled.

ACT NOW! says minister Rosso should also put a halt to any new incorporated land group registrations and any customary land registration, as these are the mechanisms exploited by the logging industry and other land grabbers to unlawfully gain access to customary land.

The whole system for the administration of customary land has been corrupted, as the national and supreme courts have pointed out many times.

Nothing is working as it should and the previous government ignored all the evidence to press ahead with its own land alienation agenda.

The minister must signal an end to the corruption and mismanagement by finally cancelling the SABL leases and stopping any more abuses.

Go to this link for more: https://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2019/06/lands-minister-rosso-must-act-on-long-running-sabl-scandal.html

My journey as a writer – Part II

By CAROLINE EVARI - PNG Attitude

PORT MORESBY - My hands shake as I break open two boxes that have been collecting dust in my house.

Two years ago the generous Phil Fitzpatrick sent me two boxes of books after I made a plea for books to be donated for Safia Community School back in my home village of Musa, which was in dire need of reading materials, especially books.

Given the remoteness of the school with the only land access being by a bush track, which takes five days to walk, my desire to have the books delivered did not work out.

The last time I had been on a plane to Musa was in 1997. Chartering flights is expensive and sadly not an affordable option.

So I left the boxes in the corner of my house unopened and collecting dust.

But there had been a cost involved in getting the books to me, and my responsibility was to ensure that they reached the promised destination. I had to keep my word.

It was not until I started my series of school talks about writing and publication that the idea of distributing free copies of the books to the schools hit me.

I wrote to Phil asking his permission to distribute free copies to the schools in the National Capital District and he replied, saying “as long as some kids somewhere read them, it’s fine with me”.

The books are a collection of Crocodile Prize anthologies, books authored by Papua New Guineans such as Marlene Dee Gray Potoura, Daniel Kombun, Francis Nii, James Thomas, Leonard Fong Roka, books written by Phil himself, and a copy of My Walk to Equality.

I will also add five copies of Nanu Sina to this collection for the first 10 schools that invite me.

So, over the coming months, I will also be promoting these books, especially, the Crocodile Prize anthologies and My Walk to Equality.

The Crocodile Prize Anthologies speak volumes and if there is a sponsor out there who can put forward a K5000 prize for a school’s category, then this would be good.

One thing I would like to see come out of my visits is the participation of students and teachers in the competition. The prize money could go a long way in supporting the school.

The My Walk to Equality (MWTE) Anthology is another book that will play a major role in generating interests from female students to take heed of the Women in writing category of the Crocodile Prize this year.

As a female writer and author who grew her wings under the literary competition, I believe that is a way forward for boosting the country’s literature and increasing the involvement of female participation.

It enables them to perceive writing and publishing in a whole new perspective. There is also a need for additional copies of the MWTE anthology.

Three schools have already reached out to me and I am expecting more schools to respond. As I wrote in interview with Betty Wakia, if I can create a ripple effect from my achievement of having my book published, then I know I have played my part in contributing to a worthy course.

I am reachable at caroline.evari@gmail.com for schools who may like to contact me.

Go to this link for more: https://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2019/06/my-journey-as-a-writer-part-ii.html

Oil Search Foundation joins battle against malaria

Posted by Oil Search Foundation

Oil Search Foundation (OSF) is supporting Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) as they work to prevent malaria in remote parts of PNG.

Launched last August, and due to run until at least late 2020, the OSF-RAM partnership will ensure that appropriate medicines are always on hand in Gulf and Hela hospitals, and provide communities with mosquito nets.

And it’s off to an excellent start. By providing transport, accommodation and logistical support, along with a vast list of good local contacts, OSF has already helped RAM teams deliver over 130,000 nets to some 260,000 residents all over the province.

For OSF’s Ruby Kenny, the smooth six-week operation provided an example of partnership at its finest.

“Rotary sourced their own funds, OSF provided some of the logistics support and together we delivered a tangible benefit to communities. By working together, we travelled quicker and further into remote areas than we ever could have managed if we were working alone to ensure people benefited.”

Designed to kill mosquitos, or at the very least prevent them from biting people in bed, the long-lasting nets come from technology that has led to sharp decreases in malaria all over the world.

As Ingersoll neatly puts it, “the distribution of mosquito nets is a gift to our people to reduce mosquito-borne disease. Everyone benefits – except the mosquito!”

OSF and RAM are now focussed on providing health services in Kikori District, Hela Province and Kutubu District – three remote regions where Oil Search has facilities that can support the distribution, and a long track record of serving the community.

And as OSF Executive Director Stephanie Copus-Campbell points out, there is really no time to waste.

“After being in decline for well over a decade, malaria is on the rise once again. The last few years have seen a huge increase in the number of cases all over the country, with a high proportion of those becoming ill being children under 15.”

