Mendi River surveyed for Run-of-River Power Generation System

By HENZY YAKHAM

According to a report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), there are only 40 years of petroleum reserves left worldwide. The amounts of uranium for the generation of nuclear power will last for another 48 years, while the reserves of natural gas left will last another 61 years. All these 1st-tier energy sources will soon be running out.

Whether the uranium material is used by petroleum, natural gas or nuclear power generation, it will more or less cause pollution to the local environment during refinery or usage. Therefore, the damage caused to the environment will be taken into consideration when seeking the energy sources that will provide for the next-generation so as to enable a new momentum under a presupposition of environmental protection.

In recent times, application of energy and renewable energy has been a major trend for global development. It originated from considerations on oncoming crisis of petrochemical resources used up. This has resulted in greater awareness worldwide of the need for environmental protection, the global warming effect and other severe changes facing the Planet Earth.

Power development plays a key factor in industrial, economic and other forms of development for any nation. Currently, methods of major power generation include thermal power, nuclear, wind power, hydroelectric power and other applications. The cost incurred and impact on the environment are divergent to the survival and economic development.

The Mendi River in the 'resource rich' Southern Highlands Province runs infront of Kibiru Lodge

It is becoming increasingly important that Mankind or Humanity must consider the ecological balance to attain sustainable survival. The generation of thermal power will by all means headed towards an employed method that will not cause damage to the natural environment. In addition to the loss of energy, a trend of alternative energy worldwide will be pure and economical energy-oriented.

With this backdrop, the importance of small-scale hydro-electricity power generation and renewable energy was encouraged by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 and the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.

The World Bank and other major financial institutions have listed small-scale hydro-electric power generation as one of the investment items of renewable energy.
Papua New Guinea has signed and ratified both the United Nations Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

Whilst PNG national strategies are pursued, in the Southern Highlands province, survey work has started in the Imbongu district to harness river currents to produce electricity power with plans to linking with existing PNG Power Limited supply.

An initiative of Imbongu MP Francis Awesa, the project proposes to introduce the award winning invention of Taiwan, known as the L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System for power generation in that district.

This is a new electric power generating concept invented in Taiwan and is not like the conventional hydro power schemes in which water is collected in dams and piped downhill to turn turbines generating electric power.

Last weekend (Sept 4-5 2009,) two Taiwanese officials, promoters of this innovative concept travelled into Mendi making on-the-spot inspections of potential project sites collecting data including river-water levels, speed of river currents, depth of rivers and width of river banks.
The data will help engineers and the inventor of the L.C.S. hydroelectric Power Generation System to determine the design, type and specifications of suitable systems to be built.

Once all the necessary data is compiled together with the technical details and costing, the information would provide the basis for discussions with relevant National and Southern Highlands Provincial Government agencies as well as PNG Power Limited how best the project should proceed.

Mr Awesa proposes for such projects to be undertaken by the provincial government and local authorities under clearly specified arrangements so that things are done properly for continued sustainability of the project.

"Such projects are not only environmental friendly, but clean and sustainable energy as well as cost saving in the long run. Once you have the first lot of stations up and running paying off the initial capital cost, more could be built in other parts of Imbongu, Southern Highlands and PNG. It can be replicated PNG-wide providing reliable and constant supply of electricity power all year round," he said.

The L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System uses the momentum of river-water speed to push the impulse turbine installed on the river bed to enable a power generation of generators through the transmission of the gear box.

L.C.S. high/low drop small scale hydroelectric power generation has won recognition from more than 162 countries including the European Union, United States, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Taiwan.

L.C.S. was named after Mr Liu Zheng-Shi, who has been elected as one of Taiwan’s 10 outstanding young persons in 1989, winner of the 6th Taiwan Invention Award and the Taiwan Invention Exhibition in 1997.

The advantages of L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System include: No water or environmental pollution; Low water head with minor water environment limitation; No impact on ecology and conform to environment co-existence; Low building cost, substantial amount of generation and high economic effect; Can be directly connected to parallel power PNG power or other; Requires no dam and water supply suspension, convenient construction; Have educational training schools, without a worry for technology succession; Noise-free and will not hinder the water flow of the river banks; and Simple facility and can be produced to local specifications; This equipment will help drive a concept of green renewable energy, mainly because the hydroelectric power generation causes no impact on river banks and covers purposes of environmental protection and sustainable use of water resources.

As well, it becomes an important part of green technology development applications and renewable energy. For better understanding , the following is a comparison of various power generation methods: Thermal Power Coal: Energy-dependent with a worry of resources used up in the future and causes damage to the environment with a coal production of around 200 years.

Thermal Power Petroleum: Burning petrochemical fuel generates CO2, sulphur dioxide smoke, dust and other pollution. Non-renewable once reserves run out with petroleum production lasting for just over 50 years.

