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PNG Police Commissioner Baki Opens Duplexes in Bougainville

January 27, 2019, 3:05 pm
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Three Police Duplexes which will house six families at the Hutjena Police Barracks in Bougainville were officially opened by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary’s Commissioner, GARY BAKI .

The Duplexes were built by DFAT under its aids program for Law and Justice Sector.
The houses will now make six senior Police Officers previously staying in the villages and coming on and off to work to settle down and concentrate on Police work.

The three duplexes were built at a cost of ONE POINT NINE MILLION KINA.
According to GINA WILSON from the Australian High Commission, the Australia has spent over SEVENTY TWO MILLION KINA in the last fifteen years to build the capacity of the Bougainville Police Service by building Accommodation for Police Officers in Buka, Arawa, Buin and Torokina and including recruitment and training of Police officers and Australia will continue to do that in the future.
New Dawn FM / PNG Today
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VSA forced to help by Situation on Bougainville

January 27, 2019, 3:13 pm
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The Secretary of the Volunteer Service Abroad foundation based in Wellington, New Zealand, MICHELLE EVANS told the gathering at the Opening of the Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency new resource centre that VSA went out of their way to support and raise funds for the new building after fire destroyed their office in 2010.
She said that before the fire Six volunteers were working with Leitana and therefore they had to find ways to assist.
Michelle said raising money to help support the completion of the building was a little outside their normal ways of doing things, but had overwhelming support from the VSA foundation and from many generous donors around New Zealand.
The opening of the Leitana Nehan Women’s centre is an important moment for the people of Buka and Bougainville.
She said that the centre is a place to provide safety for women and also a place women can meet and discuss how they can contribute to the development of the region. New Dawn FM/ PNG Today
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China responds to concerns of Chinese flags at major infrastructure projects in Samoa

January 27, 2019, 10:30 pm
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By Wang Xuefeng Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Samoa

An article appeared on the front page of Samoa Observer several days ago titled “Chinese Flag Angers MP” together with a picture of three flown flags including a Chinese National Flag captioned “Remove the Chinese Flag.” 

The article contains many ignorant and ridiculous remarks, which obviously deviated from the facts and truths. Chinese Embassy in Samoa would seriously point out the untruthful and ignorant errors.

Firstly, the on-going project of the gymnasium at Tuanaimato is a grant aid project of the Chinese government in support of Samoan Government in hosting the 2019 Pacific Games, which has nothing to do with loans and debts of any kind. Therefore the statement that “these projects are all part of the $410 million debt owned to China” is a totally ungrounded rumour.

Secondly, the picture with three flags in the article is not a complete picture at all. The fact is, there are flags on both sides of the gate of the constructions site of the gymnasium at Tuanaimato including both a Samoan National Flag and a Chinese National Flag.

Thirdly, it is a common international practice to fly flags of both the donor country (or countries) and the recipient country on the cooperation project construction sites. The only purpose is to indicate friendship and cooperation between or among the countries. 

The Chinese flag on the constructions site of the gymnasium at Tuanaimato is only a symbol of friendship and close cooperation between China and Samoa. It was ridiculous and ignorant for those who worry about the issues of independence at the sight of Chinese flags on the constructions site of the gymnasium at Tuanaimato.

China and Samoa have been enjoying long-standing relationship for over four decades and China has always regarded Samoa as our good friend, good partner and good brother.   

Just as PM said: “There are six flags at the project site, yet he targeted the flag of the government of China, what’s so harmful about China’s flag? It’s a sign they are providing assistance to Samoa.” 

Furthermore, for those who have an issue with Chinese flags at project sites, you’d better go out and take a look around, you will see flags of different countries flying at other project sites funded by other countries or at premises of foreign ventures in Samoa.

We would like to take this opportunity to share some information concerning the project of the gymnasium at Tuanaimato. 

As is known to all, this project is an urgent grant aid project from the Chinese Government at the request of the Samoan Government when it took over from Tonga to host the 2019 Pacific Games. The huge project has only seven months as the deadline is already fixed. 

It started only in late December 2018 and has to be completed in May 2019 with everything ready for the Pacific Games including all the interior decoration, all the equipment and facilities which will ensure the full function of the gymnasium. Anyone with common sense and conscience could imagine how difficult the task is and how much pressure the Chinese engineers, technician and construction workers are facing. 

In order to fulfill our promise to Samoan people, Chinese engineers, technicians and construction workers have been working together with some Samoan workers day and night, week days and weekends, sweating all over and taking little rest, only to make full use of all the time when there is no downpour during this rainy season. 

In order to save time, the massive roof structure of the gym has been assembled in China in the past few months and then shipped to Samoa. It is Chinese people’s sincere wish to present this gift of a modern gymnasium with international standards to Samoan people for the successful hosting of the Pacific Games.

In addition to the grant aid project of the Gym, China will also provide grant aid assistance in various forms including vehicles, sports equipment and facilities, training of over 200 athletes and coaches and 30 chefs, training and rehearsal for the mass game at the opening ceremony, costumes for all the participants in the mass game, the supply of fireworks for both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as technical support in firework displays. 

All the above-mentioned assistance is of grant aid and has nothing to do with any loans or debts. Up to now, everything is going well.

