Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare's visit to Rotorua, New Zealand

Above are photos from Day 2 of PM Somare's visit to New Zealand.  Details for the attached photos are as follows:

• Wreathlaying: PM Somare lays a wreath at the Muruika Urupa (the Maori Battalion cemetery) at Ohinemutu, Rotorua. Sir Michael is wearing a korowai (ceremonial cloak) provided by the Rotorua District Council for the civic welcome and the wreathlaying as a mark of respect for Sir Michael's status.
• No 067: Sir Michael is greeted with a traditional hongi by Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters.
• No 056: Rotorua Mayor Kevin winters presents Sir Michael with a taiaha (traditional Maori weapon) as a symbol of respect and peace
• No. 048: Sir Michael, delegation members and advisors with the taiaha presented to the Prime Minister by Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters
• No 019: Sir Michael shares a joke with Rotorua Deputy Mayor Trevor Maxwell at this morning's Rotorua mayoral reception
• No 027: Sir Michael responds to Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters' welcome speech this morning and thanks Rotorua for the warm reception he received.
• No 002: Sir Michael receives a traditional challenge from a Maori warrior as part of the Prime Minister's official welcome to Rotorua at the Rotorua District Council Civic Centre 

Papua New Guinea's latest hotel soon to commence operations

The countdown is on at Kokopo in East New Britain province with the Gazelle International Hotel (pictured) scheduled to begin operations in early July.

Papua New Guinea’s latest international hotel is nearing completion.

Final stages of construction will be completed within the next weeks, leaving painting and fitting of furnishings to complete this massive project.

Developed by the Lamana Group of Companies the Hotel is being operated by Gazelle international Hotel Limited, owned by Nambawan Super Airways Hotel and the East New Britain Provincial Government.

The construction phase has employed in excess of 200 over the past 18 months and ongoing operations as Gazelle International Hotel will see 100 team members employed.

Mike and Jane Garvey, both New Zealanders,  will manage the hotel.

Mike Garvey said: "We have started recruiting in anticipation of an intensive training programme.

"An internationally-renowned trainer will be dedicating hours to ensure team members deliver service and standards appropriate for such a beautiful property and location.

"The response to advertisements placed was overwhelming: 3000 were received with 700 coming from East New Britain province.

" To maintain the local focus and friendliness most of the team will be from the province.

" I am impressed with the standard of applicants and their desire to be a part of our team.

"Unfortunately there are a large number of applicants who will be disappointed as they have not had the opportunity to prove themselves.

"Team members chosen will indeed have a great opportunity to provide service to our guests in a hotel and environment to be proud of."

"Gazelle International Hotel is themed on Emma Eliza Coe [ 1850-1913] referred to as 'Queen Emma' of the South Seas with key areas of the hotel named in her honour.

" We are privileged to offer a safe haven to the preservation of the 'Queen Emma' steps, protected in the north-western corner of the property.

" These steps originally leading to Queen Emma’s two story residence are sited looking out over the Ralum Golf Course and the ocean beyond.

"This conjures thoughts of a bygone era, of grandeur and tradition which surrounded Queen Emma and her entourage.

"Her business acumen, interests and gestures of good will are legendary throughout the South Pacific dating back to the late 1800s."

Facilities available at Gazelle International Hotel include Emma’s Restaurant, Chino’s Coffee Shop, Club Coe entertainment and bar area, pool and conferencing for 150 participants.

 Business presentations, conferences, meetings, social gatherings, family celebrations are all activities catered for in this purpose-built venue.

The pool area is adjacent to the conference room and is an ideal location for outdoor entertaining.

 The well-appointed guest rooms are a haven for the business or leisure guest.

The views from the hotel rooms of Tavurvur smoking and the oceans are awe-inspiring and provide the backdrop to any guest's memorable stay in Kokopo, East New Britain province.

Australian report raps Papua New Guinea universities: What?

From BAPA BOMOTENG

The Aussie has done injustice again to try and under-mine the Papua New Guinea university education system again. 

Through the top-up system they tried systematically to kill the brains of this nation by saying PNG is not able to do it. 

