WHP needs political direction

Who is the political head of the Western Highlands province? Nobody is saying. Part of the question will be known today when the Supreme Court hands down its decision on whether or not ousted governor Tom Olga can apply for a review of the National Court decision six weeks ago that voided his election as governor and ordered a by-election. Should it grant Mr Olga his wish, the application for review will be filed and the process will take quite a bit of time. We can safely say a number of months.

If it rejects Mr Olga’s application, then a by-election will be conducted and that will take anywhere between four and six months. Whichever is the case, the position of governor will be vacant and it needs to be filled.Western Highlands, once a thriving province of commerce and industry, is now reduced to a chaotic state and politics has had a big hand in this turn of events.

The present vacuum just adds to the problems besetting the province. With the provincial government headquarters burnt down and now with the province caught in a flood disaster, political direction is crucial. And it is missing. To our mind, it should be a simple matter. The political head of the province should be the Deputy Governor and Member for North Waghi, Benjamin Mul. There is no contest as to his position as deputy governor.

By the operation of the Organic Law he ought to, by right, be the acting governor until such time as a new governor is elected. The law supports our position but the political climate might not particularly, as Mr Mul is a member of the Opposition.

Here are the facts as they stand: In the matter of Election Petition No. 55 of 2007 between Paias Wingti as petitioner and provincial returning officer Kala Rawali, the Electoral Commission of PNG and Tom Olga, Justice David Cannings found the following errors or omissions: * 1,210 ballot papers in Keltiga ballot box No 0386, which the court ordered to be counted, were not located or counted; * 1,877 ballot papers were incorrectly rejected as informal for being initialed on the front; * 511 ballot papers unaccounted for at exclusion No 22;* 46 extra ballot papers were introduced at exclusion No 24; and* 465 ballot papers were miscounted in the final tally in form 66B.

The court also found that Alwynn Jimmy, the person in charge of the recount, was not biased against the third respondent and was not guilty of any illegal practices. Further, as the total number of ballot papers affected by the proven errors or omissions was greater than the winning margin, and substantially so, the error or omissions affected the result of the election and it was open to the court under Section 218 (1) of the Organic Law, to declare that the election be “voided”. Finding so, the court “thought it just and sufficient” to declare that Mr Olga (third respondent) was not duly elected and that the 2007 election was void.

The effect of this decision was that Mr Olga lost his seat and that a by-election be conducted.This decision has been contested by Mr Olga. To our mind, there should be no problem whatsoever with the deputy governor stepping in to perform the duties of the governor in an acting capacity while the matter is sorted out in court or through an election process.A vacancy in the office of the provincial governor is created, according to Section 19 of the Organic Law, if the governor “is dismissed from office … or is appointed a minister or vice-minister … or is otherwise disqualified by law.

In the event of a vacancy, the assembly shall appoint another MP from the province to be governor. The law is quite clear that the deputy governor “shall be politically responsible to the provincial assembly for the overall development and good government of the province …”

This, in no way, means that the deputy governor, in this case, Mr Mul, takes over the duties and responsibilities on a permanent basis. Mr Mul is there, as caretaker, until the provincial assembly meets to elect a governor or until the court makes its decision on the appeal before it, or until the province elects a new governor in a by-election. Western Highlands is presently inundated with problems such as natural disasters and a general breakdown in law and order. Political direction is crucial at this time.

*** Further information on Western Highlands Province's status, click here

WHP needs political direction

Who is the political head of the Western Highlands province? Nobody is saying. Part of the question will be known today when the Supreme Court hands down its decision on whether or not ousted governor Tom Olga can apply for a review of the National Court decision six weeks ago that voided his election as governor and ordered a by-election. Should it grant Mr Olga his wish, the application for review will be filed and the process will take quite a bit of time. We can safely say a number of months.

If it rejects Mr Olga’s application, then a by-election will be conducted and that will take anywhere between four and six months. Whichever is the case, the position of governor will be vacant and it needs to be filled.Western Highlands, once a thriving province of commerce and industry, is now reduced to a chaotic state and politics has had a big hand in this turn of events.

The present vacuum just adds to the problems besetting the province. With the provincial government headquarters burnt down and now with the province caught in a flood disaster, political direction is crucial. And it is missing. To our mind, it should be a simple matter. The political head of the province should be the Deputy Governor and Member for North Waghi, Benjamin Mul. There is no contest as to his position as deputy governor.

