Papua New Guinea Today

ExxonMobil PNG, operator of the PNG LNG Project, is investing K2.3 million to rebuild and equip three local health centres in PNG LNG project areas in Hela Province as part of its on-going support to invest in infrastructure improvements and support earthquake affected communities.

The Mananda and Para sub health centres are managed by the Evangelical Church of PNG (ECPNG) while the Juni sub health centre is staffed and operated by National Department of Health through the Hela Provincial Health Authority.

An assessment conducted by Hela Provincial Health Authority and ECPNG identified the critical needs for health care facilities in the province following the earthquake.

The existing Mananda and Para sub health centres are currently being repaired and an additional staff house is being built for the Para sub health centre.

At Juni a newsub health centre encompassing five wards is being built on the site of the old clinic. Located within the Komo-Magarima district it will service a population of 5000 people.

The Juni subhealth centre is a Level 2 health facility per the PNG National Health Services Standard but was unable to meet the health service delivery requirement with the old building and equipment.

With the new building design, it will expand its services to provide ante-natal and post-natal care, inpatients wards, emergency and dispensary rooms, a drug storeroom, health promotions, utility and procedure rooms, volunteer counselling and testing of HIV and AIDS, with modern sanitation and shower facilities and hot water system.

Local tradesmen were contracted to repair and rebuild the local health centres ensuring the infrastructure improvements and earthquake restoration work also generated income for local families.

ExxonMobil PNG Executive Director of Production, Dinesh Sivasamboo said there is still much work to be done for communities to recover and the company was pleased to continue support to its neighbours most impacted by the earthquake in Hela Province.

“It is vital that basic health services are restored in the communities. Healthy populations mean people participate more actively in the social and economic growth of their communities,” Mr Sivasamboo said.

ExxonMobil PNG in partnership with other organizations is also continuing to provide support for the restoration of education services, community food gardens and assisting the government to build roads and bridges for Hela and Southern Highlands Provinces that were destroyed during the disaster.

Via Media Release

A recent report released by PricewaterhouseCoopers has estimated K9 billion worth of commitments made to Papua New Guinea following the hosting of APEC 2018.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, a multinational professional services network that focuses on audit and assurance, says at least K9bn worth of signed deals and projects were promised for PNG after November’s international summit.

This is K7 billion more than the estimated expenditure of hosting APEC.

According to the PwC, the commitments made during APEC can help accelerate inclusive growth and create further benefits for PNG, highlighting that most deals signed focused on infrastructure such as roads and electrification, which are essential enablers for economic growth and employment.

In its infographic, the PwC rated infrastructure with the highest amount of investment, followed by defence, education, health, agriculture and disaster resilience.

Seeing as most of the commitments are aimed at infrastructure projects, the professional services firm says we can expect to see the benefits extend over the next decade.

“With proper management and funding, these projects could help drive PNG’s economic growth and reduce the boom and bust cycle we have traditionally seen in the country.”

PwC has advised that while these projects will be largely funded by multilateral agencies, strong financial discipline and project economics will be required to ensure that these projects are successfully delivered.

The firm has also called for a balanced approach to public-private partnerships to ensure that private business are not crowded out and discouraged from making investments in PNG.

And while these commitments can transform PNG, the firms says the benefits are unlikely to be realised without an environment that is conducive to local and foreign investment alike.

Priorities should include improving digital infrastructure, building the skills of our future workforce, and creating investment-friendly regulations that support entrepreneurial spirit and competition.

(A new multi-country initiative being announced on November 18th, 2018)

Ms. Kessy Sawang – Secretariat
Manam Resettlement Authority

The Chairman of Manam Resettlement Authority Ken Fairweather is focused on establishing the Manam Resettlement Authority as a fully-fledged institution in the first half of 2019. The first step is to have the Board endorsed by the Minister for Inter Government Relations in mid-January.

It is the O’Neill Government’s priority to institutionalize the resettlement program and have the Manam humanitarian disaster addressed.

In the interim, the Chairman has established the Secretariat to assist him move things forward, until the CEO and staff of the institution are recruited.

The Secretariat will work closely with the Ministry for Inter Government Relations and the Department of Provincial & Local-level Government Affairs (DPLGA), National Disaster Centre, Madang Provincial Government, Bogia District Development Authority (DDA), Manam Disaster Working Committee, leaders of Manam and host communities, Department of Treasury, National Planning & Monitoring, donor agencies, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders on the Board’s agenda.