With the outcome based education (OBE) and education reform system all paid for by the Aussie tax monies, they try to produce illiterate grade elementary to secondary drop outs.  

 Through the successive government funding, they try to dry up the cream of the intellects of this nation. 

 This is all a systematic ploy by the colonial masters to continue to suppress PNG education system. 

What was wrong with the old Standard 1-6, forms 1-4 and National High School System? 

 They have produced the leaders of today? 

No wonder they are trying to say, our economists, accountants, engineers, lawyers and you name it, cannot negotiate and be marketable in the world. 

PNG can be reckoned with.

John Howard’s government shamed our Prime Minister couple of years ago. 

They tried to pipe the gas to Queensland and re-sell it from there.  

No wonder they are trying to say our economists, accountants, engineers, lawyers and you name it cannot negotiate and be marketable in the world. 

 PNG can be reckoned with. 

 Papua New Guineans can also ask for better deal comparable to counterpart expats like the OK Tedi miners are doing.

Look what has happened with PNG LNG.

They can lick their wounds, as PNG looks north and to North America with LNG.

Product of the old school.

Bapa Bomoteng

Pirates get a lifeline from Bismark Maritime

Captions: 1. Bismark Maritime marketing manager David Black hands over the uniforms to Pirates’ secretary Jackson Varcilli watched by players at SCRUM Oval last Friday. 2. Bismark Maritime marketing manager David Black (left) with Pirates players and officials at SCRUM Oval last Friday.

 

 

Lae rugby union side Pirates is continuing its relationship with shipping company Bismark Maritime.

The company has supported Pirates for the last seven years with two sets of jumpers and this year will be the eighth year running.

Bismark Maritime marketing manager David Black was at the SCRUM Oval at the Lae Showground last Friday to deliver the two sets of jumpers to the buccaneers.

“This year, we’ve gone for a new design with new materials, in traditional read, white and black Bismark Maritime colours, which are also the colours of Pirates,” he said.

Pirates’ secretary Jackson Varcilli said without the support of corporate sponsors, the club would not be able to survive and players would not be able to play rugby week-in week-out.

“It is my privilege and honor to accept these brand-new quality jerseys on behalf of the club and its supporters, and I would like to thank Jamie and Julian Sharp and Bismark Maritime shipping company for its ongoing support in ensuring we are fully kitted for another season,” he said.

“These jerseys are much lighter than our previous set, and will boost out team’s image and our efforts towards winning the competition this year.

“We can assure you that we will take good care of them and wear them with pride and dignity throughout the competition.”

Minor sponsors are Designscope Architects, who are sleeve sponsors.

Pirates have made some strategic improvements to management this year including appointing John Posanei as president, backed by Varcilli as secretary, Maurice Owen as fundraising chairman and Sonny Songake as club treasurer.

On top of that, the Pirates have former representative player Ephraim Tavua, who is also a qualified and very-experienced coach.

Meanwhile, Chemcare Defence spoiled Bismark Maritime Pirates’ celebration of their new uniforms with a late comeback from behind to win 10-7.

Hornibrooks Harlequins opened their season on a high note with a closely-fought 14-13 win over Dulux Viking Dogs and Riback Unitech Reds nailed an under strength reigning champions Consort Reds 22-0.

Kokoda stamp joint issue

From  PAUL OATES

Tomorrow is the release day for the joint issue of Australian and Papua New Guinea stamps in remembrance of the Battle for Kokoda in World War 2.

