“MARINE DISASTER BASAMUK” – Jack Lapauve
Ramu NiCo’s Health, Safety and Environment officers have confirmed a possible marine environment incident outside the Basamuk Refinery in Madang.
This follows the discovery of dead small fish, prawns and crabs at the Naglau Creek and beach front after locals poisoned the water to harvest fish. Results from laboratory testing by HSE officers ruled out a possible impact from Deep Sea Tailing Placement or gas emissions from the refinery.
Local village leaders also expressed concerns of the fishing technique used by fishermen as it is disastrous to the marine life. The incident has been reported to Madang Police to investigate and they have confirmed the use of a local poisonous plant.
“SOE PORGERA OPERATION” – Jack Lapauve
Police and army personnel engaged in the state of emergency call-out operation in Porgera held a parade yesterday to end the first phase of their program.
Operation call-out Commander, Chief Superintendent, Norman Kambo, praised all stakeholders for their support during the awareness programs in the communities.
He said despite negative comments from individuals, the operation was for the good of the people in the district and province.
Commander Kambo highlighted that outstanding law and order issues clamped down in the operation included pay back killings, use of marijuana, homebrew consumption, and rape.
The parade was witness by thousands at the Porgera station since the launching of this special operation a month ago. The second phase of the operation is the “Mekim Save Operation” which began today.
“CLIMATE CHANGE” – Edwin Fidelis
An Environment expert says village communities in Papua New Guinea are beginning lose their homes to rising sea levels. Prof. Simon Saulei from PNGFRI says land shortage, food scarcity and climate refugees will happen.
The statement comes after evidence of lack of adequate strategies from the authorities to cater to the impacts of climate change.
“PORGERA CONCERNS” – Bridgette Komatep
Chairman of the Justice Foundation for Porgera Limited Jonathan Paraia, speaking on behalf of what he claims to be original signatories to the Porgera MOA, brought to light the recent Porgera MOA Review in Kokopo.
Present in a News Conference were the signatories, most of them old men and women who signed the original MOA when the mine first started in 1989.
They alleged that those who represented them at the MOA Review workshop did not represent the people’s interest.
They want all breaches of the Porgera MOA uncovered through an audit before a proper review takes place.
“WORKS GOES RURAL” – Scott Waide
There’s expected to be focus on rural roads in the next 24 months as the Works Department make a shift in the way it does business.
Works Minister, Francis Awesa, says the Works Department will go rural in its approach.
The department will construct and maintain roads where private funding is too expensive.
“TI PNG ON CORRUPTION” – Bridgette Komatep
The annual Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption is on again with the support of 100 organizations that have registered for the worthy cause.
This year’s theme is “Zero Corruption – 100% Development,” and Transparency International reiterates the message that corruption threatens meaningful and sustainable development in PNG. The Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption is TIPNG’s major fundraising event that has three purposes.
Firstly, it creates greater awareness of corruption, secondly it provides citizens an opportunity to demonstrate opposition against corruption; and finally and most importantly, it raises much needed funds for the Siaguru Endowment Fund.
This Fund is the back-up stream of funds which ensures the future operations of Transparency International.
“AIYE AND LOMAI SUSPENDED” – Tere Alex
SP PNG Hunters props Timothy Lomai and Dion Aiye have been suspended for this weekend’s match after last week’s game against the Souths Logan Magpies.
The duo that had been named in the team for this weekend’s match against the Redcliffe Dolphins were placed on report and subsequently cited for lifting in a tackle on a Magpies player last weekend.
PNGRFL CEO, Brad Tassell, says the coaching staff viewed the incident and decided to accept the early guilty plea of both players.
Aiye will miss two matches while Timothy Lomai escapes with a one-match suspension.
Meanwhile, Hunters will be looking forward to continue with their winning formula.
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