Bridge over troubled waters

Villagers from remote Pararoa village in Upper Watut, Morobe province, now have a footbridge over the Watut River.

It was opened by Bulolo MP Sam Basil on Thursday last week (October 9).

The bridge was built with assistance from Mr Basil, PNG Forest Products in Bulolo and Hornibrooks.

He told the people that the footbridge was part of his vision to bring development to Local Level Government (LLG) level.

“We have many more footbridges to build,” Mr Basil said.

“Previous Bulolo MPs have delivered services only to district level, and not to the rural areas through LLGs.

“I will allocate resources to each LLG in the Bulolo electorate.”

He told the people that they would benefit from services such as an ambulance, a multi-purpose tractor as well as VSAT services to provide them with telephone and Internet services.

Upper Watut LLG president Waka Daimon said Mr Basil made a commitment to build the bridge before he went into Parliament.

“This MP has a heart for Bulolo electorate,” he said.

“The message I want to make clear to you people is not to ask him for free handouts.

“He is trying to bring development to the Buololo electorate.”

Bridge builder Atarus Lini Apo, who is a Boys Scout troupe leader in Upper Watut, built the bridge together with his scouts from the First Watut Scout Association under its obligation “to serve the community and take care of national resources”.

“This is under the skills training to build foot bridges,” he said.

“We pass our appreciation to provincial Boys Scouts commissioner Sailas Mapan for his support of the project.

“We plan to build several more foot bridges in the Upper Watut LLG.”

 

 

New ambulance for remote Upper Watut

Captions: 1. Bulolo MP Sam Basil is made a chief of the Upper Watut people.2. Upper Watut villagers celebrate their new ambulance.3. Upper Watut villagers celebrate their new ambulance .4. The new ambulance.

Remote Upper Watut Local Level Government (LLG) in Bulolo, Morobe province, now has an ambulance to take sick people to hospital in either Bulolo or Lae.

The Toyota Landcruiser ambulance was delivered to the people by Bulolo MP Sam Basil amidst much celebration at Mainyanda government station on Thursday last week (October 9), and the very next day, carried its very first seriously-ill patient to Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae.

It is part of Mr Basil’s plan to have an ambulance in all six LLGs in his Bulolo electorate so that people can have access to health services.

He said Upper Watut was first, to be followed by Mumeng, Buang and then Wau Rural.

Wau and Bulolo towns already have access to health services while the last LLG, Waria, doesn’t as yet have a road.

Mr Basil told the people that last year, while on the campaign trail in Upper Watut, he came across a very sick woman named Freda, who was being pushed in a wheelbarrow.

He said he rushed Freda to hospital in Bulolo, and was so moved by the experience, that he made it a point for Upper Watut to be the first LLG to have an ambulance if he was elected into office.

That promise came through on Thursday last week.

“Upper Watut is the first to benefit from an ambulance and the other LLGs will follow suit,” Mr Basil said.

“This ambulance is a gift to you so that you don’t push a woman like Freda in a wheelbarrow again.

“This ambulance, however, is not to be used for drinking beer and carrying women around.

“Have a man of sober habits appointed to drive this vehicle.”

Mr Basil also announced that apart from the ambulance, a mobile clinic for all six LLGs would be launched next month.

The other good news he announced was that Bulolo hospital would have a doctor next year.

Upper Watut LLG president Waka Daimon commended Mr Basil for rolling out health services to rural areas as well as such things like road maintenance and VSAT telephone and Internet.

“We used to think that such services would never come to us,” he said.

“We have good roads, health services and we can ring anywhere in the world.

“I believe that we can achieve a lot more if we work together.

“My challenge to you, my people of Watut, is to remember that these things cost money.

“We all have a duty to look after these telephones, ambulance and other services.

“This ambulance must not be used to buy and drink beer in.

“It must only be used to carry sick people.”

 

Zero tolerance

Caption: Wau-Bulolo mayor Jack Nawie (left) with Bulolo MP Sam Basil in Upper Watut… ‘zero tolerance’ of crime in Wau and Bulolo.

Wau-Bulolo mayor Jack Nawie has sent a blunt warning to criminal elements that there will be “zero tolerance” of crime in these two towns.

He said the two historical gold mining towns were again experiencing a boom in mining and exploration activities and their “cowboy town” tags must be disposed of to attract more investment.

“As the manager of these two towns, I will not tolerate these criminal acivities any more,” Mr Nawie said.

“There will be ‘zero tolerance’ of criminal activities.

“As manager of these towns, I want companies to come and invest here.

“We don’t want the ‘cowboy town’ image of Wau and Bulolo to come back and haunt us.

“We will work closely with all companies already here and those who want to come in as they are bringing services and we want to support them.

“I also want to raise the level of the two towns from Urban Level 2 to Urban Level 1 because of the current boom in mining and exploration.

