PAPUA NEW GUINEA DELEGATION IN VANUATU FOR TOK SORI CEREMONY RECEIVED BY MSG SECRETARIAT

PORT VILA, VANUATU (5 August 2024): The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat received a Papua New Guinea delegation on Thursday, 1 August led by Hon. Powes Parkop, Governor of the National Capital District (NCD) who attended Vanuatu’s 44th Independence Anniversary celebrations in Port Vila.

The delegation comprised Hon. Lohia Boe Samuel, Member for Port Moresby North West; Hon. Keith Iduhu, Member for Central Hiri; and Grand Chief Brigadier Ted Ramu Diro, Former Commander of the PNG Defence Force.

In welcoming them to the Secretariat, Director General, Leonard Louma assured them of the deep pride and honour attached to their visit to the Secretariat.

“At the very outset, let me admit that it is not lost on us here at the Secretariat that our creation as an organization is very much the product of what transpired 44 years ago in Santo when Papua New Guinea answered the plea for assistance from a fledging young Melanesian country aspiring to take its place as an independent nation in the Pacific and indeed the world.

“In more ways than one, MSG as an organization was born from that crucible of conflict in Santo. That readiness and willingness of a fellow MSG country, that was at that stage no more than 5 years old itself, as an independent nation, took the bold step to intervene, when others older than itself, were not able to respond in the affirmative, to the request for help from Vanuatu.” DG Louma stated.

He said the events in Santo set off a paradigm shift in the way our Leaders thought of cooperation amongst and between themselves. 

The experience he said, convinced them that cooperation amongst and between themselves was possible despite their myriads of challenges and very limited resources.

Soon after the successful intervention in Santo, then PNG Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan invited the first Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Fr Walter Lini, to join him on the aircraft to the Solomon Islands to talk with then Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Sir Peter Kenilorea, about how they might cooperate and collaborate with each other in their quest to address the different development challenges that their countries were facing.

“The seeds of MSG cooperation were sewn there and then. Convinced of the need to have joint approaches and positions on shared challenges and interests, Leaders of Vanuatu, PNG, Solomon Islands and the FLNKS external affairs representative, Yanne Celene Uregei, met informally in Goroka in 1986 and agreed to formalize the organization and coined the name “Melanesian Spearhead Group” as the name of our Organisation,” DG Louma said. 

Two years later in 1988, the Agreed Principles of Cooperation between the Independent States of Melanesia was signed in Port Vila to formally establish the MSG Group.

The Secretariat also gifted the delegation with a pig, kava and mats for the Tok Sori ceremony at the Saralana Park later on Friday afternoon, for the unfortunate loss of life during the Santo operation caused by the Kumul Force.

“This magnanimous act will have very deep and profound significance. It will heal wounds suffered from the conflict, it will build bridges destroyed as a consequence of that conflict, it will restore family ties shattered by the conflict, and it will reaffirm PNG’s noble intentions in agreeing to assist Vanuatu with its request – to help Vanuatu and its people find their feet as an independent nation and not to deliberately bring harm to its citizens,” DG Louma added.

Grand Chief Brigadier Ted Ramu Diro, Former Commander of the PNGDF who led the Kumul Force to stop the Santo rebellion in 1980, was honored with a Distinction Medal by the President of Vanuatu, His Excellence Nikenike Vurobaravu at the State House on Independence Day.

WHAT LAND SOLUTIONS FOR PAPUA NEW GUINEA CAPITAL CITY?

Thursday 18 July 2024 – Member for Hiri-Koiari Hon. Keith Iduhu has cautioned the Government not to give false hope to the evicted illegal settlers of the 9- mile bushwara.

Mr Iduhu said this in light of Prime Minister James Marape announcing that he has given instructions to the Minister for Lands and the Member for Moresby Northeast to look for solutions for the settlers. Mr Iduhu said: “The grand proclamation and promise by the PM is counterproductive and purely political point scoring. 

Although I have been suggesting and advocating for proper land formalisation policy, it appears that ad hoc promises take precedence over long-term solutions.

“Hiri-Koiari and Central Province continues to be subjected to the encroachment and expansion of Port Moresby and the spill over of illegal settlers.

“I concur with the sentiments of Central Governor Hon. Rufina Peter who has urged commonsense and a zero tolerance stance against illegal settlers.

“While we sympathise with the hardship being faced by those evicted, we must also

be responsible with our statements and responses to this situation. The onus is now on the government to apply proper land and housing policy to this situation and not dish out promises.

“The government must provide proper housing for its citizens. We must PLAN and not PROMISE. We experience so many issues with living standards because we are letting our people become city planners, electricians, water suppliers and road constructors.

“The people of bushwara have been given promises thus far. 

And the promise land

for illegal settlers always seems to be Central Province and Hiri-Koiari. It is time the lands of provinces and districts be respected and not be subjected to state sanctioned land grabbing.”

Mr Iduhu also urged the people of Koiari not to cheaply and illegally give away land in the hopes for quick money.

“We have seen the damage caused in both long and short term due to the illegal sale of land. The social issues that come with urban drift, the increase in crime and social disorder, and the lack of services because of overpopulation.

“I urge our people of Koiari not to give in to land deals that will only cause more problems down the line. Let’s develop the land, invest in the future and see a return on these investments,” Mr Iduhu said.

ENDS

Approved for Release:

HON. KEITH IDUHU, LLB, MP

Shadow Attorney General and Minister of Justice | Trade and Commerce | Administrative Services

Member for Hiri-Koiari

All independence day stalls sold out

All 100 stalls for the main Independence Day celebration in Port Vila have been sold out shortly after the prices were announced.

A total of 70 food stalls were sold at VT40,000 each, and 30 kava stalls sold at VT50,000 each. They were all sold out as of yesterday. The stalls are yet to be set up, and some buyers have indicated they will install their own tents.

Residents in Port Vila will come together in a Victory Parade three weeks from today to begin celebrations at the main venue, Independence Park.

The annual celebration of nationhood reminds the citizens of the strength, courage and unity that makes Vanuatu great. It is a time to reflect on the origin of the struggle for independence and the people who played significant roles.

Town Clerk of the Port Vila City Council (PVCC) and Secretary of the Organising Committee, David Hopa, said the sold out of the stalls indicate major public interest.

The five-day celebration is not intended for fundraising as some people might think rather, the stalls will serve to provide food for attendees throughout the event, he said.

Hopa said despite the nation’s challenges and diverse political views, customs, and geographical divisions across islands, the celebration of independence is a key moment for all citizens to unite in driving the nation forward.

The Town Clerk emphasised that its not just a moment to mark the country’s 44th anniversary from colonial rule, also to celebrate achievements such as the country’s first successful Referendum, the country’s second-time ranking at the top of the Happy Index among 150 nations worldwide, and its leadership on environment issues at the global stage.

He said the committee discourages separate celebrations in the wards, and urged everyone to convene at Independence Park where the Head of the Government will be addressing the nation from.

“As one people, we build a better Vanuatu” is the theme for this year’s 44th Independence anniversary.

Celebrations outside the Port Vila municipality on Efate are hosted by each Area Councils and the SHEFA Provincial Council