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Madang Teachers still waiting for Leave Fares

January 14, 2019, 3:45 am
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Several teachers in Madang Province are still waiting for their leave fares for 2017 and 2018.

This is because of a funding shortage.

Provincial Education Director, Moses Sariki told NBC News that some teachers were paid only half their total leave fares for 2017 last year; whilst others have not been paid anything at all and are still waiting.

President of the Madang Branch of the P-N-G Teachers' Association, Remsey Ossy says teachers will be meeting on Thursday to further discuss this matter, and will continue to pursue it with the Provincial Government and Administration until they are settled.

NBC News
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PNGTA to file pay cut complaint with Ombudsman Commision

January 14, 2019, 4:07 am
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The Papua New Guinea Teachers Association will be filing a formal complaint to the Ombudsman Commission over cuts to teachers' salaries.

The unions' General Secretary, Ugwalubu Mowana says, this is part of speeding up the investigation process.

"Many people are telling me that unprecedented pay cuts have stopped in pay 20 (last year).

"No.

"The teachers' pay cuts is still going on.

"A lot of teachers have confronted me that they are getting deducted K50, K100.

"We have gathered some information and we will be filing this information to the commission.

"At the same time, my office will be filing a formal complaint to the Ombudsman Commission to actually strengthen the investigation efforts," Mr Mowana said.

NBC News
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PNG Army to recruit 300 officers

January 14, 2019, 10:55 pm
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The Papua New Guinea Defence Force is looking at recruiting about 300 officers this year, with first batch of 150 to occupy the Goldie Training Depot.

Defence Commander Major General Gilbert Toropo said the first 150 officers would take up six months’ training at Goldie followed by the next 150 recruits.

He said the department needed more than 300 officers but there were space limitations in accommodation.

“There is enough space for 150 in the training college and we cannot get more than that,” he said.

“Funds have been allocated by the government but the recruitment date has not been confirmed yet.”

Toropo said the department had 4000 officers in the army, navy and air force and the government was asking if it could be increased to 10,000.

He said the army can meet the 10,000 recommendation but accommodation was a problem.

The budget is not only looking at recruiting but other cost aspects such as uniforms, accommodation, salaries and cost, significant amount is needed.

Meanwhile, the re-establishment of the naval base on Lombrum Island in Manus will strengthen maritime security in PNG waters, said Major General Toropo.

He said an arrangement between the United States and Australian governments existed previously and the U.S announcement to set up base again came during November’s APEC meeting in Port Moresby.

He said the U.S used the base during World War II.

Toropo said the re-establishment of the base would tighten the maritime security system for Papua New Guinea to discourage illegal fishing, drug trafficking, sea robberies, illegal border crossing and while also building an avenue for international trade for the country and Manus.

“The discussions are underway now with them. Australia has already assisted us with boats that will be used in Manus,” Toropo said.

He said the Manus naval base was there because of the alliance PNG had with the U.S and Australia.

“Relationships have been on-going since Papua New Guinea gained independence in 1975,” he said.

He said Manus was in focus now for maritime security because too many illegal activities were going on at sea.

“There will also be indirect benefits by bringing in services that will boost the economy for PNG and Manus,” Toropo said.

SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS
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Australiam PM Morrison in Vanuatu and Fiji: broadening, not deepening

January 14, 2019, 11:00 pm
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By Jenny Hayward-Jones, https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/morrison-vanuatu-and-fiji-broadening-not-deepening

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will visit Vanuatu and Fiji this week. He is the first Australian prime minister to visit Vanuatu since Bob Hawke in 1990 and the first to visit Fiji since John Howard in 2006 (both were for Pacific Islands Forum leaders meetings). Long overdue, the visits are an important next step in Australian government’s increased engagement in the Pacific Islands region, following a flurry of significant announcements in the latter part of 2018.

The visits are an important next step in Australian government’s increased engagement in the Pacific Islands region.

Australia has promised a new infrastructure fund, new diplomatic missions, more labour mobility opportunities, a new “office of the Pacific” in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a military base in Papua New Guinea, an Australian Defence Force Pacific Mobile Training Team, and a joint undertaking (with Japan, New Zealand, and the U.S) to provide electricity to 70% of Papua New Guinea’s population.

Morrison chose to miss the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Nauru in September last year and is clearly playing catch-up now, probably inspired by a sense of panic in Canberra that China’s growing influence in the region is now threatening Australian interests. Morrison was overshadowed during his visit to PNG for APEC in November by the “China show”, but the bilateral visits to Vanuatu and Fiji offer a chance to be seen to be making good on Australia’s case to be the Pacific’s “partner of choice”.

The prime minister’s discussions with his counterparts in Port Vila and Suva this week will likely have a strong focus on security. Australia is assisting Fiji to redevelop Fiji's Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp. In Vanuatu, Morrison will be discussing further enhancement of bilateral security cooperation.

The visits to Vanuatu and Fiji will deliver a message that Australia is a strong security partner for the region and is committed to broadening bilateral relations with both countries. The inability of the Morrison government to align its Pacific islands policy announcements with domestic policies, however, constrains any genuine deepening of Australia’s relationships with Pacific Island countries.

