New Ireland Completes Election for LLG Presidents

New Ireland Province is the first in the country to complete its LLG Elections with the last two LLG's Murat and Nimamar swearing in their Presidents on Friday 9th August.

The confirmed President's are as follows:

Kavieng District

Lavongai LLG – Mathew Makapa

Tikana LLG – Sammy Missen

Kavieng Urban – Sikal Kelep

Murat LLG – Edwin Maigen

Namatanai District

Tanir LLG – Felix Kaltubim

Konoagil – Issac Tosel

Matalai – Augustine Topi

Namatanai – Joshua Takin

Nimamar LLG – Stanley Tunut

Sentral NIU Ailan – Ben Sakbua

Attending the swearing in of the Murat LLG President in Kavieng, Governor Sir Julius praised the work of the Provincial Election Steering Committee led by Provincial Administrator Lamiller Pawut, Acting District Administrator David Lens, Autonomy Director Ricky Fugonto and Director for Legislative and Executive services Ao Ure.

( l to r )  Ricky Fugonto, Ao Ure, David Lens,  

Lamiller Pawut and r Sir Julius Chan.

Sir Julius also commended CEO's and Directors of the New Ireland Government for going beyond their job descriptions and taking part in the running of the Elections.

"We do things not because it is easy, but because it is difficult. We have proven to the rest of PNG that we can run one day polling successfully, on time and on a budget of half a million. I applaud you all for making these elections a success. You can be proud that you did it during your time," said Sir J.

The New Ireland Province is now aiming to replicate the one-day style polling during the 2022 National Elections.

At the same time the NIPG is adamant on taking up the responsibility to update the common rolls to stop occurrences of names missing during future Elections.

Sir J called on all the newly elected presidents to play leading roles at the LLG level along with all the Ward Members so service delivery can be felt in the community.

The New Ireland Government has allocated K200, 000 for all Local Level Government's and a further K30, 000 to individual wards with the exception of Tanir, Konoagil, Mussau and Lavongai who will receive K40, 000 because of their Geographical locations. This goes in line with the NIPG's policy of " The further you are the more we care."

The New Ireland Government is spearheading a number of High Impact projects through out the Province this includes the Unity Trans Island road, which will be officially opened on the 15th of August. Work on the 32 km Mussau ring road is progressing with its completion set for December and there are road works on the West Coast Kabunut to Palabong road and on Tanir.

Sir J also reaffirmed his vision of turning Boliu High School into a secondary school, which would allow for Seventh Day Adventists from other provinces to attend.

" To Govern is to choose, and the wealth of the people must be in the hands of the people," said Sir J when explaining that his Government had now engaged a Robin Hood style of leadership to take back funding from the National Government and hand it back to the people, thus the mission for Greater Autonomy.

 -New Ireland Provincial Government Media

Government to address issues of unattached officers on pay roll

Govt to address issue of Unattached officers on pay –roll 

The Minister for Public Service Honourable Westly Nukundi Nukundj has initiated the process of fixing the ongoing issue of Pay Roll over –run that has been a concern for past and present Governments. Last Friday (26 July 2019) the Minister demanded answers from the management team of the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) regarding positions and pay for all government departments and state services agencies.

He said the government’s biggest worry is that there are 6070 plus unattached officers on government pay roll and that amounts to 260 to 270 million kina every year.

“We want to find out where the cause is. What the Government aims to achieve is that one person gets paid for doing one job for one position(PPP). The Government is emphasising on the PPP concept, that is what we want to achieve”, said the Minister.

The Minister said it was not as if the Government is trying to cut down on the number of public servants however, it is seeking answers as to why we have unattached officers and in which particular departments and agencies. And if they are not participating in effective service delivery, why are we still keeping them on pay roll.

“I want the management team to furnish the following information before close of business of Monday the 29th of July 2019. A list of all unattached officers who are on government payroll in all departments, provincial governments and State Services Agencies,” said the Minister in a memo.

Minister Nukundj said all this information should be categorised into those that are over the age of 60 and due for retirement and those that have been suspended for over 3 months.

