The man who gave Somare the closest run he has had in 40 years, Allan Bird has decided to challenge Somare again. With LPVs, is Somare's days numbered???

Allan Bird is running for Bart Philemon and the New Generation Party!!

You heard it here first.....PNGScape...still the one!

yes, after the NA Govt. approved his million kina ag bank loan he went on paper and told the country that he will not contest and will concerntrate on business and family life, yer I remember that !!.
To Allan Bird, Please consider as you might be used by Bart for his own agendas and will affect your business & family life, just be carefull not to be used by Bart. Be carefull he is trying to protect the ex-Finance Secretary who stole K500 million.

If there is any better person to challenge the chief, I think it is this Vanilla Man, Alan Bird. He did well in the last election under the previous voting system, and with the new one instituted, this guy may have a better change of toppling the FADA.

I think the old man needs a break and retire ceremoniously instead of being defeated or given another heavy load in this changing times. We can not allow him to push on and drag us into the ditch. He has gone past is retiring age, hasnt he?

I dont think Bart is trying to use someone for his own personal glory or what have you. He is a genuine, astute and credible person who can manage our economy well without fear or favour as we have seen.He has one agenda, i guess, that is to see our young generation benefit from a stable and vibrant economy.

PNG a country of thousand tribes needs dynamic, articulate, foward and up-front thinking brains to advance in this fast changing but shrinking global society.

Well, Bart and other credible Papua New Guineans in the likes of Sir Mek, Sir Rabbie, Dr. Danaya, John Hicky, Peter Barter and youngsters in Kimisopa, Tiensten and Duma can contribute alot for our country.

Well, yupla yet nau!

Hagen street Punk

SEPIK MAFIA MUST GO!

It seems the Public Service is operating as a private entity of the Sepik Mafia so every public servant is answerable to them for matters not of national, but political, personal and family interests.

It is disgusting to note that the Police command in Wewak is now being politicized. No doubt, that direction came from the politicians of the province, notably the 3 National Alliance MPs.

One thing all sensible Papua New Guineans are wishing for and can be assured of is this:
"Gabriel Dusava will be the next MP for Yangoru-Sausia, for heavens shake that's one down for the NA". Bart Philemon will be leaving to head NGP and Sir Peter Barter will be retiring due to work pressure. It is believed Sir Peter's retirement from NA and politics is due to the heavy handed tactics of the Sepik mafia. So even before the 2007 elections commence, that's three down already for NA.

The man who gave the Chief his greatest competition in the last election, Allan Bird, is now standing for the 2007 elections to challenge Sir Michael as a New Generation candidate. The "first past the post system" helped Somare get through with a small winning margin for the East Sepik Regional seat. This time around with the LPV system of voting to take place one can only wish the Chief all the best!

For the Sepik Mafia, your days are numbered. Once the fall from the grace of power happens, it will be a long, long way to the bottom.

The Sepik Mafia should know full well that if not for the power plays of Paias Wingti in the run-up to the formation of the current government, Sir Mekere Morauta would be the Prime Minister in this term of Parliament and an ideal candidate too. Sir Michael would have still been the opposition leader and I believe that's where all the Sepik Mafias are headed after 2007 General Elections, for 10 overwhelming reasons:

1. The Moti Affair, where over a K1 million of public funds are now being wasted and also the image of the Government being dragged into the bad books of good governance, supposedly, one of the ruling coalition party’s philosophies. Now the Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare is firing like a loose cannon saying the Moti Affair is a dead issue without any regard to account for the K1 million spent for this inquiry. If Somare is innocent of all this then why doesn’t he turn up to face the Defence Board enquiry and even so, let natural justice take its course. All Papua New Guineans' should be concerned about this as it is a national security issue and one that breaches national and international governance principles. Rest assured, everything is looking awkwardly bad for NA, so come the 2007 elections there will be a new government without NA. This government should complete this inquiry and bring to light those at the NEC level who gave the directions to fly Moti out of PNG. There wont be any surprises!

2. The Director-General of NSAC and Chief Secretary attempting to block the PNG Defence Force Board enquiry from the public by banning the media. At most, this ploy is only to serve the interests of maybe 10 Papua New Guinean's higher up in the power chain and not the 5 million people of PNG who have the right to this information.

