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Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce
and Industry
PO Box 1764, Port Moresby 6th Floor, Monian Tower, Douglas St. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Ph: +675 3213077 or +675 3213254 Fax: +675 321 3251 Email: info@pomcci.org.pg website:www.pomcci.org.pg |
|
Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce
and Industry
PO Box 1764, Port Moresby 6th Floor, Monian Tower, Douglas St. Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Ph: +675 3213077 or +675 3213254 Fax: +675 321 3251 Email: info@pomcci.org.pg website:www.pomcci.org.pg |
Clippings from
2002-2003
Clippings
from Year 2001
Clippings
from Year 2000
Monday, November 24, 2003 1:10 PM
AUSTRALIAN
Canberra urged to be 'harsh'
on PNG
By John Kerin
November 24, 2003
Papua New Guinea opposition leader Mekere
Morauta has urged Canberra to be tougher in its dealings with PNG and exercise
more control over the use of Australian aid by its troubled former colony.
Sir Mekere, a former prime minister, said Australia should be "harsher" in its dealings with PNG - which receives $350 million in Australian aid each year - in line with John Howard's push for greatest transparency in the distribution of the funds. "I have urged Australia in the past that if they are to be kind to us, they must begin to be unkind," Sir Mekere said. "I urge Australia to become more involved, more direct, in making sure that Australia's money is spent for our good, because we appear to be incapable of doing it ourselves. We need another helping hand." Sir Mekere said that Australia should increase its involvement in "infrastructure, the strengthening of institutions of state and capacity" in PNG. His comments come at a time when the PNG Government is understood to be baulking at the size of the Australian policing contingent to be involved in restoring law and order in the troubled country. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has foreshadowed it could involve as many as 300 police, but PNG is understood to want fewer "police on the beat" and more assistance with training and investigation skills. A final deal is expected to be agreed when Mr Downer meets PNG ministers in Adelaide on December 11. A spokesman for Mr Downer said yesterday that Australia was working carefully with the PNG Government to finalise a package of measures to restore law and order and help with financial management. "Obviously Australia is becoming more strongly engaged with Papua New Guinea and we will be looking to finalise the package next month," the spokesman said. The plan is part of the Prime Minister's push to stabilise Pacific nations to ensure they do not become fronts for money launderers, or havens for terrorists. Sir Mekere warned that many other politicians were against Australia's taking a more heavy-handed approach with its neighbour. "(Their attitude is) 'give us the money but don't tell us what to do'," he said. "We're an independent country - those are difficult views to quantify," he said. Sir Mekere confirmed that he would vote against a law that would give PNG prime ministers greater protection from votes of no-confidence. PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare, who may face a vote of no-confidence as early as February, is this week attempting to have passed the final vote to change the constitution to extend the grace period from 18 months to three years. Sir Mekere said he was not concerned that Sir Michael might remain in power for three years, but rather that the new laws would make it difficult to remove a "rogue" prime minister.
K5 million flush from airport tax
THE Civil Aviation Authority will earn more
than K5 million a year from the new K10 fee it
will start charging next week on domestic
passengers flying from Port Moresby’s Jackson’s
Airport.
Research by the Post-Courier shows that Air
Niugini, which uplifts about 500,000 passengers
a year between Port Moresby and its domestic
ports, would contribute about K5 million to
the CAA purse.
CAA’s earnings from the fee would further
increase when passengers using third level airline
Airlines PNG also pay the K10 at Jackson’s
Airport when they depart Port Moresby for
other centres. The new fee has kicked up
a storm among the public with the Port Moresby
Chamber of Commerce and Industry president
David Conn describing it as “unnecessary”
and a leading aviation operator labelling
it a “deterrent” to the travelling public.
Mr Conn said the chamber spoke out against
the K30 terminal facilities charge fee CAA
initially imposed on international travellers
in 2001. The fee had been doubled to K60.
The fees for both domestic and international
passengers come into effect on November 1.
“Now travellers are to be hit with a 100
per cent increase and I guess we will once again not
see a 100 per cent increase in service or
facility improvement. People do not mind paying
sensible fees if they see commensurate service,”
Mr Conn said.
“But we have developed a unique ‘user pay’
policy in PNG where we hit the consumer with a
whole range of fees for which they get little
or no return.”
Airlines PNG owner John Wild said the new
K10 fee for domestic passengers departing
Jackson's Airport was similar to “user-pay”
but it would impact on travellers paying their own
air fares and not corporate travellers.
He said he understood the cash flow problems
the CAA was facing but the fee was a
“deterrent” to the travelling public.
Mr Conn said CAA should delay imposing the
new domestic passenger fee and the terminal
facilities charge fee increase for international
passengers until the CAA management explained
how fees collected since 2001 were spent.
By COLIN TAIMBARI
THE Papua New Guinea building industry was now close to its lowest
point, according to industry expert George Tipping.
Mr Tipping, who is president of the PNG Institute of Builders, said for
most companies and people in the industry, the last few years since
2000 have not been good.
"As always, there are exceptions, but there are not many,'' he told
the joint seminar organised by the National Capital District Commission
and the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry on
Tuesday.
Mr Tipping said bad debts and delayed payments were also a major
cause of problems in the industry.
He said it is not only the commencement of projects that are
experiencing delays but due to the depressed state of the industry
and the government's restricted income, counterpart funding is not
being provided to allow new projects to commence.
Further, the industry also has the situation of existing projects under
construction, or recently completed, where cash flow disruptions or
slow payments have occurred and continue to occur.
"This has an immediate effect not only for the particular builder
concerned but also for all his suppliers and subcontractors who may
have to wait for payment of monies they are entitled to receive. This
sort of cash flow disruption has serious ripple effect right through the
whole industry,'' he said.
Mr Tipping said given the current low point in the industry, it was now
nervous about the current published strains between the government
of PNG and Australia over aid monies, because AusAID and its
associated PNG Incentive Fund are major supporters of the building
industry.
"Without them and the other donor and concession funding agencies,
the industry would have been reduced to cottage builders over the
last few years. Maintaining the support of these agencies is
fundamental to the existence of the building industry in PNG until the
PNG Government starts putting funds together again for the building
industry,'' he said.
The National, Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Commission struggling to serve city population
By COLIN TAIMBARI
THE National Capital District Commission yesterday admitted it was
struggling to cope with an ever-increasing population in Port Moresby.
City manager Bernard Kipit said the population was growing at five per
cent, the highest in the country, to just below of over 300,000 and
stretching the city's K100 million annual budget.
Mr Kipit said as a result, many services were either been neglected or
that genuine rate payers were unnecessarily missing out on basic
services such as water and electricity, which was being consumed
free of charge in illegal squatter settlements.
Speakers at a seminar organised by the NCDC and the Port Moresby
Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed concern that the city
was developing into a situation whereby genuine ratepayers are being
squeezed into a small corner by squatter settlements.
Mr Kipit said it was a national issue and not NCDC's alone, as such it
needs the support and corporation of relevant government agencies
to resolve amicably.
He said the National Executive Council's endorsement of the Vagrancy
Act and the Repatriation Legislation was hopefully the beginning in
riding the city of unnecessary people.
He said it was also important to note that the National Housing
Corporation was responsible for controlling settlements in the city
because they allocate the land for settlements and not the NCDC.
"They are the ones that are supposed to be cooperating in terms of
enforcement," he said.
Police metropolitan commander Jeffery Vaki, who is on the NCDC
building board, said illegal structures including settlement houses on
hilltops and tucker-shops in residential areas were popping up
everywhere, without the slight regard for the law.
"Our problem in PNG is we talk a lot and nobody enforces the laws,
while the laws are blatantly abused everyday," he said.
Mr Vaki said the police force would now swear in NCDC workers as
special police constables so they can go out and enforce the laws.
He said people sleeping in undignified places unfit for human inhibition,
digging up hills and cutting trees causing soil erosion and leaving
behind barren hills must be stopped.
Mr Kipit agreed saying the Urbanisation Committee endorsed by the
NEC would like to get tough, especially in enforcing the Vagrancy Act.
He said lawyers were already tasked to look at human rights issues
that may arise as a result of the committee's actions before it starts
getting serious.
He said NCDC was seriously concerned about the issues affecting the
city and given the stability at City Hall now, with the board to remain
for four years, improvements should be seen soon.
PMCCI president Michael Mayberry welcomed the fact that the board
would now be in place for four years without any political
interference.
