More equipment for Menyamya road upgrade
By SAMPSON BONAI
TWO additional plant equipment would be acquired for K1 million to carry out maintenance work on the deteriorating 47km Bulolo-Menyamya road in Morobe this year.
Menyamya MP Benjamin Philip said in a press conference yesterday that the joint district planning and budget priorities committee have approved K1 million to purchase a D6 dozer and a roller.
Mr Philip said work have slowed down and he anticipated that it would take a few more months to reach the Aseki junction.
He would also give K100,000 to rehabilitate the Yha Hauka coffee mill.
Three new roads would also be built while K4million has been secured to upgrade existing ones.

Goroka petition gets hearing
By ZACHERY PER
A JUDGE ruled yesterday that a petition disputing the election of Goroka MP Thompson Harokaqveh should go to trial for a full hearing.
Justice Timothy Hinchliffe dismissed an objection to the competency of the petition.
The petition was filed by Bire Kimisopa whom Harokaqveh unseated in last year’s general elections.
He ordered for the petition to go to trial with witnesses from both parties to be allowed to give evidence and cross-examined.
Mr Kimisopa is alleging bribery on six separate instances during the elections.
A first witness was called to give evidence after the objection was dismissed, and the trial was to continue today with more witnesses to be called.
Supporters from both sides turned out in numbers to witness the outcome of the petition and packed the gates of the Goroka Court House, as police stepped up manpower around the court house.

Guards stabbed
CUSTOMERS at a major supermarket in Lae were shocked when some men stabbed two of the stores security guards.
Police could not say if there was theft of money.
Some said a substantial amount of money was stolen but others said there was no robbery.
The two security guards were hospitalised.

Couple fear returning home after escaping death
By SENT TIMBI
THE woman who gave birth while hanging from a tree after being blamed for sorcery is afraid of returning to her village.
Nolan Yakum and husband Paul were accused by Mr Yakum’s tribesmen over the death of their neighbour.
Mrs Yakum was admitted to the Mt Hagen hospital labour ward last Feb 23 after she gave birth to her third daughter who was born while she was struggling to free herself while hanging from a tree, at their Kilip village in Banz.
The couple escaped with their daughters aged two and four in the cover of the night.
They said they did not feel safe to return to the village for fear of being tortured and killed.
Mr Yakum said they needed police assistance to travel home and also for the police to warn his tribesmen not to harm his family.
He said they were temporally living in a vacant room at the hospital while waiting for police to assure them that all was safe to travel home.
He claimed when he sought help from the Mt Hagen police this week, he was told they were busy and could not assist him.

Election petition trial today
THE election petition hearing between Labi Amaiu and Moresby North-East MP Andrew Mald that was set for trial has been adjourned to today.
The trial could not continue yesterday as presiding judge Chief Justice Sir Mari Kapi realised he had overlooked certain grounds when handing down his decision on the objection to competency application submitted by Mr Mald.
The objection to competency application was dismissed by the chief justice on Wednesday which allowed for the matter to proceed to trial.
Sir Mari said that he would have to look at the grounds that he had overlooked and make a written ruling before the trial could continue.
The trial which began yesterday allowed Mr Amaiu’s counsel Greg Manda to call in witnesses to give evidence against Mr Mald.
The last witness was supposed to have appeared yesterday. However, the matter had to be adjourned.
Mr Amaiu, represented by his counsel, is alleging massive corruption and bribery against Mr Mald.
However, these allegations were denied by Mr Mald’s counsel Pious Kingal during yesterday’s hearing.

Ipatas for council presidents
ENGA Governor Peter Ipatas has appealed to all MPs to support moves to revoke laws that sidelined council presidents from provincial assemblies. Mr Ipatas said in 2006, Parliament passed amendments to remove presidents from provincial assemblies but these were not implemented until recently. He said in Enga, he had allowed presidents to remain because the NEC had indicated its intention to revoke the law.

Soldier rapes 15-year-old
A 15-YEAR-OLD female student who attends Hohola Demonstration Primary School in Port Moresby was allegedly taken to Taurama Barracks single quarters and raped on two separate occasions by a soldier. The first incident happened last Feb 19. After the second encounter on Feb 26 between 8am and 4pm, the victim returned home and told her parents, who reported the matter to police. The suspect, 29-year-old Howard Etape, from Etemari village, Koroba, Southern Highlands, attached to Charlie Company of Taurama Barracks, was taken to Boroko police station for questioning. He was arrested and charged by police after admitting to the offence.

Warring tribes make peace
AN election-related tribal fight in Gumine, Simbu province, which claimed four lives, came to an end with the breaking of a sugarcane as a sign of ceasefire by two tribes. Warriors from the Koleku and Yurikuban tribes made peace in front of police and the peace and good order committee at Gomgale village. Provincial police commander Supt Joseph Tondop said Koleku warriors assured the Yurikuban that the road would be free for them to use. He said those who start new tribal fight would be severely dealt with.

Police efforts praised
A NON-GOVERNMENT organisation in the Western Highlands province has commended the work of police personnel deployed into Mt Hagen city to maintain law and order after an ethnic clash between Engans and locals. Melanesian Solidarity (MELSOL) coordinator Laten Soul Koka commended the provincial police commander Kaiglo Ambane, assistant Deputy Commissioner and Highlands divisional commander Simon Kauba, Commissioner Gari Baki and the police officers in Mt Hagen city. Mr Koka was speaking on behalf of the NGO.

Police confiscate firearm
POLICE personnel on operation city watch have confiscated an unlicensed Mores Berg pump action shot gun from a Kuima security officer during a search along Dikagari road, Tokarara, last Monday. The firearm was awaiting renewal by the Kuima Security Co but was still in use when it was confiscated by police. The security officer who was in possession of the firearm did not have a permit under the Firearms Act. The weapon is now in police custody. Investigations are continue.