It is important to get on top of prevention and treatment quickly and simple mosquito nets are still one of our best prevention weapons.”

“RAM is a wonderful organisation which has been fighting the good fight for a great many years. We are extremely proud to now stand by their side.”

For RAM’s Munir Ahmed, the partnership with OSF has provided the organisation more, and more cost-effective, access into remote communities in Hela, Gulf and Southern Highlands Province.

“OSF has a strong presence and connection with local communities and health facilities which makes RAM’s work easier and sustainable with regards to the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN), malaria diagnosis and treatment.

OSF medical staff join the RAM team during quarterly health centre visits to ensure the uninterrupted supply of malaria commodities like drugs, test kits and nets, and also to collect malaria program data from remote health workers in a timely manner.

“This is a sustainable and a cost-effective program model. OSF also provides local level security, accommodation, food and vehicle support to RAM staff during quarterly health facility visits and a storage facility for malaria commodities.”

Go to this link for more: https://www.oilsearchfoundation.org/media-1/2019/6/13/osf-joins-battle-against-malaria

People challenged to take back PNG

Posted by The National

MINISTER for Communications & Energy and Finschhafen MP Rainbo Paita, pictured, has challenged everyone in the public and private sector and individuals to collectively work together in taking back Papua New Guinea.
He said a rich country such as PNG had never benefited fully from its own natural resources because of bad decisions and poor management.
“The challenge for the new government is to take back PNG,” Paita said.
“As the prime minister said, after 10 years, we must become the richest back nation on earth.”
However, Paita said the task of taking back the country was a difficult and a huge challenge.
He said the missing ingredient to make this country great was good leadership.
“The task of taking back PNG comes with a huge challenge.
“Everything is here but the missing ingredient is leadership. With the right leadership, we will take back PNG,” Paita said.
He thanked Prime Minister James Marape for having the confidence in him and giving him the Communications and Energy ministry.
Paita said he would do his best and perform to the best of his ability.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/people-challenged-to-take-back-png/

Marape grateful to UN for trade policy

Posted by The National

PRIME Minister James Marape has acknowledged the support of the European Union in the first Trade Related Assistance Project (Trap) which resulted in the formulation of Papua New Guinea’s first National Trade Policy.
Marape made the acknowledgement during a meeting with EU resident representative Ioannis Giokarakis Argyropoulos at his Sir Manasupe Haus office recently.
Marape said Trap also included capacity building assistance to the National Fisheries Authority, PNG Customs and other trade facilitation institutions.
“The purchase of laboratory equipment for the University of Technology’s national analytical and testing laboratory at the cost of K2.4 million under the second phase of the Trap is also very welcome,” Marape said.
“The equipment would greatly address the need for comprehensive quality assurance and product testing thereby improving competitiveness of PNG exports to targeted overseas markets.”
Marape said diplomatic relations with the EU were established in 1977 with their office set up inPort Moresby.
Every two years, since 2014, political dialogue is strengthened through the PNG-EU high-level political dialogue.
Marape also informed Argyropoulos that the trade functions under his regime had reverted to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the ministerial portfolio had been renamed as the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/marape-grateful-to-un-for-trade-policy/

Minister praises Aust for improving health services

Posted by The National

HEALTH and HIV/AIDS Minister Elias Kapavore says he is grateful to Australia for its continuing support in the delivery of health services in PNG.
“This support is key in helping PNG to improve its health indicators and deliver better health outcomes for Papua New Guineans,’’ he said.
Kapavore said Health was one of the sectors that received a large proportion of Australia’s foreign aid support to PNG.
Additional support from Australia will be announced when Kapavore meets Australian Foreign Affairs and Women’s Minister Senator Marise Payne.
The new financial support of A$54 million (K128m) is being allocated to the Government to build rural health infrastructure and improve delivery of rural health services across the country.
Payne and Kapavore will also be discussing other support that Australia provides to PNG’s health sector, including its support for the polio immunisation campaign.
In June 2018, when it was announced that there was a polio outbreak in PNG and subsequently mass campaigns were conducted to prevent spread of the disease, Australia contributed A$9 million (K20mil) to support the PNG response.
As a result, more than three million children were vaccinated.
Australia also recently announced that it would contribute a further A$10 million (K23mil) to improve routine immunisation in PNG.
With this support as well as financial support from New Zealand for a vaccine alliance with the PNG Government and its development partners, including WHO and Unicef, a routine immunisation coverage of up to 12 provinces across Papua New Guinea, covering an estimated 400,000 children, is to be done.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/minister-praises-aust-for-improving-health-services/

