Duma is acting PM, Rosso DPM
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Duma is acting PM, Rosso
DPM
PORT MORESBY: Prime Minister James Marape has picked Lae
MP and Lands and Physical Planning Minister John Rosso as his deputy to succeed
the late Sam Basil.
He made the announcement
yesterday (May 23, 2022) before departing for Australia to open th 37th
Papua New Gunea-Australia business forum which begins in Brisbane today (May
24, 2022).
Marape said it was
fitting for a senior politician from Morobe to be appointed as deputy prime
minister in honour of the late Bulolo MP Basil.
He also announced that State
Enterprises Minister William Duma would be acting prime minister while he was
away.
Meanwhile, two-term
Alotau MP Charles Abel has filed his nomination papers to contest the Milne Bay
provincial seat on an Our Development Party ticket.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a few news updates on Papua New Guinea’s General Election 2022 (GE22) as published by The National:
Rosso is DPM
May 24, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
Marape said it was fitting for a senior politician from Morobe to be appointed
as deputy prime minister in honour of the late Bulolo MP Sam Basil.
Marape said formalities to confirm Rosso’s appointment would be made upon his
return from Brisbane tomorrow.
Marape is expected to open the 37th Papua New Guinea-Australia business forum
which begins today in Brisbane.
He said the forum would help promote the country as an ideal trade and
investment destination for Australian and other investors.
Marape said Hagen MP and State Enterprises Minister William Duma would be
acting prime minister during his absence.
“I am leaving the country for few days,” he said.
“I’ve been asked to open the seminar in Brisbane (today) that talks about
promoting trade and investments for our country.
“There are a lot of Australian businesses in the country, making Australia a
large investor in businesses in the country, therefore, it is important for us
to go and give the right impression of the economic and political situation we
currently have in the country.”
Rosso was elected as an independent candidate to the 10th National Parliament
in the 2017 general election and later joined the Pangu Pati.
He was appointed Minister for Lands and Physical Planning on the June 7, 2019.
Meanwhile, Marape congratulated Australia’s Prime Minister-elect Anthony
Albanese saying he looked forward to meeting him to discuss issues of mutual
concern.
He also thanked former prime minister Scott Morrison for his support to PNG and
the Pacific.
Besides the forum and trade exposition, Marape and state negotiation team would
engage with joint venture partners of the K18.5 billion (about US$5.4 billion)
Wafi Golpu project in Morobe.
Earlier this month, Mineral Resources Authority told The National that
the Government and project developers were yet to agree on equity and royalty
shares.
Newcrest Mining Ltd and Harmony Gold are 50:50 participants in the Wafi Golpu
project.
Abel to contest Milne Bay seat
May 24, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
TWO-TERM Alotau MP
Charles Abel (2012-2017 and 2017-2022) has decided to contest the Milne Bay
provincial seat on an Our Development Party ticket.
Also contesting the regional seat is retired diplomat Sir Charles Lepani (PNG
Party), former governor (2012-2017) Titus Philemon (United Resource Party) and
former Alotau MP (1987-1992) Iairo Lasaro.
Eighty-seven candidates have filed their nominations since Thursday for the
five seats up for grab in Milne Bay.
Among the candidates for the 2022 general election are four incumbent MPs and
four women.
The Neville brothers, Tim (former governor 1992-1997 and 2002- 2007) are
returning to active politics after a long time.
His younger brother, Peter, is contesting for Alotau which he contested in
2017.
Assistant election manager Anna Dagobi told The National that the majority of
candidates filed their nominations on Thursday and Friday.
The four women include National Alliance secretary public office Joyce Grant
who is contesting in Kiriwina, businesswoman Jennifer Rudd (Milne Bay seat),
Hellen Naidy Wasaelo, a pastor from Egadoi village, Dobu Island (Esa’ala open),
and Natasha Panta (Alotau), a self-employed standing on a Pangu Pati ticket.
Anna said nominations period were peaceful with a continuous flow of hopefuls
filing their nomination papers.