The Secretariat is headed by Ms. Kessy Sawang. Ms. Sawang is a local leader from Rai Coast, Madang, who knows and understands the Manam issues. She is the former First Secretary at Inter Government Relations Ministry, former Head of Secretariat at Tax Review Secretariat, Department of Treasury, and former Deputy Commissioner at PNG Customs Service.

For transparency and to keep the people informed, the work of MRA towards sustainable solutions for the complex Manam humanitarian problem will be communicated through this blog, apart from the normal communication channels.

Manam is the development agenda for Bogia District. The Chairman appeals to all leaders and the people to work together with him for the good of the internally displaced people (IDPs) and their host communities who have suffered for so long.

A car caught in the flood in Port Moresby. PNG Today Photo

Port Moresby had the worst downpour today. The city's drainage systems were outburst and caused over flooding. All city roads were over flooded and traffic came to standstill.

The downpour also caused Communication, Internet, and electricity disruptions.

Meanwhile PNG Power has released the following updates on power restoration in the city after the downpour caused blackouts.

Notices

KANUDI FEEDER 2 - RESTORED
Fault rectified and supply back to Hanuabada, Mobil, POM Tech, Kanudi area, Police HQ, Government House and Mining Haus.

KONEDOBU FEEDER 3 - RESTORED
Burnt Bridging was replaced and supply back to Downtown, Ela Beach, Bampton Street, Davara Motel, Airvos Avenue, Touaguba Hill, Harbour City and Goodman Fielder Flour Mill.

BOROKO FEEDER 1 WORK STILL IN PROGRESS AND PARTIALLY RESTORED
Only parts of Korobosea and Murray Barracks without power. Expected to restore by 6pm.

WAIGANI FEEDER 2 - CROSS ARM BROKEN AND DELAY IN RESTORATION DUE TO BAD WEATHER
Team has started work on this and will transfer load to another feeder soon. we will keep you posted. This covers PNGIPA to Holiday Inn, including North Waigani, Waigani Heights, Ensisi Valley, Savannah Heights and along Waigani Dr to Laguna Hotel, Tokarara, June Valley and Hohola 4. Anticipated restoration before midnight.

BOMANA FEEDER 1 & 2 - HIGH VOLTAGE POLE BROKEN AT 8 MILE
Upon inspection, this job will take maximum 2 days and the team is organising resources to have the high voltage pole replaced. We will keep you posted on this.

KONEDOBU FEEDER 2 - WAS RESTORED BUT FAULT OCCURRED AGAIN
Team working to fix fault. This covers Badili, Kaugere, Sabama, 2 Mile and Parts of Korobosea

If you see any fallen power lines or trees on power lines, please report to the Call Centre on 70908000 or 75008000.

For more information, contact the National Call Centre on 70908000 or 75008000.

PNG Power

Vanuatu Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) is conducting research on different varieties of sweet potato at the Tagabe farm in Port Vila.

Sweet potato is a crop that has a short life cycle of three to four months before harvesting unlike taro, yam and manioc that need eight to ten months.

“Scientists are doing many research work on sweet potato to ensure in the future, with a high population, food security is maintained,” said Dr Vincent Lebot, the Scientist working with the Ministry of Agriculture.

“One priority is to cross pollinate the types of sweet potato that already exists to produce new hybrids and also to upgrade the potential of sweet potato.”

Dr Lebo said the research work intends to find out the new hybrid that will produce more and also sweet potatoes that does not have high sugar.

“The research work takes a lot of time because we have to do cross-pollination, produce many hybrids, germination of seeds, planting of new hybrids and making evaluations.

“We are doing a lot of cross pollination to access many seeds, planting of new hybrids, selecting hybrids and the process keeps on going, so it takes a lot of time but at the end of the research work, we aim to find out good varieties of sweet potato and field days are organized to invite local farmers to come into the farm and select which type of sweet potatoes they want,” said Dr Lebot.

Farmers will be able to plant sweet potato when they have access to cuttings of new hybrids of the sweet potato.

“The result of a farmer from Eton, will be different from that of a farmer from Mangaliliu because of the nature of their soil.

