Wera Mori

Today, representatives from various commodity boards met with Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Wera Mori, to begin a consolidated effort towards the agenda.

Mori said the idea to revive plantations under the cooperatives’ structure is part of the government agenda to revitalise the economy through commodity based exports and less reliance on the extractive industry.

He added the cooperatives’ society structure will also see a communal based ownership of resources and businesses, and not by only a particular group such as landowners.

“The PMIZ is a very crucial government intervention for economy growth; it will be developed with a world class wharf with enabling infrastructure that will bring enormous spin off benefits to the peripheries of the PMIZ affected communities,” says the Minister.

“As the Minister responsible for the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ), I have made several trips to the area and communicated with the affected communities.

Mori make these remarks when recently meeting with the heads of state agencies that come under his ministry.

He said there are various divisions within his department that play key roles in the development of the country.

Mori added that because his ministry will be playing a major role in hosting the APEC in 2018 and must be given that utmost support from the government.

The minister also highlighted that there will be some measures imposed in the department to improve the economic wellbeing and sustain it in the long run.

Mori’s case briefly came for mention before Magistrate Mekeo Gauli, who ordered for the matter to be transferred to Kundiawa because that is where the alleged offense occurred.

The 55-year-old member from Tokoma village, Chuave, Chimbu Province, was arrested on January 31 and later released on K1000 bail.

He was charged with eight different counts; seven under the Criminal Code act and one under the Police Force act.

Chuave MP, Wera Mori said the conduct of PNGDF personnel who physically abused NCD Police boss Ben Turi on New Year’s Eve needs urgent attention.     

“PNGDF will be working alongside Police to provide security for the upcoming elections,” Mori said.   

He said, with many reports of public been abused by PNGDF and Police Personnel, the government can look at forming a paramilitary, where both institutions will come under one command. 

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill responded to the question because Defence Minister Fabian Pok was absent from today’s session.

His lawyer, Adam Ninkama moved an application before the Committal Court, asking the court to quash that search warrant as well as a warrant for his arrest that was obtained from the District Court last year.

He told Magistrate Cosmas Bidar that the search warrant date July 3, 2015 is defective as it was not obtained in the right manner.

This warrant was used by police to search the Chuave Treasury office and obtain files which were used in the investigation against Mori which led to his arrest on official corruption charges.

Investigations are underway both by the police Internal Investigation Unit and NCD police as apparently it involved NCDC police.

“The role of police is to mediate and resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner, and we are seeing situations where this is not the case.

“We appreciate the work of police who are doing their best to maintain peace and order in our communities.

“But there are a few Police that are not using reasonable means to address challenges they face and they jump into situations where they are trigger happy.

Public Service Minister Sir Puka Temu told Parliament during question time today.

Sir Puka was responding to question without notice from Chuave MP Wera Mori.

Mori asked why senior public servants negotiating in the Wafi-Golpu Project paid themselves extra allowances amounting over a million kina.

"With no successful completion of the project why were bonus paid?"

Sir Puka said to look into the allegation raised because payment are made after negotiations are completed, but he added that provision does allow for extra payment.