In fact, before the article was published, Chinese Embassy was contacted by Samoa Observer for comments on an individual’s remarks regarding Chinese flag on the project site of the gymnasium at Tuanaimato. 

At that time, Chinese Embassy would rather ignore the matter because it would be a waste of time to respond to some individual’s groundless, ignorant and ridiculous remarks. As a Chinese old saying goes: “If you only listen to trilling of mole crickets, you will never plant any crops.” (Mole crickets are pests that are harmful to crops).

However, if anyone distorts the truths and facts in public, Chinese Embassy will set it straight so that the public will no longer be misled by wrong information or ridiculous and ignorant remarks. 

China has always cherished and will continue to cherish our long-lasting friendship with Samoa. Chinese Embassy has always committed and will continue to commit to the strengthening of the friendly relations between China and Samoa so as to bring more and more tangible benefits to the peoples of our two countries. 

Let us remove the ignorant and ridiculous remarks that are harmful to the friendly relations of our two countries and let the flag of China-Samoa Friendship fly higher.

SOURCE: Wang Xuefeng/PACNEWS
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PNG Hunters v Brisbane Broncos Trial Match cancelled

January 28, 2019, 3:16 am
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The much anticipated SP Hunters and Brisbane Broncos pre-season ‘trial’ match has been called off.

PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau said the Brisbane Broncos management and new coach Anthony Seibold cancelled the ‘trials’ last weekend.

“The ‘trial’ was former coach Wayne Bennet’s plans,” Rau said. “However when new coach Anthony Seibold took the reins last December, he and his staff and management had their priorities and the ‘trial’ match against the SP Hunters was not one of them,” Rau said.

Rau said initially it was suggested that a Broncos development squad would come to Port Moresby to take on the SP Hunters.

“Last weekend they decided that no Broncos team would travel up,” Rau said.

He said it was disappointing news but “We respect that decision and the ‘trial’ match against the Brisbane Broncos scheduled for February 23, 2019 in Port Moresby is now officially cancelled.”


Coach Michael Marum said that the SP Hunters will not have a pre- season ‘trial’ match this season and will now prepare for the first round match against Tweed Heads Seagulls in Brisbane on March 10. 2019.

“We can’t do much about it,” Marum said. “Other ISC clubs offered to host a ‘trial’ in Brisbane but the logistics and costs involved to arrange this at this stage is enormous.

“Therefore we will not have a ‘trial match’ but prepare as well as we can for the first
game on March 10,” Marum said.

PNGRFL Media Release
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Provincial Governments ignored : Juffa

January 28, 2019, 12:49 pm
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The National Government does not care about Provincial Governments, their mandate and their responsibilities to the people they represent.

Governor for Oro Gary Juffa said It was obvious that the Government only cares about a select few Governors and that is due to their seniority and nothing else.

Meanwhile, all other Provincial Governments were being treated with contempt and a deliberate effort was underway to dismantle the Provincial Government system, he said.

Juffa said the creation of the unconstitutional District Development Authorities (DDAs) was a significant step in that direction and greater efforts to remove the powers of the Provincial Governments was manifesting itself in the usurping of revenue powers via the creation of the Road Transport Authority and other entities that would erode away the already weak revenue systems that Provincial Governments had left after the ill-fated 1995 Provincial Government reforms.

“Disrespect and circumvention of the Provincial Government systems is at the highest ever since PNG gained independence by any National Government. Sir Michael Somare and indeed other Prime Ministers ensured Provincial Governments were respected as they represented their people,” he said.

Juffa said the O’Neill-Abel Government has no respect for the Provincial Governments and is instead creating tension between open members and Provincial Governments by encouraging Open Members to be Project Managers instead of legislators.

Juffa said the deliberate exclusion of Provincial Governments from major resource projects in their own provinces was a telling sign that Waigani and the National Government had sinister plans to undermine genuine landowners in resource development projects.

“Wafi Golpu and Frieda Mines are classic examples. Licenses and permits are now issued with no consultation or input from the Provinces. This is a form of State endorsed neo-colonialist fascism and left resource owners and Papua New Guineans vulnerable to exploitation by powerful sinister forces which were driven by profit and had no care for the peoples’ environment or future,” he said.
He said It was totally laughable that the Treasurer who is no fan of Provincial Governments demands appreciation from Eastern Highlands Governor when the National Government has consistently and contemptuously neglected to ensure functional grants and other funds due to Provincial Governments are paid in a timely manner.

He added that Provincial Governments represent the people of a province and best know their people and resources and must be empowered and not undermined.
“Governors in Government were like sheep who were being led to the slaughter and should rise up and represent their people and speak out and not fantasize that the Government cares for them,” Juffa said.

Meanwhile Provincial Support Infrastructure Program (PSIP) removal and the increase in District Support Infrastructure Program (DSIP) should be signs that the Provincial Governments are earmarked for removal and Governors who did not see this are totally blind and doing their Provinces a disservice, he said.

“I welcome Governor Numu to the Opposition, a place you will be punished for standing up but where you can truly represent your people without fear or favour,” Juffa said.
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PNG PM O'Neill to reveal cost of APEC

January 29, 2019, 12:19 am
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PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill assured Parliament this morning, that the total cost of Papua New Guinea hosting the APEC last year, will be made public.