However, Mr Mayberry was a bit diplomatic of the problems of the
city saying there was nothing wrong with being robust but we should
sit down and discuss the problems at hand first.
"Yes, we have these issues, let's talk about how we can come to
solutions. Let's do something and let's move ahead," he said.
The National, Wednesday, August 27,
2003
Lives at risk in NCD nightclubs
Thousands risk lives in NCD nightclubs, pokies houses
By COLIN TAIMBARI
THOUSANDS of Port Moresby partygoers and gamblers unknowingly
risk their lives everyday at nightclubs and pokies houses, according to
the National Capital District Commission.
A seminar, jointly hosted by the NCDC and the Port Moresby Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, was told yesterday that nearly all of
these places are serious firetraps with a major disaster waiting to
occur.
NCDC Building Authority's chief building surveyor Lou Pipi said nearly
all the nightclubs and pokies houses do not comply with fire
regulations including having fire escape doors.
Mr Pipi cited as an example a club in Boroko, where clients go through
three separate doors that are locked behind them. The same three
doors also serve as the only exit.
"So in the case of fire, you are locked inside. They don't deserve to
be called nightclubs, they are cooking houses (where one is burnt),''
he said.
Mr Pipi said several prominent businesses in the city had to be warned
on numerous occasions to comply with fire requirements but the
nightclubs and pokies houses were the worst offenders.
He said it was also a concern that experienced architects, engineers
and builders blatantly continue to try and go around the requirements
while submitting documents for approval to the building authority.
President of the PNG Institute of Builders and NCD building board
member George Tipping said what he hasn't seen in PNG were fire
drills because it seems to him that there are more arsonists in this
country than anywhere else in the world.
He said the board was very concerned about the situation in pokies
houses and nightclubs but it's the regulatory body that should take
responsibility.
"All these people that go to nightclubs, they really are in serious
danger,'' he said.
Mr Tipping said the board was very strict in handling applications from
people wanting to build new structures or renovate old ones. But it
has also learnt that what people provide to the board on paper was
not necessarily going to be in the finished product.
Insurance proprietor Richard Kassman said the insurance industry was
concerned that a catastrophe was waiting to happen in these
nightclubs and pokies houses.
Mr Kassman said people would lose their lives for nothing because
insurance policy is non-existent where there was no certificate of
completion from the building board.
The National Gaming Board said it has taken upon itself to start
closing down pokies places that are considered dangerous and they
will be inspecting all nightclubs and pokies houses in Port Moresby.
Eda Ranu's policy is that it does not take responsibility for tall
buildings that are 90 metres and above because there's no guarantee
that there will be water pressure during a fire.
Before granting its approval for construction, Eda Ranu insists that
the property once completed, will have sufficient stored water
particularly at the top of the buildings for fire sprinklers during fires.
The Post Courier, Wednesday 27th August
2003
Nightclub hazards
NCD joints described as
‘cooking houses’
NIGHTCLUBS in the nation’s capital are like
“cooking houses” endangering people’s lives.
And the NCD Building Authority has issued
warnings to certain clubs to take on proper fire
prevention measures.
Chief NCD building surveyor Lou Pipi said
according to inspections carried out by his team,
most nightclubs did not have proper fire
prevention requirements, which was a safety
requirement under the NCD Building Authority.
He said some had a single lobby area used
for both entry and exit purposes.
“You get in the building and if there is
a fire, you are cooked before you get out,” Mr Pipi
said.
The NCD Building Authority’s role is to oversee
the growth and development of the building
industry in NCD.
Richard Kassman, from the Port Moresby Chamber
of Commerce, wanted to know if the fire
brigade had adequate skills and equipment
to carry out a task related to the September 11
attack of New York’s twin towers.
PNG Institute of Builders president George
Tipping said the Deloitte Tower in Port Moresby
had two fire stairways, which he said would
be pressurised in case of a fire.
Mr Tipping ,who is also a member of the NCD
Building Authority, said Papua New Guinea
lacked fire drills.
“The building board wants big buildings to
have fire cases because there are very serious
dangers in these buildings,” he said.
AUSTRALIA will send a foreign aid "flying squad" into financially troubled Papua New Guinea to ensure its annual $330 million aid program is not abused by corrupt government officials. The bold new approach, signed off by federal cabinet on Wednesday, risks straining relations with Australia's neighbour as John Howard moves to lock in a more interventionist policy across the Pacific. Strengthened by success at last week's Pacific Islands Forum, the Prime Minister plans to ensure Australian foreign aid is not used to prop up corrupt governments and poor management in many of the region's smaller island nations. Cabinet's National Security Committee endorsed the plan, which will test PNG's willingness to embrace new "quality control" measures. Australian officials will visit PNG on a regular basis to ensure the new approach is being implemented.
THE new watchdog on competition should put
the ballooning cost of phone calls from Australia to PNG at the top of
its investigation list, a business leader says. The sudden lift in the
phone call costs, up from 85 cents a minute to A$2.21 a minute should be
the first major job for the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission
to examine, Port Moresby Chamber of Commer president David Conn said yesterday.
“It is their role to protect the consumer from monopolistic and predatory
behaviour and this huge impost to trade with our major trade partner and
aid donor — as well as on the many Papua New Guineans who live, work and
study in our nearest neighbour and just want to keep in touch — should
surely be a matter of grave concern to them,’’ he said. “Why so little
notice? Callers in Australia first received notice when a pre-recorded
message was placed on the lines to PNG by Telstra. “What notice did Telikom
give subscribers here?’’ The Post-Courier was the first news outlet to
tell PNG of the higher fees on May 9. Lae reporter Abby Yadi spoke to Telikom
managing director Martin Veisame, who said the increased charges were set
to help “build and expand its network’’ in a developing nation. Mr Veisame
was in Lae for the official launch of the new digital phone service. On
Monday, Mr Veisame was quoted in another newspaper as saying that Telikom
had “successfully negotiated’’ higher rates for calls originating overseas
to offset the excessive costs to Telikom. He said that Telikom had been
paying more than K26 million a year to international phone companies for
overseas calls originating in PNG, mostly to Australia. For years, Telikom
had lost money on the international agreements. This money could be better
used to serve the people of Papua New Guinea, he said. Mr Conn said, however
the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce was sceptical about Telikom’s explanation
of the increase. “This is an unprecedented increase and we need to identify
the real reasons,’’ he said. Mr Conn said the chamber and its members understood
the issues associated with a devalued kina but that process had begun years
ago. “Our major concern is that massive hikes, like the recent 15 per cent
increase in Harbours Board rates, are not simply being used to cover up
inefficiencies within the organisations,’’ he said. “Telikom, as a monopoly
provider and our only telecommunications provider, has gone on record in
the recent debate with Bank South Pacific over satellite links to their
banks, that they will ‘protect their rights under current legislation’.
“Well, if this is an example of how they are going to do it for the next
five years, the consumer is in for a very long, hard ride. “Many of these
organisations are using the spurious argument that they have to make the
entities more attractive for prospective buyers, but surely this should
not be at the expense of the people who own these entities, the people
of Papua New Guinea,” Mr Conn said.
BIG business yesterday fired back at Deputy
Prime Minister Allan Marat for his attack on critics of Papua New Guinea.
A spokesman said it was deeply concerned and disappointed at the reported
comments. Dr Marat told the National Development Forum on Friday that critics
should think and talk positively about the economy to encourage investors.
He “sounded a warning’’ to people who were “not genuine by their utterances,
actions, deeds or insinuations towards this country and its people’’. He
singled out public servants, foreign investors, consultants and naturalised
citizens. He said if some of those groups acted in the ways he criticised,
they might be asked to “leave what you are doing or leave Papua New Guinea’’.
David Conn, president of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce, said the
timing of the comments at a forum designed to be the consultative organ
for dialogue between business and government was “astoundingly poor’’.
“The business community have shown their commitment to this country by
continuing to work in an increasingly difficult and deteriorating infrastructure
environment,’’ he said. “Those who have no such commitment have long gone
and such comments will surely make those who remain question that commitment.
“We must realise that such intemperate remarks from senior members of government,
and the hasty response to the ‘PNG on the brink’ report, do more to damage
PNG’s reputation overseas than any perceived damage from business commentary
by domestic players who have an extensive and sound knowledge of our national
problems culled from years of actual experience in the marketplace.’’ “As
a long term resident with many years of commitment to community development
and business, I am naturally offended by these remarks but they will not
make me stop the work I have been doing for years for the ordinary people
of this country.’’
