Captain Bouraga’s last hurrah

Capt Bouraga is wheeled on the tarmac at Jackson's Airport. Picture by AURI EVA

Capt Bouraga's F100 is given the traditional hosing down at Jackson's AirportCapt Bouraga (centre) with old mates Masket Iangalio (left) and Lae MP Bart Philemon. Picture by AURI EVA

By TRAVERTZ MABONE in The National

AIR NIUGINI saw the departure of one of its pioneer Papua New Guinea pilots last Friday.

Captain Aria Bouraga had his “wings clipped” after 40 years of soaring all over PNG and the world like an eagle, 35 of these with Air Niugini, up until last Friday.

In emotional scenes at Jackson airport in Port Moresby, Capt Bouraga was given the traditional soaking, before being wheeled off the tarmac after clocking a proud 23,000 hours of flying time in a brilliant career.

His last hurrah had none better VIP than Governor-General and PNG patriot Sir Paulias Matane while his first officer was his nephew Gari Bouraga.

Capt Bouraga said that he was proud of being able to remain with Air Niugini since its inception in 1973 and encouraged up-and-coming national pilots to take pride in their job and uphold the high personal and professional standards expected of a pilot.

Sir Paulias congratulated Capt Bouraga, saying he was proud of him being one of the first PNG pilots and thanked him for his many years of service.

Pilots’ Union president Capt Mark Storr was also proud of Mr Bouraga as he was “part of the first group of young Papua New Guineans to discover the mystery of flying”.

Capt Bouraga thanked the many pilots who had flown alongside him in his long and distinguished career.

“After 35 years in the air, I finally would like my feet on the ground at my home in Gabagaba village in Rigo, Central province,” he said.

Villagers want Butibam-Kamkumung stretch sealed

Angry Butibam villagers today called on the Works Department to immediately seal the 3km Butibam-Kamkumung stretch to avoid being polluted by dust and heavy traffic.

They made the call as all traffic along Independence Drive from the University of Technology is diverted because of the temporary closure of Kamkumung Corner-Kamkumung Bridge stretch for road sealing.

The Butibam-Kamkumg stretch, once a well-sealed road, has over the years turned into a dusty, pothole-filled bush track.

“Butibam people are seriously considering stopping all traffic from utilising the Butibam bypass unless there is proper maintenance and sealing,”Ahi Association president Jonathan Saing said today.

“It has to be done immediately.

“We are calling on national works secretary Joel Luma to make available funding to fix the 3km stretch between Butibam and Kamkumung.

“We are not a rubbish dump and our dignity as human beings should be respected.”

 

 

Lae's Sipaia Beach out of bounds to public

Frustrated Wagang villagers from outside Lae have put a stop to members of the public using their popular Sipaia Beach.

They said in a public notice dated May 1 that this was due to “continuous harassment and blatant disrespect of the villagers”.

“The Sipaia Beach, which is not a public beach, is now closed to all outsiders until further notice,” village chairman Joe Sawang and councilor John Galang said in the notice.

“We have taken this step to safeguard our children from speeding vehicles, public nuisance, drunkenness, disturbance of village harmony and aimless wandering into private village areas.

“Our intentions are to set up village regulations for use of the beach by the public, and put in place laws to safeguard our village life, and providing barbeque stands, toilets and other amenities before the beach is reopened to the public.”

Mr Sawang and Mr Galang said that when the beach was reopened, fees would be charged for use for leisure and functions, to bring in revenue to maintain public amenities and the beachfront.

“We hope that when we do open up, we will be able to provide services for and better inform the public,” they said.

 

 

Fuel cheaper than a year ago despite May increase

Fuel is significantly cheaper than it was a year ago, despite a small rise in pump prices for May.

InterOil President Bill Jasper says all refined fuels remained “very affordable” following this month’s increase.

“It is important to note retail prices are currently between 40 and 50 percent cheaper than they were at this time in 2008”. (Based on IPP figures, ULP is 44% cheaper, diesel 51% cheaper and kerosene is 50% cheaper).

Mr Jasper said the May pricing structure reflects the volatility and unpredictability of the international marketplace.

“It is driven by perceptions of future demand.