The Moresby North West MP, Sir Mekere Morauta, had questioned that cost of the APEC should be made public in the interest of taxpayers who have paid for the world event.

He says the timing of the event was also critical because it took place when PNG was suffering from so many things.

Sir Mekere even suggested that the cost of the APEC could be around K5bn.

"The extravagant spending and huge cost of APEC in a country with dire social indicators including an outbreak of polio.

"It was definitely the most expensive event Papua New Guinea has ever had.

"Prime Minister, the cost to Papua New Guinea can not just be measured in Kina, monetary terms.

"But the opportunity cost. Things and projects that we did not take or spend money on because the funds were diverted to APEC.

"Health, education, universities, provincial governments etc...

"How much did APEC cost?

"I think it could be in the vicinity of K5bn," Sir Mekere said.

However, Mr O'Neill refuted the suggestion by Sir Mekere, saying a final report will be tabled in Parliament highlighting the real cost of the APEC.

"We only budgeted K300m in 2018 budget.

"How in the world would we be spending K5bn when our own annual budget is around 11 or K12bn?

"This is just ridiculous Mr Speaker.

"Mr Speaker I can assure you that I will get the Minister for APEC to table a final report.

"In fact we are waiting for the Ombudsman Commission to give the clearance so we can publicly tender the vehicles and some of the assets that were purchased for this particular event.

"Once that is done I will table a report through this honourable house, including a very detailed financial statement," Mr O'Neill replied.

NBC News
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Solomon Islands Police meet with visiting Australian Security Chiefs

January 29, 2019, 1:39 am
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Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Matthew Varley and his Executive today (24 January 2019) met with the visiting heads of Australia’s four security organisations including the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Defense Force (ADF), the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation(ASIO).


The AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin, the ADF Chief of Defence, Air Commodore Angus Campbell, the ABF Commissioner Michael Outram and the Deputy Director General of ASIO are in Honiara on a one-day visit. They arrived in Honiara this morning and will leave tomorrow Friday 25 January 2019.
“We are very pleased to have been given this rare opportunity to meet the heads of Australia’s four security organisations to discuss how they could assist further the RSIPF capabilities to continue maintain law and order and provide security in Solomon Islands,” says RSIPF Commissioner, Matthew Varley.
Commissioner Varley adds: “RSIPF is grateful for the current assistance from the AFP through the Solomon Islands Police Development Program (SIPDP) and the ADF through the Australian Defence Force Cooperation Program but as the security situation in the country and of course in the region and the rest of the world continues to change, we will continue to need their assistance in areas such a capacity and capability development.”
“This year of course we will have the National General Election and so the Australian security organisations would like to find out how they would be able to assist the RSIPF to ensure there is a safe and free environment to enable voters to exercise their constitutional right to cast their ballots without fear,” says Commissioner Varley.
During the visit to the Rove Police Headquarters, the visiting VIPs also laid wreaths at the RAMSI Memorial for those servicemen and women who lost their lives during the operation of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and the HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II.
Commander of the ADF, Air Commodore Angus Campbell also visited the RSIPF Maritime Department at the Aola Base and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit at Hells Point, Alligator Creek, East of Honiara

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Solomon Islands Police arrest ten drivers in Honiara during weekend traffic ops

January 29, 2019, 1:43 am
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Police in Honiara have arrested ten vehicle drivers over the weekend following a traffic operation targeting drink driving.

Director of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Traffic Department at the Kukum Traffic Centre in east Honiara, Superintendent Fredrick Satu says, “On the night of 26 January 2019 my officers were involved in a random breath testing (RBT) operation along the Kukum High Way.”

He adds: “A total of 114 vehicles were checked by my officers during that operation. Ten vehicle drivers were arrested with eight of them having alcohol in their blood over the legal limit while two drivers were arrested for driving unlicensed motor vehicles. The drivers are being processed to appear before the Honiara Magistrates Court at later dates.”   

“So far there’s no reports of any injuries to any driver, but my officers attended a vehicle that overturned at the east end of the Mataniko downstream bridge. The driver of the vehicle is reported fine and was tested negative with the breathalyzer,” says Traffic Director Satu. 

It is alleged the accident at the Mataniko Bridge may have been caused by the driver falling asleep. Superintendent Satu appeals to drivers to always take extra care when driving and when you feel sleepy stop the vehicle where it is safe and make yourself feel awake before continuing.

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Papuan petition for independence vote handed to UN rights chief

January 29, 2019, 5:50 am
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A petition by West Papuans seeking decolonisation has been handed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet.

The petition was delivered in a meeting officially facilitated by the Vanuatu government in Geneva on Friday.

The petition, which claims to represent 1.8 million West Papuans, calls for an internationally-supervised referendum on independence from Indonesia.

The chairman of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Benny Wenda, said the petition highlighted Papuan thirst for a legitimate self-determination process.

Just over a thousand selected Papuans, or only 0.2 percent of the territory's population at the time, voted to be part of Indonesia in 1969's so-called Act of Free Choice.

Wenda, who is UK-based, said Papuans risked arrest, torture and assassination to sign this petition calling for their right to self-determination to be fulfilled.