“Local farmers should plant more new hybrids to identify which type of sweet potato is favourable in their soil and climate.”

A lot of research work is done on sweet potato and also on manioc, yam and taro at the Vanuatu Agriculture Research and Training Centre, on Santo.

“A lot of research work is also done at the Agriculture Tagabe farm on Efate because of the big population of people living here,” Dr Lebot said.

Photo supplied Caption: Harvested sweet potatoes. Loop Vanuatu

PNG Health Assurance Company Limited today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) as a major sponsor of the PNG LNG Kumuls for the next five years.

PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka said this was the first time an insurance company has come on board as a partner to the PNG LNG Kumuls.

“The signing of this MOU with PHA as major sponsors of the PNG LNG Kumuls is a milestone as we prepare our best team for the RLWC in 2021 in England,” Tsaka said.

He said an official contract which will contain the details of this major sponsorship to the PNG LNG Kumuls and a partnership with the PNGRFL will be signed next month.

PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau said the PHA partnership with the PNG LNG Kumuls came as a result of the recently concluded APEC meeting in Port Moresby.

“The PNG LNG Kumuls carried the APEC logo on its jerseys at all its international matches during 2018,” Rau said. “This was PNGRFL’s contribution towards promoting this very important meeting in PNG to the world.

“The consultation with PHA started during the APEC CEO’s meeting and this partnership can be seen as a benefit of APEC to the sport of rugby league and people of PNG,” Rau stated.

PHA Executive Director Pradeep Soni said they see this partnership as a combination of the power of sports with insurance that has the ability to transform the daily lives of PNG citizens.

“We value being a major sponsor of the Kumuls and the number one sport of PNG, fitting in well with our aspirational goal of being the number one insurer in PNG within the next two years.

“This partnership came about as a direct result of a meeting at the APEC CEO summit with CEO Mr Reatau and the investors of PHA, culminating in the signing of the MOU today.”

(From left: PHA Executive Director Pradeep Soni, PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka and CEO Reatau Rau)

The most violent region in Bougainville, the Buin district which has four constituencies, BAUBAKE, LULE, KONNOU and MAKIS had its first constituency BAUBAKE constituency declared as weapons free and Referendum ready at a ceremony held at the Unity Lodge in Buin town on Monday 31st December 2018.
The ceremony coincided with the containment of various types of weapons which included Motar tubes for launching 9mm motar, Altimax 100 round Assault Rifles,M60 Machine Guns, SLR and M16s.
Signifying the day was the Makis faction of the BRA who also joined the Baubake ex combatants and handed in three rifles to be locked into containers whilst another aligned rebel faction from the coastal Konnou area will soon dispose their weapons.
The weapons from these two aligned factions were used as deterrence against opposing factions in the area before the start of the current peace mediations.
Former BRA Commander and now ABG member representing the Ex-combatants from South Bougainville, THOMAS TARI thanked the former combatants for finally deciding the fate of their weapons, which most of it were captured during clashes with the Papua New Guinea Security Forces during the Bougainville conflict.
MR. TARI said Peace was crucial for the future prosperity of the children of South Bougainville and Bougainville as a whole.
He said that we have ended the bloody war and its time for peace so that our children can go to school in peace and enjoy the prosperity of our region.
The former commander said that we need to forget the past and turn into the future.
MR. TARI said that complying with the terms and conditions of the Bougainville Peace Agreement on weapons disposal was crucial for the future political status of Bougainville.
Ends all pictures by Joe Morokana/ New Dawn FM News

Flooding in Port Moresby : Photo by Mathew Tapus

The Port Moresby warning centre has issued a heavy rain and flood warning for Southern, Momase, Highlands and New Guinea Islands regions.

Heavy rain, showers and thunderstorms causing flooding and landslides associated with the monsoon trough to be experienced in the coming days in some areas of Southern, Momase, Highlands and New Guinea Islands Region.

Heavy rains are forecasted to occur and persist over the areas mentioned within the next 18 to 24 hours causing flooding and landslides.

All affected communities and areas are asked to take the necessary precautions.

