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Showing posts from May, 2021

Douglas Tomuriesa, Pope Francis and James Marape

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  Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa said he is disappointed and embarrassed over the way His Holiness Pope Francis was treated by Prime Minister James Marape over the last three-days during the Papal visit, and the lack of courtesy and respect shown by the Prime Minister. He said the Prime Minister continuously declares PNG as a ‘Christian country’ and prides himself on being a religious individual but he was surprised when the Pope was continuously snubbed by the PM over the weekend since the Pope’s arrival on Friday. “The Pope is the head of the Catholic church, the largest Christian church in the world and he is also a head of state. “PNG not only being a Christian country, but a country that prides itself as a ‘friend to all, enemy to none’, the PM should be according the Pope with the highest level of respect,” Tomuriesa said. The Opposition Leader pointed out that on Friday, the Prime Minister did not welcome the Pope at the airport, a tradition he had accorded to many othe...
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Mead scores on return

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  May 24, 2021 Sports By PARKER TAMBUA PAPUA New Guinea Kumul David Mead scored a hat-trick in Brisbane’s 34-16 upset win over the Roosters in round 11 of the National Rugby League at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Demoted by coach Kevin Walters last month, the Central native made his first-grade return and finished with 231 run meters, two tackle busts, a line break and a hat-trick to help his side register their third win of the season. “It was good to win and be part of the 17 again,” the 33-year-old told The National. “Tries are always bonus when you win. “I thought we defended well. “Our forwards, led by Tevita Pangai Jr and Matt Lodge, played tough and smart which helped us a lot.” Mead scored his first try in the 26th minute when club debutant Albert Kelly combined with fullback Jamayne Isaako and centre Dale Copley to set up the PNG international on the left edge. His second try came via an intercept off Roosters playmaker Sam Walker’s pass which saw him run 95 mete...
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K230mil for roll verification

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  May 24, 2021 Main Stories THE cost of implementing a roll verification system in Papua New Guinea is around K230 million, according to acting Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai. “This is a lot of money. But given past election records, it is (an) affordable cost,” Sinai said. He said the 2012 general election cost close to K800 million. He said the 2017 one cost around K400 million. The cost covered the process from enrolment to polling. “If we establish this system with a photo roll, we will spend less to maintain the roll in 2027,” Sinai said. “This exercise can be rolled out in less than 12 months. But time is against us. “If the funds are timely appropriated, I am sure and confident that we are technically ready to take it. “We have had enough of the hijacking of elections and its results by bullying citizens. “We start blaming the Electoral Commission, not knowing the truth involved when managing these activities. “I wish to see people change for the better and take ownershi...
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Czuba fights suspension

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  May 24, 2021 Main Stories By KARO JESSE A COURT has rejected an application by Fr Jan Czuba to stay a Cabinet decision to suspend him as secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi rejected Fr Jan’s urgent application in the National Court to stay the decision and to restrain the State from taking any disciplinary action against him, intimidate or harass him, pending the ruling on his application for a judicial review of his suspension. Police charged Fr Jan with one count of official corruption and nine counts of abuse of office on Dec 18, 2020. He will return to court on May 31 when his application for leave to review the Cabinet decision will be heard. Fr Jan was suspended on May 12 following a Cabinet decision that was gazetted on May 18. DHERST Minister Wesley Raminai said Fr Jan was under criminal investigations and would return when he cleared his name. He is suspended with pay. Dr Francis Hualupm...
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Kaiwi faces murder trial

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  May 24, 2021 Main Stories BHOSIP Kaiwi is to stand trial in the National Court for torturing his wife, Jenelyn Kennedy, to death last July. Waigani committal court magistrate Tracy Ganaii on Friday told Kaiwi that he could appeal her ruling if he was not satisfied with his committal to trial on the murder charge. Ganaii ordered Kaiwi to appear for listings on June 7 because his defence statement did not affect her ruling. She said the issues Kaiwi raised in his Section 96 statement were already dealt with but if he was still not satisfied, he can appeal in an appropriate court. “The issues raised on unlawful detention due to withdrawal of the unlawful murder charge and tendering of additional evidence had been addressed by this court in separate rulings already,” she said. “I adopt those reasons and rulings and the charges were substituted and murder charge was presented. “In brief, the additional statement tendered on sufficiency of evidence had been dealt with previously in sep...
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3 charged with murder