He said the Liberation Movement was working tirelessly to have the matter addressed in the UN General Assembly and the Decolonisation Committee.

Yet Indonesian government officials have questioned the veracity of the claim that 1.8 million people signed the petition, and continue to brand Mr Wenda as a separatist who spreads misinformation about Papua.

Signatures for the petition were finally gathered together in 2017, with the petition having circulated through the Indonesian region of Papua over a number of months.

While the population of Papua region is around 3.5 million, Indonesian census statistics suggest around 60 percent of Papua's population are indigenous Melanesians.

But according to Wenda, for the petition to have the support of a majority of the indigenous population was historic.

“Never before in the history of global struggles, from the great anti-colonial movements of Asia, Africa and the Pacific to the mass movements of Latin America and Europe, has such a petition, signed manually by so many hands, been physically presented to such a high level of the UN.

“The West Papuan people instructed the United Liberation Movement for West Papua to hand the petition to the UN Decolonisation Committee, the UN Human Rights Council, and the UN General Assembly,” Wenda explained.

An attempt by Wenda in late 2017 to deliver the petition to the head of the Decolonisation Committee was problematic because Papua is not on the Decolonisation List.

But the Liberation Movement continues to lobby globally on its argument that the process by which Indonesia took control of the former Dutch new Guinea in the 1960s failed to meet standards of international law.

“We have had the great honour of presenting this petition to every diplomat, politician, lawyer and civil servant we meet every day in our work across the world.”

Meanwhile, Wenda has drawn attention to the ongoing conflict between the West Papua Liberation Army and Indonesian security forces in Papua's Central Highlands.

Intensified by last month's massacre of indonesian road construction workers by the Liberation Army in Nduga region, the conflict has caused many Papuan villagers to flee their homes to the bush.

“The time for the UN to hear this call is more urgent than ever as the world witnesses another humanitarian crisis happening in the highlands of West Papua,” Wenda said.

He said thousands of civilians in the region of Nduga were at risk of starvation because the Indonesian military was blocking the flow of aid into the area, as well as efforts to investigate the conflict.

But the Liberation Movement's claims that Nduga villages are being targetted by airstrikes and chemical weapons have been denied by both Indonesian government and military officials.

SOURCE: RNZ PACIFIC/PACNEWS
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Leptospirosis kills four in Fiji

January 29, 2019, 7:48 pm
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An outbreak of leptospirosis has claimed four lives in Fiji's central division this year.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has declared an outbreak of leptospirosis for the Central Division. There have been 69 cases of leptospirosis in Central Division from January 1st this year, with 18 people requiring admission to the CWM Hospital. The majority of cases have been in the 1-19 and 20-29 age groups.

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria that affects both humans and animals. Humans get leptospirosis through contact with the urine of infected animals. This often happens through contact with mud, water, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals. People who work with animals (e.g. farmers) are at higher risk of getting this disease, however the current outbreak in the Central Division is also affecting people who do non-animal related work. Recent heavy rains and flooding are likely to have contributed to the increase in cases in the Central Division.

Animals that may spread the disease through their infected urine include; rats, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, horses and mongooses.

The symptoms of leptospirosis include:

·High fever

· Chills

·Headache

·Muscle aches – commonly around the calves (backs of lower legs) and lower back

·Nausea/vomiting

·Jaundice (yellow skin and/or eyes)

· Red eyes

·Abdominal Pain

· Diarrhoea

·Cough

·Shortness of breath

·Rash

Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death. Early treatment with antibiotics administered by a doctor is key to preventing complications and deaths.

You can prevent getting leptospirosis by avoiding contact with the urine of infected animals. This includes:

·Avoiding wading/swimming in waters that may be contaminated with animal urine, especially flood waters

·Wearing protective clothing and footwear when working with livestock

·Separating households from livestock e.g. through the use of fences/pens

·Regular household cleaning

·Getting rid of rats in the household

·Keeping your food and eating/cooking utensils away from rats and pets

·Washing fruits and vegetables.

SOURCE: FIJI GOVT/PACNEWS
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Fijian sailor was murdered – report

January 29, 2019, 7:50 pm
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An investigation by Human Rights at Sea has found that a Fijian may have murdered another Fijian ship-worker in Panama in July 2017.

Human Rights at Sea has published a redacted report that included statements of witnesses detailing the background to the killing in Panama of Fesaitu Riamkau, a Fijian crewman who was working on board a Taiwanese fishing vessel flagged to Vanuatu.

At the time of his death, the cause of death for Fesaitu was attributed “to falling overboard.”

An eye-witness, an Indonesian, has now claimed that Fesaitu was murdered and his killer was a man from Wailoku, a suburb in Suva, Fiji.

The Indonesian crewman had told Gerry Semisi that he witnessed the killing, said the HRS report.

Fesaitu and Semisi worked together for five years.

Semisi said they departed Lautoka on the fishing boat ‘Gilontas 353.’ It was registered in Vanuatu, but its agent was a Fijian. The crew included Indonesians, Koreans, and Vietnamese.

“I think we left in March. We went straight to Panama, no fishing; we had to load our boat before going  fishing. When we got to Panama, we lived in a hotel nearby, and during the day we’d work on the wharf and boats belonging to the same company,” Semisi told HRS.

