Gore lies about bribes, blames Arore for everything

Higher Education Minister and Sohe MP, Delilah Gore has  blatantly lied  in the media about payments made by her  ministry  to facilitate the vote of no confidence  against Gary Juffa.

Speaking  in a press conference yesterday,    Delilah Gore said  she  had no knowledge of the K17,000 payment that was  made to the Grand Papua  Hotel  for accommodation expenses in the days leading up the Gary Juffa’s removal as Oro Governor.  In the same breath,  she pointed the finger of blame at Ijivitari MP David Arore.

“My department is in the clear,”  she said. “I am not in any way involved contrary to what the Ivivitari MP, David Arore has claimed."

  But Gore’s statements come  a day after evidence was posted on  various news media websites  that showed payments made by the Ministry of Higher Education to  the Grand Papua  Hotel. Sources close to  Minister Gore  confirmed the legitimacy of the documents and the dates and  purpose of the payments.  

Yesterday,  Governor Juffa blasted Gore over the payments stating that the  K17,000 was used to accommodate  and pay local level government presidents who  plotted  the  vote of no confidence motion against  him.

In a desperate attempt not to offend Juffa or Arore, Delilah Gore maintained she remained  neutral in the turmoil despite her cozy  association with David Arore during   the vote of no confidence motion in Popondetta  days ago.

“My department has nothing to do with Oro politics and I want to clear our name in this.”

Governor Juffa meanwhile will be tendering those documents  to fraud investigators   in the coming days.

Drunk Arore abuses Gary Juffa on FM100 Talkback

In a highly  embarrassing twist  to the Oro province power struggle, a drunk Ijiviari MP,  David Arore, called in to Roger Hau’Ofa’s  Talkback show today   and screamed abuse at the Oro Governor, Gary Juffa while  millions of Papua New Guineans were tuned in. 

                One listener described  Arore’s conduct as both hilarious and disgraceful after  one member of the mob in the background was heard   using the “F” word.  

                Talk back host, Roger Hau’ofa  was also verbally abused by the Ijiviatri MP.  He was later forced to switch off  the  intoxicated member of parliament who “virtually screamed” at the radio host and the governor.

                Without missing a beat, Gary Jufa,  said: “…and that is the kind of alternative that Oro people have.”

                It is also understood, the FM 100 signal was switched off in Popondetta from 10am onwards  with no clear explanation.

This post is dedicated to Ben Micah...

 ...Chief of staff of the Prime Minister's Department.  Ben, mate, you're in dream world.  How can you stop what's happening around you? If you really want the support of Papua New Guineans, don't mess with out constitutional freedoms.  Just take it on the chin and work it out.  This is the critic's message to you. You're dealing with a whole new generation. It's a whole new ball game. 

By the way, what happened to the radical Ben Micah from the University days? What happened to him? 

Dear Peter Sharp...

For the killing of deaths of innocent children MV Rabaul Queen...

For the families who now  have no fathers or mothers...

For the Papua New Guineans who lost their loved ones... 

For violating the laws of my country...  

Family album

We're exxon Mobil... like Shell, we cause the world's biggest disasters

Who really wants power?

Mutiny leader, please get out of the commander's chair!

Rimbunan Hijau sues Papua New Guinean Newspaper

Tiong - RH boss

Source: the National Newspaper http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/25308
Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Group is suing the Post-Courier for defamation over the Pomio land situation which involves one of its subsidia­ries, the logging company Gilford Ltd.
A writ of summons was served to the Post-Courier on Tuesday naming South Pacific Post Ltd as the first defendant and reporter John Pangkatana as second defendant
Private lawyer Michael Wilson, of Warner Shand Lawyers, said the newspaper company had already received the court documents.
Warner Shand Lawyers also issued a press statement yesterday saying: “We act for Rimbunan Hijau Group … we have issued procee­dings for defamation against the Post-Courier for the continuous publication of a statement that the RH Group was in contempt of a court order in relation to the operations at the oil palm project in the Pomio district.
“The purpose of this letter is a similar complaint about the article by Grace Tiden on the front page of the Post-Courier yesterday titled “SABL leases flawed – Wo­men shocked, all agreements defective”.
“We say that the headline is manifestly wrong, presumptive and sub-judice. It is an invention. Nowhere in the report (pages 1 and 5) is there any finding by the commission as to the fact that the SABL is flawed.
“The Commission of Inquiry is still proceeding and has not concluded yet. However, the Post-Courier has chosen to make a finding on its own pre-empting the Commission of Inquiry and the defamation proceedings before the court.
“The Post-Courier has never let the process of the Commission of Inquiry into SABL to take its normal course of event.
“In this regard, the Post-Courier has published more than 15 headlines similarly pre-empting the process of the inquiry and the litigation before the court. There has never been any court order restraining the oil palm pro­ject in the Pomio district.
“The Post-Courier, how­ever, has continuously made an allegation that there is such a court order and in this regard a defamation proceeding has been served on the Post-Courier on Tuesday (Nov 8).
“In this case, we note that the Post-Courier was defen­ded by Blake Dawson Lawyers but we are now advised that they are no longer acting.
“What does this mean? Has no other lawyers been appointed? Does it mean that the Post-Courier are acting for themselves or indeed that they have conceded? 
“The Post-Courier has subjected the Rimbunan Hijau Group to a trial by media before the court of public opi­nion. There are a total of about five million hectares of land that are currently alienated under a study undertaken by a professor from the Australian National University.
“The Pomio project is only about 60,000 hectares. Why is Gilford, a subsidiary of Rimbunan Hijau being targeted?
“It is a question that can only be answered by Post-Courier,” the RH has said through its lawyers, Warner Shand.