Rice fields of Japan

From PAUL OATES

Stunning crop art has sprung up across rice fields in Japan, but this is no alien creation.  The designs have been cleverly planted.
Farmers creating the huge displays use no ink or dye.
Instead, different color rice plants have been precisely and strategically arranged and grown in the  paddy fields.
As summer progresses and the plants shoot up, the detailed artwork begins to emerge.
A Sengoku warrior on horseback has been created from hundreds of thousands of rice plants.
The colors are created by using different varieties.  This photo was taken in Inakadate, Japan.
Napoleon on horseback can be seen from the skies.
This was created by precision planting and months of planning by villagers and farmers located in Inkadate, Japan.
Fictional warrior Naoe Kanetsugu and his wife, Osen, whose lives are featured on the television series Tenchijin,appear in fields in the town of Yonezawa in the Yamagata prefecture of Japan.
This year, various artwork has popped up in other rice-farming  areas of Japan, including designs of deer dancers.
Smaller works of crop art can be seen in other rice-farming areas of Japan such as this image of Doraemon and deer dancers
The farmers create the murals  by planting little purple and yellow-leafed Kodaimai rice along with their local green-leafed Tsugaru, a Roman variety, to create the colored patterns in the time between planting and harvesting in September.
The murals in Inakadate cover 15,000 square meters of paddy fields.
From ground level, the designs are invisible, and viewers have to climb the mock castle tower of the village office to get a glimpse of the  work.
Closer to the image, the careful placement of the thousands  of rice plants in the paddy fields can be seen.
Rice-paddy art was started there in 1993 as a local revitalization project, an idea that grew from meetings of the village committees.
The different varieties of rice plants grow alongside each other to create the masterpieces.
In the first nine years, the village office workers and local farmers grew a simple design of Mount Iwaki every year.
But their ideas grew more complicated and attracted more attention.
In 2005, agreements between landowners  allowed the creation of enormous rice paddy art.
A year later, organizers used computers to precisely plot planting of the four differently colored rice varieties that bring the images to life.

New Papua New Guinea blog

This new blog promises some action on PNG's corruption problems ...
http://www.actnowpng.org/blog

Chow family praised for contributions to Papua New Guinea

The plaque which was unveiled by Governor General Sir Paulias Matane when opening the Lae Biscuit Company factory.

A Chinese dragon dance being performed at the opening of the Lae Biscuit Company factory.

Old friends…Governor General Sir Paulias Matane and Lae Biscuit Company founder Sir Henry Chow.

Sir Henry addresses guests at the opening of his new factory.

Governor General Sir Paulias Matane addresses guests with Sir Henry Chow in the background.

Governor General Sir Paulias Matane opens the new Lae Biscuit Company factory at Kamkung in Lae on Saturday.-Pictures by GABRIEL LAHOC

Governor General Sir Paulias Matane has paid tribute to Lae Biscuit Company founder Sir Henry Chow and his family on their long and faithful contribution to Papua New Guinea over the years.
Sir Paulias made the tribute when opening the magnificent new K65 million Lae Biscuit Company at Kamkumung in Lae in front of hundreds of people from both PNG and overseas on Saturday.
The Governor General, in his speech, concentrated on Sir Henry and the Chow family’s contribution to PNG since its grandfather arrived at Kokopo as a coolie laborer under the German administration in 1895.
“The forefathers of the Chow family were peasant sharecrop farmers from Kaiping County, Guandong province, Southern China,” Sir Paulias said.
“One male member was recruited by the New Guinea German colonial government as a personal servant for one of its administration officers at Rabaul in 1895.
“Two younger brothers followed and settled in Rabaul.
“The Chow family now has six generations in Papua New Guinea.
“The family became part and parcel of the history and development of East New Britain and New Ireland provinces.
“Members of each generation have been active in community affairs and contributed much to the development and advancement of the two provinces.”
Sir Henry said that to have achieved and completed the brand-new facility, the biggest stand-alone biscuit-making factory in the Southern Hemisphere, needed the support of many people and friends.
“To have come this far, it had taken us 52 years of sweat, toil and hard work, and on the way we had experienced failures, discouragement and many hurdles,” he said.
“It had not been a fair sailing all the way, and with determination and willpower, especially with the help of my good wife Lady Colette, we managed to come this far.
“So they say that a successful man, there is always a woman behind him, so my friends, Lady Colette is really claiming the credit today.
“She did produce seven childen for me, five boys and two daughters.
“On their return to Papua New Guinea after their education in Australia, all our five sons had worked for Lae Biscuit Company, and they had contributed to the growth, expansion and success of the company today.
“They brought with them fresh ideas and innovation on how to manage and operate the company, even though they were not totally agreeable with me.”
An emotional Sir Henry passed the rein on to his fourth son, Ian Andrew Chow, to be the new managing director of Lae Biscuit Company.
Invited guests were entertained by singsing groups as well as a Chinese dragon dance and firecrackers, before being treated to a big party at the factory site.
The new factory will provide employment to some 450 people and with some of the best-working conditions and remuneration packages in PNG.
It is a massive vote-of-confidence in Lae, Morobe province and PNG by a Chinese family which has come to call the country ‘home’.
The buildings and whole facility consist of a main factory building which is 204 metres long, administration building, staff facility building, workshop building, emergency generating set building and guard house building.
The two biscuit-making lines are installed in the main factory building and the administration building will accommodate administration, planning, accounting and marketing.
The staff facility building has a fully-equipped kitchen and a large dining room which can prepare and provide meals and caters for 200 persons at one seating.
Lae Biscuit Company will provide meals to all staff at no cost to them.
Ablution and laundry facilities are up to international standards for a food-manufacturing facility.