Inconsistencies between foreign and domestic policies are of course not new or unique to Australia or indeed to Australia’s relations with Pacific Island countries. For example, international human rights advocates have argued that Australia’s poor record at home on rights for indigenous Australians and for asylum seekers is at odds with Australia’s advocacy for human rights in United Nations forums and in countries such as China, North Korea, and Myanmar, and weakens Australia’s credibility.

Credibility weaknesses in the international arena can usually be mitigated or overcome with good diplomacy and strength of argument. But domestic policies that prevent Australia from following through on commitments made to Pacific island countries are another matter.

The prime ministers of Vanuatu and Fiji know very well that the Morrison government has no comprehensive energy policy and little interest in addressing Pacific Island concerns about climate change through any further domestic commitments. Foreign Minister Marise Payne signed the Boe Declaration at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru, which reaffirmed that “climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific” and a “commitment to progress the implementation of the Paris Agreement”. But the Australian government has no intention of taking any domestic action to address this threat. 

Both the Turnbull and Morrison governments have made commitments to increase labour mobility opportunities for Pacific Islanders. Recognising the considerable value of labour mobility to Pacific Island countries, the Morrison government announced on 4 September that Australia's Pacific Labour Scheme would be opened to Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, building on Australia’s long-standing Seasonal Worker Programme. Then, only weeks later, the government flagged it would introduce an agricultural visa that threatened to destroy the Seasonal Worker Programme. It walked back from this idea but only in the face of strong objections from Pacific Island leaders, Australian experts and the opposition Labor Party. 

The handling of the Neil Prakash citizenship affair offers little room for hope in 2019 that the Australian government appreciates the importance of a whole of government approach to managing relationships in the Pacific.

It beggars belief that Canberra would not have access to legal advice (by asking its High Commission in Suva to take soundings there) that Neil Prakash could not be a Fiji citizen. For it to declare otherwise suggests that Canberra has no respect for Fiji’s laws. But even if the Department of Home Affairs was convinced Prakash could be a dual citizen, it is hardly in the national interest to send a convicted terrorist to Fiji at a time when Canberra is committing serious military and other financial resources to improve its security relationship with Suva.

The best new commitment Scott Morrison can make to his counterparts in Vanuatu and Fiji this week should not be another grand initiative but an undertaking to join up policy at home that will enable the deeper relations Australia so desperately needs with its neighbours.

Jenny Hayward-Jones is a Lowy Institute Non-resident Fellow and former Director of the Melanesia Program at the Lowy Institute. Prior to joining the Lowy Institute Jenny was an officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for thirteen years, serving in the Australian missions in Vanuatu and Turkey. She worked as Policy Adviser to the Special Coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands from its inception in July 2003 and in 2004.
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Samoa Rugby Union’s General Manager resigns

January 14, 2019, 11:06 pm
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The General Manager of the Samoa Rugby Union’s High Performance Unit, Zane Hilton, has resigned.

Hilton’s resignation is effective immediately as indicated in a letter he addressed to the CEO, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i, on 13 January 2019.

“I am formally writing to inform you of my resignation from the role of General Manager of High Performance for the Samoa Rugby Union effective immediately,” said a copy of the letter received by the Samoa Observer.

“I would like to wish the Samoa Rugby Union and the Manu Samoa in particular all the best for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in Japan. It was an honour to work with this team.”

Faleomavaega confirmed Hilton’s resignation. He told the Samoa Observer that Hilton has found employment elsewhere, hence his resignation.

“Hilton is going back to his coaching job, that’s all I can say. He is probably in the process of negotiating with his other employers at the moment,” Faleomavaega said.

Contacted for a comment, Hilton said he couldn’t talk about the reason for his resignation and referred all queries to the CEO of Samoa Rugby Union.

Hilton joined the Samoa Rugby Union at the beginning of last year, brought in to fulfil a role encouraged by World Rugby to assist the quality of the game in Samoa.

During his first interview with the Samoa Observer, the former Super Rugby coach for the Melbourne Rebels acknowledged that Samoan rugby’s performance was not where the country wanted it to be.

“We got some great people, great coaches across the programme.  It’s just about getting structure and really trying to identify what it is that Samoa rugby are good at, what are we known for because I think we can all appreciate our performances are not where we want them," he said at the beginning of the year.

“We’re all about transparency here and I’ve made sure that everything is transparent, we appreciate that the community and the country are hurting because of our performances and we know that we need to improve and that starts here and that’s what I’m here to do.”

Hilton was optimistic and enthusiastic about the potential he sees in Samoan rugby.

“There’s a huge amount of potential,” he said. “The nature of everyone on the island is that they have great passion for rugby here. It’s comforting for me to come to a country where rugby is the number one game and everyone has a passion and an opinion for it, which is great because it means people are passionate about it.

“For me, the potential is endless. We got a number of Samoans who play the game well in New Zealand, Australia and around the Pacific and also in England as well. We need to make sure we identify the quality players playing overseas and develop the game on the island too.”

Prior to his time in Samoa, Hilton had been a professional coach for the past 11 years in Japan, Europe and Queensland.

