Verbal Tug-of-war between PNG PM O'Neill and his former counterpart Sir Mekere far from over

PM's COMEBACK ON CALL MADE BY SIR MEK

BY ISAAC NICHOLAS of Post Courier

In a front page of Post Courier news article today, PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has made a scathing attack on former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta describing him as “just a sore and bitter person” who lives in a glass house and has lost touch with reality.

Mr O’Neill in a scathing attack said Sir Mekere, who is Moresby Northwest MP, is misleading the public and Members of Parliament about changing government when he does not even have the numbers and even a political party. He said the former prime minister should form his own political party and or revive his own PNG Party and go seek the mandate of the people in 2022.

“Do not use numbers on the floor of Parliament to pursue your own personal interest and political interest.”

Mr O’Neill said Sir Mekere has lost his opportunity to make a difference in the country when he was Prime Minister.

“He is living in the past, PNG is moving forward and he is left behind, his followers will remember, he Sir Mekere has nothing to show for when he was in power.”

Mr O’Neill said Sir Mekere did not build any infrastructure and put in government intervention in health and education.

He said law and order was getting worse when Sir Mekere started retrenchment and downsizing of the disciplinary forces in Defence, Police and Correctional Service.

“Simply lost in the glass house, never travelled within Papua New Guinea and therefore lost touch with reality, as he is even today.”

Mr O’Neill was responding to Sir Mekere’s call which was reported in the Post-Courier yesterday for a change of government.

Sir Mekere had said that PNC and Peter O’Neill had changed the face of Papua New Guinea in the past seven years.

Sir Mekere, who was speaking at the Allegiance Party membership card launch last Saturday evening, called for a change of government that will put the country back on track.

“A change of government can of course only be made by Members of Parliament. But to convince enough MPs of the need for change, we all have a part to play, this includes doctors, nurses, teachers, academics, students, business men and women, unions, NGOs, churches and community leaders,” Sir Mekere said.

“People cannot leave it to the MPs in the Opposition to speak out. All of us must take responsibility.”

POOR VALUE SYSTEM IS THE BIGGEST IMPEDIMENT TO A GREATER CITY

National Capital District Governor Hon. Powes Parkop's opening remarks in the 8th issue of the City Sivarai (Newsletter).

In the last two or three weeks we have seen the ugly side of our country come to the fore again here in our Capital City.

Ethnic conflict in Morata resulted in at least one death. A week later a senseless killing too at Hohola as a result of what appears to be an accident caused by driving under influence of liquor. A retaliatory attack resulted in 10 houses being burnt down and more life shattered and traumatized forever.

The most sacred gift of life has no value in our country. We can take away this most valuable gift by the flimsiest excuse or reasons and show no remorse or regret.

We torture women and burn them on stakes without any guilt or hesitation as if they mere pigs or animals. We can burn a plane and public assets like court houses, class rooms and other state or public buildings without regard for its value and consequence on the community and the nation as a whole.

In Port Moresby too despite our effort and all the public funds we have spent, betel nut spitting, litter or rubbish, graffiti and violence, fear or harassment continues to be a big challenge in our City and indeed the rest of the country.

Governor Powes Parkop

As we approach 43 years of our journey to nationhood, we must acknowledge that our biggest impediment to advancement and success of our country is our lack of values or otherwise poor and shallow values and virtues.

Yes, corruption is a problem and a major impediment to national advancement but corruption is but a result of low and poor value system. It is a symptom and not a cause. Corruption has taken root in our country because we all practice it and do not see anything dramatically wrong with it.

With many high mountains, valleys, rivers, wetlands, islands and atolls, geography is a major challenge to the progress of our nation too.

Building infrastructure such as  roads and bridges for our people to access services and markets is indeed a major challenge in this type of topography. No doubt this will remain a major challenge but these are challenges we can easily overcome if we care and spend our financial resources efficiently.

We have shown in Port Moresby that we can build world class infrastructure but how we care and use these infrastructure too will make a big difference. Sadly however, we continue to destroy without appreciating the value of these infrastructures to our collective convenience and well being.

Our diversity as a nation of a thousand tribe with their own languages, customs, practices and norms, is also a challenge.

Blending everyone together as one people and one nation as we sing in our national anthem and recite our national pledge is not easy but we have survived 43 years so if we subscribe to higher values and virtues like respect for each other, choosing peaceful ways of solving disputes and loving each other as fellow human beings we can overcome this challenge.

Corruption, geography and diversity all have their challenges but the biggest problem or challenge we have and need to overcome as a people and a nation is our low value system.

We tend to think and act mainly from our survival instinct not from a higher value system. Many of our decisions and actions are based on what we can get now and not what we can do for the the greater good of all. Be it politics, resource development, allocation of funding, appointment of officials or employees and the list goes on.

Japan is hardly a resource rich country. In fact it is resource poor. The same can be said of Singapore and South Korea. Yet these three countries can provide quality life style, high standards of living and build a strong economy for their people.

The Japanese way is possible simply because they have a strong foundation that are based on strong work ethics, respect, appreciation, good value system and serving for the greater good of their people and their country.

We are a nation blessed with so much resource and therefore our potential should increase. We can be a greater city and a greater nation if we all lift our values and mindset and start to respect and take responsibility for our lives, our city and our country better.

Getting our people to develop and embrace high values and virtues is not easy. These impoverished mindset have been instilled generation after generations. So it is not easy to replace them with an alternative positive value system. Telling our people to take action is even harder! 

It is for this reason that we have programs like the Active City Development Program. A program that is simple but smart. It uses non-competitive sports and easily accessible physical activity to take our people on a journey of physical, mental and emotional change. Its is a program that gives our people real tools to develop self respect, respect for others and taking personal responsibility for their lives, well being.

When we improve physical fitness we also grow our mental and emotional capacities. When we change the people’s health, well being, behaviour and mindset, then we will have healthier more positive people in our city then they will change our city and our country.

The Active City Development Program is an investment in the human capital development without which the infrastructure and economic development we are witnessing in the city and around the country will not amount to much.

These and other programs we have like Urban Youth Employment Program, TVET, sports investment, improving markets space and setting up the Secretariat to support the Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee and their work are all designed directly and indirectly to overcome this biggest impediment of our City and our country.

Change starts with each and everyone one of us being the change we want for our city and our country.

We can build a greater city and a greater nation. It’s not the world that we have to overcome. It’s ourselves that we have to overcome to arrive at that greatness. Let’s take that journey Port Moresby so that PNG can become greater than it is today.

Lead the change in your life, your family, your community, your city and your country!

