Pictures of last Wednesday's National Agriculture Research Institute Agriculture Innovations Show at Bubia, Morobe province

 

Gerehu Hospital - a death trap facility

By PETER MEMAFU

 

Since moving back to Port Moresby in late February 2010, the deaths that occur within the new Gerehu hospital seem to be endless and I as someone who lives around the area needed to express my concerns for the appropriate authorities to act on the matter as soon as possible.

The point I am trying to make is that in the first two weeks after arriving in Port Moresby I counted almost eight deaths (one almost every day) and on one particular day (within 24 hours) there were four deaths – one death in the morning, one in the afternoon and two during the night.

There have been cases where people who were barely alive and were still fighting for their lives were simply pronounced dead when they were brought here. (…but who is qualified to actually pronounce people dead when they are brought in?) There were even cases that people who were still alive could not be attended to and so the verdict is to simply pronounce them dead and have their relative take them home and prepare them for burial.

It would seem that all these deaths happening at the Gerehu hospital seem to occur very frequently and almost every week too. I believe that this can only conclude that the medical staff who work there are either so negligent in their duties or simply are not qualified enough to work as professional hospital staff. 

Saint John’s personnel who are contracted by the Health Department to manage the hospital don’t seem to be any qualified than the doctors, nurses and/or other professionals who work at the Port Moresby General hospital and within the provinces.

I also hear that the highest level of any medical personnel you get here at the Gerehu hospital is maybe health extension officers, a nurse or a sister.  Not once did I notice a doctor or a surgical specialist or a professional working in this hospital.

My wife was sick one day and I decided to take her there at around 5am in the early hours of the morning and sat and waited thinking that since there was hardly anyone around we would get served and treated. To our surprise there were staff members there but not even one came to serve us or attended to our needs.

We continued to wait and remained there un-attended until 8.30am when the hospital started to fill up with the public and still we did not get served.  In the end I simply gave and took my wife to a private medical facility only to pay more so that I could get some attention and get her treated

Secretary Health, please do something about the frequent deaths that occur here or get someone qualified persons to manage and oversee the services of the Gerehu Hospital immediately.

Prime Minister wrong to shoot the messenger, says ACT NOW!

PORT MORESBY: ACT NOW! has criticised the Prime Minister’s decision to force the resignation of Attorney General, Dr Alan Marat.

Effrey Dademo, programme manager, says: “By forcing the Attorney-General to resign, the Prime Minister is sending a very negative signal to other Ministers and to the people of PNG."

Dr Marat was forced to resign last Tuesday after he spoke out against the government's proposed changes to the powers of the Ombudsman Commission; questioned the benefits that would flow from the LNG project; and, the wisdom of allowing the Ramu and Solwara 1 mines to dump waste in the sea.

“In speaking out on these issues, the Attorney General was voicing the opinions and fears of the people of PNG," Ms Dademo says.

“The Prime Minister should listen to what the people are saying and respond to their concerns rather than shooting the messenger. That sends totally the wrong message. It says the PM does not care about the people”

“Act Now! would like to remind the PM and all MPs that Parliament exists to represent the people, not to force grand ideas on us that may make our leaders and foreign companies richer but will not benefit the people.”

For further information and comment contact Effrey Dademo on 7689 5266 and at effrey@actnowpng.org

 

 

Government needs to audit its defence force

By REGINALD RENAGI

 

It is time the Government audits the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

 Since independence, the PNGDF still has many challenges. 

The current state of hibernation is a result of constant failures by successive administration over the years.  

Today, the whole defence organisation has seriously eroded its institutional capacity to an unacceptable level and is in danger of being like the rest of PNG’s dysfunctional public service.   

In recent years, several citizens have expressed concerns for our government to start seriously addressing our national security situation. 

 The situation today is as apart from the government's constant lip-service, it has for some time now undermined PNG's national security for many years.

 It has failed to ensure our defence force is appropriately equipped to effectively carry our core functions well.

The present state of affairs in the military clearly demonstrates a lack of a long-term vision by successive governments.

 More so, successive defence administration has done little to address in any substantial way its ongoing deficiencies in a more holistic approach. 

So besides auditing the military, which all state agencies should also be subjected to; the government needs to look at its national security 'big picture'. 