SOURCE: SAMOA OBSERVER/PACNEWS
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Minister Maru welcomes Lae Mobile Squad

January 16, 2019, 1:40 am
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Minister Maru said the move to have MS13 in his district is to ensure law & order is maintained as the multi-million Kina Sepik Chicken, Grain and Cocoa Project kicks off construction phase in the coming weeks. He urged the team to ensure the protection of State assets.

 “You are not here for holidays, I want action and I want results. We know Lae has really improved in law & order and this is attributed in part to the Lae Police command, discipline and culture. So we’ve brought you here to see if you can make a difference,” Minister Maru said.

He instructed the police not to engage in any out-of-court settlements, nor encourage any Police mediation. He said out-of-court settlements and mediation promoted bad behavior, therefore, all those who engage in criminal activities must now face the full brunt of the law.

Section Commander, Sergeant William Wimbi, said several arrests of criminals have already been made and assured the Minister that law breakers will be put behind bars.

 Special Sepik Economic Zone (SEZ) Project Implementation Manager,Thomas Yehiwara, said there is zero tolerance for anyone who attempts to disrupt the progress of this major economic project in the district and province.

 The Minister has directed MS13 to patrol the four LLG’s in the district both day and night in order to curb all elicit activities including home-brew making and other disorderly behaviours.


Minister Maru added that all outstanding murder and rape cases will now be revisited and the perpetrators will be hunted down and brought to justice.
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Minister calls for Unity amongst Public Servants

January 16, 2019, 1:50 am
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The ABG Minister for Public Service, ROBERT HAMAL SAWA last week appealed to all Bougainville Public servants to put their heads together and work in unity as Bougainville prepares for the Referendum to Independence and beyond.

Speaking to the Bougainville Public Servants at HAHELA, MR SAWA first thanked them for delivering basic services to the people of Bougainville in Health, Education, Community Government and other government service in 2018.

The Minister said that the Public Service is the main driver of policy development and service delivery.
As an institution it must be seen to be effective, neutral serving and answerable to the government of the day as well as the general public to whom it is mandated to serve.
He said that the Public service does not decide on policies but implements Government Policies that has been decided and put in place by the Bougainville Executive Council and the Parliament of Bougainville.
For this reason it must assume a central role in our government implementation agency.
Minister SAWA also thanked those public servants who did just that and called on others to pull up their socks in 2019.
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PNG's Tere-Apisah eyes Fed Cup

January 17, 2019, 6:07 pm
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Abigail Tere-Apisah of Papua New Guinea says she is looking forward to helping the Pacific Oceania tennis team in their Fed Cup campaign in Kazakhstan next month.

The team, comprising five women representing the island nations of Oceania, will begin their campaign on Feb 4 in Astana.

Tere-Apisah told The National on Monday that in the team were her niece Violet, Carol Lee (Northern Mariana Islands), Steffi Carruthers (Samoa) and skipper Gilles de Govy (Tahiti).

She said they were expecting stiff competition from Thailand, China, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Indonesia and Kazakhstan.

“It’s a tough competition but we all are working very hard as representatives of (the island nations of) Oceania,” Tere-Apisah said.

The 2015 Pacific Games gold medallist, who is training in Port Moresby, said she was prepared to help lead the side at the premier international team competition in women’s tennis.

“I’ve been here since the beginning of last month after a tournament in China and it’s good to be home spending time with my family,” Tere-Apisah said.

“At the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, I won gold in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

“Last year, I was lucky enough to jump on board with Kina Bank, which is my major sponsor.

“I’m really grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to travel overseas.”

The 26-year-old, from Morobe and Central, said she had been assisted under the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Grand Slam funding programme for the last three years.

“The ITF is a professional body that oversees tournaments around the world. It is sponsoring me alongside Kina Bank.

“I have a couple of professional doubles medals and titles.

“I joined the professional circuit just two years ago and my goal is to keep improving my ranking.

“I eventually want to compete in a Grand Slam and represent PNG on the world stage.”

Tere-Apisah, who reached a singles career high ranking of 276 last August, nearly became the first Papua New Guinea to compete in a Grand Slam when she took on China’s Wang Xinyu in the Asia-Pacific wildcard playoff final for the 2018 Australian Open. But she lost 6-4, 5-7, 4-6..

SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS
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Tenth of PNG's APEC cars missing

January 18, 2019, 5:40 am
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About 100 cars bought for Papua New Guinea's hosting of APEC have yet to make it back to the government, officials say.

Nearly 100 cars bought by Papua New Guinea for the APEC leaders' summit have yet to be returned to the government, officials say.

The Pacific nation - one of the world's poorest - bought about 1000 vehicles to transport world leaders during the annual meeting in November, intending to sell them off afterwards.

But as the government begins tendering the cars this month, police have been ordered to recover nearly 100 that are yet to make it back.

Finance Secretary Ken Ngangan this week said officials had been directed to surrender any APEC-related assets immediately.

"Any assets that still remain outside of this team after [Thursday] will be deemed illegal and stolen," Mr Ngangan said.

PNG's spending on the APEC conference - aided heavily by wealthier nations, including Australia - became a magnet for criticism of a government that has struggled to pay debt and public workers' wages.

The purchase of 40 Maseratis and three Bentleys in particular sparked outrage and protests.

Those high-end cars, however, had all since been returned and would be sold as early as next week, Mr Ngangan said.

