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Tkatchenko shows support to rebuild Port Moresby

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Moresby South MP, Justin Tkatchenko

Moresby South MP, Justin Tkatchenko says there is no time to waste on the blame game, instead let’s move forward to rebuild Port Moresby.

In a recent statement, Tkatchenko said he was sad to see his electorate go up in flames and described the actions of the looters appalling and pathetic.

“These actions of those looters and civilians is going to cause innocent Papua New Guineas of Moresby South great despair and grievance and harm over the next months and years ahead,” stated Tkatchenko.

He said not only has this impacted the jobs of some good, honest, hardworking individuals; the repercussions will affect the greater community of Moresby South and all other residents of Port Moresby.

“These buildings and infrastructure are going to take years to rebuild and restock, and most business houses now do not want to come back and rebuild again.”

NCD Governor, Powes Parkop.

Tkatchenko has extended his full support in helping NCD Governor, Powes Parkop and Prime Minister, James Marape to clean-up and rebuild Port Moresby city and restore peace and order back into communities.

“It’s not going to be easy, but we must all work in partnership together, this is not about politics any more but about getting our services back to our people that truly deserve it.”

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Recovery of Stolen Items

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The recovery of stolen items taken during the looting in Port Moresby on January 10th is underway as security personnel are out in the streets retrieving the items.

Acting State of Emergency Controller in NCD Donald Yamasombi has advised looters in NCD and Central to return all stolen items to the stores they were taken from.

While the specifics of the SOE Orders are still being put together, acting controller Yamasombi says there will be no curfews but restrictions on movement of people.

InsidePNG understands in the next several hours, the SOE guidelines will be made public, enabling security staff to execute SOE directives.

Police have advised that all stolen property from Brian Bell must be brought back to the warehouse yard at Gerehu where it was set on fire.

Police begin recovery of stolen items
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Glitch in Pangu Ranks

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Glitch in Pangu Ranks

There is a glitch in Pangu ranks following recent turn of events following the “technical glitch” in government payroll system according to authorities which resulted in a strike by law enforcement agencies led to mass looting in the capital city.

Young fire-brand politician James Nomane in a viral video released today openly called for Prime Minister James Marape to step down.

“I’m now putting out this call to action to all members of parliament, to save our country and demand the Prime Minister to resign,” Mr. Nomane said.

Further adding, “Yesterday’s crisis must compel all members of parliament from all 22 provinces to stand together, condemned the crisis and change this government”.

Mr. Nomane said the situation that happened yesterday with adequate government action.

“What has happened is an indictment of Prime Minister James Marape, no more blame game, no more excuses, the buck stops with the Prime Minister!

Millions of Kina worth of properties were destroyed by citizens including public servants, looting, and vandalizing private property following pay cuts which the tax office says was a payroll error and not a tax increase in the capital.

According to Port Moresby General Hospital Mortuary Doctor in Charge, nine deaths were reported yesterday because of shop owner – looter exchanges.

Already reports have been received of same elsewhere in the country with bystanders looting in the country’s second largest city of Lae.

The first term Pangu MP also openly resigned from the ruling party.

“Yesterday’s crisis marks a loss of confidence in the government from police force defense force, public servants, business houses and from the people of Papua New Guinea,” he said.

Another Pangu man – East Sepik Governor Allan Bird condemn the violence and rudely behavior, hinting the dissatisfaction with the current leadership.

“We are all frustrated with how our country is run. I am too. I argue with those in power almost daily,” Governor Bird said.
He continues, “Those in power, who make decisions for all of us will not be there forever, fresh leadership will come, if not now, then in 2027, or 2029. Time is not going to end tomorrow”.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/murray-barracks-soldiers-protect-taurama-foodland-shopping-centre/

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Murray Barracks Soldiers Protect Taurama Foodland Shopping Centre

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Taurama Foodland Shopping center upon protection by soldiers from Murray Barracks has survived the citywide looting and arson.

This morning with assurance from soldiers, Pingan An Investment #2 allowed families from the military institution and surrounding areas to do shopping.

Despite a very long que, twenty people were let in at one time to do shopping.

Mrs Celestine Maibani expressed her disappointment with the situation that transpired yesterday but thanked soldiers for securing foodland for the dependents.
Chief Warrant Officer Allan Nanguromo, said foodland has been serving the soldiers and dependents for a long time so it was only right to secure the businesses operating in the area.

