John Kaupa

He said his five-year development plan includes capturing the rollout of Small to Medium Enterprises for mothers for the electorate. This will be launched this month.

Kaupa said some of the electorate’s DSIP funds will be parked with the National Development Bank and mothers engaged in the informal sector will receive K5,000 funding for their businesses.

Kaupa told the women to register their businesses with Investment Promotion Authority and open an account with a commercial bank to receive funding assistance.

He believes these evictions are being arranged by those with vested interest.

In parliament yesterday – the first sitting for 2018 – Minister Kaupa said a Ministerial statement is due in a couple of weeks on the internal investigations he recently gave directions for, in various parts of the country.

The Minister for Housing was responding to questions raised by Member for Markham, Koni Iguan, regarding serious housing evictions imposed on several families in Lae, Morobe Province.

Local Member John Kaupa recently announced the health services improvement projects that will be initiated in the electorate.

Kaupa said he has started dialogue with the Health Minister to roll out satellite clinics in major settlement sites, and raise the standard of the current Six-Mile Clinic to district hospital status.

He also said major settlements will be subdivided to roll out essential social services for improved living standards.

The centre was reopened today by Member for Moresby North-East, John Kaupa, and acting advisor of Provincial Health Authority, Jerry Tanumei.

The centre reopened with additional features including an emergency room, mini operating theatre and pharmacy.

Clinic manager Sister Ombunaka confirmed the clinic will provide tuberculosis, STI outpatient and well-baby services.

Members of the parade include officers of the Task Force unit, Dog unit, Traffic, CID, as well as NCD Reservists.

 Metropolitan Superintendent, Perou N’Dranou, and the NCD Central Commander, Donald Yamasombi are present to officiate the launch.

Also present is the Member for Moresby North East, and Minister for Housing, John Kaupa.

It is expected that Kaupa will be presenting a vehicle to the RPNGC to help out in the festive period operations in NCD and Central.

Kaupa went to the Supreme Court seeking leave to review the decision of November 16, which dismissed his motion challenging the competency of the petition that was filed by former MP, Labi Amaiu.

He asked the National Court then to dismiss the entire proceeding on the basis the petition was filed one day late.

The National Court refused the motion, allowing the petition to stay alive and ordered for its return at a later date for the trial date to be set.

His lawyer, John Napu, will be seeking leave of the court today to review the decision of November 16, which allowed the petition to stay alive in the Court of Disputed Returns.

Kaupa filed a motion on Oct 18 seeking dismissal of the entire proceeding, claiming the petition was filed one day late.

The National Court ruled the petition was filed within the 40-day period after the declaration date and was on time.

The court said the public holiday on August 24 (National Repentance Day) does not affect the calculation as the petition was filed on the 40th day.

Kaupa filed an application on Oct 18 seeking dismissal of the entire proceeding, claiming the petition was filed one day late.

Today the National Court refused that application, allowing the petition to stay alive because it was filed on time.

To file an election petition, it must be done within 40 days after the declaration date.

Kaupa was declared on July 28. Amaiu filed the petition on 6 September.

Justice Collin Makail, in giving his ruling on the motion, said the petition was filed within the 40-day period after the declaration date.

His lawyer, John Napu, filed an application on Oct 18 seeking dismissal of the entire proceeding, claiming it was filed one day late.

Kaupa was declared on July 28.

To file an election petition, it must be done within 40 days from the declaration date. That 40-day period, according to Kaupa, ended on September 5.

Amaiu filed the petition on 6 September.

This will be the first resettlement from within the city to the proposed site at ATS.

This will be followed by other occupants who are residing temporarily on other state lands.

He emphasised that the city development and expansion has little impact on the customary landowners.

Kaupa said the current arrangement is to ensure the traditional inhabitants, including the Motu-Koitabuans, do not just give away their land, which is an important asset.