“Markets believe that demand for refined fuels will increase in the months ahead and this drives prices up.

“The stronger demand may become evident as various government economic stimulus measures around the world begin to take effect.

“The price changes we are experiencing here in Papua New Guinea reflect what is going on throughout the globe.

“We are part of the international community and, as such, are not immune from the effects of what is happening overseas”, Mr Jasper said.

The average increase for May for diesel, unleaded gasoline (ULP) and kerosene is about 5%.

“After six months of falling fuel prices (mid-2008 to early 2009) we have now seen four months of increases”, Mr Jasper said.

“The net result is that most fuels are more than a Kina cheaper per litre than they were in May 2008.

“And that, in these trying economic times, is positive and welcome news”.

For further information and to arrange media interviews contact:

Susuve Laumaea

Senior Manager Media Relations InterOil Corporation

Ph: 321 7040

Mobile: 684 5168

Email: susuve.laumaea@interoil.com

Bulolo goes big on farming

Bulolo MP Sam Basil drives the new tractor with an excited Mumeng locallevel government president Mathias Jack at his side. Picture by PISAI GUMAR

By PISAI GUMAR

BULOLO district on Tuesday presented K300, 000 to the Department of Agriculture’s Erap Food Security Resource and Development Centre for the purchase of cattle and other livestock.

The money was presented during the National Agriculture Research Institute’s agriculture innovations show at Bubia outside Lae.

The payment was for 160 head of cattle, eight buffalos, 160 goats, 4, 000 ducklings, 20,000 fingerlings and training of trainers in livestock farming system and drugs and medication for animals.

The funding is also for upkeep, extension and advisory support visits by technical officers to assist farmers.

The project was initiated to encourage farmers develop sustainable livestock farming systems and improve family nutrition with the surplus to be sold.

The livestock development project is initiated for Wau Rural, Upper Watut, Buang and Mumeng LLGs.

Meanwhile, the first of four new multi-purpose tractors was delivered to Mumeng from Ela Motors in Lae on Monday to develop the LLG’s agricultural capacity.

Morobe law and order committee chairman Benson Suwang and deputy administrator Patilias Gamato on Monday launched the tractor at Timini Primary School along with with its trailer, slasher, plough and rotor.

“It will help farmers plough agricultural land, clean the government station on weekdays, and transport local farmers’ coffee bags and fresh food to markets,” said Bulolo MP Sam Basil.

Fall 2009 Jefferson Fellowships: The Right Climate for Confronting Climate Change?

Fall 2009 Jefferson Fellowships for Journalists

Dates: October 25-November 14, 2009

Theme: “The Right Climate for Confronting Climate Change?”

Travel Destinations: Honolulu, Hawaii; Monterey and Palo Alto, California; Boulder, Colorado; Washington, D.C.

Who Can Apply: Working print, broadcast, and on-line journalists in the United States, Asia and the Pacific Islands. Five years of experience preferred. English fluency required.

Funding: Airfare, lodging, per diem and most other program expenses are provided through a grant from The Freeman Foundation of Stowe, Vermont. Participants are responsible for all applicable visa fees and any additional visa-related expenses. 

Application Deadline: Wednesday, June 17, 2009.

Information and applications: For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/jefferson.

Contacts: Send applications and questions by email to jefferson@eastwestcenter.org or fax at (808) 944-7600. For phone inquiries, please contact Ann Hartman, Jefferson Fellowships Coordinator, at (808) 944-7619.

Theme: “The Right Climate for Confronting Climate Change?”

The new U.S. presidential administration of Barack Obama has increased attention to climate change in advance of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in December 2009. With this backdrop, the Fall 2009 Jefferson Fellowships program will explore the ability of U.S. domestic and foreign policy to confront the important economic challenges and opportunities involved in addressing climate change and its consequences. While near-term costs may affect the livelihoods of Americans already struggling in the current U.S. recession, addressing climate change also presents opportunities to strengthen important parts of the economy and create jobs. In addition, the Fall 2009 program will examine how the issue of climate change may serve as a way for the United States to rebuild partnerships and alliances around the world and to bolster national security. 

