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Parliamentary action draws outrage

By Rosalyn Evara PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, June 1, 2010) - The near-unanimous decision by Parliament outlawing third party lawsuits against resource projects in the country has caused an uproar among the people in Madang.

Some have already vehemently stated they would not take this decision lying down.

According to reports, the amendments to the Environmental Bill, which was passed 73-10, meant that the restraining order preventing the Ramu nickel cobalt mine project in Madang from operating would be lifted and operations would resume.

Reports are that Environ-mental Minister Benny Allen had among other things told Parliament last Friday that the amendments would supplement and give full effect to enable holders of environmental permits to comply with the standards and requirements stated in their permits. Further it would also mitigate against risks associated with third party litigation or...

Facility soon to open doors

By Trixie Carter HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, May 31, 2010) - THE Pikinini clinic that is build at the Mataniko area will soon open its doors to provide quality health care for all children.

Work on the clinic is moving ahead to its final phase that is expected to complete next month (June).

The Pikinini clinic is design with two consultation rooms and two treatment rooms, which are the out-patients and medical wards and will provide 24 hr services.

The clinic is cost about half a million dollar, is funded by NZAID and the Commonwealth local Government Forum in partnership with the Honiara City Council.

Council sayid the clinic is one of its key plans to provide good health care of every child in the city to have access to quality health care for all children.

Aiming at to reduce morbidity of children due to common childhood illness such as acute respiratory infection, malaria, diarrhea, skin...

Flame Sako Resort & Spa to build in Marpi

By Haidee V. Eugenio SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, June 2, 2010) - Flame Sako Resort & Spa paid over US$48,000 in unpaid land leases and interest charges since early 2009 and will pursue its US$60 million to US$80 million hotel project in As Matuis/Marpi, Public Lands Secretary Oscar M. Babauta said yesterday.

Babauta met on Friday with Kang Dae Sik, president and chief executive officer of Flame Sako Resort & Spa.

Kang, who arrived from South Korea last week, also made a courtesy call on Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, who was the acting governor on Friday.

"I couldn't be happier. The president of the company flew in from Korea to rectify the issue. I'm happy to see they're still interested in pursuing their project. They managed to update their payments," Babauta told Saipan Tribune.

Babauta recommended Flame Sako to apply for necessary permits from regulatory permitting agencies within six to seven...

Pruaitch under corruption probe

By Todagia Kelola PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, June 1, 2010) - Treasurer and Finance Minister Patrick Pruaitch has been suspended from office following a Supreme Court ruling yesterday.

The ruling was in relation to an appeal by him against his referral to a leadership tribunal over allegations of misconduct in office.

While the ruling doesn’t affect his appeal to the Supreme Court against a National Court decision and an interim injunction preventing the tribunal from convening, the implications according to legal experts have set a new precedent for other similar cases that are pending and others that are yet to reach this stage.

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Nicholas Kirriwom, Les Gavara-Nanu and Catherine Davani ruled that when a leader is referred under sections 27, 28 and 29 of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership, the leader is automatically suspended...