James Marape engages Pacific Leaders with influencial world leaders

Freelance Journaalist and commentator  CYRIL GARE writes about Prime Minister James Marape engaging the Pacific Leaders with influencial  world leaders 

He writes:  After seven prime ministers in our short history, Prime Minister James Marape stands out and will be long-remembered for his part in lifting the ‘Pacific Solidarity’ agenda to new heights with tact and ‘shuttle diplomacy’. 

  

Like never before since 1975, this Pastor’s son cum politician and second term Prime Minister has proven he was a ‘strategic planner and intervener’ for his country after been able to bring together world powers - United States and India - together with 16 leaders of the ‘free’ Pacific Island Countries (PIC) including New Zealand at one consensus point in Port Moresby for strategic multi-lateral and bi-lateral discussions of mutual interests. 

It was here in Port Moresby last Monday – May 22, 2023 that the world’s hegemon – the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken in representing President Joe Biden signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) with PNG effectively subsuming the obsolete Defense: Status of Force Agreement of 1989.   

This chart new waters in ‘militarization of the pacific’. The US-PNG DCA 2023 is significant as it is a ‘direct deal’ between Washington and Port Moresby bypassing the ANZUS’s triangle Canberra and Wellington. No wonder the media hype by Australian and New Zealand media. 

Despite the critics, the DCA is a two-fold winner for PNG. Firstly, our territorial boundaries - air, land and sea - as well as our sovereignty is ascertained when we are covered under the wings of the big eagle rather than being burnt in dragon fire. In this context, we ask the naysayers – i) what sovereignty are you talking about protecting, and ii) for whose interests do you represent with all these non-sense and hysteria? 

US – PNG relations 

Everett E. Bierman was appointed by United States President Ronald Reagan as Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in January, 1987. 

On 28 February, 1989, H.E Bierman signed the Defense: Status of Forces Agreement or SOFA in Port Moresby on behalf of the United States Government (USG) while Sir Kingsford Dibela, GCMG, K. St. J., Governor General counter-signed for the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG). 

The US-PNG SOFA is as old as thirty four (34) years notwithstanding US-PNG bilateral relations that was established since 1975. 

In the retrospect, the US-PNG relations date back to World War II. “In Angels and Victims: The People of New Guinea in World War II” the New Guinea campaign against the antagonist was one of the hardest-fought of WW II.  American and Australian forces relied on native New Guineans and shed blood together to achieve victory for a free world.  

The Melanesian 

In traditional Melanesia, a friend is someone who stands by me during the time of conflict, bloodshed and war, that tribe or clan who stand by me to defend my land, my village and family from incursion. The bond of mutual affection begins thereon. It is an obligation that you must reciprocate by way of compensation in form of giving a portion of land away, giving a woman away to the helping tribe as a symbol of friendship and extended family or doing both. 

Trade-Off

If I have to choose between China and United States, it has to be United States for obvious reasons; i) bloodshed, and ii) obligation. It was the US led allied forces that stood by us then. Others came in post-war era after the establishment of the United Nations and Bretton Wood institutions such as World Trade Organization (WTO) with multi-lateral interests which are not necessarily of a ‘Melanesian friend’. 

More so, our liberty in liberal democracy and the ecclesiastical Christian beliefs must never be traded-off for the ‘dollar’ and ‘road and belt’ diplomacy.  

Defense Capabilities & Infrastructure 

Secondly, the PNG Defence Force will gain big time in operational capabilities, training, and infrastructure development. Prime Minister James Marape has revealed around K4-5 billion in military upgrade will flow from the US-PNG DCA. 

Chief of Defence (CDF) Brigadier General Mark Goina told a public forum at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby on Tuesday, 23 May, 2023 that the PNGDF has a 40% gap in its operational capabilities and urgently needs help. 

After taking Office in 2022, Commander Goina commissioned an assessment of all units of the force to determine the “key operational capabilities” of the force and the revelations were stunning: 

• Operational level of capability at 30-40% that is well below 50%. Acceptable world standard of military operational capabilities is 70-80%. No military in the world is 100% operational. He would like to see 70-80% in PNGDF. 

• Troops have no uniforms, field equipment, no service lines to barracks, command systems and process are broken down. 

“This is the current status of our Defence Force. This has to be fixed, it requires substantial amount of money from the Government to fix it. Without this, we cannot move the force forward.  

“The PNGDF is the user of the DCA. Status of our partnership (with the US) is that we continue to strive among the super powers, conforming to our foreign policy – the guide to our actions. 

“In the midst of geo-politics, we have a duty to ensure our people are safe so they go about doing their business, visitors, development partners are free to come in and do their business as well, knowing fully well that your Defence Force is out there taking good care of you. 

“Duty of care that rests with Defence Force is enormous, over and above what your force can provide. 

“It is the duty of the Government to provide resource and support. As your Chief of Defence, I am responsible to bring the Force to operational level of capability where it can perform its duties and responsibilities effectively and efficiently. 

“Our Government alone cannot provide the support we need. It has competing priorities in health, education, and infrastructure development. 

“So alternatively we have options to seek assistance from our development partners riding on existing bilateral relations with countries like the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, China, India, France and others,” CDF Goina said. 