The program will begin in Honolulu with one week of discussions, field visits and participant presentations that explore the challenge of climate change throughout the Asia Pacific-U.S. region. Participants will share impacts, responses and policy challenges from the perspectives of their own countries. The study tour will focus on policy challenges and opportunities for the United States through visits to key destinations on the U.S. mainland.

Russian Cake Contest

Russian Cake Contest
Yes, everything you see is a cake with icing
The sewing machine and other items look so real it
Looks like they are the real thing -- but...they are all just cake and
icing.

Call for export markets for agricultural produce

By SENIORL ANZU

 

Bulolo MP Sam Basil called on all stakeholders in agriculture to take research and development to the next level by exploring overseas market opportunities.

Speaking at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia near Lae on Tuesday, Mr Basil said Papua New Guinea needed a proper strategy to capture markets for local crops that had potential commercial value.

 He added that besides being rich in natural resources, PNG was also strategically positioned to capitalise on market opportunities available in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia which would benefit PNG farmers.

“Papua New Guinea must develop a strategy to capture a share in these markets for some of our potential commercial fresh fruit and vegetable crops like taro, yams, mango, aibika, krusako, kalapoa, cabbages, carrots, lettuce, peanuts, galip nuts and many more”, Mr Basil said.

“If given the support and backing by the government, I am confident our small farmers can grow produce that are competitive on the internal markets.”

 He therefore indicated his willingness to lobby key players.

“I will lobby NARI and other institutions like the National Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Authority, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Foreign Affairs to establish a joint task force to formulate a strategy so that the Government can explore opportunities for our farmers to sell their produce to markets in Australia, New Zealand and Asia,” Mr Basil said.

 He stated that PNG was not even exporting to Australia, a country which had long ties with PNG for many years.

He cited an example during his recent travel to Canberra in which, during a visit to a grocery store, he found the shelves occupied with taro from Fiji, krusako from Vietnam, kalapoa from Samoa, and kulau from Thailand.

He said these were crops PNG could produce in volumes for their markets.

“It is shameful that small countries like Fiji can export taro to Australia, New Zealand and the UN, even under a military regime, and Papua New has yet to find a niche in these markets,” Mr Basil said.

Meanwhile, Mr Basil presented K298, 580 to Vice-Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Jim Simitab for a livestock development project in the Bulolo district.

The money was for purchase of cattle, buffalos, goats, ducks and fish from the Erap Food Security Research and Development Centre.

Another payment of K7, 162 was made to the Morobe Fisheries Authority for aquaculture development in the electorate.

 

Pictures of the National Agriculture Research Institute's Agriculture Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on Tuesday May 5

Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Michael Ogio and Morobe Governor Luther Wenge inspecting displays of sweet potato or kaukau breeding by NARI at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on Tuesday

Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Michael Ogio, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and VIPs admiring new rice varieties for the highlands conditions which NARI is putting through research at the moment and were displayed at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on Tuesday

Display of local fresh produce by the Fresh Produce Development Agency at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on Tuesday

Correctional Service officers and inmates of Buimo Jail outside Lae admiring wingbeans at NARI during the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on TuesdayDisplay of mammoth kaukau by Jiwaka and Simbu farmers at 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia, Lae, on Tuesday

All pictures by SENIORL ANZU of NARI

Papua New Guinea to be celebrated in London art exhibition

Caption: British contemporary artist Jeremy Millar (left) and a village chief in a recent visit to the Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province. Picture courtesy of Jeremy Millar