InterOil signs preliminary works joint venture agreement with Mitsui

·        Agreement Provides Funding For Preliminary Works at Condensate Stripping Plant

·        Project Anticipates Yield of Approximately 9,000 Barrels of Condensate Per Day

 

Port Moresby  PNG, Cairns, Australia and Houston, TX --April 15, 2010: INTEROIL Corporation  announced ON Thursday, April 15, that the Company has entered into agreements with Mitsui & Co. Ltd., to jointly operate and fund the preliminary works involved to develop a proposed condensate stripping facility ('the Project') at InterOil's Elk and Antelope field site in Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea.

The preliminary works program is for all the works required to take us through the Front

End Engineering and Design (FEED) stage for the construction of a condensate stripping plant, to

the point of Final Investment Decision (FID).

The Project is proposed to be designed to process 400 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/day) of wellhead gas with an anticipated yield of approximately 9,000 barrels (bbls) of condensate per day.

Dry gas will be reinjected into the reservoir for storage until the proposed LNG facility has been constructed.

The condensate will be barged to the InterOil refinery in Port Moresby for processing and sale.

InterOil and Mitsui will each be responsible for half of the capital expenditure involved in

the preliminary works and Mitsui will fund InterOil's share.

Standard conditions of the agreements include the completion of FEED, an EPC agreement,

and the definitive agreements by December 31, 2010, necessary to reach FID.

In the event that FID is not reached, InterOil will be required to refund the capital expenditure incurred to date within a specified period.

 "We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Mitsui, one of the largest energy conglomerates in Japan, InterOil Chairman and CEO Phil Mulacek said.

"When in production, the condensate project will provide a stable platform of early cash flow enhancing the benefit to partners in our proposed LNG project."

 

For further in formation please contact

 Susuve Laumaea

Senior Manager  - Media Relations/Public Affairs

InterOil Corporation (PNG Operations)

Ph: 321 7040 or 3099363

Mobile: 72013870

Email: susuve.laumaea@interoil.com   

A dream comes true for Chow family with opening of Lae biscuit factory

Caption: Lady Colette Chow and Sir Henry Chow with son Ian, Lae Biscuit Company managing director, with a Chinese guardian lion at the new factory in Lae.-Picture by GABRIEL LAHOC

 

Hundreds of invited guests from Papua New Guinea and overseas are expected to converge on Kamkumung in Lae tomorrow (Saturday) for the opening of the new K65 million Lae Biscuit Company factory in Lae by Governor General Sir Paulias Matane.

The guest list reads like a who’s who of PNG business, government and politics who will be there to witness the opening of PNG’s largest single factory and the biggest stand-alone biscuit-making factory in the southern hemisphere.

Excitement is already building up among the Lae business community and people as they see this as an opportunity to shrug off some of the much-maligned ‘pothole city’ tag and to regain some of its lost glory.

It will be a special day for company founder and chairman, Sir Henry Chow, aged 76, a member of Chinese family that has been in the country for 115 years – spanning six generations - since its grandfather arrived at Kokopo as a coolie labourer under the German administration in 1895.

“The family has done very well over the 115 years from our coolie grandfather labourer to come to this stage,” an emotional Sir Henry told reporters in his magnificent new boardroom.

“It has not been easy.

“The family has been through two world wars.