“There are also instances where two or more people are being employed under one position and that is another category. It should also be categorised into those who have been medically unfit for over 3 months and the number of positions approved against current numbers employed, “said the Minister.

Minister Nukundj also wanted to know the number of new recruits in government departments and agencies not on government payroll.

He said the Government was not necessarily trying to reduce cost but rather establish a number that is effectively performing its duties against a position that the government pays.


He asked DPM to furnish this information for all the different categories for each department and state services agency.

Parliament to ratify wreck removal convention

Parliament has to ratify the Nairobi Convention on wreck removal.

This would give the National Maritime Safety Authority more power to compel shipping organizations dispose off their wreckage parked around shores and rusting away.

These wreckage are maritime environment safety hazards for everyone.

The Wreck Removal Convention was adopted at an International Maritime Organisation Diplomatic Conference in Nairobi in 2007 and entered into force on 14 April 2015.

Executive Manager on Maritime Administration Captain Graham Proud said until that is done, shipping organization can make their tasks daunting.

“You just got to keep pushing it,” he said.

“We are working on legislations, it’s called the Nairobi convention and that enables us to ensure that the ship owners dispose off their wreckage properly.”

“We are going through that process now.”

So far their registrar through their environment division is developing a registry of the wrecked vessels, taking photographs and noting who the owners are.

“There’s 48 on the list so far,” he said.

NMSA ensures that before disposal, the ships are environmentally free in that there is no oil on board and then they tow them out to deep sea.

“They pay a bit of money,” he said and further clarified it was like running a car and if it stops working forever, anyone who owns it had the responsibility to move the car to a car wreckers place.

Captain Graham had been in the shipping business for 28 years before he arrived in PNG in 2000.

PNGDF soldier to study in the United States

Twenty-two year old Gareitz Rapola is the first Papua New Guinean to be a candidate in one of United States high ranking military service academies.

United States ambassador to PNG Catherine Ebert-Gray did the honour of presenting scholarship documents to Rapola at the National Museum in Port Moresby.

PNGDF Cadet (centre) Gareitz Rapola holding the baseball
cap and his scholarship certificates with US Ambassador
Catherin Ebert-Gray

He flies out of PNG a day later for a four year scholarship at the West Point service military-one of the oldest service militaries established by former US President Thomas Jefferson in 1802 and located along the Hudson River in New York.

“This is one of the first we’ve provided scholarship to in one of the service militaries,” Ambassador Ebert-Gray said.

In presenting the scholarship certificates she explained: “This certificate represents the future of our military relationship and the future of Papua New Guinea’s continuous development and excellence in security and in many other ways that our nation will be bonded for a generation or two to come.”

She also presented to Rapola his first baseball cap.

He is expected to graduate in 2023 with a Bachelors Degree after taking a curriculum that grades cadets' performance upon a broad academic program, military leadership performance, and mandatory participation in competitive athletics.

A soft spoken Rapola told the media it meant so much-something he didn’t dream about.

His father Colonel Nelson Rapola is the commanding officer for the 2RPIR based in Wewak.

He flew in from Wewak together with his wife to witness their son’s official announcement of the military scholarship.

Young Rapola completed grade 12 at Jubilee Catholic Secondary School in 2016 and was selected to do a course in Information Technology at the Institute of Business Studies University but turned it down and he joined the PNGDF as a cadet.

Ambassador Ebert-Gray said it’s very competitive to get into West Point as thousands and thousands of applications come from within and outside of the United States and only 1300 are selected every year.

“It’s going to be quite a long a great experience for him in the United States,” she said.

PNGDF Chief of Staff Captain Philip Polewara was on hand on behalf of PNGDF Commander Gilbert Toropo who was on an official trip overseas.

US Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray making her comments
as PNGDF Chief of Staff Cpt. Philip Polewara look on

He commended Rapola and already giving him peep talks on how to succeed in his military scholarship as he did training in the US as well.

Rapola was selected based on his academic, civic, military, and athletic history and he was successful among 34 highly qualified and competitive PNGDF applicants.

Big data for Papua New Guinea

Andrew Alex (left) and Benjamin Sarim are not there posing for the camera for themselves. 