 Here we must ensure defence policy compliments foreign policy and ask what does the government expects the PNGDF to do in future? 

The government should do this taking into account PNG’s enduring strategic circumstances, and the national resources at our disposal. 

The challenge is now before the Defence Ministry and should include concerned members of the public to have an input into the formulation of both new defence and foreign policy framework through the media, and other appropriate public forums.  

A proper independent audit is required and the way to do this properly is systematic self-appraisals regularly carried out during both the commander's tour of duty and the Defence secretary's term of office.  

The Defence secretary and commander can always do an ongoing audit process as a continuous improvement strategy. 

This must be done as a routine process of Defence's total quality management corporate policy.  

So at every occasion of handing over command of the defence force to a new commander and the department to a new secretary, the government through the Ministry would always be up to date on the overall health, and or state of its national security regime.

In this way, over time; the PNG government will systematically make the required improvements to defence.   

Furthermore, the government must start thinking in new ways to initiate some policy intervention measures to allow its military in being best placed for positive development outcomes in future.  

Here, we also need to look now at out present disposition and analyse whether relocating key assets to areas will greatly enhance our homeland security better.  

The Ministry must now put out a new defence white paper with a revised reform programme mandated by the defence department under the auspices of the secretary.   This must ensure all planned programs and activities for the Ministry are properly budgeted for, and not done in a somewhat ad hoc manner as has been the norm in recent times.  

In this way, the PNGDF will be more appropriately resourced. 

PNG must now increase its manpower ceiling to meet the country's internal security and development needs as well as the protection of its territorial sovereignty, and resources.

Defence - looking at new manpower options

By REGINALD RENAGI

 

Papua New Guinea’s future security can be enhanced through having improved internal security networks.   

In recent years some academics and media pundits have suggested abolishing the PNG Defence Force as one future solution for the government.

 All these critics fail to articulate clearly what this will solve; or even mean for PNG.  

Whether this will be viable is something for PNG to decide. 

If the government does decide in future to make this tough 'judgement call', then the government must be fully prepared to protect its future national interests in the best way it can. 

Despite its short-comings, the PNGDF like any military; is a noble profession of arms.

A country's armed force is a necessary instrument of state politics.

Since history, the military has provided governments some kind of comprehensive insurance policy to defend its national interests. 

Throughout the ages, the world over has had standing security forces to serve the state's purposes. 

This will remain so, as long as people are inclined to the application of force to solve their social problems. 

For as long as man has existed, people have been fighting forever.

 The fighting will go on forever.

 To think you can stop people fighting by taking away their weapons is an infantile notion to get much support in this country. 

The government has proven this for years. 

However, I am sure that one day, we will in our own way find a way around this universal problem.           

Defence has several functions. 

The PNGDF elements carry out various security roles and specific tasks relating to: surveillance and response, monitoring, enforcement and interdiction missions, maritime law enforcement/coastguard tasks, border patrols, intelligence collation and dissemination, aid to the civil community, civic action tasks/nation building, remote area medical patrols, coast-watch duties, search and rescue, "mercy missions", showing the flag in remote maritime localities, ambassadorial good-will visits by ships, peace support operations with neighbours, etc). 

Its span of diversified responsibilities simultaneously overlap into agencies like: police, fisheries, customs, health, environment and conservation, foreign and provincial affairs, works and transport departments, provincial and community governments, and so on. 

At present manning levels, the PNGDF is not at its minimum credible ceiling to satisfactorily meet ongoing missions.

 Today, the PNGDF is grossly under manned with many hollow operational units as a result of enforced reductions across the board.

 The fact is defence's regular manpower ceilings are too low. 

The pool of well-trained, junior officers, junior non-commissioned officers and other key personnel is too small, and therefore, defence must now look at new manpower options. 

Papua New Guinea economy must be diversified

By REGINALD RENAGI

 

Papua New Guinea must diversify its economy. 

The government must plan now to look well beyond the "minerals boom" and target critical areas of renewable resource sectors of the country’s economy. 

The way to do it is we carefully analyse future patterns of economic growth and opportunity, and adapt innovative approaches to financing, building, operations and wealth creation for our people. 

More importantly; the government must be serious about diversifying our economy and put the whole nation to work, revitalising itself and industry (private sector). 