Tuesday 17th December, 2002
Post Courier
Chamber hails refinery project
POSITIVE economic activity in Port Moresby
generated by the construction of InterOil’s Napa Napa refinery has been
welcomed by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “It’s been
a long time since we have had this kind of good news,” chamber president
David Conn said, while leading a delegation to inspect site works. “What
is happening out here on the far side of the harbour is a secret almost
too well kept. You can’t see all of it from town, but people should understand
that a very large investment is being made in our city, at this time. “The
developers of the refinery also have a vision that new industries deriving
from refinery by-products and the refinery’s energy stream could create
an industrial park, stretching from Napa Napa to Motukea.” More than 250
people are currently employed at the Napa Napa site, and about 600 throughout
the region, preparing the steel and concrete structures that will house
Papua New Guinea’s largest ever manufacturing industry. Two piling barges
are working day and night to build wharves to accommodate tankers and the
site is being prepared to receive the larger components of the refinery
itself, at present on its way across the Pacific. Shiploads of steel and
other materials to build the refinery’s large tank storage capacity are
arriving at the Port Moresby wharf on a regular basis, and local industries,
including Hornibrooks, are tooled up to cut, roll and fabricate the steel
plates. “Construction of a new project generates more than business activity
and employment. It also generates confidence. What we need now is more
investors with the vision of InterOil, to pick this place up again,” Mr
Conn said. InterOil director Christian Vinson told the chamber delegation
that as well as the refinery project, his company was mobilising a very
large exploration program early in the new year, looking for new oil in
Papua New Guinea. A six-to-eight well drilling program was planned, targeting
the “Moose” prospect in InterOil’s eastern Papuan acreage. InterOil is
the second largest holder of exploration licence areas in PNG.
Rita, David Conn and Lyn Walsh from POMCCI visiting the Napa Napa
Project
Monday, 16 December 2002
The National
Port Moresby CCI welcomes
good news from refinery project
POSITIVE economic activity in Port Moresby generated by the construction of InterOil's Napa Napa refinery has been welcomed by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "It's been a long time since we have had this kind of good news," chamber president David Conn said, while leading a delegation to inspect site works. "What is happening out here on the far side of the harbour is a secret almost too well kept. "You can't see all of it from town, but people should understand that a very large investment is being made in our city, at this time. "The developers of the refinery also have a vision that new industries deriving from refinery by-products and the refinery's energy stream could create an industrial park, stretching from Napa Napa to Motukea," Mr Conn said. More than 250 people are currently employed at the Napa Napa site, and about 600 throughout the region, preparing the steel and concrete structures that will house Papua New Guinea's largest ever manufacturing industry. Two piling barges are working day and night to build wharves to accommodate tankers, and the site is being prepared to receive the larger components of the refinery itself, at present on their way across the Pacific. Shiploads of steel and other materials to build the refinery's large tank storage capacity are arriving at the Port Moresby wharf on a regular basis, and local industries including Hornibrooks are tooled up to cut, roll and fabricate the steel plates. "Construction of a new project generates more than business activity and employment. It also generates confidence. "What we need now is more investors with the vision of InterOil, to pick this place up again," the Chamber president said. InterOil director Christian Vinson told the Chamber delegation that as well as the refinery project, his company was mobilising a very large exploration program early in the new year, looking for new oil in PNG. A six-to-eight well drilling program was planned, targeting the "Moose" prospect in InterOil's eastern Papuan acreage. InterOil is the second largest holder of exploration licence areas in PNG today. "InterOil is moving firmly towards its planned position, as an upstream explorer and developer of oil, a downstream processor, and an exporter of refined PNG petroleum products," Mr Vinson said.
03 December 2002
PNG gas hits joint venture
By Nigel Wilson
03 December 2002
THE Timor Sea Sunrise gas joint venture is teetering on the edge of collapse after the PNG Government yesterday breathed new life into the $US3.6 billion ($6.5 billion) PNG Queensland gas pipeline scheme. A spokesman for the Sunrise partners - Woodside, Phillips Petroleum, Shell and Osaka Gas - yesterday confirmed that letters had been sent to potential customers announcing the domestic gas supply option had been abandoned. But he declined to comment on reports that Phillips has approached some of those customers offering to supply from its share of Sunrise gas. Phillips, which has 30 per cent of Sunrise, did not return calls. Shell and Osaka Gas also declined to comment. But in Sydney an upbeat PNG petroleum and energy minister Moi Avei said the PNG pipeline project, led by ExxonMobil, had 50 per cent of the customers it needed signed up. The remainder were expected to sign by December 19, he said. While project participants declined to comment on the specific date, they said intense negotiations were taking place with potential customers and they saw no reasons to suggest the previously announced end-of-year deadline for contracts to be in doubt. The proposed pipeline, a competitor to the Sunrise product, would run from gasfields in the PNG highlands to Australian destinations as far south Moomba in northern South Australia. Sir Moi, attending a PNG investment conference, said the PNG Government had honoured all of the commitments it made in the gas agreement signed earlier this year and was "ready to go". "We are simply waiting for the investors to make their commercial decision for a project to go ahead. December 19 is the crucial date for us." Earlier, PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare said the pipeline was the No.1 priority for his Government, which believed the project would be completed for the benefit of both countries. Sir Michael also suggested that his Government would probably sell its 18 per cent stake in Oil Search, which owns 45 per cent of the pipeline project. Yesterday, MIM also confirmed it has been discussing gas supply for its Macarthur River zinc project in Northern Territory with the PNG venture for several months. Confirmation of the Sunrise market woes, reported in The Australian last week, is a blow both for the NT Government and the new Government of East Timor. While the Sunrise spokesman said LNG remained under consideration, he noted an onshore LNG development had been studied three times and found not to be viable. This left the $7 billion floating LNG proposal put forward by Shell as the only option on the table. A commitment to this project would require a reassessment of the market in north Asia now that the North American market appeared not to be robust enough to support the investment. In any case, the spokesman said, no commitment to further investment on engineering studies for Sunrise would be made until the so-called international unitisation agreement covering legal and fiscal aspects of sharing revenues from Sunrise between Australian and East Timor was signed.
BBC Friday, 4 October, 2002, 12:05 GMT 13:05
UK
Vancouver and Melbourne
top city league
If you want to live abroad, Vancouver
and Melbourne are the places to do it, a survey has revealed.
The cities came top of 130 surveyed
by the Economist Intelligence Unit for the level of hardship they pose
to expatriates.
And Australian cities overall scored particularly
highly in the survey, with all five the country's urban centres surveyed
ranked near the top of the table.
Europe was also well represented among the
top 10 places.
The top US city, Honolulu, ranked 21st, with
Boston, at 28th, the highest ranked city on the US mainland. Canada, in
contrast, sneaked three cities into the top ten.
The UK cities of London, 44th, and Manchester,
50th, gained only a mid-table rating, with Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea
bottom of the list.
Australia shines
The EIU's study gave each city a 'hardship
rating' based on a number of factors including health and safety, culture
and environment, and infrastructure.
Among US cities, Honolulu's rating was boosted
by its "favourable climate, good housing stock, low risk of crime and the
widespread availability of recreational activities", the EIU said.
Washington, at 57th, was dragged down by
the "increased threat of terrorism".
In Europe, the EIU identified a divide between
cities in the west and east of the continent.
Many EU cities were rated highly, while the
highest hardship rating in Europe was seen in Belgrade in Yugoslavia -
mainly due to the legacy of the war.
"Non-EU cities, particularly in central and
eastern Europe, where infrastructure is poorer and health risks tend to
be greater, drag the European average down slightly," Friday's report said.
The EIU found that cities in the Middle East
and Africa generally rated poorly, with special factors boosting individual
cities.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi both fared better than
other places in the region due to the high standard of accommodation within
expatriate compounds in the United Arab Emirates.
The city which came out the worst in the
survey was Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.
The EIU said expatriates in the city needed
to take "extreme security precautions both personally and with their property".
"Education and health indicators are poor,
corruption is rife and high humidity makes the climate oppressive all year
round."
| The best...
1=: Melbourne, Vancouver
|
...and the worst
130: Port Moresby 129: Karachi 127=: Dhaka, Lagos 126: Phnom Penh 125: Algiers 124: Mumbai 123: Abidjan 122: Dakar 121: New Delhi Source: EIU |
Monday 07th October, 2002
The Post Courier
Kidu calls for non-political board
WELFARE and Social Development Minister Lady
Carol Kidu wants a non-political board appointed for the National Capital
District Commission quickly. But this must include NCD MPs so their role
as elected representatives is not lost.
