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Arrest Warrants Expected

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UBS Loan

A significant breakthrough has been reached in the long-standing probe into the controversial 2014 state loan from the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS). The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) is set to issue arrest warrants for a number of individuals implicated in the case, following an exhaustive 18-month investigation spanning multiple jurisdictions, including Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Australia.

The charges are a direct result of the work of the Proceeds of Crime Task Force, a special unit established by the RPNGC to investigate the UBS loan.

“The charges that are about to be laid are covered by the Criminal Code Act and the Proceeds of Crime Act,” said Commissioner of Police, David Manning. The alleged offences are described as “extremely serious”, depriving Papua New Guinea citizens of substantial public funds.

Former Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill was arrested following the Inquiry into the UBS loan in June on allegations of giving false information during the inquiry.

InsidePNG has reached out to Peter O’Neill who said he will not comment as the case is before the court.

In a stern warning, Commissioner Manning stated that any attempts to spark social unrest in response to these arrests would be met with swift and resolute action, potentially leading to additional charges. He called on the public to act responsibly and be prepared for potential disturbances.

He also emphasised that those charged would have their day in court, allowing justice to take its course. “Individuals charged will have the opportunity to defend themselves in court as part of due process,” Manning said.

The individuals involved in the UBS loan scandal stand accused of a massive breach of public trust and abuse of government office. “No one is above or beyond the reach of the law,” the Commissioner declared, adding that the police will “fearlessly execute their constitutional duties in the service of our country.”

The Proceeds of Crime Task Force, made up of members of the Fraud Squad, forensic auditors, and other specialist experts, has been instrumental in uncovering the alleged offences.

The upcoming arrests follow the completion of the ‘Royal Commission of Inquiry into processes and procedures followed by the Government of Papua New Guinea in obtaining the offshore loan from the Union Bank of Switzerland and related transactions,’ which concluded in March 2022 with a final report.

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PNG Logging Volumes Fail to Meet Reduction Targets

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Export Logging failing targets

Papua New Guinea (PNG) continues export logging at an unsustainable rate, falling short of the government’s reduction targets, according to ACT NOW!, a community advocacy group. The group’s analysis of official data reveals that the PNG Forest Authority has not been able to maintain export volumes within the limits set by the government.

Prime Minister James Marape has consistently spoken of his government’s goal to eliminate all round log exports by 2025. Instead, Marape has urged the forest industry to shift their focus to downstream processing and value addition. This change is projected to increase employment, generate more export revenues, and help PNG uphold its international commitments to reduce deforestation and preserve forests.

The Medium Term Development Plan IV (MTDP IV), released in May, backs the government’s policy by setting annual log export limitations. Starting from 1,695,000 cubic metres in 2024, these limits are slated to decrease each year to a maximum of 200,000 cubic metres by 2027.

ACT NOW!’s analysis of official log export data, however, suggests that the PNG Forest Authority is not meeting these targets.

“Over 1.1 million cubic metres of logs were exported in the first half of 2023 alone,” says Eddie Tanago, ACT NOW!’s Campaign Manager. “This volume is equivalent to 66% of the maximum limit set for the entire year.”

Unless immediate action is taken to decrease log export volumes, ACT NOW! predicts that the government’s limit will be exceeded by more than 500,000 cubic metres by the end of 2023.

ACT NOW! additionally reports that one-third of log exports originate from logging projects authorised under a Forest Clearance Authority (FCA), despite a moratorium on new FCA projects implemented by the National Forest Board in December last year.

FCAs are intended to permit the clearance of small, discrete forest areas for agricultural planting or other land use changes under the Forest Act. ACT NOW! alleges, however, that FCAs are being misused to enable the exportation of large volumes of logs from areas not designated for agriculture over extended periods.

In a recent report on the Wammy Rural Development Project, ACT NOW! highlighted an instance of continuous logging under an FCA for eight years with no evidence of promised agricultural planting.

The advocacy group insists that the immediate cessation of log exports from fraudulent FCA projects could significantly help reduce export volume to within government limits.

“The PNGFA should immediately suspend all logging and log exports from FCA areas,” Tanago advises. “A public review should then be conducted to determine the legitimacy of these projects.”

Such efforts, ACT NOW! believes, will not only address the issue of widespread illegal logging but also help bring down the volume of log exports to within government targets.

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Support for Aquaculture Development

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Fish Farming

An initiative desired to increase access to nutrient-rich fish protein and improve diets of approximately 856 rural residents has gained positive response in West Sepik Province.

As part of the EU-funded STREIT PNG Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched this program to support inland fish farming in the Vanimo-Green District,

FAO supplied 12,900 high-quality Tilapia fingerlings to 107 households in Yako, Pewi Conner, Hogru, and Biaka villages located along Vanimo west Coast.