“I will work closely with Bulolo MP Sam Basil and the other LLG presidents to push for development in these two towns.”

Mr Nawie is orginally from East Sepik but, like many others, was born and raised in Bulolo and calls it “home”.

“This is my town and this is my place,” he said.

“My heart lies where I was born.”

 

Basil plans to set up alluvial miners' group

Caption: Aerial shot of a gold dredge in Bulolo. The rivers and creeks around Bulolo and Wau abound with alluvial gold. Picture by SIMON ANAKAPU of Morobe Mining Joint Ventures.

 

Bulolo MP Sam Basil aims to set up an alluvial miners’ association to cater for their needs as well as process their gold.

He said alluvial miners in his electorate were quietly sifting millions of kina worth of alluvial gold from rivers and creeks with no proper records being kept, as well as being cheated by unscrupulous buyers.

“I estimate that this industry contributes about K7 million per month to the economy of Papua New Guinea,” he said.

“Eighty (80) % of this, I further estimate, is going out through dubious means.

“This alluvial gold goes out through logging and fishing boats, not through proper gold dealers.”

Mr Basil said he would push for government funding for a proper smeltering plant for alluvial miners in his electorate to process their gold.

“I’m going to put a plan together for the 2010 Public Investment Programme (PIP) to fund the smeltering plant, which will be owned by what will be known as the Wau-Bulolo Alluvial Miners’ Association,” he said.

“It will be driven by a private sector approach to curb undue influence.

“This goes with an export license of its own.

“By doing that, we reverse the current trend.

“It, of course, won’t take out the entire current illegal trend but it will help the government to have some data on this part of the economy of PNG.

“I will advertise for a partner to format a plan together for a smeltering plant to be situated in Bulolo or Mumeng station.

“With our export license, this is going to be a multi-million kina association.”

 

PACIFIC ACP TRADE MINISTERS TO CONSIDER RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN EPA NEGOTIATIONS WITH EU AS WELL AS OTHER TRADE-RELATED ISSUES

Trade Ministers from the Pacific ACP countries will consider the recent developments in the negotiations of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU) when they meet in Nadi, Fiji, 20 – 21 October.

The Trade Ministers’ meeting will be preceded by a meeting of Pacific ACP Trade Officials also in Nadi, 16 – 17 October.

The Ministers will consider the outcomes of the PACP – EU Joint Technical Working Group Meeting that was held in Brussels last month and decide on a way forward for the negotiations.

“These negotiations are becoming critical as the extended deadline for the negotiations of the EPA with the EU will expire at the end of the year. The Technical Working Group Meeting made progress on some issues that they did not make progress during the previous round of negotiations, including agreement on tariff covering frozen tuna and loins but the Ministers need to be informed on the progress and decide on a way forward in the negotiations,” says Peter Forau, Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The PACP Trade Ministers will consider the legal text of the EPA with the EU.

They will also consider the preparations made for the Donor Round Table Meeting on Aid –for-Trade and the Pacific Trade and Development Facility which will be held 23- 24 October.

Other issues at the PACP Trade Ministers will include consideration of a way forward on the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) issues including an update on the study on the Pacific Single Market and Economy, an update on China/Pacific Islands Investment, Trade, Tourism and Ministerial Conference held last month, an update on the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and the Joint Scoping Study on Trade, Investment and Development Cooperation Agreement between the PICs and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

They will also consider a way forward on the Chief Trade Adviser position for the negotiations of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) with Australia and New Zealand.

 

For more information, contact Dr Roman Grynberg, Director Economic Governance Programme on phone 679 331 2600 or email: romang@forumsec.org.fj

 

 

 

NEW FORUM SECRETARY GENERAL COMMENCES 3-YEAR CONTRACT

The newly appointed Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Mr Tuiloma Neroni Slade (pictured) will start his three-year contract on 13th October.

Mr Slade, from Samoa, was appointed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders during the 39th Leaders’ Forum in Niue in August to replace former Secretary General the late Greg Urwin who passed away on 9th August.

Mr Slade is the first Samoan to lead the region’s premier political organisation since it was founded in August 1971.

A lawyer by profession, Mr Slade has held several positions in the legal fraternity including a Judge, in the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands (2003-2006); Assistant Director, Legal Division in the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK (1983 – 1993), and Attorney General of Samoa (1976 – 1982).

He was also Acting Chief Justice of Samoa for interim periods.

Mr Slade was also Samoa’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York and concurrently Ambassador to the United States of America and High Commissioner to Canada from 1993 – 2003.

He was awarded the Order of Samoa – Poloaiga Sili a Samoa, in 2005.

He is also a recipient of the Global Oceans Leadership Award (2003), the Elisabeth Mann Borgese Medal for services to small island developing States and oceans (2003) and a Laureate of the Elizabeth Haub Award for Environmental Diplomacy.

