PNG sacked Treasurer Don Polye explained why he refused to sign K3b loan deal

By Issac Nicholas
Post-Courier,  20th March 2014

Hon Don Polye, MP

FORMER Treasury Minister Don Polye has finally broken his silence on why he refused to sign loan instruments of AUS$ 1.239 (K3 billion) loan to acquire 10.1 percent share in Oil Search.

The Kandep MP said with the best business and commerce knowledge he had, his view was that the commercial viability of the purchase of Oil Search Ltd shares at $A8.20 is a bad decision.

He said even if it is claimed to be a good investment there remains no credible information to substantiate the argument as no due diligence was done on the business transaction.

Mr Polye also called on Attorney-General Kerenga Kua to say whether he gave advice to the Government leading up to "various breaches of the laws" to secure the $A1.22 billion loan.

"We have to borrow money if we do in such amounts have got to be spent on tangible benefits to the people of this nation, but not on some speculative markets like buying shares.

"When I looked into this I as former treasurer, I simply could not sign a loan when I knew that those were the dynamics within which this loan will not be supported by any balance sheets, whether it be by SOEs (State-owned enterprises) or even by the State," he said.

Prime Minister O'neill reveals reason over Polye's removal as Treasurer

By Joy Kisselpar -PNG Edge

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has admitted that Don Polye was removed as the Treasury Minister because he refused to accept the decision by the National Executive Council to borrow $ US 1.2 billion from the Swiss financial institution, UBS.

Peter O'Neil, The Prime Minister of PNG

He says the decision by the NEC is final and was based on independent official advice from all government officials and that could not be undermined by a prime minister, any minister or official.

Mr O’Neill also clarified that Mr Polye could no longer hold the position as chairman of the IMF and World Bank.

He said that position was given to Papua New Guinea and not to any one person and that the new treasury minister would take over the position.

Meanwhile Mr O’Neill says a cabinet reshuffle will be done for the best interest of the country.

“As I said in the recent past we’re not running a theme park where people go to have fun, we run a serious business, our first priority is stability, stability of government and stability of policies and any changes we make must enhance that. I think it is important for the country to have stability,” says the Prime Minister.

He said that he held a meeting with both Don Polye and William Duma and told them frankly the PNC party would honor the Alotau Accord and that is THE party is entitled to have four ministries.

“Whoever I give the ministries to is my prerogative. The law of Papua New Guinea gives me that and it will be based on performance, government stability and conduct of ministers.

I will exercise it with due care and with a highest degree of responsibility so that it continues to build stability within the government,” says O’Neill.

The real reasons why Papua New Guinea's Energy Minister William Duma and Treasurer Don Polye were sacked

By Joy Kisselpar -PNG Edge

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has admitted that Don Polye was removed as the Treasury Minister because he refused to accept the decision by the National Executive Council to borrow $ US 1.2 billion from the Swiss financial institution, UBS.

Peter O'Neil, The Prime Minister of PNG

He says the decision by the NEC is final and was based on independent official advice from all government officials and that could not be undermined by a prime minister, any minister or official.

Mr O’Neill also clarified that Mr Polye could no longer hold the position as chairman of the IMF and World Bank.

He said that position was given to Papua New Guinea and not to any one person and that the new treasury minister would take over the position.

Meanwhile Mr O’Neill says a cabinet reshuffle will be done for the best interest of the country.

“As I said in the recent past we’re not running a theme park where people go to have fun, we run a serious business, our first priority is stability, stability of government and stability of policies and any changes we make must enhance that. I think it is important for the country to have stability,” says the Prime Minister.

He said that he held a meeting with both Don Polye and William Duma and told them frankly the PNC party would honor the Alotau Accord and that is THE party is entitled to have four ministries.

“Whoever I give the ministries to is my prerogative. The law of Papua New Guinea gives me that and it will be based on performance, government stability and conduct of ministers.

I will exercise it with due care and with a highest degree of responsibility so that it continues to build stability within the government,” says O’Neill.

