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Court Declares Jason Peter Huon Gulf MP

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The Waigani National Court today declared Jason Peter as sitting MP. He was declared as the Member elected for Huon Gulf District. This follows a Election Petition filed by former MP, Ross Seymour. Jason Peter will continue his role as the Minister for Community Development, Youths, and Religion.

Huon Gulf MP, Jason Peter said, “I thank God our heavenly father for this victory. God himself have plans for me before I was chosen as your MP.”
He further said, “I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my Hausman boys of West Taraka and Salamaua LLG “Ol Yapmarn” Morobe LLG and Wampar LLG Rural and Urban with each and every one of you who believed in me and supported me throughout this challenging process. Your unwavering support and trust in my abilities have been pivotal to achieving this victory. Thank you for your constant encouragement and for placing your faith in me to represent your interests.”

The MP also extended his appreciation to his legal team who worked tirelessly to present their case convincingly. “Your dedication, expertise, and attention to detail played a crucial role in the success of this election petition.”

The Minister further acknowledged his opponent, Former MP Brian Ross Seymour. “While we may have had differing views and campaigned on different platforms, I appreciate his participation in this democratic process. I believe that healthy competition fosters robust discourse and ultimately benefits our community.”
Jason Peter said the District will now focus on serving the people of Huon Gulf. “I am fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead, and I wholeheartedly accept the responsibilities that come with being your elected representative and Minister. I pledge to continue advocating for your needs and aspirations, working towards creating a better future for all.”

The MP urged everyone in their community to unite and work together, irrespective of political affiliations, to ensure the district’s progress and redevelopment. “Let us put aside our differences and unite in pursuing common goals, fostering harmony, and uplifting the lives of our fellow citizens.”

Related: https://insidepng.com/tag/salamaua-high-school/

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PM Marape Clarifies Defense Coorperation Agreement at Tutumang Haus

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Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge today presented the petition from the students of the University of Technology to Prime Minister, James Marape at the Tutumang Provincial Assembly Haus in Lae, following a sitting protest on Monday at Unitech concerning the signing of the Defense Cooperation Agreement between Papua New Guinea and the United States.

PM Marape received the petition as part of his two-day official visit to Lae.

When addressing the members of the Provincial Assembly, Marape acknowledged the petition presented by the governor saying, “The National Government will not do anything unconstitutional. The people have the right to express themselves concerning government decisions.”

He thanked the students for the petition and said, “I appreciate the maturity of the students and the people in 2023. During the previous successive governments, we burn vehicles, we fight and argue.”

The Prime Minister further clarified the Defense Cooperation Act to the Chamber saying it’s not new.

“There’s a Law passed in 1975 by the government called the Defense Visiting Force Act. This allows the country to enter into agreement and partnership with International Military Forces.”

PM Marape

Marape said there would be more agreements following the DCA when Parliament sits again. He said copies of the defence agreements with Indonesia and Australia will be made accessible to the public, however, the recently signed US pact would be accessible later.

The Prime Minister further stated that the signed agreement with US Defense Force will help strengthen PNG’s Military Force.

Marape said a session will be hosted tomorrow at the University of PNG by government officials to outline details of the DCA. The same session will be held with students from Unitech next week.

PM Marape and his delegation outside the Tutumang Haus, Lae, Morobe Province.

PM Marape’s visit to the Tutumang Provincial Assembly Haus today makes him the first Prime Minister to address the members of the Provincial Assembly of Tutumang.

He later moved with his delegation including the Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae, John Rosso, National Planning Minister and Finschhafen MP, Rainbo Paita and Minister for Community Development and Huon Gulf MP, Jason Peter to the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium for a public forum concerning the Wafi Golpu Gold and Copper Mine.

The PM will address the private sector tomorrow in a business breakfast, facilitated by the Lae Chamber of commerce and Industry, before returning to Port Moresby.

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Counterfeit Waswas Soap Seized by Lae Police

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287 cartons of counterfeit Waswas brand soap imported to Lae was seized by the Lae Police and Panamax Pacific Limited management on the weekend.

The counterfeit Waswas soap was loaded onto a 20-foot container, ready to be delivered to Mt. Hagen, Western Highlands Province by a trucking company when it got intercepted by the Police.

The operation was headed by Lae Metropolitan CID Officer In Charge, Leo Kaikas who produced a search warrant to open and search the container. This was done at the Panamax yard in Lae on Friday, 17th March 2023.

Lae Police and Panamex Management inspecting boxes of counterfeit soap.