Thermal Power Gas: Energy-dependent and releases waste gas, dust, and pollutes the air quality when it burns. Relying on imports, with a production of natural gas that will last for another 60 years. Nuclear Power: Radiation of nuclear waste is harmful to the human body and generates High/low scale wastes with radioactivity , in which heat pollution causes more severe effect with reserves left for 48 years.

Hydroelectric Power: Hydroelectric power is the cleanest power generation method without causing environmental pollution. Has a low cost and can be a sightseeing area of or cropland irrigation with a flood prevention function. However, the scale of investment is too bulky for the operation of normal companies.

Wind Power: Wing power generation doesn’t require fuel. There are no waste issues and causes no radiation or environmental pollution of CO2. However, the quality of wind power is less steady and requires energy savings when the wind stops blowing if it goes without support of other power generation resources.

Solar Power: Re-use of natural resources re-use, low pollution, but fails to generate bulky power supply with low power conversion for the time being. Run-of-River Power: Re-use of natural resources, low pollution, high performance and high economic value.

Given the above facts, the L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System being promoted by Mr Awesa for his electorate could well be the answer to PNG’s chronic power blackouts problems in the main urban centres and well as the long and much talked about rural electrification.

With the abundance of rivers and waterways PNG-wide, this concept can be adopted and work well for PNG. With the power generation impulse turbines, it can be scenic and favourable for recreation and tourism as well as promoting businesses and rural industries in many rural areas of PNG, where the majority of the people live. Just as Holland is famous for windmills, Papua New Guinea can also be world famous with Run-Off- River Power.

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Mendi River surveyed for Run-of-River Power Generation System

By HENZY YAKHAM

According to a report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), there are only 40 years of petroleum reserves left worldwide. The amounts of uranium for the generation of nuclear power will last for another 48 years, while the reserves of natural gas left will last another 61 years. All these 1st-tier energy sources will soon be running out.

Whether the uranium material is used by petroleum, natural gas or nuclear power generation, it will more or less cause pollution to the local environment during refinery or usage. Therefore, the damage caused to the environment will be taken into consideration when seeking the energy sources that will provide for the next-generation so as to enable a new momentum under a presupposition of environmental protection.

In recent times, application of energy and renewable energy has been a major trend for global development. It originated from considerations on oncoming crisis of petrochemical resources used up. This has resulted in greater awareness worldwide of the need for environmental protection, the global warming effect and other severe changes facing the Planet Earth.

Power development plays a key factor in industrial, economic and other forms of development for any nation. Currently, methods of major power generation include thermal power, nuclear, wind power, hydroelectric power and other applications. The cost incurred and impact on the environment are divergent to the survival and economic development.

The Mendi River in the 'resource rich' Southern Highlands Province runs infront of Kibiru Lodge

It is becoming increasingly important that Mankind or Humanity must consider the ecological balance to attain sustainable survival. The generation of thermal power will by all means headed towards an employed method that will not cause damage to the natural environment. In addition to the loss of energy, a trend of alternative energy worldwide will be pure and economical energy-oriented.

With this backdrop, the importance of small-scale hydro-electricity power generation and renewable energy was encouraged by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 and the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.

The World Bank and other major financial institutions have listed small-scale hydro-electric power generation as one of the investment items of renewable energy.
Papua New Guinea has signed and ratified both the United Nations Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

Whilst PNG national strategies are pursued, in the Southern Highlands province, survey work has started in the Imbongu district to harness river currents to produce electricity power with plans to linking with existing PNG Power Limited supply.

An initiative of Imbongu MP Francis Awesa, the project proposes to introduce the award winning invention of Taiwan, known as the L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System for power generation in that district.

This is a new electric power generating concept invented in Taiwan and is not like the conventional hydro power schemes in which water is collected in dams and piped downhill to turn turbines generating electric power.

Last weekend (Sept 4-5 2009,) two Taiwanese officials, promoters of this innovative concept travelled into Mendi making on-the-spot inspections of potential project sites collecting data including river-water levels, speed of river currents, depth of rivers and width of river banks.
The data will help engineers and the inventor of the L.C.S. hydroelectric Power Generation System to determine the design, type and specifications of suitable systems to be built.

Once all the necessary data is compiled together with the technical details and costing, the information would provide the basis for discussions with relevant National and Southern Highlands Provincial Government agencies as well as PNG Power Limited how best the project should proceed.

Mr Awesa proposes for such projects to be undertaken by the provincial government and local authorities under clearly specified arrangements so that things are done properly for continued sustainability of the project.

"Such projects are not only environmental friendly, but clean and sustainable energy as well as cost saving in the long run. Once you have the first lot of stations up and running paying off the initial capital cost, more could be built in other parts of Imbongu, Southern Highlands and PNG. It can be replicated PNG-wide providing reliable and constant supply of electricity power all year round," he said.

The L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System uses the momentum of river-water speed to push the impulse turbine installed on the river bed to enable a power generation of generators through the transmission of the gear box.

L.C.S. high/low drop small scale hydroelectric power generation has won recognition from more than 162 countries including the European Union, United States, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Taiwan.