Noel Anjo: Its time to take affirmative action to challenge corruption head on at a Public Forum

By Sonja Barry Romai
THE VOICE OF PNG, Facebook Page

Leading anti-corruption activist, Noel Anjo Kolao (inserted) has advised that a public forum will be held this Thursday, March 20th, at Jack Pidik park from 10 am - 2 pm.

Activist Noel Anjo

"Don Polye is invited to explain and reveal to the nation why he refused to sign the loan and PM sacked him. PM in a news conference yesterday defended his decision to sack Polye and said the loan is the best deal. Polye will reveal the truth because PM is misleading the public", Noel Anjo Kolao asserted.

Should the sacked Treasurer take up the challenge to appear in person at Jack Pidik park on Thursday to publicly reveal the truth to the people of Papua New Guinea who are now faced with a massive National debt to repay, although the Prime Minister has since publicly stated, "The argument that it increases our debt level is simply nonsense"?

Should the sacked Treasurer in all good conscience continue to remain a part of a coalition Government - particularly if he knew that the massive K3 billion (up to Aud1.239 billion) loan deal to buy 149, 390, 244 Oil Search shares is unconstitutional and that is why he refused to sign the loan and was sacked?

US$239m loan for roads, air services in Papua New Guinea

The National, Wednesday February 26th, 2014

Treasury Minister Don Polye and ADB country director Marcelo Minc signed the agreements yesterday in Port Moresby.

Treasurer Don Polye, MP

The second tranche of the Highlands Roads Improvement Programme will cost US$109 million. It will be carried out by the Works Department. The Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme (CADIP) costing US$130 million will be undertaken by the National Airports Corporation. 

“The road programme approved in 2008 is a US$750 million plan that aims to make transport more safe and accessible by connecting rural roads to main roads and making provision for public transport,” Minc said.

“Under the first tranche, 115km of roads are being rehabilitated between Laiagam-Porgera (65km) and Mendi-Kandep (50km) using four locally-owned construction firms employing more than 500 nationals and providing improved market access and income earning opportunities for the people of Enga and Southern Highlands.” 

Enga to get new K322m hospital

By Benny Geteng
Post-Courier, 28th Feb 2014

Enga province will soon benefit from a new general hospital that will be constructed at the tune of K322 million, approved by the National Government.

This was revealed by Enga Governor Peter Ipatas yesterday in Port Moresby. Construction for of the hospital will begin at the end of this year as soon as all the negotiations for tendering and awarding contracts are completed. "The first K22 million that was appropriated by the national Government was used for securing the piece of land and ground works for the hospital to be situated on.

The land secured is about 34 hectares. Mr Ipatas said the remaining funds will be used to cover the expense of a new medical school, staff housing and quarters and hospital facilities. "Since the Government is giving us a lot of money, the hospital will be built to cater for national interests as well," Mr Ipatas said.

"Therefore, we are embarking on creating the second medical school in the country apart from the Taurama campus of the University of Papua New Guinea." Mr Ipatas also announced that the Enga Provincial Government had acquired what was once the Sopas Nursing College and has transformed it into the Enga College of Nursing.

The 'Father of Free Education' plans to have own Airline service and pilot training school for his province

Enga Governor Hon Grand Chief Peter Ipatas’s (widely known as 'Father of Free Education' or 'Action Governor') plans to set up the province’s own airline service and pilot training school may soon be realised. 

His provincial government has finalised a tie-up with non-governmental organisation (NGO) groups to set up an airline to be called Miok Air.

Ipatas revealed this after the completion of a feasibility study by two senior aircraft pilots from Enga – Capt Mark Nea of Cathay Pacific Airlines and former Capt Tedd Paki of Emirates Airlines. 

Ipatas said he had concluded negotiations with a local humanitarian organisation PNG Tribal Foundation to assist in setting up the company and carry out the project in partnership with specific NGO groups from the United States. 

He said the main aim of the company, which would trade as Miok Air, would provide normal air services in the province and facilitate an aviation pilot training school out of Wapenamanda airport. “The PNG Tribal Foundation would assist us in facilitating the company’s flight service and the pilot training programmes,” Ipatas said.