Marape’s Mind

The tactician’s mind needs to be understood in the context of PNG foreign policy of ‘friends to all, enemies to none’. Marape wants to see the world through a compass that shows the cardinal directions for navigation and geographic orientation in ‘The PNG Way’ with: 

• East – being the Pacific (PIC) and the American continent. 

• West – being Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India where there is big markets with a population of over 2 billion. 

• North – being Philippines, South Korea, Japan and China, and 

• South – being Australia and New Zealand. 

PNG is in the middle and seeing all as equal partners for our friendship and prosperity. Our needs vary from country to country. For example, with the US, we capitalize on our bilateral relations for military, trade and commerce while with Australia we seek trade, commerce, public service, student and workers exchange, and other. 

“Not all relations will be the same. Some we have military interests, some trade relations, some government relations, some education, satellite, health, etc.  

No Compromise

The Prime Minister re-assures that the signing of the defense pact with the US will not compromise PNG’s relations with China. 

“I gave my 100% assurance to China. I reaffirm this by closing down the Taipei diplomatic mission. Seven Prime Ministers before me never made this call. 

“They know my sincerity, I don’t hide and play one against another. Their East and West is their own business. My East and West is completely different”. 

World Stage

On the international front, PNG has made substantial representation within space of just one year with our Prime Minister James Marape meeting with world leaders and has established “connections”: 

• White House, United States: Visited and held high level talks with President Joe Biden. 

• Japan: Met and held discussions with Japanese PM. Will revisit in October. 

• Other world leaders that our PM had met and held bilateral discussions include UK PM, King Charles, China President, India PM, Philippines President, Indonesian President, Thailand PM/King, and Australian Prime Minister who also visited and addressed the PNG Parliament. 

• French president ‘a close friend’ and Indonesia President are said to visit PNG later this year.

• PMJM is set to visit South Korea this weekend for bilateral talks. 

 “These are world leading economies. Your PM has met and laid the foundation for future interest of PNG. 

“It is now up to public servants and relevant Ministers to progress these connections that your PM has established.

“We relate to all nations in the East, West, North and South. In 100 years of activities in the world, PNG is placed at the middle of this paradigm that is shifting. I am seeing this clearly unfolding”. 

The ‘Blue Pacific’ 

According to PM Marape, “we are not small island nations. We are big ocean nations”.

“The Blue Pacific – Our Sea of Islands is a shared resource, fill with prized fish and marine lives. The Pacific Ocean is our security for Sustainable Development, Management and Conservation.  

“The Framework for Pacific Regionalism outlines the political ambition of our leaders to work together towards delivering a prioritized development agenda for all rather than a few.  

“This meeting (in Port Moresby) enables us to reinforce our regional political identity through emphasizing our shared stewardship of the Pacific Ocean and identifying ways to mobilize resource to address challenges such as climate change and poverty alleviation among our people. 

The Prime Minister says under this regional framework, PNG will offer land to the PIC ‘brothers’ at the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) in Madang and elsewhere in ‘free trade zone’ provinces in PNG for them to build processing plants and export their (fish)  products under their respective brands to the combine markets overseas.  

With a hectic week ending successfully under his belt, a proud and satisfied James Marape can now more than ever asserts that: “if you want to talk Pacific, you cannot go pass PNG. We’re now their leader to talk about their fish, climate change, their well-being and prosperity”. 

Papua New Guinea aims to pass a surplus budget by 2027

Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey says deficit budgeting aligned with a realistic budget can record surplus by 2027.

He says this can also reduce all sovereign debt by 2034.

Ling-Stuckey said this after the opening of a government funded K20 million Tapo bridge in the inland Rai Coast district of Madang Province.

Prime Minister James Marape was there to open the bridge with several State Ministers, Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa, Member for Rai coast Kessy Sawang and several members of parliament.

Prime Minister James Marape and other MPs during the opening of Tapo bridge; Source Facebook

The Treasurer said deficit budgeting aligned with realistic plan remains the appropriate and correct strategy for economic growth.

He said the Tapo bridge construction is an example of Marape-Rosso's deficit budgeting, with good cheap concessional financing, invested into infrastructure projects.

In addition to the Tapo bridge, a further contract for K120m was awarded to Covec PNG Ltd to replace six critical bridges at Mea, Dry Wara, Bora, Gusap and Wasigo sections, which will now allow 24 hour crossings even during times of major flooding which had stopped traffic and movement of people, Ling-Stuckey said in a statement.

Abus na Kumu promotes savings culture

We can change Papua New Guinea if we believe and promote culture that benefits our lives, a culture that ultimately makes us content to live peacefully among others. 

Saving money to invest in durable assets or will become our social security is critical for us.

Modern money may not be our traditional asset and culture  for trade and business, so we are introduced to its importance in trade for survival.

But in this rapid changing global village, we have no choice but to adapt and value the importance of money- more so the value in saving.

Abus Na Kumu a PNG owned business is taking the lead in promoting savings culture.

They should be commended for this and imagine every business proactively does it for their employees.