Recalling what happened on the night Fesaitu died, Semisi said it was a Saturday night and there were other Fijian men there working in other boats.

“Altogether there were about ten Fijians on different boats in Panama port; we all went to boat for a talanoa (social get together) although we were supposed to be in the hotel and not on the boat. Six of us waited for them to finish talanoa but we left without them and they said they’d come later; we left after 10. ‘Itu (Fesaiitu) wasn’t drinking.” Semisi confessed.

“We were told that the CCTV on the jetty recorded Fesaitu staggering along it very late at night; he fell in but climbed up the ladder and tried to walk along but he fell in again,” he said.

On the Sunday afternoon his body was seen floating in the harbour.

“There was an Indonesian man who told us what happened; he saw everything. I forgot his name but can describe his face; he was a close friend of Fesaitu. The Indonesian man said it might be a fluke; I don’t know what he meant by that. A man (from Wailoku) beat ‘Itu up so badly; lifted him up and whacked him on the side of the boat; very bad. He’s a big man. I don’t know why he got angry; it was between him and my uncle. A very strong man,” Semisi told HRS.

“It was after one week, the next Sunday, that the Indonesian man came to tell us; and his vessel left the same day. He didn’t tell the Police what he had seen because he was afraid,” Semisi said.

“All of the Fijian men there knew, said they’ll wait for when he (alleged killer) comes back to Fiji. I don’t think he had a knife, just used his fist. Pushing and punching. All the Fijians know him, he’s still on the boats,” Semisi claimed in his statement.

The Fijian Government through the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations repatriated the body of Riamkau to Fiji following his death.

The Ministry investigated the matter and arranged with the employer to repatriate the body of the worker to Fiji under our laws.  In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the body of the deceased worker arrived into the country on 4 August 2017.  

The Workers’ Compensation Service of the Ministry of Employment has also successfully applied for and received workers’ compensation from the employer in the amount of FJD$50,000 (USD23.6k) which was paid to the family of Fesaitu.

SOURCE: ISLANDS BUSINESS/PACNEWS

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PNGRFU, Oceania Rugby discuss championship

January 29, 2019, 7:54 pm
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Papua New Guinea could host the Oceania rugby union championship an official says.

Port Moresby has hosted the Federation of Rugby Unions Cup in previous years (2011 and 2015) as well as World Cup regional qualifiers (2008).

Oceania Rugby regional competition manager Wayne Schuster is in the nation’s capital to assess that potential apart from holding discussions with the PNG Rugby Football Union.

Schuster, who met with PNGRFU administrator Martin Liri, said the discussions were underway to bring the regional 15s tournament which involves third-tier nations like PNG, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Tahiti.

Schuster was impressed with the facilities and venues available in Port Moresby.

Schuster said he was in town to do a feasibility study and discuss options with the PNGRFU and its sponsors.

“I’m here in the country see what opportunities there are for the PNGRFU to host the Oceania championship,” Schuster said.

“The facilities here very good.

“I was here in 2015 for the Pacific Games and was and privileged to see these amazing facilities during that time and was impressed.

“My discussions with the PNGRFU is about looking at possibility of bringing a key regional tournament for the betterment of the third-tier nations and Pacific island countries.

The Samoan rugby representative said rugby union in PNG was developing step by step after a period of instability and a lack of progress over the last four years.

Schuster said PNGRFU could host a regional tournament because it had done so before.

“The facilities are there and PNG has hosted before that is why we want to bring the Oceania championship to PNG,” he said.

Schuster said Oceania Rugby wanted to ensure regional tournaments could be delivered on an annual basis to provide competition pathways countries to qualify for the World Cup.”

Schuster said Oceania regional tournaments including the sevens championship were pathways through which a country could improve its world ranking and enter the qualification process for World Cups as well entry into the HSBC World Sevens Series.

“We’re also discussing with corporate partners in PNG to stage the Oceania tournaments.

“The host union will also benefit from having tier one sevens nations such as Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and Fiji coming to PNG.”

Schuster said exposing local talent could result in interest from professional clubs from Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

He said Tonga, Samoa and Fiji had benefited from having their players exported and wanted PNG and other Pacific nations to have the same opportunity.

PNGRFU’s Liri welcomed the news saying it was the result of the union’s goal for the Pukpuks to be more prominent in the region.

Liri said hosting international events was not easy but the PNGRFU had high goals.

SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS
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Cable repair ship locates underwater problem as Tonga Communication Corporation increases satellite internet capacity

January 29, 2019, 7:57 pm
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The break in the underwater cable that has hampered internet operations in Tonga has been located.

However, there has been no indication of how long it will take to repair the break.

The cable repair ship Reliance located the fault and reported that the cable had moved south east from where it was laid.

The cause of the damage has not yet been determined.

The Reliance was docked at the Queen Salote wharf in Nuku’alofa Monday.

Meanwhile, the Tonga Communication Corporation has engaged a number of satellite providers to increase TCC’s internet capacity.

TCC CEO Timote Katoanga said these included Spark New Zealand,  Intelsat, Speedcast from Australia and Ezynet in Tonga.

Katoanga, said there was no plan to increase the TP$3 (US$1.31) charge for customers using its wi-fi.