 

For more information contact Mr Johnson Honimae, the Forum Secretariat’s Media Officer on phone 679 331 2600 or email: johnsonh@forumsec.org.fj

 

 

Wrong Email Address

A Highlands couple decided to go to Madang to escape a particularly cold Highlands weather.

They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier.

Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel plans.

So, the husband left Hagen and flew to Madang on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel.

There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife.

However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realising his error, sent the email.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Port Moresby, a widow had just returned home from her husband’s funeral at 9 Mile cemetery.

He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack.

The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends.

After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted.

The widow’s son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My loving wife

Subject: I’ve arrived

Date: April 6, 2006

I know you’re surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you’re allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then. Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. sure is freaking hot down here!

Wau and Bulolo renaissance

Aerial view of Bulolo. Picture by PNG FOREST PRODUCTS

Golden Pine Plantations, Bulolo. Picture by PNG FOREST PRODUCTS

An aerial view of the Hidden Valley Mine Project area stretching down to Hamata. Picture by SIMON ANAKAPU of MOROBE MINING JOINT VENTURES

The author (centre) with Sampson Bonai (left) and Vii Killar at the start of the Hidden Valley Access Road at the back of Bulolo. Picture by SIMON ANAKAPU of Morobe Mining Joint Ventures

Panorama of the Bulolo and Watut vallers from the Hidden Valley Access Road. Picture by SIMON ANAKAPU of Morobe Mining Joint Ventures

You can feel it in the air as you drive up the scenic Wau-Bulolo Highway from Lae.

We drive over the Markham Bridge crossing the great river of the same name past Niugini Tablebirds, pretty villages with roadside markets, Zenag Chicken, picturesque rolling hills and snaking rivers – which if they could speak – would tell you so much.
In the rivers and creeks, village miners are quietly sifting a fortune in gold dust, using crude wooden sluices made from bush materials and cheap metal pans.
Our driver, Gima Pokana of PNG Forest Products, points out a spot along the Snake River dubbed as “ATM Corner” because, whenever villagers and settlers want quick cash, this is where they come, just like an ATM machine in town.
My colleagues, The National’s Lae sales executive Vii Kiilar and our former reporter and local Wau/Buolo boy Sampson Bonai, join in lighthearted banter with Gima.
Memories of my younger days as a reporter in Lae, when I constantly drove along this road, come rushing to mind.
But those days of the late 1980’s and 1990’s, when Wau and Bulolo were disparaged as ‘cowboy towns’ due to the lawlessness, are fast becoming a thing of the past.
There is now a feeling of excitement and optimism akin to the historical gold mining days of the 1920’s and 1930’s.
The once normally-quite road is busy with big trucks heading to and from Lae headed for the Wafi prospect in Mumeng, Koranga Creek, Edie Creek and Hidden Valley in Wau, and PNG Forest Products in Bulolo.
The historical mining towns of Wau and Bulolo in the Morobe province, you see, are on the verge of a major renaissance with the increase in mining activity.
This has resulted in massive economic activities in these areas reminiscent of the 20’s and 30’s.
Employment opportunities and other spin-off activities abound with the ‘big three’ projects at Hidden Valley, Edie Creek and the famous Koranga Creek on the fringes of Wau town.
The historic Bulolo airport was re-opened this year to serve the increased mining activities.
The discovery of gold at Edie Creek above Wau in 1926 sparked off a gold rush of massive proportions which led to the exploitation of the rich deposits of the Bulolo-Watut river system by large-scale mechanised mining.
History is indeed being rewritten with the current developments at Wau and Bulolo which will benefit the whole of Papua New Guinea.
We drive past the Buang junction, over the notorious Kumalu River which buried the once –thriving Mumeng government station under tonnes of rubble, and then the beautiful and iconic pine trees of Bulolo come into view.
Gima drives us into the PNG Forest Products township, which is like going back in time, given the well-kept colonial-style houses which are more than 50 years old.
PNG Forest Products evolved from Bulolo Gold Dredging Limited that commenced operations in large-scale alluvial mining in the late 1920’s.
The Bulolo region was at the time one of the largest gold fields in the world.
A total of seven dredges scoured the valley floor, dredging thousands of tones of high grade gold-bearing ore.
As the mining operation scaled down, the plywood factory and sawmill were constructed.
In collaboration with the then government, the pine plantations were also established at this time.
In 1954, plywood production and the export of product to overseas destinations commenced.
From the early 1950’s the company has been involved in the conversion of both hardwood and plantation resource to high value end products.
Today, PNG Forest Products is the leading producer of timber and plywood products using only 100% plantation pine.
Its products include prefabricated houses, dressed timber and mouldings, treated power poles, export high grade plywood and veneers.
The company operates a 5.5MW hydro power station at Baiune which was built pre-war to supply power to the gold dredges.
Today, it supplies the total power requirements for the company township of Bulolo and Wau.
PNG Forest Products is truly a self-sufficient organisation with retail stores, freezers, bakeries and a cattle farm.
“The face of Bulolo is changing and becoming a bit like it used to be, which is good for everybody” deputy general manager Rinus Vacks tells me.
“It’s very, very positive.
“Bulolo’s got a very good feel about it.
“We’re certainly riding on the back of the booming economy.
“We’re also moving along with the economy.
“We certainly hope that the current strength of the economy will continue.”
Banks in Bulolo – Nationwide (formerly Wau) Microfinance and Bank South Pacific - are gaining momentum as business picks up as a direct result of the exploration and mining boom in the area.
Nationwide Microfinance, in particular, has picked up dramatically since it was opened in Bulolo last February 26.
“Within this short space of time there has been a lot of cash circulating within within the townships of Bulolo and Wau due to mining activities as well as alluvial mining,” manager Jacob Bigiglen enthuses.
At the Bulolo Golf Club, the oldest in the country, we meet a motley crew of miners, foresters and locals who are all too happy to spin a yarn over a couple of beers about the good ‘ol days of Wau and Bulolo.
The other club in town, Bulolo Bowling Club, is renowned for producing bowlers who have represented PNG in international tournaments.
The next day, we head for Hidden Valley gold mine project with Simon Anakapu, who is public and internal relations manager with Morobe Mining Joint Ventures, a partnership between Harmony Gold and Newcrest.
We take the private access road at the back of Bulolo, which curves its way through the mountains, for over 40km before hitting Hidden Valley.
Here, in the middle of nowhere, a massive change is taking place.
Work at the Hidden Valley gold mine project outside Wau in Morobe province is progressing well and on schedule with production to start next year.
Remote Hidden Valley near the border of Central and Gulf provinces has become a hive of activity as Morobe Mining Joint Ventures work on a project that promises to transform the famous gold mining towns of Wau and Bulolo.
To date, an enormous 26 million tones of waste have been removed from the pre-strip by giant trucks and other equipment, operated exclusively by staff from surrounding landowner villages including women.
Acting mine manager Chuck Hennessey tells me there is a general air of optimism all around as construction work nears competition and commends all staff, many from surrounding landowner villages, for their hard work.
“The feeling is pretty good,” he says.
“This is going back to the root of mining in PNG and we’re pretty excited about that.”
Evening over the Bulolo and Watut valleys as we drive back is a sight to behold as we watch the panorama unfold.
“This is God’s country,” Simon remarks.
And I couldn’t agree more.