She said the weekend was quiet with only three Independents turning up to file
their papers – one for Milne Bay provincial, two for Alotau on Saturday and one
for Kiriwina on Sunday.
Anna said only two candidates filed their nominations yesterday, one for
Samarai-Murua and another for Alotau.
As of Monday, the total number of candidates for Milne Bay are: Milne Bay provincial
seat (15), Alotau (24), Esa’ala (13), Samarai-Murua (24) and Kiriwina (11).
Anna said more candidates were expected to file their nomination papers in the
next two days before nominations for the general election close on Thursday.
Politics not for men only, says woman pastor
PAPUA New Guinea (PNG)
Party candidate for Esa’ala Hellen Naidy wants to prove that politics is not
just a men’s game.
A pastor by profession, she took part as an observer in 2012 general election
after being discouraged by family members to contest.
“General election 22 is the time for me to flex my political muscles, even if
it means going up against my family members,” she added.
“In 2012, I went around the province, not for campaigning but to just talk to
the candidates about a Kingdom government, according to Isaiah 9: 6-7.
“While everybody was campaigning, I told the men, go and campaign in the name
of the Lord,” she said.
“In 2017, because my two cousins were running, my family told me to sit out and
give my big brothers a chance so that the votes are not split. They did not
make it.
“So, this time, it is my turn to bid for a seat in Parliament,” she added.
Hellen had been a pastor for 26 years with the Christian Outreach Centre, but
had put that aside in support of her husband’s profession as a senior elder
with Congress WBN and her political ambition.
With family members who are in religion and politics, her cousins are Dr Misty
Baloiloi, contesting in Esa’ala under the National Alliance banner and Peter
Niesi as an independent.
“Public speaking and public relations is natural to me because of my family
background; my mum’s people are very open.
“My bubus were the first Bishops of the Papuan Islands United church,” she
said.
Hellen told The National that she was almost not endorsed by the party as there
was heavy opposition from certain incumbent MPs.
“Last June, the branch president approached me to join the party but just
recently two MPs spoke to our party leader and told him to remove me,” she
said.
In her view, the MPs were opposed to her running because of her standing in the
province and her role as a no-nonsense woman.
“I am still strong, only if God removes me then I worry. After a few days, the
branch president called me and said you are back in.”
Burning of posters reflects behaviour of
leaders: Manning
Packed and ready
… Supporters of Sergey Mosin contesting for the Moresby North-East seat
overloading a vehicle during a rally and show of strength around the electorate
yesterday. Some candidates have been going out after nomination to do rallies
leading to the official campaign period. The National Capital District
Metropolitan Superintendent Gideon Ikumu has urged candidates and supporters to
avoid overloading of vehicles as this was a violation to traffic rules and
compromised the safety of passengers and other road users during the election
period. – Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI
By AILEEN KWARAGU
SUPPORTERS who burn
posters of general election candidates and campaign paraphernalia is a bad
reflection of leaders, Police Commissioner David Manning says.
“Such actions are unfortunate and unnecessary.
“There is no need for such irresponsible behaviour and actions,” he added.
Manning was commenting on one such incident in the Highlands.
“If the candidates are aware of what their supporters did, they need to be a
responsible and accountable leader and address such uncivilised behaviour.
“Their action is a reflection on the type of leader they are supporting which
also cause irreparable damage to their leadership and to the party they may be
representing.”
Manning said police would look into the electoral offences to ensure supporters
and their candidates behaved appropriately during the period of campaigning.
Meanwhile, he warned that any supporter found in possession of firearms would
be arrested together with the candidate, if the latter supported his or her
supporter.
“The candidate will be questioned whether he or she is aware of the firearm as
the law on firearms was amended for a maximum life imprisonment sentence, if
found guilty,” he said.
Cop: It’s just rescheduling of deployment of
security personne
By GEORGINA KOREI
DEPUTY Police
Commissioner (Operations) Anton Billie says the deployment of security
personnel for the general election is scheduled and there is no delay.
“It is scheduled and targeted according to budget throughout the general
election.
