NARI's new laboratory is world-class

Caption: Minister Michael Ogio (centre) and guests enjoying a demonstration on one of the new equipment, Inductive Coupled Plasma Spectrometer, during the commissioning of the new NARI Chemistry Laboratory

 

By SENIORL ANZU of NARI

 

National Agriculture Research Institute’s chemistry laboratory in Port Moresby has the potential to become one of the world’s leading agricultural laboratories.

The laboratory boasts a refurbished building facility with new and state-of-art analytical equipment which are comparable to leading agricultural laboratories internationally, to provide first-class testing services to the agricultural sector in PNG.

They were installed through public support at the value of more than K4 million.

The equipment include some of the latest and the most advanced analytical equipment such as ICP (Inductive Coupled Plasma Spectrometer) , HPLC ( High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph), FIA (Flow Injector Analyser), AAS (Automatic Absorption Spectrometer), CS (Carbon Analyser),  Bomb Calorimeter, and rubber certification equipment. 

Services they provide include:

·        Soil and leaf analysis for assessing soil fertility, crop suitability, identification of deficiencies and to recommend fertiliser technologies;

·        Food testing for quality, nutrients, deficiencies and contaminants;

·        Natural product analysis, spice and pyrethrum testing for assessment of correct harvesting, drying, treatment and quality;

·        Root and tuber analysis for quality, grading and specifications;

·        Stock-feed analysis for nutrient content and best formulation;

·        Fertiliser analysis for specification conformance;

·        Drinking water testing for quality and standards conformance;

·        Environmental analysis of river water, sea water, soils and wastes; and

·        Carbon footprinting of climate change.

The new laboratory and testing facilities were officially commissioned by the Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Michael Ogio recently, witnessed by representatives from European Union, AusAID, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, NARI and many other stakeholders.

With this world-class laboratory facility, NARI is now well-positioned to provide necessary analytical and advisory services not only to the agricultural sector (both smallholders and commercial agriculture) but also to others in the areas of environment, public health, education, training and research.

The services can also be provided to other countries in the South Pacific.

The installation of the new facilities came as a restoration exercise after the old facility was destroyed in an accidental fire in 2005.

 Through tireless efforts, NARI was able to steadily mobilise funding and partnership support. Thus was the restoration of equipment and instruments with funding support from PNG government under the National Agriculture Development Plan and laboratory building rehabilitation by European Union and NARI.

NARI is looking forward to further enhancement of its abilities in the areas of laboratory accreditation, organic testing and certification, food testing of all types and types, and human resource development under the SPACNET initiatives by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Funeral Service Programme for Late Henry Kila, OBE

Thursday 7th January 2010

Sioni Kami Memorial Church, Port Moresby

09.30AM Arrival of family, firends and relatives

10.00AM Arrival of casket

10.30AM Service Commences

12.00PM End of Service, casket returns to Funeral Home

12.30PM Refreshments at Sioni Kami Recreation Area

Friday 8th January 2010

06.00AM Casket leaves for Delena Village

09.00-2.00PM Funeral Service

2.30PM Casket departs for Arure, Yule Island, and overnight

Saturday 9th January, 2010

Burial at Arure

You can pay your tributes to this great man by making a comment below this post

Family tragedy in plane crash

Plane crash victims all members of a family

 

The six people who were killed in the plane crash at Boana in Morobe province last week (body bags and wrecked plane pictured) were all members of a family, The National reports.

The dead were a mother, her three children and two grandchildren.

They were on their way home from Port Moresby, via Lae, when they perished in the fatal crash of the light aircraft owned by Kiunga Aviation last Wednesday morning.

Bodies of the dead are still at the morgue at Angau Memorial Hospital awaiting a coroner’s inquest.

The mother is a first cousin of Morobe Governor Luther Wenge.

She was identified as Dambi Kindik, 45; her daughters Julie Agasabu, 20, and Jacinta Naio, 20; son Jerry Kindik, 10; and grandchildren Raymond Zalingan, seven, and Rolina Agasambu, 11 months.

Baby Rolina is the daughter of Julie.