PNG has some of the world's richest natural resources.

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

 Yet, since independence; successive governments at all levels have mismanaged our assets and squandered many good opportunities. 

The consequences are widespread and increasing unemployment (and under-employment), very-low incomes, a high-tax economy, substantial urban migration, below - standard services, and a big national debt.

I believe one of parliament's future objectives is to commit its full resources towards key areas of national concerns aimed at achieving sustainable development.

 Thus, a bipartisan approved growth plan is needed with clear broad-based strategies specifically targeted at certain critical areas to transform PNG into a prosperous, progressive and united country. 

Future development strategies must be periodically reviewed to specifically target areas that will sustainably grow our economy, create jobs and support small businesses. 

PNG is now well overdue in reforming its political system; get its economic fundamentals right and meaningfully reward people for working hard for their country. 

Most political parties have similar policies that can be juxtaposed and refined to ensure a viable growth framework including a range of key national issues crossing many portfolio areas. 

To incorporate this, the government must work really hard to create new job opportunities and put more money into the pockets of those who need it most.

An important future outcome now is placing great emphasis on our people getting more widely - distributed benefits from the development of their natural resources.

As part of PNG’s national security strategy of creating a stable and secure country, every citizen must be fully committed to re-build the whole nation.

A new more realistic vision is needed to deal with many problems by applying rational and intelligent policies to our traditional resource industries.

The government must now have a realistic plan and a new leadership approach to bring about a major change.

This strategy for change must critically target growth in small and medium business, tourism, informational technology, fishery, forest, marine and the agriculture sector industries. 

A good development plan should be rooted in solid economic fundamentals focused on promoting small business development, better economic infrastructure, innovative and product diversification, expanding trade, sustainable resource management, a healthy environment, a highly skilled workforce, a competitive, fair and broad-based tax system, and sound fiscal management.

 The country’s growth strategy must also strengthen government structures, and cabinet decision-making processes to make our government function more efficiently for its citizens. 

PNG's national security lies in her economic, scientific and technology base, albeit limited, and does not necessarily depend on her wealth alone. 

All economic development investment must be smart investments based on thorough strategic planning. 

Such planning must further encourage private investments by opening up new markets, and providing our people with affordable education and health – to mention a few.  

The world's pace of technological development has become so rapid that if we do not keep up in our awareness or knowledge are bound to miss the boat.

 This only results in a country losing the economic war without even fighting the enemy. 

In today's global business sense, by the time we realise we are in trouble it is too late to save ourselves.  We have no choice but save ourselves in a world shaped by globalisation and the information revolution. 

The new PNG leadership approach must be aware of this double-edged global threat. There are basically two options for the future: we adapt or die (highly uncompetitive). 

The winners will be those who capitalise quickly in the changing opportunities and the challenge for PNG is to move early and innovate often.

 I envisage the future to provide us with many windows of wealth opportunities for every citizen so we have to better plan to maximise PNG's future prospects of surviving a global economic war. 

Stop fish poaching by foreigners

By REGINALD RENAGI

 

Papua New Guinea loses millions of kina worth of fish and other marine resources every year through illegal poaching by foreign fishing vessels. 

Despite numerous public complaints and media reports of illegal fishing activities in our waters, such activities still continues. 

An effective response action is urgently needed as time is running out for many fish stocks.  

PNG needs immediate measures to deter illegal fishing by foreigners.

What the country must adopt is an effective collective action from relevant agencies to safeguard its resources for future generations. 

Let's find some improved solutions to this. 

We can do this several ways. 

Let's start by having more surveillance crafts and set up an effective national coast guard service to carry out effective resource protection all year around. 

National maritime surveillance of our archipelagic waters out to extent of 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone can be greatly enhanced where vast distances are involved. 

As apart from pre-positioning ships in strategic locations and achieving good synergy by the use of aircrafts to augment overall surveillance coverage, including periodical home-porting of ships in key maritime provinces; having forward operations naval bases is a future solution. 

This will improve surveillance efforts dramatically in catching foreign vessels found illegally fishing. 

Naval forward bases will also mean better fuel consumption for ships and a much reduced response times with a better coverage of distances involved. 