We would have a society with thousands or millions of people who are rich just by having additional cash in their pockets or bank accounts and who do not just live off a fortnightly pay packet.

 Well Abus na Kumu owned by former rugby union star and PNG Pukpuk Richard Mark officially signed up their entire work force including management and their business to a savings and loan company.

Mark says Nambawan Savings & Loan Society Limited have been their nambawan corporate customer from the beginning as well.

Over the time Abus na Kumu provided their services, they’ve also been exposed to some of Nambawan Savings and Loans product informations and they are pleased to open their employees savings accounts.

The NSLS team visited the Abus na Kimu base at Port Moresby's Kennedy Estate and signed up all their team members.

Picture by Abus na Kumu Facebook 

They now look forward to building a savings culture.

Good luck to the Abus na Kumu team but for all of us, developing and practising a savings culture is critical for us.

Talk to our children when they are at tender age of ten and when they are in their teenage years they are deeply grounded.

When they are starting their twenties they may alrrady have equity for a loan, a car and can access business loan.

They can achieve many other things because they have a savings as security.

Let's do it...

How I learnt about affordable solar lighting

 It was dark as we sailed into the ox bow lake at Tipas village, Namea LLG in West Sepik. 

We had travelled in from Magleri down a tributary of the Sepik River called Wanipe.

It meanders and reaches the mighty Sepik River around the border of East Sepik and West Sepik at May River.

We then travelled westward to Tipas and the skipper realising bits of log floating down and the froth also on the water meant there was rain and thus a minimal flood. 

Before we reached Ellimolie logpond it was pitch dark already but rowing on the Sepik powered by an outboard motor engine is safe and fun.

The skipper only had to watch for huge logs that may be floating down stream.

We didn't encounter any.

As we emerged into the lake at Tipas then approaching the village I could see the village so lit up along the banks that are about three metres high.

My first impression was they had a village electricity.

But as we anchored and settled into one of the homes, I learnt it was solar powered lights. 

Depending on a villagers set up, it can be at the lounge room or the the front and back yards.

These very high post homes, sago thatched roofs and "pangal" wallings look just magnificent at night lit by the solar energy.

I felt embarrassed living in the city and knowing little about these lights.

They have different power ratings and connect straight to solar placed at the sago thatched roof top and with sufficient tropical sunshine all day the battery stored at the back of the light is charged adequately  everyday.

And using a remote the owner sets the light to come on and light the place for three, five, eight or twelve hours of LED lighting.

It's just bright and beautiful and one can enjoying reading a book very clearly.

So after learning about that and with Port Moresby frequently encountering long black outs I have invested in that solar lighting.

The light now comes on automatically at 6.40pm and goes off at 6.08am.

If PNG Power goes off I still have light to dine or read in the evening.

It costs about K199 for the solar and the 40W light with inbuilt battery.

You can check the shops at Erimart in Port Moresby.

Port Moresby based comic magazine- Lover Boy

 Congratulations to the guys behind the development, design and production of Lover Boy.

Disclaimer: This is not a design from the magazine

Graham Ainui Jnr is the guy behind the storyboard, illustration and he is the writer.

Michael Arifeai of Tribe FM at the NBC interviewed the guys about how it all started. 

But essentially their comic magazine which has a few stars is now on sale at K35.00 a copy.

Among the characters is a female named Linda.

Mr Ainui told Tribe FM it was a project that started two years ago and while they were working to find a platform to monetise their content online, this idea to print was suggested to them and now it is on sale.

Here below is the interview the producers had with the NBC and it starts with the producer outlining the characters in the comic.

The story theme is about everyday life of students and the struggles they go through.

The story is about school life, mental health and self appreciation, Anui said.

He pointed out some of the expressions are stuff that high school students face but they hardly bring home to their parents.

"There are some things you can't bring home to your parents," Ainui told Tribe FM.

He has been looking at several comics to grasp how to design and already visualises a long story board so we are looking for a lasting content that is locally produced.

Check Lover Boy on social media and reach out to them for a copy.

Promoting respect and love among the young in Madang

Woman suffers from sorcery related violence in Goroka

 Watch how a medical doctor is making a difference in Goroka

PNG Literature : A readers review by Dr Joseph Ketan

Disclaimer; This is a repost for public knowledge to promote Literature in PNG

By Dr Joseph Ketan

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the works of some great PNG writers and would like to see their works translated into plain language for the ordinary reader. Unlike journalists, professionals in other disciplines do not have the training to write in simple English.

There are, however, notable exceptions. In law, my favourite writers were Peter Donigi, Chronox Manek, Anthony Deklin and John Nonggorr. The best, in my view, was Peter Pena, a man who could explain the law in simple English. Pena and Manek were great law salesmen. Deklin writes coherently in an accessible style, but he often picks on wrong issues for wrong audiences and gets himself into trouble with his readers. Lawrence Kalinoe and Eric Kwa, both great legal scholars, saw no reason to venture out of their comfort zones, sticking to legal reforms. I like the way John Kwimb writes, but we have not seen enough of it from him, as he pursues his political advisory role. Keep an eye out for Stanley Liria, a published lawyer, who has developed a passion for writing about legal issues from a local perspective. There is a star in Bal Kama, a practicing lawyer and academic in Canberra. He learnt his craft from the great Bill Standish. Kama explains law and politics in language that even grandma in the Wahgi Valley would understand.