“With a coolie labourer background, we have been discriminated against by the Germans and then the Australians.

“Our parents have sacrificed and educated all their children in Australia, who have returned to PNG to run little boats, little trade stores and little plantations.”

Sir Henry, a trained boat builder, bought off a small biscuit-making company called Lae Biscuit Company at Voco Point in Lae in 1974.

“It was a very small factory, making a quarter tonne of biscuits a day,” he recalled.

“In 36 years, Lae Biscuit has grown and expanded 150 tonnes.”

Asked what his secret was, Sir Henry revealed: “Determination and will because I want to make good.

“My grandparents on both sides instilled in me that they were discriminated against and we have to work hard to become a success.

“That has been ringing in my head all these years.”

Tomorrow, a dream comes true for Sir Henry and the Chow family, as they shrug off a stigma that has haunted them since their grandfather first set foot on PNG shores all those years ago.

Lae’s new biscuit factory to open on Saturday

Captions: 1. The popular Snax biscuits being produced at the new factory yesterday.-Pictures by GABRIEL LAHOC. 2: Sir Henry Chow…a dream come true with the opening of the new factory

 

The magnificent new Lae Biscuit Company factory at Kamkumung in Lae, the largest single factory in Papua New Guinea, will be officially opened by Governor General Sir Paulias Matane on Saturday.

This brand-new biscuit-manufacturing facility is a modern and functional one and is the biggest stand-alone biscuit-making factory in the Southern Hemisphere, comparable in standard with any similar factory in Australia.

It will provide employment to some 450 people and with some of the best-working conditions and remuneration packages in PNG.

The buildings and whole facility were built by Lae Builders and Contractors and consists of a main factory building which is 204 metres long, administration building, staff facility building, workshop building, emergency generating set building and guard house building.

The two biscuit-making lines are installed in the main factory building and the administration building will accommodate administration, planning, accounting and marketing.

The staff facility building has a fully-equipped kitchen and a large dining room which can prepare and provide meals and caters for 200 persons at one seating.

Lae Biscuit Company will provide meals to all staff at no cost to them.

Ablution and laundry facilities are up to international standards for a food-manufacturing facility.

 Lae Biscuit Company chairman Sir Henry Chow told reporters yesterday that it had cost the company K65 million to build and operate the factory.

 "This is the best food-making facility in PNG," he said.

 "Nothing can compare with it."

 Sir Henry said he came up with the idea of a new factory after Lae Biscuit Company found out that demand for the its popular Snax biscuits was outstripping supply.

 "This new factory, when fully functional, will produce 100 tonnes of biscuits a day," he said.

 "We will be able to fully meet our (PNG) needs for the next five years."

Prime Minister opens new UNRE buildings

Captions: 1. Sir Michael with Tropicana owner Sandra Lau at the Vision 2050 Library. 2. Plaque at the new Vision 2050 Library. 3: Vision 2050 Library plaque. 4: Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare opens the UNRE’s new administration building which is named after him. 5: Plaque at UNRE’s new administration building

 

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare opened two new buildings at the University of Natural Resources and Environment in Vudal, East New Britain province, last Friday.

 Sir Michael opened the UNRE’s new Vision 2050 Library which was built at a cost of about K500, 000 and its new administration building which is named after him and built at a cost of about K1.5million.

 He opened the buildings immediately after officiating at the UNRE graduation.

 The library extension and upgrading was completed with a K100, 000 donation from leading Kokopo business house, Tropicana, through its owners John and Sandra Lau, while UNRE chipped in with K400, 000.

 Work started on the new library in the middle of 2009 and was completed at the end of the year.

 The problem of a cramped library from the old days of UNRE as Vudal Agricultural College is now a thing of the past with students now having more space for study in air-conditioned and carpeted furnishings.

 There are more study tables and space for library staff has also been improved.

 The administration building, named after Sir Michael, was completed in 2008 with staff moving in last year.

 It houses the offices of Vice Chancellor, public relations, registrar, human resources, planning and internal auditor.