The Defense Ministry must establish forward operations bases from strategic locations in Western, Milne Bay, New Guinea Islands and in northern waters towards the Western islands region of the Admiralty group. 

Presently, the Manus patrol boat base and Port Moresby landing craft base somewhat limits surveillance coverage by our two maritime squadrons to respond effectively to their offshore tapestry protection duties.

 Therefore, having strategic and smaller forward bases will see better results in the arrest of foreign fishing vessels due to improved surveillance coverage. 

The government must programme into its long term development strategy the setting up of suitable forward naval operational bases within the next five years. 

A forward operation base at Bwagawaia Harbour on beautiful Misima Island in the eastern Papua region, and one in Western province mainland with perhaps another in Pomio, Wide Bay area of the East New Britain province in the New Guinea region. 

The major advantage will be for the PNGDF's maritime element (navy) to effectively project its forward presence better in response to illegal marine activities. 

When the economy improves over time then additional surveillance platforms (ships and aircrafts) and other support assets can be systematically acquired by the government. 

This is a big "SOS" call for the PNG government to ensure collective action by key agencies to safeguard the country's rich marine resources. 

If PNG fails to do this now, than it is just a matter of time before our rich marine resources will be completely fished out by foreigner fishermen.

 The reality today is that, many foreign fishing nations have already completely depleted their fish stocks in their own waters, so are now poaching in PNG's rich marine resources with much impunity.     

Islands of fun in Papua New Guinea's paradise lost

By Ilya Gridneff, AAP Papua New Guinea Correspondent

MILNE BAY, PNG, AAP - Papua New Guinea's Culture and Tourism Minister laughs at my inquiry then politely tells me to "keep dreaming".
It was a simple question inspired by my island-hopping adventure in his home province of Milne Bay. "Who do I speak to about buying one of Milne Bay's 2000 islands?" I ask in between slurps from a fresh coconut.
Charles Abel, the member for Milne Bay's centre of Alotau, has more than a 100-year family history in this southeastern tip of PNG.
He ruefully retorts he doesn't want to see the region's standards plummet with me as a new constituent.
"Speak to the landowners, it's not a simple purchase, I am not sure you can simply buy an island," he says.
"But if you want to build a resort on one, well, it's a long process we can talk about.
"We have big plans to turn this region into a tourist hub," he says pointing out to the surrounding crystal blue sea.
Milne Bay is already a destination for cruise ships that sail around the islands stretching hundreds of kilometres north and east.
Most of the island groups' names come from an armada of early explorers from as far back as 1660 who set sail through this intricate tapestry now known as the Trobriands, Woodlark, Laughlan, Louisiade Archipelago and the D'Entrecasteau islands.
In a cluster of islands just outside Milne Bay's `China Straits,' is Kwato, about three kilometres east of what was the region's provincial centre, Samarai, first established in 1888.
 Kwato is where the tourism minister's great grandfather Charles Abel settled as one of the first white men in the province circa 1891.
Charles Abel (senior) helped build a church that proudly sits on top of the Kwato's hill and provides spectacular panoramic views of what typifies the `Pacific experience'.
Abel is famed for breaking from his London Missionary Society and championing the local people by teaching practical skills. Ever since those tumultuous early days the Abel family has been an institution throughout Milne Bay and the rest of PNG.
Nowadays when navigating on our small dingy there is an impression of lost time, of a place where not much has changed since the volcanoes left a landscape that looks like a sprinkling of the earth's last crumbs.
Turquoise sea and white sandy beaches with the occasional local paddling a traditional canoe takes up much of the vista as we dart along the water island hopping.
On Samarai the old Colonial memory of the administration lingers in buildings and decaying houses now occupied by locals and their algorithm of family networks cohabiting what was once a hive of activity.Both Kwato and Samarai are incredible spots as living histories, remnants of a past era long gone but not too far away.
All this is a simple excursion depending on how much fuel you've got or how much time you can afford to find paradise lost.
 Driftwood Resort, more an oasis than resort, is a handful of boutique bungalows sitting on Milne Bay's shore and is the perfect place to relax or use as a hub for island activities.
Serenity is at Driftwood's core and it is ideal for those who may want to rekindle something special or mend the body, mind and soul.
Friendly hotel staff organise island adventures or can arrange, for the history buffs, tours of Milne Bay's World War II legacy and the battle sites that saw Japan's first land defeat.
Their fishing tours and excursions to surrounding villages are also well worth the effort.
Driftwood's scenic jetty and quality restaurant is the place to unwind and do nothing. Just watch it all go by. Sunsets or sunrises.
And after these tough days it is recommended to visit the bar for an array of colourful cocktails.
Then there is Tawali dive resort, about an hour's drive east from Alotau, where scuba divers from around the world flock to what is considered some of the globe's most abundant and versatile coral reefs.
Milne Bay is safe, simple and well catered for those in search of a pacific paradise that has not been trampled by tourists or tour operators.
Regular flights from PNG's capital Port Moresby to Alotau mean you can bounce from one of the world's most unliveable cities straight to what is considered PNG's most peaceful province.
As another sun sets on Milne Bay the drinks have shifted from coconuts to the famous South Pacific lager, the popular brew simply known as `SP'.
I badger the tourism minister for a discount if I commit to setting up several `offices' in Milne Bay.
"Keep dreaming," Abel repeats with a chuckle.
"I am," I say.
And it is, Milne Bay is a dream.
IF YOU GO:
There are regular flights to Papua New Guinea from Australia by Air Niugini or Virgin Pacific Blue
From Port Moresby to Alotau regular flights by Air Niugini or Airlines PNG operate
Visit: www.airniugini.com.pg; www.airlinespng.com.pg.
Travel Services: Call: 675-320-2468 or email: admin@travelservices.com.pg.
Driftwood Resort, Alotau. Visit: www.driftwoodpng.com; call: 675-641-0098; 675-323-1920.
Cost: Per night: garden bungalow $A260, waterfront bungalow $A320.