L.C.S. was named after Mr Liu Zheng-Shi, who has been elected as one of Taiwan’s 10 outstanding young persons in 1989, winner of the 6th Taiwan Invention Award and the Taiwan Invention Exhibition in 1997.

The advantages of L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System include: No water or environmental pollution; Low water head with minor water environment limitation; No impact on ecology and conform to environment co-existence; Low building cost, substantial amount of generation and high economic effect; Can be directly connected to parallel power PNG power or other; Requires no dam and water supply suspension, convenient construction; Have educational training schools, without a worry for technology succession; Noise-free and will not hinder the water flow of the river banks; and Simple facility and can be produced to local specifications; This equipment will help drive a concept of green renewable energy, mainly because the hydroelectric power generation causes no impact on river banks and covers purposes of environmental protection and sustainable use of water resources.

As well, it becomes an important part of green technology development applications and renewable energy. For better understanding , the following is a comparison of various power generation methods: Thermal Power Coal: Energy-dependent with a worry of resources used up in the future and causes damage to the environment with a coal production of around 200 years.

Thermal Power Petroleum: Burning petrochemical fuel generates CO2, sulphur dioxide smoke, dust and other pollution. Non-renewable once reserves run out with petroleum production lasting for just over 50 years.

Thermal Power Gas: Energy-dependent and releases waste gas, dust, and pollutes the air quality when it burns. Relying on imports, with a production of natural gas that will last for another 60 years. Nuclear Power: Radiation of nuclear waste is harmful to the human body and generates High/low scale wastes with radioactivity , in which heat pollution causes more severe effect with reserves left for 48 years.

Hydroelectric Power: Hydroelectric power is the cleanest power generation method without causing environmental pollution. Has a low cost and can be a sightseeing area of or cropland irrigation with a flood prevention function. However, the scale of investment is too bulky for the operation of normal companies.

Wind Power: Wing power generation doesn’t require fuel. There are no waste issues and causes no radiation or environmental pollution of CO2. However, the quality of wind power is less steady and requires energy savings when the wind stops blowing if it goes without support of other power generation resources.

Solar Power: Re-use of natural resources re-use, low pollution, but fails to generate bulky power supply with low power conversion for the time being. Run-of-River Power: Re-use of natural resources, low pollution, high performance and high economic value.

Given the above facts, the L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System being promoted by Mr Awesa for his electorate could well be the answer to PNG’s chronic power blackouts problems in the main urban centres and well as the long and much talked about rural electrification.

With the abundance of rivers and waterways PNG-wide, this concept can be adopted and work well for PNG. With the power generation impulse turbines, it can be scenic and favourable for recreation and tourism as well as promoting businesses and rural industries in many rural areas of PNG, where the majority of the people live. Just as Holland is famous for windmills, Papua New Guinea can also be world famous with Run-Off- River Power.

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Mendi River surveyed for Run-of-River Power Generation System

By HENZY YAKHAM

According to a report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), there are only 40 years of petroleum reserves left worldwide. The amounts of uranium for the generation of nuclear power will last for another 48 years, while the reserves of natural gas left will last another 61 years. All these 1st-tier energy sources will soon be running out.

Whether the uranium material is used by petroleum, natural gas or nuclear power generation, it will more or less cause pollution to the local environment during refinery or usage. Therefore, the damage caused to the environment will be taken into consideration when seeking the energy sources that will provide for the next-generation so as to enable a new momentum under a presupposition of environmental protection.

In recent times, application of energy and renewable energy has been a major trend for global development. It originated from considerations on oncoming crisis of petrochemical resources used up. This has resulted in greater awareness worldwide of the need for environmental protection, the global warming effect and other severe changes facing the Planet Earth.

Power development plays a key factor in industrial, economic and other forms of development for any nation. Currently, methods of major power generation include thermal power, nuclear, wind power, hydroelectric power and other applications. The cost incurred and impact on the environment are divergent to the survival and economic development.

The Mendi River in the 'resource rich' Southern Highlands Province runs infront of Kibiru Lodge

It is becoming increasingly important that Mankind or Humanity must consider the ecological balance to attain sustainable survival. The generation of thermal power will by all means headed towards an employed method that will not cause damage to the natural environment. In addition to the loss of energy, a trend of alternative energy worldwide will be pure and economical energy-oriented.

With this backdrop, the importance of small-scale hydro-electricity power generation and renewable energy was encouraged by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 and the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.

The World Bank and other major financial institutions have listed small-scale hydro-electric power generation as one of the investment items of renewable energy.
Papua New Guinea has signed and ratified both the United Nations Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

Whilst PNG national strategies are pursued, in the Southern Highlands province, survey work has started in the Imbongu district to harness river currents to produce electricity power with plans to linking with existing PNG Power Limited supply.

An initiative of Imbongu MP Francis Awesa, the project proposes to introduce the award winning invention of Taiwan, known as the L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System for power generation in that district.