UNRE addresses seven pillars of Vision 2050

Captions: Vice Chancellor Prof Philip Siaguru addresses the UNRE graduation in Vudal last Friday

 

The University of Natural Resources and Environment in Vudal, east New Britain province, is addressing all seven pillars of the Government’s Vision 2050, according to Vice Chancellor Prof Philip Siaguru.

This is what places the UNRE in good stead for the future, he said at the university’s graduation last Friday.

Prof Siaguru said despite all the hype about liquefied natural gas and other non-renewable resources, these would all be gone one day, and the cash generated from these should be invested in Papua New Guinea’s vast and rich renewable resources sector.

“Hence, in this University of Natural Resources and Environment, we have made it our business to build this task into our vision and mission, so that al arms of this university, together with our likeminded partners such as the National Fisheries Authority, must stay focused on the primary task of alleviating poverty, reducing displaced cultures, and most importantly through agricultural and fishing skills, keep providing food security to the critical masses,” he said.

“The very basic reason youths and those displaced in the community steal and kill is because they are hungry, they are deprived of a very-basic but significant need.

“The university’s vision, which is ‘sustaining the livelihood of critical masses through education’, was carefully woven into the university’s task because this institution believes in empowering communities to help themselves.

“We believe our professionally-trained graduates will drive this vision and multiply it on for its worth, beyond today, beyond what the two Sirs, and former and one current Prime Minister (Sir Michael Somare and Sir Rabbie Namaliu) seated here have started.

“We must begin by empowering the communities to be self-reliant and bolster food security in households and fishing lots.

“We must rearrange their attitude through education by providing that confidence in farmers so that they can lift from the mentality of waiting for government services and assistance, and propel themselves towards being self-reliant.”

Prof Siaguru said the focus should be shifted from training for jobs to that of job creation.

Agriculture a noble profession

Captions: 1. Graduands marching proudly to the graduation area to receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates at the 13^th UNRE graduation last Friday.2.  Dux of the 2009 graduation degree class at UNRE, Michelle Jambui, receives her degree from Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu. Apart from being the top overall student in her class, which earned her the coveted National Agriculture Research Institute Kana Aburu Medal, she was the top graduating student in industry project, animal science, crop science and rural engineering. As dux of the graduating class, Ms Jambui presented the respondent speech on behalf of her fellow graduands.

 

 

Graduating students of the University of Natural Resources and Environment in Vudal, East New Britain province, have been told to be proud of agriculture as a career.

 Student representative Michelle Jambui, also the dux of the degree class, said agriculture was often disparaged as a “low standard profession”.

 “I stand here today on behalf of all the graduating students as a proud product of this university,” she said.

 “In my study days, I have often heard people say that agriculture is a profession for those that cannot become lawyers, doctors and accountants.

 “Many perceive agriculture, and for that matter natural resource profession, as a low-standard profession for those with low academic aptitude.

 “I stand here today with my head held high for all our graduates and say this is not true.

 “Natural resources, its wise harvesting and sustainability provide the much-needed wealth of this nation.”

 Ms Jambui gave a vote of thanks to the New Zealand government for providing scholarships to all female agriculture graduates.

 She appealed to her fellow graduates to perform to the best of their abilities.

 “As we venture into our various professional fields, we must always be honest to ourselves and to our employers and perform our duties diligently with our utmost best,” Ms Jambui said.

 “As a start, we have to change our prespective and mindset from student hood to an independent and self-reliant person, willing to contribute to the nation, regardless of what our individual expectations are as a university student.

 “Regardless of how difficult our studies were, we overcame such obstacles with determination and perseverance.

 “Success in life means mastership and mastership means utilising every human force and power of the being, as well as the outer force, to reach your desired goal.”

Local birds

From PAUL OATES

'Cast your bread upon the waters and it will come back to you,' goes an old saying.

We cast our stale bread on the back lawn and all we got was some local birds.

Pictures of Prime Minister arriving at Toku Airport, Kokopo, on the new Falcon jet

Above are pictures of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare arriving at Tokua Airport, Kokopo, on the new Falcon jet for the 13th graduation ceremony of the University of Natural Resources and Environment last Friday.

Pictures of Rapopo Beach Resort

Pictures of the beachfront at Rapopo Beach Resort in Kokopo, East New Britain province, last Friday.