Sir Julius warns of NIP revolt

New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan has warned of a revolt by the people of New Ireland if the National Government continues to strangle its advancement by withholding millions of kina belonging to the province.
Sir Julius told the New Ireland people last Friday to support the provincial government’s move to direct the National Government to restore funds to the province.
He said the provincial government would seek all legal means to pursue the matter.
New Ireland provincial government claimed that more than K400 million in share benefits under the Lihir mine memorandum of agreement (MoA), much of which have been pre-assigned to fund major economic, social and infrastructure development projects and programmes under the Malagan Declaration, are being withheld by the National Government.
It said there were protracted power outages in Kavieng, stained medical services and cash flow constraints since the beginning of this year.
A disgusted Sir Julius accused the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, other senior government ministers and senior public servants of negligence, lying, misappropriation, misconduct and corruption.
“We cannot allow the National Government to continue to insult and exploit our people.
“We must not allow government minister and bureaucrats to divert and misappropriate our inheritance,” Sir Julius said.