NCD ACTIVE CITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OPENS DOOR FOR INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS

PORT MORESBY: If you ask why Active City Development program attracts overseas talents, it aspires to open the city as ‘a centre for volunteers’ from all over the world.

Program manageress Fazillah Bazari said the publicity of the Walk and Yoga For Life work on Facebook and other social media platforms have gripped international volunteers’ attention to visit PNG, leaving their legacy on residents-to work with the young people and to expose them to international standards, so their skills and training can be on par by international requirement and standards. 

Ms Bazari added that the program attracted CNN crew, creative movement trainers from the United Kingdom and drama trainer from Kenya. 

Today (Sunday, August 26) we have an Argentinean theatre group, Circus Mandragora.

Their elite performers Juan Cruz Bracamonte and Mariana Silva this morning mesmerised thousands at end the Walk and Yoga for Life in Port Moresby’s Paga Hill ring road, with its mimic and clown outfit.

With the aid of local Dennis Loftkia, Juan and Mariana forming acrobatic frame in their mimic and clown performance

With a loud hand of applause, they were delighted by their four-minute show.

They are in town following an invitation of the NCD Active City Development Program to train city residents, especially youths, to become circus performers, so they too can tour the world and earn a living like them.

Their show "Mandragora Circus" was premiered in their country in 2003 and performed in 18 nations overseas across four continents. 

Silva said their PNG tour will is the first in Oceania. 

She said their performance used gestures which allow the audience to imagine situations, conflicts and solutions. 

Introducing them, the program’s manageress Fazillah Bazari said they would be performing at the NCD Independence Arts and Street Festival Paga Hill ring road.

Next week and beyond, she said, they would be training the youths at the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Program to start performing as professional performers, adding we will have our own PNG circus troupe like them. 

These are the goals and aspirations of the program to make-some of our youths not inclined academically or vocationally, but are still marketable using their creative and performing arts to be self-sustaining. 

According to her, the duo will be training the youths with acrobatic and theatre arts skills for two months at the Taurama Aquatic Centre. 

NCD Governor Powes Parkop commended Ms Bazari and her management staff for being innovative with new initiatives creating opportunities and new pathways for the development of the city’s goals to leave no one idle and no one behind.

ENGAN POLITICS HAS SPILLOVER EFFECT ON NATIONAL POLITICS; WILL AN ENGAN BECOME THE PRIME MINISTER?

By WANPIS AKO

Enga’s politics has a bearing on the national politics and the question which almost everyone back in the province and PNG as a whole has in his or her mind is: will this effect be possible to make an Engan become the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea?

The question is critical yet manageable.

Many political showdowns among Engan politicians have gripped Papua New Guinea where its political serenity gets boiling at times.'

The events which tightened their grip on the country among others were lobbies surrounding or in the lead up to the appointments of then Ambum-Kompiam MP Hon. John Pundari as the Deputy Prime Minister in 1999 under the Mekere government and third-term Kandep MP Hon. Don Pomb Polye, who was replaced by former Wabag Open MP and the longest-serving acting Prime Minister Sam Abal as the Deputy PM in the Somare regime.

Don Polye speaking to a record crowd in Wabag town in 2017

In the 1970s and 1980s, we had aspiring leaders like late Sir Tei Abal, father of Sam and late Malipu Balakau, who gained respect from the length and the breath of the country to become one but the dream has always become a fantasy.

Engan leaders have never buried their dream now and then, and that a few determined ones have risen up to the challenges to make this dream a reality.

After its formation which was only a few months away from the last elections, Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party, a political party under the leadership of Hon. Don Pomb Polye, an Engan MP, recorded a victory of 14 seats (including 11 officials and three independents) in the country.

This party was the second largest coalition partner in the O’Neill government until he got boots from the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in 2014 over the familiar K3 billion UBS loan.

Others which also proved themselves as worthy contenders for the Prime Minister post were Enga Governor Peter Ipatas whose People’s Party which won only five seats and the Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato whose United Party only won his Wapenamanda seat.

It will be that time again in 2017 General Elections and Papua New Guinea is set to experience another crank and division among Engan leaders.

Polye in Wabag town in 2017

This time more than four political parties are looming in the horizon, including a new political party which the current member of Ipatas’ party and Ambum-Kompiam MP John Pundari, as told by well-placed inside sources, will form his own party to vie for the PM’s post.

Talking about Pundari, he led two political parties namely PNG Revival Party and Advance PNG Party but they met their demise when he lost his seat in 2002 as he was in a bid to wrestle with Ipatas in the provincial seat.

However, there are no permanent enemies or are there any friends either.

The duo improved their relationship when Pundari fined K1000 each for sixteen charges Ipatas was faced with.

The former came back to the political scene in 2007 when he won back his Ambum-Kompiam seat.

Polye with Engan leaders in Wabag town

The feud among politicians from Enga is far from over.

With the General Election for the 10th Parliament looming, the province will be a home to these major political parties through which their Parliamentary Leaders will be contending for the Prime Minister seat.

Despite the existence of other minor ones which are devoid of parliamentary leadership, their founders are also set to vie for the top post.

Engan politicians rose up to the pinnacle of their career by being the head of the legislature (Speaker), the Governor-General, acting head of the cabinet (PM), the head of the Opposition or the alternative government (Opposition Leader), head of bureaucracy (Chief Secretary) and the head of the judiciary arm of the government (Chief Justice).

The writing is on the wall that none from the province has fully felt the texture of the PM’s chair- Polye, Abal and Pundari were only appointed to act on the position in the absence of their respective bosses.

It seems the dream will only be collecting dust if the grudges against each other still continue.

This is the stumbling block which must be managed to make way for this milestone achievement.

It is now or never to iron it out for one accord and one spirit in the best interest of the province.

With the parties, party-line politics will see the election in the province taking another playing ground with challenges against each other much tougher if nothing of the sort eventuates.

Enga has five electorates namely Laigap-Porgra being populous with over 120, 000 eligible voters, followed by Wapenamanda with almost 60, 000 voters, over 56, 000 voters for Wabag, over 53, 000 for Kandep and 52, 000 for Kompiam-Ambum (2012 Common Role).

In the 2017 election the population for each of them is set to increase.
Each of the political parties will ensure they must win at least three or four seats in their home province to boost their number.

At the national front, it will not be easy for these parties which do have weak networks in the rural population nationwide.

Now Pato is only a one-man party, Laigap-Porgera MP Nixion Mangape has formed alliance with Polye since 2012 while Ipatas is enjoying the company of Wabag MP Robert Ganim and Pundari, who is set to defect.

