Sir Julius Chan

The SPPKF idea was the brainchild of Sir Julius after his government successfully executed the granting of Independence for Vanuatu in 1980.

In his recollection of the proposal, Governor Chan said it was put forward to the Pacific Island’s Forum in 1981.

“We proposed for the formation of the South Pacific Peace Keeping force to help prevent any disorder in countries in the Pacific, if invited by heads of the troubled countries to assist,” he said.

However, Sir Julius said, Australia and New Zealand were not keen to support the proposal at the time.

He predicts the complete overhaul of the National Budget after 2022 National General Elections, Sir Julius gave his views on the budget after the public have requested for an insight into whether there was any practicality or truth in the K22 billion budget, passed by Parliament last week.

In his Independence address to the people, he urged Papua New Guineans to work together and make PNG great as it has the potential to be.

He said to achieve this, power must be given to provinces with resources.

“We have been too patient. Things must change. That is why I have been talking so often lately about autonomy. Not because we want to break away from Papua New Guinea. No. To the contrary. Increased power for the provinces and the lower levels of Government.”

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.

Sir Julius said the provincial government will pursue the legality of the NEC’s decision to discontinue the transfer of the Lihir Royalty Government funds to the provincial government account.

The Governor alleged that Ian Ling Stuckey and Walter Schaubelt used their powers as ministers in the current government to influence the NEC decision.

He said according to a 2018 ruling by the Supreme Court, it ordered that the funds be paid directly into the New Ireland Provincial Government account.

In a statement issued by his family on the weekend, the Chan family said that Sir Julius Chan is recovering at his home in Huris village at Namatanai.

The family thanked the doctors and nurses who attended to Sir Julius Chan.

The provincial government confirmed that Sir Julius had experienced flu like symptoms early last week and was taken to the doctors for Malaria and COVID-19 testing.

His results came back negative.

He is awaiting further diagnosis. 

The landing of the fiber optic services occurred on Friday 24^th April in Kavieng.

The installation of the cable by PNG DataCo and partners was witnessed by New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan.

In a statement, PNG DataCo General Manager for Engineering Services, Tony Morisause, said the landing covers the entire province with distributions covering smaller islands and along the Buluminksy Highway to Namatanai.

He said PNG DataCo will work with New Ireland Provincial Government to ensure the province gets the full benefit of the infrastructure.

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.

Raphael Boski, the Konogogo community leader from the West Coast of Central New Ireland LLG, said persons who hold positions of trust and authority must be held accountable when dealing with public funds.

Boski is supporting the Governor’s office, who sought the help of Police Detectives to investigate cases of community projects like church buildings, community halls and aid posts that were funded, but never erected.

Sir Julius Chan called for an investigation into alleged misappropriation of Government Project Funds given between 2010 and 2017.

Sir Arnold clarified that under Section 146 of the constitution, the resignation will only be effective, once it is sent in writing to the Head of State of Papua New Guinea, who is the Governor General.

Sir Arnold added that the announcement by O’Neill to step down on Sunday was not effective.