“We will ensure the smooth deployment of all the security personnel,” he added.
He said the available funding for the security deployment had been budgeted and
“we use the funds wisely”.
“The budget is tight, so some security personnel were deployed earlier while
others are to be deployed later for the polling and counting period,” he said.
He said for now the police units, especially in the Highlands, could adequately
provide security for the nomination and campaign period.
“The support units from the headquarters would be deployed later to boost the
security manpower.”
He said the deployment of all security personnel at once was a very expensive
exercise.
“It is costly to deploy all the security personnel at the same time.
“We have to properly plan for the logistics, accommodation and welfare of the
security personnel before sending them,” he added.
He said those deployed earlier would provide security during the nomination and
campaign period and they would return as others would be deployed. “Those who
are still here will still be deployed to their designated locations when others
return,” he said.
Billie said police were trying to be operational wise with the funding, “so we
have decided to schedule the deployment of security personnel at different
times”.
EC assures people of
election schedule
May 24, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
He said the nominations started last Thursday (May 19) throughout the country
and would end on Thursday (May 26).
Sinai said polling would start on July 2 and end on July 22 and election writs
were expected to be returned from July 23-29.
“Let me reassure our people, the various political parties and candidates,
stakeholders and everyone else that the national elections are on schedule to
be delivered as per the requirements of the Constitution and the Organic Law on
the conduct of this national event,” he said.
“The close of nominations will, therefore, be at 4pm on Thursday, seven days
after the start of nominations.”
In relation to a concern raised by a candidate for an open seat in East Sepik
regarding an extension of the nomination period which should have lapsed last
Thursday, Sinai said he had the power to extend the nomination date to this
Thursday.
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Follow election laws,
judge warns
May 24, 2022The NationalMain Stories
A JUDGE has reminded
candidates and voters to follow the set laws to elect leaders into Parliament.
Justice Panuel Mogish made the comments during a welcome parade for Supreme
Court judges in Goroka yesterday.
He said election petition cases are always lengthy cumbersome process that are
costly, a lot of money is involved.
“This year, we are going into elections to elect leaders for the next five
years, follow the laws to vote or else we (judges) go back to find election
petitions filing up,” he said.
“In PNG, people do not agree to a win, when one candidate wins, there is always
election petitions.
“It’s fine because petitioners have their rights.”
Justice Mogish, however, said the problem is that judges are removed from their
core functions to hear election petitions until the five years is up.
“In Australia, during elections, you will not see long convoys of vehicles
loaded with supporters singing, waving and shouting,” he said.
“After 47 years of independence, we are yet to be educated on how to vote,
there is no need to disturb voters, I challenge you all to vote wisely and vote
good leaders who can bring services to places like Goroka.”
Justice Mogish, who was born and raised in Goroka, said the town was once a
beautiful town recalled the original scenes of the court house and its
surroundings back them.
He said he would climbed trees on the sides of the court house road and was
catching kingfisher (birds).
The Supreme Court sitting started yesterday at the Goroka National Court room
and would end on Friday.
Only seven women elected since 1975
By BOSON WILSON
ONLY seven women have
been elected to Parliament in Papua New Guinea’s 47-year history, an academic
says.
Dr Terence Wood, a research fellow at the Development Policy Centre at the
Australian National University (ANU) said PNG was one of four countries in the
world to have no women in its current parliament.
“Currently, the only countries that have no women in parliament are the
Federate States of Micronesia, PNG, Vanuatu and Yemen,” he said.
Wood said even though there was an increase in female candidacy, they still
struggled because of the country’s political culture.
Theresa Meki, a doctoral candidate with ANU’s department of Pacific affairs,
said women were less competitive because they often lacked resources.
“Women candidates often lack financial power, very few are backed by political
parties and women’s credibility to lead in parliament is questioned by the
people,” she said.
Meki said the likelihood of women being elected was hindered by the high cost
of campaign logistics and the country’s political culture.
“It is very expensive to participate in elections because candidates have to
hire cars and boats including the additional cost for merchandise,” she said.
