Fishing lessons from Tahiti

By MALUM NALU
Bulolo MP Sam Basil has taken three weeks off his busy political schedule to take his wife and children to Papeete, French Polynesia (Tahiti), where his wife comes from.
Not one to waste time, he has contacted politicians and businesses in Papeete, about how this country and Papua New Guinea can strengthen their economic and political ties.
Just before Christmas, Basil has a chance to see logline fishing boats sailing in to offload their catches at the fish wharf.

Basil admiring a big moon fish at the French Polynesia fish market

“The reason why I am interested to visit this establishment is that in PNG we have a well-established National Fisheries Authority (NFA) which I believe is the best in the Pacific Islands nations of fisheries in terms of regulating and also monitoring fishing activities of the long line, purse seiner operators and other fishing activities,” he said from Papeete.
“Unlike PNG, the Tahitians do not allow many purse seiner operators into their waters because they reckon it is too destructive and unsustainable, as the kilometer-long destructive nets scoop up everything from the ocean with unnecessary by-catches.

Basil being shown around the waterfront fish market in Papeete

“The purse seiner nets scoops up turtles, sea birds, sharks, dolphins and many other sea creatures including endangered species like the big eye tuna and others.”
Basil said he also had the chance to meet Joseph Teanotoga, chairman of the government-owned SEML Tahiti Nui Rava’ai a, local company set up the French Polynesian government to help the local fishing industry.

Basil with Joseph Teanotoga, who is now in control of the French Polynesian government's investment in long line boats

“They took several boats and signed up small fishing businesses to own and operate under a loan programme which didn’t work out, so the government pooled the boats into a government business arm managed under the chairmanship of Teanotoga,” he said.
“Teanotoga boasts that about 80% of the loan has been retired and by end of 2011 they should break free from their liabilities.
“The lesson’s learnt here are that fishing business is a very hard business with needs huge capital investment, especially the purchasing of boat and the first few months of operational expenses with a well-facilitated and dedicated wharf.
“We all know NFA is efficiently operated in PNG with enough revenue and must now invest into establishing a local auction market to properly regulate and allow locals to participate in the long line businesses and also the purse seiner business.
“A dedicated wharf and facilities such as the ice-making machines, back-up generator and auction facilities will cost us millions of kina which will be hard to establish at first, but with commitment from NFA and proper management and control can make tuna business available for all citizens to participate.
“Currently in PNG, the system favours outside investors who knows the business well and have the cash to come and participate, but as a responsible country we must use NFA to teach our people how to participate and make funding and facilities as such available to facilitate this important industry.
“The fishing business must be driven by nationals from trawling, beche de mer, and long line and purse seiners.
“Some people think it is impossible because they do not believe in themselves but I reckon PNG needs a change.”

DEC incapable of regulating mine wastes and continues to do so

Bulolo MP Sam Basil has criticised the Department of Environment and Conservation for failing  to properly regulate the mining industry in Papua New Guinea and ensure its  operations are environmentally-safe.

 "DEC has a responsibility on behalf of the nation to ensure that mining operations are safe and will not damage the environment,” he said.

“Yet time and again the mines end up causing massive pollution problems while DEC sits by and watches."

 With pollution from Bougainville, Ok Tedi, Misima, Pogera mines and recently the Hidden Valley Project Mr Basil now confirms that PNG government through DEC is now telling the world that mining with pollution in PNG is normal business practice so all environmental cowboy are welcome to come and dig.

 Mr Basil has recently filed legal proceedings against the Hidden Valley mine in his constituency over its pollution of the Watut River.

 "It is not good enough for Environment Minister Benny Allen to say DEC received an environmental audit report on the Hidden Valley mine in May this year and will be working on an environmental improvement plan,” he said.

 “If the minister is serious about re-inventing another environmental improvement plan to supersede the failed plan, then the shut down mine and a complete river rehabilitation option must be his priority.

“The guns-for-hire environmental consultants will just report what DEC wants them to say to water down situation and we will not buy that cheaply.

“They must remember that the Bougainville and Ok Tedi days are long gone and we will not repeat the same mistakes and be fooled again.

 “If the Minister's sponsored audit report says the river is safe then I’m willing to invite the minister and his DEC secretary to consume a litre of water each collected from the Watut River in front of his people to prove to them that their river is safe.

“If they are not prepared to prove any report by consuming water from Watut then I am cautioning the minister in advance to be very careful about pushing report that he himself does not understand.

 "Where is the report?

“Why have I not been given a copy?

“Why don't the landowners who are suffering the impacts of the pollution have a copy?   “Is DEC trying to cover up things for the mining company?

“The report should be released immediately."

 Mr. Basil says that the DEC should explain why it has given the Hidden Valley mine an environmental permit in the first instance when they already know that almost all of their environmental approved plans have been a failure.

“It can only prove that DEC doesn't know what they are approving and must be held liable together with the operator should any litigation takes place against the  mining company for lying to the government and DEC for professional negligence to the people of PNG,” he said.