Baki says police force will play its role in taking back PNG

Posted by The National

THE police force will play its role to take back PNG and its economy under the new Government, police commissioner Gari Baki says.
“The Marape-Government has announced its vision, and that is for Papua New Guinea to become a rich black Christian country 10 years from now. And we as a government organisation, will work together to achieve this bold vision.”
Baki said during the handover of the police minister’s role by Jelta Wong to Bryan Kramer at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby on Monday.
“We can help PNG achieve that vision by doing our job and doing it right. We can help by ensuring that our strategic and action plans are living documents that are being implemented at the district level.” Baki said.
He said to achieve that vision, there needed to be stability in the police leadership level.
“We also need good political leadership. The constabulary can only be as good or effective when there is less interference and more support from our political leadership.
“So far I am encouraged by what our Prime Minister James Marape and new Police Minister Bryan Kramer have stated in public and I believe that together we will achieve our vision of becoming a rich black Christian nation.
“The two main areas that I want to provide leadership on to assist the Government achieve that vision is discipline, command, control and reformation and restructuring and capacity-building of the constabulary.
“There is a lot to be done but we do not have the time or money to make this happen over the next two years. The clock is ticking, 2029 is the year the Marape-Steven Government has set to achieve this bold vision.
“For the constabulary, I believe we can however set the foundation now so that even after the 2022 national elections, Vision 2029 can be achieved over the next 10 years by whoever comes into government.
“Law and order is a prerequisite for growth and prosperity. And the constabulary will play a key role in assisting Government to achieve Vision 2029.”

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/baki-says-police-force-will-play-its-role-in-taking-back-png/

Department told to uphold law regardless of costs

Poste by The National

THE association of the Attorney- General‘s office with the Deputy Prime Minister‘s office is a boost for the law and justice sector DPM and Minister for Justice and Attorney General Davis Steven says.
Steven told members of the National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) of the Law and Justice Sector and officers from the Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG) yesterday that they needed to uphold the country’s laws and do their duty regardless of the cost.
“Our people want a nation that is rich, prosperous and they are happy and have peace, ours is a journey towards making our nation the richest, black Christian nation,” Steven said.
“All of us should be challenged today to ask where is DJAG, police, and all the law and justice sector agencies.
“I’m honoured to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister. I didn’t expect to be given this office.
“I stand here very humbled and honoured knowing that the decision to elevate DJAG with deputy PM is an answer to our expectations for those of us who are serious about the new direction that our nation must take.
“The fights have been abandoned. “The issues of injustice and the lack of attention to the rule of law and the institutional integrity and democratic ideals that we have diverted from must be corrected.
“Today I’m talking to the very people, the key players in this process that we should not let our nation down,” he said. “For the next two years, the office of the Deputy PM and Office of Attorney-General will still be here.
“The challenge is this, can we be the beacon of hope of change that our people pray and hope for?”
Steven challenged law and justice sector agencies to do their part to help fulfil Prime Minister James Marape’s goal of national prosperity.
“It’s now time for us to arrest the decline, decay and deterioration turn things around,” Steven said.
“It’s starts in Department of Justice and Attorney General and it starts now.”

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/department-told-to-uphold-law-regardless-of-costs/

PM: Agriculture, digital economy the way forward for PNG

Posted by The National

Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s 8th Prime Minister James Marape spoke to The National’s senior writer MALUM NALU in an exclusive interview last week. Marape wants to transform the agriculture sector into a vibrant revenue earner for PNG.

