PM: Police to investigate allegations against MRDC

Posted on The National

PRIME Minister James Marape, pictured, says the allegations of fraud against the management of the Mineral Resource Development Corporation have been referred to the police.
He said he had received letters carrying the same allegations and had furnished a report to the police to investigate.
Marape said while the allegations of fraud were serious, it was now a police the matter and therefore they (police) needed to be allowed to do their job without political interferences and directives.
The prime minister said he had also written to MRDC to give a full audited report of their finances to his office.
Marape said he would table a full report of what the police were doing and a full response from MRDC in Parliament next month.
He said MRDC was a public entity that held trust funds on behalf of resource landowners and those funds needed to be managed well.
Marape said he would also look at the possibility of reforming MRDC if that was warranted.
He understood that MRDC had made some investments which would also be looked at before arriving at any decision.
Marape said he would look at the recommendation by Sir Mekere Morauta who wanted the landowners to be allowed to manage their own funds like the Lihir landowners.
He said the Government would look at MRDC in totality assess its value and whether the country, particularly the landowners were better served maintaining the corporation or seeking other means to reach the same goal.
The prime minister was responding to a series of questions without notice from the Member for Moresby North-West Sir Mekere, who alleged that more than K110 million of landowners’ funds had been misused by the MRDC management and wanted to know what action the prime minister would take. Sir Mekere said according to credible sources, there were serious cases of fraud, misappropriation, abuse of office and breach of trust by MRDC in its management of landowner trust funds.
He said the allegations related to: K10 million of Petroleum Resources Gobe landowner trust funds which was used by MRDC without the approval of its board; a K100 million grant given by the state to Petroleum Resources Kutubu (PRK), Star Mountain landowners and the Fly River government to be spent on projects chosen by these entities was diverted by MRDC for other purposes; and allegations concerning the initial investment appraisal of the Star Mountain Hilton Hotel in which the cost was overestimated, suggesting leakage and corruption.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/pm-police-to-investigate-allegations-against-mrdc/

Kylemed pharmaceutical lab invests US$25mil for laboratory

By GYNNIE KERO - The National

PRIME Minister James Marape says the country will soon be able to manufacture its own pharmaceutical medicines and supply neighbouring nations.
He made the comment following a recent ground-breaking ceremony for a US$25 million (K84mil) pharmaceutical lab to be built outside Port Moresby.
Marape welcomed the investment by Kylemed Pharmaceutical Laboratories PNG Ltd who had chosen to involve the local community in the ceremony.
Kylemed is a pharmaceutical group of companies producing a wide range of medicines trusted in the Philippines.
The prime minister thanked the firm, saying it was a timely response “on the current situation where the issue on fake medicine was rampant.”
“Your confidence in my Government and to the country is very much appreciated,” Marape said in a statement.
“Papua New Guinea welcomes legitimate foreign direct investments.
The Government will work with you as long as you abide by the set regulations and standards. We would like you to be our long-term business partners that contributes to the economy of our country.
“I appreciate your US$25 million initial investment.
“My Government will look into tax incentives for companies of a certain capital.
“There has been an outcry by the medical community on lack of medicines and medical supply. We have good, professional medical practitioners but unfortunately they cannot properly deliver to the community.
“Healthcare is a citizen’s basic right and together with my Government, we will continue to bridge with institutions and organisations that have their heart for my people,” he said. “Be rest assured that programmes to change and improve lives in our community will have my 100 per cent support.”

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/kylemed-pharmaceutical-lab-invests-us25mil-for-laboratory/