Interview of Murray Barracks Residents at Taurama Foodland Shopping Center.
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MPs resign from Government

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Six MPs' resign from Marape-Rosso Government

FOUR more members of parliament from the Southern Region are the latest to resign from Government following yesterday’s destruction and looting of shops in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby.

Member for Abau and ODP Leader, Sir Puka Temu; Member for North Fly District and PFP Leader, James Donald; Member for Ijivitari, David Arore; and Member for Middle Fly, Maso Hewabi in a joint statement expressed their disappointment in the way senior Government leaders sat by, while shops and property were looted and set alight in Port Moresby.

The four MPs’ in a joint statement said the turmoil, destruction and civil unrest in Port Moresby led them to lose confidence in the Government, and the leadership of Prime Minister, James Marape.

Earlier this morning, two other MPs’ resigned from the Marape led government; Pangu man, James Nomane and major coalition partner in government from United Resource Party, Keith Iduhu. 

While Chimbu MP Nomane’s video went viral of his decision to quit government ranks, Hiri MP, Iduhu penned friend Marape of his decision to leave, labelling his leadership as being incapable.

“With all due respect, yesterday’s events have demonstrated to me that your leadership and the leadership of senior ministers and officials are incapable of fulfilling the sovereign duty of maintaining the rule of law and welfare of our people,” Mr. Iduhu said.

He added, “The core issue surrounding the grievances raised by the disciplinary forces was completely avoidable had it not been for bureaucratic negligence. And the ensuing events even after the Government was made aware of the situation displayed a lack of care for the potential for the situation to spiral out of control.”

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister who was schedule to visit East New Britain today, cancelled his trip as the situation throughout the country remained tense following riots in several parts of country.

NCD Governor, Powes Parkop on Talkback radio expressed disappointment at his city residents’ behaviour yesterday despite investing millions of Kina into the healthy mind and body yoga programs.

He was seen in a viral TikTok video with fellow Governor, Allan Bird driving around to show physical presence at Hotspots to curb any lawless behaviors from the public.

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Governor Wenge : Recall Parliament to repeal New Income Tax law

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Governor Wenge: Recall Parliament and Repeal New Income Tax Law

MOROBE Governor, Luther Wenge has called upon the Prime Minister James Marape to quickly call a parliament session and scrap the new income tax law.

Wenge says the recent protests in Port Moresby are a direct result of the new tax law enforced by the Internal Revenue Commission in 2024.

He emphasized that no one has ever stood up against such an unfair law, and called on the Prime Minister to address this issue by immediately convening a parliamentary session.

Wenge blamed the IRC for implementing the law and insisted that the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament act swiftly to review and change it for the benefit of the nation.

He called for a halt to the improper imposition of taxes by the IRC, emphasizing the negative impact on businesses and citizens.

Wenge discouraged illegal activities like property destruction, however, he encouraged citizens to voice their concerns through elected leaders like himself.
He further added that it is important to address these issues through proper channels.

Governor Wenge explained the different income tax rates outlined in the 2024 Budget Amendment Bill of 2023, arguing that the ongoing situation is a direct outcome of the law and not a mistake by the IRC.

Wenge highlighted the economic challenges faced by the country, such as the devaluation of the kina, which lead to increased import costs for businesses, prompting a spike in the prices of goods.

He pointed out that this, coupled with existing loans has affected the salaries of public servants and those in the private sector.

Governor Luther Wenge expressed deep concern over the current situation, foreseeing significant hardships for the people of Papua New Guinea. He stressed that there is an urgent need for parliamentary intervention to amend the law and ease the burdens upon citizens.

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Public Rampage in Port Moresby

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Several shops in Port Moresby were looted then set on fire as looters cashed in on any items they could carry from the ravaged outlets. It comes as a protest lead by police officers in Port Moresby expressed anger over additional taxes imposed on fortnightly wages for public servants throughout the country.

The protest started at Unagi Oval at 10am yesterday morning, where Police Union President, Lowa Tambua addressed police, PNGDF personnel and other public servants.

Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr (Second from Left) present at the Police protest at Unagi Oval in Port Moresby yesterday.

Internal Security Minister, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr who represented the Marape Rosso government tried to address the upset public servants but they demanded the Prime Minister should address them.

