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News Bytes for 16th July, 2014

“… SENIOR LAWYER ARRESTED OVER PARAKA PAYMen’s”Bernadette Efi

 

Superintendent Damaru said the office is still awaiting the Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki’s directive to execute the arrest warrant on the Prime Minister.
 

Damaru maintained that the Fraud and Anti-Corruption office and its’ members remain dedicated to upholding the rule of law and the national constitution.

 


 

“VAKI CONTEMPT”Ruth Rungula

 

Members of the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate have filed contempt proceedings against Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki in the National Court for refusing to enforce the warrant of arrest against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

Chief Superintendent of the directorate, Matthew Damaru, said a warrant of arrest is a court’Order,’Ordering the police to effect arrest on the Prime Minister, and Mr Vaki has deliberately refused to carry out this’Order to arrest the Prime Minister.

 

He said in a statement that they filed the proceedings yesterday to invoke the inherent powers of the court to ensure the court’Orders are respected.

 


 

“MALISO OMBUDSMAN”Michelle Amba

 

Howard Maliso has been appointed as an Acting Ombudsman. Prime Minister Peter O&rsquO’Neill announced this in a statement this afternoon.

Mr Maliso joins Chief Ombudsman, Rigo Lua and Ombudsman, Phoebe Sangetai as the third Ombudsman as required under the Organic Law. He was appointed by the Ombudsman Appointment Committee on May 26, 2014 and sworn in today. He will be Acting Ombudsman until a permanent appointment is made.

 

Prior to his appointment, Mr Maliso was director of legal services at the Commission.

 


“OK TEDI MOA”Michelle Amba

 

The Ok Tedi Mining Project Memorandum of Agreement review is underway in Kokopo, East New Britain. All parties are in attendance including the state, Western Provincial Government, Local Level Government and landowners.

The 6 villages are represented by the Mount Fubilan Resources Association. Star Mountains Local Level Government is also represented in the review.

High on the agenda will be the implementation of the transfer of 10 per cent royalty from the provincial government to the 6 mine villages. At present, royalty break up is such that the provincial government gets 50 percent each of the total amounts, based on Ok Tedi’s monthly sales.

The transfer will mean that the affected villages will get 60 per cent, while the Western Province government gets 40 per cent. Other benefits will also be discussed during the review.

 


“LATE KORUA”Michelle Amba

The passing away of the president of National Congress Party, Simon Korua, has received attention from other political parties.

 

Late Korua, a successful businessman from Mul District of Western Highlands Province, passed away on the 8th of this month while in Australia.

He is survived by 3 sons and his wife. Yesterday the parliamentary leader of People’s Progress Party and State Investment, Minister Ben Micah, paid his respects. He was accompanied by head of State-Owned Enterprises and Mining Minister, Byron Chan. Minister Micah said this was to show their respects for the ruling party in their time of loss.

 


“POLICE BRUTALITY”Edwin Fidelis

 

A youth sustained wounds to his head and face after being beaten up police officers in Lae yesterday.
 

Benjamin Kilike said that the police used batons and hockey sticks to beat him after assuming he was going to take pictures of a commotion between members of the public and police at Lae’s Top Town. 

 

This comes after widespread circulation of videos and images involving police brutality against civilians around the country.

 


“REFEREE COACHING IN NIPS”Tere Alex

 

Three women are among 36 participants from referee and coaching clinics in Kavieng conducted under the PNG Rugby Football League’s, Team Kumuls program.

 

The two-day clinic, which kicked off yesterday, have attracted Sallyanne Tiplas and Lyle Alickson who are involved in the coaching sessions supervised by National Development Manager, Toksy Nema.

 

Pinni Seth from Rawal Warriors Women’s Rugby League, has been involved in the course conducted by Referees Director, Joe Peregua, with the roll-out program to extend to East New Britain on Thursday and Friday.

 

PNGRFL Director for NGI, Horta Boskey, said this would be the initial stage of the roll-out, with follow-up courses crucial to keep the development program process in motion.

 


 

“ASURAMBA CONCERNS”Scott Waide

 

Manam islanders displaced by a volcanic eruption a decade ago, have made a fresh call for renewed attention by government authorities. For years, they’ve faced ongoing animosity between themselves and the local Bogia villagers.  

An unspecified number of men, women and children have died in various disputes. After 10 years, their quality of life is deteriorating. They’re unable to build new houses because they’ve been refused access to traditional land owned by local clans. 

Former LLG councillor, Charles Henda, told EM TV that water and building materials have become scarce as population numbers increase in the care centres.

 


 

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