Leafsplash PNG

PNG Government Urged to Resolve Land Ownership Issues on Resource Projects Political scientist Michael Kabuni calls on the Papua New Guinea government to resolve legacy land issues associated with resource projects to end tribal violence. Kabuni states genuine landowner identification should not be left to resource companies, whose primary interest is in profits and starting projects quickly. This hastiness, according to Kabuni, results in a poor landowner identification process leading to violence. He cites ongoing tribal violence in Porgera, where landowner identification from the 1990s was likely incorrect. Kabuni believes preemptive action is necessary to prevent further violence. #PNGGovernment #UrgedtoResoveLandOwernership #IssuesonResourceProjects #PoliticalScientistMichaelKabuni #PNG #Leafsplash

Central Governor Rufina Peter announces prioritizing of business and economic growth, establishes new chamber of commerce Governor of the Central Province Rufina Peter has stated that the province will be prioritising business and economy growth. She encouraged provincial businesses to join the newly established Central Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), which she stated will be transformative for the future of the area. The CCCI will be the first point of contact for new investors both domestically and internationally. There will also be improvements in GST collection in the province and better resource allocation for the needs of the private sector. Notable business ventures such as the Kido limestone project and Papua LNG will now be in partnership with the CCCI. #CentralGovernor #HonRufinaPeter #BusinessandEconomicGrowth #ChamberofCommerce #CentralChamberofCommerce #PNG #Leafsplash

Australian business delegation to visit Papua New Guinea to foster economic ties A delegation of Australian businessmen will visit Papua New Guinea (PNG) this week in a bid to strengthen economic links and boost trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. An Australia-PNG business exchange event will be held, featuring activities designed to encourage dialogue, collaboration and partnership between Australian and PNG enterprises. Highlights of the exchange will include a Business Breakfast where leaders from the Westpac Group and Australian High Commission will share their insights on the evolving business landscape in PNG. The visit is aimed at unlocking PNG's potential for Australian investors. #AustralianBusinessmen #VisitPNG #WestpacGroup #AustralianHighCommission #Investors #FosterEconomicTies #PNG #Leafsplash

Independent Consumer & Competition Commission (ICCC) Reimplements Price Control Measure No.4 to Prevent Price-Gouging by Businesses The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) has announced the reinstatement of the Price Control Measure No.4 under the National Pandemic Act 2020. This measure is a part of the ICCC's ongoing price surveillance operation aimed at curbing price-gouging by retail and wholesale stores, specifically for the products listed in Schedule 1 of the Price Measure. The measure stipulates that businesses are prohibited from raising the selling price of listed goods by more than 10% above the base price, unless given prior approval from the ICCC. This measure will remain in effect until the cessation of the declared pandemic. #ICCC #PreventPriceGougingbyBusiness #PriceControlMeasure #PNG #Leafsplash

IRC and NICTA Sign MoU to Combat Tax Evasion by Non-resident Digital Companies The Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) and the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and information sharing in the digital economy. The MoU aims to tackle the tax evasion practices of non-resident digital companies operating in Papua New Guinea. These companies have been avoiding taxes due to their borderless nature and complex tax planning strategies. The partnership will allow the IRC to access detailed information about these entities and develop strategies to bring them into the tax net. #IRC #NICTA #MoU #NonDigitalCompanies #TaxEvasionPractices #Strategies #PNG #Leafplash

Concerns raised about resolving root problems before reopening Porgera mine Wabag MP Dr Lino Tom has called on the Government and New Porgera Limited (NPL) to address the root problems for the Porgera relocation before they proceed to reopen the mine. He stressed that the lawlessness in Porgera valley could only be controlled once the Community Development Agreement (CDA) was concluded and signed. It's argued that prior contract signing is necessary to address the landowner benefit framework, failure of which would lead to more problems. Relocation of tribes and people residing within the vicinity of the mine is a potential existential threat to the mine itself. Currently, the CDA is under progress in Port Moresby with all concerned parties involved. #PogeraMine #MPDrLinoTom #CDA #PNGGovernment #PNG #Leafsplash

Police reinforcements move into Porgera As violence escalates in Papua New Guinea's Porgera Valley, police reinforcements are being moved to the area. The local people have grouped together, demanding the removal of alleged illegal settlers in the valley. Approximately 122 men have stayed, guarding each other while being surrounded by gunfire and chaos. The police reinforcement is seen as a relief, albeit belated by the group waiting for them. Emergency orders have been issued with police being mobilized to protect critical infrastructure, defending the innocent residents of Porgera Valley from attacks by the illegitimate migrants. The security forces are prepared to use lethal force if necessary. #PogeraValley #ViolenceEscalates #Locals #PoliceReinforcement #PNG #Leafsplash

NiuPower in Joint Venture to Establish New Library in Papua New Guinea NiuPower, Kumul Petroleum, and Santos Limited held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new library in Papa village, Central Province, in Papua New Guinea. The facility is the third library NiuPower has constructed in the Hiri West area, following similar projects at Kido and Lealea Primary schools. The Papa Primary and Junior High School Library forms part of NiuPower's Community Investment Program (CIP) and will include modern amenities like water and sanitation hygiene facilities and solar power. The library will be stocked with books from Buk Bilong Pikinini, offering valuable resources for the school’s teachers and students. #NiuPower #KumulPetroleum #SantosLimited #JointVenture #Groundbreakingceremony #EstablishNewLibrary #CentralProvince #PNG #Leafsplash

Lihir Gold pays K58 million in corporate tax in Papua New Guinea Newmont, the world's largest gold miner, announced its Papua New Guinea (PNG) subsidiary, Lihir Gold Limited, paid K58.5 million in corporate taxes in the first six months of the year. The announcement was made in response to remarks by PNG Prime Minister James Marape, who claimed Lihir does not pay corporate taxes. A spokesperson for Newmont emphasized the company's commitment to its tax obligations, highlighting Lihir's contribution of K441.5 million in corporate taxes to the PNG government from 2013 to 2023. The statement comes as PNG negotiates terms of the Wafi-Golpu mine's Mine Development Contract. #LihirGold #PNGGovernmentTax #Newmont #LargestGoldMiner #Worldwide #PNG #Leafsplash

PNG MPs abstain from voting, Constitutional amendment declared as Christian Country rescinded Several Members of Parliament (MPs) in Papua New Guinea, including two former Prime Ministers, abstained from voting on the Constitutional Amendment (Declaration of PNG as Christian Country), leading to its cancellation. Those who abstained included Member for Ialibu-Pangia Peter O'Neill, Provincial Member for New Ireland Sir Julius Chan, NCD Governor Powes Parkop, and others from both Government and Opposition. Upon its first introduction in February, the amendment received the support of 80 MPs against 10 from the Opposition. However, the second vote in May failed to maintain the required majority, resulting in its retraction. #PNGMPs #Abstainfromvoting #ChristianCountry #PNG #Leafsplash