By the operation of the Organic Law he ought to, by right, be the acting governor until such time as a new governor is elected. The law supports our position but the political climate might not particularly, as Mr Mul is a member of the Opposition.

Here are the facts as they stand: In the matter of Election Petition No. 55 of 2007 between Paias Wingti as petitioner and provincial returning officer Kala Rawali, the Electoral Commission of PNG and Tom Olga, Justice David Cannings found the following errors or omissions: * 1,210 ballot papers in Keltiga ballot box No 0386, which the court ordered to be counted, were not located or counted; * 1,877 ballot papers were incorrectly rejected as informal for being initialed on the front; * 511 ballot papers unaccounted for at exclusion No 22;* 46 extra ballot papers were introduced at exclusion No 24; and* 465 ballot papers were miscounted in the final tally in form 66B.

The court also found that Alwynn Jimmy, the person in charge of the recount, was not biased against the third respondent and was not guilty of any illegal practices. Further, as the total number of ballot papers affected by the proven errors or omissions was greater than the winning margin, and substantially so, the error or omissions affected the result of the election and it was open to the court under Section 218 (1) of the Organic Law, to declare that the election be “voided”. Finding so, the court “thought it just and sufficient” to declare that Mr Olga (third respondent) was not duly elected and that the 2007 election was void.

The effect of this decision was that Mr Olga lost his seat and that a by-election be conducted.This decision has been contested by Mr Olga. To our mind, there should be no problem whatsoever with the deputy governor stepping in to perform the duties of the governor in an acting capacity while the matter is sorted out in court or through an election process.A vacancy in the office of the provincial governor is created, according to Section 19 of the Organic Law, if the governor “is dismissed from office … or is appointed a minister or vice-minister … or is otherwise disqualified by law.

In the event of a vacancy, the assembly shall appoint another MP from the province to be governor. The law is quite clear that the deputy governor “shall be politically responsible to the provincial assembly for the overall development and good government of the province …”

This, in no way, means that the deputy governor, in this case, Mr Mul, takes over the duties and responsibilities on a permanent basis. Mr Mul is there, as caretaker, until the provincial assembly meets to elect a governor or until the court makes its decision on the appeal before it, or until the province elects a new governor in a by-election. Western Highlands is presently inundated with problems such as natural disasters and a general breakdown in law and order. Political direction is crucial at this time.

*** Further information on Western Highlands Province's status, click here

WHP needs political direction

Who is the political head of the Western Highlands province? Nobody is saying. Part of the question will be known today when the Supreme Court hands down its decision on whether or not ousted governor Tom Olga can apply for a review of the National Court decision six weeks ago that voided his election as governor and ordered a by-election. Should it grant Mr Olga his wish, the application for review will be filed and the process will take quite a bit of time. We can safely say a number of months.

If it rejects Mr Olga’s application, then a by-election will be conducted and that will take anywhere between four and six months. Whichever is the case, the position of governor will be vacant and it needs to be filled.Western Highlands, once a thriving province of commerce and industry, is now reduced to a chaotic state and politics has had a big hand in this turn of events.

The present vacuum just adds to the problems besetting the province. With the provincial government headquarters burnt down and now with the province caught in a flood disaster, political direction is crucial. And it is missing. To our mind, it should be a simple matter. The political head of the province should be the Deputy Governor and Member for North Waghi, Benjamin Mul. There is no contest as to his position as deputy governor.

By the operation of the Organic Law he ought to, by right, be the acting governor until such time as a new governor is elected. The law supports our position but the political climate might not particularly, as Mr Mul is a member of the Opposition.

Here are the facts as they stand: In the matter of Election Petition No. 55 of 2007 between Paias Wingti as petitioner and provincial returning officer Kala Rawali, the Electoral Commission of PNG and Tom Olga, Justice David Cannings found the following errors or omissions: * 1,210 ballot papers in Keltiga ballot box No 0386, which the court ordered to be counted, were not located or counted; * 1,877 ballot papers were incorrectly rejected as informal for being initialed on the front; * 511 ballot papers unaccounted for at exclusion No 22;* 46 extra ballot papers were introduced at exclusion No 24; and* 465 ballot papers were miscounted in the final tally in form 66B.