In academia, I still like the great literature pairing of Russell Soaba and Steven Winduo. Yes, I know they sometimes get swamped in parochialism, but in literature, as in political science, local issues form the core business of writing. The bright star at UPNG has to be Lawrence Sause, who writes with wit and rare intelligence. We have not seen enough of it, but he will hopefully get around to connecting with the people who mater most in this country – the ordinary Papua New Guinean. For the future, look out for Michael Kabuni, a young political scientist, who is writing selecting his topics with great care and will get much better with experience.

In the public domain, I would go for Wilson Punim any time. This man is simply brilliant. In the true style of the literary pundit, or wordsmith, Punim writes with a burning passion, describing love and life in language that resonates life in contemporary villages and towns of Papua New Guinea. Using wit and metaphorical language, in the genre of the Hagen veiled speech style, Wilson exhibits all the core elements of a great story teller of our times. I would like to see his stories published in a book. The Institute of PNG Studies or the Institute of the Pacific Studies at USP in Suva would be ideal places to publish this kind of writing. The future looks bright for literature lovers. There are some really good writers coming through. There is a young man from DWU who is making his mark in the social media. His name is Duncan Gabi. Budding writers like Gabi need to be nurtured in an environment like the late 1970s Institute of PNG Studies and mentored by a new Uli Bier.

In journalism, there are many fine writers. I am a fan of Frank Senge Kolma and Daniel Korimbao. They lead a group of great writers in Ana Solomon, Harlyn Joku, Sinclair Solomon, Patrick Big Pat Levo, and others. The intent to entertain and to inform is always present in the writings of good journalists. I understand that we have lost the good ones to politicians, but there are some good ones coming along.

Papua New Guineans, like Africans, are always quick to take advantage of technological innovations. The digicel revolution is responsible for taking mobile phones to all corners of the country now. This has given us the opportunity to communicate effectively with the rest of the world. Unlike the con men and con women of Nigeria who use deception to steal money from gullible people across the world, Papua New Guineas are essentially warm and caring people who use the social media to build social networks rather than exploiting people. There are, however, occasional outrageous publications of brutality and obscenity.

The fun and humour in the PNG social media is healthy for the mind. Here, I wish to send my best wishes to the man in Rainy Lae, Alphonse Kapi Malipu, for entertaining us with witty messages. Kaim, I loved the one about “the horny young girls with their puffed up pride”. I hope our daughters did not take offence, taking your message for exactly what it was: dry humour. I love the rebuttals from Andrew Nagari. These two brothers of mine from Engaland make life worth living.

Why should you vote for Robert Agarobe to be Central Province Governor?

 

FEW ACHIEVEMENTS TO NOTE

10 percent GST from NCDC to increase annual budget

Central Province is owed close to K400 million that is supposed to come from Goods and Services Tax from the National Capital District Commission 

The people of Central Province are entitled to this GST but have never been receiving it

No other Governor over the years pushed for Central to rightfully receive its share of the GST until Honourable Chief Robert Agarobe was elected Governor

The three pillars for development are 

Agriculture, Sports, Tourism

Under Hon Chief Robert Agarobe’s leadership, the long overdue Provincial Lands Board was established to deal with Central Province land issues

                                                December, 2018

Some component of GST should come through Central Province so that we can develop infrastructure and services in the province

As a first time parliamentarian, Hon Chief Robert Agarobe has been very vocal on the floor of Parliament raising critical matters for Central Province. Most of them are legacy issues.

Honorable Chief Robert Agarobe’s push to get the GST from NCDC has received big endorsement from Prime Minister James Marape 

Hospital Launching

 Central Province is the only province that does not have a  provincial town of its own

 

As far as health workers is concerned it has only 138 Health Workers

 

Three are three doctors, 20 are Health Extension Officers and  115 are general nurses

 

We have a shortage with health manpower in the province and our people are forced to seek medical attention at the Port Moresby General Hospital

History has been made to improve health care. That’s a very good news.

On the 30^th November2021, the Central Governor and other dignitaries who include Prime Minister James Marape gathered at Bautama to launch the construction of a 390 bed  Central Provincial Hospital. 

It’s a milestone ceremony.

Out of the760 hectares of land allocated, 50 hectares will be used to build the Central Provincial Hospital

The K300 million, 390 beds hospital will be the first ever for the province and this is something we always wanted as a people and as a province

 Other infrastructure that will be built include

·         A nursing college

·         A transit drug store

With the new Central Provincial Hospital being launched, work on its construction will progress and once the hospital is completed, it will provide much needed health services for Central Province.

Apart from housing 390 beds for clinical treatment, specialist health care in internal medicine, surgery, pediatric, women’s obstetrics and gynecology will be provided.

Governor Agarobe says we are now progressing to be on par with other provinces in delivering quality health services.

Such huge development is a catalysts for more development at the provincial headquarters.