He said the free wi-fi was provided because after the outage occurred the satellite internet was not immediately available through telephone lines and telephone calls overseas were also been cut off.

He said once the satellite internet became available for homes and businesses through landline and overseas telephone calls last week, the free wi-fi service was removed. .

SOURCE: KANIVA TONGA NEWS/PACNEWS
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Recount for Chimbu regional must be done in Kundiawa says PNG Police Commissioner Baki

January 31, 2019, 4:09 pm
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THE RECOUNT for the Chimbu Regional Seat must be done in Kundiawa and not Lae says Police Commissioner Gari Baki.
Mr Baki said this following a decision made by the Electoral Commission to do the recount in Lae.

“It is my view that we do the recount in Kundiawa simply because of the fact that there are security issues that we need to give considerations to,” Mr Baki said, adding that anything can happen along the way if the ballot boxes are taken out of Kundiawa and driven on the highway to Lae.
Three additional Mobile Squads including a senior police officer from the Police Headquarters will be sent to Chimbu to oversee the Security Operations during the recount.

Commissioner Baki said it is the Chimbu Regional Seat and the people of Chimbu need to see that the counting is done in Kundiawa. He said the problem of one province must be solved in that province and not taken into another province.
Commissioner Baki said that the experience learnt from the 2017 Southern Highlands counting was a bitter experience, in which properties were destroyed and lives lost and this must not be repeated again.  Police Media
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PNG to introduce Electronic Voting System in 2022

January 31, 2019, 4:14 pm
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Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says his government is committed to introduce electronic voting into PNG's election system by 2022.

Papua New Guinea had once before used the first-past-the-post election system, but replaced it with the Limited Preferential Voting system since the 2007 national election.

However, the government is still concerned that the LPV system is still not effective enough.

The Rigo MP, Lekwa Gure, asked Mr O'Neill, in Parliament, if his government, under its Medium Term Development Plan, was serious enough to introduce electronic voting system anytime soon.

Mr O'Neill responded saying PNG is looking to adopt the electronic voting system from India.

A team of Indian election officials have already showcased the system to government members and officials, and most recently, government and PNG Electoral Commission officials traveled to India to witness the system at work during the country's election.

Mr O'Neill says the government is committed to using electronic voting in the coming election.

"As government we are committed to that.

"We are awaiting advise from the Electoral Commission.

"Our aim is that we will try to start the implementation process, especially getting the voter registration done starting this year.

"We start early so the integrity of the system is tested and that people are able to have confidence in the system that we are going to introduce.

"I think the electronic voting system is the way to go so that we can have a free and fair election in our country," Mr O'Neill said.

NBC News/PNG Today
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Former PNG Army Colonel charged with misappropriation, money laudering

January 31, 2019, 4:20 pm
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A former PNG Defence Force colonel, facing 106 counts of misappropriation charges (under the Criminal Code Act) and one count of money laundering (under the Proceeds of Crime Act) appeared before the Waigani Committal Court this morning.

Kisokau Powesau, 58 years old from Timoenai Village in Manus Province is charged for his purported involvement in the misapplication of Commercial Support Program Funds belonging to the defence force between 2008 and 2011.

He was arrested by members of the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate in Port Moresby last week, following an interview.

He's alleged of misappropriating funds totaling more than 1-million Kina belong to the Defence Force Commercial Support Program Trust Account.

Kisokau was employed with the PNGDF for 20 years.

This account was established by the then Minister for Treasury and Corporate Affairs, Iaro Lasaro as per the Public Finance Management Act (1995).

The account was purposely to collect revenues and for revenue generation so that it may assist in relieving pressure on the recurrent budget of the Defence Force.

The process in which funds from the CST Trust Account is expanded is by way of a committee called the Senior Defence Committee, which oversees the proper use of the funds.

Its alleged Kisokau and another serving officer were managers at that time and they failed to follow set Trust Deeds resulting in the misappropriation.

Its alleged that both officers were signatories to the account at the time of the misappropriation.

Its alleged the funds were transferred to another account and later accessed for their own use.

Kisokau Powesau is out on a K6,000 bail and his case adjourned to March.

NBC News
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China’s investment in Pacific Islands growing, region’s largest trading partner

January 31, 2019, 4:52 pm
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China’s cumulative foreign direct investment in Pacific Island countries has grown rapidly since 2014, reaching US$2.8 billion in 2016.

This is an increase of 173 per cent from 2014 following President Xi Jinping’s visit to the region, according to a staff research report published by the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. 

According to the report, nearly 70 per cent of the FDI was concentrated in Papua New Guinea, but despite its accelerating growth, Chinese FDI in the region was just 0.21 per cent of its global outward FDI in 2016. 

“Since 2005, Chinese firms have invested in two mining projects in Papua New Guinea worth US$970 million. Aside from these projects, Chinese FDI throughout the region has been mostly in the transport, real estate, and energy sectors,” the report said. 

The report highlighted that Chinese firms have recently signed major deals with Pacific Island countries on a range of infrastructure and real estate projects, with PNG. approving a US$4.4 billion worth of projects to be carried out by China Railway Group for road, agricultural industrial parks, and a water supply upgrade in 2017. 