These beneficiaries are owners of more than 200 fish ponds and six fish nurseries. As part of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, these farmers have received training in aquaculture production techniques, including Tilapia biology and lifecycle, fingerling stocking, fish feed production using local ingredients, pond construction and management, and financial record-keeping, among other skills.

The initiative, which is in partnership with the Provincial Fisheries and Marine Resources Office, focuses on helping inland fish farming households to increase fish production, earn a higher income, and boost food security in inland areas.

FAO Fresh Water Aquaculture Officer, Lapia Renagi, said the tilapia fish has a mild flaky taste and firm meat texture, and that makes it a top consumer choice.

“With a steady growth gradient, Tilapia fish farming is emerging as a potential income stream as wild stock populations are dramatically declining.” said Renagi.

As part of the initiative, households received between 50 to 150 fingerlings, depending on the size and number of their fish ponds. FAO plans to continue its support to West Sepik Province with an additional 20,000 fingerlings.

The intervention comes as part of the fisheries value chains upgrading plan in the Sepik region. This plan is based on a study commissioned by the FAO to the PNG National Fisheries Authority (NFA) under EU-STREIT PNG, which identified challenges faced by key actors.

“Inland Fisheries or Fresh Water Aquaculture is the fastest growing industry globally, taking over from capture fishery,” said Mr Mohammed Zakir Hossain, FAO International Fisheries Officer.

“It is an environment-friendly and sustainable activity and an effective option to shifting fishing pressure on natural habitats.”

The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, led by FAO, is the largest grant-funded Programme of the European Union in Papua New Guinea. It focuses on increasing sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas through enhancing cocoa, vanilla and fisheries value chains and improving the efficiency of value chain enablers. The programme also supports sustainable, climate-resistant transport and energy infrastructure development.

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Iduhu urges Govt to reassess Connect PNG Road and Highway Program

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(PHOTO FILE: Courtesy of Connect PNG road and highways program.)

MEMBER for Hiri-Koiari district, Keith Iduhu voiced his urgent concern today regarding the Marape Government’s ambitious Connect PNG Road and Highway program that aims to build inter-provincial highways across the country. Instead, he urged the government to prioritize the construction and improvement of district and provincial roads, enhancement of social services, and bolstering of local economies.

Mr Iduhu acknowledges the long-term necessity of a nationwide road network, but insists that immediate attention should be given to pressing local issues.

Many residents of his district and Central Province share his skepticism towards a program that focuses on linking distant provinces, while many key social programs are yet to be implemented by the government.

The MP, who is part of the Marape Government, said although he subscribes to government policies, he felt obligated to express his constituents’ reservations.

He pointed out that the country currently faces a law and order situation spiraling out of control, compounded by economic difficulties that are straining society.

He highlighted the struggles of districts and provinces in fulfilling the basic rights of their people, including services in education, law and order, health, infrastructure, economic development, and housing.

He stated, “It is apparent that most districts and provinces are lacking in access to water, power, police and judicial services, housing, and basic infrastructure, and yet the proposed connection of provinces and regions will only create more problems for local leaders.”

Mr Iduhu also raised concerns about the lack of credible data on population and demographics, stating that without key development indexes, the country risks further social issues and the exacerbation of existing problems.

The MP pointed to the example of Port Moresby, which he claims, is struggling to accommodate the millions of Papua New Guineans seeking a better life.

The city’s inability to meet the growing demand for services and opportunities has led to issues such as land grabbing, criminal activity, and environmental degradation.

Mr Iduhu emphasized that the desire to migrate stems from a lack of services, not roads. He called for prioritizing district and provincial economic development before opening borders to the rest of the country.

He asked, “How can we deal with further migration when our current services are not capable of taking care of the local population?”

He suggested that the government should consider reallocating the funding for these highway projects to improve basic services throughout the country, building up local economies and service centres first before embarking on this program.

Mr Iduhu made these remarks on behalf of concerned citizens, and appealed to the government to respect their concerns and rethink the Connect PNG program.

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Review Border Agreement

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Papua New Guinea is expected to review the land boundary it shares with Indonesia’s West Papua Province.

Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko before travelling to Jakarta yesterday, said PNG is now able to discuss this with Indonesia after Parliament passed the Basic Border Agreement.

“The Basic Boarder Agreement which opens the way now for all parties to come on board and review the Basic Border Agreement and talk about our boundaries, talk about our trade, talk about our traditions, our culture, and our people”, said Tkatchenko.

This is the second visit to Jakarta where Tkatchenko is expected to discuss issues like the PNG Defence Force and Indonesian Defence Force Cooperation Agreement and have open discussion on the West Papua issue.