Minutes after the departure of Minister Tsiamalili Jnr, members of the three disciplinary forces including the Fire Department convoyed to the National Parliament House in attempts to meet with the Prime Minister, James Marape.

The Parliament Speaker, Job Pomat meet with the angry public servants outside the Parliament House and promised he would meet with the Prime Minister and return to them in a few hours.

Around 1pm when Prime Minister Marape was addressing the media on a separate matter, angry police officers who had waited for a response at Unagi Oval fronted up outside the Manasupe House and broke down the fence before setting the Guard House and a security car on fire.

This sparked widespread looting in all three electorates in NCD.

Many people went live on social media as they witnessed the Stop n Shop’s North Waigani branch taken over by opportunists.

At around 10am yesterday, when normal public servants pay reached their accounts, many witnessed huge cuts of up to K100.
This further elaborated by the high cost of living affecting lives of ordinary citizens.
The country’s tax office – Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) in an immediate response said it was a glitch in the government payroll system.

Commissioner General Sam Koim said investigations will be conducted and a whole of government sector approach will be undertaken to rectify this issue as soon as possible.

When that will be fixed is not known yet, what is known is that several businesses have been looted as a result.
At Sabama, a bystander was allegedly shot at by a shop owner after attempts were made to loot the shop.

Elsewhere in six mile, a location for its stop over for people travelling the Magi highway, shops closed before lunch, yesterday, after police had warned them of any unrest.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/police-directed-to-track-down-man-in-viral-video/

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Mining

Kumul Minerals signs MOU with Ramu Nico

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The signing of an agreement between Chinese company Ramu Nico Management Limited and PNG’s Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited creates a step forward in the Marape led government’s aspiration of down stream producing of nickel and cobalt.

PNG Prime Minister, James Marape who was accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to PNG, Zeng Fanhua, to witness the signing, said this was the transition from PNG being an exporter of raw resources to an exporter of finished products.

“I am pleased to see this vision materialize through the swift response and commitment shown by Ramu Nico Management Ltd, following instructions from the Chinese Government,” said Marape.

The signing comes after a state visit Marape made to China where he met with several heads of several Chinese businesses before a Bileteral Meeting with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping .

During his meeting with President Jinping, Marape received assurances that China takes seriously the practical needs of Pacific Island countries, affirming that “China does not make empty promises.

“I thank the Chinese Government and Chinese companies for recognising the imperative for Papua New Guinea to build a robust and diversified economy through downstream processing,” Prime Minister Marape said.

Ramu Nico Management Ltd, as the majority partner in the world-class US$1.2 billion (K4.12 billion) Ramu nickel-cobalt mine near Madang, will be at the forefront of this transformative venture.

Related: https://insidepng.com/meet-with-head-of-hong-kong-special-administration/

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Christmas Food Donation

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Christmas Food Donation

IN the spirit of Christmas, a kind donation of food items were delivered to Popondetta General Hospital and Biru Correctional Institution in the Northern Province.

Handing over of Christmas donation food to Biru Correctional Service representative.
Food stuff being handed over to representative for Biru Correctional Institution

The donation costing about K10,000 included essential items for children at the hospital and for prisoners at the Correctional Institute to use.

When handing over the donation, representatives from the office of the Northern Governor thanked the workers of both the hospital and the Correctional Service Institution for their dedicated service in ensuring both facilities are operational.

The donation was made possible through HQH PNG Limited in partnership with the Oro Provincial Government.

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Investigations commence

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The body of Private Dennis Domara, a member of Support Company 1RPIR, is expected to arrive in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG) from Komo-Hela Province, for a postmortem examination following his tragic death in Tari-Hela Province.

The PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) has dispatched an investigation team that traveled on Monday immediately after the incident. The team liased with Hela Administration & local Police to restore normalcy and investigate the killing of the Soldier in an attempt to bring Justice to the Family & Collegues of the Deceased.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Hela, Joseph Tondop, has not been present in Tari since the incident occurred. Contrary to earlier reports, the Internal Investigation Unit of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) has not carried out an investigation in Tari.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that suspects are being held in the holding cells in Mount Hagen. While life in Tari has resumed its usual course, the local police station remains closed.

Sources on the ground say, the people of Tari have expressed their remorse for late Pte. Domara. One particular group in Komo set up haus krai to honor the Soldier & his company’s contribution to Hela province including the friendship fostered with the local community.

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