They are advertising agents for telco company Digital who during the weekend launched a promotion for big data where users can triple or double data for as little as K2 for two hours and have unlimited access to YouTube. 

Internet data affordability in PNG remains quite expensive in the Pacific and such rates are encouraging for consumers as digital access to data and information becomes popular. 

When we got their picture they were holding the promotion standing against a road sign at a round about in Port Moresby. 

They had four pairs of agents facing the four roads that converge at this round about near the Gordon police barracks.

Running constabulary as a business

BY MK VAMANAN NAIR

I understand that the recent article about running the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary as a “business” has generated many adverse and some positive comments.
 To the adverse comments generated I wish to humbly provide a clarification as my comments may be misunderstood.
 I must state clearly that I have never intended to or have charged the RPNGC any fees whatsoever at any time in my contribution to the constabulary. I am not in any way engaged or contracted by the RPNGC.
 Let me be clear that my assistance and input has solely been as a result of my love for police work and for the betterment of the RPNGC which I believe will benefit the people of this great nation.
 I also do not intend to provide any invoice in future or to charge a fee for my voluntary contribution to the constabulary. I
 have always considered all RPNGC officers as brother officers and RPNGC as a police family. Firstly, a policeman is always a policeman. At a very young age I was trained and grew with a premier law enforcement agency, the Singapore Police Force. It’s a zero tolerance organisation where everything is well structured and disciplined. Every officer is responsible and accountable for their actions. It’s about obtaining respect, confidence and trust in the Police Force with exemplary conduct and effective service delivery to the people and getting things done the first time right. There is also strict adherence to the practice and procedures to serve the people better, without fear or favour whilst being friendly but firm with their service delivery. Every citizen has paid for the professional services provided by the Police Force in various taxes and they are not required to pay any additional fee or charges for service they receive. It’s the duty of the Police Force to meet the expectations of the Government and serve the people who have every right to demand the service. This has made multicultural Singapore a safe place for its citizens, the international business community, tourists and every other person who intends to be in Singapore for one reason or the other. It is about a successful model for excellence in law enforcement service delivery. Running the police service as business is NOT about charging extra fees for service. I have not in anyway suggested that. It’s a public office and not a profit making entity. The profit in this instance is the best outcome the people of PNG receives from the Constabulary. This model is about making the entire constabulary accountable and responsible for their actions and to ensure the policing needs of the people are met. It’s about creating a model where all officers adhere to the law, policies, practices and orders to service the people better. It’s about managing their processes better so that their annual budgets can be better accounted and managed to be directed to essential services without careless expenditure. Mismanaged and misdirected funds can be channelled to more needful areas to improve service delivery more effectively. It’s about cost savings through proper people, process and cash flow management and making every officer responsible for their actions. Every cost saving, in the management of the resources in the constabulary means there are funds to better cater to the requirements of another area of police work. In essence, the whole Constabulary is judged by the conduct and behaviour of one individual officer. The Business Model will ensure that, just like any other business, the performance of the officers will be measured, monitored and the end results or outcomes are met. If expectations are not met, then officers can be managed and replaced for the benefit of the Constabulary. It’s about beginning with the end in mind so that we understand what the people want and to deliver effectively, within the law and with great efficiency as a service to the end user, the people. For instance, the 8th Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Honourable James Marape, has started from day one with the end in mind. He wants to make PNG a rich black Christian country. That is the end result, now we all have to work together to achieve that. All government businesses have to take ownership to deliver this dream. Efficiency starts with every individual understanding the work flow, people flow and cash flow of their individual work, departmental commitments and the goal of the entire constabulary. For example, if an officer is issued with a police vehicle, he or she will understand how to strictly handle it, maintain it, ensure it’s serviced on time, it’s kept working efficiently for the next user so that in case of an emergency the vehicle is ready to serve the people and to attend to their needs. If the vehicle is badly handled, not serviced and properly maintained, if it meets with an accident or has mechanical faults, then it cannot be used in an emergency to serve the people. It will also incur additional cost that has not been catered for in the budget. This means the money spent on this vehicle cannot be gainfully used to provide for another urgent requirement of the constabulary, therefore affecting service excellence. The model will in-still responsibility and accountability to manage resources better. Therefore once the individual officer understands what his/her contribution is in this efficiency model, that will eventually affect the whole organisation’s performance. This initiative will be a living value to provide a working requirement that officers take ownership of, whilst understanding the risks and rewards in their career with the Constabulary. In conclusion, the idea was to in-still discipline and to bring about a paradigm shift in the way the constabulary operates and how it deliver service to its people.

