Sir Peter Ipatas

Enga Governor wants sorcery accusations stamped out

Sir Peter Ipatas says: “This week alone there have been two more incidents of sanguma accusations in Enga Province and more than 20 innocent women, within the space of a month, have been victims of this accusation based violence, including a young child who was tortured near Sirunki.

“I condemn this violence and these false accusations. The accusations must stop now.

“The torturing and murdering must stop now. Enough is enough.”

Sir Peter says accusing someone of sorcery is against the law of PNG, including the torture and murder based on such accusations.

VIDEO: Ipatas appeals for peace

He said this ongoing matter has jeopardised many lives in the province; and this needs to stop.

Sir Peter noted that the fight was instigated politically, adding that there needs to be a strong approach to this matter.

He said there are over a hundred security personnel still in the province, especially in the affected areas, and this is costly for every one adding that the government must step in to do everything they can. 

Dr Tongamp is new leader of People’s Party

Sir Peter passed on the leadership after moving to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s party People’s National Congress.

“I move to PNC leaving the People’s Party in safe and capable hands under the leadership of Jiwaka Governor, Dr William Tongamp.

“As the Leader of the People’s Party, he will provide the direction that is needed for people of the Highlands in the next Parliament,” Sir Peter said.

Sir Peter declares Enga for PNC

He said O’Neill has his support and Enga MPs and will all do what they can to communicate with their people and ensure they are aware of the benefits that have been delivered.

“I am committed to giving PNC a chance to complete their policy agenda through a second term in Government.
“I am obliged to see that the O’Neill-led Government returns for another term of Parliament, to continue the massive range of infrastructure projects taking place in Enga and around the country, and to ensure political stability,” Sir Peter said.

K7,000 award for top performing students

Sir Peter told the nursing students on Tuesday that the top student each year would receive K7,000 straight into their bank account from Bank South Pacific.

The students, all from provincial groups other than Enga, were told that the province would become the choice province for education and health in the next five years.

Every province, except Gulf and West Sepik, has students attending the Enga Nursing College at Sopas.

The Governor treated his own 61 Enga students at the college to dinner with their subsidies.

PNG Loop’s 5@5

Australia Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga explains why he quit Papua New Guinea post

http://www.looppng.com/content/australia-kangaroos-coach-mal-meninga-explains-why-he-quit-papua-new-guinea-post

Mal Meninga has broken his silence on allegations he callously walked out on Papua New Guinea mid-contract to take the Australian coaching job, saying "I just didn't get paid".

 

Ipatas welcomes APEC benefits for region

The Governor said APEC in Papua New Guinea will be a series of national events that should not be politicised because there are clear positive outcomes to be gained.

“There should be unity behind APEC because there is no doubt that clear positive outcomes bill be gained from businesses around the nation,” Sir Peter said.

“Through APEC we have access to capacity building projects that will help people in rural areas.

“These are our SMEs and our sectors such as tourism, agriculture and marine resources.

Enga Governor welcomes new nursing intakes

Sir Peter told students and staff at the Sopas campus near Wabag town that he was happy to see a total of more than 180 students from last and this year coming from all over the country while many critics still  thought the province was a bad place for outsiders to go and live.

According to administration staff of the college, a big number of students came from Central, Milne Bay, New Ireland, Bougainville, Manus, East New Britain, Jiwaka, Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Mendi, West Sepik and National Capital District.

Enga Governor drives education

They are Tsak and Pilikambi provincial high schools that are located in Wapenmanda and upper Laiagam districts.

Governor Sir Peter Ipatas told thousands of parents in both districts last week that the Department of Education had approved his administration’s submissions for the elevation of the two schools to enrol grade 11 students next year.

The two new learning institutions bring the number of secondary schools in the province to seven. The other five include St Pauls (Pausa), Four Square, Sir Tei Abal, Kopen and Highlands Lutheran International School.