This is a new electric power generating concept invented in Taiwan and is not like the conventional hydro power schemes in which water is collected in dams and piped downhill to turn turbines generating electric power.

Last weekend (Sept 4-5 2009,) two Taiwanese officials, promoters of this innovative concept travelled into Mendi making on-the-spot inspections of potential project sites collecting data including river-water levels, speed of river currents, depth of rivers and width of river banks.
The data will help engineers and the inventor of the L.C.S. hydroelectric Power Generation System to determine the design, type and specifications of suitable systems to be built.

Once all the necessary data is compiled together with the technical details and costing, the information would provide the basis for discussions with relevant National and Southern Highlands Provincial Government agencies as well as PNG Power Limited how best the project should proceed.

Mr Awesa proposes for such projects to be undertaken by the provincial government and local authorities under clearly specified arrangements so that things are done properly for continued sustainability of the project.

"Such projects are not only environmental friendly, but clean and sustainable energy as well as cost saving in the long run. Once you have the first lot of stations up and running paying off the initial capital cost, more could be built in other parts of Imbongu, Southern Highlands and PNG. It can be replicated PNG-wide providing reliable and constant supply of electricity power all year round," he said.

The L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System uses the momentum of river-water speed to push the impulse turbine installed on the river bed to enable a power generation of generators through the transmission of the gear box.

L.C.S. high/low drop small scale hydroelectric power generation has won recognition from more than 162 countries including the European Union, United States, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Taiwan.

L.C.S. was named after Mr Liu Zheng-Shi, who has been elected as one of Taiwan’s 10 outstanding young persons in 1989, winner of the 6th Taiwan Invention Award and the Taiwan Invention Exhibition in 1997.

The advantages of L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System include: No water or environmental pollution; Low water head with minor water environment limitation; No impact on ecology and conform to environment co-existence; Low building cost, substantial amount of generation and high economic effect; Can be directly connected to parallel power PNG power or other; Requires no dam and water supply suspension, convenient construction; Have educational training schools, without a worry for technology succession; Noise-free and will not hinder the water flow of the river banks; and Simple facility and can be produced to local specifications; This equipment will help drive a concept of green renewable energy, mainly because the hydroelectric power generation causes no impact on river banks and covers purposes of environmental protection and sustainable use of water resources.

As well, it becomes an important part of green technology development applications and renewable energy. For better understanding , the following is a comparison of various power generation methods: Thermal Power Coal: Energy-dependent with a worry of resources used up in the future and causes damage to the environment with a coal production of around 200 years.

Thermal Power Petroleum: Burning petrochemical fuel generates CO2, sulphur dioxide smoke, dust and other pollution. Non-renewable once reserves run out with petroleum production lasting for just over 50 years.

Thermal Power Gas: Energy-dependent and releases waste gas, dust, and pollutes the air quality when it burns. Relying on imports, with a production of natural gas that will last for another 60 years. Nuclear Power: Radiation of nuclear waste is harmful to the human body and generates High/low scale wastes with radioactivity , in which heat pollution causes more severe effect with reserves left for 48 years.

Hydroelectric Power: Hydroelectric power is the cleanest power generation method without causing environmental pollution. Has a low cost and can be a sightseeing area of or cropland irrigation with a flood prevention function. However, the scale of investment is too bulky for the operation of normal companies.

Wind Power: Wing power generation doesn’t require fuel. There are no waste issues and causes no radiation or environmental pollution of CO2. However, the quality of wind power is less steady and requires energy savings when the wind stops blowing if it goes without support of other power generation resources.

Solar Power: Re-use of natural resources re-use, low pollution, but fails to generate bulky power supply with low power conversion for the time being. Run-of-River Power: Re-use of natural resources, low pollution, high performance and high economic value.

Given the above facts, the L.C.S. Hydroelectric Power Generation System being promoted by Mr Awesa for his electorate could well be the answer to PNG’s chronic power blackouts problems in the main urban centres and well as the long and much talked about rural electrification.

With the abundance of rivers and waterways PNG-wide, this concept can be adopted and work well for PNG. With the power generation impulse turbines, it can be scenic and favourable for recreation and tourism as well as promoting businesses and rural industries in many rural areas of PNG, where the majority of the people live. Just as Holland is famous for windmills, Papua New Guinea can also be world famous with Run-Off- River Power.

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New Ireland Province probe recommends prosecution for law breakers

By HENZY YAKHAM

An investigation into the financial dealings of the New Ireland Provincial Government between 2002-2007 has found instances of systemic and blatant abuse of financial and administrative process, gross misuse and misappropriation of public funds totaling over K64 million in five years.

As well, the investigation report made staggering revelations of an illegal financial and administrative system, known as the "Lemus Structure" created by former New Ireland Governor Ian Ling Stuckey.