Port Moresby, Goroka and the Trobriand Islands are to be celebrated in an art exhibition in the United Kingdom in September.
The UK National Maritime Museum (NMM) will host a newly-commissioned artwork by British contemporary artist Jeremy Millar in Greenwich, London from September 24 to January 17 next year.
The exhibition, titled “Given”, takes as its starting point the pioneering work in the Trobriand Islands of the late world-renowned Polish anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski.
Dr Malinowski revolutionised modern anthropology and introduced new ethnographic fieldwork methods through “participant observation” during his two visits to the islands of Milne Bay in 1915-16 and 1917-1918.
One of his most acclaimed works from his fieldtrips was his literary classic Argonauts of the Western Pacific (1922). It was based on his observations of an ancient inter-island trade known as Kula between islanders from the Trobriands and those living between and on the main islands of Woodlark, Fergusson, Normanby and Misima.  
Dr Malinowski’s first journey from Europe to PNG took place by sea, with him leaving on June 9, 1914, via Adelaide, Australia.
 When he set off from England his childhood friend, artist and playwright Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz – who was to be his official photographer – accompanied him.
 However, following a quarrel they parted company and although he never made it to PNG, Witkiewicz set a play in PNG.
Mr Millar is interested in imagining what images might have been produced on this trip had Witkiewicz stayed.
His project will stage, with the Goroka-based Raun Raun theatre troupe, Witkiewicz’s play which will be filmed and exhibited at the NMM alongside a series of photographs produced on the Trobriand Islands.
British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, David Dunn, said Mr Millar has exhibited widely in the UK and internationally and authored a number of books.
“Jeremy's work on Dr Malinowski will showcase the Trobriand Islands and Papua New Guinea in the UK and globally, confirming PNG as the world’s most culturally-diverse nation which continues to attract the eye of academia since the time of Dr Malinowski,” said High Commissioner Dunn.
“The London exhibition is a great combination of young UK artistic talent and amazing PNG culture and history and will be a world class platform upon which to highlight to a European and global audience the depth and diversity of PNG.” he added. 

 More information on the UK National Maritime Museum (NMM) can be obtained from its website http://www.nmm.ac.uk/

 

Biotechnological approach in targeting pest and disease problems in Papua New Guinea

Words and picture by SENIORL ANZU

 

Biotechnological approaches are being used by National Agriculture Research Institute in targeting pest and disease problems linked to climate change in Papua New Guinea.

The country suffered the virtual destruction of its potato industry following the outbreak of potato late blight disease in 2003, and viral disease and pest infestations of sweet potato and other crops are increasingly hampering production and marketing.

Biotechnological solutions include the micro-propagation and field testing of blight-free and blight-resistant potato clones, and the development of clean pathogen-tested sweet potato.

Pictured is Winnie Maso of NARI explaining the crop improvement activities to school students who participated at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia outside Lae on Tuesday.

The micro-propagation activities are undertaken at the tissue culture laboratory at Aiyura, Eastern Highlands.

From the laboratory, disease-free plantlets are supplied to the Fresh Produce Development Agency for development purposes through its farmer network.

 

 

 

 

Prime Minister hits back

Sir Michael defends ‘poverty’ comments

 

From The National, Tuesday, May 5, 2009

 

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare yesterday launched a stinging attack on the Opposition, while also strongly defending his Government’s track record since taking the reins seven years ago.

At a press conference yesterday Sir Michael, who returned from a week-long State visit to Australia on Sunday, took aim at Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta for his comments in the media criticising him for saying there was no poverty in PNG.

Last week, Sir Mekere had taken the Prime Minister to task for telling the Australian media that no one went hungry in PNG, saying many people in PNG were starving and the majority of people still lacked basic services.

Sir Michael questioned what Sir Mekere was doing to improve services in his own Moresby Northwest electorate.

“There has been a lot of finger pointing going on by some urban Members of Parliament and I want to know what these urban Members, especially the leader of the Opposition, have done with the increases in their allocations over the last four or so years.

“Are dispensers now stocked with medicines in electorates like Lae (Deputy Opposition leader Bart Philemon’s electorate) and Moresby Northwest?

“With the accumulated law and order funds, has Gerehu police station been improved to better serve the community?

“I hear Baruni dump being brought up in the media recently.

“Can the local Member (Sir Mekere) tell us how he has used his district allocation to assist in alleviating urban poverty?

“With the district road improvement programme, are there new roads in these urban electorates?” Sir Michael asked.

“We have given each of the 89 districts adequate funds since the first term of this Government.

“In the first year, it was K1 million, then K4 million and recently K10 million.

“Yes, we lack material wealth in rural areas where the vast majority of our people live but they are not short of food and water,” the Prime Minister reiterated.

He said social services should be improving with the resources that his Government had been continuously pouring into all Government departments and districts.