3. The Sepik Highway Trust funds being misused for purposes not intended for.

4. If not for Bart Philemon's resolve, Sir Michael would have brought in more foreign debt to the country.

5. The rushed amendments to the NCDC ACT which in everyway, is in stark contrast to the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability.

6. Patrick Pruaitch doing everything using people's power bestowed on him with the best of intentions from his constituents, either legally or illegally to protect the interests of illegal loggers who plunder PNG's forests and force PNG laborers into horrendous working conditions, only fit for slaves.

7. Causing instability to many government departments including the police force by not having the resolve to make permanent appointments. Who's interests is this indecisiveness serving? The PNG citizens and residents who are the source of power to our MPs in Parliament, or the Sepik Mafia?

8. Buying of votes for the Yangoru-Sausia electorate. In the last few days of the recent bi-election K10 000 each was dished out to all the 4 LLG presidents who swung the momentum of voters in favor of Peter Wararu and the NA. It won’t happen again this time as the 3 presidents have become wiser and woken up to accept the money and place their votes elsewhere.

9. Wari Vele firing unjustified criticisms to the Arch-Bishop of the Catholic Dioceses of Port Moresby, Sir Brian Barnes and CCAC members including TI PNG and Media Council. For the record the arch-bishop serves only one master and like what Jesus did in questioning the rulers/governors at that time for their misdeeds, the arch-bishop is doing likewise for the greater, long-term benefit of his flock in NCD and PNG as a whole.

NCD belongs to the citizens and residents of PNG and not one governor who claim to have the support of the settlements and grassroots. It is interesting that the governor forgot to mention that this city is also made up of public servants, white or blue collar workers, unionists, women's groups and the elite of PNG. How can a governor who should be impartial in representing the interests of all NCD residents discriminate against certain groups of people in NCD? Isn’t it better to have a balanced board representing a wider cross section of NCD so this governor doesn’t take things personal? At the end of the day it is the residents of NCD who will suffer when matters become personal. In a nutshell it already has! Who is to blame? The Sepik Mafia!

10. Papua New Guineans' have no woken up to the fact that NA is run by the Sepik Mafia and the affairs of 5 million people of PNG is treated with less consideration. Priority has and will always be to secure power for the Mafia by hook or crook!

Put PNG First

BARA

well said. I could not have said any better. PNG open your eyes and put the X on the right spot.

Alan Bird's Supporter

You or Bart will not save him he made a stand not to contest after NA rewarded him with a loan from agbank anyway the choice is his but he must not forget that the last challenge to Somare was when the Fada was an opposition MP and now the Fada is a PM so a PM has bikpela Pekpek to throw around. With vanilla business not so good Bart must fork out the millions that Kambanei stole to help the vanilla man win.

I spoke to Mr Bird this week, myself and many of our leaders from North and South Wosera, Maprik Waura, Yamil Tamaui, Albiges Mamblep and some Drekikia leaders.

It is true, Allan is very reluctant to contest the elections against the Chief. To learn from this forum that he has accepted an NA loan from RDB is not a good sign. He should not have been so stupid to accept this from NA, now his head is in the hang man's noose.

All our leaders from 3 electorates have given Mr Bird until the 2nd week of March 2007 to make up his mind. He has been told that if he does not challenge the Chief in 2007, we will not support him in 2012. This is our time, we were the first Sepiks to give Somare big fat Zeros in every ballot box in the last election and this time, we dare the other Sepiks to be real men and do the same. Us bush people do not care about your government cheques, rice bags and tinfish bags, so the rest of you Sepiks take note. We will do it again, Somare bought all you Sepik River people with K8.0 million worth of sewing machines, cloth, rice bags, flour bags and dinghies and that is why you guys made him win in the last election. This time, yupela kaikai rice na tinpis bilong NA na tingting gut. You guys were just lucky Moses Murrays court case got thrown out by judges who are aligned with NA. This time, it will not go to court, every single blade of grass in the bush will vote 1. Allan Bird 2&3 will go to Greg Maisen and Moses Murray. Do not forget, we had 5 candidates for ESP regional in 2002, this time Wosera, Maprik and Drekikia will have only one, Mr Bird.

We are very confident that we will force Mr Bird and at the end of the day, he will contest. We have been cargo boys and fools for Somare for long enough. We have sat around and watched Somare and his family and their followers grow rich over the last 40 years while all of us are still living in poverty. We are not Somare's slaves and we will prove it in 2007.