 

 NCD Amendment

 

For over 20 years, NCDC had been giving less than 2 per cent of its GST to Central Province

This contravenes the NCDC Act which requires NCDC to remit 10 percent to Central Province

This was a long standing issue with both the provincial government and the municipal authority at loggerheads and the two parties went to court.

However with the new NCDC Amendment Act passed after Honourable Chief Robert Agarobe brought it to Parliament, the dues for Central Province are set out clearly

We must be proud and happy. After years if hardship, disputes and court battles, Central Governor Robert Agarobe successfully moved and amended the NCDC Act on the floor of Parliament.

 Before the private members bill was passed, there was heated debate amongst Members of Parliament

Despite a few opposition, there was tremendous support from several Members of Parliament

Governor Agarobe’s bill moved to amend the NCDC Act explicitly states that the Commissioner General of the Internal Revenue Commission shall pay 10 per cent directly to the Central Provincial Government

For the first time in history and backed by the NCDC Amendment Act, both the Central Province Governor and the NCDC Governor will sit on the same NCDC board and make decisions

Ultimately, Governor Agarobe is now a member of the National Capital District Commission Board

 

 

 

 

 

Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister dies following a tragic car accident

Papua New Guinea woke up to a distressing and shocking news about the death of its Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament representing the people of Wau-Bulolo Samuel Basil on Thursday morning, May 12, 2022.

Police Commissioner David Manning issued a statement late Wednesday evening that Basil and his close protection office Neil Maino succumbed to injuries sustained during the car accident along the Lae to Bulolo highway.

Another police officer and a media personnel were seriously injured and were being treated.

 Manning said another vehicle was involved in the accident and police would question the driver of the vehicle.

Late Basil's dead body was brought to Port Moresby by a Manolos Aviation helicopter on Sunday arriving at the evening and a state funeral will be afforded to late Basil.

The police department will honour CPO Maino in a special funeral as well.

A police officer who survived the accident told Post Courier in an exclusive interview.

"As we were driving it was a small corner,  so as we were about to turn the corner, we could see the lights of the oncoming vehicle coming from up there," Sgt Fred Setu said.

Samuel Basil (late)

He said as they were negotiating the corner with late Basil at the steering wheel "this car from nowhere just drove straight" and rammed them from the drivers side where Basil was driving.

"In a few seconds as I saw the car approaching us I screamed at the leader (Basil) but it was too late, the car hit us already and after  a few seconds time mi tanim long ol boys long backside, I could see them but olgeta ol sleep long backsait, we were all in a state of shock in few seconds."

Setu was sitting offside Basil in front and was saved by the dashboard and security wires in front of the windscreen though his head impacted the windscreen.

He rushed to save Basil who was unconscious but breathing and lying down on his seat.

He turned to late CPO Maino and he got the response: "Mi orait savim lida pastaim."

Both Basil and Maino passed on 30 minutes apart at the Bulolo clinic.

 

Commentary: Why Peter O'Neill really matters

 BY DAVID LEPI

Why O'Neill really matters?

Peter O’Neill dominated Papua New Guinea politics for almost a decade before his ousting 2 years ago. How did he do it, and how much of a shadow does he still cast?

Like a posthumous honour O’Neill is far better celebrated now than when he was in power. People now fully appreciate how better he was until he was gone.

The starling contrast of O’Neill and the current government’s approach to service delivery is a reliable yardstick to measure leadership.

O’Neill’s government suffered an abrupt ending only to appease a fickle mob who gullibly took what political opportunists and lying mongers put on social media as the gospel truth.

His two year absence at the helm of leadership, besieged and in miserable isolation, marked the beginning of the end of infrastructure revolution that awakened the national consciousness and realization of improved assets will lead to economic growth.

Authentic national leaders do not arise often. They are forged more by fate and circumstance than by human design. Two years on, the full implications of O’Neill ’s era – a period in which he acted as the modern Papua New Guinean leader who saw his nation’s aspirations tied to that of the global family and has a role to play in the region it co-exist– have yet to be understood. His most enduring legacy was to build the PNG economy on a strong infrastructure backbone.

For O’Neill PNG an ethnically diverse, tribe-based society and is also an export driven economy integrating rapidly into a globalized world.

The fact that O’Neill today occupies a central place in PNG politics is in no little measure due to the man and his work. His other legacies such as the Union Bank of Switzerland loan may be open to dispute and it may also be too early to pass a final verdict on as there is a commission of inquiry currently underway.

O’Neill growing up as a village boy understood the everyday struggles in the village and to that of PNG an ancient civilization yet a young thriving nation. Thus his policies were relevant and his approach to implementation were pragmatic as life changing.

Like in the parlance, where there is a will there is way, where was no road he built one, one by one a wharf, jetty, bridge, school, university, college, hospital, free healthcare and education and no stopping.

To me O’Neill is the kind of navy diver extols by Billy Sunday in the movie Men of Honour.

“The Navy Diver is not a fighting man, he is a salvage expert. If it is lost underwater, he finds it. If it’s sunk, he brings it up. If it’s in the way, he moves it. If he’s lucky, he will die young, 200 feet beneath the waves, for that is the closest he’ll ever get to being a hero.”