Jacinta was a first-year electronics student at Badili Vocational Centre, Jerry in Grade Seven at Gerehu Primary School, and Raymond in elementary at St Paul’s, all in Port Moresby.

Mr Wenge said Mrs Kindik and her family were traveling home to Baindoang to erect the headstone for her husband Pomas Kindik’s grave.

Mr Kindik had passed away in 2008.

All their bodies were severely charred, according to Dr Kobby Bomario of Angau Memorial Hospital.

 

Papua New Guinea loses a true champion in Henry Kila

HENRY Kila, Papua New Guinea's first internationally-qualified insurer and insurance broker and a leading sports personality, has died, The National reports.

He was 58.

Mr Kila died at about two o’clock yesterday morning from an acute heart attack brought on by clogged arteries and diabetic condition at the Port Moresby Private Specialist Medical Centre, his son Guy said.

He is survived by wife Sandy Masau and sons Guy and Emmanuel, in-laws Janet and Trinnett, grand children Lawrence, Cassandra and Solomon, his mother Avia, brother Jack and sister Joan, Ruth and his in-laws and their children.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare expressed deep sadness after learning of the passing of Mr Kila.

“Mr Kila’s passing is a great loss to the business community and the sporting fraternity of PNG. PNG has lost a good man of very humble demeanor,” Sir Michael said.

“I have found Mr Kila to be a very constructive partner in developing a healthy relationship between the private sector and the National Government,” he said and acknowledged Mr Kila’s contribution in promoting the Australia/PNG relations.

Close friend and deputy opposition leader Bart Philemon described him as a trail-blazer into insurance industry for 40 years, a major player in sporting development, and a key stakeholder in business development helping to nurture the business council from infant stages to its current dominant present.

“We have lost a true nationalist, an un-hailed statesman and definitely an outstanding Papua New Guinean unparalleled in private sector involvement.”

A member of the APEC Advisory Council representing PNG, he was a founding member (since 1995) and president from 2006 of Business Council of PNG, Managing Director of South Pacific Insurance Advisors Ltd; was president of PNG Sports Federation and National Olympic Committee (2000-2003) which caps an illustrious involvement in sports in diverse codes as PNG Softball, PNG Football League and PNG Rugby Union including a stint as a commissioner with PNG Sports Commission around September 2003.

 

Concern about rising sea levels in Salamaua

The once-sandy coastline at Aleawe in Salamaua, Morobe province, which is gradually being eaten away by rising sea levels.-Picture by NAMON MAWASON

Rising sea levels are eating away at the roots of trees along the Salamaua coastline.-Picture by NAMON MAWASON

A life buoy from the ill-fated mv Lihir Express, which had a mishap last October off the Salamaua coast.-Picture by NAMON MAWASON

A man from Salamaua, Morobe province, has expressed concern about rising sea levels in this beautiful and historic part of Papua New Guinea.
Lae business executive Namon Mawason, who is from Laukano village in Salamaua, was greatly shocked to see the rising sea levels when he spent the New Year weekend there.
At a popular picnic spot, known to Laukano villagers as Aleawe, rising sea levels have swamped the beach and eaten away the roots of trees along the coastline.
He has called on provincial and national authorities to immediately carry out an investigation into rising sea levels in Salamaua.
Mr Mawason took photographs of the rising sea levels.
“The photographs show the possible effects of climate change on the water front in Salamaua, particularly in Aleawe,” Mr Mawason said.
He said they also found a life buoy from the ill-fated mv Lihir Express, which overturned with its cargo of 20 containers last October off the Salamaua coast, but was refloated and returned safely to Lae.

Port Moresby moves towards sea in 2010

Caption: Artist’s impression of Harbour City

 

Nasfund’s bold commitment three years ago to shift the city focus to the water and to Harbour City is moving closer to reality with the announcement of 65 apartments to be constructed, starting March 2010.

Nasfund will own 60% of this venture.

The additional 65 apartments combined with the 20 apartments (Sol Wara) already under construction plus 9,000 sq m of office space signals a new concept for Port Moresby – living and working by the water.