IT is not difficult to fathom why Prime Minister James Marape has made it loud and clear that he wants PNG’s agriculture to be transformed into an international standard industry and revenue earner for the nation.
Some 85% of 8.4 million Papua New Guineans are still dependent on agriculture for subsistence today. Thus, developing downstream food processing and manufacturing activities will naturally raise the demand for the farmers’ organic fresh produce.
The increased demand will then put more money into the pockets of the 8.4 million people nationwide.
To stress his focus to deliver to the people, Marape is making the unprecedented move to appoint three vice-ministers to help Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon to implement policies and projects aimed at boosting the industry’s production and activities.
Marape said the Government’s other key economic focuses for PNG’s socio-economic growth would be tourism, forestry and fisheries but “my view is that agriculture is the biggest driver with majority and direct participation of the people”.
He said the action plan was about changing, adopting and implementing modern effective and realistic commercialisation measures to raise the level of “our agriculture sector and industry”.
“In short, it is about building and developing a supply chain system to optimise the returns from our fresh agriculture produce that Papua New Guineans worked on their land,” he added.
Marape said: “My No.1 task as PM is to obtain the European Union grant to develop the cocoa industry in Momase. Industrialisation will take place but we need to have an economic case to provide the impetus for progress.
“We’ve been an agricultural nation long before the arrival of Kutubus, Ok Tedis, Porgeras and Lihirs.
“While coffee, cocoa, copra and oil palm were the mainstay of agriculture, organic food and livestock had huge growth potential, especially to the lucrative Asian market.
“These are agriculture produce and products that can put PNG in the international market or world map. Expanding agriculture empowers our people. We also help strengthen our global forex standing by importing less beef and rice.
“Food imports alone costs us K2 billion in capital flight. Agriculture is, therefore, really where the future lies for us all.”
In another exclusive interview with The National last month, Marape said he would support the US$600 million (K2.03 billion) PNG-China Integrated Agriculture Park Project if it “followed proper economic rationale” and there is “a return on our investments”.
The parks, to be located at Korofeigu in Eastern Highlands and Highlands’ Agriculture Training Institute (HATI) in Western Highlands, will be funded under China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI).
“I have issues when there are no direct returns on investments to our country. It then becomes a project that is for the convenience of sponsors of the project.
“The projects at Korofeigu and HATI are noble projects with great intentions. Everyone in Cabinet and in Government know the intentions of this project.
“I will support the project as long as it pays dividends to our people. The project is a goer, so long as I can see, visibly, our people earning money in five to 10 years’ time and it’s not just another ‘ghost project’,” he added. Marape agreed that the value chain remained the biggest hindrance to development of agriculture, which he said had regressed in the country since 1975, despite agriculture being a natural for PNG.
“A couple of years ago, while in Australia, I witnessed the opening of Toowomba International Airport, which specialised in export of organic agriculture produce to the Asian market.
“The inaugural flight was from Toowoomba to Hong Kong: an eight-hour flight to deliver 87 tonnes of vegetables like cabbages, broccoli, tomatoes, lettuce, capsicum, cauliflower.
“The flight is more expensive than out of Komo, Mt Hagen or Nadzab.
“My thought went to Komo – the biggest runway in PNG sitting there like a White Elephant.
“I am thinking big in the field of agriculture, not only in terms of the domestic market but the international market.
“Look at cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Jakarta, Tokyo which have millions of affluent citizens who are looking for food.
“We should pick up so that 10 years from now, we are a successful supplier of good, reliable food, not just coffee, copra or cocoa.
“Organic food is the way to go.”

Forestry
Getting Papua New Guineans more involved in forestry is the other industry to focus on for the benefit of the peope.
“After agriculture, forestry is the next priority,” he said.
“People are already there. They own the land. Engage them in forestry business and related downstream activities, especially putting logs on a ship and exporting them overseas.
This is where the Government is stepping in,” he added.
Tourism and Law-and-Order
Marape lamented that law-and-order issues and public security woes “are the major hindrance to tourism development. This is why it is important to start addressing law-and-order issues robustly in tandem with our focus on developing agriculture and tourism. I don’t see massive erosion in our cultural heritage over the next 10 to 15 years (to attract tourists),” he said. “We will still maintain it. That window gives us an opportunity to build up our agriculture. When people see that there is money in coffee, cocoa, growing cabbages and broccoli, produce is going to market, that there is law-and-order, in five years we can turn around. Our country can then become safer and, naturally, tourism will also benefit.
“That (tourism) is something that is really big out there. But you can’t talk about tourism development and growth when we have law-and-order issues and public security woes. Let’s work on it, but let’s transfer money to our people in other priority areas first. Of course, we will help to grow established tourism destinations, such as Madang. It is something that we will constantly monitor and work on,” he added.
Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF)
Marape said the setting up of the long-overdue SWF “is one of the priorities of the new Government. “The failure to set up the PNG SWF was a matter of concern for my Government. The money for the SWF should be coming from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) such as Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL) and Kumul Minerals Holdings Ltd (KMHL). Marape said KPHL and KMHL should be holding shares for the Government in various projects and paying dividends to the SWF.
“The SWF will be expanded and developed. I believe in saving for the future, especially from our non-renewable resource sector.
“We will also look into a dividend policy for small-medium enterprises to contribute to the SWF (for the people and country),” he added.

Health
Marape said specialist healthcare must be further developed aggressively for Papua New Guineans and PNG.
“I am emphasising on the quality aspect (of health). I want not just basic healthcare but specialist healthcare for cancers, kidney diseases or heart ailments. We need to have specialist treatment available to our people now. Many of our citizens are flying to Manila and Singapore for specialist treatment.
“We need to move into specialist care, which means that basic healthcare must be reliable. We will start with the manner in which we procure drugs,” he added.
Marape said he had full faith in his Health Minister, Elias Kapavore, under whose care Vanimo General Hospital was rated as the best in the country when he was chief executive officer. “He (Kapavore) knows exactly what to do to transform hospitals,” he added.

4G and Digital Economy
Marape says Energy Minister Rainbo Paita has been tasked with bringing down the cost of power and telecommunications. “I am awaiting a full report from Paita on the Coral Sea Cable (CSC) before making a full update on PNG’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) development.

Huawei PNG enterprise business director Gao Song briefing delivered projects to the media.

