Davis Steven

MP Steven reiterated calls made earlier this month by the Louisiade Peoples Foundation and the presidents of the local level governments for proper consultation before the commencement of any development project.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Sam Basil confirmed that the Transport Department advertised for pilotage services for the Jomard Passage.

This is why a legislation will be introduced to ensure the next generation of disciplined forces will pass through a joint college.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Davis Steven, says we need to start working now for the PNG we desire.

Accompanied by the heads of the three disciplinary forces as well as ministers for police and Correctional Services, Minister Steven said the Joint Forces College is a way forward for this country.

Deputy Prime Minister Davis Steven announced this during the opening of the Investment Promotion Authority hosted Regulators Summit on Thursday, September 19^th.

He said this is why there is now a focus on the informal sector by Prime Minister James Marape.

Speaking at the opening of the Regulators Summit, the Deputy Prime Minister said the Informal Sector National Audit Report which he launched recently revealed some surprising figures.

That protection must now be given through the whistleblowers’ legislation, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Davis Steven.

Papua New Guinea’s rating on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) that is revealed yearly by Transparency International PNG has not improved much in recent years.

Corruption is rife but while efforts are being made to improve our CPI rating, people with information or whistle blowers must be protected.

Steven announced his resignation as PNG’s Chief Legal Advisor yesterday morning, saying he will now have ample time to focus on his electorate of Esa’ala in Milne Bay Province.

In a statement, O’Neill said: “Davis Steven has discussed with me the need for him to concentrate more on the Esa’ala electorate in the coming years, and I accept his resignation”.

“The region is still rebuilding after the earthquake and there is a lot of work to be done.

“His people are suffering and as the elected Member, he is focusing on rebuilding communities.

Minister Steven says he has asked officers within his department to get Chief Magistrate Nerrie Eliakim to provide a report to his office for an appropriate response.

“I am aware about the funding difficulty that the Chief Magistrate is experiencing in managing our lower courts.”

He made these comments when this newsroom enquired about what his department is doing to address magistrates’ housing issues after fire gutted a unit at the Numapo Apartments at Henao Drive, Port Moresby, on February 14.

The workshop was officially opened by the Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Davis Steven, who emphasised the important role of the Public Solicitor’s Office in providing legal aid under the Constitution to fellow Papua New Guineans.

Some of Papua New Guinea’s most senior lawyers, including His Honour, Justice Les Gavara-Nanu, former Justice Goodwin Poole and the Acting Public Solicitor, Leslie Mamu, delivered training in topics including human rights, civil and criminal trial procedure, matrimonial law, estate planning and Supreme Court appeals.

Minister for Justice and Attorney General and Chairman of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, Davis Steven, announced the appointment of Justice Les Gavara-Nanu to the Court of Appeals of Solomon Islands.

He said the appointment was made possible under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Judiciary of PNG and Solomon Islands.

Under the MOU, Justice Gavara-Nanu will assist the Solomon Islands Court of Appeal by performing judicial functions at least one or two weeks of every second month.

Acting judges Thomas Anis, Danajo Koeget, Daniel Liosi and Ravunama Auka, today took their Declaration of office, loyalty and Judicial declaration before Governor General Sir Bob Dadea.

They were sworn in by the Governor General as judges of the National and Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea.

Their appointment is for a period of 10 years and was done by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission on November 3.

Early this month, the Judicial and Legal Service Commission also announced the appointment of six other judges.

And four acting judges now made permanent, for the national courts of PNG.

The 10 appointments were announced today by Minister for Justice and Attorney General and chairman of the Judicial & Legal Services Commission, Davis Steven.

They are:

Hon Professor Justice Oagile Bethuel, Jim Wala Tamate, Thomas Anis, Danajo Douglas Salee Koeget, Daniel Yale Liosi, Ravunama Auka, Sinclair Peniel Gora, David Abiri Susame, John Richie Benaud Kaumi and John Kamane Numapo.

Minister Davis said this appointment brings the total of judges in the higher courts to 44.