“This major on-going project was the product of a well-considered plan to shift the Town towards the sea and capitalise on Fairfax Harbour,” according to Nasfund joint CEO Rod Mitchell.

“Similarly Harbour City and the surrounding precinct of Konedobu were ideal for development being two kilometers from the GPO and linked to the Poreporena freeway. “Easy access without the congestion of town made this location extremely desirable.

“It also meant that the Town could be split with a new ‘City’ – totally without the constraints the ‘Old City’ had shackled itself to, including poor traffic flows and ‘hotch potch’ architecture.

“This however will soon change as Nasfund develops a commercial plan for the Burns Philp site and in doing so revitalise a significant part of the town centre.

“Across in Konedobu, with the soon to be completed IPA House covering 2,700 sq m and ‘the Factory’ – a seven pod commercial development covering 6,200 sq m, the “Archipelago project will draw to a close as we begin plans for a further commercial splash in late 2010.”

 

Anti-corruption commission urgently needed in Papua New Guinea

By REGINALD RENAGI

 

If the Papua New Guinea government and parliament is really serious about combating corruption at all levels than it must immediately set up an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). 

Setting up an ICAC entity has been mooted many times before in various public forums but nothing substantive has resulted from this.

 The main reason for this inaction so far is that successive PNG governments have always lacked the required political will and determination to stamp out corruption in PNG. 

An ICAC should be a principal agency with a statutory charter to investigate and prevent corruption in PNG.

 It must be totally independent from the executive branch of the Government.

The principal objectives should be:

• To enforce anti-corruption laws vigilantly and professionally, to make corruption a high-risk crime;

• To identify and eliminate opportunities for corruption in government departments and public bodies by reviewing their procedures and practices, and promote corruption prevention in private sector businesses; and

• To educate the community about the evils of corruption and enlist their support in the war against corruption.

The anti-corruption agency needs a simple but basic plan of action before employing other more complex strategies in future to combat corruption.

 The plan should be to conduct investigation, prevention and education, through the operations, corruption prevention and community relations divisions within the Commission. 

The agency must implement effective strategies such as employing proactive investigation techniques to identify and prosecute instances of corruption which might otherwise go unreported.

A further approach must also include use of undercover operations and broader and more effective use of intelligence and information technology.

In addition, ICAC's investigators must be given continuous professional training to keep pace with the changing commercial environment, technological advances and the latest developments in criminal investigation techniques.

 The training should embrace a wide range of topics, including financial investigation, IT applications, computer forensics, video interview techniques, case management and court proceedings.

Joint operational groups must be established and should comprise of retired senior service officers, dedicated ICAC agents and the disciplined services to strengthen inter-agency cooperation.

Regular meetings should be held to step up operational liaison, addressing common concerns, and developing anti-corruption strategies within the respective disciplined services.

ICAC's main strategic tasks should be focused towards reducing opportunities for corruption in PNG government departments and other public bodies. 

It should also include advising private sector and corporate bodies on corruption prevention. The agency must also conduct detailed studies of practices and procedures of the public sector by helping them to effectively implement corruption prevention measures. 

Its other services should include providing effective consultation services to public sector organisations when new procedures or policies are being formulated, and when urgent corruption prevention advice is urgently required.

 Upon request, ICAC must also provide free and confidential corruption prevention advice to the private sector.

They should include reviewing systems and procedures, drawing up codes of conduct and holding corruption prevention seminars, workshops, etc.

Establishing ICAC in PNG will help other state agencies develop their corruption prevention capability, by producing easy-to-use Best Practice Packages on ways to prevent, minimise or in some controlled manner curb corruption-related opportunities in such corruption prone areas such as procurement, staff administration, information system security, contract letting and administration. 

A good community relations strategy is required to educate the public against corruption and enlist their support in the fight against corruption. Community education should be conducted using mass media programmes and a network of ICAC sub-branch offices in the provinces.

Other future strategies to use on regular basis are give advice on organisational guidelines to state agencies by conducting corruption prevention presentations for government officers.

Apart from civil servants, the ICAC office must regularly conduct training seminars for public and private sector organisations, and assist by providing to other agencies by encouraging them to launch staff integrity promotion projects within their respective organisations.