Meantime, Tropical Cyclone Penny (category one) has showed signs of weakening and is making a swing back toward the Queensland coast.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology tracking map showed Penny would downgrade to a low pressure system about 10pm and would continue to move slowly before moving west towards the Queensland coast tomorrow. Press Release

Statement by Hon Ling-Stucky

“As we try and welcome in the New Year in 2019, families will be asked to pay lots more for basic food and commodities because of new taxes imposed by the O’Neill/Abel government.

Over 70 new tax increases have been imposed by PNC from 1 January 2019. This includes a 15% tax increase for wheat flour used for making basic items such as bread – lifting the tariff level to a massive one-quarter of imported costs. You can get around this tariff increase, but only if you buy a bag of flour that weighs over 50 kilograms. This is economic lunacy! There is not even a wheat industry in PNG so the government cannot use its usual protectionist, anti-APEC arguments. How can the government justify such an increase?” asked the Shadow Minister for Treasury and Finance, Ian Ling-Stuckey.

“Families in PNG are already struggling under the cost of living. So why is the government imposing an additional tariff tax of K1.70 per kilogram on all imported fresh chicken pieces? This will lift the tariff tax up from K1.80 per kilogram to K3.50 per kilogram. Surely our chicken industry doesn’t need such a high tariff level! Surely our people should not be slugged with such price increases just to meet excess profits for government besties and cronies.

“When the government imposed a 25% tax on imported fresh milk last year, it claimed that the cost of milk would halve. Treasurer Abel claimed on 12 January last year that he understood the tariff tax would only apply to fresh milk and not to UHT milk. So I have been waiting for the price of UHT milk to halve to K3 per litre or less! We know that has not happened because Abel lied to the people of PNG! In the tariff tax increases from 1 January 2019, with all of the additional tariff lines applying to milk products, it has been confirmed that the new milk tax will apply to all UHT milk. The new 25% tariff will also apply to all creams, yogurt and ice-creams. This is a flip flop Treasurer who tells the people one year that the government’s intent was not to apply the massive new tax to UHT milk, but then he introduces a bill that does exactly that. The government has been caught out lying. Again! We support new investment in our agriculture sector, and encourage entrepreneurs to bring back new industries such as dairy products. But this needs to be done in ways that do not involve massive government subsidies of 50% of equity start-up costs, or backed by massive tax tariffs which hurt the cost of living facing families” stated the Shadow Treasurer.

“We know that there is a housing shortage in PNG and the cost of accommodation is too high. So why does the government impose a 50% tax tariff on timber and metal products vital for building a house? What has happened to justify an increase in tax tariffs on plywood, blockboard, laminboard and batten board from 30% to 50%. Our timber manufacturing industry should be becoming more efficient, which is why the tariff reduction program had legislated to cut the tariff level to 25%. Why lift the tax tariff from 25% to 50%? Do such firms now need to make excess profits to pay others like politicians? Surely our manufacturers can produce items such as wood furniture without a 50% tariff level that imposes excessive costs on the people of PNG!

“The O’Neill/Abel PNC government is out of touch. It does not understand the cost of living burden facing PNG families. We keep seeing policies that simply are in the interests of the government besties and cronies. The government’s protectionist policies such as these over 70 new tariff increases are totally contrary to the spirit of APEC and its trade liberalisation agenda. Such PNC policies destroy incentives for sustainable growth while also slugging the people of PNG. This is not a good start to 2019” said Mr Ling-Stuckey.

PNG Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel

Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer, Charles Abel has responded to Opposition's shadow minister Ling-Stuckey's comments on increase on tariffs.

Statement by Mr. Abel

"It would be great if the Shadow Finance Minister actually understood the facts before his continuous misleading outbursts in the media.

"The tariff on flour only affects retail packaged imported flour. The main brands such as Flame and 3 Roses are imported in bulk wheat and processed onshore therefore prices are not affected.

"The tariff on milk is only being applied to fresh milk not UHT milk so prices have not been affected.

"The tariff on veneer and plywood have been in place for some years but the tariff codes had to be corrected in terms of rates applied.

"A relatively low tariff has been introduced on imported furniture and tin fish to support the development of onshore investment and jobs especially where we have the natural resources and existing local products.

"There are two large local producers of fresh chicken meat so prices should not be affected here.

"Papua New Guinea needs jobs and import replacement.

"The Government is utilising a range of policies to progress the local production of rice, wheat (for stock feed and flour), local beef and poultry meat and eggs, milk and other dairy products, tuna processing, power from gas and oil, cement, timber and furniture.