With the turn of political events in the province, Ipatas may be one-man party as Ganim may be forced to unplug his alliance with the governor as many are scrambling for his support.

Three of these parties are now set to endorse hot candidates in the regional seat to challenge Ipatas while the Peoples’ Party will reciprocate its endorsement to unseat the incumbents.

Don Polye speaking to a record crowd in Wabag town in 2017

This can be best described as democracy at its best but it is not within the cultural norms.

Our opportunities to become the Prime Minister have slipped through our finger tips time and time again due to such leadership tussles.

The people of Enga have become victims of this big time as in most cases the Open MPs and the governor are not seen working together.

The time is ripe for the Engan leaders to swallow their pride and support only one to put his or her hands up to grasp the post for the best interest of the province.

A round table discussion to resolve their matters is the way forward so over to you, our politicians!

It is now or never to set a precedence for the next crop of leaders to dine together in just one table.

Is Samoa’s cybercrime regulation protecting its people or quashing dissent?

Author: Glen Finau, UNSW Canberra and Jeff Garae, Cert Vanuatu

Pacific island countries are continuously working towards strengthening legislation on cybercrime. Samoa in particular is currently working with the European Union and Australia’s Attorney General’s Office to update legislation relating to cybercrime and to enhance public awareness. New legislation aims not only at protecting government communication networks from cyberattacks but also at prosecuting private organisations and end users in Samoa who use computers and smart devices on a daily basis for malicious purposes.

A man types into a keyboard during the Def Con hacker convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 29 July 2017 (Photo: Reuters/Steve Marcus).

The Pacific was one of the last regions in the world to be colonised by the internet. This colonisation has been slow but some countries like Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and Samoa now have submarine (fibre) connections that provide high-speed internet and wide coverage. This has led to the rapid growth of internet and social media users in these countries. The shift provides greater access to information for businesses and governments, which allows them to enhance service provision and delivery. But it brings with it concerns for both users and society.

Users do not always understand the reach, power and consequences of inappropriate internet use. In 2014, a 27-year-old man was found guilty in a Samoan court and sentenced to 11 years in prison for uploading naked images to Facebook. He was also found guilty of rape and unlawful sexual acts. These acts have always been illegal but the internet and social media provided new platforms for this man to disseminate his images widely. Vulnerable users, including children, were exposed to these images. Following the incident, Samoa’s 2013 Crimes Act was updated to include voyeurism as a new crime.

Limited control of content, easy accessibility and the speed at which information can be diffused on social media is creating new challenges for states. Users can easily create fake identities and profiles and often other users share these images and videos on their pages or with their friends. This creates issues for legislating, particularly with respect to whom the government should prosecute and how it should prosecute them.

Social media has also fuelled hate speech and cyberbullying and it has created avenues for overpowering depth of freedom of speech. This is a growing global trend: the anonymity of social media gives individuals greater freedom to say, post and reveal things they would not say to a person face-to-face or if their identity was known. Earlier this year, the Samoan Minister of Communications and Information Technology highlighted that Section 219 of the Crimes Act 2013 could be used to prosecute individuals who harass others using the internet. Section 219 is titled ‘Harassment utilising means of electronic communication’ and carries a maximum penalty of five years. The scope of harassment in the act includes an intention to coerce, intimidate, harass and cause substantial emotional distress.

In late 2017, the government also re-introduced the Criminal Libel Law, which was abolished in 2013. The law was brought back to target a growing number of ‘ghost writers’ who use fake names and profiles on social media and blogs to criticise politicians and prominent individuals in Samoan society.

The most famous and popular of these ‘ghost writers’ is Ole Palemia, who has a Facebook page, Twitter account and blog. Ole Palemia’s posts are highly critical of the government, especially Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi. The Prime Minister has commented that the posts by Ole Palemia are false, defamatory and disruptive to the country.

While Samoa has a number of provisions in existing legislation to deal with cybercriminals, it is working on strengthening these legislations to meet, regulate and prosecute cybercriminals. The main challenge will be enforcement. Samoa’s local police force must be equipped with appropriate skills to track down these ‘ghost writers’. In lieu of such a cybercrime unit, the Prime Minister claims that the government has 4,500 hackers around the country who have been tasked with bringing these ‘ghost writers’ and enemies of the state to justice. But even if these ‘ghost writers’ were identified, it is highly likely that they reside outside of Samoa. The question of how the Samoan government will enforce the law and prosecute these individuals has not been answered.

Some other Pacific countries have gone well beyond cybercrime regulation in controlling their citizens’ online activity. Nauru banned Facebook in 2015, claiming to be protecting its people from sexual predators and online harassment. But members of the opposition claim it was an attempt to prevent content created by asylum seekers from Nauru’s detention centres from being published on social media. Nauru lifted the ban early in 2018. The Papua New Guinean government has also stated that it will be banning Facebook for a month to conduct research on fake users of Facebook. But others claim that this is yet another attempt by the PNG government to quash dissent. Increasing regulation may not always be for the benefit of the people but rather a means by which governments can control the population and the information made available to it.

While the internet has its problems, it has also shown its potential to give voice to the previously voiceless and to be a conduit for public expression. It can be a medium for exposing corruption and engender a greater sense of accountability among those who govern.

Banning Facebook or restricting access to certain websites would be detrimental to Samoa in the long term. It is better for the Samoan government to learn how to leverage these technologies and help its people progress in this new digital age. Government resources would be better utilised if they were directed towards education and training rather than towards regulation that is both hard to enforce and potentially a danger to freedom of speech.

Glen Finau (@glenfinau) is a PhD candidate at University of New South Wales, Canberra and Jeff Garae is the Cyber Security Advisor to the Government of Vanuatu & CERT Vanuatu.

Source: EAST ASIA FORUM

AN INSIGHT ON HOW PNG PM PETER O'NEILL ROSE TO POWER: WHAT ROLE DID DON POLYE PLAY?

THE UNIVERSAL POLYE LOYALTY, FAITHFULNESS TO UPRIGHTNESS AND HUMANITY 

By PNG Observer

There have been many misleading information netted by a post on the Voice of PNG. It has questioned why did not former Opposition Leader Don Pomb Polye was not elected as Prime Minister replacing Sir Michael Somare when the opportunity arose in 2011.

The posting commands some analysis of him, one of the rarest and truly born leaders of PNG.
I wish to digest briefly some of the points raised about Don Pomb Polye.