“It is not for me to make inspections of aid posts and schools; it’s the responsibility of managers in those sectors.

“We constantly hear politicians giving classrooms, books, libraries to schools but hear so many complaints of lack of services.

“Let me remind everyone that MPs are basically policy makers and not implementers.

“We have a machinery that is responsible for that and I will ask the minister for public service to inform the public of what the Government has been doing to improve service delivery.

“We recognise that there are deficiencies and have ploughed money into the districts to complement the work of departments such as police, Works, Transport, Health and Education,” the Prime Minister said.

Sir Michael said the public sector was a stumbling block, making delivery of services to districts difficult.

Referring to Sir Mekere, he said people living in glass houses should not throw stones.

“My advice to the Opposition leader is he must stop playing politics with people’s lives and start making the resources provided by this Government work in his urban electorate,” Sir Michael said.

 

Don't kiss a pig!

Whatever you do in these dark days of the aporkalyse, don't do what the child above is doing! Photographer unknown.

Farm pictures from a farm in Queensland, Australia

Captions: 1. Kangaroo convention 2. Purple bottlebrush 3. Captain Cook bottlebrush 4. Baby hare

 

Pictures sent in from former Papua New Guinea kiap, Paul Oates, now running a farm in Queensland, Australia.

Nambawan Super reaches for the skies of Lae and Port Moresby

Port Moresby CBD. Artist's impression by PACIFIC ARCHITECTS CONSORTIUM

Port Moresby CBD. Artist's impression by PACIFIC ARCHITECTS CONSORTIUM

IPI Building Lae. Artist's impression by PACIFIC ARCHITECTS CONSORTIUM

Leading public sector super fund Nambawan Super is reaching for the skies in both Lae and Port Moresby with impressive new edifices in the two leading cities of Papua New Guinea.
Nambawan Super’s contribution to the current building and construction boom in PNG are the new-look IPI Building in Lae, central business district (CBD) development in Hunter Street, Port Moresby, and a commercial development at Taurama, Port Moresby, at the site of the old squash courts.
Pacific Architects Consortium (PNG) Ltd is the architects and designers of the multi-million kina projects for Nambawan Super, along with many other new developments in PNG.
“The IPI Building consists of a secure semi-basement car parking for all tenants plus separate off-street visitor parking,” explains PAC associate director/senior project manager Gary Hallard. “It is anticipated that there will be over 1, 000 square metres ground floor retail area, with four floors of commercial space, at 750 square metres per level of net-lettable area.
“The remaining top two penthouse floors contain a mixture of two and three-bedroom boutique apartments, totalling 10, that have unsurpassed views to the Huon Gulf and Salamaua.
“The entire building has been carefully designed to latest technology while being
environmentally-friendly and robust to meet the harsh and diverse climate conditions
experienced in Lae.
“The building will be a landmark building for Lae and Nambawan Super Limited.”
To the Port Moresby CBD, Fletcher Morobe Constructions are up to the fifth level of the nine-level tower, along a busy thoroughfare.
“When completed, the Building is a boutique commercial and residential development offering an attractive streetscape retail facility at ground level, two levels of car parking with one level below ground and the other suspended above ground,” Mr Hallard said.
“This will be followed by four levels of commercial office space, each level containing private ablutions for each individual office. The top two floors will contain six spacious penthouse units that will have stunning views to both Fairfax Harbour and the ocean.
“The building has been designed to the highest international environmental standards.”
In addition to the IPI Building in Lae and CBD Hunter Street, Port Moresby, Nambawan Super is also preparing a third development at Taurama.
Mr Hallard said: “This is a commercial building that comprises the following:
· Semi-basement car parking for 33 tenant’s cars and 12 off-street visitor car parks off Hubert Murray Highway; and
· The three commercial levels and rooftop mezzanine commercial space have a combined net-lettable area of approximately 3, 000 square metres.
“Pacific Architects Consortium has designed the building to the highest international
environmental standards.
“The building is currently ready for tender and construction.”

Media Freedom Week in Papua New Guinea

Overview

The Media Council of Papua New Guinea will be implementing a cluster of events to commemorate World Press Freedom Day and advocate for media freedom in PNG from May 3-9.