WHAT THE HELL IS LUTHER WENGE DOING?

Police in Papua New Guinea say life is returning to normal in the city of Lae, on the country's north coast, after several days of violent riots.

Over the weekend mobs of local youths looted and burned homes and businesses belonging to settlers from other parts of the country.

At least two people died in the violence, but the death toll is expected to rise as the dust settles.

One man was shot and killed by police who say he was threatening officers with a homemade gun, while the body of another man was found in the burnt ruins of a house.

Police reinforcements were flown in over the weekend and Assistant Commissioner Giossi Labi says they now have the situation under control.

"Banks, markets, all the shops are opening except the schools, but hopefully this week the schools will be back to normal," he said.

There were rumours that Lae's water supply had been contaminated, but a spokesman from Water PNG says tests have shown no sign of contamination.

Earlier, the government warned it may have to declare a state of emergency.

MOROBE GOVERNOR, LUTHER WENGE - SONGANG BLO MAUSWARA

Growing lawlessness

Ironically the rioting was sparked by youths concerned at the city's growing lawlessness.

It began last Thursday when a group of local youths gathered to present a petition to the provincial government.

They were concerned by a perceived increase in crime, particularly at Eriku, one of the city's main markets and public transport hubs.

The youths blamed people who have moved to the city from the Highlands and set up camp in Lae's many squatter settlements.

Lae has a reputation for being one of PNG's roughest cities, but even long-time residents like Meck Minnala say they have never felt so scared.

"The rioting was big. They were throwing stones at each other even in the restaurants of Lae," he said.

"A stone penetrated my window. They were wanting just about anything and everything. They went on a rampage bringing the whole city to a halt."

Mr Minnala says many residents share the rioters' concerns about crime at Eriku.

"Daylight robberies, pickpockets... and there were two rapes in which one was a 13-year-old girl," he said.

"She was going to school and raped early in the morning and there was another rape again just in broad daylight at Eriku.

"It just has been going on and nobody has been paying attention to it."

PNG PM ORDERS SALE OF GOVERNMENT JET

PNG PM orders sale of executive Falcon jet

In one of the first major decisions made by the new Papua New Guinea Government, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has ordered the immediate sale of the Executive Falcon Jet, bought by the former Somare/Temu government.

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 PORT MORESBY, PNG  (NBC News) --- In one of the first major decisions made by the new Papua New Guinea Government, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has ordered the immediate sale of the Executive Falcon Jet, bought by the former Somare/Temu government. NBC News reports the executive jet was purchased for K120 million (US$53.3 million) and cost K22 million (US$9.2 million) to maintain and operate annually. O'Neil said the aircraft was too costly to operate and does not benefit everyone. Instead, monies used for this purpose should be diverted for vital services in health, education and transport infrastructure, which will directly benefit the people. Prime Minister O’Neill announced the sale of the executive jet in his inaugural speech. He has directed the management of Air Niugini to put the aircraft up for sale. The new O'Neil/Namah government has put in place a number of development objectives it wants to achieve in the remaining ten months. Government will implement cost cutting measures in a number of least priority areas. First on the agenda, according to PM O’Neill will be the restoration of run-down education and health facilities, rehabilitation of major national highways around the country and the introduction of free education from elementary to grade 10 in 2012. A new alternate national port will be developed in the Gulf province whilst fast-tracking the Lae port development. The Prime Minister said Jacksons and Nazab airports will also be extended, and a new initiative will be launched to establish maritime transportation for all maritime provinces. This, he said will replace the controversial border development authority, which reportedly misused millions of Kina in public funds. On the ambitious Liquefied Natural Gas project, O'Neil said the government will play its part to speed up the development both in the Southern Highlands and the Gulf provinces.