O’Neill detractors would claim that corruption marred his reputation, but to date none of those allegations stood a chance in court.

All is lost because of a lie spewed by a man armed with a smart phone and a personal vendetta. He thought he destroyed O’Neill but he never considered the full implication of his lies and consequences of denying the people the leadership they deserved best and the services now found wanting.

Happy New Year 2022

Time flies for busy bees.

It's another New Year and I wish you all my readers a prosperous 2022.

Take the challenges for last year as a stepping stone for growth and prosperity this year.

One of the important events for us this year is the National General Elections so be a part of it as it as having a functioning and service delivery oriented government ensures our livelihoods are better.

 Being a spectator wouldn't help much is defining what government we will have.

Last year I lost my dad in June and before that GC Sir Michael Somare passed on.

Before Sir Michael was Sir Mekere Morauta, a champion of privatisation.

We also lost Sir Pita Lus, Sir Paulias Matane and many more prominent and elderly leaders.

Community at Dove Place, Erima celebrating Christmas 2021 with fun and games

What I do accept despite the mourning is that it is a period of changing of the guards.

Therefore young generations must now stand up and take the baton of leadership to chart our new development pathway that must yield prosperity.

Like I said, we must actively part take in the National General Elections this year.

A serious reminder on a different note, please do not celebrate New Years by breaking bottles on the roads or burning tyres.

How to make money in Papua New Guinea using the Internet

I have used capital letter  ' I' for internet in the heading because that is the formal use of it.

It is a connection of connected network of computers around the world.

For PNG its introduction has surely changed a lot of things in the way we do business and communicate. 

Internet was introduced in about 1997 and limited number of people accessed it through Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL)  via landlines mainly.

It had actually picked up exponentially in terms of use and literacy in about 2010.

Today about two million Internet users are in Papua New Guinea, that's according to the Minister for Information and Communications when he applauded the acquisition of Digicel Pacific by Telstra, an Australian company.

Social media users of Facebook account for about half of the Internet users.

So while we have increased accessibility and its affordable, well in the last 12 months internet data price was slashed when the Coral Sea cable 2 linking Sydney was launched.

Overseas commentators feel cost was still high compared to other Pacific countries though.

Well, I have deviated and lets get back on track.

The Internet is at your finger tips with access through smart phones, laptop or desktop.

I will point you to one accessible and affordable means of making money-just through writing.

Yes just through writing and so your thoughts and ideas are a gold mine.

BLOGGING

Through www.blogger.com you can host a blog or website for FREE and and start uploading what you think in writing with pictures or videos.

Get people to read your content by browsing your website.

You can build a social media page to promote your content so you get people to read your stuff.

When you have some traffic say 5,000 go to Google Adsense and register to be a publisher.

Visit this site https://www.google.com/adsense/new

Once you are a publisher, you will be will be prompted to copy a code and embed in your blogger site.

There are widgets there you will use.

Once that is done, you should see Google ads appear on your site randomly.

So people pay Google to place these ads and they send to websites at selected regions that this ad is targeting and if anyone clicks on your advert, you receive 68% of the money.

The more clicks you get on these ads the more money you make.

Adsense will send you a six digit PIN from Singapore once you reach $20 and you can activate your publisher account.

You can enter your Papua New Guinea bank account details.

Once you have reached USD $100 the money is wired straight to your nominated PNG account usually on the 21 of each following month.

And you start earing income from your mobile phone or computer right at your home or office.

WORD PRESS WEBSITE

For the Wordpress website, you can also monetise it with Google Adsense.

But you need to register a domain name costing less than USD $20 and and buy a business plan that is renewable every year costing K1,200 (USD $300)

Use your visa debit cards.

I have recently received my PIN from Adsense in Singapore and focusing now on creating content for my audience and hope I can earn some money.

What we can do is you focus on a particular type of content for your niche market, so as I.

We read each others content and we all earn a little to sustain our lives.

You can use the same publisher account on various websites and your YouTube account.

There are many other monetisation platforms you can find on the Internet but I am sharing this one as it has worked for me and I will not be selfish to keep it secret.

Many PNG websites have already monetised their sites and earning money, so why not you do too?

Let's bring in foreign currency and grow our economy.

All the best.

Tari-Pori son makes it to the top as Prime Minister

Forty-eight year old James Marape from Paipali village Tari in the new Hela province registers himself in the political history books of Papua New Guinea as the eight Prime Minister.

A son of a Seventh Day Adventist elder and pastor, he was yesterday overwhelmingly voted by Parliament registering 101 votes in the 111 seat Parliament.

Mr Marape the eldest has four other siblings among them only one female.

He attended Minj Primary School in Jiwaka and later Kabiufa Adventist Secondary School in the Eastern Highlands during the early part of his education.

James Marape (right) in his Hela regalia

He later attended the University of Papua New Guinea gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1993 and further attained a postgraduate Honours Degree in Environmental Science in 2000.

He recently graduated with a Masters of Business Administration from the same university.

In his highest public service career, he served as acting assistant secretary for policy with the Department of Personnel Management from 2001 until 2006 and later entered Parliament.

He also worked in the private sector with Hides Gas earlier on.