Launch of new publication "Child protection systems, childhood and children in Papua New Guinea with a focus on the Eastern Highlands"

Goroka, May 6, 2010: Division for Community Development of the Eastern Highlands Province and Save the Children organised launching of a new publication “Child protection systems, childhood and children in Papua New Guinea with a focus on the Eastern Highlands”.

More than 60 people including representatives of the provincial government divisions, international and local NGOs, CBOs and FBOs, donor and United Nations agencies, community people from settlement areas, and children attended the launch. 

Save the Children commissioned a review of child protection systems, childhood and children in PNG with an attempt to begin a process of re-evaluation of the circumstances and context of childhood.

Andy West, the author of the review report emphasises that publications issued over the last decade have documented violence against women and children. Focus on gender based violence is necessary, but this focus has led to less attention to being paid to prevailing adult attitudes to children and childhood, and to violence and abuse experienced by all groups of children up to age of 18 years, including boys.  

Lukautim Pikinini Act has brought a new emphasis on the protection of children from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. This requires a better and shared understanding of the context of contemporary childhood in Papua New Guinea and a renewed look at the problems facing children and the status of potential services needed for the implementation of the new Act.

The attitudes of adults towards children and the form of adult-children relationships underlie child protection problems and reactions to them, as pointed out by Andy West. Responding to the problems faced by children is of critical importance not only because of the long term physical and psychological effects and damage caused by violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, but also because children become adults and are likely to repeat such experiences against their own and other children.

The author emphasises that there is a need to look at both how boys and girls learn and how they are supported, undertake responsibilities, and take actions. It is particularly important to look at ideals and development of masculinity and the behaviors expected of men, how they learn it through boyhood, how they learn about femininity, and the roles expected from girls and women.

The study highlights that the contemporary forms of masculinity and femininity in PNG are developed and expressed in an environment of increasing and extensive social change. The outcomes of this social and economic change have altered the nature of childhood, and provide the background for the need to develop an active, comprehensive and operational child protection system.  The author provided with concrete recommendations on developing child protection systems.  

The participants of the launch warmly welcomed the findings and recommendations on developing child protection systems provided in the publication. They discussed ways how to take the recommendations forward.

The representatives of the Division for Community Development of EHP and Save the Children expressed that they will follow up to take concrete actions to realise the recommendations proposed in the publication to prevent and protect children from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in the province.

