FIGHT IS STILL ON

By Bryan Kramer MP via Facebook Post

All week Prime Minister Peter O'Neill claimed his Government was intact however this afternoon when Parliament reconvened, he made a desperate attempt to avoid facing a motion of no confidence. He mustered what little numbers he had left in his Government and adjourned Parliament for 3 weeks to be reconvened on 28th May 2019. 

O'Neill’s Government barely passed the motion with59 votes versus the Alternative Government 50.

Right now the Alternative Government is short by just 6 Members to control the floor of Parliament and vote him out.

A number of members that make up the Government coalition parties initially had made a commitment to cross the floor to join the members of the Alternative Government.

So why didn't they?

The members of the Government coalition parties had initially indicated to join the Laguna camp but conditional to them securing the nominee. When they failed to show up at the 11th hour, the Laguna camp proceeded as planned and James Marape was elected unopposed through a fair and transparent process.

While it appears O'Neill's Government is intact, it isn't. The main players making play to remove O'Neill include Julius Chan's PPP (5 Members), William Duma's URP (11 Members) Sam Basil's Melanesian Alliance Party (9 Members) and Charles Abel PNC Party (26).

Basil will never be the nominee, that much I can confirm. Power play will be between Chan, Duma and Abel. A further play is for them to force O'Neill to resign.

By adjourning the Parliament for 3 weeks, it not only prevents the alternative Government from moving a notice of motion but it also essentially means that the lobbying for the nominee of the alternative Prime Minister will continue over the next 3 weeks.

This adjournment is by no means a brain child of O'Neill but power play by others in his coalition government seeking to be the nominee.

So by no means it is over... negotiations during and after Parliament session has begun.

Three weeks will fly by - next Tuesday will mean there is only two weeks left and the intense lobbying will continue. O'Neill also has to worry about further resignations from his own Party and his Cabinet.

Tomorrow, I will post an article explaining how you can play an active role in ensuring O’Neill is voted out of office come 28th May 2019.

Picture: credit to EMTV, minus the text.

STATEMENT BY JAMES MARAPE, Member for Tari Pori

By James Marape -via Fackbook Post

May I thank all PNGeans and especially families and people of the 50 firm leaders from the opposition side who rallied behind me as their alternative PM. I am humbled by this bestowment through great Melanesian consensus by all leaders in our Laguna camp.

Amongst 50 MPs of equal standing , I was chosen and for that my people of Hela and especially Pori Tari will be for ever grateful, and what we offer is a truly authentic Melanesian leadership style where decisions at all levels are consensus and system based instead of individual inclinations.

As we set out to do, last Tuesday we lodge the Vote of no confidence motion to Parliament. And through the various motion moved by government, despite knowing we were short on numbers, we contested the motions to tell the nation that we almost there and we were short by only 6 votes.

I know many good Members of Parliament are in the present government side, much more then the six I am looking for so I ask the public including those of us in the opposition side not to bash them. These MPs are going through moments of mental discernment and I am a hundred percent sure many of them will make it right at their own timing because circumstances vary amongst MPs, so let us respect their rights.

The 26 MPs who left with me the comforts of O’Neil government, may I say are Leaders of great courage and conviction. If money and power and privileges of a Minister cannot hold back them from government that is printing cheques as inducements, I am positive that mindset change has befall on many leaders mind especially the new generations of leaders who want to truly make the wealth of this blessed country and hence we rally on the catch cry of Honorable Garry Juffa, a great peer and compatriot of mine who has been preaching ‘take back PNG’ since 2012.

We join him and the strong 24 original opposition for this coalition of like minded leaders now numbering 50 who want to fight for greater returns from our natural resources. Our country has oil, gas, gold, copper, nickel, timber, fish, coffee, copra, oil palm, vanilla, and edible organic agricultural produces, we have cultural, geographical and bio diversity for both recreational and niche tourism; yet we have been poor since 1975.

We facing 50 years of independence by 2025 and after consistent advises to PM O’Neil to change some of the resource laws we have in the country so that we can gain greater value from our resources, my advises continue to fall on deaf years, that’s why I resigned especially at the back of Papua LNG project signing. I am now comforted to know many present leaders share my view to rise up and take back PNG’s natural resources and add value to them.

The wind of change is surely blowing, and we may lose one battle now but this is a war of many battles, that will go on well after the government is changed. The war of alleviating poverty from our midst will be going on for a long time but I believe it will be won and soldiers are needed in this long war.

