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Prime Minister’s vision to make Papua New Guinea the “richest black Christian nation” in the world by reviewing the outdated resource laws that will be tailored to drive this agenda.”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

People's Progress Party influential in Peter O'Neill's resignation

New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan yesterday issued a statement saying his political party plyed a pivotal role have have Peter O'Neill resigned.

In a statement he said the Peoples Progress Party    was at the centre, together with other Leaders like Peter Yama, Powes Parkop, Chris Haiveta and former Prime Minister Paias Wingti.

He said they were influential in changing the course of the political deadlock by persuading then Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to tender his resignation ahead of a motion of no confidence against him.

Sir Julius Chan making a statement in Parliament

"If we didn't ask Peter O'Neill to resign the political stalemate would have prolonged and left the country in disarray. The fact that he resigned allowed for the opposition camp to disperse and ultimately for us to meet up with James Marape's 29 strong (men) camp resulting in brokering his nomination as Prime Minister," said Sir Julius.

He said although his PPP faction was a small, they stuck together to maintain stability at a time when there was heavy movement between camps with a few notable MPs showing clear undecisiveness. 

" As the leader of PPP I am proud of you. You have lived up to our strong stable motto. Even with our small number we never gave up. Size did not matter in this exercise."

Sir Julius also thanked fellow  Paias Wingti for showing maturity and foresight which led to the smooth transition of power.

During a small thanksgiving lunch on Friday with his PPP team Sir Julius relayed that both he and Prime Minister James Marape had met and later with former Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, thanking him for his services to the country. 

Sir Julius also thanked him for the support he gave to the PPP.

Exchanging with Marape, he said if he wanted an effective Public service he had to start by reforming and reducing its size substantially.

The other two important agenda was work on the Decentralization of Powers for greater Autonomy and amendments to the Mining Act. 

This he says will see the deficit reduce in the next 3 years.

The New Ireland Provincial Government also has a clear Economic recovery platform that can be used as a road map to kick start the recovery process.