The nation of about eight million has suffered economically since a downturn in global commodity prices, the failure of an LNG project to deliver a promised economic boom and a magnitude 7.5 earthquake last year.


More than 100 disgruntled police and guards stormed the country's parliament in November, demanding overdue payments for additional work during the APEC summit. source: news.com.au
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PNG Highlands Highway rehabilitation project launched

January 18, 2019, 5:54 am
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Prime Minister Peter O'Neill  launched the Highlands Highway rehabilitation project in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Provinces Saturday. This puts to rest the doubts and speculation of whether or not the Government of Papua New Guinea will consider the deteriorating state of the Highlands Highway. The PMs  visit to the province was intended to formally officiate the upgrade and rehabilitation work on the highway. He was accompanied by several members of his cabinet, including Works Minister Michael Nali, Lands and Physical Planning Minister Justine Tkatchenko, Petroleum and Energy Minister Fabian Pok, Agriculture Minister Benny Allen, and Health Minister Sir Puka Temu.

This K3 billion highway upgrade and rehabilitation project will start from Nadzab in Lae, Morobe Province, and will go all the way to Kagamuga, Western Highlands Province. Rehabilitation of this national highway is one of the “land mark” projects of the PNC-led Government; as infrastructure is one of PNC’s pillar policies. It will signify the O’Neill-Abel government’s promise and commitment to improve and deliver quality roads in the country.

This 428km road work is expected to be completed within the time frame of 10 years. Contract has been awarded to three major contractors. Metallurgical Corporation of China Limited (MCCL), China Wu Yi Ltd, and China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), who secured this contract through a transparent bidding supervise independently by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

PM and his delegation also made a visit to the provincial hospital in Goroka where he and the Health Minister officially opened a new Diagnostic and Surgical Centre for the hospital. A project which will cost the national government K180 million to deliver and will be able to cater for the Province's 600,000 plus population.
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Greg Inglis to retire from the NRL at the end of the 2020 season

January 18, 2019, 7:35 pm
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 Greg Inglis to retire from the NRL at the end of the 2020 season
 ‘GI’ to retire from representative football at the end of the 2019 season
South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Greg Inglis has announced that he will retire from playing NRL football at the end of the 2020 season today.
Inglis, 32, has also announced that 2019 will be his final season playing representative football.
Inglis will have the opportunity to play over 300 NRL games by the completion of season 2020, and will also have the chance to add to his 39 Tests for Australia and 32 State of Origin games for Queensland in season 2019.
Inglis paid tribute to the sport of Rugby League, saying he owes everything to the game.
“Rugby League has been my life,” Inglis said.
“It’s what I’ve known. I feel like I have given everything I have to the game, and it’s given me everything that I  have in my life.
“I’ve been fortunate to play with two fantastic clubs in the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Melbourne Storm.
“If it wasn’t for the Storm I would not have had the chance to fulfil my life’s dream.
“At the Rabbitohs, and as I’ve grown older, I’ve become a leader, a captain and a mentor to the current and next  generation of young Rabbitohs to wear this proud red and green jersey.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to represent my country, my state, and my people and those are memories that I will  cherish forever.
“To all of the coaching staff, players, family, friends, administration staff, Members and fans of the game, Todd  Greenberg and his team at the NRL, I want to say a massive thank you for everything that the game has given  me. I owe everything to the game.
“I grew up loving the sport of Rugby League, there is no other sport for me, and I’ve been lucky enough to live out  my dream.
“Therefore, 2020 will be my last season of NRL football. By announcing this now it means I can focus on the job  at hand here at South Sydney over the next two years.
“It will also be my final year of rep footy in 2019, if I’m fortunate enough to be selected, and I will give everything I
have to the Australian and Queensland jerseys as I have throughout my career.
“It’s time for myself to look forward and move onto my next chapter in life.
“We have a job to do over the next two years on the field at Souths and following that I still want to be involved  with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, whether it’s in a coaching or football role under Shane Richardson or working  with the community and Souths Cares under general manager Alisha Parker-Elrez.
“Finally, once again, thank you to everyone that has made it possible for me to live my dream and I can assure  you that over the next two seasons I will be giving 100% to achieving the success we want at South Sydney.

Rabbitohs Chairman Nicholas Pappas praised Inglis’ contribution to the Club and to the sport of Rugby League.
“Greg has been an ornament to the game, both on and off the field,” Mr Pappas said.
“He is a role model for Indigenous communities and has always displayed a total commitment to the Rabbitohs  and what we believe in.
“We look forward to the next two seasons with Greg on the field and we are certain that he will be a success in his  next career once he retires.”
Rabbitohs General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, paid tribute to Inglis.
“Greg has been an iconic leader at the South Sydney Rabbitohs and in the Indigenous world,” Mr Richardson  said.
“He will leave the game at the end of 2020 with a status that puts him up there with the great Arthur Beetson and  Johnathan Thurston.
“We look forward to the next two years with Greg as our captain and then being involved with his future postfootball.”
Biography:
Name: Greg Inglis
Date of Birth: 15 January 1987
Place of Birth: Kempsey, NSW
Height: 195cm
Weight: 105kg
Position: Fullback/Centre/Five-eighth
Junior Club: Bowraville Tigers, Wests Newcastle
Previous Clubs: Storm (2005-10)
NRL Games: 261 (144 for the Rabbitohs; 117 for Storm)
NRL Points: 618 (from 149 tries, nine goals and four field goals)
NRL Debut: Storm vs Eels, Olympic Park, 16 April 2005 (Rd 6)
Rabbitohs NRL Debut: Rabbitohs vs Roosters, Sydney Football Stadium, 11 March 2011 (Rd 1)
Rep Honours: 39 Tests for Australia (2006-16); 32 State of Origin matches for Queensland
(2006-16, 2018); World Cup (2008, 2013 - Champions); Four Nations (2009,
2011, 2014, 2016); Tri-Nations (2006); Prime Minister's XIII (2016); Five games
for Indigenous All Stars (2012-13, 2015-17); Australian Schoolboys (2004)
NRL Premierships: 3 – Rabbitohs (2014); Storm (2007, 2009)
NRL Grand Finals: 5 – Rabbitohs (2014); Storm (2006-09)