Firstly, the point that leadership or the Prime Minister's position can't be given on a golden plate to DPP is true, and Mr Polye has been and is earning it through the proper and legal way. As observed, the man is continuing to work hard and smart on it! DPP is industrious and smart worker who believes in earning his dues from a honest, hard days’ work and not through a life of ease like breaking rules or lying and deceiving into thin air in order only to attain power and wealth. DPP doesn't believe in short cuts.

Polye and other MPs with founding fathers during an Opposition
Camp at Laguna Hotel in Port Moresby

He believes in lawful ways. He believes and conducts by the tangible interests and livelihoods of the people and not materialism or hunger for power. He is loyal and faithful to what is good and upright and not just to positions, personalities or governments and organisations!!! Very soon he will hit the jackpot!

Polye is a proven loyalist and faithful to noble values. He not only made Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare Prime Minister. Also DPP made Sam Abal win the Wabag Open seat. He was true in solidarity of the NA-led government under Somare. He helped deliver the PNG economy from economic doldrums to macro-economic stability and the highest level of growth ever during 2002-2012. However, he was mistreated by the Somare regime in fear that he might probably take over NA leadership which he did eventually, but initially DPP remained a true loyalist and faithful to a commitment he had made for stable politics and macroeconomic stability for the sake of PNG'S socio-economic growth.

Sir Michael trusted DPP but a few including his own Engan brother Sam Abal who cheated and deceived him that made DPP rebel against Sir Michael.

On the same token again, DPP remained a truly loyal and faithful to an agreement with the four other leaders who overthrew the Somare-Abal government. But, he again was cheated and deceived by the big four-William Duma, Peter O'Neill, Belden Namah and the late Jeffrey Nape whom all had agreed that the one amongst the first three ( Nape was excluded) who had mobilised the biggest number to his camp or side would earn the Prime Minister. DPP achieved the target by providing 22 MPs when PO, Duma and Namah had smaller numbers with PO's only four being the smallest. DPP had earned it and was set to be the PM. However, the late Jeffrey Nape, who was then the Speaker of Parliament, had signed a deal with PO that if DPP had had to be the candidate nominated for the top post, the Speaker would not have accepted neither had he entertained any motion to change the Somare-Abal regime. With their MPs, Namah, Sir Julius and Sir Puka Temu strongly supported late Nape / O'Neill drama against DPP. DPP was flabbergasted and felt deceived ...and in fact he was robbed of his hard work and high level intellect.

Thus, DPP demanded for a secret ballot election between O’Neill and himself. The late Speaker's position worked against DPP. DPP again was cheated and deceived of the country's CEO post. Again DPP never retreated to the Somare -Abal regime as he had already shifted his loyalty to a new government. DPP kept the Treasury and Finance Ministry from 2010 to 2012 in the makeshift O'Neill-Namah government into the National elections in 2012!

DPP performed well maintaining the socioeconomic stability and growth he had helped mould and shape in the Somare-Polye government.

After the elections, DPP returned with the second highest number of candidates under his THE Party to O'Neill’s PNC. DPP proved another value this time. He was not power hungry but cultural diversity conscious. He made Leo Dion from NGI become DPM to O'Neill (Highlands) instead of becoming DPM himself (Highlands) as THE Party leader. As his conviction, DPP has proven that National unity lies in respecting and upholding political and economic power, and wealth ownership balance in all regions and ethnicity of PNG. At certain forums, he had told PO that cheating and deception must be avoided in running the nation. DPP had warned the original big four including Jeffrey Nape that abuse of power, and manipulating and weakening the systems of governance or the rule of law would force him (DPP) to break loyalty to the commitment to keeping any government.

Again, DPP proved to be loyal and faithful to O’Neill-Dion government as Treasurer until in 2013 when DPP recognised one single biggest idiotic and foolish decision ever made in the history of PNG - PO's ridiculous K3billion UBS loan that had nothing whatsoever for the Nation but only to bail out Oil Search Limited from bankruptcy. DPP was serving as the World Bank/ IMF chairman at the time as well as being treasurer of PNG not to mention his second biggest party. DPP, who was and is so people focussed and grass roots-oriented, could not withstand and allow or accept such ridiculous decisions of PO's engaging in a hefty commercial loan that erodes the country's development budget as well as PNG LNG revenues.

The UBS loan was bridged to the PNG LNG’s total proceeds (including both components of LOs and Provincial governments).

Consequently, nothing of the PNG LNG revenue would be forth coming to the owners of the resources, but all proceeds would be siphoned directly to an ESCROW account in Singapore.

DPP did predict all these scenarios and today it fulfils exactly like DPP said it would come of the UBS loan. DPP left the PO regime for want of better and more honest leadership and became leader of Parliamentary Opposition. So again, DPP remained faithful to a course until poor decisions detrimental to people's lives were prevalent in a government he had helped form.

Don Polye

DPP was Opposition leader now from 2013 to 2017! He moved three motions of Vote of No Confidence (VONC) against PO. Although correctly done by law, his VONC motions were gaged by PO's PNC party men in the parliamentary system. Chairman Governor William Powi of SHP and other members of the parliamentary committee (majority of them were PNC party members) with both the speaker and deputy speaker being strong PNC stalwarts continued to gag and manipulated the process.

Thus, DPP sought directions from the Supreme Court which granted the directions for the Speaker and Parliament to entertaining the vonc motion to its completion of process.

Again, DPP was gagged by Speaker and was denied of debate during the vote manipulating the vonc voting process. There was little time for DPP to redress this manipulation as the 2017 National Elections was just around the corner!

Here DPP is seen to remain loyal and faithful again to the rule of law and the good principles of democracy. Here DPP's effort in successfully ordering recall of Parliament by the highest Court order, establishes and restores the highest standard of democracy and good governance in PNG. He also demonstrated the need for maintaining the independence of powers amongst the Parliamentary, Executive and the Judiciary arms of government.

Now the 2017 National Election as we all know was unprecedentedly corrupt and marred with deaths and human blood, let alone destruction to businesses and properties. The most suffered, rigged and most expensive (costly) was DPP’s own Kandep electorate! All DPP's enemies, rivals, haters, dislikes…etc., concentrated their efforts against DPP in Kandep to achieve his ousting by hook or crook! They succeeded and DPP was again cheated and robbed of not just justifiably his Kandep seat but also an opportunity to contest again for the CEO position of PNG. DPP's THE party candidates throughout PNG suffered the same fate as DPP himself. It won only four seats.

