By Luana Paniu

Three portions of land situated on the island of New Hanover are the subject of controversy with allegations of illegal SABL’s and selling of customary land to foreign investors, reports the Post Courier.

Earlier last week, allegations were made against the Department of Lands and Physical Planning by former Custodian of Trust Land, Manasupe Zurenuoc, that three Special Agriculture and Business Leases were illegally issued for the said portions of Land without reaching his (then) office first.


By Luana Paniu

Two of New Ireland’s most scenic islands are practically off limits to their own people under the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL).


They are Emirau in the Mussau Group of Islands and New Hanover, situated North West of mainland New Ireland. These were revelations made at the Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday last week by the former Secretary for the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (DPLLGA) who was the then Custodian of Trust Land.

Watch this short video clip to see how you can bring light into any dark space using just water and an empty plastic bottle....

In 1974, a group of visionary Papua New Guineans began writing the constitution - a document that would later become the corner stone of a young nation. Their wisdom and vision is conveyed in five goals set out in the preamble in the National Goals and Directive Principles.

In this short video, produced by Scott Waide, young Papua New Guinean's explain those Goals and Directive Principles and reflect on how successive governments have failed to follow the path set out in the Constitution.

If you haven't joined the new email action on the terrible 2010 amendments to the Environment Act, please follow the link and ACT NOW!

www.actnowpng.org/action

There has been already been a good response and we have raced past 200 signatures - which is a great start, and a BIG thank you if you have already signed - but we still need another 300 signatures to reach our target.

By Luana Paniu



THE Registrar of Titles, Henry Wasa yesterday appeared before the Commission of Inquiry for the third time to give evidence about eight missing title files.


Mr Wasa, who was summoned last week by Chief Commissioner John Numapo and Commissioners, Alois Jerewai and Andy Mirou, had also been issued another directive to produce information about alleged tampering of files prior to the set up of the CoI.

By Martyn Namorong

This week Papua New Guinea celebrates 36 years of Political Independence. Amongst the euphoria and celebrations, I thought I’d throw in something more sobering. Something for you folks to think about whilst you’re dancing and feasting.

By Martyn Namorong

Doctors are failing health

Planners are failing Planning

Lawyers are failing Justice

Educationists are failing education

Etc...

It's time to turn the spotlight onto the people who are really running the country or rather doing is bad job at running it.

By Ganjiki D Wayne

Last year I wrote a piece challenging Papua New Guineans to be patriots beyond September 16. This year I can’t think of anything better than remind us of that message again. It seems come this month and day we slap on the colors, dance to the tunes, sing the anthem and share opinions on how great we think our country is. Come September 17, for most Papua New Guineans...it’s back to square one.