  • Awards and Honours: Queensland State of Origin captain (2018)
  • Indigenous All Stars captain (2016-17)
  • Australian Prime Minister’s XIII captain (2016)
  • RLPA Male Australian Representative Player of the Year (2016)


  • World Club Challenge Champions captain (2015)
  • George Piggins Medallist (2013, 2015)
  • Jack Rayner Players’ Player Award (2012, 2015)
  • Dally M Fullback of the Year (2013)
  • RLIF Fullback of the Year (2013)
  • Dally M Provan-Summons Medallist (2013)
  • Golden Boot Winner (2009)
  • Harry Sunderland Medallist (2009)
  • Wally Lewis Medallist (2009)
  • Ron McAuliffe Medallist (2009)
  • Dally M Representative Player of the Year (2008-09)
  • RLIF Centre of the Year (2009)
  • Four Nations Player of the Tournament (2009)
  • Queensland Sports Awards Sport Star of the Year (2009)
  • Melbourne Storm Back of the Year (2009)
  • Dally M Five-eighth of the Year (2008)
  • Indigenous Team of the Century inductee (2008)
  • Dally M Peter Frilingos Memorial Award (2008)
  • Clive Churchill Medallist (2007)
  • Melbourne Storm Team of the Decade inductee (2007)
  • RLIF International Newcomer of the Year (2006)


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PNG Education Dept releases K115, 487,777.07 millon TFF funds to schools

January 19, 2019, 1:46 am
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"I am pleased to announce that a total of K115, 487,777.07 million for TFF has been released to the Department of Education to pay to schools to start off the 2019 academic year.

The total amount to be paid to schools is the money for the final fourth quarter of 2018 that was withheld due to late release of funds and closure of the school academic year.

The money is for the TFF funding for Elementary, Primary, High Schools, National High Schools and Vocational Centers. The transactions to the designated schools’ bank accounts from BPNG will be effective as of January 21st, 2019.

The outline of this current payment is presented below. .





I want to remind all the schools and their administrations once again to use the money wisely by spending only on the priority areas that will help the schools to begin the new academic year smoothly.

I would like to thank the national government for continuing to honor its commitment by making funds available to pay the schools despite the difficult economic situation the country is facing.

I also call on all the teachers to resume duties on Monday, January 21 to prepare for a full day’s teaching on Monday, January 28."
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Bougainville Post-Referendum Planning Taskforce holds First meeting

January 19, 2019, 2:08 am
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Co-Chaired by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Bougainville Affairs, Hon. William Samb, and the Autonomous Bougainville Government Minister for Peace Agreement Implementation, Hon. Albert Punghau, and supported by officials from both governments, the purpose of the three day meeting was to commence discussions around the role of the Task force, its objectives, and, through scenario planning, howto potentially manage any upcoming challenges in a peaceful way.

“A key pathway for the referendum and post-referendum period to follow is: peace by peaceful means. To enable this, it is critical to better understand the steps and processes in the period following the referendum. This task force will help us identify and focus our work required, as part of the transition period, to ensure peace by peaceful means is achieved”, said Minister William Samb.

The Post-Referendum Planning Task force was established in June 2018 by the Joint Supervisory Body, with a view to ensuring peaceful acceptance of the results of the referendum and for developing an agreed plan that can be in place for the country to move together peacefully. Formed by members from both governments,the Task force will help define and guide the agreed provisions for the post-referendum process of consultations between the two governments to formulate a joint agreement that can be brought to the National Parliament.

“This is the first time political leaders and technical experts from both governments have sat together to start the planning process for the post referendum period, to map a peaceful way forward for Bougainville and Papua New Guinea and to have a peaceful and smooth outcome following the referendum”, underlined Minister Albert Punghau.

Gianluca Rampolla,the Resident Coordinator for the United Nations in Papua New Guinea, said that “around the world, the best practices show that sustaining peace requires inclusive dialogue to achieve agreed outcomes. PNG made history in 2018 with APEC, PNG will make history in 2019, through consensus, to determine the continuation of successful peace building in Bougainville”.