The Champion of the Papua New Guineas Indigenous Lands Rights Peter Donigi passes on

By John Endemongo KUA

All good things come to an end, and as such, the life of an outstanding scholar and gentleman, had come to pass in the morning hours of the 31st January 2014, here in Port Moresby.

The late Donigi and myself, did not see eye to eye on many national issues of importance to the nation not because of the principles behind the issues, and nor did we allow each other the opportunity to discuss or debate issues of importance to the state or international concerns, simply because he was a Sepik and I a Chimbu, and we were rallying, behind the powerful men of post independence politics, with him standing stoically behind Somare as a kinsman and myself behind Okuk. 

For the better or worse, most political cadres were consumed in this shallow and empty game of cloak and dagger political manoeuvres, that destabilised the national progress in many respects to the detriment of this nation state.

Despite the hostile environment of ethnic and regional divide, reason prevailed in men of valour, such as Peter Donigi, who was an astute scholar in law and sociology, and was the chief advisor to the longest serving prime minister, in Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. 
I found a deeply, rooted alliance, with him, where in, he was able to premise the greatest legal blunder, crafted by the Caucasian race of European, who had frolicked the vast oceans for new lands and territories, which they annexed with force of their own self serving inequitable laws that nullified the interests of the indigenous people who were natives of the land. 

Enga Teachers College and Telefomin District signed corporate sponsorship deal for students

Post-Courier, 21 February 2014

At least 10 students from Telifomin in Sandaun Province will undertake primary school teacher training annually at the Enga Teachers College.

This follows a corporate sponsorship arrangement which was entered between Enga Provincial Government and Telifomin MP Solan Mirisim.

ETC principal Michael Homingu said under the arrangement, Mirisim would meet the necessary costs of the student’s study programs including tuition, boarding and lodging, fortnightly allowances and airfares.

Mr Homongu, who described the arrangement as an “extra ordinary” said the MP (Mr Mirisim) had brought the students in person to enroll two weeks ago. “This corporate sponsorship arrangement is an extra-ordinary undertaking as such commitment and initiative by leaders are not popular as far as I understand,” he said. The MP praised the Hon Ipatas for taking human resource development in his province as a top priority for almost 2 decades. Hon

The new Enga Teachers College

Mirisin, who also brought his own children to enroll at the Highlands Lutheran International School (in Enga), said the initiative was aimed at addressing teacher shortage which he said was affecting primary school student enrollment in his electorate. 

“It is part and parcel of my long term human resource development plan to increase student enrollment in my electorate,” he said. Mirisim said he had chosen Enga Teachers College because of the province’s successful human resource development policy under the leadership of Governor Peter Ipatas. Mr Ipatas said the MP had made the right decision to choose ETC to train teachers as his government was willing to work with leaders and organizations that were interested in enrolling students under such arrangements in the tertiary learning institutions in his province.

“Honourable Mirisim has made a right move to bring his students to Enga as my government is willing to assist such initiatives,” he said. The ETC had its second batch of graduation last year with 121 students since its establishment in 2010.
The college is currently enrolling more than 90 per cent of the students from within Enga while its boarding facilities are still under construction. Mr Homingu said the ETC would enroll students from around the country in 2016.

Papua New Guinea Parliament passes vital legislations

By Isaac Nicholas
Post-Courier, 20th Feb 2014

Members of Parliament had a busy day in the office yesterday sitting through lunch hour to deal with more than 12 legislations that came before the House.

The Opposition, which has been advocating on corruption issues in the country, were not in the House to give Prime Minister Peter O’Neill the support to pass the Independent Commission Against Corruption Bill.

The lone opposition MP and Madang Governor Jim Kas supported all the government amendment legislations that went before Parliament.
The Prime Minister introduced the ICAC Bill and the District Authorities Bill that got the support of the 91 members present in the House.

Public Service Minister Sir Puka Temu than introduced amendments to the Provincial and Local Level Governments legislations, in consequential amendments that sets the foundation for the public service under the new District Development Authority.
Sir Puka also presented the Appointment of Certain Officers legislations that will effectively cut off the Public