NRI Commentary

The e-ID card system for Papua New Guinea

By Esther Lavu*

FORMAL identification is a step towards development in the modern world. The inability to prove “who are you” and “are you who you claim to be” is a growing concern for many people in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Birth, death and marriage certificates, and work ID cards are formal identifications, and are evidences of proof. In the future, the right to enrol in schools or be included in the electoral roll to vote, and to seek health services and formal employment will progressively require formal identity. Unfortunately, these formal identifications are not possessed by many Papua New Guineans. The national e-ID card system aims to close this gap.

Benefits
PNG e-ID card system

At a personal level, this database will prevent identity theft. More importantly, the identity will provide identity verification for employment, opening a new bank account and using an electronic travel ticketing. The e-ID card becomes a form of formal identification and will be universally acceptable.

Experiences from other countries show that people enrol in a national population databases are issued with a unique number that is linked to only one individual. This unique number is linked to his personal information and no one else can use his identity for benefits. This is one way of reducing widespread corruption at the lowest level.

Generally, the national e-ID card system will address the lack of secured, simple and universal method for citizen identification. When the national e-ID system is fully established and is in operation, PNG will own a centralised live central database of all its citizens. This will reduce the duplication of efforts and resources in data collection by various government agencies. However, it is important that the e-ID is standardised rather than a one-off process.

The national e-ID card system is the identification service that will facilitate requirements for the government and private service providers. For example, the information from the Population Information Management System or PIMS will help PNG Electoral Commission to check and verify their voting population numbers as there is an increasing demand for inclusion in the Electoral role. The health planners will also use the numbers to plan for future immunisation programs so that all females in the ages of 15-45 can be vaccinated.

The aim is to enrol every Papua New Guinea (PNG) citizen in a computerised national population database, which will be known as the Population Information Management System. The PIMS will contain the identity information for all PNG living citizens. From the PIMS, eligible citizens will be issued with a citizen identification card (e-ID cards). The ID card with a photo of a face will be linked to biometrics of finger print scans and individual information. A person’s identity includes name, address, date of birth, gender, parent/guardian details and other information.

This is a development driven project that will support the government’s electronic governance system (e-governance). The e-governance is linking all national databases and only authorised groups can trace information in all relevant databases kept by the government. Although a number of electronic government databases exist, they are not linked in any way.

The system that must support an individual’s formal identification is the Civil Registration System. The registration of events such as births, deaths and marriages form an important database that can assist government and private entities. However, this government program registered only a fraction of the population. Others included in the minority are those employed in the formal workforce with issued work ID cards. The identity gap between those with formal identity and those with no formal identification is increasingly recognised as not only a sign of underdevelopment but as a reason that make development more difficult and less inclusive.

To help people with no formal identifications, there are programs in PNG that provide individuals with some official identity in the context of delivery of a particular service. The PNG telecommunication sector has introduced a cash transfer via the mobile phones system. The banking systems have also introduced identity free banking services for the citizens. Currently no fees are attached to the initiative but it is likely that in the long run, fees will be imposed to continue the administration of such services. The e-ID card system is important for the people as it will be fee free and will be beneficial in many ways.

Additionally, the national e-ID card system is a tool for development planning and service delivery. The government and the other partners must work together to strengthen the on-going PNG e-ID card system once it is established. By supporting the PNG e-ID cards system, the ID cards issued from the PNG e-ID card system will eliminate the different requirements demanded by various government and private agencies.

However, the privacy protection is a top priority in building the foundation of PIMS so that individual’s identity is protected. Citizens will provide personal information and it is the responsibilities of the government to safe guard their personal identity. Mass disclosure of information must remain strictly to only authorised groups. An individual can exercise discretion and disallow the disclosure of your personal information for certain purposes.

It is of great value that the government is creating the national e-ID system which will serve as the identity service provider. It is planning this service against the challenge of many unhappy people who have not benefited from basic services. But the current government approach of increased funding towards sub-national levels is an indication of improved provisions of services. The co-operation and support of the sub national level governments and the partners are essential in creating the PNG e-ID system.

*Esther Lavu is a Research Fellow, and leader of the Population Research program at the National Research Institute.

Justice delayed is justice denied

Sir Julius Chan

By HENZY YAKHAM

The Government of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has adopted a hardline approach against corruption and crime in general since assuming office after the 2012 general elections.

With the zero tolerance on crime in any form or shape, Mr O’Neill has also has also announced 2013 as the year of implementation.

The tough government stance to rid crime and subsequent legislation of tougher penalties by parliament has received overwhelming public support.