 

Reginald Renagi

Port Moresby

Ela Vista a development to watch out for in 2010

Ela Vista, a new luxury low-to-medium density residential development is coming up on Touaguba Hill, facing Ela Beach, and will be one of the many developments to watch this year and beyond.

 This development promises to transform the face of Port Moresby once completed in the next few years.

The whole project totals 180 residential units on a land covering about 3.5 ha.

The K250 million-project will be developed in stages by Glory Estate Ltd (formerly known as Kembis Holdings Ltd).

The first stage totals 87 units, comprising semi-detached, terraces, and triplex apartments.

Set high on Touaguba Hill, Ela Vista looks over Ela Beach and beyond toward the sea.

 It also looks over the Koki area.

Apart from the spectacular view it affords, the development is also handily located near amenities.

It is only 300m from the city centre.

 Ela Vista boasts a contemporary design offering open-plan living to suit the lifestyle of young executives or a family.

Each unit is designed to take full advantage of the views while offering safe, convenient and comfortable living.

Ela Vista will have 24-hour security, back-up power and water supply through a centralised property management team appointed by developer, Glory Estate Ltd. Common facilities like street lights, landscape and rubbish disposal will also be taken care of by the team.

Enquiries may be made to Glory Estate Ltd on telephones 238818/3112249 or email gloryestate@gmail.com .

Work progresses well on Vision City Waigani

Mega-mall expected to open this year

 

Work is progressing well on Vision City Waigani, a project which promises to transform the whole economic landscape of Port Moresby.

I yesterday visited the project site and found a hive of activity on the eye-catching site, with workmen busy as bees.

The Rimbunan Hijau (PNG) Group is undertaking this most-ambitious commercial property development ever undertaken in the country at an estimated cost of K1 billion.

The proposed multi-user complex will incorporate a three-storey mega-mall, a 12-storey hotel with more than 290 rooms, a twin-tower office block, a convention centre and about 120 serviced apartments.

The mega-mall is expected to be opened this year, however, RH management were not available yesterday for comment.

Vision City is located on a 9.2ha site fronted by Waigani Drive and Sir John Guise Stadium.

Vision City will create a new focal point for shopping and business in addition to Boroko, the downtown area and Harbour City.

The master plan for the spectacular project, to be undertaken by the RH Group's property subsidiary, Dynasty Development Ltd, has been approved by the National Capital District Commission and a ground-breaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, June 17, 2008.

Work began first with the shopping mall.

Besides a large hypermart and department store, the mega-mall will feature more than 50 retail outlets.

The entire project is expected to take between seven and 10 years and will create about 1,800 jobs at the peak of construction.

"Once Vision City is completed we expect that about 5,000 people will be employed or accommodated within this vast complex that will virtually represent a city within a city," RH managing director James Lau said in 2008.

"It will be home to some 250 business entities and be responsible for generation of business activities worth K200 million to K250 million a year.

"This and other projects being undertaken in Harbour City and in the downtown area are destined to turn Port Moresby into one of the most-dynamic and vibrant cities in the South Pacific.

According to Dynasty, the mini-city complex will have a floor area of 150,000 sq metres or more than seven times the floor space in the 19-storey Deloitte Tower.

The 33,000 sqm shopping mall alone will increase Port Moresby's current shopping floor area by more than 20% and generate around 1,200 jobs.

Similarly the hotel, which will be managed by an international chain, will be the largest in the city.

The twin 10-storey office blocks will be built in two phases.

On completion they will boost the available office area by 60,000 sq m, about three times more than the space available in Deloitte Tower.

Mr Lau said the RH Group had spent several years planning this mixed commercial and residential development.

"This project will only be successful if the PNG economy continues to experience strong growth and we are confident that initiatives undertaken by the present government in recent years will ensure a healthy climate will prevail for private sector investment and growth," he said.

"The extremely strong growth in employment in the past two years is one of the factors that make us confident that a visionary project of this scale can be a commercial success by providing many more world-class amenities for public use.

