Briefs

SHP councillor defiant
A SOUTHERN Highlands councillor maintains that he is the duly-elected president of Hulia local level government (LLG) council. Hulia LLG president Eric Yawas was responding to media reports that he was an “illegal president”. The report said the president was still running the affairs of the LLG when his election as Piangonda ward councillor was nullified last year by the Mendi District Court. An angry Yawas said the report was totally false, misleading and was the work of people pursuing their own interests and not of the Hulia people. Mr Yawas supported his call by producing letters and court documents indicating that he filed a motion in the National Court on 04 last Nov seeking a stay order that set aside the Mendi District Court decision which was an ex parte order sought by petitioner Luke Panguma that wanted his election as Piangonda ward member be declared null and void and a by-election be conducted. However, Mr Yawas said while the legal battle is progressing, he is still the political head of Hulia LLG until such time the court decides otherwise.

Misima leaders praised
EGUMA SML Business Group managing director Tauleia Mosibe has congratulated the landowners for their co-operation and support in standing together for the development of Misima district, Milne Bay province. He said he was pleased to see prominent Misima leaders attending the meeting that was held at Siagara village last Tuesday. About 300 people attended the meeting with representation by leaders from various villages and islands in the district particularly in Siagara, Gulewa, Liak, Bagilina, Ewena, Ebora, Awaibi, Aiaus, Narian, Bwagaoia and the islands of Panawina, Sudest and Rossel. Mr Mosibe believed that the successful turnout of the meeting was in response to his previous call for all Misima people to come together, forget past differences and move the district forward. He has now opened an office at Bwagaoia to facilitate smooth operations of the group.  The office is to be manned by himself and Albert Peter.

What it takes to change
BE the change you want to see, and what will it take?” was the challenge of the creators of peace debriefing session at the St Martin’s Anglican church, East Boroko. Korobosea peace circle coordinator Rita Pearson said the debrief session was to share the group’s experiences in Sydney at the initiatives of change International conference last month. Mrs Pearson said the conference was a gathering of 235 women from 26 countries to talk about how one can achieve peace in their lives and in their communities.  President Babu Badiguya said there are a lot of problems in the world and they can only be addressed when one starts experiencing peace and forgiveness with the help of God. Mrs Badiguya said struggles, sufferings and pain, though bad, are the basis of building a peaceful society. This is because the power of fear brings hope for peace and restores love.

Law denies people’s rights
THE foreign law adopted by the PNG Government does not recognise the legitimate customary landowners as the rightful owners of the resource found under their land. Mathias Bari a paramount chief of the people of Hidges said this during the launching of the Gas Apa Transport Company at Hidges in Southern Highlands province. Mr Bari said the Government must respect the rightful landowner’s views and should not base its interest on the foreign adopted laws which is really denying the rights of the people. He said many foreign laws set up by the Government are not benefiting the landowners and people of this country. He said that the Government should come up with  a new law that will help the landowners and the country as well.