A country so rich in assets yet so poor by all measures of development indexes and that is the war we are fighting. I believe O’Neil’s mindset submits to corporate and individual business interest; and after 7 years of trying to shift his focus on policy changes in mining act, oil and gas act, forestry act, fisheries act, giving tax incentives to local based companies, specially focus on SME expansion, increase on local participation in business, he continues to yield towards foreign, corporate and individual interest.

Today I am told that police has been asked to look at myself and other leaders like Powi and Undialu for convoluted charges, PM PO is also working to freeze both Hela and SHP accounts and vindictively look into possibilities of suspending these provincial governments and may I say , we don’t subscribe to treats and intimidations.

The name like Marabe, Powi and Undialu lived in Southern Highlands part of our country for centuries before white men and other names arrived, and these names will live on well after James and William and Philip are removed from our jobs as present day MPs. We fear no one except God, and if Iam doing wrong only God will punish me and my compatriots. Our body may die but our spirits will be passed on to our younger brothers , sisters and children.

We knew our efforts to change government might be futile but based on principles and convictions we detached from cultural and tribal ties to carry the national interest. You can kill me now, and I may never be PM but the wind of mindset change has arrived. This is revolution I am starting, to shift of power from leaders before me to leaders who will come after me.

This war will go on with or without me, before me and Powi and Undialu and Manasse arrived in opposition, there was a Garry Juffa, there was a Dr Lino, a Lelang, a Kramer , a Bird and the list goes on, these army of fighters for their children rights will continue on and on and on until we make PNG the richest black Christian nation on earth!

On the 28th of May those of us in the alternate government will march to Parliament on the new Chinese government funded boulevard and I call on Speaker of Parliament not to tamper with the process as people will march with us to Parliament if they want to and if more then 56 Members of Parliament are marching with me, then I beg you to ensure Parliament process is run and not sabotaged as shown on the 7th of May.

This a a revolution of mind set, we will not be subservient to individual, and corporate capitalist greed anymore. Take back PNG!

Hulukumaiya!

Roads Priority Infrastructure in Hela Province

By Vasinatta Yama – EMTV News, Mt Hagen

Roads and infrastructure are a priority area of development in Hela Province, as well as law and order.

The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) developer, ExxonMobil PNG under a Tax Credit scheme arrangement, has partnered with the Department of Works to reseal a 27 kilometre road in Hela Province.

The 27 kilometre road section from Halimbu to Komo has seen some sections already sealed, with permanent repairs of roads and bridges damaged during the 7. 5 magnitude earthquake in Hela Province in February last year.

ExxonMobil funded K150 million to the Department of Works, who has spent the last 20 months rehabilitating and upgrading the main sections of the Highway from Halimbu, Komo and Hides.

Works Secretary, David Wereh told EMTV News that this is part the National Government’s priority program to see in the next six years, the resealing and upgrading of the entire highway from Mendi in Southern Highlands Province, to Koroba in Hela Province.

Two sub-contractors involved in the two different sections of the Highway are Hides Gas Development Corporation and Curtain Brothers.

Hela is one of the difficult provinces in PNG for development to occur due to its geography as well as its own social problems.

Despite the delays and interruptions from natural disaster, tribal fights and landowner issues, road works is said to be completed by June and July this year.

The upgrading and resealing of Hela roads are a milestone project and achievement of the developer, Exxon Mobil, Works Department, the contractors and the locals.

While, Hela Province can be seen as a volatile area for services to take place, an umbrella company set up by 13 communities in the LNG project areas, Hides Gas Development Corporation is leading in the role of community awareness’s for Hela people to accept changes to occur.

HGDC Community Affairs Manager, Poge Gewane says there has been a continuous dialogue with the locals, and with the recent resealing of the road sections, more people are accessing vital services.

Mr Gewane said people are beginning to accept changes, but the presence of the PNG Defence force soldiers has fast track road works to be completed.

Go to this link for more: https://emtv.com.pg/roads-priority-infrastructure-in-hela-province/

21 February 2017 – The Right Pitch

By Gorethy Kenneth, Post Courier 21/02/17

DRIVEN for success and looking to expand her knowledge base at Draper University, this 27-year-old lass that you will read about is reaping the benefits of following her dreams.

Roberta Morlin, 27, from Manus and Bougainville, is an exceptionally talented and driven young woman with her very own Papua New Guinea story.

A young entrepreneur, Ms Morlin, just straight from Divine University after studying International Relations from 2008 to 2012 ventured into something else, another profession that gained her an international scholarship.

“I pitched a startup company for connecting doctors to patients, an online medical consultation platform,” she tells her story.

