Workshop addresses bio=control strategy for invasive pests and weeds

Participants at the Pacific Bio-control Strategy Workshop at Auckland, New Zealand, late last year

By ANNASTASIA KAWI of NARI

The biological control of invasive species in the Pacific was the agenda of a strategic workshop held in New Zealand recently.
Plant protection experts and quarantine specialists from the Pacific and international community were taken to task to address issues of adopting biological control or bio-control as a tool to fight invasive pests and weeds in agriculture, forestry and important ecosystems in the region.
The Regional Bio-control Strategy Development Workshop was held in Auckland last Nov 16-18.
Papua New Guinea was represented by Kaile Korowi, an entomologist with Ramu Agri-Industries; Tony Gunua, a senior plant pathologist with the National Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Authority; and Annastasia Kawi, a National Agriculture Research Institute scientist.
Other participating countries were American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Marianas, Palau, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.
The main purpose of the workshop was to bring key players together to see whether bio-control of widespread invasive species could be undertaken in a more co-operative and collaborative way in the Pacific, and to develop a regional strategy that would allow this to happen.
Some of the issues addressed included:
· Reviewing of bio-control activities in the Pacific;
· Identifying capacity gaps and barriers in using bio-control to manage invasive weeds;
· Identifying opportunities and actions to increase bio-control work in the Pacific;
· Discussing criteria for selecting priority species for bio-control;
· Identifying actions and mechanisms to increase the understanding and acceptance of the use of bio-control as a management tool;
· Identifying potential funding sources for bio-control projects; and
· Creating a steering group to assist in the implementation of a regional strategic plan.
Participants were told that a significant number of successful projects on invasive species using bio-control already existed in the Pacific region with scope for more.
However, given the financial, legislative and logistical constraints faced by each Pacific Island Country and Territory (PIC&T), there was an urgent need is develop a strategy that could allow PIC&Ts to share expertise, experiences and resources.
Emphasis was also placed on each PIC&T to prioritise their invasive species, both plant and animal pests, for biological control.
With priority lists, countries with commonalities can work together to help minimise expenses of often-expensive invasive species management projects.
The workshop concluded that the PIC&Ts can share more information between agriculture, forestry and bio-diversity conservation groups to better address bio-control work, as well as look at strategies implemented in other regions in the use of bio-control agents to fight invasive plants and pests.
The workshop was funded by United States Department of State, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, New Zealand AID, Pacific Invasive Learning Network, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Pacific Invasive Initiative based at Auckland University, Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Land Resources Division, Landcare Research New Zealand and United States Forest Services in Hawaii.

Manus into coconut bio-fuel production

By ROSELYN ELLISON in Lorengau

 

Manus provincial Government (MPG) is slowly preparing itself to get into serious diesel fuel import substitution.

Of the K3 million National Agriculture Development Plan funding, K1.5 million is specifically set to get coconut bio-diesel production in a big way.

So far two of the major activities have taken place

One was the pre-feasibility tour of Buka Metal Fabricators’ coconut bio-diesel plant in Bougainville last August by MPG and provincial agriculture officers.

The other was the collection of 20,000 coconut seedlings from Aua Wuvulu and Nigoherm local level governments in the Western Islands of Manus last September.

The collection of nuts from the old German plantations was intended for the rehabilitation and replanting of 10 identified senile coconut plantations in the province.

This will cover a total land area of 300ha with the inclusion of a further 100ha.

 This extension will be from smallholders who will be given 70 seedlings each to plant to support the project.

However, other coconut growers within the province are also welcome to participate through the supply of coconuts to plant.

In August/September 2007, MPG engaged PNG Bio-fuel Engineering Ltd (PNGBEL) to conduct a baseline study of the coconut production capacity of the province

Coober Pedy's great leap backward

Life for many Aborigines is patently worse than it was 50 years ago, writes former Papua New Guinea crocodile hunter and politician John Pasquarelli

 

IN 1959 I arrived at the Eight Mile Field at Coober Pedy with two partners and, as luck would have it, our first shaft bottomed on saleable opal.

I was a 22-year-old dropout from the University of Melbourne law school and I met my first Aborigines in their own environment on the opal fields. In those days before mechanisation, Aboriginal women and their kids "noodled" on the mullock heaps of the working mines, which involved picking over the mined earth coming up from down below and collecting any opal chips and full opals, which were then stored in tobacco and cigarette tins. The law of finders keepers applied, but at the end of the day Aboriginal men would arrive and claim the collected opal, sell it to the people who ran the Shell service station and then go and buy metho; these were the days before Aborigines were allowed to buy the white man's grog.

I was made chillingly aware of the brutality that existed in the Aboriginal settlement when I noticed a young woman, obviously in distress, noodling on our mine. She had a filthy old singlet wrapped around her head and face and she was covered in flies. "Big trouble, boss," was the response from one of the women when I asked what was wrong.