Hidden Valley places emphasis on landowners

Hidden Valley gold mine project in Wau, Morobe province, is placing a lot of emphasis on hiring of local people.

Human resource manager Michael Lankester said last Saturday (October 4) that Morobe Mining Joint Ventures planned over the long term to have the project totally run by the landowners.

This is already obvious in operation of heavy equipment on site, which is totally done by landowner employees, including women.

Landowners are represented by the landowner NAKUWI Association, which represents Nauti, Kwembu and Winima villages.

“Our overall aim is to start the project with local people,” Mr Lankester said.

“Our long-term aim is to have it totally run by local people.

“Obviously, we can’t do that straight away, because there aren’t enough people trained in mining in the local area.

“What we’re doing is we’re hiring experienced people from existing mines within PNG with the view that these people will train locals over time.

“We are hiring a lot of locals at the moment as trainees, especially in the mining area.

“All our mining equipment now is run by locals from the Wau/Bulolo areas.

“The way we train these people is we have a simulator.

“This is our initial training medium for our operators.

“They will come in and we put them through a simulator.

“Once we’re happy with that, we let them operate the equipment with an operator sitting beside them and, over time, operate solo.

“We currently have 127 local operators, 11 of whom are females.

“It’s not only the trucks; they also operate the PC2000 excavators, graders, and the whole range of equipment.

“At this stage, we’ve probably got another 20-30 to hire.

“In full operation, we’d like to see our workforce comprise of 75% of locals from the Wau/Bulolo area.

“We probably will have about 650 in full production, and about 350 contractors.

“In terms of our employment interaction with the landowners, we work closely with NAKUWI Association.”

 

Bulolo banks pick up business as mining booms

Banks in Bulolo, Morobe province, are gaining momentum as business picks up as a direct result of the exploration and mining boom in the area.

The two banks in the area are Nationwide (formerly Wau) Microfinance and Bank South Pacific.

Nationwide Microfinance, in particular, has picked up dramatically since it was opened in Bulolo last February 26.

“Within this short space of time there has been a lot of cash circulating within within the townships of Bulolo and Wau due to mining activities as well as alluvial mining,” manager Jacob Bigiglen said

“Within the three months we’ve seen that people have cash to spend around.

“You find that ordinary people in Wau, Bulolo, Watut, Menyamya and Garaina come and open accounts here to keep their money.

