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Belden Namah

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Six New Ministries

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Six New Ministries

Vanimo Green MP, Belden Namah has spoken against a Bill passed in Parliament that will allow the creation of six new ministries.

Namah who is the Chairman of the Permanent Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Immigration in the Marape/Rosso government says he disagrees with the new bill.

“Mr. Speaker I am totally against this Bill. Basically because we are here creating jobs for ourselves and not worrying about our people. That is literary what it is,” Namah responded in Parliament.

Namah said recently four new ministries were created but these minsters do not have departments.

“As we speak, Mr. Speaker we don’t not have Departments for these four new ministers that is existing. We have policy makers but where are the drivers? We need to establish departments by way of policy and legislations, “Namah continued.

Member for Chuave, James Nomane is in support of the Bill because of the country’s growth. But says instead of creating new ministries, the Prime Minister should spilt up the ministers.

He gave examples as Finance and Trade or Education and Sports.

“The biggest word that comes out of this Bill is efficacy. We have to effectively allocate and utilize resources for the development of this country,” Said Nomane.

Six New Ministries
Chuave MP James Nomane speaking in support of the new bill.

However, the bill was passed yesterday with 83 members voting for the Bill.

Members who joined Vanimo Green MP, Belden Namah and voted against the Bill include Opposition Leader, Joseph Leland, former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Ambunti Drekikier MP Johnson Wapunai and Central Governor Rufina Peter.

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Namah: Goina’s Suspension is Ill-decision

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Namah

The actions by the National Executive Council to sideline PNGDF Commander, Major General Mark Goina, is described as too soon and serves no purpose.

Speaking as Chairman of the Permanent Parliament Committee- Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Defense, Vanimo Green River MP, Belden Namah said it’s myopic and unsound.

“Why suspend the Commander when there are layers of authority between the training unit and the Commander? The Chief of Training and Deputy Commander should be suspended as well,” said Namah.

Major General Mark Goina was sidelined through an NEC decision announced by Prime Minister James Marape, late last Friday.

Marape said the suspension was for three months and it will allow a General Board of Inquiry into the Kupiano killings to continue.

But Namah said this is all superficial.

“Allow the Commander to get to the bottom of this incident. These soldiers killed and wounded are his soldiers and he owes their families”, Namah said.

Namah said NEC made an ill-decision and urges the Prime Minister and NEC to seek professional advice on such matters.

The last Defense Board of Inquiry conducted by PNGDF was in 2005 and involved a clandestine operation that flew Solomon Islands Attorney General, Julian Moti into Muda Island in Solomon Islands.

Namah said the Strategic Leadership of the force was part of the decision authorizing the use of PNGDF aircraft. Yet the Commander was not suspended. And he cooperated with the inquiry.

Meanwhile a General Board of Inquiry has commenced into the killing of Leading Seaman, Eric Gwale and Corporal Watata Kutegen and the wounding of a soldier and a civilian.

Both soldiers were killed by live ammunitions fired during the final exercise for the Corporal Qualifying Course on 4th July 2023.

Now that Goina is suspended. Deputy Commander, Commodore Phillip Polewara is acting Commander.

Related: https://insidepng.com/nec-sidelines-goina-as-inquiry-continues/

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Calls Against Orders

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Strong calls have been made against an operational order issued by Police Commissioner, David Manning for the use of lethal force.

The order issued on 13th August 2023 read;

“The approach to stepping up use of force including lethal is part of reconceptualizing policing in the country. The focus is more on reactive as opposed to community policing”.

But Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defense, Belden Namah said such order issued by our police had resulted in the Bougainville War.

“I do not want to see a repeat of Bougainville anywhere else in the country. I have fought in that theater and I know what happened. I can tell you, it is a very painful experience,” said Namah.

Namah said there was no civil war going on or insurgency in the country to warrant any such order.

“What is happening in the Highlands are tribal flights which have been there for generations. People are just adapting new ways and new weapons to settle old scores. If the government is serious then address this issue at the tribal leadership level, said Namah.

The order from Commissioner Manning comes following an increase in reports of firearms and and live ammunitions being used in violet crimes in the Highlands.

The order also states that the authorization of use of force including lethal force re-enforces police functions and powers under the Arrest Act 1997.

But Namah rebuts that in his statement and said there is no basis whatsoever in the Arrest Act or anywhere to issue such dangerous orders.

“The rise in Law and order problem is because of ill-discipline, breakdown of command and control and lack of resourcing by successive governments,” Namah said.

Meanwhile, two weeks ago, police and defense personnel in a joint investigation exercise had arrested several men in Mt. Hagen who police believe have links to the domestic terrorism gang in Komo.

The same unit obtained search warrants and raided a property in Mt Hagen were they found a hidden storage of live ammunitions, police issued gas guns, armoured helmets and vests and unlicensed firearms.

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Namah Commends Government

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Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah has commended the Marape-Rosso Government for delivering on its commitments made to the people of West Sepik Province.

Namah made these comments last week when a government delegation led by Ministers Rainbo Paita and Solan Mirisim were in Vanimo to launch the Sepik Coastal Highway Project and deliver funding for other projects in the province.

“I have helped formed governments when I was in the opposition, and in the last 12 years I have not seen any deliver on their commitments,” Namah said.

Funding of K53million was paid to the Provincial and District Treasuries for road projects and two hospital projects.

Out of the K53million, Nuku and Telefomin received a K10million each to construct two level 4 district hospitals. The remaining K33million will be put to improve road links between Aitape, Nuku, and Vanimo.

Namah added these investments will lead to more prospects for the province as it aims to fully utilize the PNG-Indonesian Border for more opportunities.

“For provinces to prosper, there must be government enablers, and this major investment is the right way to achieve this. I am with this government for taking development seriously,” Namah said.

The MP also announced that scoping for a Vanimo Hydro, Water, and Sanitation project has already started, and funding to deliver this project will be captured in next year’s national budget.

This also includes the Vanimo International Wharf project and the long-debated Vanimo Special Economic Zone Concept.

West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou, Finance and Planning Minister Rainbo Paita, Works and Highways Minister Solan Mirisim, and Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah during the launch of the Sepik Coastal Highway Project in Vanimo.
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