An additional truth about DPP is that some of the notable infrastructure developments in the country that have been implemented and some of the best financial facilities enjoyed in infrastructure developments seen so far, were tangibly put in place by DPP!!! For instance, all airport developments, all sea port developments and all highway ( four-lanes into towns and cities) were packaged in a very soft loan facility with the ADB called the Multi Tranche Finance Facility (MTFF).

DPP rejected commercial and unconventional loans! As Foreign Affairs Minister, he drove the establishment of free-trade agreements in favour of PNG like the PNG Tuna free trade agreement with the European Union.

DPP established Free trade agreements with Japan, Korea and China. Further, DPP did achieve a Trade and Development Partnership agreement with Australia when serving in both the Somare and O'Neill governments. Macroeconomic, Fiscal and Debt Management policies and strategies were engineered and driven by DPP in government. No wonder DPP is more policy, strategy and rule of law based or cultured. The MTDS, MTFS, MTDMS and Vision 2050 were done by DPP playing key roles.

DPP is humble and discreet. He is descent and modest. Boastfulness is rarely seen in him. DPP perseveres for upholding good and the positiveness as he believes that success of a nation lies there.

The future is all pre-determined! We shall only see the fulfilment of what is divine! The bad has ended. The good has begun!

In conclusion, DPP certainly is earning his dues...soon to hit the jackpot. DPP is so decisive. In fact, he is competently decisive as he had proven time and time again that his decisions and predictions are fulfilling amongst the best economists and leaders in the world!

DPP's life experience is in itself one of setting quality standards and precedence of quality work with quality achievements.

DPP is not power hungry but he is desperate to love and serve his people, so he sacrifices power and materialism for people.

DPP is a mighty man of war capable of eliminating corruption, so competent and capacitated as a born leader to transforming this nation into overflowing love, happiness, peace and prosperity in abundance.

As a close observer of some of our most powerful leaders of PNG, I believe that DPP stands far apart.

His absence on the floor of Parliament is clearly felt. If he were to return, he would be clearly felt, too.

The nation's respect for DPP has only started to grow.

This leader is extra ordinary! Don Pomb Polye is down but not out!

WIND OF CHANGE GRIPS PNG CAPITAL TO OPEN IT AS CENTRE OF VOLUNTEERS

TECHNICAL INSTITUTE PUTS ITS HANDS UP TO JOIN VOLUNTEERS IN THE CITY CLEAN-UP

PORT MORESBY: A technical Institute in Port Moresby’s Hohola suburb is putting its hands up to join volunteers in the city clean-up.

This is part of its effort to reciprocate assistance to the City Hall which gives scholarships to its students under NCD Governor Powes Parkop’s TVET and school-fee assistance scheme.

Students from the college posing for a photo

Executive director Thomas Phillar of Asia Pacific Institute of Applied Social, Economic and Technical Studies, said they wanted to be part of the changes taking place in the city.

He was speaking to students and other participants at the end of usual Walk and Yoga for Life this morning (August 26, 2018).

Mr Phillar said he was amazed to see the cleanliness of the city, giving positive feelings to residents.

In his speech, on the students’ behalf, he has requested Governor Parkop to assign dump trucks and allocate locations where they can start it.

He also called on him to direct the commission’s waste management unit to supply them with hand globes and other safety gear.

He described the governor as simple people’s leader who always takes time off his busy schedule to have fun, walk, chat and interact with the residents.

This trait is rare amongst elected leaders in the country, he added.

Executive Director Thomas Phillar 

“He is an amazing man who has amazing ideas and visions. He is really serious in transforming our city. Not long, he is going to transform the whole country,” he told them.

He said fellow residents have been voluntarily cleaning the city because they adored Mr Parkop’s leadership.

Direct Phillar further urged him to seek partnership with Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce so the graduates of his college can secure jobs.

When everyone earns an income, the crime rate declines, he said.

Governor Parkop assured the college that most of his programs are designed to up-skill residents including youths and provide them with employment opportunities, citing the Active City Development program, jointly-funded Urban Youth Employment Program and others.

He also responded favourably on their request on the clean-up, calling on other recipients of his scholarship and other programs to follow the example set by this school.

The volunteers are members of the Walk and Yoga for Life tribe under the NCD Active City Development program.

PNG HUNTERS FINAL HOPE HANGS ON THE BALANCE

By WANPIS AKO

The match between Ipswish Jets and Norths Devils today (Sunday) will decide the fate on whether PNG SP Hunters make it to the finals of Instrust Super Cup this year.

It is also a do-or-die match for the former, a final decider.

Their win means it is a goodbye for the Hunters as they will be pushed out of the sixth spot.

Their loss or draw means otherwise.

The Jets are on the 7th spot in the cup's point ladder.

SP Hunters sustained a 38-22 loss to Central Queensland Capras at Rockhamton in Australia last night.

DROP IN CITY CRIME RATE

In a Post Courier report in March 2018, NCD has seen a drop in major crimes in the city.

This is according to NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’Dranou, who applauded his men for their performance.

He said he was pleased with their continuous efforts in ensuring the safety and security of residents.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’Dranou

“Previously we would get reports of 14 stolen motor vehicles in a week, but last week we received only seven and this week only three,” Mr N’Dranou said.

He said for the week three sexual offences, two fraud, four minor armed robberies and three break and entering and stealing cases were reported.

“My men and women have worked tirelessly in responding to cases and requests from the public which has seen the drop in the major crimes in the city,” he said.

Mr N’Dranou said that the support of residents has been tremendous and there has been increased assistance by the public for the police.

“My officers do not always receive the recognition but for their continued efforts I want to thank them and urge them to continue their good work,” he said.

https://postcourier.com.pg/drop-city-crime-rate/

PNG'S MAXIMUM BOMANA PRISON DISOBEYS PM PETER O'NEILL'S DIRECTIVE BANNING TEMPORARY RELEASE OF CONVICTS; A CAUSE FOR SERIOUS CONCERN AMONGST CITIZENS WHO WANT JUSTICE

INMATE SIGHTED ON STREET 

In a Post Courier news article on August 22, 2018, a man convicted for the murder of a student Lasen Simion Kaupe, from Sirunki Enga Province in 2010, has been spotted walking around as a free man on the streets of Port Moresby in July.

Mark Abaskas, a relative of Kaupe said he was concerned why the prisoner, Andrew Nangu Nyata was outside when he was supposed to be in jail.

“On July 27, at about 9.30 am, I was at Gordon bus stop when I spotted Andrew Nangu Nyata transferring from PMV bus 16 to bus 4 to go to town, Mr Abaskas said.