Panamax Pacific Limited has been manufacturing Waswas soap for more than 20-years in Papua New Guinea. Waswas soap is a well-known and trusted brand to be found in most homes throughout the country.

According to Panamax Pacific Limited General Manager-Erich Illemann, it was brought to their attention that a significant counterfeit operation importing product impersonating the company’s Waswas brand was in progress.

“When I contacted PNG Customs in the morning, disappointingly, Customs have informed us it is beyond Customs control and beyond Customs jurisdiction. This is both ridiculous and an unacceptable response,” said Mr. Illemann.

Inside each of the 287 confiscated cartons contains 16 packs of 6-pack counterfeit Waswas soap worth K34,440 when sold in shops. This money is untaxed and directly impacts local manufacture and threatens local jobs.

Over the past few weeks, manufacturers in PNG are under extreme pressure from high costs and poor service delivery by the government. According to Panamax Pacific General Manager, Mr. Illeman, this additional threat compounds the situation threatening investment, manufacture and job creation in the country.

“Our industry (Soap Manufature) as well as many others is currently under pressure from Customs who have reclassified raw materials under different coding, changing previous duty-free status to one attracting duty, the same as for finished products,” said Mr. Illemann. “This undermines the case for local manufacture, which will reduce investment and subsequent employment with more reliance on imports compounding the Country’s Forex predicament,” added Illeman.

The popular soap product seen here is actually counterfeited which can make it hard for consumers to differentiate between the real product and its counterfeit equivalent.

The dangers of buying counterfeit products aren’t always obvious. There are economic impacts, legal implications, and health and safety risks to individuals who buy and use the fake products.

Each time you buy a counterfeit good, a legitimate company like Panamax loses revenue. This translates to loss profits, loss of jobs over time and contributes to the bad state of economy.

Meanwhile, Lae Metropolitan Commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban said investigations are currently underway by Lae CID Police.

Kunyanban said, “If people starts doing counterfeit, the Government should have a very strict instreangent Law protecting the interests of the business houses in the country. Because that’s a national security issue on the economic aspect of things.”Lae Metsup added that, Forrex is the primary issue affecting local manufactures such as Lae Biscuit and Panamax. Kunyanban said the secondary issue affecting the manufacturers are counterfeit products.

“Their products are not moving because the Chinese are actually circulating counterfeit goods. They cannot buy it from the local manufacturers. The government has to be very serious in protecting the economy of this country. If those people are involved in counterfeit and they are found, they have to be immediately fined, deported and blacklisted and they should not enter the country anymore.” More needs to be done by the government in order to allow legitimate businesses to thrive.

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Lae Police Maintains Law and Order in the City

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Member for Lae and Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso said Police personnel conducting foot-beat patrols in the city, especially at Eriku, Top Town and the Market area has minimized petty crimes, and street vending, allowing members of the public to move around freely and safely.

Rosso applauded the police efforts in maintaining law and order in Lae.

“I would like to say thank you and appreciate the new reserve police men, approximately a hundred members who are currently doing foot-beat and attending to petty crimes and illegal vending in our city.

They have recently passed out from a comprehensive training program over 3 months. This is a partnership between the Lae City Authority and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary,” said Rosso.

Officer in Charge of Lae Metropolitan Command Reservists, Sargent Wilson Joseph says public support is needed to counter petty crimes and ensure a better, healthier and safer Lae.

“Street vendors threatening to attack our men because we’re depriving them from their illegal activities. It must stop because it won’t deter us from doing our job.”

“Also, people need to get proper licenses from LCA to do their sales. Illegal markets arising everywhere must stop. Some, are health and traffic hazards to the public,” says Sgt Wilson.

Since 2017, the LCA under the leadership of DPM Rosso has delivered up to 20 police vehicles, built three new police stations and provided continuous administration and logistical support to the Lae Metropolitan Police Command including funding the reserve police program.

“It’s comforting to see these men in blue in public places. All of them are volunteers who have raised their hands to fight crimes and keep our city safe and clean,” says Rosso.

Rosso added that LCA will continue supporting and partnering the law and justice sector to keep Lae city safe for its citizens including investors and visitors.

“Furthermore, my thank you to every single police men and women in Lae both regular and reserve.

DPM Rosso also thanked law abiding citizens of Lae for their support towards efforts in making Lae cleaner and safer.

“To the people who practice illegal activities, illegal street vending and harassment of our mothers and law abiding citizens you have no place in Lae as police will step up their efforts in fighting crime in Lae,” says Rosso.