The complex will incorporate various high-tech features to take care of growing concerns about greenhouse effects and climate change.

The hotel, for example, will employ sun-shading devices to maximise natural ventilation and natural lighting and an "external skin of steel mesh over part of the façade" will reduce power requirements.

The landscaped courtyard for the serviced apartments will also allow for better cross ventilation and improved entry of natural sunlight.

There will be 2,600 parking lots, with a third of them under cover.

Residents of the apartments will have use of squash courts and a gymnasium.

Chinese duo charged with attempted murder

By JULIA DAIA BORE in The National, Papua New Guinea’s leading daily newspaper

Two Chinese nationals (pictured) suspected of shooting businessman Jason Tan at his home in Port Moresby have been charged with attempted murder.

They are expected to appear before the Waigani Committal Court tomorrow.

Changziang Gao, 36, and Xue Zhufu, 38, were arrested in Baruni, in Moresby North West, shortly after Mr Tan was shot at his home at Paga Hill last Saturday afternoon.

Two pistols were reportedly seized.

Five shots were fired at Mr Tan, but only one shot hit him in the arm.

It is understood that he has sought treatment in Australia.

Police are questioning the suspects through interpreters.

Both accused do not speak English or Tok Pisin.

Mr Tan is a long-time resident of PNG and is involved in several businesses.

Papua New Guinea needs a strategy for change

By REG RENAGI

 

Since independence, successive governments betrayed the values that brought Papua New Guinea into nationhood. 

All the early political promises at independence of providing opportunities to the people, taking responsibility and rewarding those who work hard seems to have been forgotten by the government over the passage of time.

 The result today is the people got poorer while the few who got into power in Waigani and their special interest friends got richer.

PNG has some of the world’s richest natural resources and most-resourceful people.

 The country’s natural beauty, culture and lifestyle could make it a great place to live, work, visit and do business.

 Yet, since independence, the country with successive national and provincial governments has mismanaged its assets and squandered its people’s opportunities for a better standard of living and a good quality of life.

 The consequences are high unemployment and underemployment, low incomes, a high tax economy, substantial urban migration, below standard services and a big national debt. 

PNG’s political system is not working effectively for its people.  Waigani is dominated by special interests and an entrenched bureaucracy that has totally failed its life-long mission of serving the people in all conditions.

 Papua New Guineans are tired of the way their country has been mismanaged and are ready for leaders willing to take responsibility to lead the nation to prosperity and growth.

To do this, PNG’s leadership must have a good strategy for change that will transform the whole country for a better future.

 The new leadership strategy must put people first with a plan that will provide avenues for the people to fully engage themselves in many life-changing opportunities.

PNG needs a new leadership approach, realistic vision and a good holistic plan.

 The next new prime minister and administration must start dealing with many basic problems ignored for many years.

 The next government must judiciously apply rational and intelligent policies to traditional resource industries that aim to make PNG competitive and provide solid benefits to all citizens.

 It must foster new and growing industries to create jobs for today and for the next generation.

The new plan for a progressive and transformational government from 2012 should be to grow the economy and provide new job opportunities for Papua New Guineans.

  Its focus must be to put more money into the pockets of those who need it the most.

 It must also target growth in small and medium businesses, tourism, IT, fisheries, forest and the agriculture sector industries. 

The focus should also be placed on receiving more widely-distributed benefits from the development of the country’s natural resources.  

For the future, the government must ensure equality for all citizens by empowering them to equally participating in and benefiting from the country’s development.

 National sovereignty and self-reliance is an important goal to make PNG politically and economically independent with a self-reliant economy. 