“Women tend to have less financial resources than their rival male candidates,
therefore it makes it difficult for them to navigate and conduct successful
elections.”
Services top of the
agenda
May 24, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
THE lack of accessible
water supply and social services in the Moresby North-West electorate are two
reasons that prompted Larry Patterson Kila to contest the open seat at the 2022
general election.
Kila, 44, and a resident of Tokarara and a former employee of the National
Capital District Commission (NCDC) is running as an independent candidate.
He was accompanied by his big sister Helen Kila and uncle Mieauri Abura when
his nomination was made at 3pm yesterday.
He said there were places right in the middle of the city that still did not
have access to water supply or even electricity and it was his plan to work to
ensure the urbanisation of the city was fair and catered for all communities.
He added that there were a lot of social issues in the city that needed to be
addressed and with a business development background he believed he could
affect the necessary change.
Kila added that his father had contested the Moresby North-West seat in 1997
but tragically passed on during the election period and this was something he
was doing in honour of his father’s memory.
This is Kila’s first time to contest a the general election.
According to Moresby North-East returning officer Vincent Manukayasi, Kila’s
nomination brought the total nominations for the open seat to 14 so far.
Manukayasi said female candidate Fai Tukeo was nominated yesterday as well.
“Tukeo is a women’s leader from Morata Ward 10,” he said.
Manukayasi added that popular singer Anslom Nakikus had nominated for the seat
on Friday and 11 nominating the day before.
“I am expecting 30 candidates by the end of the nominations,” he added.
Manukayasi clarified that even if there was no candidate nominations in a day,
his team was required by law to open at 8am and close at 4pm.
Campaign after Thursday 4pm, RO says
Andrew Baing
CANDIDATES and their
supporters have been urged not to take advantage of the nomination period to
campaign.
Moresby North-East Returning Officer Billy George said campaign should start
after the nominations close on Thursday at 4pm.
George said all candidate names will be drawn on Friday at the NCD Electoral
office in Boroko and candidates would then be advised of their numbers.
Meanwhile, Moresby North-East seat has 46 candidates, the highest number in the
National Capital District since nominations opened last Thursday.
George said out of the candidates that have nominated four were women while 42
were men and they are anticipating more in the next three days.
He said Moresby North-East was the only electorate in NCD that recorded two
candidates on Saturday.
“About 55 candidates nominated in 2017 for the Moresby North East seat and the
same is expected or slightly more depending on the interest of individual
nominees,” he said.
Other two male candidates also filed their nominations yesterday, David Tawai
Paine, from Northern who now resides at the ATS Settlement and had contested
the Northern regional seat in the 2012, and a first time candidate retired PNG
Defence Force Captain Lore Tununto from Eastern Highlands.
Namah says he wants to be prime minister after
election
OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah wants to see 10
per cent of the National Budget going towards God’s work through churches
nationwide.
Namah is defending his Vanimo-Green seat for a fourth time, and he said his
intention was to serve the Office of the Prime Minister after the general election.
“I cannot just walk into the job. PNG Party needs to win the most number of
seats among other to form the Government after the election,” he said.
“We have 85 candidates for you to elect.”
Namah said the task for the next Government was difficult with an expanding
list of the country’s problems.
“Solving the problems will require the efforts of more than one man or party,”
he said.
“It will require all the resources this country can put together and much
more…time, effort, energy and sustained commitment.
“God has blessed this country with breath taking beauty and a multitude of
resources which are the envy of many nations.
“We just have not managed the resources well but this legacy will change.”
Stating that he had zero tolerance for corruption, “my mission is to invest in
human resources, giving Papua New Guineans jobs for which they are skilled and
reward them handsomely”.
“The Government must create policies and ensure there are programmes and
funding to deliver both,” Namah said.
“The business of the Government is not to go into business or to invest in
resource projects.
“These practices in the past have created competing priorities, where we throw
limited resources into business and interfere in operations in businesses torn
by conflicts of interest,” he said.