Sir Julius Chan (left)- Governor of New Ireland Province

According to the report, the illegal Lemus Structure was organised by Ling Stuckey and Kavieng MP Martin Aini. It was a pyramid-type structure where Iing Stuckey was positioned at the top followed by the two open MPs from the province (Kavieng and Namatanai) then the district coordinators, local level government coordinators, ward coordinators then down to segments of the community then onto individuals.

The report said the Lemus Structure was a political network and did not come within the formal government framework. Therefore the involvement of this network by Ling Stuckey in conducting government business was an illegal act.

While Ling Stuckey was in office, state law enforcing agencies including the Ombudsman Commission, Auditor General’s office, Police Fraud Squad and Pubic Services Commission visited the province and carried some form investigations, but nothing much has eventuated.
The investigations carried out by RAMS Business Consultants have confirmed much of the concerns and issue raised then.

The report highlighted that the public service delivery system was highly politicised and made totally inefficient and ineffective while the province’s annually provincial budgets were prepared outside of the Provincial Government machinery with no inputs whatsoever from professional, experienced and career public servants.

It also stated that there are enough evidences for both former and serving politicians and public servants to be charged for criminal offences as well as public service disciplinary charges.

Tabling the report in the New Ireland Provincial Assembly on September 9 2009 by Governor Sir Julius Chan recommended for the Ombudsman Commission to carry out a detail investigation into the leadership culture perpetrated under Ling Stuckey’s administration.
During the five-year period over K64 million of public investment funds belonging to the Papua New Guinean taxpayers were unaccounted for.

The New Ireland Provincial Executive Council through its decision number 11/2008 appointed an independent investigation to be carried out by RAMS Business Consultants supported by Loani Henao of Henao Lawyers to investigate the financial affairs of the New Ireland province from 2002-2007.

RAMS was engaged by the current Provincial Government in February 2008 following widespread allegations of gross misuse of public funds and alleged abuse of power by the previous administration under the Lemus Structure rendering the public service idle and useless.

"There existed a chaotic and unstructured administrative system famously called the Lemus Structure which not only conflicted with established systems and structure of Government, but also promoted and environment of cronyism and lack of accountability and transparent," highlights the report.

The report further stresses that: "It appears the established systems of governance were deliberately manipulated to suit vested political interest. The Provincial Government completely disregarded the public service machinery of New Ireland Province in policy formulation, strategic planning and budgeting as well as programme implementation".

In fact, the report strongly recommends for appropriate criminal, civil and leadership action against Ling Stuckey and former Provincial Administrator (PA) Robinson Sirambat. Repeatedly highlighted in the report is that the powers and functions of the public servants were performed at the Governor’s office by his political staff and cronies. Most public servants were therefore made to remain idle for the whole five years, but still on full pay. Basically, the public servants were pay for doing nothing over the five years.

The report noted that a under Ling Stuckey leadership a Provincial Executive Council (PEC) decision No: 11/2002 directed the then PA withdraw all awfully delegated financial powers from all public servants except the First Secretary to the Governor’s office. From the date of that PEC decision all requisitions for expenditure for Public Investment Programme (PIP) were initiated at the Governor’s office.

The First Secretary signed as Section 32 officer while the PA signed as Financial Delegate for claims to be committed and payments made. In certain instances Ling Stuckey himself signed on top of the claim forms. The financial powers were vested with the PA as the Chief Accounting Officer thus the direction from PEC was an unlawful act. The PA should have refused to accept the PEC direction or could have advised the PEC that the direction was unlawful.

The report also states that fund for PIP or the Development Budget for the five years totaling K64,002,258 was directly controlled and managed by Ling Stuckey’s political staff. Consequently, there were no proper project appraisals done, projects were not monitored and valued, and they lacked a system of measuring the impact of the PIP.

As well, it was apparent that under the pretext of project funding, public funds were disbursed without much regard for the requirements of the land principles of transparency and accountability creating an environment of fraudulent acts and cronyism, the RAMS investigation report stated.

Capital assets such as motor vehicles, out boat motors, water tanks, generator sets, office equipment including computers and accessories were bought under the PIP and given to individuals and groups without proper assets register and record.

The report referred to an amount of K100,000 expended annually from the PIP funds towards the Mansava Oval Redevelopment Project. Payments were noted to have been made to suppliers and individuals in relation to this project. However, there were no progress reports or completions certificates available. In the absence of such records the project status remains unknown.

As well, in 2004 two individuals from Ling Stuckey’s office received cash advances totaling K85,500 to carry out community development forums. There were no proper acquittals and reports of the exact work done.

The report also highlighted discrepancies in the Tender Process. The New Ireland Provincial Supply and Tender Board did not meet between 2002-2007. There were not many minutes and tender documents available to indicate otherwise. Yet between 2003-2004 fixed assets to the value of K4,029,603 including motor vehicles, boats, engines and water tanks were bought.
Also in 2004, road works projects costing of K2,005,808 were awarded to contractors without following tender processes.