PNG must ensure its natural resources and environment is conserved as much

Kokopo international hotel to be opened in April

Picture of new hotel with the original steps of Queen Emma’s residence which have been retained and developed as a tourist attraction. - Picture courtesy of NAMBAWAN SUPER

The historic site of Queen Emma’s residence at Ralum near Kokopo in East New Britain will soon become an impressive three-storey hotel called Gazelle International which will be opened in April this year.
All rooms will have spectacular views over-looking the blue waters of Blanche Bay and looking up to the green hills of Kokopo.
Construction work started early last year on the multimillion kina hotel which is jointly owned by Nambawan Super which has majority shareholding, plus Airways Hotel and East New Britain provincial government.
The owners of the new development have taken into account the invaluable historical significance of the hotel site and have modeled the design of the hotel to reflect as much as possible Queen Emma’s original house.
This included renovating the original steps of the Queen Emma residence as a draw card and a major tourist attraction.
The steps are still located on the hotel property leading towards the golf course.
The hotel will comprise a reception, lobby shop, coffee lounge, restaurant, bar and poker machines all on the ground floor, while a total of 52 rooms make up the two upper floors.
Other amenities will include a resort pool, and a separate conference building which will seat up to about 150 persons.
In recent years, an influx of people have been attracted to Kokopo for conferences and a real need for good facilities have been unavailable to cater for their needs.
The builders for the hotel are Lamana Development Limited while the architect is Peter Kubli of Cairns.
According to the builders, the Gazelle International Hotel is designed to cater for a mix of customers, international tourists as well as conference people and weekenders.
All rooms will have spectacular views over-looking the blue waters of Blanche Bay and looking up to the green hills of Kokopo.

Henry Kila dies

Well-known Papua New Guinea Henry Kila died at 2pm yesterday from a suspected heart attack.

Mr Kila was a well-known insurance man, leading sports personality and a prominent figure in government and private sector relations.

LNG projects open floodgates for massive building and construction boom in Papua New Guinea

The green lights for the two massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Papua New Guinea (InterOil pictured above) has opened the floodgates for a massive building and construction boom to take place all over the country.

The US$15 billion (K42b) PNG LNG project last Dec 8 got the okay from project developers Esso Highlands Ltd, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corp and partners Oil Search Ltd, Santos Ltd, Nippon, Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), and Eda Oil.

Just before Christmas, the Project (Gas) Agreement for the US$6b (K17b) Elk/Antelope LNG project from Gulf Province was signed between the Government and developer InterOil Corp. 

Papua New Guinea is expecting a third massive LNG project to come out of Western province to be developed by Canada’s Talisman Energy.

Prominent building commentator George Tipping, a past president of the PNG Institute of Builders, must have had a crystal ball in hand when he boldly predicted last year that the approval of the LNG projects would be the impetus for a massive building and construction boom never before seen in this country.

“What does the future hold for the building and property industry in PNG?” he said then.

“The following prediction excludes the impact of both Exxon Mobil and Interoil LNG plants and is based on supply and demand and other influences that are occurring now as well as known planned projects.

“Despite the internal impediments of higher interest rates, inflation, hesitation by some PNG investors due to the global economic conditions (GEC), slow National Capital District Commission and utility service providers’ approvals, it is my prediction that the current building and property boom will continue at a high level of activity, particularly for large projects.

“How long will this boom last? That is the hard question to answer.

“My crystal ball suggests we have another three to four years before the boom slows to more-manageable levels.

 “However, if the Exxon Mobil LNG project is confirmed, then we will have a scenario of a much larger building and property boom making the current boom seem small by comparison.”

Port Moresby's fountain of youth

All over Port Moresby, new recreational facilities (pictured)  are sprouting up, thanks to the very visionary leadership of National Capital District governor Powes Parkop.

For instance, at Gerehu Stage Two, a fountain was opened on Christmas night by Mr Parkop to a spectacular display of fireworks.

This was the second such fountain after the first one at Five-Mile.

Last year, two year basketball courts and two volleyball courts went up, which gave young people something useful to keep them occupied.

Towards the end of 2008, playground facilities were set up, bringing so much joy and enjoyment to children.

The NCD Commission spends a lot of money on facilities, and the least we can do, as responsible citizens, is to have a sense of ownership and take care of them.

Such facilities also keep our young people occupied and away from a life of alcohol, drugs, and crime.

Chinese style assassination attempt in Port Moresby

By JULIA DAIA BORE in The National, Papua New Guinea’s leading daily newspaper

 

TWO Chinese nationals have been arrested for attempting to murder a prominent Port Moresby businessman and police yesterday linked the murder attempt to an alleged under-world Chinese triad operating in Papua New Guinea, The National reports.