The events will comprise theme movies, media breakfast, media freedom music festival, media sector and community engagements through forums and concerts, and formal dinner with national leaders and international guests.

Events will also be hosted in Port Moresby and Lae. 

Goal

Advocate for Media Freedom in PNG by 2020 by addressing the inadequate support and action for media freedom in PNG by the State, civil society and the media profession in terms of newsroom decisions and self-censorship. 

Objectives

            • Promote freedom of expression and freedom of the press (media) as a basic human right as enshrined in Article 19 (XIX) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

            • Promote Freedom of media as qualified under section 46 of PNG Constitution, and Freedom of information as a qualified right under Section 51, Right to Freedom of Information. 

            • Promote liberation of media from State restrictions, internal restraints by the management of media outlets, and inadequate support from the civil society for a free and responsible media.

            • Promote interaction and interdependence of the media; civil society, private sector and the State.

Events

            • Movie marathon

            • Media breakfast

            • Music for Media Freedom Festival

            • Media freedom dinner

            • Civil society engagement ( concerts/ speeches)

 

 

2009 WALK AGAINST CORRUPTION

"Corruption is Everyone's Business. What have You Done About It?"

 

From TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA

 

The 2009 Walk Against Corruption was launched at the Government Haus on Friday 17th April 2009 by the Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane. The silently suffering majority of Papua New Guineans are privileged because we will have Sir Paulias, a grand champion in the fight against corruption to be leading the 2009 Walk Against Corruption in Kokopo which has attracted immense support from that region of PNG. Private sector entities, public sector agencies, SOE's, NGOs, civil society organisations, all Papua New Guineans and friends of PNG, your support is very vital for us to build a movement against corruption in Papua New Guinea. Corruption has become very entrenched in our society. It will take an equally powerful force to bust it. We won't beat it over night; neither can we eradicate it completely. In a country that is gravely ill with corruption, we can't expect other countries to drink our medicine. We have to drink it ourselves to heal the ailment of corruption. With our efforts today we can trust more and more Papua New Guineans will reject corruption tomorrow. Only with your support we will be able to put action to words on the 14th of June and get those in positions of authority to bring out to light and account for the following cases and many more that have been botched up, sliced and diced and swept under the carpet: 1. Taiwan Dollar for Diplomacy scandal, 2. US$40 million Singapore account and the 3. Moti Affair. As citizens and friends of Papua New Guinea we should be very concerned about the gross mismanagement and the resulting opportunity cost of mismanaging the nations public funds. Every day we hear and read about horrifying stories of money being spent to serve the interests of a handful in a country that is so rich, yet so poor as indicated by the social and economic indicators.

The Walks Against Corruption will be held concurrently on the 14th of June in Port Moresby and Kokopo. Walk Against Corruption Details: Date: Sunday 14th June 2009 Assembling Time: 5:30 am To be held in: Port Moresby and Kokopo Port Moresby Assembling Venue: Murray Barracks Ovals Route: 3 Mile Rd, Angau Drive, Lahara Service Station and back to Murray Barracks Ovals Price: K2000.00 per team of 10 for corporate entities and K200 to sponsor a school team by corporate entities. Please contact Henry Yamo on phone 320 2188 / 320 2182 or email tipng.communications@daltron.com.pg to sponsor a team.

Below is a list of corporate and individual leaders who will be putting action to words having registered teams to participate in the 2009 Walk Against Corruption.
Will you join us or, pass the buck to someone else to fight your battles in the corruption battle field?

Entity

1. PNG Ports Corporation 2. Mirupasi Lawyers 3. British American Tobacco 4. JDA Wokman Ltd 5. Gadens Lawyers 6. UMW Limited 7. Monier Limited 8. Lands & Physical Planning 9. Graffiti Signs 10. Mineral Resource Authority 11. Eda Ranu 12. PNG Power 13. Lihir Gold Limited 14. Investment Promotion Authority 15. National Research Institute (NRI) 16. Institute of National Affairs 17. Monian 18. Gadens Lawyers 19. PNG Motors 20. NASFUND 21. NASFUND Contributors Savings & Loans

Thanks to the above organisations we have registered 25 corporate teams and 10 school teams so far.
We need 100 more teams to put some grunt into action to show our complete rejection of corruption.
With bigger and better economic times for PNG ahead, it is high time we put the brakes on corruption or it will be history when the major economic resources have been depleted.