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Josephine Mill

Child Protection Officer

Division for Community Development

Eastern Highlands Province

jmill@savethechildren.org.pg

Phone: 72304900 and

 

Olonchimeg Dorjpurev

Child Protection Project Manager

Save the Children

olno@savethechildren.org.pg

Phone: 71501691

 

 

 

New pig feed technique a big hit

Peta Mills of AusAID and Morobe Governor Luther Wengechecking out the pig silage
Scientist Michael Dom (centre) with Highlands Pig Farmers’ Association president Moses Pala (left) and Tambul farmer Akilo Purunu

In traditional Papua New Guinea society, particularly in the Highlands, pigs are a sign of wealth, and a man with no pigs is seen as a “poor man”, a “nobody”.

Pigs are an essential commodity in feasts, bride price, funerals, compensation ceremonies, and many, many more.

Moreover, the bigger and fatter the big, the more the status of the owner, hence, pigs must be well fed rather than let around to feed on scraps and litter from the village.

In the Highlands, particularly the high-altitude areas such as Tambul in the Western Highlands and Sirunki in Enga, frosts are a common event and affect pig feed such as kaukau (sweet potatoes).

To overcome this, the National Agriculture Research institute (NARI) at Bubia outside Lae, on Wednesday this week launched its kaukau silage project at its Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia.

The launch was quite timely, given the forecasted El Nino-induced drought in 2012, and the increasing cost of pig feed from shops.

Basically, how the system works, is that kaukau tubers, leaves and vines are ground up into pig feed and stored in airtight containers which can be stored for up to seven months.

There is no need for cooking the ground kaukau.

NARI scientist Michael Dom, who is spearheading the project, said pig farmers in the Highlands had adopted the technique with much enthusiasm.

“We have a lot of support, particularly from the Highlands Pig Farmers’ Association, which is the biggest pig farmers’ association in the country,” he said.

‘They’re very excited about the pig silage work.”

Mr Dom said pig farmers in Western Highlands, Southern Highlands and Enga provinces had taken to the silage project with much enthusiasm and they were now targeting the whole country.

Tambul pig farmer Akilo Purunu, one of the first to adopt the silage technique since 2007, said it was a very good concept.

“Tambul is an area that is prone to frost,” he said.

‘Now, with this silage technique, we can preserve food for our pigs months in advance of a frost.

“This silage technique has helped us a lot and we are very happy.”

Highlands Pig Farmers’ Association president Moses Pala also welcomed the concept.

“There are two good reasons for the ensilage technique,” he said.

“The first is that we can store food for our pigs for six months in advance,” he said.

“We also reduce our use of firewood to cook food for our pigs.”

Maladina petition a fact not lightly dismissed

From PAUL OATES

While the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister and his supporters apparently skulked in their caucus meeting, the Opposition Leader and four Morobe politicians accepted the petition of 20,000 signatures requesting the withdrawal of the Mandalina Amendment.
According to Opposition Leader Morauta, Parliamentary standing orders currently prevent the tabling of this petition as the matter is currently before parliament and has been deferred for further consultations.
However, surely the issue of whether the petition is tabled or not is totally irrelevant? That fact is that the petition exists and is a very public expression of the will of many PNG people on the matter.
The large public demonstration and the petition are facts the PNG government and Parliament cannot overlook. For anyone to ignore this significant milestone in PNG democracy and political history would be very unwise.
A line has been drawn in the sand and the people who drew it are now watching.

Umiversity of Goroka staff broaden linguistic knowledge by learning Japanese

In a positive step and continuing effort for the preservation of language and culture at the University of Goroka, a class of 21 staff members participated in the first Japanese language class held on Saturday, May 1, 2010 (pictured).

The class was conducted by Mr Hidemitsu Nakata, a JICA volunteer attached to the Language and Literature department, to teach staff members conversational Japanese until the end of first semester in July of this year.

The offering of Japanese language is part of the Language and Literature department’s recognition and support for the United Nation’s International Year of the Rapprochement of Cultures.

UNESCO has stated that languages “are the best vehicles of mutual understanding and tolerance. Respect for all cultures is a key factor for ensuring peaceful coexistence, without exclusion, of societies and all of their members”.

To recognise and celebrate the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures the Language and Literature department will also host two language seminars and two workshops on campus featuring experienced linguist and international translations expert Dr Ellis Deibler, who previously assisted UOG to compile and launch the Alekano language dictionary.