While the Government is taking most appropriate action to address crime, there exits complacency in certain State law enforcement agencies.

A classical case is the apparent inaction or lack of it involving misuse of millions of kina in the New Ireland province between 2002- 2007.

The Ombudsman Commission, Police Fraud Squad, Public Employees Association and other State agencies have conducted their own investigations.

During 2010, the long arm of the law was catching up with certain individuals who are alleged to have unjustly enriched themselves under an illegal political pyramid structure that existed between 2002 and 2007 within the New Ireland Provincial Government.

Long awaited, but a much-welcomed move fully supported by majority law abiding  New Ireland people and their leaders, police fraud squad officers started charging individuals with offences ranging from stealing under false pretence, misappropriation and fraud.

During 2010, police charged eight individuals with one of them facing two charges.

The arrests were first of more expected, and was a follow-up action on the recommendations of an audit investigations carried out by RAM Business Consultants into the financial dealings of the New Ireland Provincial Government between 2002-2007.

That investigation revealed instances of systemic and blatant abuse of financial and administrative process, gross misuse and misappropriation of public funds totalling more than K64 million during the five years.

The investigation report confirmed the existence of an illegal financial and administrative system, known as the “Lemus Structure”.

The report said Lemus structure was a political network and did not come within the formal government framework, thus its involvement in conducting government business was illegal.

“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,” the report highlighted.

“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,” it added.

The report highlighted that public service delivery system was highly politicised and made totally inefficient and ineffective.

The province’s annually provincial budgets were prepared outside of the Provincial Government machinery with no inputs from professional, experienced and career public servants.

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

On September 9 2009, the investigation report was tabled in the New Ireland Provincial Assembly by Governor Sir Julius Chan.

Sir Julius called for a comprehensive probe by the Ombudsman Commission (OC) into the leadership culture under the previous regime.

 The report made strong recommendations for appropriate criminal, civil and leadership action against the former Governor and former Provincial Administrator.

Powers and functions of the public servants were performed at the Governor’s office. As a result, most public servants remain idle for the whole five years, but were still on full pay.

The report referred to a Provincial Executive Council (PEC) decision No: 11/2002 which directed the then PA to withdraw all lawfully delegated financial powers from all public servants except the First Secretary to the Governor’s office.

Since 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.  

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 stated that funds for PIP had no proper project appraisals. Projects were not monitored and valued.

“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 report stressed.

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.

An amount of K100,000 was expended annually from the PIP funds for a Mansava Oval Redevelopment Project. Payments were made to suppliers and individuals in relation to this project. In 2004 two political staff members received cash advances totalling 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.

These were also highlighted in a separate report by the Auditor General’s office.

Also in 2004, road works projects costing of K2,005,808 were awarded to contractors without following tender processes.

Governor Julie Soso’s Hausline Bottom Up planning Model gaining prominence in the social media

In the popular social media, the Facebook, a notice was posted from a devoted Timeline, as a scheduled meeting was progressing between senior officials of the Papua New Guinea Vision 2050 Office and senior advisors of the Governor of Eastern Highlands, Julie Soso was being progressed. Below is the statement put to hundreds of Facebook friends in Papua New Guinea and overseas on Tuesday, 16^th July 2013.

“This morning at the Office of the PNG Vision 2050, the senior officials are discussing bottom up planning, a conceptual model being developed by the Governor of Eastern Highlands, Hon. Julie Soso. The model when discussed, and refined, it will be submitted to the Central Agencies Coordinating Committee for its endorsement before being presented to the National Executive Council. This model, which is being looked at in a number of provinces, takes on the challenge put by the PNG Vision 2050 document (page 13). For the information of the Facebook friends, you can access this document by using Google search under the title: pngvision 2050. There is also the website to access the document”.

 “The government will need to approve the service delivery model that has been developed by the PNG Vision 2050 Office. This model will be complemented by the EHP Governor's model. We shall keep you posted. Have a great day”.

Immediately after the above statement was released, comments and queries flooded the pages of the respective Timeline from which the statement emanated from. Here is the first to respond, by none other than Ernie Gangloff. Here is his observation. “The planning process is just one part of the framework. The other is to make sure we have the people with the right skills. Gangloff was soon followed by Prince Simon affirming the proactive engagement being undertaken by the PNG Vision 2050 Office. “ A reply was promptly send back to Gangloff. “You are spot on.”

EHP Governor Julie Soso

Am other Facebook friend follower offered this “You are right my friend, a good plan would also include the HR requirements and financing package as well. Thanks bro”.