Praim Minista James Marape i makim ol gavman minista

Niupela Praim Minista James Marape i makim pinis ol gavman minista husait bai wok aninit long kebinet blong em.

Dispela i bin kamap long Fraide namba seven dei bilong mun Jun long Gavman Haus.

Igat 33-pela olgeta na em yet i holim wok olsem Praim Minista.

Namba tu praim minista na tu minista blong jastis na atoni general em member blong Esa'ala Davis Steven.

Praim Minista i tok em i gat bilip long olgeta 33-pela minista long wanem ol igat save na wok eksperiens.

Praim Minista James Marape is sekan wantaim Australia PM 

Na em i makim tu sampela minista husait ino bin votim em olsem praim minista.

Wanpela bilong ol em Kerenga Kua husait i memba bilong Sinasina Yongomugl long Simbu provins.

Narapela minista em James Marape i makim tu em Bryan Kramer husait i memba bilong Madang.

Praim Minista i givim ol pinis sampela bikpela toktok long ol minista i mas mekim gut wok.

Long sait bilong forestri, em i laik gavman i no ken givim moa niupela laisens long ol kampani bilong narapela kantri na kantri bai no nap salim moa ol diwai yumi katim ino autsait.

Dispela bai i mas stat long narapela yia tasol.

Praim minista i tok ol i mas mekim igo kamap olsem timba na plaiwut na salim igo autsait.

PNG government Cabinet sworn in

Prime Minister James Marape's Cabinet is being sworn at Government House Konedobu in Port Moresby.

The first MPs name among the list to enter the building and take oaths is Esa'ala MP Steven Davis.

Among new names are West New Britain Governor Susindran Muthuvel, Sinasina Yongomugl MP Kerenga Kua, Madang MP Bryan Kramer, Dr Lino Tom and Finchaffhern MP Renbo Paita.

The other is Maprik MP John Simon. 

There was a cheer from the people who were at Government House to witness the swearing in when Bryan Kramer's name was called.

Prime Minister James Marape leaves
 government house at Konedobu after ministers
 were sworn in

We should know full Cabinet line up in few hours.

Prime Minister to make state of nation address

Prime Minister James Marape's first full work week began on Monday.

He has indeed wasted no time already getting the ball rolling.

With much accolades and calls or criticisms for his latest decisions, he’s set the queue engaging with his people directly on social media Facebook.

Previous Prime Ministers have not done that and most social media users hope Marape's communications would last during his term.

Marape has clarified from the outset since being sworn in, he would be communicating with people making announcements but may not answer directly on any query.

Yesterday morning he said consultations are taking place to gauze collective views on what must be done as far as development is concerned in all corners of the country.

He was frank: "I am not here to make too many friends, I am here for a job no matter how short a time it may be , politicians or public servants or companies tell me how we can make PNG a truly black Christian country in 10 years and you are in my team."

Marape has until 2022 before the next general elections when he goes to the polls to seek mandate again to be Prime Minister.

"If you are a real friend then you will trust my judgments because I am seeing into the future and not for short term gain, I want country to be economically healthy for all of us now and our children of the future."

Marape concluded: "Some rules for everyone, don't praise me too much, don't ask me too much, I go to church not because I am a saint but I am a sinner to keep my great church out of my job."

As an Adventist he clarified and sets out the soft skills he reqiures:" I will do no jobs from Friday to sunset Saturday, don't offer me or any of my associates favours, I will (be) punctual so I expect all to be punctual and let us play be the rules of the land."