“After that I was still working and recommended to apply to Draper University and in July 2016 I was accepted into Draper and the scholarship was fully funded by Sir Brian Bell Foundation and Kumul Game Changers.

“I studied innovative technology at Silicon Valley and was working on building the application, but then I ended up starting a health app,” she said.

“Being back I have now pursued other interests, while assisting Sir Brian Bell Foundation as well. I freelance and do market research as well as helping other people as a market research consultant.

“I don’t work for anyone, but while going through building this application, an artificial intelligence to help solve issues in PNG – medical consultation, I also assist wherever I can to help build other young entrepreneurs.”

From the Sir Brian Bell Foundation it was obvious, they had and still do have the desire to inspire the people of Papua New Guinea.

This inspiration is driven from a historical connection to both Health and Education.

Sir Brian had a long association with Health in PNG, and this will continue via support to individuals and organisations with the same values and ideals.

Sir Brian Bell Foundation CEO Bronwyn Wright said: “We all have heard the stories of great women from around the world, and how they started from small beginnings, they challenged the normal, they didn’t accept this is how you do it, and they have treated us to many amazing successes and triumphs.”

Mrs Wright said that Papua New Guinea has one of its very own success stories, and Ms Morlin is currently expanding her dream and following her heart with a desire of delivering a health solution to the women of PNG.

“This exceptionally talented and driven young woman was the finalist in 2015, The Kumul Game Changer program,” she said.

The Kumul Game Changers initiative, launched by UNDP with the support of the Australian Government in 2014 is aligned to the PNG National Government’s SME Policy.

Ms Morlin’s idea, to deliver an app that will allow women direct access to an online medical consultation with a doctor, won her a scholarship to pursue her dream.

Ruth, First Papua New Guinean Woman To Own Planes

PNG aviation’s first woman owner

Among many women entrepreneurs from around the Pacific and Papua New Guinea, Ruth Undi is one among them. Emerging from the rich area of Ialibu in the Southern Highlands.
42 year old Ruth, commonly known as “grassroots” mother is the frist Papua New Guinean woman to own and operate an aviation company, Niugini Aviation, which has fleet of three planes.
Despite having no aviation background, brave Ruth bought her first plane in 2011 because she saw the need to service the remote areas not accessible by road. She bought her frist plane, 206 seater aircraft from the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The plane was used to transport medical supplies to remote areas. Mining companies also hire the plane for private charters.
As the demand grew she went ahead to approached New Zealand and bought two more air craft. The mother of four doesn’t want to be branded as a trailblazer for women in the aviation industry. She said “she is not there yet.”

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Ruth attributes her success to a supporting husband and employees. “When you employ the right people and properly compensate them, they will perform to the best of their ability. My husband has always been there for me when I was taking the risks, she said.
Ruth has bigger plans for the future – one of which is the upgrade of her fleet to 19-seater Twin Otters to service other parts of PNG. This will mean the upgrade of the airline’s operating license.
Ruth also owns a construction company, Kana Construction, in Port Moresby, while her husband Ron operates an insurance company.
Ruth committed K1 million as seed capital to Ialibu-Pangia Mama Halipim Mama Financial Services to help them venture into agriculture and start-up small business to sustain their livelihood.
Rarely will you find people like Ruth, who generously gives back something worth K1 million back to the community. As a woman growing up in the village and seeing the struggles and hardships of her mother and other women faced in the community, she was inspired to contribute something profitable back to her people.
Her Husband Roxon Undi and her family and relatives were shocked to hear her K1 million contribution to the Mama Halipim Mama Financial Services.
“For me, the sky is the limit. I will tell my story once I have achieved everything that I have dreamt,” Ruth said.

Go to this link for more: https://www.pngfacts.com/news/ruth-first-papua-new-guinean-woman-to-own-planes 