Lady Kidu, who is Moresby South MP and the
sole woman MP and Cabinet Minister, said NCDC has been a “political battle
ground” for the last 10 years.
She told the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce
and Industry at their monthly breakfast on Friday that this apolitical
board would guide the city administration to concentrate on areas of good
governance, environmental protection, early childhood development and poverty
reduction.Reiterating these comments at Gerehu High School in an interview,
Lady Kidu said that she
wants the NCDC 2002 Act amended to incorporate
parts of the Kidu Report (although she does not want it called that because
of other contributors including the late Bill Maha’s “major force” role
in it).
“The NCDC 1990 Act is a reasonable Act if
we are struggling to find any but I would also like to see the so-called
Kidu Report . . . come out of the coffin,” Lady Kidu said.
“It became a political football but I think
there are a lot of excellent recommendations in that that should be — not
revisted but visited — because it never got into NEC; it never got into
Parliament,” she said.
She said that the City Manager’s position
was a key role in the stability of the NCDC.
“That position in the last 10 years or so
has become a political football. That is unfair on public servants — they
are supposed to be professional public servants,” she said.
“Now we have to admit that the previous government
put in their man and the previous government put in their man and so on.
You can’t point finger at any one individual politician or political party
here. There have been many guilty of it but I think we have got to get
beyond that.
“We have to get into good governance of the
City. “If the present incumbent is or is not then we move on from there.
But in the present situation, I assume he is on a contract and then we
could end up paying in contractual agreements.
“The continuing thing that we are going through
in PNG of putting people in and paying them out before the end of term
— we can’t afford this.”
COMMON sense should prevail and compromise applied on all sides affected by the Supreme Court ruling invalidating Value Added Tax (VAT). This is the view of Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI) president David Conn. “I do not believe our members are jumping up for joy as some would think, but rather they will be looking forward with some trepidation to the consequences they could face as they try to go about their daily business in what are extremely hard times,” he said. “Business simply does not like this sort of uncertainty and instability. We look forward to the earliest possible formal resolution of this issue.” He said he understood Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) was advising businesses to continue applying VAT. Mr Conn said it would be businesses which would face the impact of the decision “on the shop front”. “As the law stands, as of September 30, there is no legal basis to charge VAT and it is our members who will have to face customers refusing to pay and we have no doubt there will be many opportunists all too ready to take advantage of this crisis,” he said.
By DENYS IORERE
THE Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and
Industry has called for a "complete review" and overhaul of the Office
of Civil Aviation (OCA) due to its plan to impose additional security levy
on all airline tickets. PomCCI president David Conn said the chamber saw
the move as “simply unacceptable”, saying that on top the escalating airfares
and the existing terminal facility fee, the chamber has yet to see proper
accounting of the K30 fee. He said the PomCCI had reacted strongly, saying
they have not seen any tangible improvements to facilities to justify a
new fee being imposed. “What does the Board of OCA, to whom one would assume
top management is accountable, have to say to the public?” “We complained
when the first fee came in and were fobbed off with responses which we
now see were designed to make us go away, and did not answer our log of
questions clearly,” the chamber said in the statement. Mr Conn said this
week that security, which was supposed to be covered by the previous fee
was haphazard and inconsistent at the Jacksons International Airport. The
chamber said the only people who seemed to be benefiting from these fees
were the grass cutters, and with the current dry spell, the airport was
the only place in the city where grass was actually growing. “We urge the
relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the contracts which have
been awarded by OCA, including the leases within the terminal,” Mr Conn
Said. He added that it seemed these leases “were granted to non-citizens
who cannot even speak any of our local dialects.” However, they were able
to secure work permits which should not be allowed under normal circumstances,”
said Mr Conn. Mr Conn also wantd to know whether any of the terminal fees
was used in the renovation of the Civil Aviation College to house the department
offices. “To ask for more money for security, when the abuse of existing
security vehicles has been flaunted in front of the general public is beyond
belief,” he added.
LONG before the war against terrorism, Australia had largely dropped the ball on developments on its own doorstep. The official indifference to events in Papua New Guinea suggests that our priorities are becoming even more lopsided. Almost 30 people have died in election-related violence, there has been widespread electoral fraud in the Highlands, business confidence is down and there has been a voter backlash against the government's economic reform program. No fewer than two-thirds of sitting MPs in the government of Mekere Mourata have lost their seats - a staggering result even by PNG standards. The next prime minister, who may well be founding father Michael Somare, will inherit a divided nation, a law and order crisis bordering on civil war in parts of the Highlands and a economy beset by deep-seated structural problems.
If this is of any concern to Australian policy makers there is scant evidence of it. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer failed even to mention PNG in a speech on "The Asia-Pacific and the World: Australia's Foreign Policy Context" in Melbourne on Monday. Indeed, apart from being seen as a dumping ground for asylum seekers, the Pacific has been fading from our radar screen for some years now.
Australia's direct responsibility for its former colony ended when PNG became independent in 1975, but not our strategic interest in having a stable neighbour to our north. The coups in Fiji and Solomon Islands have only underlined the dangers of remaining indifferent to the problems of governance in the Pacific. It would paternalistic for Australia to tell PNG how to conduct its democracy, but it would be irresponsible not to offer and provide effective assistance. Australia thought it was not worthwhile to back up calls by PNG business and some politicians to send independent observers to monitor the polls which in places turned so violent even election officials were forced into hiding. A $6.6 million AusAID project that was meant to help the PNG Electoral Commission improve the running of the polls clearly failed to deliver. Although the project was meant to address inaccuracies in the electoral roll, many electorates had twice as many registered voters as were recorded in the 2000 census. The indelible ink meant to prevent fraud was washed off with household solvents and PNG's small and under-resourced police force failed to prevent violence against voters and electoral workers.
AusAID claims it is not responsible for the conduct of the poll, but it needs to explain why the safeguards it introduced to prevent fraud failed so badly. If Australia is serious about helping it should support Sir Mekere's call for the Commonwealth to conduct an audit of the election. It is important that the mistakes of this poll are not repeated in five years time when PNG moves from a first-past-the-post system to preferential voting.
With Parliament not due to sit until August 5 and the Supreme Court yet to determine whether to order a repoll in violence-affected seats in the Highlands, PNG's ordeal is far from over. But things could be worse. Parliamentary reforms introduced by Sir Mekere will reduce the horse-trading and vote buying that has been a feature of government formation to date. The Governor General is obliged to invite the leader of the party with the largest number of seats to form a government and MPs are now barred from switching parties. A loose coalition government, however, is inevitable with Sir Michael's National Alliance Party not expected to gain more than 40 seats in the 109 seat Parliament.
Time is running out for PNG. If voters are not to become totally disenchanted with the whole political process Australia needs to do its part to ensure the Government gets it right.
THE Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the removal of government representation on the National Provident Fund, now known as the National Superannuation Fund of PNG. POMCCI president David Conn said the turnaround at NASFUND “has been remarkable”, and demonstrates what sound management and the removal of political interference can do for some of these entities. “We encourage all stakeholders on the new Board to scrutinise their candidates closely,” he said.
By DENYS IORERE
THE president of the Port Moresby Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, David Conn, has expressed disappointment at the
response of the Department of Labour and Employment over work permits,
citing complaints about delays in the processing of work permits. "We are
complaining about delays in processing of legitimate paperwork, delays
in assessing applications and delays in advising agents if there is a problem
the department wishes to query or address," said Mr Conn. "The Department
of Labour and Employment now tell us they will tighten the screening procedures
and throw in the red-herring of sovereign nation to obscure the real issues,"
he said.
Mr Conn said the department should respond to these concerns and not introduce spurious arguments, which were designed to raise emotions and detract from the real issues of performance within the department. "Many of our members have long and illustrious records in PNG and do not need to be brow-beaten with such types of comments questioning their commitment to this country. "We have no complaints about following the laws of this country, but think we have every right to demand fair, speedy and equitable treatment for all companies from our public servants, when the proper documentation is lodged," said Mr Conn. Mr Conn said the chamber has welcomed a proposal that a permit should take six weeks to approve. "We need to ask whether the permit system has achieved what it was intended to do. One would have to have serious doubts when there are many examples of foreigners working in reserved occupations, such as kai bars, without even a smattering of English, Pidgin or Motu," said Mr Conn.