 

Annual District Thanksgiving & Wok Misin Sunday (please click to enlarge image)

World Press Freedom Day

Happy World Press Freedom Day,

 Every year, May 3 is dedicated to World Press Freedom; to remember, celebrate and emphasise the importance of press freedom, which is crucial for the functioning of a healthy democratic and free society.

This year, World Press Freedom Day will be celebrated in Papua New Guinea with events in Port Moresby and Lae over this week, and termed as “Media Freedom Week”, where the central theme will be 'Media Freedom is your Right'.

International guests including Ray Martin and Simon Dring will join PNG in celebrating its media freedom events, and so please invite as many stakeholders as possible through your contacts.

Please find attached some useful resources for Editorial, Adverts, Cartoons, and Photos on http://www.worldpressfreedomday.org/ from the  World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

 

 

Press freedom declines in every region, says Freedom House

Israel, Italy and Hong Kong lose 'free' status
www.freedomhouse.org

WASHINGTON (Freedom House /Pacific Media Watch):  Journalists faced an increasingly grim working environment in 2008, with global press freedom declining for a seventh straight year and deterioration occurring for the first time in every region, according to Freedom House's annual media study. The rollback was not confined to traditionally authoritarian states; with Israel, Italy and Hong Kong slipping from the study's Free category to Partly Free status.

"The journalism profession today is up against the ropes and fighting to stay alive, as pressures from governments, other powerful actors and the global economic crisis take an enormous toll," said Jennifer Windsor, Freedom House executive director.

"The press is democracy's first defence and its vulnerability has enormous implications for democracy if journalists are not able to carry out their traditional watchdog role."

Freedom House formally released its findings from Freedom of the Press 2009 on Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m. in Washington in front of the organisation's giant Map of Press Freedom at the Newseum:  www.freedomhouse.org

The study indicates that there were twice as many losses as gains in 2008, with declines and stagnation in East Asia of particular concern. While parts of South Asia and Africa made progress, overall these gains were overshadowed by a campaign of intimidation targeting independent media, particularly in the former Soviet Union and the Middle East and North Africa.

There were some notable improvements. The Maldives made the study's largest jump, moving to the Partly Free category with the adoption of a new constitution protecting freedom of expression and the release of a prominent journalist from life imprisonment. Guyana regained its Free rating with fewer attacks on journalists and a government decision to lift a boycott on advertising in the main independent newspaper.

Out of the 195 countries and territories covered in the study, 70 (36 percent) are rated Free, 61 (31 percent) are rated Partly Free and 64 (33 percent) are rated Not Free. This represents a modest decline from the 2008 survey in which 72 countries and territories were Free, 59 Partly Free and 64 Not Free. The new survey found that only 17 percent of the world's population lives in countries that enjoy a Free press.

Key regional findings include:

- Asia Pacific: Cambodia dropped to Not Free status because of increased violence against journalists. Hong Kong slipped to Partly Free as Beijing exerted growing influence over media. China's media environment remained bleak. Media in Taiwan faced assault and growing government pressure. South Asia saw improvements in the Maldives, Bangladesh and Pakistan, while Sri Lanka and Afghanistan suffered setbacks.

- Central and Eastern Europe/Former Soviet Union: The region suffered the biggest drop in press freedom of any region, with journalists murdered in Bulgaria and Croatia and assaulted in Bosnia. Russia's score declined with the judiciary unwilling to protect journalists from attacks, as well as the frequent targeting of independent media by regulators.

- Middle East and North Africa: The region continues to have the world's lowest level of press freedom. Restrictions on journalists and official attempts to influence coverage during the Gaza conflict led to Israel's Partly Free status. The Israeli-Occupied Territories/Palestinian Authority saw declines with both Hamas and Fatah intimidating journalists. Iraq saw the security environment for journalists improve and new legal protections for media in the Kurdish areas.