But CSC’s submarine fibre optic cable is expected to be operational by the end of this year to roll out 40 Tbps (Terabits per second) data volume. This will lift the digital connectivity for PNG and Solomon Islands to a historic level of technology,” he added.
Marape said: “It is expected to deliver faster, cheaper and more-reliable communications infrastructure as well as bring about significant economic and development activities. I have yet to be fully briefed on the construction and status of the 4G platform by DataCo-Huawei. But Paita will be presiding over Telikom and PNG Power.” DataCo and Huawei are jointly constructing and developing PNG’s 4G platform for domestic coverage targeted for completion by the end of this year or early next year. The latest media report last year was that Huawei had already completed 60% of the work to build a 5,457km network of submarine cables linking 14 coastal towns.

(CEO) Jacky Xu

Xu … communications is like food and water to a digital economy
Huawei Technologies (PNG) Pvt Ltd chief operating officer (CEO) Jacky Xu told the media: “I believe that internet access will be more affordable (in PNG). It is only a matter of time (upon the completion of the digital telecommunitions platform). Communication is like food and water. You need a truly reliable digital platform to survive in today digital economy and era. It is said that for every dollar in (digital) investment, the return is three times in business.” Xu spoke to journalists in Huawei PNG’s maiden media tour of the giant telecommunications corporate office cum ICT training centre in Port Moresby on June 7. He declined to reveal the cost of setting up the office but the multi-million-kina facility was completed and occupied last November. Asked whether Huawei had any plan or ambition to venture into an internet service provider (ISP) in PNG, Xu said: “No. We are only good (and specialises) in (providing) telecommunications solutions. ICT education is just the beginning or at the primary level in PNG. But PNG will catch up (with the rest of the world in digital economy). PNG’s advantage is that it is beginning from an already advanced global telecommunications technology,” he added.

Nancy Zhang Jinnan

Zhang … Huawei smart phone devices not affected by US ban
Huawei PNG senior public relations manager Nancy Zhang Jinnan said her company’s operation and engagement with Papua New Guineans started last year with the launch of its annual US$30,000 (K100,000+) scholarships. “Not only have we also inked and committed to the setting up of the Huawei ICT Academy in Unitech Lae, we have also started playing our role in corporate social responsibility by organising various activities with Papua New Guineans.
“This corporate facility is testimony of our commitment to help forward PNG’s interest in ICT development. The inbuilt training centre here is to train young and bright Papua New Guineans to provide the competent and skilful human capital that’s needed to help drive the country’s digital economic growth,” she added. On the impact and concerns of Huawei smart phone users on their access to all their current Apps following the US-China trade war and the blacklist on US software providers to do business with Huawei, Zhang said: “There should be no concern in terms of use and technology. There is no change in the use of current Huawei smart phone devices. But for future devices, Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei has already announced that OS (Operating System) Hongmeng will be available for download from September. According to recent media reports, OS Hongmeng is touted to be at least 60 times faster than android and that it will be able to run android and iOS Apps.

Jack Ma

Ma … internet connectivity is now more important than electricity was last century
Connectivity to the Internet could be more important in this era, compared with access to electricity in the past century, to build an inclusive digital economy and society, according to Jack Ma, co-founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group Holding.
“Today, if we are not connecting any country [or] if you don’t let your people connect to the internet, it’s worse than last century not letting them connect to electricity,” Ma said in a recent South China Morning Post report. [internet connectivity is] going to change a lot of things, [so] we should not leave people in the last century,” Ma said. “The digital period from now is just the beginning.”
The release of “The Age of Digital Interdependence”, a report of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, calls for reinvigorating multilateral cooperation among governments so that digital technologies can be used to help improve life for everyone.
“That would be complemented by cooperation with a diverse spectrum of other stakeholders, such as civil society, technologists, academics and the private sector,” the report adds.
“The release of the report, however, has come amid a raging trade and tech war between the US and China, which has disrupted international commerce and cooperation in hi-tech research. While the speed and scale of change brought by digital technologies is increasing, many people are still left out, according to the report.
It said more than half the world’s population “still either lacks affordable access to the internet or is using only a fraction of its potential despite being connected”.
The report found the proportion of people online in the developing world expanded rapidly in the past decade – from 14.5% in 2008 to 45.3% in 2018 – but progress has recently slowed.
Globalisation at the current stage is “not inclusive enough”, said Ma, adding that it does not help small businesses. “Creating jobs, security [and] privacy” are not only the concern of governments, said Ma.
“The private sector should worry about [those], too. Only if you think about jobs, inclusiveness, security and privacy will your company be sustainable and welcome in this century,” he said.
“Otherwise, you’d be out.”

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/pm-agriculture-digital-economy-%e2%80%89the-way-forward-for-png/

Marape: My failure if...