The court also found that Alwynn Jimmy, the person in charge of the recount, was not biased against the third respondent and was not guilty of any illegal practices. Further, as the total number of ballot papers affected by the proven errors or omissions was greater than the winning margin, and substantially so, the error or omissions affected the result of the election and it was open to the court under Section 218 (1) of the Organic Law, to declare that the election be “voided”. Finding so, the court “thought it just and sufficient” to declare that Mr Olga (third respondent) was not duly elected and that the 2007 election was void.

The effect of this decision was that Mr Olga lost his seat and that a by-election be conducted.This decision has been contested by Mr Olga. To our mind, there should be no problem whatsoever with the deputy governor stepping in to perform the duties of the governor in an acting capacity while the matter is sorted out in court or through an election process.A vacancy in the office of the provincial governor is created, according to Section 19 of the Organic Law, if the governor “is dismissed from office … or is appointed a minister or vice-minister … or is otherwise disqualified by law.

In the event of a vacancy, the assembly shall appoint another MP from the province to be governor. The law is quite clear that the deputy governor “shall be politically responsible to the provincial assembly for the overall development and good government of the province …”

This, in no way, means that the deputy governor, in this case, Mr Mul, takes over the duties and responsibilities on a permanent basis. Mr Mul is there, as caretaker, until the provincial assembly meets to elect a governor or until the court makes its decision on the appeal before it, or until the province elects a new governor in a by-election. Western Highlands is presently inundated with problems such as natural disasters and a general breakdown in law and order. Political direction is crucial at this time.

*** Further information on Western Highlands Province's status, click here

Where to from here WHP?

Barack Obama’s inaugural this year, Bush calling Howard a man of steel on the international scene.And in PNG the famous Kapal Haus on fire built not by the national government but the provincial government in Lucas Roika and Philip Kapal’s reign.

Today Wingti and Olga are at loggerheads over who should be the governor of the province? And the 17,000 vote one’s (1) for Wai Rapa and vote two’s (2) for Tom Olga, all signed by one electoral officer demeaning the credible status (if any) of the Electoral Commission, putting into chaos trust and confidence bestowed in the leadership of this province.

There have been confirmed discrepancies as stated by the returning officer, so should that power struggle be classified as the clash of the titans? Or a rush of desperate power hungry radicals who get what they want at the expense of other people’s lives and public or private properties.In 2007 general elections there were the first four in count one namely Paias Wingti, Tom Olga, Wai Rapa and Wan Wak.

Can Alwyn Jimmy tell us after the 17,000 votes were misused as stated in the Post-Courier where does the Electoral Commission today place Wan Wak, Tom P Watinga and Jack Jimben who trailed honestly with sweat in pursuance of the regional seat? These guys were true and noble titans who fairly clashed.Western Highlands is a strategic province. Like Moresby being the jewel of the Pacific, WHP will always remain the heartbeat of PNG and what transpires from here normally affects politics, religion and the economy in this country.

Important decisions and good leadership qualities need to be portrayed here as we can be the symbol to other provinces.To start off with here, there is no change in infrastructure developments in this province after 2007 elections. Priority identified to build this province by the present administration is focused on the Transport Division. The transport division to hire cars and run WHP. The most logical option available.Are there concerned, credible Western Highlanders out there, Hellow – Yellow?

Wan Wallace Wak

Mount Hagen, WHP

*** People of WHP are tired of leadership struggle between pot-bellied and power-hungry politicians who only think about themselves. We want leaders who can put the interests of the people of WHP first and deliver goods and services to the villages.

Western Highlands is a province of Papua New Guinea. The provincial capital is Mount Hagen.
The province covers an area of 8,500 km², and there are 440,025 inhabitants (2000 census), making the Western Highlands one of the most densely populated provinces. Tea and coffee are grown in the Western Highlands. Mount Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in Papua New Guinea, is on the border of the Western Highlands and Chimbu Provinces. (Western Highlands Provincial flag is shown, above left)

Where to from here WHP?

Barack Obama’s inaugural this year, Bush calling Howard a man of steel on the international scene.And in PNG the famous Kapal Haus on fire built not by the national government but the provincial government in Lucas Roika and Philip Kapal’s reign.

Today Wingti and Olga are at loggerheads over who should be the governor of the province? And the 17,000 vote one’s (1) for Wai Rapa and vote two’s (2) for Tom Olga, all signed by one electoral officer demeaning the credible status (if any) of the Electoral Commission, putting into chaos trust and confidence bestowed in the leadership of this province.