Nonggorr: Both regimes at fault

Source: 

The National - Friday, August 5th 2011

 THE actions of both the in-coming government and the out-going one are in breach of the Constitution, a leading constitutional lawyer said yesterday.
Prof John Nonggorr blamed this on the “unbridled greed of politicians” acting in their own interest rather than that of the people and the country.
He described Tuesday’s election of a new prime minister as a “sad day in our history”.
Nonggorr said: “We, today, have an illegitimate government. The purported election is unconstitutional.
“Sir Michael Somare remains the prime minister.
“In his absence, due to ill-health, Sam Abal is the acting prime minister. The office of prime minister is not vacant by operation of the Constitution.
“How can parliament elect a prime minister when there is no vacancy?
“While Sir Michael has not resigned and parliament has not voted, on the advice of  two doctors coming through the governor-general, to remove Sir Michael, this purported election cannot be based on a vacancy in the office of prime minister,” Nonggorr said.
“There has not been a vote of no-confidence, which will require at least seven days’ notice and other procedures to be followed. Indeed, the period for a vote of no-confidence ought to be properly brought against a government to remove a prime minister, and for a new prime minister to be elected, expires on Aug 5 – today.
“What the members of parliament have done is a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
“Has the parliament now become so disgraceful that no one follows any rules and shows decency anymore?
“The speaker has let the country down for a very long time. This is the final straw.”
Nonggorr also attacked the immediate past government headed by Abal.
“The government that Abal was leading acted unconstitutionally as well. If that government was following the law, especially the Constitution, two doctors should have been appointed as soon as it was known that Sir Michael was undergoing heart surgery.
“That is what the law expects. Instead, the government has been pussy-footing around for more than three  months.
“If the law was followed, parliament should have voted to stand down Sir Michael already.
“But, two wrongs do not make a right. The opposition cannot do what is unconstitutional – they are as bad and disgraceful as the people they are attempting to get rid of.”
Nonggorr said the entire process of engaging Dr Isi Kevau to provide a medical report was not stipulated in law and was a “complete waste of time”.
“All these MPs should be ashamed of themselves. They are doing this for control of the money that is coming into the country before the elections. They want to control it, use it, abuse it, corrupt it. It is all about themselves. And, who suffers? PNG.
“For those observers outside of PNG, there are many decent, hard-working, law-abiding and intelligent Papua New Guineans who detest these types of behaviour displayed by so-called members of parliament.
“These MPs do not represent de cent Papua New Guineans and we are all ashamed of their behaviour and angry about the way they are playing their dirty games while the majority of our people are suffering.”
Nonggorr is the second senior lawyer this week to condemn Tuesday’s election in parliament as unconstitutional.
Peter Donigi expressed similar sentiments on Tuesday.

WILL THE REAL AG PLEASE STAND UP

Sir Arnold Amet filed a supreme court reference on the question of the election of the PNG Prime Minster, and the Supreme court throws out the application because he filed as the Atorney General when technically he is no longer the Attorney General. SO WILL THE REAL A.G PLEASE STAND UP.

PRIME MINISTER O'NEILL... REMEMBER NPF?

DOGGY PREFERS K50s ONLY.

IITS ALL BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION

Tamate awaits official notice

Tamate awaits official notice

By JULIA DAIA BORE

ACTING Public Prosecutor Jim Wala Tamate is still waiting for an official notice to be served on him over his reported removal from office, The National reports.

Tamate was allegedly sidelined by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) last week.

His removal had brought mixed reactions from throughout PNG because he was instrumental in referring Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to a leadership tribunal over misconduct in office allegations.

Tamate told The National yesterday that he had not been officially informed of his sidelining by the authorities.

He became aware of the move though the media last weekend, and would await an official notification before stepping aside.

Acknowledging the commission for appointing him in an acting position for the last two years, Tamate said he was satisfied that he had successfully implemented a department white paper decision to make the office of the public prosecutor autonomous.

He said through this implementation process, the public prosecutor’s office had become a self-accounting unit separated from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

His biggest satisfaction, the last two years, was in ensuring the smooth running of the office in prosecuting many criminal cases that the office was charged with performing.

Tamate said the division tasked with matters relating to proceeds of crimes had also been very effective in the last two years, netting more than K10 million.

The money had been put back into the national government’s consolidated revenue.

