Dr Fabian Pok

Petroleum Minister calls on Oil Search not to shift blame

He was responding to a report in the Australian Financial Review which quoted Oil Search chairman Rick Lee who said that the PNG government was responsible for the payment of benefits from the PNG LNG venture.

Minister Pok called on Oil Search to clearly indicate the exact amounts in the different benefit streams, and provide the names of beneficiaries of the estimated K14 billion being paid in Royalties, Levies, Tax and Equity as disclosed by the company.

Land advocate questions Defence Minister’s statement

This was the statement from Motu-Koita land advocate and former secretary for the Department of Information and Communication, Henao Iduhu.

“All customary landowners in Manumanu-Pinu, Central Province, were never alerted nor consulted and thereby the land was acquired in breach of the Land Act 1996,” argues Iduhu.

Iduhu asked why the Member for Kairuku-Hiri, Peter Isoaimo, did not act in the interest of his constituents earlier to put a stop to this illegal land grab.

Court nullifies title of property to state minister

The court declared the title dated Feb 28, 2014 to Dr Pok null and void, ordering NHC to offer the property for sale to long-term occupant and former Public Servant Vaki Vailala for a sum of no more than K230,000.

Justice David Cannings issued the orders after he found that the transfer of the property located at Hanu place Boroko, Section 6, Lot 25 was unlawful and unsatisfactory irregular, as to be tantamount to fraud.