He said he would make a state of nation address today before the Australian State of Origin rugby league games between rival states-Queensland and New South Wales.

A sporting fixture that is so popularly watched in Papua New Guinea, a country that rugby league is regarded as the national sport and a uniting force.

Papua LNG landowners want the gas agreement reviewed

The Papua LNG Project to be developed in the Gulf Province still has issues to be ironed out.

The state may have signed the agreement with developer Total SA PNG and its minor partners Oil Search and Exxon Mobil but the landowners appear to be still aggrieved about the content of the agreement.

One of the vocal groups is the Purari Development Association, the umbrella association representing eight tribes from the Baimuru local level government- the area which hosts the Elk and Antelope gas fields.

The landowners issued a statement yesterday in a press conference calling on Prime Minister James Marape to “defer the Papua LNG project indefinitely until such time all proposed changes to resource laws in Papua New Guinea are done and that Papua LNG Project can be the first LNG project that will be negotiated and signed after these long outstanding reforms are enacted and passed into law.”

“As landowners we know this agreement does not serve our interests and must be reviewed and renegotiated.”

In making this statement through General Secretary Roy Daniel Evara, they however congratulated the Prime Minister for his election last Thursday.

“The executives of PDA and the people of Baimuru Sub-District in particular celebrate his ascension to the office of the Prime Minister because we have read, heard and seen him speak publicly about issues relating to the recently signed suppressive and controversial Papua LNG gas agreement that we have been and will vigorously fight against.”

“We are very encouraged by the Prime Minister’s vision to make Papua New Guinea the “richest black Christian nation” in the world by reviewing the outdated resource laws that will be tailored to drive this agenda.”

“As end users directly impacted by such laws, we welcome the Prime Minister’s call to work with likeminded citizens to gauge our views on how we can revolutionise and transform PNG into the future,” Evara stated on behalf of the association.

Evara said they were firm that the Papua LNG gas agreement must be reviewed because it was rushed and poorly negotiated.

Further they claim it was signed without conforming to several very critical pre-conditions under Oil and Gas Act 1998 and the land and resource owners were not consulted. They described the agreement as dictatorial in that it specifically directs Ministers of State and Parliament to change laws where required to suit the terms and conditions of the agreement which favours foreign developers.

Family planning outreach program extends to Hela

Marie Stopes PNG (MSPNG) continues to roll out its program as it recently opened a new family planning outreach program in Hela province last Friday.

The service delivery program is a new outreach based program in Hela that is supported by the Oil Search Foundation.

MSPNG launches family planning outreach program in Hela

Oil Search Foundation Hela Provincial Development Manager Rodney Ingersoll said the launch represents a major partnership exercise between MSPNG and the Hela Provincial Health Authority (HPHA) and is focused on supporting maternal child health care needs in the province under the Wok Bung Wantaim (WBW) initiative.

“Lessons learned will be shared widely in a united effort towards improving front line service delivery,” said Ingersoll.

It is understood that PNG continues to have some of the poorest health outcomes in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in terms of maternal and child health and family planning is considered as one of the most cost effective interventions to improve maternal health and promote sustainable population growth in PNG.

HPHA Director Doris Anton said that due to many social and political issues including the recent El Nino effects in the region, many people and business are discouraged to visit Hela.

“It is the responsibility of everyone to take ownership and look after such projects that come into the province.

Anton added that the ownership serves as a key factor in accelerating the growth and development of individuals, family units and the communities.

According to MSPNG, through the National Family Planning Training Program (NFPTP), MSPNG will train and support the health workers and the NFPTP provides workers with the knowledge and skills to provide quality, confidential and friendly family planning services in the various health facilities.

MSPNG Service Delivery Director Loretta Bele said that the MSPNG outreach team in Hela will serve all communities in the province, following a service delivery plan developed in collaborating with the provincial health authorities.

“All services provided by the outreach teams are free of charge,” she added.

Bougainville Referendum Commission clarifies its stance on criteria to enrol voters

BY PATRICK MAKIS

The Bougainville Referendum Commission says the eligibility criteria for enrollment on the referendum roll is stipulated under several different elements of legal framework and it does not have the discretion to change the criteria.