Case on Marape to go ahead

By GIDEON KINDIWA - The Natiobnal

THE Supreme Court has allowed Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch to proceed with a court reference questioning the election of James Marape as prime minister.
A three-man bench consisting of Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, Justice Ellenas Batari and Justice Oagile Bethuel Dingake granted an application filed by Pruaitch’s lawyers Greg Sheppard and Philip Tabuchi of Young and Williams Lawyers regarding his standing.
The judges ruled that Pruaitch as the opposition leader had standing and sufficient interest in pursuing the issue in court to determine whether Marape’s election in Parliament on May 30 was legal.
Sheppard submitted that Pruaitch had standing because it was a legitimate role of the opposition leader to hold government accountable.
“By virtue of the office he holds and the functions of that office, he is entitled to raise significant Constitutional issues,” Sheppard said.
He said Pruaitch had satisfied every prerequisite to file the reference under Section 18(1) of the Constitution as he was the Opposition Leader and a citizen with a genuine concern on the issue.
He argued that Pruaitch was not a busy body meddling around with other people’s business but had sought to raise important constitutional issues.
He was responding to Nemo Yalo, representing Justice Minister and Attorney-General Davis Steven, who told the court that Pruaitch did not have any standing because he had nominated former prime minister Peter O’Neill to hold the position again.
And when O’Neill did not accept the nomination, Yalo said Pruaitch joined others in electing Marape “which is not genuine”.
Yalo submitted that Pruaitch was a “busy body” and his application was not about keeping the executive arm of the government accountable, nor to correct Speaker Job Pomat.
Meanwhile, the same court granted an application by Speaker Pomat to become an intervener in the proceedings.
It however dismissed a similar application by Parliament acting clerk Kala Aufa.
The judges ruled that the role of the clerk was to advise the Speaker and it was unnecessary for the clerk to become a party of its own in the proceedings. The substantive matter will be heard on Sept 20.

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Hetra not buying into fans hype

Posted on The National

HELA Wigmen skipper Benjamin Hetra is not buying into the hype that his side will have more fans at the Digicel Cup grand final in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The 29-year-old forward said the National Football Stadium was a neutral ground and his team were focused on their individual roles ahead of the match against the Lae Tigers.
“Port Moresby is not our home ground, we haven’t had any home ground for the last three years,” the former SP Hunter said.
“NFS is a neutral ground. Whether we play in Port Moresby, Lae or Mt Hagen, it is always a neutral ground for us.
“He have our structure and style of play, and we will stick to it. We won’t let the hype around the supporters get in our way.
“Having a big following is good. It’s a bonus for our team but we are more focused on ourselves and what we need to do and not get carried away.”
NFS has seen a huge turnout of Hela fans over the last three Wigmen games against the Rabaul Gurias, Goroka Lahanis and Waghi Tumbe.
Tigers coach Stanley Tepend said the Wigmen would use their fan base as an advantage but his side were focusing on their game.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/hetra-not-buying-into-fans-hype/

Sine confident forwards will stop Hela Wigmen

By PARKER TAMBUA - The National

LAE Snax Tigers vice-captain Enoch Sine is confident his forwards will lift to contain their Wigmen counterparts when the two sides meet in the Digicel Cup grand final at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday (3pm kick-off).
The in-form centre told The National on Wednesday that his forwards had monitored the Hela pack in recent games and they knew what to expect on game day.
“The Wigmen have a young and hungry forward pack, we have watched their games recently and they are a pretty strong side,” Sine said. “As for us, our forwards know what to do, we have our defensive structures in place. We’ve got our tackling tactics and we’ll try to slow the play around the ruck which is vital in tiring their big men in the middle. Defence has been our main strength this season and this game is no exception, we are ready and looking forward to execute our defensive structures to contain the Wigmen forwards.”
The Tigers have an experienced pack with the likes of Roy Kela, Mark Piti and former Hunters Ismael Balkawa, Junior Rop and Andy John who will be out in full force to cause problems for the Wigmen. However, the Wigmen have nothing to lose and coach Andrew Andiki has declared that his forwards in the likes of the in-form Emanuel Waine, Ham Tina, Junior Mel and veteran Benjamin Hetra will come out firing on all cylinders.
The battle of the forwards in the middle of the park is expected to go a long way in determining who takes out the Digicel Cup premiership.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/sine-confident-forwards-will-stop-hela-wigmen/