Lae Metropolitan Commander, Chief Superintendent, Chris Kunyanban thanked DPM Rosso and LCA and other stakeholders for the police reservists’ program which has provided extra manpower to the command.

“Since their (LCA Reservists) introduction, they have performed extremely well during the Morobe Show, Christmas and New Year Operations.

“Another demonstration of their timely and worthwhile assistance is the extra personnel maintaining presence at Eriku, Top Town and Main Market bus stops. We have received heaps of praises from the public and well done LCA reservists,” says Chief Inspector Kunyanban.

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Teng Airstrip Taking Shape

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[Picture supplied by Maisen Hungito: (Manolos chopper dropping off PNGDF personnel at Teng airstrip construction site)]

The Teng airstrip constructed by the locals of Deyamos LLG of Morobe’s Kabwum District 49-years ago will be completed soon by Lae’s PNGDF Engineering Battalion Team.

Yesterday, a second troop of the Engineering battalion flew in by Manolos aviation to accompany their fellow comrades in preparation for the drilling and blasting of rocks.

The rocks obstructed the completion of the airstrip runway, which the PNGDF personnel from the Engineering Battalion at Lae’s Igam Barracks commenced drilling and will use explosives to blast the rocks in preparation for the construction.

The arrival of the Engineering Battalion Team motivated the local men, women, and children who helped with joyful hearts in clearing the runway to see the airstrip take its shape before the first plane lands to serve a population of over 2,000 from Deyamos’ 11 villages including Dawot, Timowan, Sei, Kautnon, Gongoman, Gomandat, Boulon, Hemon, Mumungam, Patak and Finon.

Nearby villagers from Teng, Dawot, Timowan and Kautnon have been working closely with the PNGDF personnel in clearing the airstrip since the first deployment of PNGDF personnel last week Wednesday.

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Court

Lawyer on Media Misinformation

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The Lawyer representing the wife of the late Sam Basil in a case has called on the media to be properly informed before reporting on court matters.

Felix Waingi of the Albright Lawyers in Lae made this statement following a newspaper article published on the 20th of September regarding the arrest of Shalatee Dong Basil, wife of the late MP, Sam Basil.

On the 9th of September, the accused appeared before the Lae District Court for mention of alleged offences of breaking in and stealing. Waingi who is Mrs Basil’s lawyer said the article had the wrong name of the magistrate that presided over the case on the 9th.

Waingi said the article mentioned Magistrate Lorna Sani when it was Senior Provincial Magistrate Pius Tapil who presided over the case. He added, the reporter based the report on a police-hand-up brief, which he says was not yet ready before the court.

Mr Waingi further added the public depends on the media for accurate and appropriate information to report on issues happening in the country.

“We can’t have the media reporting biased and misinformation because the public consumes the information as their gospel truth,” Waingi said.

He said for a country like PNG, the public views allegations reported by the mainstream media as facts, whereas social media is used to make defamatory conclusions against the accused.

“I urged the mainstream media to be independent and report responsibly with the appropriate and right information so everyone is well informed,” Waingi said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Basil will appear for her committal hearing on the 4th of November. She is currently out on a K5000 bail with conditions.

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Rugby

Lae Biscuit Morobe Hammerheads.

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The name Lae Biscuit Company is associated with Lae Snax Tigers and Lae City FC when it comes to sports.

But in a first of its kind, the Lae Biscuit Company today announced its K50, 000 plus the backing of the Morobe Hammerhead as well as securing the naming rights.


The Hammerheads will now be known as the Lae Biscuit Morobe Hammerheads as they head out for their first outing under the Lae Biscuit Company next weekend in Port Moresby.


Lae Biscuit Company Country Sales and Marketing Manager Jeff Lung announced the sponsorship today in Lae in the presence of the Morobe Hammerheads led by Morobe Rugby Union President Lionel Kamiak.

Mr Lung said the company will accommodate the team for the duration of the tournament as well as provide incentives of Snax biscuits and Snax noodles to the team for the duration of the tournament in Port Moresby.


He said whilst the team is still in Lae they will be given access to the Company gym as well.


The company has maintained its belief in creating and supporting the community by providing assistance to community projects, events, sporting events, and disaster relief.

Mr Lung said Lae Biscuit will always strive to give back to the community.

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Business

Morobe Mining Company Locked out of Office

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Morobe Alluvial Mining Company, a subsidiary of the Morobe Mineral Holdings Limited, the business arm of the Provincial Government owes huge amounts of rental payment and its staff unpaid salary.

Staff based in Lae, told the media yesterday, that they were laid off by the MAML Management for almost four months without any good reasons, or an official document.