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  May 17, 2021 Main Stories A 40-YEAR-OLD doctor and two others are charged with the murder of Imelda Tubi Tiamanda appeared in the Mt Hagen committal court on Friday. Magistrate Leonard Mesmin read out the charges to Imelda’s husband Dr Simon Temo, Paul Ken 27, and Nombe Kasu, 42, all from Mopa village in the Karinz local gevel government of Mendi-Munihu, Southern Highlands. They were remanded at Baisu Prison in Mt Hagen. The case will be called again on May 28. Magistrate Mesmin said the nature of crime was serious and he had no power to grant bail. “Police also need time to complete their files,” he said. “Police said you killed Imelda, meaning all three of you have contributed to the death. “Therefore your innocence or guilt will be decided once we get all the reports (on) this case.” Temo requested the court that the case be transferred to Mendi for security reasons. Police alleged that Imelda, a University of Goroka student, was picked up by Temo on May 8 at the university an...
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NCD vaccinations progressing well: Officials

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  May 17, 2021 Main Stories Graphics: The Covid-19 figures around Papua New Guinea. – Nationalpic by JOEL HAMARI THE Covid-19 vaccination programme in the National Capital District (NCD) is progressing well as more people in the essential workforce category are coming forward for the jabs, officials say. NCD Health Authority chief executive officer Ken Wai said according to NCD Covid-19 provincial coordinator Dr Steven Yennie, 1,481 people had been vaccinated. The AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination for NCD is conducted at the Rita Flynn Court where the vaccination began last Wednesday. Wai said on Saturday that 297 people received their first dose of the vaccine which included 15 staff from Curtain Bros Ltd, 25 from CHM Group and 257 from smaller companies and walk-ins. He said 4,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine was allocated to the NCD health authority from the 132,000 doses that came from the Covax-Facility at the Serum institute of India last month. Wai said 2,519 doses remain...
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Korave rules out Hunters return

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  May 17, 2021 Sports By PATRICIA KEAMO CENTRAL Dabaris co-captain Adam Korave has ruled out a return to the SP Hunters as he looks forward to mentoring upcoming players in the Digicel Cup. The former Hunters lock has over a decade of experience in rugby league, including three seasons with the South Pacific Brewery-sponsored Queensland Intrust Super Cup side. Using his experience and knowledge, the 31-year-old said he wanted to help develop young players and help the Dabaris reach the finals of the 2021 season. “Right now, I’m not looking forward for a return to the Hunters squad,” the former Papua New Guinea Kumul told The National on Wednesday. “I’m just trying to help the new players (in the Dabaris) with whatever skills I’ve gained from my previous teams and games that I’ve played. “I really want to help the younger players in the team because most of them are inexperienced at the semi-professional level. “They have a long way to go and I don’t want keep those things which I’v...
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Baker’s allies caught

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  May 17, 2021 By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK POLICE have arrested a gang leader and eight of his accomplices believed to be allies of wanted criminal Tommy Baker during a raid on an island in Milne Bay on Friday. Provincial police commander Supt Peter Barkie said the man was the leader of a group of thugs operating in the waters of Esa’ala district, committing crimes such as sea piracy. “The suspect was arrested on Friday on Fergusson Island with eight other members of his gang during a raid,” he said. “They are all in custody at the Alotau police station and are being processed to determine their charges.” They are expected to appear before the Alotau District Court today. This gang is part of Baker’s syndicate in the province,” Supt Barkie said. “They always assist Baker’s gang, providing logistics, resources, manpower and other assistance.” He said similar gangs which operated in Kiriwina-Goodenough and Samarai Murua were all part of Baker’s syndicate. It is believed that Baker and his g...
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K1.4mil for PNG Orchids

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  May 14, 2021 By PATRICIA KEAMO OIL Search has reaffirmed its support for the Papua New Guinea Orchids which will help boost the national women’s team for this year’s Rugby League World Cup campaign in England. Oil Search country manager Leon Buskins said their commitment to the Orchids comprised the 2020 and 2021 sponsorship which amounted to K1.4 million. He said it was a commitment to rugby league especially for women and girls as well as helping the Orchids improve their world ranking. “We were not able to sponsor (the Orchids) last year because of Covid-19 challenges and the number of international fixtures,” Buskins said. “We are committed to roll over last year’s sponsorship to this year. “We started the inaugural sponsorship of the Orchids in 2017 as we believe the country’s national sport of rugby league should be the domain of men and women.” Buskins said it was a powerful platform not only for promoting women in sports, but to inspire others to work towards their dreams...
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SHP gets new administrator

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  May 17, 2021 SOUTHERN Highlands witnessed the formal welcoming of new provincial administrator Jerry David on Thursday. David replaces Joseph Cajetan, who handed over the keys to the administrator’s office as well as the official vehicle, at Agiru Centre in Mendi. David is the latest permanent administrator appointed with the last one being Governor William Powi. Previous administrators Ungia Kembo, Joe Kaiyo, Thomas Eluh and Cajetan were all acting in the position. The transition was witnessed by officers from the Department of Personnel Management, Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Provincial Executive Council members and departmental heads Cajetan become acting administrator when the province was in chaos after the 2017 election-related violence and the 2018 earthquake in Hela which impacted parts of Southern Highlands. Cajetan said he had faced challenges during his tenure trying to restore the rule of law and normalcy and was proud that he had done...
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3 charged with murder