Relevant state law enforcement agencies were fully aware of the existence of the illegal Lemus Structure. The new incoming New Ireland Provincial Government after the 2007 general election, under the leadership of Sir Julius as governor has done its part by engaging RAMS to carry out an independent investigation.

The RAMS report is now a public document now that it has been tabled in the New Ireland Provincial Assembly. The report has highlighted gross abuse of processes, misuse of public funds and breach of laws including: Supply and Tender Board approvals not obtained for purchase of motor vehicle and payments to contractors; Auditor General’s financial statements for 2005, 2006 and 2007 does not the PA’s statement which is prescribed under Section 117 of the Pubic Finance (Management) Act 1995; New Ireland Provincial Government did not maintain proper accounts and records breaching Section 68 (1) of the Public Finance (Management) Act 1995; Receipt, payments and investments of monies and acquisitions and disposal of assets not in accordance with the Public Finance (Management) Act 1995 and the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments.

The Ombudsman Commission, Auditor General, Public Services Commission, Police Fraud Squad and all relevant state agencies should take their cue from the RAMS report if they have not done any investigation of their own to take corrective action and set the records straight.
That would be the most appropriate action for purposes of transparency, good governance and accountable leadership. The very act of State agencies not acting in a timely manner to attend to corruption may well amount to corruption too.

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New Ireland Province probe recommends prosecution for law breakers

By HENZY YAKHAM

An investigation into the financial dealings of the New Ireland Provincial Government between 2002-2007 has found instances of systemic and blatant abuse of financial and administrative process, gross misuse and misappropriation of public funds totaling over K64 million in five years.

As well, the investigation report made staggering revelations of an illegal financial and administrative system, known as the "Lemus Structure" created by former New Ireland Governor Ian Ling Stuckey.

Sir Julius Chan (left)- Governor of New Ireland Province

According to the report, the illegal Lemus Structure was organised by Ling Stuckey and Kavieng MP Martin Aini. It was a pyramid-type structure where Iing Stuckey was positioned at the top followed by the two open MPs from the province (Kavieng and Namatanai) then the district coordinators, local level government coordinators, ward coordinators then down to segments of the community then onto individuals.

The report said the Lemus Structure was a political network and did not come within the formal government framework. Therefore the involvement of this network by Ling Stuckey in conducting government business was an illegal act.

While Ling Stuckey was in office, state law enforcing agencies including the Ombudsman Commission, Auditor General’s office, Police Fraud Squad and Pubic Services Commission visited the province and carried some form investigations, but nothing much has eventuated.
The investigations carried out by RAMS Business Consultants have confirmed much of the concerns and issue raised then.

The report highlighted that the public service delivery system was highly politicised and made totally inefficient and ineffective while the province’s annually provincial budgets were prepared outside of the Provincial Government machinery with no inputs whatsoever from professional, experienced and career public servants.

It also stated that there are enough evidences for both former and serving politicians and public servants to be charged for criminal offences as well as public service disciplinary charges.

Tabling the report in the New Ireland Provincial Assembly on September 9 2009 by Governor Sir Julius Chan recommended for the Ombudsman Commission to carry out a detail investigation into the leadership culture perpetrated under Ling Stuckey’s administration.
During the five-year period over K64 million of public investment funds belonging to the Papua New Guinean taxpayers were unaccounted for.

The New Ireland Provincial Executive Council through its decision number 11/2008 appointed an independent investigation to be carried out by RAMS Business Consultants supported by Loani Henao of Henao Lawyers to investigate the financial affairs of the New Ireland province from 2002-2007.

RAMS was engaged by the current Provincial Government in February 2008 following widespread allegations of gross misuse of public funds and alleged abuse of power by the previous administration under the Lemus Structure rendering the public service idle and useless.

"There existed a chaotic and unstructured administrative system famously called the Lemus Structure which not only conflicted with established systems and structure of Government, but also promoted and environment of cronyism and lack of accountability and transparent," highlights the report.

The report further stresses that: "It appears the established systems of governance were deliberately manipulated to suit vested political interest. The Provincial Government completely disregarded the public service machinery of New Ireland Province in policy formulation, strategic planning and budgeting as well as programme implementation".

In fact, the report strongly recommends for appropriate criminal, civil and leadership action against Ling Stuckey and former Provincial Administrator (PA) Robinson Sirambat. Repeatedly highlighted in the report is that the powers and functions of the public servants were performed at the Governor’s office by his political staff and cronies. Most public servants were therefore made to remain idle for the whole five years, but still on full pay. Basically, the public servants were pay for doing nothing over the five years.

The report noted that a under Ling Stuckey leadership a Provincial Executive Council (PEC) decision No: 11/2002 directed the then PA withdraw all awfully delegated financial powers from all public servants except the First Secretary to the Governor’s office. From the date of that PEC decision all requisitions for expenditure for Public Investment Programme (PIP) were initiated at the Governor’s office.

