Minister for Information and Communication, Jimmy Miringtoro, says although the N-B-C has achieved a milestone, lack of Government funding support continues to challenge its infrastructure roll-out programs.
Mr. Miringtoro expressed concern the N-B-C did not receive development funding in the 2014 national budget, to roll out vital communication service to the people. And he's challenged the N-B-C to look at other ways of raising funds to sustain its operations, instead of relying on Government funding alone. "This is because the government has sifted its priority to other major infrastructure impact project. "As a result of this,I now challenge the NBC board and management to now look for other alternative, revenues to raise capital to roll out its radio infrastructure rehabilitation program. "The time is now right for the NBC to take ownership and stock of its assets together with radio and television program in generate revenue to sustain its long term operations and community service obligations". The three West Papuan Activists arrested and locked up by Port Moresby Police yesterday, for taking part in the December 1 Walk For Freedom, have been asked to pay a massive 30-thousand Kina bail.
Their lawyer, Paul Harricknen, says, the bail amount of 10-thousand Kina each is too excessive and should not have been imposed in the first place, because the trio never committed any serious offences. Mr. Harricknen is also upset with the way his clients cases have been handled so far, because they have not been properly charged since yesterday and are still locked up in the Boroko Police Cells. He says, he could not speak to them, because the person holding the cell keys, disappeared. Mr. Harricknen says, when their charges are prepared and given them, then he will know how to apply for bail on their behalf. The three are, Political Science Lecturer at the University of Papua New Guinea, Patrick Kaiku, Tony Fofoe, both of whom are Papua New Guinean's and Fred Mambrasa, a West Papuan. Meanwhile, N-C-D Superintendent Operations Perrou N'Dranou, told NBC News this morning, that the trio were arrested for unlawful assembly, because they failed to notify police, in writing, a week in advance. Superintendent N'Dranou dispelled rumours that police actions were politically motivated and were ordered by politicians to arrest the trio. He says, they were only carrying out the laws of the land and if anyone has credible evidence of being manipulated, they should report this to police. Superintendent N'Dranou says, everyone has the right to air their grievances, but should follow proper procedures, to do so. THE controversial Papua New Guinea chancery building in the Solomon Islands will cost taxpayers K40 million to complete.
Currently the project site in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara only comprises the cement foundation, posts and a signboard confirming that it was the proposed chancery. Work at the site stopped in July 2009 after employees reportedly went on strike over the nonpayment of their wages by local company Trans World Construction. Both the Solomon Islands and the PNG Governments vowed to investigate how funding earmarked for the construction by the company was exhausted. But to date both governments have not indicated if separate inquiries were done. The company at the center of the controversy is reportedly owned by Solomon Islands businessman Thompson Turueke. Despite the uproar and public concern over the project and failure by both the Solomon Islands and PNG governments to advise of the outcome of their investigations, officials appeared unfazed and gathered at the Government House yesterday to witness the signing of instruments to enable work to re-start on the construction site. The Government has allocated a total of K40 million to the project with PNG-based company Lamana Development Limited getting K18 million for the job. The Department of Foreign Affairs team was led by the department’s acting secretary Alexis Maino at the signing ceremony. According to the Lamana Development Limited general manager, John Robertson, they had no prior knowledge of what happened to the previous contractor and are only aware that the company was engaged before work stopped at the site. He said a small demolition exercise will need to be undertaken before the full construction started on the three-storey building. |
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