“We are able to give small business loans to assist small businessmen from the rural areas.

Flashback...The new Nationwide (Wau) Microfinance Bulolo branch after its official opening on February 26 this year.

“We give loans to people to buy vehicles especially.

“Within this short space of time you will see that a lot of people have new vehicles due to assistance from us.

“We have microfinance loans which we give to small businessmen involved in trade stores and other little activities that they use to create income.

“We also give salary loans to employees of mining companies like Niuminco (Eddie Creek) and Harmony (Hidden Valley), PNG Forest Products and public servants.

“Then we go down to cash back loans which we give to ordinary people who save with us.

Mr Bigiglen said that when the mines were in full operation more people, especially landowners would come in.

“We have a total of 2,300 people who have accounts with us,” he said

“We have 731 people who have taken out loans.

“Business is good.

“Within the next one to two years, we should see more employees coming in and small business growing.

“We are also talking with Wafi landowners about how we can help them.”

Mr Bigiglen, however, said that government support was essential if business was to prosper.

“We are looking at the government to improve infrastructure like roads,” he said.

“The law and order problem also needs to be controlled.

“It’s a win-win situation.

“If the government assists the private sector, the benefits will flow down to the people.”

Bank South Pacific’s Bulolo branch manager Phillip Pung confirmed that the number of account holders had increased.

“We are trying to get the companies to open their operating accounts here,” he said.

“Otherwise, when business booms, the economy picks up, and the workforce and people at large will come in.

“Otherwise, we will have to wait for 2009 when Hidden Valley will start production.

“That’s when we really expect to pick up business.”

 

Hidden Valley on target

Caption: An aerial view of the Hidden Valley Mine Project area stretching down to Hamata. Picture by SIMON ANAKAPU of MOROBE MINING JOINT VENTURES.

 

Work at the Hidden Valley gold mine project outside Wau in Morobe province is progressing well and on schedule with production to start next year.

Remote Hidden Valley near the border of Central and Gulf provinces has become a hive of activity as Morobe Mining Joint Ventures, comprising of Harmony Gold and Newcrest, work on a project that promises to transform the famous gold mining towns of Wau and Bulolo.

To date, an enormous 26 million tones of waste have been removed from the pre-strip by giant trucks and other equipment, operated exclusively by staff from surrounding landowner villages including women.

“We’ve got all of our mobile fleet commissioned,” said acting mine manager Chuck Hennessey.

“That’s about 20 85 tonne trucks.

“We’ve got three large excavators.

“We’ve got about 75 other pieces of construction and mining equipment that are currently working the pre-strip, moving generally about 100,000 tonnes a day.

“Construction is continuing on the mill.

“Civil work is well underway.

“We’ve poured most of the concrete for tank footings, some of the larger pads near the mill, and working on completion of the site mill

“The steel and tank work is about to begin.

“Large vehicle workshop and large equipment workshop are about to be completed.

“And we’re currently working on clearing the track for the overland conveyor, which is five and a half kilometers long.

“The camp is almost complete.

“It’s about 95% complete now.

“And the tailings dam walls are just about to be completed.

“We’re expecting commissioning of the mill in May 2009

“Production should be in quarter three of next year.

“Mill capacity will be 12, 0000 tonnes a day.”

Mr Hennessey said there was a general air of optimism all around as construction work neared competition and commended all staff, many from surrounding landowner villages, for their hard work.

“The feeling is pretty good,” he said.

“This is going back to the root of mining in PNG and we’re pretty excited about that.

“This is the largest mining project for the last 20 years since Lihir.

“Everything’s on schedule.

“The staff here is excellent.

“There’s a lot of really good talent here in PNG.

“We’re going to prop that up and make it even better.”

 

Blogging makes me happy!

Dead fish and animals continue to worry Western province villagers

Villagers from remote Iruupi village in the Western province continue to be plagued by dead fish in their Kura River as they await assistance from the provincial government.

And they now fear that what is contaminating the water could pass on to human beings and other animals and affect their whole livelihood.

The villagers last Thursday, September 25, raised their concern in a letter to Governor Bob Danaya, asking him to urgently send in experts to ascertain the exact cause of the fish dying.

They believe that the fish, including prized barramundi, could be dying because of oil or petroleum substances in the river.

Secretary of Naga Bewani Resource Association Kapena Memafu said from Daru yesterday, Wednesday, October 1, that provincial headquarters in Kiunga had agreed to send over an officer to assess the situation but they were still waiting.

He said that three villagers, a father and his two children, were very sick after eating taro boiled with water from the Kura River while out hunting last week and were waiting for transport to receive treatment at Daru hospital.

Mr Kapena said the number of dead fish surfacing continued to rise daily, crocodiles were surfacing and there was now widespread fear that birds, deer, pigs and wallabies – hunted for meat – could be poisoned.