Yupela ol highlanders laik votim NA em laik bilong yupela, but Somare will not return. Mipela pasim tanget long olgeta ples pinis, we will change this nation by dropping the largest snake in Papua New Guinea. The great "moran" that swallows everything will be buried after the elections.

This is sick to hear such stories that a potentially good leader who has intention of standing in an election wants to shy away because he wants to concentrate on his business after he was given a loan of substantial amount by the sitting government prerogative through RDB.

Sir, this money belongs to the people of Papua New Guinea and the people of Papua New Guinea through the RDB have the trust in you to use the money to expand your viable business.It does not belong to anyone in particular that you should be afraid of. And I think your people have all the trust in you because of your leadership qualities to give you the mandate to rule.If you can successfully manage your business then by all means you are very capable to govern well your people.
as well.Who is Somare? And who's money is it that is given to you by RDB?
You can manage your business as well as your people. What is wrong with?

Your shying away by any normal good thinking person only implies that the government(Somare the Boss) is giving you a favor that you don't want to upset him becuase he knows that you will finish him off in the election with the new system in the first round.That's why?
Be a real gentle man, stand on your merits and principles and use the RDB funded money to expand your business as it has I beleived helped many of our small people back at home and they now want you to be their leader. This is PNG money and not RDB and Somare's. Why should you be concerned about people who gave you the money?

Thought for next government: Make and pass laws on "Induced Bribery and Corruption for Societal
Benefit or Missed Opportunity." to stop
happenings like this. Are we stupid to let
such things happen under our very noses?

1 The vanilla man will listen to Barts bull and contest - Risk factor 100%
2 The vanilla man will Judge his future business and family engagements and
not stand - Risk Factor - Nil
3 The vanilla man will accept a big bribe from Somare Million Plus to stop
norminating - Risk Factor - Nil but demage to his charactor very bad
(NA ha already bought off Joe Tetang in Huon Gulf Electorate - Morobe, Joe
is happily driving around with his brand new car)

Time will tell we just put our hears on the ground and listen

I used to work with RDB and can confirm that towards the end of 2004 a loan of 1 million was granted to the vanilla man for his vanilla in East Sepik and crocodile farm in Madang. It was a political loan, RDB is known for it. Successive politically appointed Managing Directors ,since RDB's inception in the '70s, have used it as their private purse to fund their politicians interest.

I am not saying Allan Bird does not have the 'business savvy'to run his business, No. Every PNG citizen have the right to obtain loan from RDB as long as you meet the lending criteria. The money in there belongs to all.

Vanilla man should do the right thing and contest Sepik Regional without fear or favour. Since he did meet lending criteria and successfully got the loan he does not have to think of it as bribery money from NA. If he thinks that way it will hinder him from contesting. There is nothing wrong with his loan. VANILLA man must challenge and defeat Somare!

PAPUANEWGUINEAN, completely!

It is definately very very interesting to see people already taking sides (already made up their mind as well) and expressing themselves in this forum on such an important national agenda, without being emotional. We must realise that it is not about a man, not about his business, not even a person himself. It is about a good leader, that you must talk about. A leader that will be choosen by you to represent the people and the nation. Someone, who will have nothing but, put the nation's welfare on his shoulder. We want someone that will have integrity, someone educated, someone who understand domestic and international politics. Someone who can take the lead. Una Gaindus, Maprik & Wosera people have quality. We are more than able to provide a capable national leader, someone whom we can be proud of, even our winner can stand as candidate for the next PM job. Please choose with wisdom. Don,t think small but think big. Isn't it for 'such a time as this' that God has given us 2007 to make this important choise??. Moses Murray lived, got educated and GREW UP IN MAPRIK AND IS OUR Gaingu.

I have known Allan Bird (Pisin) during my national high school days @ Aiyura.....he's a straight forward person and has the calibre to become a leader. Why not all Sepiks, give him your 1 votes to him. Surely he'll lead your province and the country. Forget the loan that was given to him by the Agbank tru the guarantee of the NA.Who are NAs ? That's not their money that was loaned to Pisin....I am sure after the 2002 election he had buried himself deep in to his business to repay the loan.

Full sapot from the Keras CLUB of 1988-89.

