Wabag

Residents of Wabag town, the capital of Enga Province, witnessed members of the legal fraternity and law and justice sector usher in the 2018 legal year.

It was also significant as the province welcomed Justice Ravunama Auka following his permanent appointment and swearing in as a judge of the National and Supreme Court for the next 10 years.

He had been presiding in cases at Wabag as an acting judge in the National Court for the past two years.

He said the decision to join PANGU was made after serious discussion among the former independent bloc members.

It was the rich history of the party as well as its leadership, with Sam Basil, at the helm which eventually won them over.

“With the good history it (PANGU) has, I believe my move to PANGU will be in the best interest of Wabag and for the country as a whole. Because I believe in a leadership that is transparent, and believe in a leadership that implements,” he said.

Shops, banks and PMV bus services in Wabag town and other districts were open to the public and are operating as normal, while counting resumed on Tuesday under tight police and defence security personnel at Wabag Primary School.

Western End police command, Chief Superintendent Mark Yengen, says more reinforcement will be sent in from Mt Hagen to beef up security operations to ensure peaceful declarations of the seats.

O’Neill said this election has been the most peaceful of recent decades and it will not be undermined by a disgruntled few.

"There is no excuse for the behaviour we have seen over the past two days, and those behind it will be brought to justice,” he said.

“Supporters and members of the disciplined forces must exercise restraint, and not be misled by disgruntled individuals.
“Those behind these activities must hang their head in shame.

This followed the attempted murder of Kandep district returning officer Ben Besawe and other officials.

Eyewitnesses and security personnel said Besawe and two other election officials were shot at in front of a guest house at Wabag town. This occurred while they were preparing to make their way to the counting venue at Wabag Primary School.

The incident led to a clash between supporters of two candidates from Kandep who have been at loggerheads over election-related matters.

First up at 2pm will see the EPG Enga Mioks play host to Waghi Tumbe.

Across to Goroka, the visiting Agmark Rabaul Gurias go up against the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis.

In Lae, the reigning premiers Lae Snax Tigers will do battle with the Kroton Hela Wigmen. This game will be televised live by TVWAN for the first time ever.

Finally down to the nation’s capital, the NCDC Port Moresby Vipers take on PRK Mendi Muruks.

All three matches are scheduled to kick off at 3pm.

Ganim told Loop PNG from Wabag that despite the challenges faced during the campaign period, he has delivered to the people and they will be making their decision.

“The choice is up to them. As far as I am concerned, I have delivered in this short span of time but will deliver more if given another term,” says Ganim.

Ganim is contesting under the People’s National Congress Party, the biggest coalition party in the government.

He unseated the former deputy prime minister Sam Abal in 2012 elections.

The Central Committal Court issued a warrant of arrest for Nelson David Yakan (29) from Sopos village, Wabag, Enga Province, after he escaped from the Committal Court precinct while being escorted to court.

His arrest warrant will return to court on June 15 for review. He was remanded at Bomana when brought to court for mention where he escaped.

Yakan was arrested on Jan 17 and charge with wilfully and unlawfully killing a Paul Sope on Jan 13 at 14-Mile outside Port Moresby.

He was also charged with the attempted murder of Jack Ninkama.

Justin Tkatchenko said PNGFA president David Chung and John Kapi Natto both have a heart for soccer but unfortunately, they cannot work together and are making the sport fail, affecting players and clubs.

Tkatchenko said the best solution is for FIFA to intervene and say enough is enough.

“FIFA must be concerned with what’s happening in PNG as we are now having two different, separate identities running football,” said the Minister.

“How can sponsors come on board and how can the sport keep moving forward when you got two different groups running the same thing.

Ganim was responding to a Post-Courier's report today (Oct 17 – p5) issued by Roy Kipalan, President of Wabag Rural LLG that "Corruption was so rife in the province" although he did not specifically justify his call.

Ganim who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Referral Committee on     Education (PRCE) said comments by Kipalan were malicious in that it was made to     express frustration over his removal as Chairman of Education in the District. Earlier Kipalan was also removed as Deputy Governor (Enga).

"These are words of an angry and disappointed person.