The First Secretary signed as Section 32 officer while the PA signed as Financial Delegate for claims to be committed and payments made. In certain instances Ling Stuckey himself signed on top of the claim forms. The financial powers were vested with the PA as the Chief Accounting Officer thus the direction from PEC was an unlawful act. The PA should have refused to accept the PEC direction or could have advised the PEC that the direction was unlawful.

The report also states that fund for PIP or the Development Budget for the five years totaling K64,002,258 was directly controlled and managed by Ling Stuckey’s political staff. Consequently, there were no proper project appraisals done, projects were not monitored and valued, and they lacked a system of measuring the impact of the PIP.

As well, it was apparent that under the pretext of project funding, public funds were disbursed without much regard for the requirements of the land principles of transparency and accountability creating an environment of fraudulent acts and cronyism, the RAMS investigation report stated.

Capital assets such as motor vehicles, out boat motors, water tanks, generator sets, office equipment including computers and accessories were bought under the PIP and given to individuals and groups without proper assets register and record.

The report referred to an amount of K100,000 expended annually from the PIP funds towards the Mansava Oval Redevelopment Project. Payments were noted to have been made to suppliers and individuals in relation to this project. However, there were no progress reports or completions certificates available. In the absence of such records the project status remains unknown.

As well, in 2004 two individuals from Ling Stuckey’s office received cash advances totaling K85,500 to carry out community development forums. There were no proper acquittals and reports of the exact work done.

The report also highlighted discrepancies in the Tender Process. The New Ireland Provincial Supply and Tender Board did not meet between 2002-2007. There were not many minutes and tender documents available to indicate otherwise. Yet between 2003-2004 fixed assets to the value of K4,029,603 including motor vehicles, boats, engines and water tanks were bought.
Also in 2004, road works projects costing of K2,005,808 were awarded to contractors without following tender processes.

Relevant state law enforcement agencies were fully aware of the existence of the illegal Lemus Structure. The new incoming New Ireland Provincial Government after the 2007 general election, under the leadership of Sir Julius as governor has done its part by engaging RAMS to carry out an independent investigation.

The RAMS report is now a public document now that it has been tabled in the New Ireland Provincial Assembly. The report has highlighted gross abuse of processes, misuse of public funds and breach of laws including: Supply and Tender Board approvals not obtained for purchase of motor vehicle and payments to contractors; Auditor General’s financial statements for 2005, 2006 and 2007 does not the PA’s statement which is prescribed under Section 117 of the Pubic Finance (Management) Act 1995; New Ireland Provincial Government did not maintain proper accounts and records breaching Section 68 (1) of the Public Finance (Management) Act 1995; Receipt, payments and investments of monies and acquisitions and disposal of assets not in accordance with the Public Finance (Management) Act 1995 and the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments.

The Ombudsman Commission, Auditor General, Public Services Commission, Police Fraud Squad and all relevant state agencies should take their cue from the RAMS report if they have not done any investigation of their own to take corrective action and set the records straight.
That would be the most appropriate action for purposes of transparency, good governance and accountable leadership. The very act of State agencies not acting in a timely manner to attend to corruption may well amount to corruption too.

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New Ireland Province probe recommends prosecution for law breakers

By HENZY YAKHAM

An investigation into the financial dealings of the New Ireland Provincial Government between 2002-2007 has found instances of systemic and blatant abuse of financial and administrative process, gross misuse and misappropriation of public funds totaling over K64 million in five years.

As well, the investigation report made staggering revelations of an illegal financial and administrative system, known as the "Lemus Structure" created by former New Ireland Governor Ian Ling Stuckey.

Sir Julius Chan (left)- Governor of New Ireland Province

According to the report, the illegal Lemus Structure was organised by Ling Stuckey and Kavieng MP Martin Aini. It was a pyramid-type structure where Iing Stuckey was positioned at the top followed by the two open MPs from the province (Kavieng and Namatanai) then the district coordinators, local level government coordinators, ward coordinators then down to segments of the community then onto individuals.

The report said the Lemus Structure was a political network and did not come within the formal government framework. Therefore the involvement of this network by Ling Stuckey in conducting government business was an illegal act.

While Ling Stuckey was in office, state law enforcing agencies including the Ombudsman Commission, Auditor General’s office, Police Fraud Squad and Pubic Services Commission visited the province and carried some form investigations, but nothing much has eventuated.
The investigations carried out by RAMS Business Consultants have confirmed much of the concerns and issue raised then.

The report highlighted that the public service delivery system was highly politicised and made totally inefficient and ineffective while the province’s annually provincial budgets were prepared outside of the Provincial Government machinery with no inputs whatsoever from professional, experienced and career public servants.

It also stated that there are enough evidences for both former and serving politicians and public servants to be charged for criminal offences as well as public service disciplinary charges.