 

“The current pollution in the Watut river system without DEC noticing anything wrong until recently is very bad for the future of the mining industry and the development of the up-and-coming Wafi Golpu project in his electorate.

 “DEC only acts when the community mobilises and with this court action we are going all the way to make DEC and MMJV accountable to the people of Watut and the nation.

 “The same goes to the approval of the deep-sea mining permit that has recently been granted by DEC.

“It must be stopped at all costs until a thorough investigation by scientists is sought.

 “The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) must also be involved in that matter because the impact on our tuna stocks and its breeding ground is still not yet known and will be a threat to our growing tuna industry.

 "DEC like MRA is supposed to be protecting landowners, their resources and the environment, not facilitating mining on the cheap.”

 Mr Basil says he has instructed his lawyers to look into whether DEC and the Minister could be legally held liable for the damage the mine has caused.

 He also suggested that in the future it would be good to have Ministers appointed to their ministerial portfolios only if their electorate plays host to such projects.

 “Ministers from un-impacted areas which has no mine and pollution will simply make the ministers be just another rubber stamp which we are currently experiencing in PNG,” he said.

 “That is why we see endless writers writing to the view column of the dailies showing their endless frustrations against many unpopular decisions of departmental heads and their ministers.”

 Mr Basil also assures the public that when government changes” the new government will give priority to replace complacent and incompetent department secretaries and overhaul departments to honestly operate to protect the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and its people”.

 

Junior MPs urgeds not to be misled by veterans

By Bulolo MP SAM BASIL

 

 

The Supreme Court’s decision to reject the Deputy Speaker of Parliament’s application to challenge the Supreme Court’s Order to recall Parliament is welcome news to all, and a clear sign that our judicial system still functions to protect the Constitution on behalf of the people.

We all know that the Deputy Speaker may have been pressured by the Speaker and the National Alliance Regime to once again play their game by challenging the judiciary's decision, so as to cling onto power.

Now that the Prime Minister is being sidelined and the Speaker is now acting Governor General, the incumbent Regime will play the MPs down the ladder to protect its own interest .Thank God the Supreme Court corrected the situation regarding the Governor General as Parliament was unable to, as the Regime has been manipulating Parliament for eight solid years now.

It is a disgrace that when the Supreme Court made its ruling clear that procedures were not followed, the Deputy Speaker should then make a further defective application to Court.

He should have known that the actual party to the application was the Parliament, which consists of all of us elected MPs and not just the National Alliance Party, which the Deputy Speaker is a member of.

The National Alliance Regime must know by now that Parliament belongs to the people of Papua New Guinea and can be recalled at short notice during emergencies or war, or in this situation, a vacancy in the post of the Governor General.

Now with no Prime Minister and with Parliament about to go into session with an acting speaker, the National Alliance regime will now skate on thin ice.

We all know every Regime and every dog has its day and now their day has come to an end. National Alliance must accept this fact and succumb to the situation.

I am now reminding all good Members of Parliament that the Somare era has finished and that every right –thinking MP should have a vision for this country that is different from the current disaster that National Alliance has provided. All MPs must work to achieve a better day for PNG. They are mandated by their constituents to represent them in Parliament, without fear or favor and they are needed now, more than ever, to act.

For this country to shift into another dimension, a generational change in the leadership is a must, so MPs now must not underestimate themselves or fear the old dogs anymore.

They are leaders in their own right and must stand up now to make a change.

This country seriously needs it.

MPs must not play second fiddle but must be seen to take charge of the destiny of this country.

The future rests in their hands and the next generation of leaders to come.

Our post-independence leaders have done us proud but they must accept the fact that evolution of leaders needs to take place for the betterment of this country.

I think completely differently from the old guard and I believe strongly that most of my other colleague MPs are the same; we must insist therefore a generational change of leadership has to occur to take the country forward.

 

Business easy with VSAT

DOING business with very small aperture terminal (VSAT) can be very efficient and convenient as it is only a click away with the use of modern technology.

People from Bulolo can now do business and make communication easier through the use of VSAT.

This was made possible after Bulolo MP Sam Basil presented a cheque for K200, 000 from his district support grant (DSIP) to Telikom PNG for VSAT rentals to continue the service in his electorate.

He said the payment was worthwhile as the service would go a long way in helping local business and improving the academic performance of students.

Basil said the people were happy with the VSAT service because it had added more value to their life in terms of communication.

 

 

MMJV statement untrue

Bulolo MP Sam Basil says a statement issued by the Hidden Valley mine on December 16 claiming he has withdrawn legal proceedings over the pollution of the Watut River is untrue.

"I have not withdrawn the legal proceedings on behalf of 110 landowners who have been seriously impacted by the pollution of the Watut River by sediment and heavy metals from the Hidden Valley mine,” he said.

"For the Hidden Valley mine to claim that I had made an announcement to that effect is simply not true.”

Basil says he has been in dialogue with the mining company Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV) and representatives of its owners, Harmony Gold and Newcrest Mining, in an attempt to find a satisfactory resolution of the issues without having to go through lengthy and expensive court proceedings.

