Controversies Porgera Landowners Association

1 controversies

1.1 patricide
1.2 financial transparency
1.3 misappropriation charges
1.4 rivalries
1.5 international ngos

controversies
patricide

mark ekepa reportedly shot father in head @ close range in 1996 during public argument on mine compensation money. killing meant ekepa took father’s place 1 of important tribal leaders in porgera, , able take control of ploa. ekepa never convicted killing father.

financial transparency

since becoming chairman of ploa in 1995, mark ekepa has become wealthy individual. has property, businesses, , has reputation buying new cars. while ekepa has become voice on global stage, in porgera community distrust him due ploa’s lack of financial transparency.

the ploa continually refuses publish accounts, despite considerable efforts landowners access information. many landowners have complained leadership of ploa have been embezzling royalty payments should otherwise benefit ordinary landowners.

in 2000 visiting anthropologist university of chicago recorded ploa had received pgk5.5 million [$2.1 million] in royalties pjv during previous 6 years, , pgk300,000 [$114,000] remained in ploa bank accounts, whilst there no record of how rest of money had been spent. head of porgera development authority had asked pricewaterhousecoopers @ ploa’s books.

misappropriation charges

in april 2005 mark ekepa arrested police in mount hagen on charges of misappropriation. released on bail of pgk5,000 [$1,600].

in march 2005 issue had come attention of prime minister sir michael somare, wrote government secretary joshua kalinoe complaining mine royalties being hijacked third parties , middlemen.

rivalries

when mark ekepa elected ploa chairman in 1995 had defeated fellow porgeran william gaupe. twice mark ekepa had defend leadership of ploa in papua new guinea’s national court, first in 2000, , again in 2004, when william gaupe had been elected new chairman of ploa @ special community meeting. ekepa overturned gaupe’s election victory in national court.

william gaupe popular in porgera having led gang raid on pjv’s drilling contractor in 1987, when stole safe containing cash , passports of expatriate workers, , chased pjv’s helicopter mountain. gaupe gave himself police , served 2 years in prison.

in 2005 ekepa criticised rival porgeran leader never having called government investigate suspected community deaths on mine site. jonah pilah kipu, chairman of porgera youth association, said ekepa had first spoken out issue - 21 suspected deaths on 15 years - after being arrested police on charges of misappropriation.

some porgerans allege ekepa maintains control of ploa rigging organisation’s elections.

international ngos

international ngos, fund mark ekepa’s annual trips north america, have been criticised legitimising ekepa association him.