In Fiji, Chinese firm Guangdong Silk Ark Investment is building a US$500 million resort on the Fijian coast, one of the biggest projects in Fiji, which was projected to be completed last year, according to the report pointing to China’s real estate investment. 

According to the report, Chinese companies have also been active in information and communications, with Chinese telecom company Huawei given the contract to build national broad band transmission network for PNG with international connectivity via Indonesia, drawing concerns from the Australian Government. 

The Solomon Islands also awarded the contract to Huawei to construct an undersea cable to connect the Solomon Islands’ main islands with onward connectivity to Australia. 

According to the Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Peter Jennings, “Chinese telecoms companies have connections to the Chinese state. This raises the risk of infiltration, intellectual property theft and could give Beijing the capacity to shut down Australian networks in the event of a crisis,” the report said.

Meanwhile, China is the largest trading partner of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member countries, excluding Australia and New Zealand, with its total trade goods for 2017 amounting to US$8.2 billion. 

This is according to a staff research report published by the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission on June 14, 2018 titled “China’s Engagement in the Pacific Islands: Implications for the United States”. 

The report said the amount surpasses South Korea’s $8 billion, Australia’s $5 billion and the United States $1.6 billion total trade goods to the PIF member countries. 

PIF. member countries include Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Australia and New Zealand. 

China’s total trade with Samoa for 2017, the report said, was to the tune of US$66 million (T$25.3m) for 2017.   

According to the report, China’s total trade with Pacific Island Countries has increased rapidly over the past decade, which was boosted by President Xi Jinping to the region in 2014. 

The high-level visit “saw the largest year-on-year increase in total trade over this period, growing 63 percent largely due to a sharp boost in Chinese exports,” said the report. 

“In 2017, China’s exports to Pacific Islands Forum countries reached US$4.7 billion, up from US$2.7 billion in 2014. Chinese imports from Pacific Islands Forum countries totaled US$3.5 billion, up from US$2.3 billion in 2014.

“China’s top export destinations in the Pacific Islands are the Marshall Islands (mostly passenger and cargo ships), Papua New Guinea (broadcasting, equipment, iron, rubber and prefabricated buildings), and Fiji (seafood, delivery trucks and rubber). 

“China’s imports from the region consist mostly of raw materials and minerals. Beijing’s top sources of imports in the region are Papua New Guinea (petroleum, rough wood, and nickel mattes), New Caledonia (ferroalloys and nickel mattes), and the Solomon Islands (rough wood).” 

According to the report, China’s involvement in the Pacific has noticeably accelerated since President Xi took office in 2013. 

“An examination of trade, investment, aid and tourism shows that China is becoming one of the dominant economic players in the region, well ahead of the United States,” the report further stated. 

“Given the rapid growth in Chinese activity in all four categories of economic engagement over the past decade, this trend is likely to continue in the years ahead, bringing economic and security implications for the United States and its allies and partners in the region.”

SOURCE: SAMOA OBSERVER/PACNEWS

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Madang MP Kramer guilty of breaching Parliament privilege

February 1, 2019, 3:06 am
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The Parliamentary Privileges Committee has found Madang MP Bryan Kramer, guilty of breaching his Parliamentary Privilege.

In May 2018, Mr Kramer had published a post on Facebook titled "Has Dumb Become Dumber?" criticizing a proposal by Communications Minister Sam Basil to ban Facebook in the country.

Mr Kramer was referred to the Committee following a complaint by Tewai-Siassi MP Kobby Bomareo.

Presenting the committee's decision in Parliament today, Chairman and Manus Governor, Charlie Benjamin, says the committee has asked Mr Kramer to apologize to Minister Basil on the floor, when the House next sits.

Mr Kramer will be suspended for two sitting days if he fails to apologize.

The committee also warned other MP's, that they too can be referred for prosecution in court, if they breach the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act of 1964.

NBC News
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No 'manipulative steps' Vanuatu foreign minister respond to Indonesia's accusation

February 2, 2019, 12:15 am
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Vanuatu’s Foreign affairs minister, Ralph Regenvanu has dismissed accusations from the Indonesian Government for including a West Papuan leader and the United Liberal Movement for the people of West Papua (ULMWP) chairman, Benny Wenda in its delegation to a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.

“Indonesia strongly condemns Vanuatu’s action, which deliberately deceived the High Commissioner by taking manipulative steps through the infiltration of Benny Wenda into the Vanuatu delegation,” Hasan Kleib, Indonesian Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, said in a press statement published on Wednesday.

In a telephone interview with Buzz 96FM, Minister Regenvanu said the Government of Vanuatu has always maintained its stand and support behind the self-determination for the West Papua movement.

“Vanuatu recently reaffirmed its commitment and celebrated the establishment of the ULMWP movement by hosting a meeting here some years ago, as well as giving land for the ULMWP office," said Regenvanu.

The Foreign Affairs Minister re-emphasised Vanuatu government's position status remains, it will assist the people of West Papua in their struggle to decolonise.

Minister Regenvanu said one of the ways Vanuatu is assisting is to include representatives of the ULMWP to be part of the Vanuatu delegation at UN meetings, especially one where Vanuatu had a meeting with the UN Human Rights Commissioner.