“The Foreign Minister and I will also be discussing about West Papua. And as I have stated already, Indonesia is a sovereign country, and we respect Indonesia. If there are any issues Indonesia wants us to get involved in with West Papua, we are more than happy to support,” Tkatchenko said.

Since the first visit by Minister Tkatchenko in December 2022, both Governments have been working on improving economic, security, social and traditional ties between the two countries.

In the recent Parliament Sitting, the National Executive Council also approved the Reciprocal of Rectification for Visa Exceptions for Indonesian diplomats and government officials entering both countries.

“So the green and red passports for all the secretaries, government officials that we have in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia and all the diplomats we have in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, we can travel to each country freely with visa on arrival, ” said Tkatchenko.

Tkatchenko departs Indonesia on Wednesday.

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Disaster ravaged Vanuatu, now on the road to recovery

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An estimated 106 million Kina (around USD 46 million), and counting, is the cost of damages, from what is being called the evil twin cyclones that hit Vanuatu in less than a week, beginning with tropical cyclone Judy on the 2nd of March, followed by cyclone Kevin on the 4th, coupled with a magnitude 6.5 and 5.4 earthquakes, the following day.

Sources on the ground say, the figure is sure to rise as communications are restored and a more detailed assessment becomes possible.

The extent of devastation by these historical back-to-back category 4 cyclones have extremely affected the peri-urban poor, living in squatter communities in informal housing.

According to sources, several of these communities experienced widespread damage.

Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital is slowly reconnecting its electricity, and sources say it will take at least another week for a total power restoration.

Prime Minister of Vanuatu, in an interview on Vanuatu Broadcasting Television Corporation this morning, said despite the extent of the damages, food security and supply, sufficient drinking water supply and accessibility of necessary medicine is the government’s priority at this time.

The PM anticipates Vanuatu has a couple of weeks before the problem of food security becomes critical.

Prime Minister of Vanuatu_Ishmael Kalsakau.

The International community under the FRANZ agreement including France, Australia and New Zealand are already on the ground in Vanuatu through quick deployment of military assets.

A French coast guard ship is already in Tanna; several planes from the three countries are delivering supplies and conducting aerial assessment operations.

The HMAS Canberra from Australia is due to arrive in Port Vila tomorrow with helicopters, relief supplies and 600 ADF personnel.

Local utility companies have imported teams from overseas to help speed the return of water, power and telecommunications.

While restoration is underway, it is becoming more apparent that Vanuatu’s traditional cultural social safety net is fraying as a result of the disaster.

Many locals who are dependent on the cash economy can no longer rely on family or the land to help them in this current time of need.

Sources say, Vanuatu has always taken pride in being a place without the scarcity of food and shelter.

However, after this double disaster, that is no longer true for some.

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PINA Summit Underway in Honiara

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The 6th Pacific Media Summit of 2022 commenced yesterday with pre-summit workshops in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

InsidePNG is amongst media persons and delegates within the Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand who have convened in the Solomon Islands for the biennial event.

With the fast evolution of technological advances in the world, the Pacific region is no exception. Archiving Pacific stories and its rich cultural heritage is in a more vulnerable state than ever before and the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Summit is focused on the theme: Digital Revolution: Transforming threats into opportunities for the Pacific Media.

The weeklong series of workshops will be facilitated by UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), PINA, Australian Broadcasting Corporation and its Media Development Initiative, Pacific Media Assistance Scheme, and Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC).

Pre-Summit topics which started yesterday (26th Sept) included Media Role in Investigating the Management of Public Resources and ‘Sports Media Dialogue.

Today, (27th Sept) the summit is covering Digitising Archives and Preserving Pacific stories, Reporting on Sports integrity & corruption in the Pacific and Digital Communications safety and Security. The plenary sessions are presented via the partnership of PACJM, PINA, and UNODC.

Throughout the week the group will look at topics such as ‘the media and political leadership in a digital age, shrinking spaces for media freedom, and digitising archives and preserving Pacific stories’.

The Summit also hopes to ensure participants have a better understanding of the role of the media in investigating the management of public resources; how to increase reporting on UNCAC and anti-corruption by Pacific Island journalists, and transfer knowledge of corruption awareness to other media in-country as trainers and through partnerships; and specifically, the participants will have clarity and understanding on how to access more information and resources on the management of public resources.

“While we don’t have the capacity as developing countries to fully digitise our content, monetary-wise, It is extremely important to start the process of digitising our content in whatever means and ways we can, especially Pacific Island content as it captures the rich history of our island countries,” said Kora Nou, the President of PINA.

The Summit will conclude on Friday, 30th September 2022 with a PINA retreat and General Conference.

Journalists and Media Persons from the Pacific in the opening workshop in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Picture by Hare Haro
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