PNG Updates

Much has happened since my last post. Let me just briefly highlight a few;

• Opposition numbers have reduced to now only 3 members.
• PNG Defence Force have assaulted UPNG students taking Medicine at their medical campus due to an assault on a soldier behaving disorderly whilst drunk at the hospital ATM.
• Election for Ward councillors and LLG Presidents is almost complete with quite a few females voted as councillors and presidents.
• Much emphasis is put on the country's SME sector to be developed to bring about much change in the country's economy and lower its unemployment rates.
• Port Moresby is experiencing a building boom, everywhere you go in the city, you will notice new high rises popping up everywhere.
• Former Police Minister, Nixon Duban has lost his court battle on an election petition against him and the seat will re-contested shortly. Mean time, the Prime Minister is looking after the Police Minister Portfolio.

These are some of the developments that have come about since my last post. Hope to keep you informed in a much more regular basis.

Updates in PNG affairs

Much has happened since my last post, some I will mention next.

• PNG University of Technology Saga

Unitech students went on strike demanding among other things the return of Albert Schram who was their Vice Chancellor before being removed by the university council. The government has stepped into the situation and set up an inquiry into the issue. Former judge Mark Sevua has been tasked to conduct the inquiry and come up with findings and recommendations for the government. The inquiry is still on as of the writing of this post.

• Overhaul of the Police Force

The Police Force has been ridiculed alot by the public and as such, the government has made changes to the force. One of the change include the rotation of Provincial Police Commanders (PPC) to different provinces so as to avoid complacency. They have also put a stop to reservists from working as part of the force.

• Election Petitions over

Only one so far I know that has resulted in success and that was for Mr. Aimo's petition against Isikel Anisi which the court ruled in favor of Mr. Aimo and was made Member for Ambunti-Drekikir Electorate replacing Mr. Anisi. All other election petitions have been dismissed and a few have sought a higher court ruling.

• State Entities with new Boards

The government has put in new people as board members to all its state owned entities, including, Telikom PNG, PNG Power, Post PNG, to name a few. This was done to promote effective service delivery.

• Drive to combat corruption

This is one of the governments major pillar to minimize corruption in all levels of government. A task force sweep team was set up and headed by Sam Koim to investigate corruption and fraud in the government systems. Quite a few arrests have so far been done and there are more still to come. Mr. Koim has found a big hole in the procurement process of the finance department where laws need to be changed to close these holes.

• Upgrade of Major Roads

This is another one of the governments major pillar is to increase infrastructure development in the country and the country's major roads are taking up most of its budget. The highlands highway, Lae - Madang highway and new highways connecting Madang - Mt. Hagen, and Kerema and Western Highlands have been prioritised to be worked on immediately.