There have been confirmed discrepancies as stated by the returning officer, so should that power struggle be classified as the clash of the titans? Or a rush of desperate power hungry radicals who get what they want at the expense of other people’s lives and public or private properties.In 2007 general elections there were the first four in count one namely Paias Wingti, Tom Olga, Wai Rapa and Wan Wak.

Can Alwyn Jimmy tell us after the 17,000 votes were misused as stated in the Post-Courier where does the Electoral Commission today place Wan Wak, Tom P Watinga and Jack Jimben who trailed honestly with sweat in pursuance of the regional seat? These guys were true and noble titans who fairly clashed.Western Highlands is a strategic province. Like Moresby being the jewel of the Pacific, WHP will always remain the heartbeat of PNG and what transpires from here normally affects politics, religion and the economy in this country.

Important decisions and good leadership qualities need to be portrayed here as we can be the symbol to other provinces.To start off with here, there is no change in infrastructure developments in this province after 2007 elections. Priority identified to build this province by the present administration is focused on the Transport Division. The transport division to hire cars and run WHP. The most logical option available.Are there concerned, credible Western Highlanders out there, Hellow – Yellow?

Wan Wallace Wak

Mount Hagen, WHP

*** People of WHP are tired of leadership struggle between pot-bellied and power-hungry politicians who only think about themselves. We want leaders who can put the interests of the people of WHP first and deliver goods and services to the villages.

Western Highlands is a province of Papua New Guinea. The provincial capital is Mount Hagen.
The province covers an area of 8,500 km², and there are 440,025 inhabitants (2000 census), making the Western Highlands one of the most densely populated provinces. Tea and coffee are grown in the Western Highlands. Mount Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in Papua New Guinea, is on the border of the Western Highlands and Chimbu Provinces. (Western Highlands Provincial flag is shown, above left)

Where to from here WHP?

Barack Obama’s inaugural this year, Bush calling Howard a man of steel on the international scene.And in PNG the famous Kapal Haus on fire built not by the national government but the provincial government in Lucas Roika and Philip Kapal’s reign.

Today Wingti and Olga are at loggerheads over who should be the governor of the province? And the 17,000 vote one’s (1) for Wai Rapa and vote two’s (2) for Tom Olga, all signed by one electoral officer demeaning the credible status (if any) of the Electoral Commission, putting into chaos trust and confidence bestowed in the leadership of this province.

There have been confirmed discrepancies as stated by the returning officer, so should that power struggle be classified as the clash of the titans? Or a rush of desperate power hungry radicals who get what they want at the expense of other people’s lives and public or private properties.In 2007 general elections there were the first four in count one namely Paias Wingti, Tom Olga, Wai Rapa and Wan Wak.

Can Alwyn Jimmy tell us after the 17,000 votes were misused as stated in the Post-Courier where does the Electoral Commission today place Wan Wak, Tom P Watinga and Jack Jimben who trailed honestly with sweat in pursuance of the regional seat? These guys were true and noble titans who fairly clashed.Western Highlands is a strategic province. Like Moresby being the jewel of the Pacific, WHP will always remain the heartbeat of PNG and what transpires from here normally affects politics, religion and the economy in this country.

Important decisions and good leadership qualities need to be portrayed here as we can be the symbol to other provinces.To start off with here, there is no change in infrastructure developments in this province after 2007 elections. Priority identified to build this province by the present administration is focused on the Transport Division. The transport division to hire cars and run WHP. The most logical option available.Are there concerned, credible Western Highlanders out there, Hellow – Yellow?

Wan Wallace Wak

Mount Hagen, WHP

*** People of WHP are tired of leadership struggle between pot-bellied and power-hungry politicians who only think about themselves. We want leaders who can put the interests of the people of WHP first and deliver goods and services to the villages.

