PNG Focus into Future

By DAVID DOM KUA - PNG Blogs

I qoute from Late Bill william Skate

"Autonomy is negotiable but Independence for Bougainville is over my dead body"

He is dead and gone but his wisdom is for the unification of PNG stands tall.

Papua New Guinea can move on to become federal states as a unified country as we move into the future. Such option is available and are far from over.

Independence will only create disunity and segregation in a multination state such as our country that's what is meant for us to uphold national unity at all times.

"One people, One Kantri and One nation."
Is the preamble of our constitution!

Let me recap the memories of PANGU PATI. It emerged in the bully beef club from like-minded leaders like Somare, Late John Guise, late Sir Albert KiKi, Sir Julius Chan, Fr John Momis and Late Bernard Narakobi and others who saw the common dream for PNG self Independence 45 years ago and consequently gave birth to our nations based on the fundamental principles of National Unity.

Sir Palus Matane described our nation as a Parliament of 10,000 tribes meaning our country is unique and is United in Diversity.

The abbreviation of the name PANGU initially means "Papua New Guinea United Pati."

So make no mistake from the wisdom of the living legends! Dead and living Instead we should progress our nation to a higher level of unification of politics for our common good thus greater autonomy for our provinces.

Go to this link for more: http://www.pngblogs.com/2019/11/png-focus-into-future.html

Oil Search's LNG expansion uncertain as Exxon rejects PNG's terms

By Angela Macdonald-Smith - Financial Review

Oil Search's year-end target for reaching a deal with the Papua New Guinea government – so that work can proceed on a planned $US14 billion ($20 billion) expansion of liquefied natural gas – is uncertain after the parties failed to agree on terms or even the state of the negotiations.

PNG petroleum minister Kerenga Kua released a statement on Friday expressing "disappointment" with the progress of talks after ExxonMobil, the lead partner in the LNG venture, "refused to consider the state's proposed terms".

Mr Kua said the proposed terms, which were not disclosed, are "based on international best practice". They are understood to involve a higher tax rate and a more onerous domestic gas requirement than under a similar earlier deal for the separate but related Papua LNG project.

But ExxonMobil said the discussions with the PNG government to complete were continuing. "An agreement is needed before decisions can be made regarding front-end engineering and design for the three-train development at the PNG LNG plant site," an ExxonMobil spokesperson said.

Exxon, French major Total and Oil Search need to reach an agreement on the fiscal and other terms related to the development of the P'nyang gas field to proceed with the LNG expansion. The earlier deal for Papua LNG was struck under the former government of Peter O'Neill, while the new government, led by James Marape, has taken a much tougher line on resource development, demanding that more benefits flow to the PNG economy and local communities.

The partners need the second deal to be tied up before they can proceed with engineering work on the three-train expansion, which involves both Papua LNG and the expansion of the existing PNG LNG project, fed by the P'nyang field.

Credit Suisse analyst Saul Kavonic told clients the statement supported his view that the PNG government was seeking "much tougher" terms on P'nyang than for Papua LNG.

That risks prolonging negotiations, delaying engineering work and potentially putting the final investment decision at risk for the whole project, which he calculates is worth $2.40 a share for Oil Search.

Shares in Oil Search dipped when the statement was released, but still closed up 1.1 per cent at $7.24 on Friday. Neither Exxon nor Oil Search would immediately comment.

Revenues 'critical'
Mr Kua described the P'nyang field as the last significant LNG opportunity in PNG, and said the revenues from development were, hence, critical for the nation.

He said the team negotiating the deal on behalf of PNG had carried out "extensive" preparatory work to draft terms in line with international standards to ensure a good deal for the PNG people. The revenues would be used for infrastructure, health and education.

"It is disappointing Exxon has refused to even consider these terms and we urge them to reconsider their position," Mr Kua said. According to a source familiar with the situation on the PNG side, Exxon has sought to table its own proposed agreement as the starting point for discussions.

Mr Kua said that while the negotiating team was committed to working with international oil companies to develop PNG's natural resources as quickly as possible to support the development of PNG, "our resources cannot become money‐making machines for oil companies at the expense of the nation".

Oil Search's outgoing managing director Peter Botten has previously underscored the importance of a timely agreement on the gas development so that the LNG expansion doesn't miss a market "window" for new demand expected to emerge mid next decade.

The timing of the expansion has already been delayed by many months owing to the difficulty of the negotiations, particularly after the change of government.

Mr Kua said the terms PNG proposed were comparative to those for oil and gas projects in Indonesia and Malaysia.

“We have asked Exxon to be transparent about their costs and intentions with P’nyang, so we can move forward with negotiations and secure a deal that is beneficial for PNG and project partners,” the minister said.