All the way from Port Vila, Vanuatu, another Papua New Guinean keen follower of PNG’s development had this to offer. Damien Hopahand added “Thanks for the great job. You are real thinkers....it’s the Pageants making their own decisions for the desired future that is ahead... Hosea 4:6 'my people perish because of lack of knowledge. This time we out that and we into our promised land.”

Back in PNG, Atimeng Buhupe  adds. “This is great news. I am going to be involved at ward levels in designing integrated ward/community development planning for several communities in West Sepik. Framework you are developing will neatly tie these bottom level plans to Vision 2050 as well as MTDS and PNGDSP”

Anther comment from Samson Kakai; “ That's what PNG needs. However, whilst having the concept in place, it is also very important that the financial and human resource components are tidied up so when it comes to implementation, no other strategic component paralyses the rest”.

Russell Soaba, Papua New Guinea’s very own world renowned, academic, novelist and poet has this to offer in his Facebook page. “A great job you are doing. We have seen some aspects of the "vision’s realities at the recent national education sector conference at University of Goroka last week. Everything certainly is falling into place. We must keep working on this”

Another regular commentator has this piece to add.  Ray Korimbo says; “Our country’s leaders and bureaucracy seems totally infatuated with planning. We plan to plan and meet to arrange further meetings. So much for the "Year of Implementation".

Arnold Bogea Good on you all, hardworking ladies and gentlemen, we have a great land but we must keep at it for its full potential and beauty to be truly realized. We are on watch now so let us do a good job before we pass the baton on to our succeeding generation.

A certain senior Papua New Guinean who is on a study break in Australia has this to say. “ Yeah, I read Minister for Finance James Marabe's statement in parliament stating to promote bottom up planning to avoid projects manufactured on the streets of Port Moresby and submitted to National Planning for funding. He wanted to see all projects must be scoped and documented at the wards, LLGs and Districts level. All the projects identified and submitted must be in line with Districts and Provincial development Plans. This was the planning model being advocated by PNG V2050 all alone to bring some sanity into the planning and funding process.

If someone is to be blamed for the madness in the way development funds are handled is CACC. CACC needs to wake from its slumber and get its act together to provide leadership to beau racy. At the moment, every department is running their own empire and command and control is not there. As a result we see massive account of development funds (in millions) just disappeared without any proper records as we gathered from Charles Abel presentation at parliament”.                                                                                    

The beauty about all this is that planning concepts such as the one being developed by the Governor of Eastern Highlands is a worthy undertaking. Should there be views of comments that needs to be presented to either to Governor Soso or the PNG Vision 2050 office may do so by sending comments to the blog address: tiikiiembshiiemb.blogspot.com

Boards’ roles in regulation of minerals and oil and gas

Mining and petroleum businesses are regulated activities. Key laws are the Mining Act 1992 and Oil and Gas Act 1998.

There are different licences for different activities in the two industries. Mining Act 1992 has 6 licences whilst Oil and Gas Act 1998 has 5 licences.

In mining they are;

·         Exploration licence;

·         Mining Lease;

·         Special Mining Lease;

·         Alluvial Mining Lease;

·         Lease for Mining Purposes; and

·         Mining Easements.

Role of the Mining Advisory Board or the Council is very critical for advice to the Minister for Mining and in the case of Special Mining Lease report to assist the National Executive Council and the Head of State.

Who comprises the Mining Advisory Board or Council and how it conducts its business is very important for probity and fairness taking account of all affected interests such as applicant’s technical, financial and environmental capacities. Landowners’ right to land surface ownership, occupation or use. Government’s overriding desire to turn its mineral ownership into value for money.

In oil and gas industry the licences are;

·         Petroleum prospecting licence;

·         Petroleum retention licence;

·         Petroleum development licence;

·         Pipeline licence; and

·         Petroleum processing facility licence.

Like for mining, the role of Petroleum Advisory Board is very important. It advises the Minister for Petroleum and Energy to, grant licences, enter into agreements and it provides reports to the National Executive Council for development licence purposes.

In 1997 a study was undertaken by The Centre for International Economics that was initiated by BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, Esso Highlands Pty Ltd and Oil Search Limited which had collaborated to develop a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in PNG. That study used a base case of 1 train LNG facility with Wewak as the point of processing and export to Asian markets. Investments at Hides and elsewhere would have cost K3.3 billion over 4 years from 2001 – 2004.

Income to PNG would have increased by as much as 14% at the price at the time of study. Jobs to PNG was estimated at 4 450 jobs directly with 2 450 jobs for PNG citizens at construction. There are many other gains which were identified by the study appropriately titled; Gaining from Gas; the economic contribution of the Papua New Guinea LNG project.