The meeting was supported by the UN Peace building Fund project “Sustaining Peace in Bougainville”, and facilitated by Dr. Christina Murray, of the United Nations Mediation Support Unit of the Departments of Political and Peace building Affairs and Peace Operations, and Ciaran O’Toole, Pacific Programme Director for Conciliation Resources. The PNG National Research Institute is also providing support to the Task force. The two delegations agreed to continue this consultative process in the coming months with a view to presenting a consolidated position on the way forward to the leadership of the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
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Affordable, Faster Internet Connectivity for Tuvalu

January 20, 2019, 3:51 am
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An innovative public-private partnership (PPP) model, the first of its kind in Tuvalu, will develop the nation’s internet access network, with support from a US$29 million grant approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors. The grant will seek to improve overall access to more reliable and affordable telecommunications services in Tuvalu.

 The Tuvalu Telecommunications and ICT Development Project will support the development of a new information communications and technology (ICT) policy, which will guide reforms to boost connectivity in Tuvalu, including to the country’s outer islands.

 The project will include reforms of the Tuvalu Telecoms Corporation (TCC) to redevelop the government-run entity as a PPP in cooperation with an experienced international telecommunications operator, selected competitively. The Project will also support investments in, an international optical fibre submarine cable to provide faster, lower-cost internet bandwidth.

 “Delivering better telecommunications services is essential to the development of Tuvalu. That is why adopting key reforms and developing better ICT infrastructure, with the support of development partners and the private sector, is a priority,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, the Honourable Maatia Toafa.

 “Guided by our National Strategy for Sustainable Development, we look forward to delivering these improved ICT services as part of our deepening partnership with the World Bank.”

 Tuvalu is one of the least connected countries in the world, with high-cost and limited internet services. This lack of quality connectivity has significant negative impacts on Tuvaluan life, including poor communication between households and overseas relatives, high costs of doing business, and challenging provision of services such as health and education. Poor connectivity also constrains business and tourism opportunities and the ability to respond quickly to natural disasters.

 “Our extensive experience in supporting improvements to ICT services across the Pacific over the past decade has shown that affordable, reliable connectivity can be genuinely transformative – delivering positive impacts in areas including health, education, private sector development, and disaster response and recovery,” said Michel Kerf, Country Director for Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

 “We are proud to be supporting the government of Tuvalu as it pursues key reforms and infrastructure investments to deliver better connectivity for its people.”

 The project is part of the Pacific Regional Connectivity Programme, a broader, ongoing, regional programme supporting improved Pacific connectivity in Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia (with Palau) and Kiribati. 

 The US$29 million grant comes from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the most in-need countries, and will be implemented by the Tuvalu Ministry of Communications and Transport.

SOURCE: WORLD BANK/PACNEWS
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ABG President Momis Refutes misuse of funds claims by Lera

January 20, 2019, 4:10 am
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ABG President Grand Chief Dr John Momis has refuted claims by Regional Member for Bougainville Joe Lera over claims of misuse of funds by the government.

According to President Momis, Mr Lera’s statement is not only misleading and insensitive but also show his ignorance on the funding arrangements under the Bougainville Peace Agreement

Under clause 149 of the BPA the National Government is required to provide the ABG a) recurrent unconditional grants, b) restoration and development grant (RDG), c) specific purpose conditional grant (such as the police grant) and d0 a one of establishment grant (which was paid in 2005).

The Restoration and Development Grant (RDG) was instituted to help finance the restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the infrastructure and services destroyed during the conflict.

The acquittals that Mr Lera made reference to are reported through the normal financial reporting processes; annual financial statements and quarterly reports to the National Department of Treasury.
However since 2017, the ABG has been reporting to the Treasury on a monthly basis on the use of these funds.

Contrary to Mr Lera’s assertion that the ABG has nothing to show for the millions of Kina received from the National Government since 2005, the ABG has achieved a lot with the little funding that it received from the National Government.

Education and health services has been fully restored, the ABG has passed many important legislations such as its own Mining Law, there is gender equity in the community governments, setting up the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee which is an independent entity that is responsible for recruitment and foremost amongst these the ABG has progressed stability through weapons disposal and referendum readiness within its constituencies.ABG President Grand Chief Dr John Momis has refuted claims by Regional Member for Bougainville Joe Lera over claims of misuse of funds by the government.

According to President Momis, Mr Lera’s statement is not only misleading and insensitive but also show his ignorance on the funding arrangements under the Bougainville Peace Agreement

Under clause 149 of the BPA the National Government is required to provide the ABG a) recurrent unconditional grants, b) restoration and development grant (RDG), c) specific purpose conditional grant (such as the police grant) and d0 a one of establishment grant (which was paid in 2005).

The Restoration and Development Grant (RDG) was instituted to help finance the restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the infrastructure and services destroyed during the conflict.

The acquittals that Mr Lera made reference to are reported through the normal financial reporting processes; annual financial statements and quarterly reports to the National Department of Treasury.
However since 2017, the ABG has been reporting to the Treasury on a monthly basis on the use of these funds.

Contrary to Mr Lera’s assertion that the ABG has nothing to show for the millions of Kina received from the National Government since 2005, the ABG has achieved a lot with the little funding that it received from the National Government.