“I was confused why this prisoner was out in ordinary clothes roaming the streets. I laid my complaint on July 31 at Correctional Service (CS) office in Waigani.”

He said the CS confirmed that Andrew Nangu Nyata was a convicted prisoner at Bomana jail and was sentenced to 18 years over the death of Kaupe at Hohola in 2010.

A fight broke out at Hohola and the student was wrongly targeted and attacked severely. The doctor had pronounced him dead at the Port Moresby General Hospital from injuries he received.

“The matter was reported and two men were arrested and sent to Bomana, but one had escaped at Gordon due to neglect by CS officers,” he said.

Mr Abaskas said the CS has yet to verify how and why Mr Nyata was out of Bomana.

Source: Post Courier newspaper

BOOM IN DEVELOPMENT, INVESTMENTS LIGHT UP PNG’S BIGGEST GEREHU SUBURB IN THE CAPITAL

Vitis Industries director Vikki Mossin took Governor Parkop and Sir Mekere with others during a tour of their new liquor shop where most of its products are on the shelves

By Wanpis Ako

The country biggest Gerehu suburb in the Nation’s capital has been a hive of developments and investments in a wide range of sectors including merchandising, real estate, manufacturing, retailing, tourism and hospitality, and others.

Governor Parkop taking a closer look at a packet of coffee manufactured by Vitis Industries whilst Housing and Modernization Minister John Kaupa and Rigo MP Lekwa Gure look on

One such remarkable infrastructure is the grant opening of Mosin Plaza on a Wednesday evening of August 8, 2018 at Gerehu stage two.

This is just a month after opening of Bismillar-owned new service station and a grocery shop on top of all the news roads the National Capital District Commission has redeveloped and constructed.
They include Nigibata Road, the Bill Skates Highway (the Badihagwa-Gerehu to 9-Mile).
It signified double celebrations for the Mossines, Dr Sergey of Russia and Vikki of Central province’s Rigo district-with their 1500 staff.

The first being the Mosin Premium beer has recently scooped a beer award in Australia and Germany; the second is the opening of the mall.

The three-storey shopping mall houses a bakery, restaurant, liquor shop, esi-pay kiosks, ATM lobbies and others.

Operating in the country for 16 years, the manufacturer of beverages and alcohol, Mosin and Vitis Industries finally fulfilled its dream of having a shopping mall.

Operations Manager of Mosin Plaza Rico Silang  with Governor Parkop on the elevator inside the shopping mall at Gerehu stage 2 

It will complement its core business in the manufacturing, distribution and sales of alcohol, and non-alcoholic beverages.

It will also help to provide the avenue selling its own products on the shelves. 
In the words of director Mrs Mossine, it was a breakthrough despite struggles along the corridor of ventures and land acquisition.

In her written speech, it took the Mossines almost half a decade to materialise the idea into reality, taking shopping with family to a whole new level and experience.

The Mosin and Vitis Industries owner Vikki (second from left)  and Seyger Mossine (far right) with Commerce Minister Wera Mori, NCD Governor Powes  Parkop, Moresby North West MP Sir Mekere Morata and Rigo MP Lekwa Gure at the Mozin plaza opening in Gerehu on August 8, 2018

She declined to comment on the cost of the building, but indicated that it was financed through a bank loan.

The company exports its products to markets in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand and Pacific nations, according to her.

Parliamentary members from both the Opposition and the Government converged at the event. Sir Mekere Morauta, former Prime Minister and Moresby North West (where the store is sitting on), NCD Governor Powes Parkop, Housing and Urbanisation Minister John Kaupa, Trade, Commerce and Industry Wera Mori, and Rigo MP Lekwa Gure were present to witness the opening.
Speaking at the occasion, people’s governor Parkop said in a new trend there are many denominating factors attributed to the development boom in the area.

He pointed that the relocation of the main wharf from the Fairfax harbour to Motukea, his policy on suburb upgrade and the new four-lane highways, amongst others have provided economic opportunities for businesses to invest there.

Since taking office in 2007, he said, under this policy he was keen on developing suburbs in the city into sub-cities.

Mr Parkop, a long-term resident of the suburb, brushed aside negativity about Gerehu, saying he had invested millions of Kina to upgrade the suburb sealing most of the ring or street roads to attract investors and for residents to enjoy high quality of life.

According to him, as a result, Gerehu is becoming an investment hub as it is connected by new four-lane roads from 9-Mile through Gerehu to Motu Koitabu villages and Gerehu intersection to six.
He commended the company and others operating in the suburb to partner him in realising his dream into reality.

He added that his policy had made progresses saying: “I am inpatient for more change.”
Governor Parkop further stated that he had plans to free up parts of the Gerehu recreational park to a potential investor to build another shopping mall to further light up the suburb.
He also applauded the company for having confidence in that side of the city changing the dynamics of investment.

“The suburb has a huge population. Creating jobs and income opportunities for them has been a challenge. However, this massive investment will change the equation,” he told the event.
The building, he said, is a testimony of their commitment.

This mall will provide shopping and recreation for residents to a new level, he uttered.
Sir Mekere also thanked them for choosing to invest in his electorate, sharing their investment with his people in terms of income and job opportunities.

Minister Mori challenged the Mossines to diversify their investment, saying he will make sure land is available for the company to branch out in his Chimbu province.

Minister Kaupa urged the residents to take ownership over the plaza and look after it portraying a positive picture to lure more of such in the future.

Mr Gure added a new favour to the speeches, urging employees to maintain high standard of work ethics and loyalty to the employer.

He call was extended to communities there to promote rule of law, so investments flourish in that part of the city.

I also witnessed the opening ceremony. After four days, from Morata I decided to take a car ride, with my wife -via the new Morata-Gerehu four-lane road- down to the plaza to experience the first-hand feeling of shopping in the world-class mall.

I have learnt that the prices of many items are competitively low in yet a perfectively air-conditioned environment with elevators.

I recommend fellow residents to choose Mosin Plaza in your next shopping.
The new Gerehu-Morata to Waigani Road will be opened this Thursday adding to the boom tally.

Author Reference: Wanpis Ako has graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Papua New Guinea. He has briefly worked with two daily newspapers of Papua New Guinea-The National and Post Courier. His work experience has been extended to the Prime Minister's Media Unit and the office of Parliamentary Opposition Leader of Papua New Guinea- not to mention the Ministries of Treasury, Higher Education, Communications, Information Technology and Energy.  He has got over five years experience in digital marketing, branding, public affairs, media and public relations.   