“It’s getting worse everyday,” he said.

“Ducks and birds are dying.

“Crocodiles are also dying because their habitat is being disturbed.

“Deer, pigs and wallabies also drink water from the Kura and the fear now is that they could be poisoned.

“The crocodiles are coming out and are floating on the surface, causing fears that they could attack people.

“There are also a lot of barramundi in the river system.”

Bureaucratic red tape, in the form of funding being kept in far-off Kiunga, is the cause of the Iruupi villagers’ pleas not being heeded with the urgency it needs.

“We have just seen all the officers in Daru and they’re just waiting for funding to come over from Kiunga,” Mr Memafu said.

“I, in fact, saw the South Fly district administration but they are not responding.

“It’s only provincial headquarters who are responding.”

Iruupi, south of Daru near the Torres Strait, is closer to Australian than the Western province capital.

 

Trade between China and PNG soars

H. E. Ambassador Wei Ruixing

Trade between China and Papua New Guinea continues to grow with the total volume of bilateral trade for the first half of this year recording US$488 million, according to Chinese Ambassador Wei Ruixing.

Mr Ruixing, when disclosing these figures at a reception marking the 59th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at the Chinese Embassy on Tuesday night, said this was an increase of 38% from the previous year.

He predicted that these figures would soar with Ramu Nickel Mine Project to start operations in 2009.

“… a good momentum has been maintained in the bilateral relations between China and PNG, with constant expansion in scope and depth of our bilateral trade and economic cooperation,” he told government ministers and departmental secretaries, MPs, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests.

“The total volume of our bilateral trade for the first half of this year recorded USD488 million with an increase of 38%.

“More and more reliable Chinese enterprises have been investing in PNG, with about US$11 million last year.

“PNG has been the largest trade partner and investment destination country of China among the South Pacific Island countries during the past few years.”

“With the construction of Ramu Nickel Mine Project to be completed and put into operation in the second half of next year, the economic cooperation between China and PNG will be lifted to a higher level.”

Mr Ruixing said exchange and cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture, education, health, agriculture, fishery, and others also yielded fruitful results.

This is seen in 26 PNG students granted Chinese government scholarships to pursue their degree studies in China; over 50 government officials and technical personnel of different sectors being trained in China for various programmes; the 4th Chinese medical team dispatched by Chinese government will arrive in Port Moresby in November to provide continuous medical services to the local people; and a series of Chinese government-aided projects, such as teachers’ houses and students’ dormitories of Vudal University and Lae fish processing factory were completed and put into operation.

“Further development of China-PNG friendly and cooperative relations is in conformity with the common interests of the two peoples,” Mr Ruixing said.

“The Chinese government is ready to work with the PNG Government and people to promote the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, expand and deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields, continue our mutual support and sound cooperation in the international and regional affairs, so as to ensure the stable and sound bilateral relations between the two countries in the years and decades to come.”

The Chinese Ambassador’s full speech can be seen below.

Toast by H. E. Ambassador Wei Ruixing ---at the Reception Marking 59th Anniversary of theFounding of the People’s Republic of China

Government Ministers and Department Secretaries,
Members of National Parliament,
Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good evening! My wife and I feel very much delighted and greatly honored to have you at the Chinese Embassy to join us in celebrating 59th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. I wish, on behalf of the entire staff of the Chinese Embassy, to extend to all of you our warm welcome and best wishes. I also wish to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation and sincere thanks to all of you for making unremitting efforts and contributions to the promotion of the friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Papua New Guinea.
Ladies and Gentlemen: The year of 2008 is of special significance to China and to the Chinese people of all ethnic groups.
First this year marks the 30th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. During the past 30 years, great and historic changes have taken place in China, with remarkable achievements in economic development and social undertakings. China has maintained rapid and sustained economic development for the past three decades. The aggregate GDP grew by about 20 times with the average annual growth rate of about 9.7%, and the volume of foreign trade increased more than 100 times making China rank 3rd in the world. The Chinese government successfully lifted 230 million rural people out of poverty, making a Chinese miracle witnessed by the world. There have been great improvements in the material and cultural life of the Chinese people, who are now enjoying a greater comfort and an improved quality of daily living. Despite the slowdown of world economy since the beginning of this year, China has maintained steady economic development. The total GDP of the first half of 2008 recorded US$1.93 trillion at the growth rate of 10.4% compared with the corresponding period of last year. The total volume of foreign trade amounted to US$1.72 trillion, an increase 26.4%. The total value of actual utilization of foreign investment reached US$67 billion, up by about 13%. By the end of June, the foreign exchange reserve totaled US$1.81 trillion. Confronted with many difficulties and challenges, China remains one of the countries with fast economic development.