“This confusion shall cease and we shall concentrate on the business of
Government to regulate, leaving sufficient resources, time and people to build
infrastructure; to give our children universal primary education; to care for
our sick and elderly.”
PM: It’s your time now
May 24, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
GENERAL Election 2022
is the opportunity for Papua New Guineans to elect leaders to form the next
Government, Prime Minister James Marape says.
“It is your right to exercise your power once in every five years,” he said.
“So, listen and make a wise decision.”
Marape, who was in Tari to file his nomination papers on Thursday, said voters
should assess political party policies when choosing their leaders.
“So do not just vote for candidates, vote for the party for a new strong and
stable Government,” he added.
“It is now your turn, to speak up through your ballot papers on who should form
the new Government.
“Vote for the party that you believe in and should form the next Government.
“That is a very important factor in your decision-making because the party with
the highest number of elected will be invited to form the next Government.”
Marape also called on the people of Hela, to respect one another during the
election.
“Do not fight with other party or candidate supporters because everyone has the
right to contest for any seat in Hela.
“Their supporters also have the right to choose who to vote for.
“If you choose to support me, or Pangu, do so through the ballot papers.”
Marape said both police and soldiers would be stationed in Hela to ensure a
peaceful environment for the people to cast their ballots.
Former dept secretary contesting for Rigo seat
By SULI SULI
RIGO’S Independent candidate Dickson Guina says the says the district has seen
little progress over the last five years.
Guina, who was nominated on Thursday at Kwikila nomination centre, said Rigo
needed a political change to better its basic services to the people.
“You have seen and witnessed how Kwikila looks and it speaks for itself that we
have not progressed.”
The former Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs Department secretary
said Rigo had many issues and challenges that needed to be addressed.
“Rigo has been ranked as one of the least developed districts in the country,”
he said.
“We have poor infrastructure, especially roads.
“Our primary health sector lacks support in terms of basic medical equipment
and facilities.
“We have poor quality of education and lack of technical and vocational
institutions.”
Guina, who had served in the public sector for more than 30 years, said he
believed he had the experience to lead the people of Rigo in the next five
years.
“I can make it happen for Rigo if given the chance,” he added.
Using the right channel, we can change the district.”
Guina said the district had yet to utilise the majority of its resources and
that would need a leader with the vision to exploit the socio-economic
potentials.
Opa tries again for Kerema seat
Right: Kerema Open
candidate Thomas Opa (left) with supporters who flocked in support and
contributed K1 each to reach the exact amount of nomination fee. – Picture
supplied
NOMINATION of General
Election 2022 (GE22) hopefuls in Kerema kicked off on Thursday with GE17’s
first runner-up, Thomas Opa, nominated to fill the vacuum.
The seat was left vacant following the death of Richard Mendani (United
Resource Party) on March 20 last year.
Opa is contesting on ruling party, Pangu Pati’s ticket.
Pangu has also endorsed incumbent governor Chris Haiveta for Gulf and Kikori MP
Soroi Eoe.
Gure ready to be next prime minister if
re-elected
By AILEEN KWARAGU
UNITED Labour Party (ULP) leader and Rigo MP Lekwa Gure says he is ready to be
the next Prime Minister if his party forms government after the 2022 general
election.
Gure said ascending to the party leadership after the tragic passing of
incumbent Sam Basil had conferred on him the privilege of being a viable
candidate for the prime ministership if he was returned as Rigo MP.
He said the death of former ULP leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Sam Basil had
shaken the party however, its members had regrouped and set about campaigning
for their endorsed seats.
Gure said the party had held a caucus meeting in Port Moresby on May 15 four
days after Basil’s death and the members had initially wanted the leadership to
remain in Morobe.
The Rigo MP and former civil aviation minister said he had served as a member
of the party’s parliamentary wing and had been involved in its administration
and policy formation working alongside Basil.
He reassured fellow ULP members that he welcomed the challenge of party
leadership and was of his credentials to be a prime minister if ULP was able to
garner enough numbers to be a major player in the formation of the 11th
Parliament.
“I would raise my hand if the party eventually forms the Government and I am
ready to be the prime minister of Papua New Guinea,” he said.