Western Highlands is a province of Papua New Guinea. The provincial capital is Mount Hagen.
The province covers an area of 8,500 km², and there are 440,025 inhabitants (2000 census), making the Western Highlands one of the most densely populated provinces. Tea and coffee are grown in the Western Highlands. Mount Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in Papua New Guinea, is on the border of the Western Highlands and Chimbu Provinces. (Western Highlands Provincial flag is shown, above left)

Mount Hagen's Kapal Haus in ashes

Below is what is left of the famous Kapal Haus after the fire had completely destoryed the entire building. WHP is back to square one! Hope plans are in place to erect an identical building soon :(

Mount Hagen's Kapal Haus in ashes

Below is what is left of the famous Kapal Haus after the fire had completely destoryed the entire building. WHP is back to square one! Hope plans are in place to erect an identical building soon :(

Mount Hagen's Kapal Haus in ashes

Below is what is left of the famous Kapal Haus after the fire had completely destoryed the entire building. WHP is back to square one! Hope plans are in place to erect an identical building soon :(

Western Highlands Province Governor

Western Highlands Province Governor, Tom Olga was a former student of mine at Kombolopa High School in the Mul/Baiyer District of WHP. I could recall he was a simple guy who didn't talk too much and was open to talk to and easily approachable. We use to call ourselves "Kela Mate" (friend) in those days among some of the guys who attended Kombolopa between 1988 - 2001. Among them were Philip Kerua, David Onga, and Tom Olg among others.

After four years at Kombolopa High School, we went in different directions and I learnt after 20 or so years that Olga was elected last year as the governor of WHP. I've not met him yet but I hope to do so some day. I hope he is doing well serving the WHP and PNG. Congratulations to Mr. Olga on your election as the governor of WHP. Go Kela Mate!

WESTERN Highlands Governor Tom Olga was granted leave for judicial review of an election case by the National Court in Waigani, Port Moresby, PNG. Mr Olga (above) outside the courthouse.

Western Highlands Province Governor

Western Highlands Province Governor, Tom Olga was a former student of mine at Kombolopa High School in the Mul/Baiyer District of WHP. I could recall he was a simple guy who didn't talk too much and was open to talk to and easily approachable. We use to call ourselves "Kela Mate" (friend) in those days among some of the guys who attended Kombolopa between 1988 - 2001. Among them were Philip Kerua, David Onga, and Tom Olg among others.

After four years at Kombolopa High School, we went in different directions and I learnt after 20 or so years that Olga was elected last year as the governor of WHP. I've not met him yet but I hope to do so some day. I hope he is doing well serving the WHP and PNG. Congratulations to Mr. Olga on your election as the governor of WHP. Go Kela Mate!

WESTERN Highlands Governor Tom Olga was granted leave for judicial review of an election case by the National Court in Waigani, Port Moresby, PNG. Mr Olga (above) outside the courthouse.

Western Highlands Province Governor

Western Highlands Province Governor, Tom Olga was a former student of mine at Kombolopa High School in the Mul/Baiyer District of WHP. I could recall he was a simple guy who didn't talk too much and was open to talk to and easily approachable. We use to call ourselves "Kela Mate" (friend) in those days among some of the guys who attended Kombolopa between 1988 - 2001. Among them were Philip Kerua, David Onga, and Tom Olg among others.

After four years at Kombolopa High School, we went in different directions and I learnt after 20 or so years that Olga was elected last year as the governor of WHP. I've not met him yet but I hope to do so some day. I hope he is doing well serving the WHP and PNG. Congratulations to Mr. Olga on your election as the governor of WHP. Go Kela Mate!

WESTERN Highlands Governor Tom Olga was granted leave for judicial review of an election case by the National Court in Waigani, Port Moresby, PNG. Mr Olga (above) outside the courthouse.

Welcome to the City of Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

These are pictures taken in November - December 2007 during my summer break in Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Looking towards my bus-stop and Renbo from the famous Mount Hagen Market

Mount Hagen's Renbo Supermarket (Teninga)

KKK building in Mount Hagen

AGC Building in Mount Hagen, WHP

Mount Hagen's Komkui Building

Mount Hagen's internet cafe (opposite Best Buy)

Welcome to the City of Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

These are pictures taken in November - December 2007 during my summer break in Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Looking towards my bus-stop and Renbo from the famous Mount Hagen Market

Mount Hagen's Renbo Supermarket (Teninga)

KKK building in Mount Hagen

AGC Building in Mount Hagen, WHP

Mount Hagen's Komkui Building

Mount Hagen's internet cafe (opposite Best Buy)

Welcome to the City of Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

These are pictures taken in November - December 2007 during my summer break in Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Looking towards my bus-stop and Renbo from the famous Mount Hagen Market

Mount Hagen's Renbo Supermarket (Teninga)

KKK building in Mount Hagen

AGC Building in Mount Hagen, WHP

Mount Hagen's Komkui Building

Mount Hagen's internet cafe (opposite Best Buy)