Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko clarified the joint stance taken by Foreign Heads of Missions on Russia’s war in Ukraine, responding to comments made by Vanimo Green MP Belden Namah. Tkatchenko criticized Namah’s remarks as lacking context and decency, emphasizing the complexity of foreign affairs issues. “The member’s statement is a narrow, single-window statement.” “The many issues and agendas on the Foreign Affairs platform are challenging and interconnected.” “We just cannot attack foreign issues on a single-window accusation.” “When you make a statement, especially on an issue above national level – on International relations matters or foreign nations, you just…
Author: Joshua ARLO
Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko MP expressed disappointment at Vanimo Green MP Belden Namah’s recent social media statement, criticizing it as lacking decency for using the Russia-Ukraine conflict for political gain. In a statement, Tkatchenko clarified that PNG’s stance on Ukraine aligns with international calls for peace and humanitarian grounds, reiterating that PNG has not affirmed plans for a security arrangement with China despite insinuations from Namah. “I made this crystal clear in my meeting with Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Penny Wong prior to Prime Minister James Marape’s Guest of Government visit to Canberra, Australia.” “We respect China as…
Bougainville’s Attorney-General, Ezekiel Massat, has expressed dismay at the announced appointment for the Deputy Chief of Bougainville Police Service by Papua New Guinea’s Police Commissioner. In a statement released on Thursday, March 7th Massat criticized Police Commissioner David Manning and Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili Junior for what he termed as a breach of the Constitution and the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA). Massat emphasized that the Organic Law and the BPA stipulate that consultation with the Bougainville Government is mandatory for such appointments, highlighting his disappointment at the lack of adherence to the law. “Commissioner Manning, the National Minister for…
Provincial Police Commanders (PPCs) in Enga and Central Provinces have been reassigned to roles within the Police Station Commands (PSC), while a new Metropolitan Superintendent is expected to be in office in April for the National Capital District (NCD). Police Commissioner, David Manning, announced these changes along with several other promotions and transfers in command positions, which were disclosed on Wednesday March 6th. Enga PPC George Kakas is slated to take on the role of Wabag Police Station Commander (PSC), while Central Provincial Police Commander Laimo Asi will transition to the position of Banz Police Station Commander. Meanwhile, the current…
Police Commissioner David Manning announced several transfers in the police commands to confront emerging criminal challenges, including special policing zone. He said demands on police resources are evolving as security threats are facing the nation, including organized crime on the borders of PNG, and the security environment in both Enga and Hela. “Demands on police resources are evolving as the security threats facing the Nation and the RPNGC continue to adapt to confront these challenges,” the Commissioner said. “In particular a combination of organized crime infiltration through the borders of Papua New Guinea and other countries has changed the criminal…
An Australian child sex criminal has been refused entry into the country. The criminal has been repatriated to Australia; Police Commissioner David Manning confirmed in a statement. Commissioner Manning said the convicted Australian criminal, who tried to illegally enter PNG on February 27th on a sailboat into Daru, was intercepted at the border by diligent detectives, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the two countries’ authorities. “In addition to attempting to enter PNG illegally, the sex offender had also violated reporting conditions in Australia, further warranting legal action against him in his home country,” the statement read. Commissioner Manning said measures…
Over 2, 300 ward members received their first paid salary today. These 2, 319 elected community leaders are from all LLG wards in Hela, Enga, Gulf, West Sepik, Manus, East New Britain, and New Ireland, some are from a few LLG wards in Central, Oro, Jiwaka, West New Britain, and Milne Bay provinces. Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs (PLLGA), Soroi Eoe said the rest of the ward members will soon be added to the Government’s Ascender Pay System. PNG has a total of 7, 277 ward members. This figure comprises 6, 375 ward councilors (members) and 902…
In a historic move, a total of 7, 277 local-level government ward members (councilors) are set to join the government’s Ascenda payroll platform for the first time since Independence. This includes 6, 375 ward councilors and 902 community government members from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). This move, directed by Prime Minister (PM) James Marape through Cabinet Decision 322/2021, aims to ensure proper remuneration for elected leaders, transitioning them from the previous Alesco payroll system to Ascenda. Implementing this decision will inject K2, 546, 950.00 into the sub-national economy and create over 7, 000 fully paid jobs. Starting today,…
Goroka MP Aiye Tambua is set to appear before the Committal Court in Waigani next month, following his initial court appearance this morning. Tambua, who stepped down from his role as Agriculture and Livestock Minister, secured a K10, 000 bail at 11pm last night after being denied bail by police in Boroko. The court heard 26 charges against Tambua, including serious offenses like rape and abuse of trust, filed by his wife and two daughters who have fled to Australia for safety. The charges laid are one count of rape under section 347 (1) of the PNG Criminal Code; Two…
The Member for Goroka, Aiye Tambua was refused bail yesterday by police over allegations of various sexual offences against his wife and two daughters, who fled to Australia for safety. Due to the gravity of the accusations, Tambua’s lawyer can seek a court bail. According to NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika, Tambua was arrested by Boroko CID on rape, sexual assault and abuse of trust charges. Tambua, who resigned from his Agriculture and Livestock Ministry role amid the allegations, was detained at Boroko Police Station after voluntarily undergoing a record of interview. Superintendent Sika said the Member of Parliament’s (MP’s)…