The woman's drunken husband had assaulted her and forced her face into a campfire, burning out one of her eyes. I drove her into Coober Pedy in my 1936 Chrysler Model 66 sedan and she was taken to the Bush Nurses at Port Augusta. I never saw her again.

In 1960 I left Australia for Papua New Guinea and returned briefly to Coober Pedy in 1981, during a driving trip across Australia. Between 1959 and this year I have also visited Aboriginal settlements in the Western Desert, Papunya, Eumundi, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Darwin, Kununurra, Mistake Creek and the notorious Palm Island. Outback Aboriginal camps remind one of Dante's Inferno. I have just returned from my third visit to Coober Pedy. Fifty years and billions of dollars on, the nightmare continues, worse than ever.

Coober Pedy is a stark microcosm of the problems that affect many Aboriginal communities. Many Aborigines run businesses, turn up at their jobs and look after their families. Signs proclaiming "Dry Area -- No Alcohol Allowed" and "Alcohol Consumption Banned" are posted everywhere.

But like some mad Monty Python script, drunken Aboriginal men and women are slumped on the footpath, crumpled VB cans beside them, within feet of these signs.

One afternoon in the main street of Coober Pedy, I watched a young Aborigine stagger out of a bottle shop clutching a plastic bag in each hand containing a bladder, or cask of wine.

In a catatonic state, he meandered back and forth as if trying to get his bearings before heading off to the settlement. Stones on the roofs of houses at the Aboriginal reserve are thrown there by drunks.

Dogs from the Aboriginal settlement roam the streets of Coober Pedy unleashed and the larger ones search the rubbish bins. One morning, a large, fierce-looking alsatian cross mongrel was standing on his hind legs rummaging through a garbage bin while 100m away an Aboriginal man was doing the same thing.

At the main hotel, de facto apartheid exists; blacks and town whites drink in separate bars by mutual arrangement. Unwary tourists soon realise their mistake. The police do their best but they have been turned into a de facto taxi service. They pick up drunken Aborigines in the main street and drop them back at the reserve, only to have them return an hour or so later.

The town's only ambulance is also co-opted to ferry drunks.

Coober Pedy sits astride one of Australia's busiest north-south tourist routes and local and foreign tourists pass through in great numbers seven days a week. Many will be appalled by what they see and will assume that the evil white man is responsible.

The question of how to deal with grog and drugs appears to be insoluble given our present laws and the influence of the civil libertarian movement. New draconian laws relating to the sale of alcohol could be passed. Years ago in PNG, problem white drunks had their photos distributed by police around the bottle shops and were refused service. This name and shame process proved effective, but imagine the response if such a remedy were mooted today to deal with Aboriginal drunks.

Far too many of the people that work in the Aboriginal industry, whether black or white, are totally unsuitable to be employed. They drink too much, smoke cigarettes and use drugs such as marijuana. Yet these people should be role models and mentors, setting an example and as such they must be drug-tested in the workplace. Unfortunately, many of these people are only too willing to promote the cult of victimhood, subconsciously or deliberately, and weeding them out must be a priority. Otherwise Aboriginal women and children will continue to suffer like that girl who had her eye burned out 50 years ago.

 

John Pasquarelli is an artist and political commentator.This article was first published in The Australian on August 19, 2009

 

 

Facts of the Lae port project

By FRANK ASAELI of PNGPCL

 

THE overseas wharf extension at Lae port (pictured) is funded by PNG Ports Corporation (PNGPCL) and not the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as many people think.

The budget for the project is about K88 million, and variations to the project may see total costs exceed K90m.

PNGPCL chief executive officer Brian Riches said the project, being constructed by Nawae Construction, would not only cater for the multi-billion kina liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects.

Mr Riches said although PNGPCL intended to provide port services for the LNG project, the extension of the wharf was earmarked well before the proposed LNG project for general incoming (import) and outgoing (export) overseas vessels.

“PNG Ports states the contract to Nawae Construction is valued at approximately K88.02m, with payments to date of K26.4m,” he said.

“Like all PNGPCL’s other ports, Lae port projects are undertaken as a result of either the deterioration of the existing facilities, or the need to extend these existing facilities to accommodate the increasing size and number of vessels annually in all ports or new facilities to meet our stakeholders’ requirements and to facilitate trade.

“Outside Australia and New Zealand, Lae port is the largest port in the Pacific region and generates 52% of the PNGPCL revenue.

“This project signifies our understanding of stakeholders’ demand for maritime services and the requirement to facilitating trade growth.

“More than 80% of all export/import trade passes through our nation’s sea ports.   

“PNGPCL takes the responsibility seriously in benchmarking port efficiency with other ports within the region.

“We also acknowledge we have to improve and expand our port facilities.”