A third term politician, he defeated eight votes against him yesterday favouring former Prime Minister and Moresby Northwest MP Sir Mekere Morauta.

Parliament voted for him replacing Peter O’Neill after two months of unstable political climate under the leadership of Peter O’Neill with many defections, back-flips and resignations of government ministers who were bitter about how the government was being run.

James Marape apparently started the mission to replace Peter O’Neill by rattling the Cabinet when on April 11, 2019 he resigned as Finance Minister.

He was then also leader of government business.

Peter O’Neill subsequently tendered his resignation to Governor General Sir Bob Dadae at 9.45am on Wednesday, May, 29, 2019 after conceding that he did not have the numbers to lead commanding only 42 MPs and there was imminent dissent and motion of a vote of no confidence against him was looming.

O’Neill’s resignation effectively rendered any motion invalid as there was already a vacancy in the office of Prime Minister and Parliament subsequently voted Marape a day later.

After being sworn in at government house by the Governor General Sir Bob Dadae yesterday, Marape presented his maiden speech in Parliament as Prime Minister admitting to the leaders there were mammoth tasks ahead in addressing development challenges and fixing the economy.

He told Parliament that on his way to be sworn in at Government House yesterday there was much jubilation on the streets but he was reminded that he has a huge responsibility a head.

“This is a privilege I don’t take for granted and I humbly accept on behalf of my wife, children, tribe, Tari-Pori, and Hela I am greatful,” he said.

“I acknowledge all the past Prime Ministers for what they have done some of those men are still serving their country.” 

“Among us you have a pool of leadership and wisdom I am encouraged by the fact that there is strength and stamina among this house,” he added.

In acknowledging the wealth of experience, among his government coalition he said he would immediately appoint his Cabinet.

Marape is not new to politics, he first entered Parliament after the 2007 national general elections as a National Alliance party member.

He defeated former Tari-Pori MP Tom Tomiape and under Sir Michael Somare as Prime Minister he first served as parliamentary secretary for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation.

He was also given additional responsibilities as Deputy Chair of the Privileges Committee and member of the Parliamentary Referral Committee on Inter-government relations.

A year later he was appointed Minister for Education in 2008 and held that ministry until the controversial overthrow of Sir Michael Somare as Prime Minister on August 2, 2011.

In February 2012 Marape joined the People’s National Congress party led by former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

He won the June 2012 national general elections for the second term representing the people of Tari-Pori and again in 2017.

After both elections which the People’s National Congress party under Peter O’Neill successfully installed government, he served as Finance Minister for seven years- the period of time Peter O’Neill was Prime Minister and he yesterday succeeded him.

The ride to be Prime Minister though was not plain sailing.

There had to be intense lobbying and political marriages and break ups but he appeared to have commandeered a following of 28 MP’s who committed to him and when the vote was taken, it shot up to 101.

He is now the chief government minister of Papua New Guinea and as he admitted it comes with more responsibility for the nation and if he hadn’t said it, he had to also juggle this with his family life- attending to six children and wife Rachel.

Rachel Marape (middle) with Parliament staff when her husband
 was elected Prime Minister

In Parliament yesterday, he said his government would perform a diagnostic analysis of how the country has been functioning with an emphasis on “taking back the economy” and looking at resource laws.

He has three years to lead as Prime Minister before the next general elections in 2022.

The previous longest serving Prime Ministers were Sir Michael Somare 2002 to 2011(9 years) and Peter O’Neill 2011 to 2019 (8 years).

Major political power play to oust Peter O'Neill

A political power shift surprises Papua New Guinea at yet another weekend of political lobbying as Prime Minister Peter O'Neill faces a stiff indictment that he must forego his leadership.

The tone was clear for the last two months when several of his senior Cabinet ministers resigned and a breakaway by several coalition MPs took place reducing his government number to just more than 60.

His government defeated a potential vote of no confidence in early May 2019 by adjourning Parliament to the end of the month after successfully winning on majority votes, endorsing motions to change the composition of the members of the Private Business Committee.

He then attempted to ask the court to stay a potential vote of no confidence after the Opposition through Patrick Pruaitch filed a motion of no confidence.

This case apparently couldn't be heard by a three man bench of the Supreme Court, as there was no utility.

It was withdrawn by the Prime Minister's lawyers.

The circumstance was a result of an un predicted twist- while the case was on foot the Opposition withdrew its vote of no confidence motion on the premise that they would change the alternate Prime Ministerial nominee, replacing James Marape.

Two MP's who also defected from Peter O'Neill's coalition to the Opposition also back flipped- the increasing social media audience has described the MP's as "political ÿoyos". 

Peter O'Neill through Alotau MP and Treasurer Charles Abel after a long awaited press conference said the coalition was in tact and would defeat a vote of no confidence.

But it seems in PNG this is not true. In PNG politics one must guard its coalition members well and for O'Neill the trend of events meant he must be cautioned that anything can happen.

There was already a crack when his lieutenant and possibly the most trusted person, then leader of government business and Finance Minister James Marape resigned.

Marape's move has commanded, influenced and became an attraction for other MP's to add to the originally committed 24 Opposition MP's under Patrick Pruaitch.