Today PNG LNG project has 2 trains. BP has left PNG. Oil Search is the biggest petroleum company in PNG in terms of assets in PNG. But it is Esso that is the leader. Under its leadership the 2 train LNG project cost has gone up to USD 19 billion.  Large part of this cost would have been project financed. Assuming a 4:1 debt-t-to-equity ratio the debt would be USD 15.2 billion whilst equity contribution of the proponents would be USD 3.8 billion. LNG has created more debt for PNG.

Against such a massive debt how could we call LNG “a national interest project”? Looking at our leaders boasting about benefits from LNG and handing down a K3 billion deficit budget for 2013 before the first LNG export is a mortgage on PNG’s national sovereignty. We have harvested a garden when the garden was just being made.

We regret to say the Petroleum Advisory Board that comprises key agencies of government let PNG to be a debtor nation-to-be with LNG. Saying this is not easy for any public servant. Arrogance of leadership at the time did not allow any advice contrary to popular wisdom that LNG would miraculously heal all the financial and social ills of PNG.

Petroleum Advisory Board may not have had political support. The least it could have done was to give proper technical advice to the Minister for Petroleum and Energy. Probity and fairness demanded that the Petroleum advisory Board should have done proper due diligence on the LNG project proposal led by Exxon Mobil. Exxon Mobil is the parent of Esso Highlands. What intercompany loans and what management fees were built in as cost of PNG LNG? In terms of Gas Income Tax which entity would be taxable entity?

Apart from these technical issues the Petroleum Advisory Board has not advised the government through the Minister for Petroleum and Energy why Exxon Mobil as lead promoter of the PNG LNG project did not want to undertake social mapping and land investigation as required under the Oil and Gas Act 1998? We know that two agreements were entered into. Agreement before licensing provided a path outside of the Oil and Gas Act 1998. How could not the Petroleum Advisory Board not provided advice against this plot? What was the “national interest” that overrode legal requirements?

God bless leaders and lawyers who are probing LNG deal.  

Discipline the Undisciplined Force

By JACK ASSA

The increase in the indiscipline acts by disciplined forces like Defence, Police and Correction Services Officers will not go unrecorded in the history of this country. The increase in the misbehavior, undisciplined and criminal acts by the disciplined forces this year, reflects the lack of direction, control and command in the respective discipline forces. 

The misbehavior of the disciplined forces has tarnished the good name of the organization they represent. Every time, we hear CIS officers facilitating prisoners to escape, police brutalizing and robbing ordinary citizens, country’s flag bearers, the defence force going on rampage, burning and looting of shops and dormitories are an act of few undisciplined cowards that must be highly denounced. These comments, which were wide spread, received little, if any, attention this year. This is a problem that that has continued throughout these days. 

Why would our disciplined forces do that? Is it because they only get six months to one year training or is it because the recruitment of people with attitude problem? There is a fault somewhere that must be fixed for the protection of the people and image of the organization the serve and the state as a whole. 

People need the disciplined forces. It is part of the framework that makeup the state. Without the disciplined forces, lives of the people will be under threat, certain or whole the government objectives and policies will not be implemented, and the tugs and criminals will invade and illegal human trafficking and border crossing problem will rise. Hence, this country needs disciplined forced who are well trained, educated, behaved and respected people and not drug users, alcoholics, half criminals etc. These institutions apply proper thinking and quick accurate judgment as to when they should apply force. 

As far as the people are concerned, the disciplined forces are very important because they play a crucial functions and responsibilities within the community. In saying this, the police are trained to protect the people and their properties. Similarly, the DF are trained to defend the state against armed aggression; this being a contingency, preparation for its implementation will depend on an ongoing Government assessment of threats. In addition, DF are supposed to participate in multinational peace support, crisis management and humanitarian relief operations in support of the United Nations (UN) and under UN mandate, including regional security missions authorized by the UN. And the correction services officers are trained to look after prisoners, by correcting, training and shaping them to become better and productive citizens when they come out of prison after serving their terms. In saying this, the disciplined forces cannot use arm against the very citizens they swore in and took oath to protect and defend. If they do, this is a government sponsored attack on its citizens. 

In order to carry out their functions, the disciplined forces are provided with Rules of Engagement (ROE). Although ROE is common in military, it does applies to other disciplined forces. The ROE are rules or directives to the disciplined forces (including individuals) that define the circumstances, conditions, degree, and manner in which force, or actions which might be construed as provocative, may be applied. They provide authorization for and/or limits on, among other things, the use of force and the employment of certain specific capabilities. In some nations, ROE have the status of guidance to military forces, while in other nations, ROE are lawful commands. ROE do not normally dictate how a result is to be achieved but will indicate what measures may be unacceptable. 