The suspects currently behind bars at the Boroko are from Fujian province, China.

 Both men cannot speak any English or Tok Pisin although police said one of the suspects worked in a Port Moresby night club while another was unemployed.

Police yesterday also said both suspects’ entry into the country is also under investigations.

The businessman who escaped with injuries to his arm is Jason Tan, the managing director of Erima J-Mart.

Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Awan Sete told a media conference yesterday Mr Tan was shot at five times as he was driving into his home at Paga Hill in Port Moresby.

Sete said Mr Tan unknowing drove into the driveway of his home.

As he approached his home at about 3.30pm last Saturday, two gunmen concealed themselves in the vicinity and fired five shots at his car.

One bullet from one of the five shots wounded Mr Tan on his arm, Mr Sete said.

The gunmen escaped in a car.

Mr Tan immediately alerted the police and a mobile squad intercepted the suspects at Baruni.

Two semi automatic handguns and ammunitions were found in their vehicle.

Changjiang Gao, 36, and Xue Zhufu, 38, were charged with attempted murder and are awaiting court appearance.

Mr Sete said: “This latest incident confirms the existence of Asian Triad operatives in Port Moresby.”

He said one of the firearms was registered to an individual whom they refused to identify. He said they were checking the ownership of the second gun.

Police are using an interpreter to interview the suspects.

The Chinese Embassy has been informed of their arrest.

He added that this attack comes a few weeks after assassins’ attempt on the country’s Chief Ombudsman Chronox Manek, “indicating that criminals are being used to assassinate people. I reassure residents in Port Moresby that all measures would be taken to fight this ugly trend of crime”.

Mr Sete commended his men for the quick response to apprehend the suspects and also called upon the public with any information on the incident to assist the police.

Metropolitan superintendent Fred Yakasa said he was worried about a new trend in crime in which people were being paid to kill.

“It is a frightening situation. It is involving Asians against Asians, or Asians using Papua New Guineans to kill.”

Mr Yakasa said if these two suspects were not caught, people would have pinned the blame of the attack on Mr Tan on Papua New Guineans, and even link it to the anti-Asian emails that have been going around.

“This (murder attempt) could be linked to business jealousy. We have to be concerned about the trend.”

He said they have identified two names of suspects in connection with the attempt on Mr Manek’s life, and were continuing their investigations.

 

 

 

 

 

Rudd sits on hands while Papua New Guinea relations languish

By KEITH JACKSON in A PNG Attitude

AFTER AN energetic start to repair what was a fraying relationship between Australia and PNG, prime minister Kevin Rudd appears to be running out of puff.

Following his election a little over two years ago, Mr Rudd moved swiftly to renew ties between the two neighbouring countries.

He held out the hand of friendship to prime minister Somare and appointed PNG veteran, Duncan Kerr, to the Pacific Island Affairs portfolio.

But there are signs that fatigue has crept into the relationship.

Mr Kerr stepped down as parliamentary secretary in November and so far no replacement has been announced, even though the government had some months warning of the resignation.

Similarly, a new high commissioner to Port Moresby was expected to have been appointed more than a month ago, but the wires have gone strangely dead.

Australia's hapless aid agency AusAID has, inter alia, been recently taken to task by a Federal parliamentary committee and the subject of a critical report by the Australian National Audit Office without so much as a breath of comment from the government.

The civil situation in PNG, in a progressive state of decline despite an incipient resources boom, has so far not attracted any public commentary from the Australian government.

Meanwhile, the influence of the Chinese government grows rapidly in the Pacific, with PNG now looking to China to contest Australia's influence in the region.

And Somare saw fit to cock a snook at the Australian and New Zealand governments over Fiji, as a new and cavalier Melanesian brotherhood formed.

Pacific diplomacy Howard style was to look down on the islands from 40,000 feet as an interesting piece of geography on the way to the US.

Pacific diplomacy Rudd style seems to be to make sympathetic noises and then do nothing.

I hope I'm wrong and that a regiment of public servants is even now washing the Bateman's Bay sand from its hair ready to embark on a cunning plan to better equip the relationship for a robust future.