Late Iambakey Okuk's Family in USA

Post on facebook page- The Informationist

PNG's "most colorful and controversial politician" Sir Iambakey Okuk died in 1986 but his legacy will live forever throughout ages.
Okuk was a popular political figure in PNG. Described by many as the man with 7 brains, his name lives forever in the history books of this great nation.
Okuk was the mastermind behind what is now the Air Niugini Airlines, the famous highlands highway, RamuAgriSugar and a few other Orginazations still existing today.
Iambakey Okuk was one of the greatest minds and leader in PNG. He served as Deputy Prime Minister, the nation's first Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, and repeatedly in the capacity of Minister of Transport, Minister of Primary Industries and Opposition Leader. He is known as PNG's "most colorful and controversial politician".
Iambakey first led protests against unfair labor practices, and then once elected to office, worked to reserve sectors of the economy for citizens as a method of returning a complex economic role to Papua New Guineans.
In the post-independence decade, Iambakey built a coalition of minority political factions which forced the successful change of government, in which he became Deputy Prime Minister.
Okuk was raised in Mt Hagen but he contested elections in Wabag, Simbu, and then Ungai Bena in Eastern Highlands during his active years. This made him the most popular political figure in the history of PNG.
During his glory days, he married American Lecturer Lizabeth Ryder. Lizabeth is the mother of Okuk's last daughter( her only) Niki Okuk. Behind every successful man, there is always a strong woman and in this case Okuk gets all the glory but Lizabeth was the mastermind behind Okuk's political career.
Okuk was a smart talker, Lizabeth was a great thinker, together they had great plans and visions for PNG and worked together with the rest of our founding fathers.
If Okuk was still alive, this nation would have seen greater changes in terms of development. Lizabeth a very faithful Christian from USA was the advisor of her husband Okuk and they aimed for Prime Ministership. They planned to develop PNG into a greater nation. Unfortunately Okuk's life was short lived when he died from liver cancer in 1986. His legacy remains forever.
Lizabeth Ryder and daughter Niki Okuk left for US after Okuk's death. Lizabeth has never married. The 65 years old is presently a Lecturer at California State University in Los Angeles. She has been teaching in various State Universities in USA ever since.
Daughter Niki Okuk grew up in Los Angeles and majored in economics at Columbia University. After working in development with the office of Joseph Stiglitz and working in finance in Korea and Singapore, Okuk completed her MBA with Nanyang University in Singapore, including a sustainability certificate at Sloan School of Business at MIT.
She is currently working to create social and economic justice and worker dignity in California, USA. She believes that when workers own companies, the economy is more resilient. Her objective is to create more worker owned businesses in USA.
Niki Okuk founded Rco Tires in 2012. They've since recycled more than 300 million pounds of rubber, diverting 70 million gallons of oil from landfills with 16 employees, making it one of southern California's largest sustainability plants. Rco creates alternative uses for trash tires, turning them into new products. Because of Okuk's progressive hiring and management practices, it provides stable jobs for local black and Latino residents who struggle to find employment because of past criminal convictions or legal status.
Niki is a very proud Papua New Guinean breaking barriers and making headlines in the US. She travels all over the world but home town Kundiawa is her favourite destination. She often travels to PNG bringing gifts from USA to her Gembogolg people in Chimbu Province.
She recently visited PNG in October 2018 and before that was in September 2016.
Niki is an inspirational PNG women representing PNG at the world stage. She is touching the hearts and lives making differences in the lives of many individuals in America and Papuan New Guinea.

Go to this link for more: https://www.facebook.com/369941363590558/photos/a.370146063570088/413878942530133/?type=3&theater&ifg=1

Hela Wigmen to host a home game in Hela soon

By KEVIN TEME - Post Courier

It’s been a long time coming vision for Kroton Hela Wigmen to have its home games played in Hela Province next year.

Founding Chairman Andy Hetra revealed this in an email sent to this paper.

He said with the squad they carry this year, they are obviously building for a transition phase for the team return to Hela next year.

“Thanks to Hela Provincial Government, our field is currently under construction with bulk earth works. We were intended to return this year but construction was held back due to the natural disaster but work has recommenced,” Hetra said.

He thanked the PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) for being considerate and giving them the opportunity to be based in Port Moresby once again particularly for this year.

Hetra said this would be their second consecutive year to be based in Port Moresby and they are looking forward to hosting their first home game in Hela Province as soon as their venue is completed.

He is proud to also say that the Hela Wigmen recruits for this year was from local development programs . “We had district peace games in Koroba, Hela Province over the 2018 Christmas period where all districts in Hela turned up to participate. Fifty men were picked and after a possible versus possible side, it was trimmed down to a 25 men squad,” Hetra said.

He said the 25 men squad were in camp and trained for the Coca Cola Ipatas Cup in Mendi in January and early February in Wapenamanda and moved to Port Moresby.

“With the support of Ipwenz Construction, Kumul Petroleum Holdings and Hela Provincial Government, we brought the Hela based team to Port Moresby to play against three Hela teams from the three electorates of Port Moresby to filter out and to pick the best possible player,” Hetra said.

 Go to this link for more: https://postcourier.com.pg/hela-wigmen-host-home-game-hela-soon/