Posed by The National

PRIME Minister James Marape says he will consider himself a “failure” if PNG does not become the “richest black nation on earth by 2029”.
“By 2029, if we don’t make this country the richest black nation on Planet Earth, then we will have failed,” he added.
“I’ll assess myself as having failed in my life. It (becoming the richest black nation on earth) is not impossible. We can do it,” Marape stressed.

Project Officer of Johnstaff International Development Melinda Kanamon updating Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis (left), Prime Minister James Marape and invited guest on the progress of the Angau redevelopment project. The delegation were also shown the aerial view of before and after photos of the hospital redevelopment.
– Nationalpic by LARRY ANDREW

He said PNG would be stepping towards achieving his vision if it had “a public service free from corruption and bribery”.
Marape said he had already told investors at a meeting last week that there was no need to pay bribes to anyone within the public service to get things done.
“While addressing the Philippines Embassy, I also said I will get rid of all impediments in my Government. You (investors) don’t need to make unnecessary payments to anyone to do business.
“The only thing you need to pay is your fair share of taxes. Our country can become very rich. Only a few of us are working while our cousins are not at work.
“Even though they are not at work, and living in the village, that does not mean that they don’t dream big dreams for their children.
“If we don’t look after them, their children don’t go to school, they will grow into a class who will be a burden to the employed,” he added.
Marape said his greatest fear, since becoming CEO (chief executive officer) of PNG, if I (fail to deliver and) let the people down”.
“They deserve their dreams for their children, their dreams for our country. If we are not here to make it happen for our country, who else will make it happen.
“If it does not happen now, then when? If we don’t get cracking, then 10 years from now, a child who’s 10 now will be 20 and doing nothing in Lae, Mt Hagen or Tari.
“In 10 years’ time he is going to be a man, who’s going to ask questions. He will be trying to get married, to look after his family, and who else will he blame?
“This is why we cannot delay our work and strive to deliver for the people and country. We have to start making it happen (soonest or) now for our children to grow into competent adults contributing to nation-building.
“If we are not serious about what we are doing now, then 10 years from now, we will have another generation of Papua New Guineans loitering and doing nothing to help forward PNG.
“They will haunt us for our failure. Some leaders may have other countries that they can go to, but my children will be returning and be here.
“Your children will stay in this country. The pressure is huge, but if we can find good Papua New Guineans who are committed to the cause – both politicians and bureaucrats – then we will achieve something (positive and progressive),” he added.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/marape%e2%80%89my-failure-if/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER JAMES MARAPE

By Prime Minister James Marape

Good evening all, I have been advised many in FB discussing me traveling on economy class yesterday, and may I say whilst it may break protocol, I have my own reasons of doing this , infact those in air niugini government liaison know that sometimes back before I become PM I told them I will be traveling economy class. 

So I am just doing what I have been doing even as FM before I have declined state purchase of business class. So in this matter or others like me going to church, or visiting a cripple supporter etc , are not matters for public discussions or commendations, they are personal choices and activities so I would appreciate if people don’t go the extra mile trying to offer commendation or analysis.

All human beings are different, we all do things differently. For me now , the hard work begins now and I have assembled my Ministers and all have been given their tasks and this month with the Ministers we will be visiting all departments and agencies and companies of state to find out how they can contribute to the dream of making PNG the richest black Christian nation where no child is left behind by us , through taking back our economy/country.

Those public servant leaders who have the same mind as us will be maintained irrespective of tribal, religion , politics or personal difference. We want to pick the very best leaders of our departments of state to assist us getting our country going in the right direction. This will take a month or two and I ask for your patience. Work thus take time including appointments and other issues of public interest like corruption.

Some of you have your views on corruption or allegations of corruption and incompetence on certain individual, we will give you the cover through whistle blowers act plus ICAC and normal function of police through Minister Brian Kramer’s leaderships, so please bring your complaint and evidences to police so we can get to address them instead of just Facebook and public complaints.

For the time being I don’t need praises but criticism to the way we want to do things so that we all can contribute to development. Too much praise is not good and I am the first to be uncomfortable.

I have set the highest dream any national leader can set for his/her country ( to make png the richest black Christian nation), and I intend to get to work, please inbox my your ideas but not praises or personal requests.

My government owe no one no special favors but our 8 million share holders , the people of our country. Don’t offer no bribe to any public officials, contractors bid at right price and deliver your contracts, companies comply with our laws and do your business in PNG, and to all of us, let us work within provisions of law.

I will release a fb release tomorrow, and I hope our departmental heads pick up from on what our government want to do expanding on what we have said thus far so we can get to measure our performances as a government going forward!

Until then, it’s goodnight now and so far at Singapore meeting all Western Province leaders plus national government and other stakeholders in western province like PNGSDP agrees to find common ground and work together for our Western Province people.