Wigmen commend Wabo, Stone

By PARKER TAMBUA - The National

KROTON Hela Wigmen coach Andiki Andrew has praised the input of former Kumul and Wigmen Charlie Wabo and former PNG sprinter Nelson Stone.
The 2014 Wigmen premiership winning hooker has been part of the coaching staff this season as an assistant and Aniki said Wabo’s influence on the team had boosted the side’s performance throughout the season.
“Charlie is a role model to the current crop of players in the team. He was their childhood idol,” Andrew told The National.
“Charlie’s experience and knowledge of the game has helped the boys a lot, they are listening to him and he has brought a culture of respect into the side.”
Andiki also thanked the efforts of the four-time Pacific Games gold medallist Stone who has been in charge of the Wigmen’s strength and conditioning this season.
“I find it difficult at times to get the boys familiar with the structure and style of plays but when I brought in Nelson along with Charlie, they have made it easy for me and the hard work we all put in has paid off for us to come this far,” Andiki said.
The former 400m Pacific champion also shared his thoughts after Wigmen’s semifinal win over theGoroka Lahanis a fortnight ago , saying that he was proud of the team’s success.
“I am so proud of this team, I’m work closely with them in our finals preparation,” Stone said.
“Taking care of the Wigmen’s gym sessions, (muscle endurance) and speed and agility sessions (strength endurance) is an honour and I’m glad to see it pay off.”

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Wigmen, Tigers do battle

Posted on The National

Digicel Cup grandfinalists look to snap title drought

SUNDAY’S grand final between the Lae Tigers and the Hela Wigmen (3pm kick-off) in Port Moresby is expected to be a good, old-fashioned slugfest as both sides look to reclaim the Digicel Cup.

For the Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored Tigers, it is their fourth grand final appearance, having last won the country’s premier competition in 2017.
For the Kroton-backed Wigmen, it will be their second grand final appearance, having won the Cup in 2014.
With droughts to snap, both sides will be looking to hit the ground running after Prime Minister James Marape gets proceedings underway at the National Football Stadium.
On paper, the Tigers’ big-game experience will count to their advantage against a Wigmen side made up mostly of unknown talent who have been playing out of their skin since the start of the finals.
Skipper Benjamin Hetra is the most experienced Wigmen, having played for the SP Hunters in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup. However, he faces a race against time to be fit for the clash.
Not content with the minor premiership, Tigers coach Stanley Tepend will be demanding a near-perfect performance from his charges as they look to complete a rare double against a Wigmen outfit who have been playing finals football since the last round of the regular season when they edged the Enga Mioks for the final spot in the top-six playoffs.
“We know the opposition are on a roll but we are planning to start off strong to set the tone for the entire match,” Tepend said on Wednesday.
“The full team of players and officials are all flying Lae into Port Moresby on Friday before the final team are announced.”
Wigmen coach Andiki Andrew said they were relaxed heading into the match.
“We are working and polishing up our structures, especially our defence,” he said.
“We aim to contain the bigger Tigers forwards who have been dominant all season along with their backline
“This will not be an easy task for us. In the finals, we’ve had different structures for our matches against the Agmark Rabaul Gurias, reigning premiers Bintangor Goroka Lahanis and the second-placed JPG Waghi Tumbe. We have devised a new one for the Tigers.
“We believe the structure will be effective with our players adjusting to it. They know what they are supposed to do against the opposition.”
Tigers possible line-up: 1. Joe Joshua, 2. Kafare Amos 3. Jokadi Bire 4. Roderick Tai, 5. Enoch Sine, 6. Mark Tony, 7. Charlie Simon, 8. Roy Kela, 9. Noel Joel, 10. Mark Piti, 11. Tiger Emeri, 12. Junior Rop, 13. Ishmael Balkawa, 14. Wesser Tanzer, 15. John Gend, 16. John Andy, 17. Tikiko Noke.
Wigmen possible line up: 1. Sylvester Bulu, 2. Richard Tuweiyo, 3. Gilmo Paul, 4. Stanford Talita, 5. Nanduka Rame, 6. David Joseph, 7. Tombal Peter, 8. Valentine Culligan, 9. Dobi Michael, 10. Kerry Pep, 11. Emmanuel Waine, 12. Yaksi Kila, 13. Yves David, 14. Raymond Tia, 15. Ham Tina, 16. Junior Jeff Mel, 17. Cliff Denge.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/wigmen-tigers-do-battle/