- Sub-Saharan Africa: Press freedom suffered in Senegal with an increase in both legal and extralegal action taken against media. In Madagascar, media outlets critical of the government were targeted. Other declines were seen in Botswana, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Lesotho, Mauritania, South Africa and Tanzania. Comoros, Sierra Leone, Angola and Liberia improved.

- Americas: Guyana regained its Free rating, while Haiti and Uruguay saw significant improvement. However, Mexico's score dropped again because of increased violence, the government's unwillingness to make legal reforms, and pressure on media from local and state officials. Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Nicaragua registered major declines.

- Western Europe: The region continues to boast the world's highest level of press freedom. However, Italy slipped back into the Partly Free category with free speech limited by courts and libel laws, increased intimidation of journalists by organised crime and far-right groups, and concerns over the concentration of media ownership. Greece also suffered a significant decline.

Launch of 2009 Media Pool Competition

The 2009 Media Pool Competition was launched at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby on Friday, May 1, with announcement of sponsorship by Telikom, National Capital District Commission, and others.

The competition cues off next Saturday, May 9, with a record 23 teams participating.

Visit http://2008telikommediapoolcompetition.blogspot.com/ for all the updates.

 

Support our Papua New Guinea-made products

Few countries are as blessed with abundant natural resources as Papua New Guinea.

Its largely mountainous terrain is swathed in dense tropical rainforest, the soil is rich for cultivation and the South Pacific waters off its coasts teem with fish.  Beneath the ground lies a wealth of minerals, including gold, silver and copper, and there is oil and natural gas awaiting exploitation.

It is a beautiful country too, one of the most biodiverse in the world with a dazzling variety of flora and fauna, insect and birdlife.

Yet while PNG is resource rich, it is cash poor, and 33 years after achieving independence from Australia – not very long in the life of a country – it still faces significant challenges of nationhood.

The continual decline in the delivery of service from the Public Service has resulted in poor supporting infrastructure – particularly transport, power, health, communications and education; law and order problems; a high cost of doing business; a lack of accessible support for new and existing businesses; and a shortage of new investment are among the factors that have held back socio-economic development.

PNG Made products mean jobs and wealth creation opportunities for Papua New Guineans.

New incentives must be aimed at addressing these problems if we are to trigger further investment and growth including producing and marketing more PNG Made products.

Credit tightens up on housing and the property market

By RICHARD SAPIAS in NASFUND Newsletter

The local economy like the rest of the world is slowing down and the effects are starting to hit the local market.

The banks and other financial institutions are tightening up on their lending policy. We now have a situation where a mandatory requirement ( apart from being able to service the loan facility) is 20% equity ( of the loan amount) prior to applying for a home loan. This has been raised from 10% previously required by some commercial banks.

Also interest rates have been raised and this will put further strain on a borrowers ability to service a loan.

The housing market has already started to tighten in some areas and in turn property values are starting to feel the effect in some areas.

One of two things is now happening:
Potential buyers have shelved plans to purchase because of the shortfall in the new equity requirements for banks; and
Some employers have stepped in to assist their employees with the equity shortfall.

Referring to point two from above, some employers have been quite supportive and almost aggressive in their attitude about supporting staff into housing schemes. This is probably the only way that certain purchasers will get access to finance because the cost of living is rising at a much faster rate than the basic wage.

As far as the market is concerned some areas of the market will tighten up more than others.

The top end will slow more than anything under the K400, 000 mark and investment property will be traded a lot more cautiously as any prudent investor will nervously watch the direction of interest rates in relation to market conditions for the next six months at least this is of course unless you are totally cashed up.

Required rates of return will rise as banks are starting to hike their interest rates and that in turn will slow down the hype of some areas of the market.

Interestingly enough pressure cookers like Port Moresby and Lae still experience high rates of demand and one thing that has become apparent is the emerging PNG middle class. This has been evidenced by the fast rate of sales in the K250, 000 to K350, 000 mark in the past 12 months. Also the surplus in prospective buyers who have access to finance in that range but are unable to get access to stock.

Next month we will try and provide you with an overview on market movements and the direction that we see some property prices heading.