Goodnight!
........................
Hon James Marape
Prime Minister of Papau New Guinea

Marape holds Singapore talks over PNG trust fund

Posted by Radio New Zealand

Papua New Guinea's prime minister has led a delegation to Singapore to find a way in to a trust fund the government has been locked out of.

In his first overseas trip since taking office last month, James Marape met with officials from the PNG Sustainable Development Program on Sunday.

The company manages about $US1.4 billion of assets through a long term fund which was set up to hold profits from the Ok Tedi copper mine in Western Province.

Since the government of Peter O'Neill expropriated the mine from the SDP in 2013, it had been in a protracted court fight to gain control of the long-term fund parked in Singapore.

Singapore's High Court ruled against the government's claim in April. Following this, and a change in government leadership, PNG's new prime minister Mr Marape is seeking a different approach.

He said on Facebook the aim of his trip was to find common ground with the company managing the fund.

The prime minister was accompanied by MPs from Western Province whose constituents are intended to be direct beneficiaries of the SDP's projects and long-term fund.

Ok Tedi mine, Papua New Guinea Photo: Dev Policy

Long term

Mr O'Neill, who indicated that the government would appeal the Singapore court ruling, portrayed the government's aim in the case as being to ensure the company's funds were given to the people of Western Province.

It remains to be seen whether that appeal will proceed, with Mr Marape advocating a discourse-based approach to dealing with Sustainable Development Program.

The SDP was established in 2001 when BHP Billiton divested its majority share in the lucrative Ok Tedi copper mine in Western Province to SDP.

The divestment followed legal action by Western Province landowners over extensive and long lasting environmental damage caused by the mine operations, particularly its riverine tailings disposal system.

April's court decision was welcomed by the four Western MPs, who said it would ensure SDP was protected from political interference and that its assets went to the people.

However, the money in the fund is intended to be disbursed by SDP within Western Province when the Ok Tedi mine closes. The mine is still operational.

Go to this link for more: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/392397/marape-holds-singapore-talks-over-png-trust-fund

We need to invest in teachers to achieve quality education

Pawa Ambiasi - "PNG has a problem delivering quality education because it has overlooked its teachers over the years"

By PAWA KENNY AMBIASI - PNG Attitude

PORT MORESBY - When he announced Joseph Yopyyopy as Papua New Guinea’s new education minister, prime minister James Marape said his government will continue the tuition fee free (TFF) education policy and add quality to it.

Managing TFF is one thing but quality education is what we need most in PNG society.  

A civilised society should be made up of well-educated people who apply the highest level of self-discipline, tolerance, respect for others and esteem for private and public institutions.

The sign at the entrance to the education department’s head office of in Waigani has the motto ‘Quality Education for Quality Citizens’, but, even though the motto has existed for some time, education standard continue to drop.

There is a very big gap in the learning of mathematics and science. Many students can’t understand what is taught in school. And many students cannot attain the scarce places in tertiary institutions.

So what is lacking? Is it policy? Is it money? Is it resources? No. We could have a silver coated TFF policy, money and resources but we would still have a problem with the quality of education.

This is because PNG has overlooked its teachers over the years.

Teachers are not treated well. They are paid low salaries. They are not given houses. And they are not given adequate support to further their studies in specialised subjects.

Let me quote the words of a long-serving teacher and now school principal, who told me:

“Teachers whose welfare is not addressed by the school authorities and stakeholders don’t perform to the best of their knowledge and ability.

“They don’t teach students with a holistic approach to develop them to become meaningful, responsible and productive citizens of the country.

"Teachers lose focus of their real purpose of being a professional teacher and they simply clock time to get paid.

"As a result, students become the major victims. They suffer. Such attitudes are the major factors that contribute to the drop in our country’s education standard. Is it fair to blame the teachers?

“In order to produce well educated people, we need best teachers who are diligently committed and enjoying their job. The way to make teachers enjoy their job is by providing them with good accommodation, pay them at an internationally competitive salary level, equip their schools with necessary infrastructure like classrooms and a library and give them the necessary teaching materials and equipment.

“There is currently a brain drain in the teaching service for greener pasture. Many teachers are leaving for other jobs that offer them better pay with good accommodation.

“All government bodies, private, churches, parents and citizens must work together towards achieving what we preach ‘Quality Education for Quality Citizens’. Well educated and specialist teachers who have passion for the job can produce the best manpower the country needs to achieve its ambitions, goals and aspirations.

“Teacher training must be geared towards producing quality products in knowledge, skills, discipline, character, personality, ethical behaviour and personal hygiene.

“Schools and training institutions need to be equipped with the necessary teaching and training materials, tools and equipment. There must be adequate funding for these institutions distributed on a timely basis.

“The school inspection system must be adequately resourced for the officers to carry out their duties well. The inspection system is the only way for teachers to realise their full potential, get promoted and be rewarded for their good work with a salary increase.