While ROE are used in both domestic and international operations by most militaries, most countries including United States, ROE are not used for domestic operations. Instead, use of force by disciplined forces in such situations is governed by Rules for the Use of Force (RUF). There is no doubt that PNG should have RUF for the disciplined forces. However, the way things are going in this country clearly portrays that the disciplined forces have lost their minds, hence, using brutal force against the people they stand to protect and defend.

In addition, the disciplined forces must be aware of their behavior in public and remember that they represent an organization with a good reputation and image. When they are outside barracks or stations either on operational duty or training or just on time-off it will be essential that they are conscious that they represent the organisation and that they behave in a manner appropriate to the disciplined organization. 

Unacceptable behavior refers to behavior which a reasonable person, having regard to all of the circumstances, would consider offensive, humiliating or intimidating. This includes actions which are belittling, abusive or threatening to another person, adverse to morale, discipline or workplace cohesion, or otherwise not in the interest of the disciplined force.

Members of the armed forces are expected to be of the highest calibre, both physically and ethically, therefore it is hoped that each organization has put in place a number of regulations which impact on the lifestyle of the personnel. All the members of the disciplined forces are required to conform to the rules, laws and obligations as defined within their respective force discipline Act.

Our country major prisons are absolutely vulnerable. Not because the walls and fences to prevent the escape of prisoners are broken but the very people who supposed to discipline them, providing the necessary skills and shape them to become good citizens when leaving the gate justly, turn to leave gates open, facilitating wanted and dangerous criminals to walk out easily and freely. An obvious example could be the escape of convicted rapist, murderer and bank robber William Kapris twice from the state’s largest Bomana Prison. Even after the government spent millions of tax payers’ money to arrest the convict, the disciplined officers find it very easy to show the high risked prisoner, the door way to freedom.

Not only that, our men in blue uniforms brutalized 74 men, severely wounding and told to walk all the way to Gordon police station which is a violation of human rights. This incident followed by the robbery of Konedobu liquor store by few rogue disciplined forces under the influence of alcohol. They walked away with cartoons of beer and forced the owner to give them money to save some beer cartoons. Likewise, six police officers forced their way into the shop in full police uniform, entered the room of the shop manager and removed about K20,000 leaving the store to close for four days at Malalaua station in Gulf Province. In another case, we heard a young man died in the hands of the undisciplined forces in Lorengau and one young aspiring student in Lae being shot dead last month. 

Equally, we saw couple of times the military personnel went on rampage by attacking civilians, looting stores, burning state facilities and wounding innocent people. A fine example is the attack at the Medical Faculty of the University of Papua New Guinea. Soldiers in battle gear raided the General hospital and the medical facility wounding many innocent students. Many witness described the incident as frightening when the defense force personnel made war cries and fired warning shots. This was a war between the armed force and the unarmed civilians. 

What is truly disturbing is that only one or two officers are suspended and the rest walk away freely, which is a slap on the face of the victims. How can this be when truck loads of officers going on rampage and only one or two being suspended? A tendency of protecting the rest regardless of the damage they contributed and only one or two being singled out and disciplined is absolutely unacceptable. “If you cannot investigate within your section and organisation, the outside world is too big for you”. 

The commanding and investigative officers must be serious rotting out what we see as a problem in this country. Without reservation, ill and rogue officers must be condemned at highest possible terms and that is by showing them the door out. The people cannot continue to tolerate such cruel undisciplined forces. They supposed to be leading by example rather than posing threats on the lives of the ordinary people. This gives another option for civilians to arm and defend themselves from not just civilian criminals but rude and state sponsored criminal force.

The man and women in Uniform Blue, Green or Brown, you have an obligation to protect the people. Continuous misbehaving and criminal acts posed a threats on the ordinarily lives of the people who are already being traumatized and in fear. Now people have to have double eyes for not just ordinary criminals but state sponsored criminals. 

Having said that, the majority of the personnel in the disciplined forces are of high moral standing and worthy to be respected while only a handful of bad apples go around tarnishing the good name of their organization. Therefore, these rotten apples need to be seriously disciplined for the sake of the people, organization they serve and the state as a whole. God bless Papua New Guinea.

The writer is undertaking postgraduate studies and living in Indonesia. For comments and feedbacks, he can be contacted on jackassa945@gmail.com (email) / +081273238217 (Mobile Phone).