MARGINALISED YOUTHS IN PNG CAPITAL ELEVATED, EMPOWERED & EDUCATED FOR A SECOND CHANCE IN LIFE

PORT MORESBY: Fifty-three youths in the Capital city today (Monday, August 20, 2018) were awarded with certificates in teaching skills, moral ethics and in the science of the moving body after passing an intensive Youth Of Change Yoga Teacher Training program at Laguna Hotel.

This is part of the NCDC’s Active City Development Program behaviour change campaign targeted at young people who are not in education nor employment in the city.

This is the third batch of graduation.

Speaking at the graduation, NCD Governor Powes Parkop said: “The program was intended to enhance our quality of life to live in a value driven mindset.”

Mr Parkop said the residents have a tendency to be prone to negative behaviour and, lack goals and values in life, citing it being a major challenge for the municipal authority.

However, he said, after trying all other methodologies, this program has proven to be a game changer.
City Manager Bernard Kipit said the program is attracting lots of city residents to be part of the activities of the Active City Program.

They are taking responsibility and ownership making a progress to make the city safe, active, liveable, clean and great, he added.

Mr Kipit assured that this innovative program is working and would be sustained for a long period of time. 

Master Yoga Trainer and program manageress, Fazilah Bazari, said now and onwards they can lead a more responsible, respectable lives.

After attending the program for almost a year, after this training she hopes they will become resourceful and hopefully continue their education or get a job.

She said they initially lacked skills or were marginalised, adding through this program, they have been elevated, empowered and are now employable under the program to have a second chance in life.

She was speaking at the graduation ceremony in Lamana Hotel.

It was found that most of the students are from broken families, unemployed, former inmates, bag snatchers, school dropouts, street boys, drug addicts, at risk and disadvantaged.

The moral values taught include non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, moderation, non-coveting, purity, contentment, austerity, study of the self and dedication to God for the highest good of all.

The teachers’ conduct based on the values above is part of the emphasis of the teacher training.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop, City Manager Bernard Kipit, representatives of NCDC board, parents and guardians, and others were present to witness the graduation.

Ms Bazari added that if they chose to teach, they would earn an income, saying it will provide sustainable employment for them to improve their lives and their families-not only their attitudes and behaviour.

They will go for further training for Diploma in Yoga Teaching after one year with the British Wheel Of Yoga, an endorsed and accredited program with the Sports Council Of England.

According to Bazari, the trainees were selected from over 600 youths who attend Yoga, acrobatics and other creative movements at Taurama Aquatic Centre.

Those selected are the ones who have been attending the Youth Empowerment Program regularly and have been committed to the classes, Ms Bazari said.

The program also covered the study of Anatomy and Physiology, body systems and functionality like the respiratory, skeletal, cardiovascular, muscular, nervous, endocrine and digestive systems-not forgetting how to create a lesson plan, teaching postures, breathing and relaxation, and finally how to speak with confidence in public. 

NCD Governor Powes Parkop and City Manager Bernard Kipit posing for a picture with the 53 graduands after the presentation of certificates at Laguna Hotel today

Former inmate Simon Takli receiving his certificate from NCDC board member Kesley Mune 

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE RE-EMERGED IN PNG HIGHLANDS REGION WITH TWO LATEST VICTIMS

Gender-based violence tightened its grip on Papua New Guinea’s two Highlands provinces this month.

Two new victims were added to its death tally from separate incidents in the recent past.

In Kagua-Erave district of civil unrest torn Southern Highlands province, an Erave-stationed policeman shot his wife Jacklyn Mark who was killed instantly in their bedroom on Saturday night of August 11.

He was alleged to have used a police-issued firearm.

Late Jacklyn, 26, hails Porane village in Erave. She was a primary school teacher.

Post Courier reported that constable Stanis Baga has been arrested and locked up at the Mendi police cells for alleged killing.

He comes from Yobomunuh village in Yangoru District of East Sepik Province.

In Mt Hagen town of Western Highlands province, Joyce Luit, 35, of Kanean village of Middle Wage in Enga’s Kandep district became the second latest victim in the hands of her former husband Kelly Waigin Waiap.

He is from Keso village in the same district.

Family members of the deceased told me that they did not formally get divorced, but they were living separately.

At the time of her passing, she was promoted to a new job within the Mill Department of Barrack Gold Mine in Enga province.

She is survived by her three children aged nine, six and three, and six siblings-four sisters and two brothers who are still in school.

According to them, the alleged killer also works at a mine in Morobe province. He is still on the run.
His new partner was accused to have aided him shopping late Joyce’s patella tendon with a sharp axe. Armed with a bush knife, she was manning the gate of the area where the violence happened.

(Patella Tendon is where all the thigh muscles meet and join with the patella of the knee.)
It was accounted that Kelly and his new spouse intruded into Late Joyce’s block near Hagen Technical College and attached her in the house.

Whilst being hospitalised, late Joyce managed to report to her relatives the ordeal that Kelly missed her twice with the sharp axe, but the third attempt inflicted a deep cut on the patella tendon.

She went onto saying she was not able to move as a result of the wound. She was bleeding severely for some hours until at 4pm a fellow Kandepion boy identified her, so she was taken to Mt Hagen General Hospital.

In her account, she was treated at the emergency ward until was referred to the surgical ward after two days. She was further moved to the theatre; the wounds were cleaned and dressed followed by suturing on 30th July. At 1.30pm on Sunday, August 5 she passed away.

Her relatives described the killing as a surprising and a great loss to the family.

“She is not only the first born in the family, but was the sole bread winner of her three children, two brothers and the four sisters. One huge burden thrown on them is their school fees which she takes care of,” they said.

In their words, because he was jealous of her new job, he slayed her. 

PNG'S CAPITAL CITY GOVERNOR POWES PARKOP TRANSFORMS YOUTHS TO DRIVE CHANGE TO ARRIVE AT DESIRED OUTCOMES

Let us be the change that we want to see in our city! Time is now!
 By WANPIS AKO

It was 8:43am on Friday morning.

Flow of traffic abated along the Waigani Drive in the capital city.
 I was on the road in my car.

Some six hundred youths undergoing classes of yoga, acrobatics, dances and other non-competitive sports at Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby. This is part of the Active City Development program.

Despite the humming and rumbling engines of machines and vehicles, I was overwhelmed-with positive emotions and feelings-at the sight of cleanliness of Waigani-Morata bus stop, its walkways onto the drive and its flower gardens. The bustle of street sellers is now a thing of the past.

Some six hundred youths undergoing classes of yoga, acrobatics, dances and other non-competitive sports at Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby. This is part of the Active City Development program.