"If we don't give some support to local industry we will forever be importing our food, energy and exporting all our raw materials and jobs."

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will visit Fiji from January 17 to January 20, according to the Fiji Sun newspaper.

This was confirmed to the newspaper by his Fijian counterpart, Voreqe Bainimarama on Thursday last week.

The last time the two leaders met was in October last year where the leaders discussed issues relating to defence, sports and business.

While official details about the visit have yet to be released, discussions between the two leaders may include the differences over the citizenship issue of ISIS recruiter, Neil Prakash.

SOURCE: FIJI SUN/PACNEWS

The President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the chair of the Bank’s Board of Directors Takehiko Nakao will arrive in Apia today for his first ever visit to Samoa.

He will meet with senior Government officials including Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi to discuss the ADB assistance programs, and visit projects supported by the Manila-based multilateral financial institution before leaving the country on January 9.

President Nakao is also scheduled to is scheduled to join the Prime Minister to commission the Tafitoala and Fausaga Small Hydro Plant, which was established by the Samoa Renewable Energy Development and Power Sector Rehabilitation Project, which is co-financed by the ADB, the governments of New Zealand and Samoa, and the European Union.

Tuilaepa and Nakao are then expected to hold a joint press conference where the ADB President will also view the latest achievements of the ADB-financed renewable energy and agribusiness projects.

The ADB continues to play a significant role in assisting the Samoa Government to progress its development goals.

According to information from the bank’s website, poverty in Samoa has fallen in urban centers, child mortality has been reduced, and the Government has placed greater emphasis on environmental sustainability.

“Primary school education is now almost universal for children in Samoa, while gender disparity in both primary and secondary education has been eliminated.

But with limited natural resources and a narrow economic base, Samoa’s economy remains vulnerable to external shocks.

“The A.D.B. has supported the Government’s efforts to reform the economy, placing a focus on improving the business environment for private enterprise.

The Pacific Approach 2016-2020, which is ADB's operational framework for the Pacific, serves as the country partnership strategy for Samoa and 10 other Pacific island countries.

“The country operations business plan (COBP) 2017-2019 is aligned with the Pacific Approach and ADB's midterm review of Strategy 2020.

“It is also aligned with the Strategy for the Development of Samoa, 2012-2016, which places priority on macroeconomic stability, sustainable tourism, a reinvigorated agriculture sector, revitalised exports and the provision of an enabling environment for business development.

“Improved public sector management and the private sector are seen as key drivers for growth,” stated the website.

Due to the increase in programmes focused on 11 Pacific island countries — to enhance the impact of its growing programme of assistance in the sub-region — an office was opened in Samoa.

The Bank’s overall assistance to the Pacific has doubled every five years since 2005, and now stands at $2.9 billion. Total assistance is expected to surpass $4 billion by 2020.

In 2017 the Bank’s Board of Directors approved a loan of up to $2 million to develop solar energy capabilities and coverage in Samoa. Nakao and the Prime Minister will visit the solar energy facility. The second site visit will be to the Fiaga Powerplant.

Samoa is the first country in the Pacific to install battery energy storage systems and micro grid controller. The $22.7 million facilities housed at the Fiaga Power Station compound, allows the storage of electricity that is automatically injected to the grid, when there is a sudden increase in demand or sudden loss of power generated.

The micro grid controller is a computer-based system. It will automatically control and regulate the operation of not only the two new battery systems, but also all the Electric Power Corporation power plants and independent solar farms.

The project is part of the Power Sector Expansion Project funded by the Asian Development Bank, Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA), Government of Australia and Government of Samoa.

SOURCE: SAMOA OBSERVER/PACNEWS

It is unlikely Papua New Guinea will see an exact investment worth K9 billion (US$2.760 billion) coming in its entirety as a result of hosting APEC and the leader’s summit in November last year.

Investments are determined by a variety of factors including international and domestic supply and demand with level of risks involved according to the Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker.

Barker was responding to the recent PriceWaterhouseCoopers report of K9 billion worth of investments coming into PNG as a result of hosting APEC.