“It is an opportunity for the ULMWP to raise the issue of West Papua with the UN, because essentially it is unfinished business for the UN and there are very few avenues that West Papuan people can use to bring their fight to attention or continue to bring their fight into the attention of the International Community so Vanuatu will continue to assist them in doing this,” said Minister Regenvanu.

“Vanuatu doesn't regard the West Papua movement or ULMWP as different or as a separatist movement, which is what the Indonesians has labelled and considered it as a case of territory, which is never properly decolonised by the UN,” said Regenvanu.

The Vanuatu foreign affairs minister confirmed that ULMWP chairman, Benny Wenda was officially accredited in the Vanuatu delegation to the UN meeting.

“An attempt to present the petition in 2017 to the UN committee responsible for monitoring the progress of colonised territories toward independence was rebuffed.

“Last week they succeeded, aided by the diplomatic equivalent of a wink and a nod from the tiny Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, which has been championing the Papuan cause.

“Vanuatu officials had a scheduled meeting last Friday in Geneva with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“Among them was an exiled Papuan leader, Benny Wenda, who presented a petition with 1.8 million signatures calling for self-determinationto Bachelet.

"During this meeting, one member of the Vanuatu delegation, presented the high commissioner with a petition. This was not actually a meeting arranged with Wenda for that purpose," said Ravina Shamdasani, deputy spokeswoman at the UN Human Rights Office.

The deputy spokeswoman said Bachelet "was not aware" in advance.

The ULMWP sent The Associated Press a photo of Wenda passing the petition to a smiling Bachelet.

It was then that Indonesia reacted angrily, accusing Vanuatu of "taking manipulative steps through the infiltration of Benny Wenda into the Vanuatu delegation.".

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST/PACNEWS
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National Provident Fund to sell shares in Solomon Islands Telekom to Fiji's Amalgamated Telecoms Holding

February 2, 2019, 12:20 am
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The Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (NPF) has confirmed holding talks with Fiji’s biggest telecommunications company to sell part of its shares in Solomon Telekom to them.

NPF general manager Mike Wate confirmed this in response to enquiries the Solomon Star made to his office.

The Solomon Star was earlier told NPF has been talking with Amalgamated Telecoms Holding of Fiji (ATH) about selling some of its shares in Our Telekom to the Fijian company.

NPF holds 97.32% shares in Our Telekom, while the remaining shares were held by the Investment Corporation of Solomon Islands (ICSI), the government’s investment arm.

Wate said:

“…. yes, we are talking with ATH Fiji on a Non-Disclosure Agreement with them on a potential partial sale down of NPF shares in Solomon Telekom.

“Under the Non-Disclosure Agreement, both parties are refrained from discussing the potential partnership in the media.

“The discussions are for a partial sale down of NPF shares to the interested selected party.”

ATH Fiji is majority owned by the Fiji National Provident Fund, which holds 52.2 per cent shares, while the Fiji Government owns 34.6 per cent shares.

The remaining shares were held by other Fijian companies.

According to ATH’s 2018 Financial Report, the company confirmed it met with Solomon Islands National Provident Fund last year.

The report stated ATH is interested in investing in telecommunications in Solomon Islands.

It is evident that ATH Ltd of Fiji is eyeing expanding into PNG and the Solomon Islands’ telecommunication and ICT sector.

 In 2018 board of directors of ATH, FNPF and NPF met to discuss investment opportunities in the Solomon Islands telecommunications sector.

SINPF is most likely exploring investment opportunities in Fiji as well, possibly investing in the South Pacific Stock exchange through ATH shares.

ATH talks with SINPF in 2018 signals ATH’s appetite for more regional expansion through acquisitions and it is eyeing NPF’s lucrative majority shares in Solomon Telekom.

The Solomon Star was told Solomon Telekom has been restructuring its business operations in recent months.

It is shedding non-core business assets like land and properties, laying off none core business staff and drastically cutting back on its operating costs.

“Basically, Our Telekom has been frantically tidying up its book value and making it attractive for a sale,” sources told the Solomon Star.

“Following ATH business meeting with Our Telekom’s major shareholder SINPF in 2018, it seems all is set for major changes in the ownership composition of Our Telekom,” sources said.

In Fiji, ATH owns Telecom Fiji Ltd, as well as Vodafone Fiji Ltd.

“Would having another Vodafone affiliated business (ATH) owning another Telecom business in Solomon Islands brings us back to the monopoly era?” our source queried.

“We already have Bemobile Vodafone.

“Will we have another company called Our Telekom Vodafone in the near future and would this not be against the spirit of fair competition and market liberalisation?” the source continued.

News of the ATH-NPF talks came as long-time Our Telekom chief executive officer, Loyley Ngira, is leaving the company.

His job as already been advertised.

Ngira has successfully taken Our Telekom through competition and has achieved quite a lot in expanding communication services throughout the country.

Attempts to talk to him on Thursday were unsuccessful.

Observers said if ATH becomes the majority shareholder, it will naturally demand operational control of Our Telekom.

This means managers in ATH 100% owned Vodafone Fiji will be placed within Our Telekom, similar to what they did for BlueSky Samoa and their other Telecom acquisitions in Vanuatu and Kiribati.

“Do we expect to see Our Telekom changed to Our Telekom Vodafone soon?” observers asked.

SOURCE: SOLOMON STAR/PACNEWS
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