Go to this link for more: https://www.afr.com/companies/energy/oil-search-lng-expansion-in-peril-as-exxon-rejects-png-s-terms-20191122-p53d5w

Somare calls for wise, calm decision

Posted on The National

GRAND Chief Sir Michael Somare has urged Bougainvileans to vote wisely from tomorrow in the referendum which will decide their future.
“For many Papua New Guineans, (in) Bougainville and elsewhere in our beautiful country, the act of the referendum represents a sad event in our history following the gaining of full independence for the nation in 1975,” he said in a statement.

Maggie Tsidaori from Lower Siangnari Ward, South Nasioi, Central Bougainville, finishing house to house polling and scrutiny awareness as part of the Bougainville Referendum Commission voter information programme. – Picture courtesy of BRC

The two-week polling begins tomorrow (Nov 23) and ends on Dec 7. The return of writs is scheduled for Dec 20.
The voters will pick one of two options: Greater Autonomy or Independence.
“As the founding prime minister of this nation, I call on the people of Bougainville to be guided by their inner wisdom in the vote for independence or full autonomy for Bougainville,” he said.
“This is the outcome of the peace agreement that was signed to formally end the Bougainville conflict, to restore peace to the nation and to forge new pathways for improved prosperity and living conditions for our people.
“The Bougainville conflict was the price we paid for issues that were never satisfactorily addressed in relation to the Bougainville copper mine.
“The mine was a key source of revenue for the government and people of this country for many years.
“Unfortunately, there was much concern, particularly in Bougainville, that the benefits of mining were not being shared in an equitable way.”
He said the problem “continues to confront leaders of this nation to this day, as can be seen with unresolved issues (at the) Porgera gold mine and the PNG LNG Project”.
“As the founding father who has visited some of the remotest parts of our country in every province, I am keenly aware of the disparities that exist and continue to be inadequately addressed by national, provincial and local level governments,” he said.
“As Bougainvilleans make their voices heard in the referendum, it is my hope that PNG remains united and free in the aftermath of this historic poll.”
He said the country had remained united for more than 40 years which was an achievement in itself.
“So it with heavy hearts that the rest of our country awaits the decision that the people of Bougainville will be taking in the next couple of days.”

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/somare-calls-for-wise-calm-decision/

Oil Search lauds Orchids, Kumuls for historic wins

Posted on The National

OIL Search congratulated the Papua New Guinea Orchids and Kumuls for their respective historic wins against the England and Great Britain Lions over the weekend.
“We are proud to have been the sponsor of the Orchids since the team began, and proudly continue our support for the national women’s team,” said Oil Search PNG country chairman Gerea Aopi.
“At Oil Search, we are committed to empowering women throughout PNG. We are honoured to support the team and are delighted about their victory.”
He also thanked the coaching staff, PNG Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) and other sponsors for supporting the Orchids leading up to the win.
Oil Search have been the inaugural sponsor of rugby league since the launch of the national women’s team in August 2017, just months before the Women’s Rugby League World cup in Sydney, Australia.
During the 2017 launch, managing director Peter Botten pointed out Oil Search’s strong advocacy for ending violence against women in PNG.
Oil Search and the Oil Search Foundation strive to use rugby league as a catalyst to drive positive change for women across the country.
“PNG is a proud rugby league-playing nation. As a proud PNG company, we are delighted to be a part of promoting PNG and the amazing talent it produces,” Botten said.
Aopi said: “Our faith and commitment to the Orchids is there and we are proud of their performance, and for scoring their first ever win in just over two years — a great victory.”
Whilst the women’s game has been played in various capacities since the early 1970s, it was never properly organised nor recognised as a formal competition until February 2014 when the PNGRFL board formally ratified it to recognise, incorporate and sanction the women’s rugby league programme into the national rugby league structure.
Oil Search has a three-year sponsorship with the PNGRFL for the Orchids.
History — The Oil Search PNG Orchids

• Oil Search PNG Orchids launched in August 2017;
• played first test match against Australia in September 2017 in Port Moresby. Lost 42-14;
• won their warm-up match ahead of RLWC2017 30-6 against Far North Queensland All Stars in Innisfail, near Cairns;
• played in RLWC2017 in Sydney in November 2017. Lost to England (36-8), Canada (22-8) and New Zealand (38-0);
  2018
• last year, didn’t play any test matches but played an international against the Australian Prime Minister’s 13 and a trial match against Brisbane Broncos. Lost both
• this year, played in the mid-season Pacific Test against Fiji Bulikula for the first time. Lost 28-0 against a Fiji team comprising mostly Australia and New Zealand-based players;
• won silver at the inaugural women’s rugby league 9s tournament at the Pacific Games in Samoa in July 2019 (Fiji won gold; Cook Islands won bronze). A big confidence boost for many of the current players;
• lost to Brisbane Broncos in a trial match in Port Moresby in August 2019;
• played in the inaugural Rugby League World Cup 9s in Sydney in October 2019. Lost tough pool matches against England, New Zealand and Australia and,
• Played first test against England in Goroka last week. Lost 24-10. Saturday’s match was the second test in that series.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/oil-search-lauds-orchids-kumuls-for-historic-wins/