That is an interesting title and so fitting I reckon. Thoughtful presentation but I am afraid, you are one out of the multitudes in the Sepik plains. It dawns on us many outsiders that Sepik's still respect the Mafia God father, if you do not mind, I use this title. Show respect or not, I see Michael Somare as a great leader but lacks the charisma to lead a nation and spark propagation. Whatever happens in the backyard, I will let it to the Sepiks to weed him out. Otherwise, pal, you have a huge backo load of convincing to do to your people there to unseat the PM. Whether its Alan bird or some charismatic leader in Sepik, the bulk of the people clearly show that they lack understanding in that little detail of development and tangible development.....

Fellow PNGans and fellow Sepiks,

I see the discussion still continues but I'm afraid it will not be. I have missed the deadline set by the EC and have not registered myself either to vote or to stand for the elections.

Many Sepiks are now saying that I have been bribed with untold millions not to stand against M. Somare in this election. The funny thing I have discovered about PNGans and Sepiks especially is that we are really good at blaming others or putting others down to hide our own cowardice and lack of responsibility. The people of ESP put Somare where he is, not me. If they do not like him anymore, they should prove it at the ballot box, because therein lies their destiny and Sir Michael's. My destiny, as always, lies in my own hands.

I am a Christian and when I stood for the 2002 elections against Sir Michael, I honestly believed it was God's calling. This was my own private conviction, I never told anyone about it so I tested the path to find out if it was mine to take. Well, the people spoke and I now know it is not God's will for me. I have known for the last 5 years. What am I to do then? Keep contesting every election until I am old and grumpy? Or is it better that I focus my energies on something more productive?

In 2002, I was driven to contest and win and become Governor of ESP. Today, I have no political desire of any kind, no ambition except to secure my family and certainly no confidence that I can be a good politician. I want no part of politics yet many Sepiks cannot understand or respect my position.

In the past 3 months I have been asked by many individuals, village leaders and national leaders to contest, ESP Regional, Wosera/Gawi Open, Wewak Open, Madang Open and Sumkar Open. These are all seats which I am presently eligible to contest. As politely as I could, I declined to stand for any of these seats. The bottom line is that I do not want to be a politician any more, I am happy to be one of you, just another ordinary Joe on the street.

To be burdened like I have been for most of life and then to have the burden of leadership removed from you by your own people is the greatest thing any man can experience in life. I have and I am thankful to God that I am no longer bound to serve the people but I am free to pursue the best that I can for my children.

Since 2004, I have proceeded to build capacity to supply good quality, cheap meat products to the local markets of Madang and Wewak. This project is about to commence production in the next 4-6 weeks. I have also been producing and marketing chocolate grade cocoa beans and have now secured a contract with the largest chocolate manufacturer in the United States (if not the world). My company is the first PNG company to have a contract with this company. This is not only a massive challenge but also the highest honor any producer can aim for. Finally, I am quietly building up confidence in the PNG vanilla industry that was eroded by unscrupulous operaters during the vanilla boom. So from a low of around 16 tons exported last year, my company will export around 60 tons this year and we are poised to place around 120 tons on the market in 2008.

So whatever Sepiks think about me, I really do not care. I am not a public figure, I have never been and probably never will be. I am a private citizen and I am free to apply my time and energies whereever I deem it fit to do so. I have no desire to go an the campaign trail, be sworn at, stonned, shot at and argue with the voters, argue with other candidates about why I should be "allowed" to "serve" them. I have no desire to fight with anyone over a foolish thing such as politics. The people of ESP and PNG have a right and deserve whoever they get, that is none of my business. Having said that, I remain a great fan and admirer of Lady Kidu and wonder at her resolve and stamina. I certainly do not have the stomach she has to continue pushing the proverbial uphill.

Regardless of what anyone thinks about me or politics the gist of it is that, I have got too many important activities going on at this point in my life that an election is just coming at the wrong time for me. If the election was in 2008 or 9 and I was not doing anything particularly important, I might have considered it. As it is, I think the projects I have chosen to do inorder to push my own personal limits are much more important than going out and arguing with an electorate that has absolutely no appreciation of the problems of this country. Why should I have to fight everyone for the right to serve my country? Where is the intelligence in that?

Besides, without wanting to appear bigheaded, I think I have contributed more than my fair share to the development of East Sepik and PNG as a whole and I think it is unfair that ordinary people should demand anything else of me. I long for anonimity, for peace and quiet, I do not want to fight anymore. I am happy to let the people have what they want. If you will notice, I do not like to appear in the paper or on TV. I was put on the spot the last time when the RDB wanted me to appear on TV. This could not be helped and I hope it is the last time I have to do anything that stupid.