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  May 17, 2021 A 40-YEAR-OLD doctor and two others are charged with the murder of Imelda Tubi Tiamanda appeared in the Mt Hagen committal court on Friday. Magistrate Leonard Mesmin read out the charges to Imelda’s husband Dr Simon Temo, Paul Ken 27, and Nombe Kasu, 42, all from Mopa village in the Karinz local gevel government of Mendi-Munihu, Southern Highlands. They were remanded at Baisu Prison in Mt Hagen. The case will be called again on May 28. Magistrate Mesmin said the nature of crime was serious and he had no power to grant bail. “Police also need time to complete their files,” he said. “Police said you killed Imelda, meaning all three of you have contributed to the death. “Therefore your innocence or guilt will be decided once we get all the reports (on) this case.” Temo requested the court that the case be transferred to Mendi for security reasons. Police alleged that Imelda, a University of Goroka student, was picked up by Temo on May 8 at the university and taken to Me...
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NCD vaccinations progressing well: Officials

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  May 17, 2021 Graphics: The Covid-19 figures around Papua New Guinea. – Nationalpic by JOEL HAMARI THE Covid-19 vaccination programme in the National Capital District (NCD) is progressing well as more people in the essential workforce category are coming forward for the jabs, officials say. NCD Health Authority chief executive officer Ken Wai said according to NCD Covid-19 provincial coordinator Dr Steven Yennie, 1,481 people had been vaccinated. The AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination for NCD is conducted at the Rita Flynn Court where the vaccination began last Wednesday. Wai said on Saturday that 297 people received their first dose of the vaccine which included 15 staff from Curtain Bros Ltd, 25 from CHM Group and 257 from smaller companies and walk-ins. He said 4,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine was allocated to the NCD health authority from the 132,000 doses that came from the Covax-Facility at the Serum institute of India last month. Wai said 2,519 doses remained and frontl...
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Pregnant mother killed

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  Pregnant mother killed May 14, 2021 By MIRIAM ZARRIGA A MAN who was enraged because his wife refused to follow him killed her and their unborn child in front of their relatives at home, before escaping. The incident occurred last Friday at Dodomona, Mougulu station, Nomad local level government in North Fly, Western. Police commander Chief Insp Silva Sika told  The National  that the man was arrested on May 8 and kept at a secret location to protect him, before police flew him out. He said last Friday, the whole community had gone to the local pastor’s residence to clean around the church and the home. The man kept on telling his wife to follow him but she refused. Then the house belonging to the man’s father caught fire and was completely destroyed. “The husband accused the woman of causing the fire,” Chief Insp Sika said. “However, the people told the man and his family that she had been with them cleaning the pastor’s compound.” “That evening, while she was preparing...
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Plans for corruption law

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  May 14, 2021 CABINET will advise the Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae to make the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) legislation effective from May 26. Prime James Marape said the Icac legislation could then be gazetted. He mentioned this during the opening of the two-day national integrity summit in Port Moresby yesterday hosted by Transparency International PNG. Marape said the Icac staff structure had been approved and budgets built around it and the anti-corruption work plan. Cabinet plans to take back to Parliament for approval some amendments on the selection and independence of the commissioners. The commissioners will be overseas-based so that they can make neutral decisions. Meanwhile, the Government has started discussions on women participation in the political process, including their five reserved seats. Cabinet will also table in Parliament the Unexplained Wealth Bill to hold public officials accountable for their “unexplained wealth”. Marape said a typi...
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Government focusing on free, fair election, says Marape

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  May 14, 2021 THE Government is focused on delivering a free and fair general election next year, says Prime Minister James Marape. Marape said this during the opening of two-day national integrity summit in Port Moresby yesterday that the focus was on the common roll, security, planning and conducting the elections. Marape reiterated plans to use biometric options on voter registration. “We admit major challenges on the national identification card process but we are turning our attention to home-grown solutions on biometrics registration,” he said. Marape said building a process was essential to ensure the outcomes had integrity. He thanked Transparency International PNG for organising the national integrity systems assessment for 2021. “True partnership is when we deliver structures as the Government. “And when the private sector, citizens and civil society are able to respond, (it) ensures that the full intents of the legal structures are realised.”
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Pandemic impacts global education

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  May 14, 2021 EDUCATION Vivienne Dangiaba, Marcia Donnelly and Mecklyn Jugari, second year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery students of the University of PNG who were struggling to do their practical at the laboratory beginning of 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. By BETTY GABRIEL WAKIA SINCE its outbreak nearly 1.5 billion students worldwide from pre-school to higher education have been affected by the pandemic. The new coronavirus has caused the most serious damage to the education system in history, affecting more than 190 countries, according to the “Covid-19 and Subsequent Education Policy Briefing” published by the United Nations on Aug 4, 2020. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) said: “We have never seen education face such a massive disruption”. Billions of students are unable to attend schools or universities due to the temporary closure of educational institutions by governments a...
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REMNANT AJ Group Limited donated a new vehicle to NHC