The seminars will be held on campus in the main quadrangle at 4.30pm on May 13 and 27 2010 respectively. Details of the workshops will be available at a later date.

Head of the Language and Literature department Ms Anne-Marie Wanamp said the idea of teaching Japanese to staff came about as “any dialogue requires basic knowledge about the ‘other’' including his or her history, language, heritage and religion, and we would like at least acknowledge that and promote this intercultural dialogue through the teaching of Japanese, French and Alekano”.

The Language and Literature department will also teach French and Alekano languages for beginners later in the year.

For further information on the seminars or to register your participation, please contact Mr Philip Tama on telephone: 5311 893 or email tamap@uog.ac.pg or Mr Lawrence K Gerry on telephone: 5311 747 or email gerryl@uog.ac.pg

A wake-up call for Lae

The iconic Lae Biscuit hard tack, long a symbol of the city
Politicians Luther Wenge, Bart Philemon and Theo Zurenuoc…increasing pressure from people to shape up or ship out
Landowner Kamkumung villagers, who freed up their customary land, performing at the opening of the Lae Biscuit Company factory
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


By MALUM NALU

For as long as I can remember, I have been eating the famous Lae Biscuit, whose packet is adorned by the trademark muscleman and the Tok Pisin catchphrase “Bikpela na Strongpela (Big and Strong)”.
Spread with butter, and then dipped into a cup of sweet tea, Lae Biscuit hard tacks were a breakfast favorite for many a child in those far-off pre-independence and immediate post-independence years.
They were also an essential commodity on those long rainy nights for which Lae is famous.
Lae Biscuit became an icon of Lae just like the Lae Botanical Gardens, Lae Airport, Cecil Hotel, China Town, Lae Bus Service, Jumi Cabco taxis, Theatre Lae, Huon Theatre, Lae Nius, Burns Philp and many more.
In those halcyon days, things like potholes, crime, squatter settlements, homebrew, marijuana, cholera and school fights involving guns and knives – the status quo of Lae – were unheard of.
The Bumbu River, which divides the city, was clean and unpolluted and we’d swim there for hours as well as dive and swim for prawns, fish and eels.
Lae was very much an interracial town in which little white, black and Chinese boys and girls mixed around together not knowing that our idyllic paradise would be destroyed in just one generation with the influx of people from the rural areas to the squatter settlements.
Glory day’s icons like Lae Botanical Gardens, Lae Airport, Lae Bus Service, Jumi Cabco Taxis, Theatre Lae, Huon Theatre, Lae Nius, Burns Philp and many more have gone.
Potholes, crime, squatter settlements, homebrew, marijuana and school fights involving guns and knives are now the new gods.
Little white, black and Chinese boys no longer mix around together in an interracial town as zombie-like youths –fueled by marijuana and homebrew – wander the streets of Lae armed with guns and knives in search of fresh prey.
“Baby tingting” (childish) politics is the order of the day in Lae and the people have long given up on politicians and public servants.
One icon, however, has survived this blitzkrieg of Lae and that is the Lae Biscuit of old with its trademark muscleman and the Tok Pisin catchphrase “Bikpela na Strongpela”.
For me, a Lae boy who is now 42, it was a privilege to be back home on Saturday, April 17, 2010, for the opening of the new K65 million Lae Biscuit Company factory at Kamkumung.
I have been away from Lae for 12 years now, having left with my late wife Hula in 1998 for the Highlands where we spent five years, and then Port Moresby for the last seven years, apart from the occasional work-related trip or holiday.
It was a joy to touch base again with many old friends, have a beer and reminisce about the good old days, as well as discuss the developments – or rather lack of them – over the last decade and our hopes and aspirations as we work for a better future for our children.
One common thread in our discussions was that the opening of the Lae Biscuit Company factory should be a wake-up call for Morobe politicians and publics servants from their Rip Van Winkle-like reverie.
So-called service providers like PNG Power, PNG Waterboard, Telikom PNG and Lae urban local level government really need to get off their haunches.
My cousin, Peter Kesu Sayama, is exactly the same age as me and we have been through primary school, high school, national high school and then university together.
Suffice to say, we grew up in Lae with so much hope for the future, and watched it destroyed in just one generation.
He now manages Butibam Progress Association for our people of Butibam village.
“Bro, constant blackouts everyday are part of everyday happenings here,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Apart from the economic boom in property development attributed to the LNG project, we are heading backwards in all aspects!
“Infrastructure and public services are falling apart with corrupt officials involved in getting rich while the rest suffer!
“The road maintenance and resealing are half done with never-ending potholes everywhere.
“ Angau Hospital and suburban clinics are rundown with no medicine, urban migration is leading to settlements cropping up everywhere, harassment of our woman and children in public areas by hooligans is prevalent , we are having to put with hold-ups, police are under-strength and unreliable, cost of food and services is sky high.
“Phew bro, we are struggling and living thru it all...in fact, this list is endless!
“Interestingly, our politicians don't give a damn about what's happening, just talk only and no action.
“Our beloved Lahi (Lae) is infested with 'animals’ and heading towards a major catastrophe!”
The long-suffering people of Lae – long disparaged as the ‘Pothole City’ of Papua New Guinea – saw a ray of sunshine with the opening of the new K65m Lae Biscuit Company factory by Governor General Sir Paulias Matane.
Hundreds of invited guests from PNG and overseas converged on Kamkumung for the opening.
The guest list read like a who’s who of PNG business, government and politics who were there to witness the opening of PNG’s largest single factory and the biggest stand-alone biscuit-making factory in the southern hemisphere.
Excitement ran high among the Lae business community and people as they saw this as an opportunity to shrug off some of the much-maligned ‘Pothole City’ tag and for the city to regain some of its lost glory.
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.
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’.
Moreover, it is a shining example to the people of Lae, Morobe province and PNG of what can be achieved through singled-minded determination and sheer hard work, not the all-too-familiar time wasting that we are known for.
Longtime Lae Chamber of Commerce president Alan McLay had some good advice for the service providers.
“We issue this cautionary advice to the service providers - PNG Power, PNG Waterboard, Telikom PNG, and the Lae urban LLG - that whilst Lae Biscuits has shown confidence in Lae for this new development, they do, as indeed do all businesses, need good power, constant water, good communications and good roads so that they can continue to develop and produce quality yet competitive products,” he said.
“All these organisations have a responsibility to provide the services they are responsible for to a high quality standard.
“We do realise that these organisations have been working hard to upgrade their systems to reach the standards that are desired, but this has been hard to achieve because of the lack of past maintenance, and we hope that this maintenance will eventually catch up.”
It is my hope and prayer, and that of many of the mangi (boys) and meri (girls) Laes of my generation, that the opening of the Lae Biscuit Company is a loud wakeup call to everyone.
That like the phoenix, the mythical bird that rose from the ashes, will arise a new Lae which promises a better future for our children.