The team dubbed the alternate government has now confirmed 62 members joining the camp, that is six more MP's than the required 56 MP's to successfully elect a Prime Minister.

Do we have a new government now? 

Their mission was to change the political leadership and end Peter O'Neill's reign of close to eight years.

Peter O'Neill was Prime Minister from 2011 to 2019

After holding firm about 49 MPs in the Opposition,  United Resource party Leader William Duma led his 11 MPs defecting from Peter O'Neill's camp at Crown Hotel and joined them at the Laguna Hotel.

Ministers for Higher Education Minister Pila Niningi, Police  Jelta Wong.

and in fact before all Commerce Minister Wera Mori announced his resignation as Minister and joined the opposition.

The number crunch is 62 and that includes 49 original MPs, then adding Wera Mori, Pila Niningi and 11 URP members led by Hagen MP William Duma.

James Marape says the camp still welcome like minded leaders from Peter O'Neill's side.

There are 111 seats in Parliament and with the Opposition commanding 62 basically means Peter O'Neill now runs a minority government.

Is this the end of his Prime Minister's term after ascending to the role controversially in August 2011?

The hurdles in ousting Peter O'Neill as Prime Minister

Intense lobbying is going on between politicians to muster numbers in electing a Prime Minister through a motion of no confidence against incumbent Peter O’Neill.

The motion is likely to be moved when Parliament resumes next week, May 7.

At this stage, we don’t know who would be the candidate.

Peter O’Neill though has enjoyed a strong and stable Government since his ascension and controversial election as Prime Minister on August 2, 2011.

He then successfully returned as Prime Minister after two national general elections- 2012 and 2017.

Peter O'Neill (right) sitting in Parliament

His ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) party in 2017 mustered majority of the electoral wins and was invited by the Governor General to form government which he did and enjoyed stability and cohesion since.

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was the last longest serving Prime Minister who held the post for a record nine years (2002 to 2011).

Despite Peter O’Neill’s much stabilised reign, there were serious and constant allegations labeled against his government for mismanagement, running the economy down, corruption, breaches of law, favoritism in offering contracts- allegations mainly issued by the Opposition, pressure groups and political commentators.

But Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has never been weakened and countered the allegations through some well crafted public relations responses playing down the severity of the allegations and pointing people to increased infrastructure developments.

He was loved, admired, praised and his coalition government numbers increased to a comfortable 86.

But the recent events of resignations by his government ministers’ (James Marape –Finance and Davis Steven- Justice and Attorney General) and MP’s defecting from his PNC party though minor from his standpoint- it’s been rattling and Papua New Guineans with their rationale conclude that things are not right within Peter O’Neill’s coalition.

If we were to prematurely crunch numbers, Peter O’Neill has about 79 members, that includes West Sepik’s Governor Anthony Wouwou who did an unorthodox move courting one anti-O’Neill camp comprising members of the Opposition, made news headlines that he had defected but within less the 24 hours made news headlines again courting his party leader Peter O’Neill and dispelling media reports he left the party.

Tari Pori MP James Marape (right) shaking hands with Morobe
 Governor Ginson Saonu, 

The Opposition has 24 members and excluding the Speaker, the balance of seven dissenting MP’s would most likely vote against Peter O’Neill.

While lobbying and strategic political maneuverings and discussions may not have reached the mass media, surely there are deep discussions behind the scenes.

People everywhere are watching with keen interest through social media, radio, TV, newspapers and online news media.

As it is, there are three options likely to eventuate after all the political hype and lobby against Peter O’Neill is settled within the next possible three weeks.

I say three weeks because a notice of motion to move a vote of no confidence has to be presented to the Speaker of Parliament, a week before it is moved.

The motion will be vetted by a committee chaired by the Speaker and the motion must be signed by several MP’s who also propose the alternate Prime Minister.

So there’s a bit of work to do for any one or group to first muster the magic number of 56 and then get the nod from the Speaker and his committee.

If Peter O’Neill was to survive the vote of no confidence, though he has been confident and firm that his coalition government was intact and as vibrant as ever, he must be reminded that cracks have surfaced from within and he must be at his best than ever to counter.

He must hold strong the 79 he has as turn of events indicate shocking decisions can be made when you least expect it.

He must first ensure he is not voted out in the party caucus meeting.

James Marape has been forthright this week, he wants the PNC party leadership to be tabled-essentially he says he does not want Peter O’Neill to lead the party and be the Prime Minister.

Does James Marape imply he was one of many within the party who desires a change in party leadership?

Peter O’Neill has since responded that Marape was not welcome in the party caucus meeting.

The second option which could work to replace Peter O’Neill as Prime Minister is a major dissent from within the government coalition who votes against him. Again the magic number is 56.

The third which uses a similar modus operandi as the above in the vote of no confidence-the person can be from the coalition government or the opposition but they must convince and secure 56 votes to oust Peter O’Neill.

The first hurdle though is an alternate Prime Minister must have been chosen within the next six days.

While that looms, Papua New Guineans observe with keen interest how this would ­­­­­eventually pan out as lobbying intensifies and THE day gets closer day by day.