In a Press Statement, BRC Chief Referendum Officer, Mauricio Claudio said the BRC was aware of public discussions regarding the criteria for enrolment of voters and thus it was coming out to clear the air on the issue.

“The criteria for enrollment is based on several different elements of the legal framework. As the BRC only came into existence in late 2018, the BRC was not involved in the drawing up of the framework.

• “For those enrolling in Bougainville, the criteria are drawn from:
•          Section 315 of the Bougainville Peace Agreement 2001
•         Schedule 1, section 23 of the Organic Law on Peace-building in Bougainville – Autonomous Bougainville Government and Bougainville Referendum 2002
•          Section 7(1) of the Bougainville Constitution        Section 52(1) of the Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections,”

Mr Claudio explained that according to the Bougainville Peace Agreement “the eligibility to vote in the referendum will be the same as for national elections in Bougainville.”

He added that this section of the peace agreement was operationalised by the organic law and this meant that the same criteria used for enrolling people in the PNG national elections would apply.

“So the criteria for those living in Bougainville are:

·         Must have been living in Bougainville for at last the past six months prior to enrollment

·         Were born on or before 12 October 2001

·         Are a PNG citizen

·         Are entitled to vote in PNG National Elections

“For non-resident Bougainvilleans (Bougainvilleans living outside Bougainville), the eligibility criteria for enrollment has been agreed to be:

·         Must have links to Bougainville by birth, adoption, marriage or clan

·         Were born on or before 12 October 2001

·         Are a PNG citizen

·         Are entitled to vote in PNG National Elections,” he clarified.

The Chief Referendum Officer said “As can be seen, the criteria has been set for some time and the legal framework gives the BRC no discretion-if a person meets the criteria, and applies to be included on the roll, then the BRC must enrol them.”

Mr Claudio explained, however, that all applicants for enrollment would be subject to an objections process which would allow any enrolled voter to lodge an objection if they see anyone included on the roll who does not meet the criteria.

Why I was absent from Parliament ( Part 1 of 2 )

BY HON. BRYAN KRAMER

Following the election of James Marape as the 8th Prime Minister, there has been numerous articles posted on social media asking the question why I was absent and abstained from voting.

Last Wednesday, the former Prime Minister Peter O'Neill announced his resignation. Soon after resigning Members of Parliament walked over to acknowledge him.

What was unknown to 27 Members of Opposition or William Duma's URP, was that 4am that morning James Marape had struck a deal with Peter O'Neill to resign, which would trigger a vacancy after which Marape would lead 34 Members from the Laguna Camp across to join Crown and be their nominee for the PM position.

Why and how did it all happen?

On Tuesday, the Members of Laguna Camp conducted a secret ballot to determine who will be named as the alternative Prime Minister. There were three main contenders for the position, James Marape, Patrick Pruaitch and William Duma.

The numbers were stacked as follows:

Marape 27 Members
Pruaitch 27 Members
Duma 13 Members

Marape's 27 Members included:
Pangu - Ginsou/Marape (21)
People's Party - Ipatas/Davis/Tongamp (3)
Our Development Party - Puka Temu (1)
THE Party - Jeffrey Kama (1)

Pruaitch 27 Members included:
Original Opposition 24
Wera Mori (1) - Ex PNC / joined NA
Tony Wouowu (1) Ex PNC / joined NA
Social Development Party - John Kaupa (1)

Duma's URP Members included:
Original URP 9 of 11 that crossed to Laguna camp
Two absent Members, Fabian Pok & Wesley Ramani who decided to remain with Crown camp.
Pila Ninigi (defected from PNC joined URP)
Richard Masere (defected from PNC joined Pangu then URP)
John Pundari (defected from PNC joined URP)
Douglas Tomurisea (defected from PNC joined Pangu then URP).

Before Duma agreed to join, Laguna camp had 49 Members, short of 7 MPs to meet the required majority of 56 Members.

Duma insisted that he would only join camp provided Marape and Pruaitch sign an MOU stating that he would become the alternative Prime Minister. This agreement was signed at 4am in the morning without the knowledge of the rest of Members in the Laguna Camp.