"To that end I have agreed not to take any further steps with the litigation until my lawyers and scientists meet with the mine owners in January,” he said.

“But I have not, and I repeat have not, withdrawn the proceedings.

"I am also very disappointed that MMJV have not issued a further media release, as requested by my lawyers, correcting the public record.”

 

For more information contact:

Sam Basil - Mobile: 7215 4806

Tiffany Nongorr - Mobile: 7268 9295

 

Basil denies MMJV claims

Bulolo MPSam Basil, says a statement issued by the Hidden Valley mine on December 16 claiming he has withdrawn legal proceedings over the pollution of the Watut river is untrue.

 "I have not withdrawn the legal proceedings on behalf of 110 landowners who have been seriously impacted by the pollution of the Watut river by sediment and heavy metals from the Hidden Valley mine,” he said.

For more information contact:

Sam Basil, Bulolo MP             - Mobile: 7215 4806

Tiffany Nongorr                      - Mobile: 7268 9295

 

 

 

Expert technical advisory panel to review the Watut River System

Following representations to the Hidden Valley Joint Venture by the Member of Parliament for Bulolo Mr Sam Basil who raised landowner community concerns, an expert technical advisory panel will review sediment and pollution issues affecting the Watut River.

The panel will complement the existing regulatory processes and scrutiny of mining operations conducted by the PNG Government.

It will likely include international specialists with best practice experience relevant to the PNG natural environment

In recent discussions with Mr Basil it was agreed that terms of reference and membership of the expert technical advisory panel would be determined with a view to finalising details at a meeting in January.

Regulators will be key participants in this meeting and in ongoing discussions.

It is envisaged the expert technical advisory panel will be briefed on both historic and current studies and will visit the mine site.

The Joint Venture has provided Mr Basil with a briefing on the environmental management and monitoring of sediment run-off from the mine along with background information and a number of studies.

The Joint Venturers said that the expert technical advisory panel would be a vehicle for the constructive resolution of sediment related issues in a transparent and cooperative forum.

The meeting also discussed the establishment of multi stakeholder panels to consider the broader future development of Morobe Province.

 

Background

The Hidden Valley Mine is operated by the Hidden Valley Mine Joint Venture (HVJV) a 50:50 Joint venture between Harmony Gold of South Africa and Newcrest Mining of Australia.

The Hidden Valley Mine is located near Wau and Bulolo in Morobe Province.

 It was officially opened in September 2010.

The Hidden Valley Mine has a workforce of more than 2,000 people: 95 per cent are PNG nationals and 50 per cent come from the local communities.

It is important to note that the Hidden Valley Mine has an engineered tailings storage facility and no mine processing residue, or tailings, is discharged into the river.

The mine related sediment in the river that has caused community concern was run-off from mine overburden and construction activities.

 The mine transitioned from construction to operation in October this year.

Mine sediment run-off is now significantly lower due to mitigation measures.

These measures included ceasing of side casting of waste rock and overburden in September 2009, ongoing revegetation of exposed slopes and erosion control, and the storage of waste rock in engineered waste rock facilities.

Hidden Valley Mine has a demonstrated record of working with local communities.

The Hidden Valley Joint Venture has been making voluntary compensation payments to communities along the Watut River for flood damage to crops and gardens, regardless of whether this was due to additional sediment run-off from the mine construction activity or by natural events such as landslips and heavy rain.

A sustainable development program is bringing education support, agricultural skills, health programmes and community facilities such as sanitation and water supplies, school classrooms, community halls and aid posts.

These programs were developed in partnership with the local and provincial government and are aligned with their development programmes.

 

Media inquiries contact:

Hidden Valley Joint Venture

David Wissink

Ph: (675) 472 1703 ext 243

Mobile: (675) 7100 2406

Fax: (675) 472 1705

Email: david.wissink@morobejv.com

 

Hon. Sam Basil, MP

Member of Parliament for Bulolo

Email: vipersco@yahoo.com.au

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=698071613

 

Basil slams MPs' pay rise

By GABRIEL LAHOC

 

Bulolo MP Sam Basil is against the budgeted pay rise for Members of Parliament, announcing to his district that he “didn’t get into parliament to get a pay rise, but to bring development and services down to the people”.

Mr Basil said this on Monday during the launch of the EMTV and Australian Network signals into Lekluk village in Mumeng Local Level Government area.

He described as “ridiculous” the decision of the Somare government, seeing it as another luxury item on the Government’s wish list.

The Government passed the 2011 national budget last week and gave a massive 52% salary increase, which Mr Basil argued should have been spent on other important government sectors which will have a direct impact on the people and communities.

“We the MPs are getting an extra K80,000 while the Prime Minister is getting another K100,000, which I believe is not the people’s wish,” said Mr Basil.

He also announced that for all future bills and acts presented in parliament to be enacted and amended, he would firstly consult the people through mass opinion polls in the local level governments and vote accordingly in Parliament.

Several leaders speaking on behalf of the Leklu community, which has a population of more than 2000 people, openly challenged him to continue to bring community impacted projects and give to the people all that is rightfully theirs.