Gure said he would still provide vibrant leadership even if the party did not
form government.
He said before Basil’s tragic passing on May 11 they settled for 61 registered
members.
“We would expect 50 per cent of the total ULP candidates to make it home after
this election,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gure nominated under the ULP ticket to defend his seat as Rigo MP on
Saturday which was followed by his campaign launch in Babaka village.
Race starts for WNB
May 24, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
“So far we have registered 15 candidates for the Kandrian-Gloucester open, 11
for Nakanai open, 22 for Talasea and 10 for the regional seat,” she said.
Kelton said only two of the 58 candidates were female.
The fifth day of nominations had seen supporters swarming in numbers to witness
nominations of their candidates at the Bernard Vogae Memorial Park.
In addition, chairman of the provincial election steering committee Robert Dau
urged supporters of candidates not to cause trouble during this election
period.
“We should be civilised enough to understand the laws of the elections by now.
“I am appealing to the people of West New Britain, supporters and candidates,
to stay clear of problems during this time,” he said.
Dau also encouraged intending candidates who had any issues with the electoral
process to consult with their respective returning officers. Meanwhile,
intending candidates who missed out on legal requirements at nominations
yesterday will return to be formally nominated on the sixth day of the
nomination period.
MP Patrick
Basa’s supporters on their way to his nomination at Kabwum station last week. –
Picture supplied
MORE than 3,000
villagers marched to the Kabwum district office in Selepet to witness the
nomination of incumbent MP Patrick Basa on Thursday.
Basa is defending his seat under the Peoples National Congress (PNC) party ticket.
He said that in the 2017 general election, he campaigned to build roads to link
all local level government headquarters to Selepet and that 90 per cent of the
road projects had been completed.
“PNC’s national policies still stand today to provide free education, free
health care and economical empowerment through the small to medium enterprise
and building of infrastructure,” he said.
Three others also registered to contest against Basa. They are Norio Kendip,
Haring Qoreka and Wagau Openg.
Women, children affected during election:
Unicef
WOMEN and children are
often the most at risk or affected as a result of the election process, a
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) official say.
Unicef communications specialist Noreen Chambers said during these occasions,
child rights were not respected, with the biggest issue being their education
often disrupted.
“Sometimes teachers resign and contest the elections, therefore their learning can’t
continue or young children leave school to support, participate and attend
political rallies, which disrupts their learning,” she said.
“The safety and protection of children is always a risk in hot-spot areas where
violence erupts as a result, even health services may also be disrupted for
children during these elections.”
Chambers noted that political campaigns may not have any regards for schools as
seen in past elections, election-related violence directed at children and
women.
“We don’t know whether health services are providing services in those areas
where women and children have access to if needed,” she said.
Chambers said this also arises during after elections. “So it’s worth
highlighting, children’s rights to an education and not be infringed by this.”
Marie Stopes to implement new measures during
polling
By LULU MAGINDE
MARIE Stopes Papua New Guinea (MSPNG) interim country director Heidi Brown says
that in preparation for the general election, their team in Port Moresby will
be implementing new measures.
“Marie Stopes’ operation team is implementing a security contingency plan to
ensure the safety of our staff, partners and clients during the election
period,” she said.
“This includes increasing the number of medical supplies they carry,
particularly male and female condoms and emergency contraception.”
In terms of the number of condoms, for the first quarter of this year, they
have had a recorded average monthly consumption of 3,300 condoms and a daily
consumption of 110.
With the election period coming up, MSPNG is looking to not only create
awareness for safe sex but ensure that it is practiced, through the
distribution of safe and user-friendly contraceptives.
Also included in the medical supplies kit will be emergency contraceptive
pills, birth control implants, Intra Uterine Device (IUD) and the Depo-Provera
shot, with an explanation provided on how to use them by a MS official.
According to a MSPNG staff, the Depo-Provera shot of all the contraceptive
measures offered by the organisation, was the most popular in PNG, which could
be self-administered or done by a MSPNG worker.
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