He emphasised that before hosting APEC, the country had seen major resource opportunities in the minerals and oil and gas sectors that are constantly being reviewed by exploration and development companies based upon market demand and prices, resource information, ongoing exploration results, investment laws and conditions, including consistency and reliability of those conditions, including with respect to landowner arrangements.

“This is all ongoing and the APEC meeting and more particularly the ongoing mining and petroleum conferences and ongoing literature all can contribute to bringing partners together, or together with government, but it is unlikely that new initiatives would result specifically from hosting APEC events in PNG,” he said.

He said a large portion of investments comes from existing investors already operating in PNG for many years who are now reinvesting, upgrading, or making major new investments.

“In recent years many firms have had to defer further investment and some have had to downsize, in the light of difficult business conditions, including lack of foreign exchange, but also uncertainty over some of the investment laws, including with respect to their assured right to continue to practice in their field, whether it be agriculture, transport or tourism, for example, in the light of the components of the current SME policy or other laws.

New international investors will also be undertaking their own assessments, and whether they proceed with any investments will depend on those external and domestic market factors, but also domestic investment conditions which are partly determined by the Government into the future,” Barker said.

However, he confirmed that the Leader’s summit itself did provide opportunities for business leaders of which there have a range of investments discussions ongoing, including in agriculture and other sectors which were not specifically resulting from APEC but may be gaining traction during APEC and ABAC events.

Barker said whether how many of these initiatives see the light of day and result in tangible investment will remain to be seen or as stated investment commitments are determined on the market forces and the investment conditions, from law and order, to tax rates, state of infrastructure and other costs, level of competition and others.

SOURCE: POST COURIER/PACNEWS

The law firm of Berman O’Connor & Mann filed in the Federated States of Micronesia has filed a civil action against Air Niugini and “Does Entities 1-10” at the FSM Supreme Court in Chuuk on behalf of their client Tatiana Patricio.

The civil action arises from injuries Patricio sustained as a result of the crash of Air Niugini Flight 56 on September 28, 2018 in the waters short of the runway at the Chuuk International Airport in Weno.

Does 1-10 entities are insurance companies that provided general liability coverage and/or excess level liability coverage in policies issued to Air Niugini.

The civil action claims that Air Niugini was negligent in failing to provide safe travel on Air Niugini Flight 56 during its approach and descent to the Chuuk Airport. It alleges that Air Niugini and its pilot and crew failed to properly and reasonably:

• Monitor the flight’s position and altitude;

• Monitor the aircraft’s descent below the approach profile

• Note the aircraft’s descent below Minimum Descent Altitude

• Confirm a proper read-back and understanding of the landing clearance

• Properly respond to an emergency situation

• Otherwise utilize reasonable care and circumspection in the interests of air safety

The Civil Action is asking the court to render judgment including but not limited to:

* Pre and post-impact pain and suffering of the Plaintiff;

* Property damage prior to death to personal belongings, including, without limitation, luggage, wallets, money, briefcase, coats, toys, passports, clothing, and jewellery;

* Mental anguish and grief of the Plaintiff;

* Medical expenses and all other damages to which Plaintiff may be entitled under applicable law.

SOURCE: KASELELHIE PRESS/PACNEWS

The Asia Pacific Group of States has endorsed Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan, as the Vice President of the Council from 01 January 2019, and has advised the Human Rights Council Secretariat accordingly.

The position will require chairing of a number of sessions at the Human Rights Council in 2019, including some sessions of the Universal Periodic Reviews of states under review, which means that Ambassador Khan will be a member of the Human Rights Council Bureau in 2019.

The Human Rights Council Bureau is the organisational head of the Council, presided over by the President of the Council. The Bureau of the Council consists of five people - one President and four Vice-presidents - representing the five regional groups. They serve for a year, in accordance with the Council's annual cycle.

Accepting the endorsement, which was unanimously accepted by all States present, Ambassador Khan thanked the Group for its confidence in her and in Fiji. Ambassador Khan said this representation is significant particularly given that it’s the first time for a small island state from the Pacific to sit as a member of the Council, and not only that but to also take the position of Vice President of the Council. As such, this is a proud moment and a great achievement for the Pacific as a whole.

SOURCE: DEPTFO/PACNEWS

By Jan van der Made, Radio France International

The grounding of a Chinese-flagged fishing vessel in the Marshall Islands is being treated as a "crime scene", according to officials in the Pacific Ocean archipelago, in an incident highlighting growing unease between China, the U.S and its Taiwan-backed allies in the region.

