By NIDRA KEWERE MAPI
THE National Court has ordered the interim injunction taken out by the National Academic Staff Association (NASA) last Dec 13 restraining the PNG University of Technology (Unitech) from terminating and evicting members of NASA to be discharged and dissolved forthwith.
The court also ordered NASA members, whose contracts with Unitech that had lapsed last Dec 30, to vacate the university accommodation within 10 days of service of the court order.
This ruling was handed down by acting national court judge Nemo Yalo last Friday, after considering the likely effects it would have on Unitech (defendant) and NASA (plaintiff).
The court was in favour of the notice of motion filed by Unitech’s counsel on Jan 15 and which was heard in court last week seeking to discharge the interim orders taken out by NASA.
Unitech’s counsel in his submission, sought for the court to dismiss the Dec 13 court order basically because it would affect the 2008 academic year.
The case was in relation to a stop work protest by members of NASA last September, on allegations of mismanagement of funds and some members not being paid their entitlements by Unitech.
Justice Yalo in his ruling said he saw the urgency of the matter and looked at the possible effects it would have on both parties before handing down his decision.
In other matters, a case involving Gulf Governor Havila Kavo, which was heard before national court judge Justice Derek Hartshorn last Friday, has been adjourned to tomorrow.
The matter is related to the Gulf Investment Trust fund (GIT), which is the business arm of the Gulf provincial government, taking Mr Kavo to court for various reasons.
A settlement offer was made by lawyers acting for Miai Larelake (plaintiff) last Friday and these terms and conditions will be considered by Mr Kavo’s counsel before tomorrow’s hearing.
Further information could not be disclosed at this stage, however, it is understood that a press conference for the media’s benefit would be held after tomorrow’s hearing.