Second, Beijing successfully hosted 29th Olympiad and 13th Paralympics. The Chinese Government and people have honored their commitments to the international community by sparing no effort to make the two Games high-level and unique sports events with Chinese characteristics. More than 1,200 athletes from 204 countries and regions competed under the Olympic Flag with more than 4 billion people around the world witnessing this largest gathering in the history of the Olympic Games. Beijing Olympics gathered peoples of different nations, cultures and religions to promote their mutual understanding and friendship, carried forward the Olympic spirit of unity, friendship and peace, and made great contributions to the building of a harmonious world with lasting peace and common development and prosperity of humankind.PNG made a historic breakthrough in Beijing by winning a silver medal in the Paralympics. Congratulations! The Chinese people share the joy with all Papua New Guineans and wish PNG athletes even greater success in the future.

Third, China successfully launched its third manned spacecraft Shenzhou VII on September 26th, 2008 with three astronauts on board making the country's first-ever space walk the following day. The Shenzhou VII mission marks a historic breakthrough in China's manned space program, which is hailed as another feat on the Chinese people's journey to ascend the peak of science and technology.

Fourth, China suffered a series of natural disasters this year. From late January to early February, extreme weather conditions of sleet and snowstorms struck southern China, and in May, the most disastrous earthquake which had not occurred in the past century rocked Sichuan province and surrounding areas, causing great loss of life and property. The Chinese Government mobilized all forces throughout the country for this unprecedented disaster relief and the Chinese people rallied together and united as one. Soldiers, police officers, fire brigade and medical personnel and volunteers from all over the country worked day and night in their rescue efforts and disaster relief. Under the leadership of the Chinese Government and with the concerted efforts of all rescue and disaster relief workers and the international community, tens of thousands of survivors were saved from the ruins, millions of the injured were treated promptly, tens of millions of the affected people were properly resettled, power transmission lines, public telecommunication services, radio and TV networks and water-supply pipelines have been restored gradually, and the reconstruction is now well under way.The Chinese community and PNG friends made their generous donations to the disaster relief. On behalf of the Chinese Government and the people of the disaster-stricken areas, I wish to express our sincere gratitude.

Fifth, a good momentum has been maintained in the bilateral relations between China and PNG, with constant expansion in scope and depth of our bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The total volume of our bilateral trade for the first half of this year recorded USD488 million with an increase of 38%. More and more reliable Chinese enterprises have been investing in PNG, with about US$11 million last year. PNG has been the largest trade partner and investment destination country of China among the South Pacific Island Countries during the past few years. With the construction of Ramu Nickel Mine Project to be completed and put into operation in the second half of next year, the economic cooperation between China and PNG will be lifted to a higher level. The exchange and cooperation between the two countries in the field of culture, education, health, agriculture, fishery, etc. also yielded fruitful results. 26 PNG students were granted Chinese Government Scholarships to pursue their degree studies in China. Over 50 government officials and technical personnel of different sectors were trained in China for various programs. The 4th Chinese Medical Team dispatched by Chinese Government will arrive in Port Moresby in November to provide continuous medical services to the local people. A series of the Chinese Government aided projects, such as the Teachers’ Houses and Students’ Dormitories of Vudal University and Lae Fish Processing Factory, were completed and put into operation.

Further development of China-PNG friendly and cooperative relations is in conformity with the common interests of the two peoples. The Chinese Government is ready to work with the PNG Government and people to promote the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, expand and deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields, continue our mutual support and sound cooperation in the international and regional affairs, so as to ensure the stable and sound bilateral relations between the two countries in the years and decades to come.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for joining us in the auspicious occasion, and wish you an enjoyable evening. Thank you.

REGIONAL EFFORTS TO BULK PROCURE PETROLEUM CONTINUE

Petroleum and other energy experts will meet in Auckland on the 8 and 9 October in an effort to progress the regional bulk procurement of Petroleum initiative.

A key Pacific Plan initiative, it is aimed at consolidating the purchasing of petroleum by Pacific Island Countries in an effort to offset the damage to local economies by higher global oil prices which continue to affect Pacific economies at both macro- and micro levels.

“For the region’s countries with little or no export based manufacturing and in particular, its smaller island states, the impact is devastating with reductions in gross national income of between 4% and 14% for every US$10 per barrel increase in fuel prices,” says Jared Morris, the Forum Secretariat’s Import Management Adviser.

The question of energy supply and energy security is all the more tenuous with the continuing divestment of multinational oil supplier operations from the Pacific, the exit of which has forced many national governments in the region to utilise scarce resources to mitigate short falls in supply and maintain costly infrastructure.