On 3 January, the 94-metre boat ran aground on an atoll in the north, but authorities say it was not licensed to be in the country's waters. The U.S Coast Guard helped coordinate the rescue of its 24 crew members.

"What they were doing in Marshall Islands' waters is still unanswered," Chief Secretary Ben Graham said, adding that the government "is treating this as a crime scene".

The boat's 24-member crew arrived in the capital Majuro on Sunday after being rescued by a government patrol boat and a Chinese fishing vessel, with the U.S Coast Guard providing aerial reconnaissance.

The grounded vessel, the Ou Ya Leng No 6, is a frozen fish carrier and the owner is reported to be a squid supplier to long line vessels fishing in the region.

Sam Lanwi, deputy director of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, said the boat was "not licensed to operate in the Marshall Islands exclusive economic zone".

Graham said investigators were interviewing the crew while other officials were heading to the scene of the incident to inspect the vessel and assess damage to the atoll.

Diplomatic love affair

The Marshall Islands, located about halfway between Hawaii and Australia, gained independence in 1986 after four decades under US administration.

After an eight-year diplomatic love affair with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), lasting from 1990 through 1998, Majuro abruptly ditched Beijing and switched sides, linking up with Taiwan.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Islands Report said at the time that “hundreds of millions of dollars in cash and investment pledges for the Marshalls are included in the deal.”

For four months, the Marshall Islands were in the unique situation of being the only country in the world to boast embassies of both China and Taiwan –the missions separated by just 100 metres– before Beijing angrily pulled out.

While cozied up with Beijing, the Marshall Islands gave out some 2000 passports, many of which were bought by citizens of the PRC, who were then accused by the U.S State Department of using Marshall-Island citizenship to enter the USA. After Washington’s protest, Majuro stopped issuing passports.

Beijing building influence

Meanwhile, the tug-of-war over influence over this strategically important group of atolls continues.

In 2004, Washington established the “Compact of Free Association agreements” between with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau (all island-states that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan), that allowed free travel and work in the U.S, but also a possibility for Washington to establish military bases on the islands.

China has been steadily boosting its ally-base in the Pacific. Since 1975, it has had ties with Samoa. Tonga signed on in 1998 and, more recently Vanuatu (2004) and Micronesia (2007) have also aligned with Beijing. The PRC also maintains visa-free relations with some islands, including Fiji.

Competition between China and Taiwan is especially strong on the Marshall Islands. Last Friday Taiwan’s Council of Indigenous People signed an agreement for economic and cultural exchanges, while Marshallese businessmen are trying to interest Chinese investors in turning the Rongelap Atoll (evacuated after the U.S military detonated a 15-megaton hydrogen bomb nearby) into a second Hong Kong – where investors are promised relaxed visa and tax procedures.

A 2018 report by the Washington-based U.S-China Economic and Security Review Commission warns that China’s growing engagement in the Pacific Islands may harm US interests in the region.

"China’s inroads in Micronesia, where most of the United States’ engagement in the Pacific Islands is concentrated, could threaten the US Compact of Free Association agreements with Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia over the long term,” the report says.

China and the U.S are involved in an increasingly nasty trade war, swapping tit-for-tat tariffs worth billions of US dollars. On 7-8 January, vice-ministerial level talks are to try and solve some of the issues between Beijing and Washington.

SOURCE: RFI/PACNEWS

MANAGING DIRECTOR MR. STAN JOYCE CSM, ON BEHALF OF SP BREWERY, EXPRESSED THE COMPANY’S DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE MADANG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS DECISION TO IMPOSE A BLANKET BAN ON TAKE AWAY SALES OF ALCOHOL IN THE PROVINCE.
“Our Company continues to invest in Responsible consumption education and advocates effective licensing as mandated by the National Liquor Licensing Act. We also understand that Provincial Government has the powers to regulate the sale of alcohol. All we ask as a corporate citizen is for some communication with authorities which has been notably absent in this case”, observed Mr. Joyce.

“The fact of the matter is simple there has never been an effective ban of alcohol anywhere in the county since Independence. Liquor ban enforcement starves Police of necessary resources and deprives the majority of law abiding adults to enjoy a cold beer.”