Mr Riches said it was estimated that PNGPCL needed approximately K2-3 billion to rehabilitate its facilities across its network of 16 ports, which did not include the cost of the proposed Port Moresby port relocation.

The year just gone, and a challenging one ahead for Papua New Guinea

By REG RENAGI

THE Papua New Guinea government remains in power until an election in 2012 and economic forecasts until then look favourable.

But 2009 posed many challenges.

 Discouraging social indicators.

Government performance not up to expectations.

PNG already forecast to fall short of UN goals for 2015.

Opposition and people denied a voice in parliament.

 Laws passed without proper debate.

Key appointments not made on merit.

 Political patronage biased towards special interests. Government failing to investigate corruption allegations and misconduct.

The non-minerals sector remains undeveloped with a bias towards big mineral projects. PNG lacks internal capacity to properly manage two major LNG projects.

Human capital needs priority investment.

Overall, PNG is underdeveloped due to poor planning, inadequate service delivery and ineffective resource management.

Political reform is long overdue.

2010 brings more challenges.

Australia remains an important strategic partner.

Strong regional bilateral relationships will be maintained (Fiji is back on the agenda). China is a new foreign policy challenge.

PM Somare may well try to give the National Alliance party leadership to his son, Arthur, before the next election.

Offsetting this there may be splinter groups within the National Alliance that will challenge Somare’s leadership.

Whatever the outcome, PNG needs a new political order.

 

Wanted: a political approach to empower Papua New Guinea citizens

By REG RENAGI

SINCE INDEPENDENCE, successive governments have betrayed the values that brought Papua New Guinea to nationhood.

The early political promise at independence of providing opportunities to the people, taking responsibility and rewarding those who work hard, seems to have been forgotten.

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

PNG has some of the world’s best 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 has mismanaged its assets and squandered its opportunities.

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

The political system is not working effectively for its people.

Waigani is dominated by special interests and an entrenched bureaucracy that has failed its 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 who are 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 country.

The strategy must put people first with a plan to provide avenues for people to fully engage in life-changing opportunities.

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

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

More money must be put into the pockets of those who need it most.

Small and medium businesses, tourism, IT, fisheries, forestry and agriculture must be targeted.

The future government must ensure equality for all citizens by empowering them to equally participate in the country’s development.

PNG must ensure its natural resources are conserved and used for the collective benefit of all citizens and future generations.

Lae, Moresby ports undergo transformation as LNG work starts

Lae and Port Moresby ports will see massive transformation in 2010 as infrastructure work on the two liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects begin in earnest, according to chief PNG Ports Corporation Ltd executive officer Brian Riches (pictured).

Mr Riches said this in his New Year’s message to all stakeholders of PNGPCL.

“In 2010, our stakeholders will see major process and infrastructure changes in both Port Moresby and Lae Ports, with benefits to all concerned,” he asserted.

“Trade facilitation is our major focus in 2010.

“2010 will be one of our most-important years ever, and together we will transform our two most-busiest ports from ‘one of the best’ to ‘the best’ and most-efficient in the Pacific Region. 

Mr Riches acknowledged all stakeholders of PNGPCL for their support and excellent working relationship throughout 2009.

“As part of PNG Ports’ management strategy, stakeholder relations are paramount in our operations and management of our ports,” he said.

“Therefore, in this regard, PNG Ports has now embarked on a new campaign with a particular focus at creating awareness and building partnership with private investors, government departments, and port users as well as entering into short and long-term arrangements with donor agencies to procure capacity-building assistance.

“Our infrastructure rehabilitation agenda currently pursued by the company is prioritised with the intention of enhancing operational efficiency.

“As you may be aware, PNG Ports is well into the process of re-branding and transforming itself from a previous public sector mindset into a vibrant private sector organisation which is committed at delivering the best service for its customers with a focus to improving and delivering quality customer service.

“The change agenda is currently being implemented across the entire organisation including all aspects of its business operations.

“PNG Ports has been undergoing significant internal change in 2008 and 2009, and whilst this will continue, 2010 will be the year for PNG Ports Corporation where it is set to transform our relationship with external customers and stakeholders.

“We will also be defining our community service obligations (CSO) and working with Government to define exactly what is our CSO, what it costs and ensuring the nation sees that cost as the ‘dividend’ this  State-owned enterprise pays back to PNG and our nation as a whole.

“Currently, our CSO expense exceeds many millions of Kina.

“Also, as part of our on-going commitment to safety and security, PNG Ports has embarked to establish a relationship and partnership with the Australian Security Advisors on how best to achieve and deliver best practice security and safety systems.”

Lunch hour traffic along Waigani Drive, Port Moresby, today

I took these pictures along Waigani Drive in Port Moresby at lunchtime today as I was walking back to my office at The National newspaper.

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