New Ireland Governor

The amendment law will change the ownership of mineral resources found within customary land from the State to customary landowners. 

PNG’s Mining Act 1992 states that “all gold and minerals in or on any land in the country are properties of the State” but that will all change with the new law, if passed. 

With amendments to the Law, customary landowners will now actively participate in the mining industry through exploration and extraction of their mineral resources. 

During a special government situation group meeting on Friday 20^th January, he called on the Police force in the province to use whatever force necessary to catch the criminals and contain the law and order situation.

“Do not leave any stones unturned. Arrest all of them and make them pay for the pain and loss they have caused. If it means severe punishment, then so be it. We must never normalize the actions of these animalistic criminals. No criminal is welcome in New Ireland,” said Sir Julius.

Sir Julius visited Nisnis on Anir Island to get an update on the status of the Babase health centre and the mobilisation efforts for the Anir ring road.

The Governor also continued his inspection at Tanga on progress for the Malendok and Boang roads. Work on both roads have not been completed.

Sir Julius returned back to the mainland and is preparing for the Provincial Executive Council (PEC) meeting on Tuesday.

Chairmen of the Kavieng and Namatanai district development authorities, Ian Ling-Stuckey and Walter Schnaubelt, handed over the document recently.

Five presidents of Namatanai district and over 75 ward members from New Ireland Province have reported several breaches of the Organic Law on Provincial Government and Local-level Government, including accusations of ‘illegal’ provincial assembly meetings.

Sir Julius noted that this project, which was signed between the National Airports Corporation and the China Railway Construction Engineering Group, was to upgrade the Kavieng Airport to an International Airport.  

“We will begin to receive direct flights from around the region and, indeed, around the world. This will open up New Ireland to a level of tourism and commercial relationships unheard of before,” he said.

During the commemoration, New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan paid a visit to the home and grave site of the late Stephen Poti Mokis at Luburua village, in the Kavieng district.

The late Stephen Mokis was a highly respected senior public servant and the first chairman of the Provincial Autonomy Committee, who sadly collapsed and passed away while he was giving a speech to public servants on the 23^rd of August, 2012.

Sir Julius Chan was responding to remarks by the Tanir LLG president, Alfred Lafen.

During the last Provincial Assembly Meeting, Sir J said: “The Member for Namatanai has made statements to the press that my Government has misused the royalties, and he has said that Namatanai has not received its share of royalties from my Government. 

The Australian minister visited the governor's residence in Kavieng town to discuss bilateral matters.

She was treated to a traditional welcome by locals and school children at the Kavieng Airport and will proceed to visit the marine hatchery and training facility at Nago Island.

The visit will enable strategies of development into improving technical and institutional capacity to support development of mariculture-based livelihood and industry in New Ireland Province.

The facility has a start duration from January 2016 to 2020 and a budget of $1,741,605.

Sir Julius Chan on Friday joined with family, relatives, clansmen and villagers to pay last respects and lay to rest the body of the late Tito.

Late Tito was a leader whom Sir Julius described as a strong fighter for the rights of his people for equitable benefits for land given away by the Tigak people of Kavieng for the expansion of the Kavieng Township and the Kavieng airport.