He added that these are the people who
are taking jobs away from ordinary Papua New Guineans and not the senior
executives and owner and investors who actually created employment and
opportunities in the labour force. "We believe it is a disincentive to
investors when they discover that government officials have an active role,
through the work permit system forms, in dictating salaries and incentives
employees can receive . "If an investor or company is genuine, a
number of positions should be granted, and as long as the proposed employee
does not breach the legal, health, insurance or professional body requirements
of our sovereign nation, the employer alone dictates who they employ and
what they pay them. "This should not be the role of a government genuinely
interested in attracting investment," said Mr Conn.
Work permit issues
Post-Courier Weekend Edition Fri-Sun 24-26th,
May, 2002
The president of Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI) has expressed disappointment at the response from the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) to comments they had made regarding inefficiencies in processing of work permits. We reacted to complaints from our members about delays in processing and instead of responding in a service-minded way , DOLE now tell us they will tighten the screening procedures and throw in the red-herring of “sovereign nation” to obscure the real issues. DOLE should respond to our concerns and not introduce spurious arguments designed to raise emotions and detract the public from the real issues of performance within the department. Many of our members have long and illustrious records in PNG and do not need to be brow-beaten with such comments questioning their commitment to this country. Unfortunately, this is a clear example of the mind set of certain public servants. We have no complaints about following the laws of this country but think we have every right to demand fair, speedy and equitable treatment for all companies from our public servants. While we think the timing is far too long, we welcome the statement from the Deputy Secretary that a permit should take six weeks. This at least gives us a performance standard to work by. One would assume we would have a legitimate right to complain if for some reason this standard is not met. We need to ask whether the permit system has achieved what it was intended to do. One would have to have serious doubts when there are many examples of foreigners working in reserved occupations, such as kai bars , without even a smattering of English, Pidgin or Motu. These are the people taking work away from ordinary Papua New Guineans, not the senior executives and owner/investors who actually create employment and opportunity in the labour force. When will our public servants get real on this issue of employment of expatriates? Do they really believe any company in this country would consciously choose to employ a contract officer and pay a package dictated by the going world market rate when a suitable Papua New Guinean is available for much less? We need to attract more foreign investment and protect our domestic investors who have stuck with us through hard times. When DOLE is ready to address the issues we have raised on behalf of our members regarding perceived inefficiencies in processing of work permits, we are ready and willing to be a party to discussions.
David A Conn, MBE
President, POMCCI
Press Statement/Letters to the Editor :
The President of POMCCI, has expressed disappointment at the response from DOLE to comments they had made regarding inefficiencies in processing of work permits. We reacted to complaints from our members about delays in processing and instead of responding in a service-minded way, DOLE now tell us they will tighten the screening procedures and throw in the red-herring of “sovereign nation” to obscure the real issues.
We are complaining about delays in processing of legitimate paperwork, delays in assessing applications and delays in advising agents if there is a problem the Department wishes to query or address. DOLE should respond to these concerns and not introduce spurious arguments which are designed to raise emotions and detract the public from the real issues of performance within the department. Many of our members have long and illustrious records in PNG and do not need to be brow-beaten with such types of comments questioning their commitment to this country. Unfortunately, this is a clear example of the mind set of certain public servants. They automatically distrust business and it is difficult to get meaningful dialogue going with such officials. We have no complaints about following the laws of this country, but think we have every right to demand fair, speedy and equitable treatment for all companies from our public servants, when the proper documentation is lodged. While we think the timing is far too long, we welcome the statement from the Deputy Secretary that a permit should take 6 weeks. This at least gives us a performance standard to work by. One would assume we would have a legitimate right to complain if for some reason this standard is not met.
The general mind set on our labour regulations
appears to be rather skewed. We need to ask whether the permit system has
achieved what it was intended to do. One would have to have serious doubts
when there are many examples of foreigners working in reserved occupations,
such as kai bars, without even a smattering of English, Pidgin or Motu.
These are the people taking work away from ordinary Papua New Guineans,
not the senior executives and owner/investors who actually create
employment and opportunity in the labour force. We believe it is
a disincentive to investors when they discover that government officials
have an active role, through the work permit system forms, in dictating
salaries and incentives employees can receive. If an investor or company
is genuine, a number of positions should be granted , and as
long as the proposed employee does not breach the legal, health, insurance
or professional body requirements of our _sovereign nation_, the employer
alone dictates who they employ and what they pay them.This should not be
the role of a government genuinely interested in attracting investment.
Many new local companies are actually disadvantaged by the salary
limitations being imposed because they cannot afford to employ
expatriates who attract salaries in excess of K200,000 on the world market.
The age limit set appears arbitrary, and to the best of our knowledge was
not agreed in consultation with industry. One presumes that if, many years
ago, a 22 year old Bill Gates had wished to bring his considerable IT talents
to our country, this would not have been possible, because he failed the
age restriction. When will our public servants get real on this issue
of employment of expatriates ? Do they really believe any company in this
country would consciously chose to employ a contract officer
and pay a package dictated by the going world market , often well
in excess of K200,000, when a suitable Papua New Guinean, competent,
versatile and amply skilled in his own environment is available for much
less.
It is encouraging to hear DOLE officials agree with us on one point, that labour around the world is becoming more mobile. Now government and business must work together to see that Papua New Guinea is not left in the wash of this worldwide trend. We need to attract more foreign investment and protect our domestic investors,who have stuck with us through hard times, Itshould be all hands to the pumps to see that our regulatory processes facilitate and foster this. Why do we get so frightened and head into insularity on this issue. The United States has been the dominant world economy in the last twenty years, yet it is a fact that foreign ownership(i.e. through business starts, mergers, acquisitions and share purchases), has soared from just over 30% in the 1960s to almost 80% in 2002. Everybody wants a piece of America, and the United States has welcomed them, and their money. Who wants a piece of Papua New Guinea ?
When DOLE is ready to address the issues
we have raised on behalf of our members regarding perceived inefficiencies
in processing of work permits we are ready and willing to be party to any
discussions that will benefit our members and the business community.
David A. Conn Esq , MBE
President (2000-2003)
23 May 2003
THE Department of Labour and Employment is
open for discussions regarding work permits and other issues, says the
department’s Deputy Secretary David Tibu. Mr Tibu, while explaining the
procedures in getting a work permit processed, said it was not only his
department than was responsible for delaying the work permits processed.
Port Moresby Camber of Commerce and Industry president David Conn said
during their annual general meeting that it took too long to get a work
permit processed and the excessive regulations imposed unfair costs to
business houses. Mr Tibu said: “It takes approximately six weeks to process
a work permit. The six-week waiting time for the work permit is normal.
It is not stretching time out as claimed by Mr Conn.” He said small procedures
that delay the processing include; incomplete applications; late submissions
for training (which is a must in all applications); curriculum vitae not
done properly; employment agreements not done between employer and employee;
job descriptions do not match qualifications; age requirement is 23 to
be ready to train Papua New Guineans; and applicants not members of professional
organisations.
"I doubt if this was what the Political
Integrity Bill was designed to create, and, in fact, we face the possibility
of an even more fractured government," said Mr Conn. He said a sound political
base, with a minority of credible parties supporting well-defined strategies
to drive the economy and the welfare of the community at large is a recipe
for success. "The voters of Port Moresby and PNG have a crucial decision
to make in June, and if they choose the wrong path or candidate the future
will be very bleak indeed. "The business community will come under great
pressure to support this plethora of political "parties" and it is incumbent
on us to also "vote" with our contributions for a viable future for our
city," he added. Mr Conn said the chamber has joined the Coalition Against
Corruption and looked forward to seeing it putting some runs on the board
against individuals who, in a true-thinking society, would never be considered
for public office. "The business community can only continue to support
this work if we see some very bright sunlight being shone upon candidates
who have dubious backgrounds or are under current investigation. "They
must understand that stepping into the public limelight brings incredible
responsibilities as well as considerable perks, and that one's whole life
and that of one's family come under severe public scrutiny," Mr Conn stressed.
"This is a war against corruption and the good must win it," said Mr Conn.
The National
Monday, 13 May 2002
POMCCI wants a seat
on NCDC
By DENYS IORERE
THE Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce
and Industry will seek proper representation at the National Capital
District Commission and its board, chamber president David Conn.