Some six hundred youths undergoing classes of yoga, acrobatics, dances and other non-competitive sports at Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby. This is part of the Active City Development program.

The kind of feeling I got were somewhat the repeat of my first memories of neighboring Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane, Loss Angeles, Dallas and Washington DC in the United States.

Our city may not have the glamour and glitter like them, but it is an amazing city with thousand tribes, 860 tongues; we are united in cultural diversity.

Some six hundred youths undergoing classes of yoga, acrobatics, dances and other non-competitive sports at Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby. This is part of the Active City Development program.

It does not have many skyscrapers and marvelous architecture of roadways as good as them, but it was a whole new look. It should be maintained beyond the APEC leaders’ summit which is some 90 days away.

Came across on my sight also were volunteer cleaners along the drive.
The cleanliness in itself portrayed the highest good the participants of the Active City Development program’s Walk and Yoga for Life tribe initiated and maintained for the residents and visitors to enjoy their stay, leisure, recreation, and ride.  It also spoke volumes about the progresses that have been made and that city residents have taken ownership of their city.

Governor Parkop  with other participants of Walk and Yoga for Life doing  basic Yoga stretches at Paga Hill ring road after the walk

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop should be commended at least to see what he has been committed to-since taking office in 2007-is eventually coming to fruition. His other initiatives are also used to address petty crimes and others.

Part of the crowd which turned out today for the Walk and Yoga for Life

However, the ugly sight of red spittle of betelnut and graffiti still remains a challenge. 
My ring tone ‘Dream it Possible’ by Jane Zhang alerted me on an incoming call.
I was forced to take the call without being caught red-handed by the men in blue

Parkop with thousands who turned out in numbers to walk the usual route from Murray Barracks to Paga Hill ring road today  as part of the Active City Development program's Walk and Yoga for Life

.
The voice on the other side of the call hinted me to an amazing event at Taurama Aquatic Centre.
I assured the caller that I was going to be there in half an-hours’ time.
I quickly had to drop my wife off at Kaugure. Wow! The cleanliness was extended to Downtown, Badili, Hohola, Murray Barracks, Four-mile and Manu.
I was true to my words when I reached there on time.

I parked the car outside the center. When I set off the car with my laptop and camera bags, I met familiar faces whom I have met before.

Parkop with thousands who turned out in numbers to walk the usual route from Murray Barracks to Paga Hill ring road today  as part of the Active City Development program's Walk and Yoga for Life

I greeted them with a grin. I was briefly checked by security officers manning the entrance. I was given access to the hall. A staff inside showed me where the activities were taking place as it was my first time there. It was classic.

I could hear the lovely voice of their teacher imparting Yoga poses and stretches on a crowd of youths. Fazilah Bazari of Yu Yet PNG Limited was audible enough with instructions in a clear accent of British English and then switched to ‘Tok Pisin.’ She was assisted by Yoga Manager Ezra Adino with 53 trainee Yoga teachers.
They are undergoing a two-week intensive Teacher training program which also included the morals and ethics, and science of Yoga. They will graduate with a certificate in Yoga teaching after the completion of the course.

Parkop with thousands who turned out in numbers to walk the usual route from Murray Barracks to Paga Hill ring road today  as part of the Active City Development program's Walk and Yoga for Life

The world-class court was packed with an assembly of youths from all across the city.

The turnout was so amazing with some 600 youths who are neither at school nor at work.

As told, many have initiated to arrive there by foot or paid for their own bus fares. I learnt later on my way out that those of whom I had met them at the entrance, were denied access because they were late to Yoga and Acrobatic class, and didn’t comply with the attire regulations. It is part of the training that students showed up clean with their foot wear.

People’s Governor Parkop has given them a second chance in life; they have found a much better life being there instead of doing nothing at home.

In that, they are introduced to feel the texture of the world-class facilities, eat in hotels, taste varieties of cuisine, flights, how to earn a living and stand on their own feet. They were even taught table manners.

Parkop with thousands who turned out in numbers to walk the usual route from Murray Barracks to Paga Hill ring road today  as part of the Active City Development program's Walk and Yoga for Life

They have turned over a new leaf to enjoy a more positive outcome based on living a more value-driven life, working hard and being disciplined, so they too can enjoy and be a part of something which seemed only luxury to others in the city.
In informal conversations I had with them, they told me that they were blindfolded by their ill-behaviours. They all realised the negative impacts of their previous behaviour. Their mind-set was negative from dawn to dusk.

I have found out that some were former convicts, rapists, street boys, drug addicts, unemployed, school dropouts, orphans, unemployed, gang members, murderers, cult worshipers and others.

Participants  doing  basic Yoga stretches after the Walk and Yoga for Life at Paga Hill ring road

Some also told me in tears that they chose the bad pathway of life to make ends meet.

Mr Bazari said Yoga had taught them doctrines and techniques which are necessary to impact behavioural change, adding: “It doesn’t preach. However, it engages a person with their whole body-physical, mental and emotional-to take personal action for a sustained change.”

Participants  doing  basic Yoga stretches after the Walk and Yoga for Life at Paga Hill ring road

Yoga, she said, is a means to arrive at the outcome which sees Port Moresby clean, safe, active, liveable, smart and an amazing city.

Active City Development program is one of the many other initiatives governor Parkop devised to change bad behaviour and attitudes of the people using non-competitive sports and holistically-driven, creative movements.

As found, the classes at Taurama shaped and moulded them to become better citizens of the city and the country at large.

Some six hundred youths undergoing classes of yoga, acrobatics, dances and other non-competitive sports at Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby. This is part of the Active City Development program.

 Those faithful and rehabilitated ones are selected for Yoga Teacher training. Such is true for the current students.

Since taking office in 2007, Mr Parkop has tried traditional methods and strategies which have been implemented to drive change but to no avail or to minimal outcomes.

Now, he has got new innovative tools and means to arrive at the same outcome.
Rome was not built overnight.

Time is the best judge of his constituents.

Some six hundred youths undergoing classes of yoga, acrobatics, dances and other non-competitive sports at Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby. This is part of the Active City Development program.

Let us be the change that we want to see in our city!

Time is now!

Author Reference: Wanpis Ako has graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Papua New Guinea. He has briefly worked with two daily newspapers of Papua New Guinea-The National and Post Courier. His work experience has been extended to the Prime Minister's Media Unit and the office of Parliamentary Opposition Leader of Papua New Guinea- not to mention the Ministries of Treasury, Higher Education, Communications, Information Technology and Energy.  He has got over five years experience in digital marketing, branding, public affairs, media and public relations.