How green is Port Moresby

With the recent rains, Port Moresby is looking so green, and pretty as a picture.

This augers well for the year and all things point to a very good year for the capital city and Papua New Guinea as a whole.

 

 

NARI wins three EU-ACP grant awards

By SENIORL ANZU of NARI

 

Papua New Guinea’s National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) has successfully worn three major ‘capacity development’ projects from the European Union, valuing EURO 2.8 million (K 11.5 million).

The projects under the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Science and Technology (S&T) Programme will be implemented in three Western Pacific Countries - PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu - over three years starting in early 2010.

NARI Director-General Dr Raghunath Ghodake (pictured) revealed this last week saying “it has been a superb achievement by NARI to win funding for three capacity development projects in this highly competitive call from the European Union to the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states”.

“This is a Christmas present to PNG, NARI and its Western Pacific partners,” Dr Ghodake said.

“The ACP Science and Technology (S&T) Pro­gramme is an ACP-EU co-operation pro­gramme to support ACP coun­tries in strengthening research, development and innovation as well as in formulating and implementing S&T policies for sustainable development and poverty reduc­tion.” 

A total of nine research and development (R&D) organisations from these countries will benefit from the initiatives.

The award winning projects are:

·        Capacity development for research planning, programming and implementation in agricultural R&D institutions in PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu;

·        Capacity development in conservation and utilization of invaluable plant genetic resources; and

·        Capacity building in core research-related competencies and networking among staff of the agricultural research institutions.

Dr Ghodake said appropriate human resource capacity was essential for conducting and promotion of agricultural innovations for enhancing productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of the smallholder agricultural sector.

“However, most research and development institutions in the Pacific lack this capacity and the projects will address this problem,” he added.

While NARI is the project leader, the regional partners are the Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre.

The project associates are the Fresh Produce Development Agency, Coffee Industry Corporation, Cocoa Coconut Institute, PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (PNG), Kastom Gaden Association (Solomon Islands), and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Vanuatu).

 The projects will be co-ordinated from a newly-established office at the NARI headquarters in Lae with project offices in Honiara (Solomon Is) and Port Vila (Vanuatu).

The project call was open to national and regional science and technology organizations, universities, and research networks in 79 ACP member states, 27 member states, three candidate countries of EU, and the three mem­ber states of the European Free Trade Association.

“This is a unique achievement for PNG, NARI and its partners.  We sincerely thank the EU-ACP S&T Programme for awarding these projects,” Dr Ghodake said.

The bid was made in March 2008.

 

Rice growing takes off in Gazelle

Caption: Farmers from Lasul Bainings area at NARI Keravat with their rice for milling.-Picture by GADI LING

By GADI LING

It’s the festive Season and cocoa pod borer (CPB)-affected farmers within the Gazelle area of East New Britain province are rushing with their harvested rice to find mills for milling.

 With the presence of the destructive cocoa disease, these farmers will have less income this festive season to spend on rice, a staple food.

As an alternative solution, they have started growing rice themselves in a bigger way for household consumption, including sustaining intake during celebration periods such as this Christmas/New Year season.

Rice is one of the important crops targeted for food security and income generation in cocoa integrated cropping systems in ENBP.

This is now identified as part of CPB management strategy for smallholders in East New Britain by the CPB management committee.

The promotion on dry land rice farming is being done by various research and development organisations in the province such as National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI), Organisation for Industrial Spiritual & Cultural Advancement (OISCA), END division of primary industry (DPI), Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Cocoa Coconut Institute (CCI and University of Natural Resources and Environment’s (UNRE) Integrated Agriculture Training Programme (IATP). under Vudal University’s IATP training programme.

NARI’s Islands Regional Centre at Keravat and DAL Islands region have combined their efforts in promoting dry land rice growing in ENBP through  multiplication and supply of quality seeds and providing a milling service to smallholders.

 So far this year, NARI has supplied over 200kg of recommended quality rice seeds and milled well over five tons of harvested rice.

For the last two weeks, well over one ton was milled for the festive season alone.