Duma having this agreement in his pocket (literally) convinced four PNC Members (Ninigi, Masere, Pundari and Tomurisea) to join URP with the promise of a Ministry appointment.

However, what Duma and the PNC Members were not aware of was that while Pruaitch and Marape may have agreed to nominate Duma, it didn't mean the remaining Members of the Laguna camp would.

This issue was raised on Monday morning at the Laguna camp where it was proposed that a secret ballot would determine the nominee. After some debate it was agreed the three nominees needed to discuss between themselves as to who will be the nominee and if they couldn't decide then a secret ballot would proceed.

Earlier on the same day, the Opposition caucus meeting was held to debrief on the latest issues concerning the nomination. Pruaitch explained that he was in discussion with Peter O'Neill about the option of joining Crown camp, where O'Neill would resign and nominate Pruaitch as the next Prime Minister.

We were each asked for our views, on account this was not the first time the issue of joining O'Neill came up, I stood up and announced to our team that I've had enough of this crap and could no longer be part of a team who were considering joining O'Neill or even in discussion with him. I explained to Pruaitch that while in camp I was told that Pruaitch was in talks with O’Neill which I vehemently denied stating that he would never go back to O'Neill. I left the Opposition team since I refused to be party to any plans of joining O’Neill and I offered to help Marape’s team.

On Monday evening, the night before the secret ballot, I started lobbying with Members of Marape’s team and National Alliance Members (Allan Bird) together with URP Team (Jelta Wong) that we should just nominate James Marape to be the alternative. I was concerned that if we went to a secret ballot there would be issues.

At 7am Tuesday morning, Duma held a caucus meeting with 13 of his Members at pool side. I checked back with Bird and Wong what their party position was, their response being they would not support Marape.

After breakfast all 67 members of Laguna camp met to discuss who will be the nominee. There was heated debate, Wong insisting the terms of MOU that Duma should be honoured while others said that agreement is not binding because the Members were not party to it.

Marape, Duma, and Pruaitch left the room, in their discussion Duma argued it was only fair they should honour the MOU, however Pruaitch objected making the point Duma put his hand on the Bible week’s earlier saying he would join the Laguna camp on 7th May 2019 but instead stayed with O’Neill.

Duma realising that if it went to secret ballot he would certainly lose with only 13 MPs, he instead pulled out of the race and said whichever candidate wins he would be the Deputy Prime Minister. Unknown to Marape, Duma had already struck a deal to support Pruaitch.

While they were in a meeting I took out my laptop and ran then numbers, anticipating Duma would back Pruaitch and having pulled out of Opposition I would cast my vote for Marape.

Marape’s 27 MPs plus my vote would mean he would poll 28, Duma 13 backing Pruaitch 26 (less me) would poll 39.

Marape, Duma and Pruaitch returned and they announced it was agreed Duma had pulled out and there would be secret ballot between Marape and Pruaitch. Even though I knew without a doubt Marape would lose I still voted for him, reasons for which I will provide in a later article.

Following the secret ballot the results were as predicted; Pruaitch 39, Marape 28. Soon after the ballot a press conference was staged to announce that Pruaitch would be nominee for alternative Prime Minister.

It was evident that many of Marape’s 27 MPs who voted for him were deeply disappointed. That evening we all met in Marape’s room. I witnessed Marape explain to his team he had accepted the results.

I explained to them it was not over yet, as I expected Peter O’Neill to resign on the 11th hour to dislodge the Opposition’s notice of motion of no confidence. It would mean a vacancy in the Office of Prime Minister and parties would go back into camp to elect a new Prime Minister.

4am that morning, the Southern Highlands Members of Crown Camp contacted James Marape to join their camp after he had lost the nomination. Marape explained the only way to return would be if O’Neill resigned. Members of the Crown camp in fear of ending up in the opposition following a vote of no confidence and National Alliance Party return to power put massive pressure on O’Neill to agree to resign.

The fact Opposition side had taken over the Parliament Committee there was no question of doubt O’Neill would be voted out of office.