“During my term, we have reached full autonomy. I have brought about integrity and improved work performance within the office of the public prosecutor, for which I am happy and thank God that the office is now geared towards delivering services to our people.

“I have no regrets for what I have done during my term here,” Tamate said.

Both Tamate and his reported replacement and one of two deputy public prosecutors, Camillus Sambua, had not been officially informed of the JLSC decision.

OPPOSITION SAYS BIG DON IS STILL TOP DOG NUMBER TWO...

BUT WE SAY...

Source: Post Courier 
MEMBER for Kandep Don Polye could still be the Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.
This brings to question whether former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration and Member for Wabag Sam Abal’s swearing in as DPM by the Acting Governor General Paul Tiensten after his appointment by the National Executive Council was in order.
The Opposition at a press conference yesterday said the Cabinet continue to manipulate parliamentary process breaching the Constitution along the way erroneously to satisfy their interest.
It was revealed the House Speaker Jeffery Nape was in the country and not away in Cairns as claimed by the government finding that as an excuse to appoint their own man to officiate at the swearing-in ceremony.
The Opposition Leader Sir Mekere Morauta, his deputy Bart Philemon and MP for Abau Sir Puka Temu said the flaunting of parliamentary traditions expressed through the Standing Orders as well as the underlying Constitution of PNG was very clear.

THE COURT GIVES SOMARE TIME TO THINK THINGS THROUGH

PNG's SOMARE STEPS DOWN

Papua New Guinea's long-standing prime minister, Michael Somare, has temporarily stood down from his job to fight misconduct charges after a week of political turmoil in the resource-rich Pacific nation.Somare issued a brief statement today, saying he had voluntarily stepped aside so a tribunal could hear misconduct charges alleging he had failed to lodge annual financial statements during the 1990s.The move follows a cabinet reshuffle a week ago, and a court ruling that parliament must sit by late January to properly re-appoint the country's governor-general, Paulius Matane.

The political uncertainty is not expected to affect mining or exploration activities, and comes less than a fortnight after Somare led a mining seminar in Australia to promote foreign investment in his country's resources sector. Somare last week dumped his deputy prime minister, Don Poyle, in favour of close ally and foreign minister Sam Abal, who will now fill in as prime minister and hand the job back to Somare if he is cleared of the charges.

When parliament reconvenes, Somare could face a possible no-confidence motion mounted by opposition lawmakers.Papua New Guinea is a mineral rich Pacific Islands nation of around 6.3 million people, with reserves of gold, copper, oil and gas. But it has struggled to exploit its resources due to corruption, land ownership issues and poor infrastructure. Somare, 74, has been prime minister for eight years.

THE OLD GUARD HAVE LOST IT!

Somare's lawyers to challenge report

Ilya Gridneff, AAP Papua New Guinea Correspondent

December 13, 2010 - 1:09PM

AAP

The political future of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare is hanging in the balance, with his lawyers heading to court on Monday in an attempt to head off a leadership tribunal which would force him to step down while it investigates misconduct allegations.

There is also speculation a disaffected Don Polye, who was dumped as deputy prime minister in a sudden cabinet reshuffle last week, may take his Highlands faction to the opposition's ranks in an attempt to topple the government via a vote of no-confidence.

Mr Polye's position is unclear but Sir Michael, who has survived numerous close shaves in his 40 years of politics, is facing possible suspension from office if a leadership tribunal goes ahead.

The prime minister's lawyers are expected in court on Monday afternoon to push for an injunction against the public prosecutor who last week announced Sir Michael must face a tribunal for alleged misconduct in office.

The legal team will argue the Ombudsman Commission failed to follow several procedures, effectively invalidating the commission's report into alleged improprieties regarding Sir Michael's listing of financial statements.

On Sunday night, Sir Michael made a televised address to the nation to clarify the allegations against him regarding failing to provide financial statements from as far back as 1993.

While Sir Michael did not deny the allegations he stressed they were administrative not criminal matters.

In what was a big week in PNG's unpredictable politics, the turmoil intensified on Friday afternoon when the Supreme Court ruled the June re-appointment of Sir Paulias Matane as governor-general was invalid.

The ruling declared PNG's parliament now must reconvene before January 20 to replace the governor-general.

The opposition is hoping this resitting of parliament will give it an opportunity for another vote of no confidence.However, two previous attempts this year have already be thwarted.

Friday's Supreme Court ruling also criticised Speaker Jeffery Nape, who has been key to the government's survival by allowing lengthy adjournments to stave off previous no-confidence votes.

Sir Paulias and Mr Nape, both on holidays, have been silent on the developments while PNG government officials have not indicated when parliament will reconvene.

© 2010 AAP