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  REMNANT AJ Group Limited, one of the contactor who was engaged by the National Housing Corporation to connect the sewage system at the NHC’s new Durand Project site donated a new vehicle to NHC on Friday, 7th June, 2024. The key of the new vehicle that costed the company close to K150, 000 was presented to the NHC’s project management division who will be using the vehicle to do inspection on the Durand project site on a daily basis. NHC Acting Managing Director Abel Tol while thanking the Company Managing Director Andy Minok, he said purchasing a vehicle by the contractor and donating it to NHC was one of the requirement written on the Contract signed. Tol said this company, Remnant AJ Group Limited was awarded a K3. 2 Million worth Project and that was to fix and connect the sewage system from the MacGregor Police Barracks all the way to the main Sewer. This contract was awarded to this named company in July last year and this is one of the few contractors who were engaged by N...
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MARAPE’S DECISION DEFICIENCY

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MARAPE’S DECISION DEFICIENCY* Wednesday 5 June 2024 Approved for release – Recently some political commentators who blindly endorse Hon James Marape as the Prime Minister, decried the Opposition’s push for a VONC, arguing that “a change in the Prime Minister will not fix the problems the country has.” This is where they are wrong. Decisions have the power to affect people and the decisions, or indecision, of a Prime Minister, affect the nation. This is the most important leadership quality that evades Marape – the innate ability to make decisions that are in the country’s best interests.  If Marape was serious about the country, he would make the following decisions to save PNG:  1) Review the national budget and cut spending, stop borrowing, and reduce taxes.  2) Give the Central Bank their independence back.  3) Stop printing money at the Central Bank.  4) Stop Connect PNG and other pork-barrel programs.  5) Give each province Block Grants and greater aut...
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Speaker's Decision Sparks Controversy in Parliament

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The parliament’s speaker Job Pomat’s decision on Wednesday has ignited a fierce debate among members, highlighting the complexities and challenges of parliamentary procedures.  In a phone interview yesterday afternoon with Kalang News, Douglas Tomuriesa, the Member for Kiriwina-Goodenough, and the Opposition Leader expressed the oppositions concerns regarding the Speaker's ruling, which they argue undermines the decorum and impartiality expected of the chair. Tomuriesa emphasized the importance of maintaining respect and dignity in the House, asserting that the Speaker must embody impartiality. "The decorum of the House depends on the chair, and the respect, the dignity of the chair must always be maintained. In this case, impartiality is very important," he stated. He criticized the Speaker's approach, questioning the decision to seek court clarification after making a ruling. "It's like putting the cart before the horse. How can you make your ruling and lat...
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Cockfighting ops busted

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  February 1, 20 22 Main Stories Police rounding up the men and a woman at Sumomini, West Sepik. By MIRIAM ZARRIGA in Vanimo POLICE have busted an illegal cockfighting operation run by expatriates in the mountains of Vanimo-Green’s Sumomini in West Sepik on Sunday afternoon. About 30 men from Indonesia, Malaysia and China, and a woman from Indonesia, had been taking bets on the cockfights were arrested. Police Commissioner David Manning was informed of the bust by policemen in Vanimo on Sunday afternoon after they returned from the mountains. Manning told  The National  that the cockerels were specially bred and conditioned for increased stamina and strength to get them more aggressive. “The cockerels are injected with drugs brought in by their owners. “The birds are then fitted with razors, known as gaffs, and the ‘armed’ cockerels are then put into a ring, called cockpit, to fight until one is maimed or dead. “I have told the policemen to ensure that the expatriates are...
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Provincial MP for West New Britain, Sasindran Muthuvel has called on the government to commit to the people of Papua New Guinea that it will prioritise Papua New Guineans in the sale of Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited’s (MVIL) shares in BSP Financial Group.

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 Provincial MP for West New Britain, Sasindran Muthuvel has called on the government to commit to the people of Papua New Guinea that it will prioritise Papua New Guineans in the sale of Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited’s (MVIL) shares in BSP Financial Group.  Governor Muthuvel said that given the National Executive Council has approved this decision and is now a foregone conclusion, the next best step is to ensure Papua New Guineans do not lose shareholding in such an important commercial entity.  Mr Muthuvel said: “I understand the government has indicated unofficially that its intention is to sell these shares to Papua New Guineans, but they must put this commitment on paper to properly assure the nation.  “Contradictory to these remarks, the NEC decision that gave effect to the selling of shares has no explicit directive to ensure these shares are  exclusively sold to Papua New Guineans.  “Majority ownership of BSP shares are one of the biggest assets ou...
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