Mr Conn told the Annual General Meeting on Friday at the Crowne Plaza
that, at present, the business representatives are not nominated
to the board by any recognised business organisation that they are
aware of. "This is clearly not satisfactory and ignores the contribution
our members make to the financial well-being of the city," said Mr
Conn. Mr Conn said it was resolved at the chamber's last meeting
to lobby with the NCDC authorities to have business representatives
on the NCDC Board. He added that the Chamber has also remained vocal
on the issue of infrastructural development in the city despite threats
and accusations. He said the belief that the chamber was targeting
certain contractors is "totally incorrect". Mr Conn said the
issue concerns the current road projects in the city, which
were being carried out without proper planning and the alleged lack
of transparency in the tendering process, leaving very little room
for public scrutiny.
"The question is, does Port Moresby
need, or have the traffic flows to justify over K100 million in the
last two years for four lane highways when there are so many pressing
issues. "These roads look wonderful and appear to be well-constructed,
although some design does appear faulty (the Waigani intersection)
but surely a phased plan for road development over five years, with
consideration being given to the recurrent maintenance costs, would
have been a more sensible approach. Mr Conn said the increase
in graffiti, drunkenness on the streets and a marked increase of
reports of violence against employers over disputes all reflect this
trend. "We appreciate the extreme pressures the Police Force is
under, but several incidences of abusive behaviour by police officers
can do nothing to improve the image of a once proud force, nor engender
the confidence in the force," said Mr Conn. He added that the Chamber
remains a member of the PNG Chamber and contributes 15 per cent of
all membership fees to the national body (in 2002 - K16,399.50).
"There continues to be discussion on what we get for this money and
the recent attendance at quarterly meetings have been disappointing
and we see a large number of national issues needing public comment
for our peak body.
PORT Moresby businesses have fired back at
government criticism of corruption within the
private sector. Public Services Minister
Philemon Embel said this week that chambers (of commerce) “need
to look within” in the fight against corruption
. Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief David Conn
said the Minister was correct in saying that all sections of the community
needed to respond to the challenge of
endemic corruption in society. “However,
as we have stated before, this disease has to be cut off at the head,’’
he said
yesterday.“Leaders are dealing with public
monies and I would be confident in saying that when it comes
to house-cleaning on corruption that their
job will be much bigger than ours.
“Firing at business as a pre-election ploy
to distract the people from the real issues we face with corruption is
not something we welcome.”
THE newly elected Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce has come out strongly on the problems being encountered by businesses in securing work permits for employees . The matter has been raised at the Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting and is a regular item at a policy formulation group of peak bodies which has been meeting to prepare a statement for the incoming government . “This has been going on for far too long and the promised two week waiting period is now stretching out to six to eight weeks,’’ chamber president David Conn said this week. “Often the delays being faced are due to officers not attending work regularly and applications sitting on the desk of the one officer handling that issue. “Lack of response from senior officers and absence from the office are only exacerbating the situation. Now we are advised the office will close for two days a week, depriving customers of appropriate service. “Something needs to be done. Clearly, the system is not working when there is so much dissatisfaction out there. “This excessive regulation when the business environment is already extremely hard, is imposing unnecessary and unfair costs on companies.” Mr Conn said long delays could mean recruited employees give up coming to PNG and accept other offers. “The costs of recruitment are then lost and yet another blow to the bottom line is felt,’’ he said. “In a world where labour is becoming increasingly more mobile, PNG needs to catch up and give us a system which is workable and achieves what it intends to achieve. “The application of our current work permit system is a disincentive to investment. “There seems to be no problem securing permits for those working in the supposedly restricted kai bar sector, yet genuine investors are forced to wait inordinately long periods to get staff on deck. “The government can talk long and loud about encouraging business but when their efforts are stymied by bureaucrats who are not behaving as servants of the public, this is merely rhetoric. “Far too many of these departments become defensive when challenged on these issues. “They have a job to do for which they are paid and all we expect of them is a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. “Who is monitoring the work of these officers, are they working to any reasonable performance standards? “This is another prime example of the dead hand of bureaucracy chocking business.” This is the strongest statement yet to come on the subject of delays which has been talked about for some time.
Post-Courier Thursday 18th April, 2002
First money show
Organisers of the country’s first “money show” are expecting a big turnout at the half-day meeting in Port Moresby next week. The show is organised by the Port Moresby Stock Exchange and its members, with support from the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry — and the National Capital District Commission. The seminar is part of POMSoX’s awareness campaigns — but this one will go beyond buying and selling shares and will venture into the realm of investment generally. More than 100 participants have registered to attend the seminar and they are expecting another 200 to 250 to register by Wednesday, when the show will be held at the Holiday Inn. A trade exhibition will be held at the Holiday Inn convention centre in conjunction with the seminar. Gate fees for the exhibition are K2 — and K50 for the seminar. The organisers are targeting the “mum and dad” investors. Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta, who is the patron of the show, will deliver the keynote address. The other speakers are Oil Search managing director Peter Botten, Credit Corporation managing director Noreo Beangke, Professor Malick Sy — a professor of finance at the RMIT University and an adviser and consultant to the Singapore Stock Exchange and NPF managing director Rod Mitchell.
The organisers said yesterday that the show
is aimed at:
l PROMOTING investments by Papua New Guinean
individuals and businesses through the Port Moresby Stock Exchange;
l ENHANCING the profile of the listed companies
by creating greater awareness of the entity and its products;
l ENCOURAGING companies to consider listing
or raising capital through POMSoX;
l DEVELOPING a culture of “investing” in
PNG by improving communications with the public.
l STIMULATING the expansion and growth of
the capital market in PNG; and
l ENCOURAGING members of the private sector
to promote their products and services.
The various representatives from the companies
involved in the show were upbeat about its prospects as they fronted the
media to talk about it. POMSoX chairman Sir Anthony Siaguru said: “We are
all very excited about it because it is the first time ever that something
like this has been attempted. We are very excited about the prospects —
the prospects of informing our people about the opportunities that exist
to invest in our country to buy a share of the future wealth of our country.’’
Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry
president Dave Conn said the chamber was pleased to offer logistical support
for the show. “We feel that this is basically very much a part of our role
to highlight the positives not only in Port Moresby, but PNG, and to let
our own people know — and also overseas people know — exactly what we have
to offer,” he said. “We see that as a vital role of the money show and
we are delighted to be able to put resources behind such an event as that
being organised by the stock exchange. “We all get snowed under in
the city with the negatives of what happens in Port Moresby and PNG — and
we don’t naturally as a chamber ascribe to that. “Lets talk about
the positive side of the city, what we have available, what parts of PNG
are really available for sale and for investment, so we are happy to be
involved with this event and to give our full support to POMSoX.’’ Kina
Securities’ group general manager Syd Yates said: “It is a unique opportunity
for those people that are going to be participants to learn all about investment,
what they can do with their money. We have some eminent speakers and learn
from their wealth of experience. “Not only that, we have lots of stalls
and displays — people will have the opportunity to talk face to face with
the exhibitors like banks, the financial institutions, — they can come
talk to us about how to buy and sell shares. It’s a unique opportunity
for all these things to be in one place.’’ Capital Stockbrokers managing
director Paul McLaren said: “We are very excited about the speakers and
the calibre of the speakers we’ve been able to engage. “They will
have the opportunity to talk to senior executives from major listed companies,
from the stock exchange and from the share-broking firms. It will enable
everyone to get a better knowledge of what goes on in PNG and hopefully,
will move some of the mystique that seems to be behind the stock exchange
and the investment industry generally. “What we want to do is we want to
show people that investment is for everyone and that the opportunities
in PNG are here and the long-term future looks very bright.’’
Bid for business seat
on NCDC board
(Post-Courier Weekend
Edition Fri-Sun 12-14th, April, 2002 )
The Port Moresby Chamber
of Commerce and Industry would vigorously pursue the need for business
representation on the National Capital District Commission board, says
president David Conn. Mr Conn, who was re-elected as president, said the
chamber, as the largest stakeholder in the nation’s capital should have
a far greater input into decision-making on the board. “At present, the
supposed business representatives are not nominated by any recognised business
that we know of. This is clearly not satisfactory and ignores the contribution
our members make to the well-being of the city,” Mr Conn said. He said
the chamber resolved at their meeting to lobby the NCDC authorities that
the business representatives on the NCDC board, building board and physical
planning board be the presidents of the chamber or his or her nominee.
Mr Conn said that although the chamber had been vocal on infrastructure
developments in the city lately, it would still support the developments
taking place in the city. “Our issue with the current road developments
in the city is and remains the apparent lack of a due town-planning process,
the lack of transparency in the processes, very little room for public
comment in the projects,” he said. “The question is, does Port Moresby
need or have the traffic flow to justify over K100 million in the last
two years worth of four-lane highways when there are other pressing issues.”