“Currently, the inspection system is only carrying out less than 50% of its job due to lack of funding and resources.

“Teachers as individuals and role models must lead a productive live for their own good and be submissive to God, school authorities, provincial and national governments and their agencies.”

I concur with this school principal and agree that we need quality teachers for quality education.

Field officers and policy implementers have the first-hand experience to know the facts of the situation we face.

As Dr James Aiwa, Dean of School of Education at the University of Goroka, said, “The quality of anything will reflect the type of support given.”

Government support is needed for teachers’ welfare and quality training.

Go to this link for more: https://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2019/06/png-needs-to-invest-in-its-teachers-to-achieve-quality-education.html

Miriori Says Bougainville Executive Council Was Misled

Posted by Post Courier

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Executive Council were allegedly misled at the time it resolved to support the developers proposal and consequential mass amendments demanded to the Bougainville Mining Act (BMA).

The Explanatory Memorandum that has emerged, long after the fact, claims in its first two principal reasons, that developer has developed and operated some of the largest mines in the world.

It now turns out that neither reason advanced was correct.

The truth is starkly different – the developer in question has never financed, developed or operated a large mine, to say nothing of the largest mines in the world.

Philip Miriori the Chairman of Panguna landowner company, Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association (SMLOLA), indicated that, had the amending legislation passed, Bougainville would have given away a 4o per cent interest in Panguna and a monopoly over all large scale mining projects in Bougainville, to a person who does not have the relevant skills to finance, build and operate a mine like Panguna or help the ABG.

“The third reason advanced was even more false and misleading, as it claimed that the developer had also raised billions of dollars and so will raise all the money for Panguna for the ABG.

“The developer obviously has not raised billions of dollars as claimed, in fact he has only ever done one public company capital raising of a very modest US$30m, again more than a decade ago.

“So the three key reasons the BEC resolved to support the developer, that he had financed, developed and operated the largest mines in the world.

“And put forward the proposed changes to the BMA, which have now been rejected by the Legislative Review Committee because they were all grossly false and designed to deceive all of us here in Bougainville,” he said.

SMLOLA consultant Lawrence Daveona said the scenario suggest to us is that we all need to sit down collectively and find a workable solution.

“This is a solution that can actually be delivered and will allow us to finally move forward with the redevelopment of Panguna to eventually see all of Bougainville prosper,” he said.

Go to this link for more: https://ramumine.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/miriori-says-bville-executive-council-was-misled/

New Petroleum Minister says no more coffee shop deals

Kerenga Kua says there will be no more coffee shop deals - like the one between Peter Botten and Peter O'Neill where they agreed the disastrous and unlawful State investment in Oil Search shares (funded through the notorious UBS loan) over coffee at the Grand Papua hotel.

Elias Nanau | Post Courier 

A sigh of relief for the aggrieved landowners and key stakeholders of the recently signed Papua LNG (liqued natural gas) – the gas project agreement will be “reviewed”.

This was the ultimate assurance from the Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua during the handover-takeover ceremony between him and outgoing minister Dr Fabian Pok in Port Moresby yesterday.

He said the review should be done to satisfy the government and people that “it was signed in compliance with all applicable laws” and protocols and key institutions like the Bank of PNG and Treasury had been involved equitably and statutorily.

He drew applause from the conference room.

“We owe it to our people,” he said. “Leadership and government must combine and deliver back to our people.”

Mr Kua gave the assurance in front of a packed conference room of landowners, oil and gas company executives and department staff at Hideaway Hotel.

Mr Kua said although there were market forces, they would not run away and the government and people must approach it judiciously.

He said the petroleum industry was one of the biggest revenue earners but asked: “Is the level of revenue we generate enough?”

Mr Kua reminded the department staff that while there would be work to review projects and legislation.

“There is that urgent need to source money to fund the visions of the government as outlined by Prime Minister James Marape,” he said.

He noted the bold statements of making PNG the richest black nation and to take back PNG.

“The challenge or way forward has been defined, now we need money. It must start somewhere, you cannot wait,” he said.

Mr Kua said his key performance indicators would be defined by the two guiding statements made by the Prime Minister.

“It is incumbent of the leaders of today to make such vision statements,” he said.

He reminded people they may think its “insurmountable and unachievable” but 70 years ago when Kondom Agaundo from Chimbu told expatriates the next generation would learn and communicate fluently in English, it happened and today the country has a load of “intellectual workhorse”.

He appealed to petroleum staff : “We must restore the strength and prominence of the department. “It must be at the forefront of the economic departments.”

Mr Kua told everyone he did not want to have meetings with investors or anyone that is work related outside of the department and staff.

“Let’s meet at the office rather than at the coffee shop,” he said.

Go to this link for more: https://ramumine.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/new-petroleum-minister-says-no-more-coffee-shop-deals/