Tabling the report in the New Ireland Provincial Assembly on September 9 2009 by Governor Sir Julius Chan recommended for the Ombudsman Commission to carry out a detail investigation into the leadership culture perpetrated under Ling Stuckey’s administration.
During the five-year period over K64 million of public investment funds belonging to the Papua New Guinean taxpayers were unaccounted for.

The New Ireland Provincial Executive Council through its decision number 11/2008 appointed an independent investigation to be carried out by RAMS Business Consultants supported by Loani Henao of Henao Lawyers to investigate the financial affairs of the New Ireland province from 2002-2007.

RAMS was engaged by the current Provincial Government in February 2008 following widespread allegations of gross misuse of public funds and alleged abuse of power by the previous administration under the Lemus Structure rendering the public service idle and useless.

"There existed a chaotic and unstructured administrative system famously called the Lemus Structure which not only conflicted with established systems and structure of Government, but also promoted and environment of cronyism and lack of accountability and transparent," highlights the report.

The report further stresses that: "It appears the established systems of governance were deliberately manipulated to suit vested political interest. The Provincial Government completely disregarded the public service machinery of New Ireland Province in policy formulation, strategic planning and budgeting as well as programme implementation".

In fact, the report strongly recommends for appropriate criminal, civil and leadership action against Ling Stuckey and former Provincial Administrator (PA) Robinson Sirambat. Repeatedly highlighted in the report is that the powers and functions of the public servants were performed at the Governor’s office by his political staff and cronies. Most public servants were therefore made to remain idle for the whole five years, but still on full pay. Basically, the public servants were pay for doing nothing over the five years.

The report noted that a under Ling Stuckey leadership a Provincial Executive Council (PEC) decision No: 11/2002 directed the then PA withdraw all awfully delegated financial powers from all public servants except the First Secretary to the Governor’s office. From the date of that PEC decision all requisitions for expenditure for Public Investment Programme (PIP) were initiated at the Governor’s office.

The First Secretary signed as Section 32 officer while the PA signed as Financial Delegate for claims to be committed and payments made. In certain instances Ling Stuckey himself signed on top of the claim forms. The financial powers were vested with the PA as the Chief Accounting Officer thus the direction from PEC was an unlawful act. The PA should have refused to accept the PEC direction or could have advised the PEC that the direction was unlawful.

The report also states that fund for PIP or the Development Budget for the five years totaling K64,002,258 was directly controlled and managed by Ling Stuckey’s political staff. Consequently, there were no proper project appraisals done, projects were not monitored and valued, and they lacked a system of measuring the impact of the PIP.

As well, it was apparent that under the pretext of project funding, public funds were disbursed without much regard for the requirements of the land principles of transparency and accountability creating an environment of fraudulent acts and cronyism, the RAMS investigation report stated.

Capital assets such as motor vehicles, out boat motors, water tanks, generator sets, office equipment including computers and accessories were bought under the PIP and given to individuals and groups without proper assets register and record.

The report referred to an amount of K100,000 expended annually from the PIP funds towards the Mansava Oval Redevelopment Project. Payments were noted to have been made to suppliers and individuals in relation to this project. However, there were no progress reports or completions certificates available. In the absence of such records the project status remains unknown.

As well, in 2004 two individuals from Ling Stuckey’s office received cash advances totaling K85,500 to carry out community development forums. There were no proper acquittals and reports of the exact work done.

The report also highlighted discrepancies in the Tender Process. The New Ireland Provincial Supply and Tender Board did not meet between 2002-2007. There were not many minutes and tender documents available to indicate otherwise. Yet between 2003-2004 fixed assets to the value of K4,029,603 including motor vehicles, boats, engines and water tanks were bought.
Also in 2004, road works projects costing of K2,005,808 were awarded to contractors without following tender processes.

Relevant state law enforcement agencies were fully aware of the existence of the illegal Lemus Structure. The new incoming New Ireland Provincial Government after the 2007 general election, under the leadership of Sir Julius as governor has done its part by engaging RAMS to carry out an independent investigation.

The RAMS report is now a public document now that it has been tabled in the New Ireland Provincial Assembly. The report has highlighted gross abuse of processes, misuse of public funds and breach of laws including: Supply and Tender Board approvals not obtained for purchase of motor vehicle and payments to contractors; Auditor General’s financial statements for 2005, 2006 and 2007 does not the PA’s statement which is prescribed under Section 117 of the Pubic Finance (Management) Act 1995; New Ireland Provincial Government did not maintain proper accounts and records breaching Section 68 (1) of the Public Finance (Management) Act 1995; Receipt, payments and investments of monies and acquisitions and disposal of assets not in accordance with the Public Finance (Management) Act 1995 and the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments.

The Ombudsman Commission, Auditor General, Public Services Commission, Police Fraud Squad and all relevant state agencies should take their cue from the RAMS report if they have not done any investigation of their own to take corrective action and set the records straight.
That would be the most appropriate action for purposes of transparency, good governance and accountable leadership. The very act of State agencies not acting in a timely manner to attend to corruption may well amount to corruption too.

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