Among issues under consideration in Auckland will be a framework document, which if agreed to, offers a first step in seeing interested Pacific Island Countries on the path to procuring petroleum products not as single actors but as a consolidated market. Based on international experience such a move would produce considerable savings at the point of purchase. “The approach is one that, if adopted, will see the unbundling of supply from distribution. This will relieve pressure on government resources but still maintain a space for private sector operators. Such a consolidation will work to better harmonise standards, legislation and supply chain efficiencies more generally,” says Mr Morris. The initiative could not be timelier, something recognised by Forum Leaders at their recent annual meeting in Niue. A topic of considerable focus during Leaders’ discussions, the meeting will be attended by senior Forum officials, technical experts and private sector representatives. The meeting will be facilitated by the Forum Secretariat. Financial assistance to support the meeting is being provided by the government of New Zealand.

For more information contact, Mr Jared Morris, the Forum Secretariat’s Import Management Adviser on phone 679 331 2600 or email jaredm@forumsec.org,fj

 

SBDC finally has a board in place

The Small Business Development Corporation finally has in place a new board after being without one since November 2006.

This means the SBDC can now offset its other problem of being without a managing director which has also beset it since November 2006

The board was sworn in at a ceremony at the Country Club in Port Moresby on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 witnessed by Commerce & Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris, senior department staff, family members and SBDC staff.

Businessman Michael Mell heads the new board which comprises of his deputy and prominent women leader and businesswomen Janet Sape as deputy chairperson, Michael Koka Roysa (financial institutions), Alois Makeng (Momase small business), Peter Iggy (Highlands small business), Andrew Pakila (Islands small business), Department of Commerce & Industry secretary Anton Kulit (ex-officio) and Finance Secretary Gabriel Yer (ex-officio).

Mr Kapris said the government continued to give prominence to SBDC as a lead agency in the promotion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) despite that challenges it had undergone over the last two years without a board and managing director.

“Nevertheless, SBDC, like any other organisation, has its own share of challenges, opportunities and constraints which hamper the smooth and efficient execution of its responsibilities, and one such problem was the non-existence of a board and permanent managing director,” he said.

“The organisation was operating without a proper board and managing director for the last 20 months.

“The previous board’s term expired on December 1, 2006, and the managing director’s contract expired on November 14, 2006.”

Mr Kapris said attempts were made to have a new board in place in 2007 but former minister Paul Tiensten was restricted by the process of enactment of the Regulatory Statutory Authority (RSA) Act of 2004 and other significant events that year including the 2007 elections.

“The prolonged delay in appointing the SBDC board and managing director proper has seen a decline in staff morale and the smooth daily operation of the corporation, and as minister responsible for all commercial statutory authorities under my ministry including SBDC, would not like to see the corporation continue encountering problems,” he said.

“In the absence of a duly-appointed board, the caretaker managing director (Diri Kobla) was brought from Department of Commerce & Industry to instill discipline and all forms of control and bring back normalcy in the administration and operation of SBDC.

“He was further instructed to fast track the process under both acts of SBDC Act and RSA Act 2004 to forward a list of nominees representing various regions and institutions, public and private, for the board.”

Caretaker managing director Mr Kobla expressed confidence the appointment of a new managing director would now be deliberated on by the new board.

New chairman Mr Mell described SBDC as a “sleeping giant” which needed to be awoken.

“Why I use the phrase ‘sleeping giant’ is because SBDC can achieve more, take a positive, leading role in assisting the expansion and establishment of new SMEs, especially in the rural areas,” he said.

Kapris stresses vital role of SMEs

Caption: Commerce & Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris stresses a point at the swearing-in of SBDC board members

Commerce & Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 emphasised the important role that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) played in the development of Papua New Guinea.

He said, during the swearing in of new board members of the Small Business Development Corporation, that the importance of SMEs should not be understated.

“SMEs play a very significant role in creation of a dynamic private sector, referred to as the ‘engine room’ for economic growth, to sustain livelihood by creating employment opportunities and eradicating poverty,” Mr Kapris said.

“I am determined to ensure SBDC continues to contribute immensely to the development of the SME sector with the current new board appointed.

“SME development will increase any country’s economic growth and independence, which will lead to reducing poverty through income-earning opportunities, sustaining livelihood and empowering people to be involved in small scale business and self-reliance.”

He said his ministry would continue to address constraints under the SME Policy which were globally-common such as human resource development, access to information, market, finance, women in business, technology and business infrastructure.

Mr Kapris said since taking up office 12 months ago, he was building team work with other corporate statutory authorities under his ministry to work as a united team to implement major government policies and projects that would impact upon and bring lasting changes to the country.

This will mean institutions such as SBDC promoting growth of SMEs, Industrial Centres Development Corporation (ICDC) to provide facilities, Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) to promote and market SME products offshore and National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT) to address quality and standard issues.

“There are still challenges of properly co-ordinating these mechanisms,” Mr Kapris said,

“The ministry has taken on the challenges in liaison with the private sector, NGOs and other stakeholders through various workshops and forums, resulting in resolutions and strategic plans in place to take courses of action, namely review the SME Policy, working in partnership with the private sector and establishing a central co-ordinating centre for SME development and growth.”