Morobe to fund new K1m research centre for NARI

Morobe Governor  Luther Wenge has pledged K1 million from the 2011 Morobe provincial budget for a new biotechnology centre to be built at the National Agriculture Research institute at Bubia outside Lae.

Mr Wenge said the centre would be named after NARI's current Director General Dr Raghunath Ghodake, who has been with the organisation since its inception in 1996.

"This biotechnology centre is a new initiative by NARI," he said at Bubia today.

"The centre will house general technology and specialised laboratories in the areas of pest and disease management and diagnostics, pathology and entomology laboratories, applied molecular biology including tissue culture and a post-harvest and food-processing laboratory.

"The biotechnology centre will house various offices for researchers.

"In addition, it will provide offices/rooms for the Geographic information Systems (GIS) and National Agriculture Information System (NAIS)."

Mr Wenge said applications of this centre included, among others, utilisation of modern technologies for faster and more-reliable identification of potentially-damaging pest and diseases and faster development of improved crop varieties, improved conservation and utilisation of plant and animal genetic resources in the country, and improved opportunities for value addition of food crops.

"Overall, this central facility will greatly enhance NARI's research for development capacity and provide support services to the agriculture sector in the country," he said.

NARI Council Chairman Dr John Kola gave a big vote of thanks to Mr Wenge for his support over the years, starting from 1997 when he fought tooth and nail against NARI's abolition.

"Thank you for your support since the beginning," he told Mr Wenge.

"When the Government wanted to abolish NARI, you, Governor Wenge, fought against it."