They petitioned the management concerning the alleged non-payment of their salaries and Nasfund contributions.

On the 20th of July, a list came out confirming names of almost 60 employees who were being laid off by the company.

After the Management failed to address their petition, over 30 staff went and sought help from the Labour Department.

The Provincial Labour and Industrial Relations office then wrote a letter to MAML Human Resource Manager on the 25th of July, 2022 stating the employees’ complaint concerning the following;

  1. Non-payment of outstanding fortnightly wages and entitlements for 5 staff who ceased employment.
  2. Non-payment of fortnightly wages for 14 employees for 7 fortnights.
  3. Non-payment of staff Nasfund contributions.  

The Labour office urged the company to immediately settle the outstanding fortnights for the employees who ceased employment and to settle the outstanding non-payment of wages and Nasfund contributions.

The Labour Office further stated that Morobe Alluvial Mining Limited has breached the Employment Act for failing to pay the staff outstanding payments and should respond within 14 days. 

According to the staff, the MAML Management Headed by the Chief Executive Officer, Brigitta Pondros again failed to pay the employees outstanding wages and Nasfund Contributions.

They followed up with the Labour Office again, but they didn’t receive any positive response.

The employees are currently renting and leaving in town with school aged children. They told the media that they are suffering because of the company’s ignorance.

An employee who refused to be named said, “The Company is a good concept by the Morobe Provincial Government under the Leadership of Morobe’s Former Governor, Ginson Saonu, but it’s not managed properly.”

 A lot of money is used on hire cars and accommodation rentals for the Managers.

Inside PNG went to get a response from the MAML Management located at Lae’s Velerumana Building’s 4th floor, however, the doors were locked with padlocks.

We were advised that the company was told to leave the building due to non-payment of rentals.

According to the Morobe Mines, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Office, Morobe Alluvial Mining Limited receives K5 million from the Provincial Government since 2020. 

Morobe Alluvial Mining Company headed by CEO Briggitta Pondros was established on the 14th of May 2020 by Morobe’s former Governor Ginson Saonu and is operating under the umbrella of Morobe Mineral Holdings Limited.

MMHL is a group of company operating with various Alluvial Dredging and Exploration Activities in Morobe and is a subsidiary company of Morobe Provincial Government.

The affected employees of MAML called on the Morobe Mineral Resource Holdings, Acting Provincial Administrator, Bart Impambonj and the Morobe Governor, Luther Wenge to address their concerns with the management of MAML.

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Education

Students Miss Out on National Written Expression Exam

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Morobe’s Program Advisor for Education, Keith Tangui told Inside PNG that more than two hundred
students from two Secondary Schools in Lae didn’t sit for their National Written Expression Exam on
Monday due to continuous fights along Lae’s backroad area.

Keith Tangui, Morobe’s Education Program Advisor.

Tangui said the fight was believed to be caused by election related violence along the backroad area and
Bumayong.

This prevented the students of Malahang Technical Secondary and Bumayong Secondary
school from attending classes.

Mr. Tangui said the students who didn’t sit for the exam have to report to the Principal of the schools
and to the Board of Governors in order to have a position reserved for next year.

Tangui said the students have the right to education, therefore they shouldn’t be rejected by the Schools.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Education Advisor called on the communities to refrain from fighting and
respect the students’ education and school infrastructure.

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Education

Ablution Blocks Used as Dormitory Rooms

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An ablution block that used to serve the male students of Salamaua Provincial High School in the Huon Gulf District of Morobe, is currently used as rooms to accommodate sixteen male students.

Due to rundown dormitories and lack of proper infrastructure, the male students turned two ablution blocks into rooms with a holding capacity of eight students in each block. The students improvised in separating the rooms, making it possible for four students to sleep at the top and four on the floor. They had also turned the area where the sink used to be situated in the ablution block, into a study corner.

Huon Gulf MP, Ross Seymour was on his way back to Lae after visiting the school when Lae Media arrived at Salamaua. Seymour said he made commitments to assist the school this year following the retirement of the former School Principal who will be contesting for the 2022 National General Elections.

MP Seymour briefly told the media that the district refrained from assisting Salamaua High School because of the former Principal’s interest in politics and that since he retired, the district would step in to assist the school.

Salamua Provincial High School Principal, Norman Apul said over the past six weeks, the school renovated and maintained a boys’ dormitory and would continue to maintain other dormitories for both the male and female students.

Meanwhile, the school’s Library and the Home Economics building are currently used as dormitories for the female students.

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