Economic workshop in Port
Moresby
Post Courier Weekend Edition
Fri-Sun 12-14th, April, 2002
A workshop is currently underway
in Port Moresby to gather, identify, analyse and compile existing key economic
policies and develop a master plan for the economic sector agencies. The
workshop co-ordinated by the Department of National Planning and Monitoring,
will also come up with strategies and programs to tackle the common issues
affecting the economic sector. Department Secretary Philip Kikala said
in a keynote address the workshop follows a National Executive Council
decision to establish a committee that will act as a focal point for co-ordination
of planning inputs and will develop a working mechanism for active networking
to improve effectiveness in the implementation of sub-sectoral policies
and strategies within the economic sector. “We all understand that the
economic sector plays a vital role in the country’s economic development
and growth. So, it is not only timely but it is also important to improve
inter-agency co-ordination to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach
to the development of our economic industries,” Mr Kikala said. He said
the Department of Planning and Monitoring realise that part of the reasons
for the limited achievement of the economic development in the past was
in part due to lack of co-ordination between agencies in the sector. “A
lack of clarity and ill-defined roles and responsibilities has resulted
in a duplication of functions and waste of resources,” he said. At the
end of the two-day workshop a committee would be formed to: l Ensure the
economic sub-sector policies are synchronised to achieved the national
goals and objectives and improves the effectiveness and efficiency of policy
implementation; and l Maintain the economic sector as a priority sector
in the government’s development strategy and increase the level of funding
for priority programs in the sector. The workshop, funded by AusAID is
being attended by the departments of Treasury and Finance, Trade and Industry,
Agriculture and Livestock, Petroleum and Energy, Mining, Investment Promotion
Authority, Industrial Centre Development Corporation, National Institute
of Standards and Industrial Technology, AusAID, PNG Forest Authority, Small
Business Development Corporation and the Co-operative Unit.
THE tendency for frauds to increase in any company was due to the frequent changes to managers, the management structure and the increasing number of staff employed. Westpac Operational Risk and Investigation manager David Harley said yesterday that in PNG, the turnover of expert managers is very frequent because they are in the country on a one or two-year contract. Mr Harley was the guest speaker at a breakfast hosted by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Holiday Inn that had a good turn-out from the business community. He said the policies and the structure of any company under the leadership of a new manager is bound to change and, therefore, managers don't achieve their set objectives and goals. He said at a time when they and the company are achieving their full potential they have to depart because their contracts have expired. In Australia, the number of employees in a company is only five per cent compared to Papua New Guinea which ranges from 10-15 per cent and there is a high risk of fraud. Mr Harley also said the managers of the company should also know and understand the mechanisms of prevention and detective systems within the building and also how to operate them. However, they should restrict and limit other persons from learning and using the basics of these detective equipment and machines. "You should know the systems in the company, understand what they do and how they operate but don't let someone use what you got or teach them how your systems work," said Mr Harley. He added: "Whether there is an internal or external fraud, one should not panic. Don't panic, stop think and seek advice because your reactions will impact on your business." Mr Harley also said the company should be aware that the suspension of any employee of the company should be for a good reason. He said there should be a good reason for suspension because it would mean the company losing money because "the impact would be more marginal". It is therefore the company policy that a code of conduct be in place for the employees. "It is very basic staff and easier for the staff," said Mr Harley.
Tourism discontent
Post-Courier
Thursday 28th January, 2002
BUSINESS leaders are upset
at the way the chief tourism body is being treated “like a political football’’.
The recent actions at the Tourism Promotion Authority did not show the
level of sensitivity or sophistication needed to attract tourists, Port
Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry president David Conn said this
week. He praised the return of stability to the National Capital District
with the court decision affirming the Kipit administration. This should
get the proposed Visitors Bureau “back on the agenda’’. But seeking support
for the concept from the tourism authority, with “constant changes to staff
and board by the current minister’’, made it a “pointless waste of time’’.
“When we are really going to get our act together on tourism,?” Mr Conn
said. “PNG has so much more to offer tourist-wise than many of our neighbours.
“It is a country bristling with diversity, eco-tourism opportunities and
extraordinary experiences you can get nowhere else in the world, yet we
continue to play political football with the very body, TPA, that can bring
some sense and co-ordination to the scene.’’
NPF move praised
Post-Courier Wednesday
20th, February, 2002
THE Port Moresby Chamber
of Commerce and Industry has praised the National Provident Fund (NPF)
on its decision to buy shares in Bank South Pacific Ltd (BSP). (BSP defends
its acquisition of PNGBC amid criticisms — next page). Last week, NPF board
member and Amalgamated General Workers Union secretary Andrew Kandakasi
said he would challenge NPF’s acquisition of BSP shares just prior to the
bank submitting its bid for the PNG Banking Corporation. Mr Kandakasi had
alleged that board members were not given ample time and avenues to carry
out an independent analysis of the decision and he was planning to take
legal action over the matter. Chamber president David Conn said the NPF
management under managing director Rod Mitchell had worked very hard to
get NPF back on track. “The board members were given ample time and were
also directed to seek advice from two internationally respected accounting
and law firms,” Mr Conn said. He said the decision to buy shares in BSP
was well executed compared to past decisions that the workers representatives
had been involved in with NPF. Mr Conn said the unions were very quiet
when PNGBC was systematically raped over the past years but were complaining
when the bank had been taken over by a sound management and brought to
a saleable entity. He said a large range of PNG organisations and
people now have shares in PNGBC and the strong growth of BSP in the past
will result in good returns on NPF’s decision.
ALLEGATIONS that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was misappropriating money it collects from departing international passengers at the Jacksons International Airport has attracted criticism. The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI) while commending the insider who blew the whistle said the passengers paid their K30 fee in good faith and expected the airport facilities to be looked after and improved. “If these allegations are true, then this is scandalous and those responsible for misusing the K1.2m collected so far ought to be sacked,” CCI said. The chamber said no other uses like fencing of the under-used CAA College and others were acceptable. The chamber said there were areas that needed to be addressed by the authority with the airport charges. “Issues like the traffic problems, carpark security, unattended vehicles at the terminals, public address system and inoperative screening facilities need urgent addressing.” The chamber has called on Miria Ume, the CAA head to explain how the K1.2m had been spent.
PORT
Moresby business leaders are joining the media-initiated “war on corruption’’
in PNG society. The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce issued a statement
at its February monthly meeting, in support of the PNG Media Council’s
campaign. President David Conn said yesterday corruption had always featured
in the top three factors that businesses considered as disincentives to
investment and doing business in PNG . He said: “The problem is endemic
and needs to be cut off at the head. “We support the council’s statements
that they will target corruption in government , public service and business.
“While we do not condone corruption in any form , many businesses are sucked
into the the vortex of corrupt activities in their attempts to survive
and keep going in these harsh economic times. “We know there are many businesses
out there who do not follow our stated code of ethics, and one would assume
that is why they are not members of the chamber. “But eventually
once the head of corruption has been lopped off, a climate of non-corruption
can then be enforced at all levels so that all businesses can operate on
a level playing field. “The campaign must start at the top. We need to
see those who have deceived , rorted and stolen from the small people of
this country brought to account and punished, jailed or taxed out of existence
for their misdeeds.’’ When this had been done, then people at other levels
of society could be told they must conform to non-corrupt standards. “PNG’s
collective memory is frighteningly short. If this campaign can highlight
the transgressions of present and intending political candidates and get
this message out there to the rural areas, where they usually collect the
unsophisticated votes, and stop them from getting into public office, it
will have succeeded and done a great service to this nation.” Mr Conn said
many in the business community were concerned about the economic future
of the country, despite Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta’s efforts and
the gains of the past two years. They felt the 2002 election could be PNG’s
last chance.
" The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement,at its February monthly meeting, in support of the Media Council's recently announced " War on Corruption". In our quarterly surveys, corruption always features in the top 3 factors businesses consider as disincentives to investment and doing business in PNG. The problem is endemic and needs to be cut off at the head.
We support the Council's statements that they will target corruption in government, public service and business. While we do not condone corruption in any form, many businesses are sucked into the vortex of corrupt activities in their attempts to survive and keep going in these harsh economic times. We know there are many businesses out there who do not follow our stated Code of Ethics, and one would assume that is why they are not members of the Chamber. But eventually once the head of corruption has been lopped off, a climate of non-corruption can then be enforced at all levels so that all businesses can operate on a level playing field.The campaign must start at the top. We need to see those who have deceived, rorted and stolen from the small people of this country brought to account and punished, jailed or taxed out of existence for their misdeeds.