Education and health services has been fully restored, the ABG has passed many important legislations such as its own Mining Law, there is gender equity in the community governments, setting up the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee which is an independent entity that is responsible for recruitment and foremost amongst these the ABG has progressed stability through weapons disposal and referendum readiness within its constituencies...New Dawn FM News
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Senior Officer arrested for harassing detainee in Port Moresby

January 20, 2019, 8:01 pm
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A senior police officer in the National Capital District is the latest arrest by the Policing the Police Task Force Team, clamping down on rouge officers within the force.

Chief Sergenat Ben Trepi is the Second Officer in Charge, or the 2IC of the Hohola Police Station, who was arrested and charged for sexual penetration of a female detainee, having in his possession pornographic materials and producing pornographic videos.

He was charged alongside First Constable Leo Kambao.

The duo were charge over two separate incidences involving an 18-year old female detainee a fortnight ago.

News of the tragedy triggered a public backlash on the Constabulary on social media facebook, questioning the safety and security of detainees in police custody.

Both Chief Sergenat Trepi and First Constable Kambao are detained at the Boroko Police cells waiting to appear in court.

Meantime,

Another police officer who had assaulted his heavily pregnant wife with a 9mm pistol was also arrested and charged by the Policing the Police Task Force Team at the Gordons Police Barracks last Thursday.

Evara Kivovia of Ihu, Kikori, Gulf province is attached to the Waigani police station.

According to a police media statement, 36 year old First Constable allegedly went home drunk and assaulted his wife.

He also allegedly took out a pistol and discharged the weapon.

The matter was reported and the officer was disarmed and taken into custody.

He was arrested and charged for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of firearm whilst drunk, discharging firearm and assault.

Radio New Zealand reports the NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Perou N'dranou, saying 15 police officers have been jailed in Port Moresby in the past four months for offences including brutality, aiding prison escapees, and domestic violence.

They are among 31 officers who were arrested and charged since September.

Mr N'dranou says more arrests are likely this year, and they've already noticed a drop in officers involved in illegal activities.

NBC News
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Chinese flags angers Samoan MP

January 21, 2019, 1:32 am
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Samoan Member of Parliament, Olo Fonoti Vaai, has called on Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi’s government to remove Chinese flags flown at the site of the various projects they are funding, reported the Samoa Observer Saturday.

 The MP said it doesn’t make sense flying their flags at projects that are funded by loans, which Samoan taxpayers will ultimately have to repay. 

 “This is Samoa and while we are thankful to the Chinese Government for their assistance, the fact remains these are not aid, these projects are all part of the WST$410 million (US$155.48 million) debt owed to China,” he said.

 “These projects are not free so why are we allowing them to fly their flags on the project sites – it does not make any sense.”

 Making reference to the coverage by the Samoa Observer on $1.1 billion (just over US$417 million) in foreign debts accumulated by the Samoa Government over the years, Olo said Samoa’s debt with China currently stands at WST$410.01 million, and indicated that the Government paid WST$58.4 million (US$22.13 million) and WST$117.1 million (US$44.37 million) in 2013 as debt servicing for the loans that funded the construction of the Parliamentary Building, Ministry of Justice, and the Courts and Administration Building and the Convention Center.

 The Chinese Ambassador to Samoa, Wang Xuefeng, has not responded to an email from Samoa Observer sent earlier in the week.

 But the Embassy’s Second Secretary Liu Peng replied, saying: “Is it not the international conventions to fly the two countries’ flags in the cooperation projects – in order to show the cooperation relation and friendship between two countries, especially other countries also do the same things?”

 Peng assured the Samoan Observer that she would ask the Ambassador for comment, but there was no response from the Embassy by the time this newspaper went to press last night.

 There was also an instance of a Chinese flag being flown during the Faleolo International Airport upgrade project, which Olo didn’t agree with. 

 “I was puzzled. This is the gateway for most of the tourists that visit Samoa, the first thing they see is the Samoan flag accompanied by the Chinese flag. And again, it does not paint a good picture of Samoa, as a country,” he added.

 The airport upgrade was funded by a loan provided by the Chinese Government, which the MP indicated the Samoa Government has already started to pay back.

 “Again looking at the public accounts and for the upgrading of the airport, the loan started in 2014 with first repayment in financial year 2015 of $33.41 million."

 “In 2016, the Government paid WST$59.50 million (US$22.54 million). This climbed to WST$90 million (US$34.09 million) in 2018.”

 Olo appealed to the Samoa Government to be cautious, and added that it is time for Samoans to have pride in their country and acknowledge the pre-independence work of the Mau leaders.

 “Why can’t we do the same, we should have some pride in our country, where our Mau leaders had shed blood to assure Samoa’s Independence. Samoa was the first Pacific Island to gain Independence – we should wear that with pride and not allow this to continue."

 “We can allow the Chinese Government to install a cemented plaque at the entrance of the buildings, but we should not let them fly their flags in our country, it is that simple.”

 It was not possible to get a comment from Prime Minister Tuilaepa at press time.

SOURCE: SAMOA OBSERVER/PACNEWS
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Vanuatu's Council of Ministers approve urgent restoration of services on Ambae

January 21, 2019, 1:34 am
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Vanuatu's Council of Ministers (COM) wants to see the immediate reinstatement of essential services such as water, health, infrastructure and telecommunication on Ambae to support the return of the people.