Orchids skipper one of Golden Boot award finalists

By JACK AMI - The National

ORCHIDS captain Elsie Albert was one of the three finalists for the International Rugby League women’s Golden Boot Award, which was won by St George Illawarra Dragons’ Jessica Sergis.
Albert played at the 2017 World Cup in Sydney. She also played the Jillaroos in Port Moresby and two tests against England in PNG.
She replaced second-rower Carol Humeu as the captain of the team for the two-test series. They lost the first test 10-24 in Goroka before bouncing back a week later with a 20-16 win in Port Moresby.
PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka said he was surprised when he had learned of Albert’s shortlisting for the award.
“This is very interesting news. Since Albert’s appointment as skipper, she has lifted her game to be an enforcer for the Orchids,” he said.
Tsaka said this indicated that the national teams made strides under the sport’s world governing body.
“This paves the pathway for our women to reach the standard set by the Kumuls,” Tsaka said.
“We’re developing the women’s code which is important for the country in terms of gender equality. This is just the start of good things to come and we will be right up there among the top teams in the future.”
Coach Bagelo Solien also commended Albert.
“Our players ever get recognised for such an award. It shows that our development pathways are going from strength to strength,” he said.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/orchids-skipper-one-of-golden-boot-award-finalists/

PNG improves rankings

Posted by The National 

PAPUA New Guinea are the big movers in the men’s and women’s rugby league world rankings.

The Kumuls have been recognised for their progress in the past 12 months, which culminated in the weekend’s 28-10 defeat of Great Britain, which vaulted them from 10th to sixth place.
The Orchids, who won their Test against England in Port Moresby last Saturday, climbed from sixth position to fourth.
Kumuls coach Michael Marum sees the rise up the rankings as a natural part of their journey, saying: “PNG climbing from 10th to sixth spot is really good for us. We can only go higher with more international fixtures.”
Orchids coach Bagelo Solien said: “Going up two spots from sixth to fourth is pleasing after two test matches and we can only get better from here. It is good for the women’s game nationally and internationally.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand have usurped Australia as the top nation in the International Rugby League world rankings after the conclusion of the 2019 season.
The Kiwis have built on their 2018 wins over Australia and England and their recent 2-0 series defeat of Great Britain and victory in the mid-season Oceania Cup Test against Tonga to take the top position from the Kangaroos despite losing to them in Wollongong last month.
Since winning the 2017 World Cup final, Australia have only played four Tests — winning two and losing two.
Tonga remain in fourth spot but their historic triumph against the second-placed Kangaroos earlier this month has closed the gap on England, who now sit in third place in the world ranking.
IRL chief executive officer Nigel Wood congratulated the countries on the rise.
“Firstly, I would like to congratulate New Zealand on achieving their number one position. It is fully deserved based upon their recent excellent performances with four wins from their last five international games,” he said.
“Tonga has possibly been the story of the recent internationals and they deserve all the plaudits that they have received.
“They have certainly cemented their place as a genuine top four-nation and, along with other Pacific nations, throws the competition wide open for Rugby League World Cup 2021.” – NRL

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/png-improves-rankings/

Court to decide Hela regional recount

Posted by Post Courier

People of will know whether an initial order for a recount of ballot papers for the regional seat by the National Court will proceed to counting or a current Supreme Court review on that decision will go before a full bench of the high court. That was the indication by a one-person bench of the Supreme Court Justice Teresa Berrigan on Tuesday. 
This followed the hearing of two applications, one by the petitioner Francis Potape to dismiss the review for want of prosecution and another by the respondent and incumbent Governor Philip Undialu to vary or set aside the orders of another Supreme Court that ordered for the review book to be ready by last month, that is October 28. 
Lawyers for the parties, Paul Othas for Francis Potape, Gileng Goiye for Governor Philip Undialu and Alice Kimbu for the Electoral Commission spent almost half a day arguing their case before Justice Berrigan. 
Mr Othas submitted that the applicants had failed to comply with a Supreme Court order made on October 14 for the review book to be ready by October 28. 
“It is not only non-compliance of the rules but of a court order, they have no evidence to show compliance, filing and service as per the order nor have they set aside, varied or discharged the orders of the 14th…. The review must be dismissed for want of prosecution.” 
Goiye and Kimbu in rebuttal argued that there was no deliberate delay on their part and that the orders by the Supreme Court on October 14 were taken out on an exparte basis. They also highlighted to the court that there was another Supreme Court review involving the same parties that is awaiting a decision for amalgamation and a transcript that must be included in the review book. 
And in their application to vary and set aside the October 14 orders, Goiye submitted that the court had powers to do that and also make an additional order for the court reporting section to provide the transcript of the leave application before the Chief Justice.

Go to this link for more: https://postcourier.com.pg/court-to-decide-hela-regional-recount/