Once we see this, we can then say to all levels of society that they must conform to non-corrupt standards. PNG's collective memory is frighteningly short. If this campaign can highlight the transgressions of present and intending political candidates and get this message out there to the rural areas, where they usually collect the un-sophisticated votes, and stop them from getting into public office, it will have succeeded and done a great service to this nation. Many in the business community are extremely concerned about the economic future of this country, despite Prime Minister Morauta's efforts and the undoubted gains of the last two years, and feel the 2002 election could be PNG's last chance. We doubt if this country could survive another five years led by a parliament of corrupt, self-serving leaders who put their interests over those of the people. Many of these intending candidates have less than spotless records and are using the very proceeds of their corrupt and morally-suspect dealings to run their campaigns. It is a well quoted maxim that " those who actively seek public office and do not come to it reluctantly, by that very act, prove themselves unfit to hold public office ". For too long our leaders have focussed on their rights rather than any sense of responsibility to their constituents.
We cannot possibly prosper as a nation if we continue on this road. The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce unequivocally supports any moves to eradicate corruption in Papua New Guinea. "
David A. Conn
Esq, MBE
President -POMCCI
CITY business leaders are asking for more time for people to give their thoughts on plans for major expansions to roads in the national capital. The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry has appealed to the National Capital District Commission to extend the seven-day deadline it gave for seeking of opinion. The NCD’s physical planning office advertised earlier this month that it was allowing seven days for people to give their views on the proposed widening of Gavamani and Scratchley roads to four lanes. Chamber president David Conn said seven days was not enough time to allow for “genuine comment on such major pieces of public works’’. “The pegs are already in the ground at Kila Kila and we have already seen strong objection from Motu Koita landowners who have not been properly consulted,’’ he said this week. “It took two of my staff half a day to obtain copies of the relevant plans once they had tracked down the relevant staff and office location. “It was not a simple process and therefore we would have to question the genuineness of the invitation for public comment.’’ Mr Conn said if the chamber could meet so much difficulty, as a group of businesses with “some clout’’, what chance would the ordinary citizen of making a comment. The chamber is posting the works proposals for Ela Beach and Scratchley/Gavamani road on its website, www.pomcci.org.pg Comments should go directly to the NCD Physical Planning Office at Tarpot Rd, ph 324 0510, fax 325 0015.
I WOULD welcome the
opportunity to give the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce's response
to certain allegations, which cannot go unanswered, by 'Boroko Resident'
in your recent letters column regarding the proposed work on Boroko
Drive. It is excellent to see 'Boroko Resident' join the fray over
the current road saga in NCD. I am sure he must be aware of the
Chamber of Commerce's strong stand and demand for proper process
on the handling of these road contracts. Unfortunately, like far
too many residents of Port Moresby, 'Boroko Resident', unlike the
Chamber who have an actual constituency, a wider view and general
community concern, this cry comes too late, and only when it encroaches
into their actual backyard. The Chamber was bitterly disappointed
with the lack of community support it received when it first raised
the issue of Ela Beach. If the people of Port Moresby really want
to be heard they must speak up against the lack of priority planning,
and possible abuse of process, when it happens, anywhere in the city,
and not just when it affects the raintree or footpath outside their
property.
Until a proper system
of elected governance is put in place in NCD which encompasses the
views of all stakeholders; taxpayers, business and Motu Koita landowners,
the only voice the people will have is that of public outcry, after
the event. The Chamber has a clear mandate to represent its financial
members' interests and the fact of the matter is that none of the
businesses affected at Koki (and I daresay many soon to be affected
at the East Boroko circuit) were Chamber members at the time. However,
we do operate outside this remit when it is of general community
concern. As a general community issue we supported the legal injunction
taken out by the Member for Moresby South which halted the proposed
fly-over to Healy Parade. An injunction was considered, as a last
resort, for Ela Beach and the works at Waigani Drive on behalf of
members who raised their concerns. However, subsequent discussions
with NCD and contractors as well as the renewed involvement of the
NCD Physical Planning Board have put procedures in place which will
hopefully see sensible development taking place. If it was
the wish of our members to take out a class action for loss of income
then we would comply with the wishes of our financial members.
The allegation that
the Chamber is "in bed with Global" is patently untrue and will no
doubt bring wry smiles to the faces of the contractor and senior
administrators at NCDC. Global Constructions are not even current
members of the Port Moresby Chamber. The Chamber has lobbied strongly
for proper procedures and tendering to be used in all road projects
in the city, and this has nothing to do with the individual contractors,
some of whom are excellent members in good standing. We firmly believe
that establishment of clearly budgetted and carefully considered
priorities as well as correct transparent, design, planning, tendering,
certification and payment procedures are in the best interests of
all taxpayers, and all contractors, in the city, whether members
of the Chamber or not.
I welcome 'Boroko
Resident's' comments and would encourage more Citizens of Port Moresby
to publicly voice their concerns, not only in what will happen to
their own driveway or footpath, but to what is happening in all areas
of their city. Port Moresby belongs to all of us and "Boroko Resident"
would do better to attack the real causes of our problems, rather
than the Chamber, one of the only community voices which has been
raised loud and often to draw attention to matters of concern in
our city.
Clearly, the 25 per
cent increase in Chamber membership in 2001 shows not all agree with
"Boroko Resident" and if he would like to continue the debate, or
seek our support, we are open to comment via our website at www.pomcci.org.pg
or by email: pomcci@global.org.pg
David A. Conn, MBE
President,
POMCCI
THE people of Kira Kira village
in the National Capital District and the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce
are against the proposed plans to upgrade the Scratchley and Gavamani roads.
Kira Kira councillor Kabua Kabua said the National Capital District Commission
(NCDC) had failed to consult all concerned in the project. He said the
roads were on traditional land and the landowners had not been compensated
properly. “We would like to know the long term and short term benefits
of the projects,” he said. He said his people were concerned at the noise
and pollution from the increased number of cars that would result from
the road widening. He said they believed that this was a classic example
of the Motu Koita people being downtrodden by the colonial and present
Governments. President of Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry
David Conn said he didn’t see the need to upgrade the road. “That road
was laid a few years ago and there is not enough traffic to warrant upgrading,”
he said.
Drunk police sought
Monday 21st, January, 2002
Post-Courier
ANY police officers found
to have fired shots into a Port Moresby nightclub should be arrested and
punished, a business group said this week. The Port Moresby Chamber of
Commerce said it was horrified at the report of “drunken policemen’’ firing
live rounds of ammunition into the Lamana Gold Club early Friday. The chamber
intended to write to Police Commissioner Joseph Kupo and Police Minister
Jimson Sauk and to seek a meeting with police commanders Geoff Vaki and
Emmanuel Hela. “In summary, our call will be for apprehension of the culprits,
criminal charges to be laid and subsequent discharge from the force,’’
chamber president David Conn said. “No other course of action is appropriate
for such an offence, no matter what mitigating reasons such as non-payment
of entitlements the offenders may offer. “We are in full support of commander
Vaki’s campaign to clean up the image of the city, but as it was succinctly
put by the FM presenter yesterday, the police have to clean up their act
first, as no campaign can succeed without public support and trust in the
professionalism of our police force.’’
Chamber joins campaign
Post Courier Wednesday
16th January, 2002
THE business community has
thrown it support behind the effort for former National Provident Fund
chairman Jimmy Maladina to return to PNG and answer allegations made against
him. Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry president David Conn
said yesterday that the NPF saga has “left a huge scar in our society’’
and Mr Maladina’s evidence must be heard. “POMCCI joins the community in
urging the former NPF chairman to come back to his country and clear his
name,’’ he said. In their weekly newsletter to their members, under the
headline “See you Jimmy ... come back”, Mr Conn reminded members that employers
were also bearing the brunt of the NPF problems. “The NPF has left a huge
scar in our society, and do not forget employers are paying the price each
fortnight with increased NPF levies, and the only way we can heal it is
if we know the whole and complete story about what happened,’’ Mr Conn
said. The private sector is paying a two per cent levy as part of the Government’s
K60 million rescue package for the NPF, which reduced the writedown of
members’ accounts from 50 per cent to 15 per cent last year. “Enough pussy-footing
around, Maladina’s evidence must be heard,” he said.
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