Peter Yama

During questions without notice, the Madang Governor asked the Attorney General and Deputy Prime Minister, Davis Steven, to clarify police operations regarding election petitions, claiming he was “confronted” by police personnel on two separate occasions.

“I was confronted by policemen, mobile squad, at the Jackson’s airport with my family for a very minor issue – election petition. I had an election petition filed against me and I won the case,” said Yama.

The Department of Commerce and Industry recently launched the PMIZ individual land titles in Port Moresby last November.

The 10 individual titles will be on the market to lease to 10 locators (tuna processing companies) within the PMIZ project site in Madang Province.

Madang Governor, Peter Yama, has raised grave concerns on the launching of the PMIZ individual titles last November in Port Moresby.

He said the titles were launched there while the project is in Madang.

Having served the people of Madang for more than 40 years, Torot believes nepotism and unfair distribution of basic services most often occurs because locals are being employed in the public service of the province.

Peter Torot has served the people of Madang since 1974, at the tender age of 19 and boasts of being one of the first public servants to discover the lost Hagahai tribe of Madang, who lived at the border of Western Highlands, Madang, Enga and East Sepik provinces, in the mid-80s.

He also supported the Prime Minister’s statement that Australia’s visa requirements are discriminatory.

Yama said this on Thursday when asking on the wet-lease arrangement surrounding the two Australian Defence Force helicopters on lease to PNG.

This follows reports that media personnel were assaulted whilst trying to gather information during the eruption on the weekend.

A frustrated Madang Governor Peter Yama said media personnel were always on the frontline to get information and alert relevant authorities on situations, therefore they must be respected at all times.

He added that the incident involved a minority group from Baluai village and those involved will be dealt with accordingly.

“On behalf of my people of Madang, I am very sorry for what happened to the media personnel on Sunday.

Madang Governor Peter Yama is confident that sharing of resources among the APEC economies will benefit everyone in the APEC region.

Yama, who hosted a gala dinner for the APEC Senior Finance Officials delegates recently at the Madang Resort, raised this concern.

Governor Yama told APEC delegates that foreign direct investments must be encouraged in APEC economies as it provides funds to economies, supports infrastructure programs and creates job opportunities.

Secretary Wereh said Madang is such a huge land area with a huge potential for growth and investment, and roads play a crucial role in connecting people and providing access to markets and basic services.

Secretary Wereh outlined that they had very fruitful discussions on the quick commencement and completion of the Banab Bridge and Bogia bridges which will start immediately by a local contractor to restore normal access.

Following the recent unrest where 4 youth were shot dead by police whilst protesting the continuous harassment suffered by locals, a petition was presented to Governor Peter Yama on April 17.

“They never responded to us. For whatever reason, we are still kept in the dark,” spokesperson of the group, Kamal Naus, told Loop PNG.

Yama issued the warning to the journalists after receiving a petition from the people of Madang, especially from Bel, Ari and Wagi in the Madang District.

Governor Yama said most times journalists report inaccurate information, causing indifference among the community.

“Look at the current issues. Most times people, especially journalists, turn to social media for information, which is not right.

Locals from Bel, Ari and Wagi gave their petition to Governor Peter Yama yesterday (April 17).

Spokesperson Kamal Naus said four of their youths were shot dead by police and have demanded the provincial government, through their petition, to look into the matter and respond to the query by tomorrow.