A set of 16 priority recommendations in the Ambae Disaster Recovery plan were endorsed by COM. The first one on the list is the deployment of a team from Public Works Department to clear the Longana and Walaha airstrips for flights to resume directly to Ambae.

The immediate restoration of water supply system to Lolowai and Saratamata, and power supply to Saratamata are crucial to support Government services.

The deployment of health officers to Nduindui Health Centre and Lolowai Hospital is a priority.

Since a lot of people have already been moving back to Ambae, Digicel and Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) need to switch on their network in west Ambae and other parts of the island.

The COM wants the two telecommunication companies to establish 3G and 4G network for the people to access internet.

It also approved the deployment of Vanuatu Police Force officers on the ground to provide security for evacuees returning home.

Business owners should return and re-establish their businesses such as retail shops, guest houses as well as banking services.

While the Penama Provincial Government will be relocated to Pentecost, the central government services should resume on Ambae to support affected people.

The Government will also support Ambae chiefs to take care of their people on Ambae and those displaced on Maewo, Santo, Efate, Pentecost and Malo.

The government, with the assistance of humanitarian partners will continue to provide relief supplies for another four months this year.

The COM agreed for government to assist with transport for those resettled on another island want to inspect their properties on Ambae and collect building materials to construct their second homes.

The National Recovery Committee (NCR), Department of Land and partner agencies will continue to work on the second home concept.

These recommendations were submitted by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to COM with the findings of the Ambae Disaster Assessment Report..

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST/PACNEWS
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Discussions ongoing in PNG Opposition camp

January 21, 2019, 1:36 am
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Discussions are on-going in the PNG Opposition camp as they continue to work on a vote of no confidence motion against the Government.

Parliament will have its first sitting on Tuesday 22 January and is expected to last for up to two weeks.

The 18-month grace period for the current Government, when no such motion can be entertained, expires on Feb 5. But it is likely that Parliament will rise before that date.

Opposition Whip and Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt told The National that there was a lot of discussion going on.

“Things are looking proficient but discussions are still on. We are trying to lock everything down. So we are still in the process,” Schnaubelt said.

Schnaubelt said Parliament was going to rise on February 1 – four days before the 18-month period lapses.

“The Opposition is talking to everybody on the Government side. So come Tuesday, there will be normal processes going to take place,” he said.

“And during the couple of weeks of Parliament, anything can happen any time because there are lots of  discussions happening, said Schnaubelt.

SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS
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Morrison rewards his TV mates with a multi-million dollar hand out for Pacific broadcasting

January 21, 2019, 1:38 am
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The Morrison government has handed out a lucrative multi-million dollar contract to political mates without expertise or appropriate experience. It’s the Great Barrier Reef Foundation debacle all over again.

This time it’s $17.1 million dollars to Australia’s commercial TV stations (through FreeTV Australia) to send 1000 hours of Australian content each year to established media networks in the Pacific for the next three years.

“It is a very expensive taxpayer subsidy to Australia’s commercial television moguls in the lead up to a federal election,” said Supporters of Australian Broadcasting in Asia Pacific (SABAP) spokesperson Bruce Dover, a former journalist and media executive with decades of experience in Australia and the region, in the public and private sectors.

“Does this policy really meet any of the needs of the South Pacific? Will episodes of ‘Home and Away’, given for free, change lives in the region?” Dover asked.

“Content produced by members of FreeTV Australia for Australian audiences is likely to be of little relevance to the people of the region,” Dover said. “Its bad policy, it smacks of white colonialism,” he said.

FreeTV Australia is a commercial industry body which does not include the ABC, SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV) or community broadcasters. The government says it has no plans to initiate any other partnerships with other Australian media organisations.

“The announcement makes a mockery of recent government reviews of soft power and Australian broadcasting in the Asia Pacific, both of which are yet to report and make recommendations.” Dover said.

SABAP convenor Jemima Garrett, a journalist with 30 years’ experience in the Pacific said the deal is the opposite of what the Pacific is asking for.

In their submission to the reviews, people of the Pacific and their leaders made it clear they need expanded Australian broadcasting for quality public interest journalism and its vital role in disasters.

Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas wrote to the Review of Australian Broadcasting Services in the Asia Pacific:

"My government hopes that as a result of this review the ABC is supported to begin anew the process of re-engaging with audiences across Vanuatu via shortwave (radio) services and other co-operative broadcasting endeavours. Radio Australia is one of the most tangible ways Australia communicates and connects with the many communities around Vanuatu’

Garrett said despite strong growth in mobile telephony, radio is still the main method of communication in the Pacific. “TV doesn’t reach the majority of the population in rural areas especially in PNG which has one of the lowest electrification rates in the world. Less than 13-percent of the population has access to power from the grid” she said.

“People in the Pacific have asked for tailored content that is relevant to them - not the same stories, news, dramas and sports that Australians are watching at home” she said.

If the Morrison government’s step-up in the Pacific is to be a success it must listen to the voice of the region rather than play domestic politics,’ Garrett said.

Dover noted the deal with FreeTV does not involve any capacity building, co-production or partnerships with the Pacific.

“It is a bit like Marie Antoinette’s proclamation of ‘let them eat cake’,” he said.

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE
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