As for Sir Michael, I think he should retire gracefully and allow somebody else to take his place. I do not think he has done much with the 5 years he has had in power. But that is only my own personal oppinion. I do not want to argue with anyone or fight with anyone on this point. I will not be campaigning against Sir Michael or for any of his opponents. As far as I am concerned, PNG politics is no longer of any interest to me.

I only ask that the Sepik people and PNG simply forget that there ever was a person by the name of Allan Bird. It is times like this that I regret having been too young and foolish in 2002 and contesting then. I am older and wiser now and hopefully, the foolishness is now completely behind me.

Rarely do PNG find citizens like you!

You are a role model to me.


God Bless you, your family and your future endeavors.


Mauswara
U.S.A.


-----------
Let's place all uncertainties about Allan at rest. Tok indai!

Mauswara,

Thankyou friend. It is good to see there are wantoks like you doing well in other countries.

Rgds,
AB

You should hold your head high and be proud of the person you are, politics is probably not the place for you to be as politicians do not seem to be honest people and sincere to the people.

You are doing well with your business, a home grown PNG business, a business that employees local people, a business where profits stay in the country, there should be more locally developed businesses within PNG instead of foreign owned and operated businesses.

I'm afraid your name Allan will not go away, many people remember you from OK Tedi, your name was mentioned recently at a "Tabubil get together" in Australia, about how you are developing the vanilla market in PNG, it is all good so go for it and be proud of your personal achievements.

cheers
past Tabubil-lite

Allan, great to read a most recent thread from you.

You have explained yourself well and don't need to go through the pain of doing so again.
We the rest the case that you will contest again for one of the seats in ESP.

I remember you from Tabubil and wish you well your personal endeavours.

PNG despeparately needs good and quality leadersip and hope good ones will come out of the 07 elections.

Somare's time is up so he should hang his head in shame for achieving very little for ESP over his time in parliament and not even consider contesting his seat this election.

These last few months will surely go down in history as some of his most disgraceful ones in his political career!

AB,
Thanks very much for this posting once again. I'm humbled by your humorous presentation here, and I respect it very much.

I will only say 'The LORD is Never Late at anytime in his Promises', therefore his promises for his loyal servants live through time. Be assured with 1 SAMUEL 16:7.

God bless, brother.

Engan Lenge

Hey Allan;

Thanks for the update, everyone has their reasons and so do you.

Wanbel stap.

Peter Wararu is definitely gone. We have Gabriel Dusava to win the Yangoru Sausia seat for PAP.

Then bikpela chief blo Sepik regional is also 50-50. Go Allan Bird, contest the elections and we shall dump the Somare dynasty.

Once the father Somare is gone, there'll be so much trouble in NA. Somare has the big man's head where he thinks Authur will replace him and lead NA. They havent realised that Patrick Pruaitch feels like he is the god father of Parliament.

There'll be a big political fight in parliament between these two to see who gains the upper hand. Every politician dreams of being a PM one day and I have no doubt that Patrick Pruaitch and Authur Somare have these desires deep down the bottom of their hearts.

Remember that Pruaitch is the NA henchman and Somare Jnr. is the strategist. When the Chief bows out in disgrace if Allan Bird wins or he retires/regional seats abolished ... all the contained desires of the henchman and strategist will come to the fore.

Bart Philemon was smart to have left when he knew that he'd never lead NA. One thing I dont like about the New Generation party: "Why is Bart Philemon keeping Thadeius Kambanei in the NGP team?". NGP is as good as gone with Thadeius in there. This guy, a trustee to the Sepik Highway Trust account with some K30 million in there and the only signatory to this account, has many question marks hanging over his head. He hasnt accounted for this money yet? I tell you what, PAC will dig all this **** out and you wouldnt believe that about half of this money had gone to AOG Jubilee University. This University is a scheme as Thadieus and all the trustees of this University the so called grand AOG pastors can dip in for personal application of these funds.

Thadieus also brought all the East Yangoru's into the Finance department and there you go ... a whole lot of **** ...

Even the smartest of people in politics are recycling the same old people in their teams. No wonder we're going around in circles and wouldnt break free from the shackles of corruption...

We want people in high public offices to have the greatest regard and respect for good governance, transparency and accountability.