The next morning the Laguna Camp met to sign the notice of motion to lodge it with Speaker and the committee to agree to have it listed on the notice paper.

However, when Parliament reconvened that morning O’Neill announced his resignation, Marape took his cue to acknowledge him for it. When Parliament adjourned Marape crossed the floor and exited through the Government Members back entrance. A 25 seater bus was waiting for him with his 27 Members and on his tail was William Duma and Jelta Wong. When Duma tried to enter the bus Marape stopped him and said sorry this bus is only for 28 Members who voted for me. Of course 28th Member was me, who had no idea what had transpired. Straight after Parliament adjourned I had no intention of shaking O’Neill’s hands and left through the Opposition lounge.

In part 2 I will explain what transpired in the 24 hours that lead to Marape’s election, why I was absent and the Oppositions scheme to block Marape from being elected by nominating O’Neill and Mekere, and how it miraculously back fired and how they unashamedly tried to cover it all up.

MRCD Hekari United achieves goals

BY KEVIN TEME

They set their goals right from the beginning and worked towards achieving that and they did.

MRDC Hekari United Football Club despite going down 5-4 in the penalty shoot out with Toti City FC in the Kumul Petroleum Holding National Soccer League grand final has finally qualified for the Oceania Football Confederation Champion’s league challenge.

Hekari United FC achieved its goal after finishing top at the Southern Conference leg of the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League challenge and making the inaugural grand final of this new concept that has now touched all four corners of the country.

“This has been our main goal for the season when we got back together as a team after being out of the NSL for two years,” said Hekari United FC’s head coach Jerry Allen.

“All our boys are very new to the team and having only few old hands, they had make it this far which is a big achievement for the team. In the beginning of the year, we set our goal and that is to make it back to the OFC Challenge and we did.

I am so proud of my boys despite going down to the Toti City FC in the grand final today,” said Jerry.

Jerry congratulated the Toti City FC for their victory saying the side had been together for a while and they were a better side on the day.

“Most of our boys are being new to the team but they did really well. It’s pretty a new look side unlke the team in the past but we managed to achieve what we’ve aimed for and that is to make it back to the OFC Challenge which we did and I am proud of this achievement,” Jerry said.

Toti City FC head coach Peter Gunemba also admitted that the match between his side and Hekari United FC was certainly going down to the wire and it did.

“You know Hekari United FC has set the standard and like I always wanted my boys to play at a higher level and playing against Hekari United FC puts them at that level. It’s healthy and also raised the standard of the game in the country,” Gunemba said.

For Hekari United FC, they will certainly go to the drawing board and prepare for the OFC Challenge while also working extra harder to come back next season.

Be a force for nature- NCDC introduces go green campaign

Burning plastic waste and cigarette butts are harmful to the environment and people's health, a Non-Government Organisation warned on Sunday, 2 June 2019.

Samantha Kuman of Sustainable Coastlines PNG said plastic bags and bottles take 10 to 1000 years to decompose.

She was speaking at the advance World Environment Day celebration initiated by the National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop who launched the Green Partner of the City, Green Excellence Business Award and to set up and eco green club in various secondary schools in the city at the Independence Boulevard to mark the day three days in advance.

She said studies show that 700 species of marine life were affected by plastic waste, adding close to 100 million marine mammals are killed each by the plastic pollution in the ocean and river systems.

She cited that over one million sea birds are killed by plastic waste in the ocean.

Kuman urged fellow citizens to stop burning plastic containers in front of shop fronts or within their premises or litter them into waterways and drainage or into the ocean to save the marine life and address air pollution.

She extended her call to smokers to litter cigarette filters (butt) at trash bins, saying it contains more than 700 chemicals which are poisonous to marine life. 

“Cigarette filters contribute more to ocean pollution. They take decade or more to decompose,” said Kuman who pledged to become a force for the Nature.

She also warned that plastic waste contain furan (which can cause cancer) dioxin (if inhaled, it can cause coughing, dizziness and suffocation, saying when exposed to it for a long time, it can cause cancer).

She made a commitment ‘to be a Force for Nature’ in the city.