“Liquor bans also encourage the proliferation of home brew which cause harmful effects on the human body. It also promotes smuggling of contraband through the borders which will pose and even bigger issue for the Provincial Government and Police.”

It is disappointing to note that despite all the evidence to the contrary the Provincial Government went ahead with this decision. The company is also concerned that tourist visiting the province would not be allowed to enjoy a cold beer on the beach which seems contrary to the image the Madang Province invests money to promote?

Mr.Joyce acknowledged there are some law and order issues related to a “few wayward individuals” and ineffective licensing. The company believes there are numerous options other than a complete liquor ban to be considered.

“We will reach out to the PEC as always to discuss these alternatives,” said Mr. Joyce

The ABG funded BOUGAINVILLE IMPORT EXPORT GENERAL CORPORATION has a new Manager.
Since the withdrawal of Chinese Manager, JASON FONG and his team at the end of December 2018, the Minister for Economic Development, ROBERT TULSA CHIKA temporarily took over the operation appointing temporally management to make sure the operation did not stop.
The Minister today announced the appointment of a new Manager who will be in charge of the company.
The appointed manager, MARK HERRY is from Teop and has been operating similar setup in Papua New Guinea for many years.
In congratulating MR. HERRY, Minister for Economic Development, ROBERT TULSA said that with the calibre of the new Manager, he was confident, MR. HERRY will recover and deliver the corporation to higher levels.
MR. CHIKA said that the Manager will have to recruit manpower that will support him in managing BIEG.
New Dawn FM

Preparatory work for the Bougainville Referendum scheduled for June 15th this year is been hampered by lack of funding by the National Government says the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner and a member of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, GEORGE MANU.
MR. GEORGE MANU told a news conference today that because of the funding problem the Bougainville Referendum Commission cannot start work on the preparation work for the referendum.
He said that OBEC has done common roll update in parts of Central and North Bougainville and is yet to get into South Bougainville.
MR. MANU said OBEC has done some preparation work with the FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND KINA contribution from the ABG to Bougainville Referendum Commission.
He said these funds have been depleted and they are just waiting for more funding from the ABG to complete the common roll update.
MR. MANU said funds promised by the National government totalling TWENTY MILLION KINA has not been received and even the first instalment of ONE POINT FIVE MILLION KINA paid to NCOBA has not been remitted to the Bougainville Referendum Commission.
The Bougainville Electoral Commissioner said that BRC requires these funds to come quickly so that work can start.
He said he was confident they can prepare Bougainville for the referendum once the funds are released to them.
MR. MANU said without the necessary resources, BRC cannot do much.

New Dawn FM

Police brutality in PNG tops the list of offences which stands at K131 million (US$40.17 million) in litigation matters against the State dating as far back as 1992.

Second on the list against police is the violation of constitutional rights.

The litigation matters against the police are so immense that it is affecting the annual police budget.

This was confirmed by the police internal affairs directorate chief Robert Ali who said that more detailed information were being gathered by the Solicitor-General’s office.

“The cases are created and opened since 1992 and running into 2016, after 2016 we have no information as yet but it will climb from 8000 cases reported and the amount will also rise,” he said.

“These litigation matters affect and have a lot of implications on budget allocations to police. Police litigations are a serious concerns, through workshops and training programmes we are trying to deliver to appreciate and understand rights of police officers.

“Human rights issues we have serious problems in terms of policing them. We play an important role in the society and abide by the constitution and international standards is to observe the rights of individuals.

“Policing in this part of the world is challenging. We do it tough most of the times and we are advised to exercise a lot of restraint when we approach the citizens to make sure that their dignity is maintained at the same time we address policing issues.

“Many times, officers use their powers to enforce the laws but usually that does not work and we see most cases goes into lawsuits brought about by citizens.”

He said police officers need to enforce and at the same time respect the people they were dealing with.

“The police and the Solicitor-General will be holding a workshop that will provide information on these cases - broken into regions, provinces and commands. This information will be translated into what we can use to tell any command they have to bring their police officers in line,” he said.

“The information will also give us clear information on what is happening in our command.

“Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary has done its part in addressing these issues. Holding workshops is part of intervention programmes for all officers. These programmes allow us to look at targeted approaches that we can implement at the command level, said Ali.... PACNEWS

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