Powes Parkop

The K20,000 cheque was presented in a conference yesterday in Port Moresby.

A pledge that was made by Governor Parkop during the Inter Youth Wave was honoured yesterday in a conference and presented to the chairman, Thomas Hola.

Governor Parkop said the cheque presentation signifies the building of a partnership with young people from the different denominations in the city.

He said this is a partnership that is slowly starting, believing that it will be critical to achieving the outcome set out for the future of the city.

Governor Parkop said the visit by the Russian navy officers in their warship was historic, conveying his warm welcome to them.

During a dialogue hosted yesterday in Parliament, he commended them for showing interest in the city which is hosting the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November.

Mr Parkop said the visit was a testament of Moscow placing value in the Indo-Pacific region.

He added that the countries had a long history dating back to the settlement of Russian scientist and traveler Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay in the country from 1846 to 1888.

Governor Parkop said this during hand over of the International Convention Centre to Government and the launching of the China APEC road projects in NCD.

He said NCD has been host to many of the Chinese Governments assistance and has welcomed the ICC handover, the Poreporena Highway rehabilitation and the six-lane Government Boulevard.

 “Over the years we have witnessed growing relationship in trade and investment, in development, AID between our respective countries.

Yama raise this point after Parkop made comments about Madang province being thrown to the ‘dogs’.

In a heated explanation from NCD Governor Powes Parkop explaining the tender process and awarding of the contract, he went ahead and mentioned that the once beautiful Madang Province is no longer safe for people to visit.

He said Madang MP, Bryan Kramer, must have interest in solving law and order issues in Madang and not in NCD.

However, his comments triggered Governor Yama to seek a point of order telling Parkop to not deviate from the real issue.

Parkop in a text message to this newsroom said nothing is going on between him and Bazari and that they were not married.

Allegations of their affair rose after a video leaked onto social media claiming that huge amount of money amounting to K250,000 was paid to Bazari by NCDC.

The video involved the former City Manager Leslie Alu in an interview with someone (named) who released the amount paid by NCDC to Yoga instructor Fazilah Bazari.

The former NCD City Manager issued an online apology as well as outlined the process and fund allocation given to the Yoga/Walk for Life program.

His online response reads:

“This is my response to the online articles in pngblog by a faceless person who used a hidden camera to record a casual friendly conversation posed as a good friend but had hidden motives behind this recording.

Fazila Bazari in response to queries raised by this news room relating to the leaked footage claiming the yoga instructor was paid that much in a month, has bashed these claims stating that it is tactic to ruin her reputation.  

She said sometimes people try to expose what’s wrong with a program because they cannot handle what is right about it; adding that as far as she is concerned she has followed the protocol of engagement, delivered outcomes and provided report and acquitals to every kina that was received.

The Governor says the leak in information of monthly funds for the Yoga guru, Fazilah Bazari can be acquitted for before the commission.

The governor although refusing to comment on the video – stated that he has nothing to hide and the monthly payment of money which stands at a K3 million annual payment is commissioned for.

The governor was contacted by this newsroom in relation to a leaked video posted on a social media page, PNG Blogs, showing the former NCD city manager Lesie Alu being interviewed.

His comments came in light of a recent incident that reportedly involved tear gas affecting children at a school near a police operation against buai vendors.

Governor Parkop said: “For starters, this is not a war on betelnut,” referring to a headline used by one of the dailies.

“It is meant to be a controlled exercise, starting in Boroko to keep our suburbs clean and healthy. We have not even started at Hohola, where the regrettable incident took place.”

And this has not settled well with some.

NCD governor, Powes Parkop, is one who expressed concern on this.

He said in times like this, disaster management should always refer back to the three Rs;

Relief, Rehabilitation and Restoration.

"Relief should be instant, but four days have gone by already. And I'm not happy that we're slow," he said.

The Governor said tourist overseas have also indicated interest to contribute towards the earthquake appeal.