Prime Minister calls people of Papua New Guinea 'longlong' and 'sadang'

From The National Editorial

 

Chief of all ‘longlong’ and ‘sadang’

 

THE people do rightly demand and they do deserve an apology from Prime Minister Sir Michael Thomas Somare.

He must also retract the public outburst he made in Parliament where he described last week’s demonstrators as “longlongs” and to members of the media as “sadang”.

He, of all people, should never call any member of the PNG public “longlong” or “sadang”.

“Longlong” in Tok Pisin means mentally retarded or depraved while “sadang” means the devil or satan.

In the final analysis, if the people be “longlong” and “sadang”, he, as prime minister of the nation, is the chief of them all.

This demonstration, for all it is worth, cannot be said to have been organised or carried out by “longlongs”.

It was peaceful.

It was people speaking their mind and assembling peacefully to do so in accordance with the constitutional provision which gives them that inherent right.

It is not language that is fitting for a prime minister to level at his own people.

For two score and four years through nine national general elections, the “longlongs” of East Sepik chose Sir Michael to represent them in Parliament.

That tremendous achievement, for which glory and praise have been lavished upon the man, most assuredly, is the achievement of the people of East Sepik, of the hard working electoral officers and the most loyal and dedicated supporters and workers.

The Pangu Pati and its diehard supporters and stalwarts, and now the National Alliance party, its executives and faithful members in Parliament and outside, have done their level best for their leader who Sir Michael is. Theirs too is part of the story of the four decade milestone reached by Sir Michael.

Many East Sepik people, many supporters and workers of Sir Michael, many Pangu Pati supporters and many National Alliance supporters do not support the move by Esa’ala MP, Moses Maladina to amend parts of the PNG Constitution pertaining to the leadership code and its administrator, the Ombudsman Commission. They too have been branded “longlong” by the prime minister.

This would hardly be thanks for all the hard work and dedication given by these people to the man we call the Grand Chief.

When Australian immigrations asked Sir Michael to take off his sandals at an Australian airport, the ordinary people of PNG felt the insult deepest. They made no secret of it and spoke up in every public forum. They stood for their Chief, one who would now deign to grant them the title of “longlong”.

It is time the Chief got to know his people better. Unlike what he has told Radio Australia, people face real hunger and starvation here. There is a second and third generation of landless people growing up in our towns and cities. Without jobs, they face real starvation.

Bougainville copper, Misima gold mine and Kainantu gold mine have been mined out and, now, Ok Tedi and Porgera are nearly mined out with there being nothing to show for their existence.

Australia has spent more than K28 billion since Independence in this country with there being nothing to show for the Australian taxpayers’ generous contribution to PNG.

Classrooms, health centres, roads, bridges, local government council chambers, public service houses and much more are in tremendous need of maintenance and many more new ones need to be built.

Mothers and children continue to die in great numbers from very easily preventable diseases.  Crime persists. There is a gun culture that now appears a norm in our society.

We must begin to wonder whatever has happened to the billions of kina generated by our resource boom in copper, silver, gold, oil, forestry, fisheries and our combined agricultural commodities over the years.

Wisely applied, these billions would surely have lifted the general population up from the pits where they now wallow to be described as “longlongs” by their own prime minister.

If the people remain ignorant and pitiful, if they remain unhealthy and uncouth and ill-mannered, and many other undesirable attributes, then much has to do with their minders – the leaders of this country.

He cannot call his own people “longlong” without it reflecting upon his own leadership.

Pawpaw a'la Manus

Story and picture by ROSELYN ELLISON

 

Fresh pawpaws from Baon village on Lou Island are sold at Lorengau Main Market in Manus province.

Pictured is Anna Pokarup, who brought these juicy and fresh pawpaws from her village to sell at Lorengau market, when Icaught up with her.

Government incompetence

From PAUL OATES

It's official - the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed has that the Papua New Guinea government had no idea what the effects of the waste disposal arrangements from the Ramu nickel mine would be when it approved the process.
The Department of Environment and Conservation Minister reportedly stood by while Sir Puka Temu admitted to Rai Coast residents that the government was now carrying out what was reported as 'awareness on the process of deep sea tailings'. Both Ministers received a petition that called for an immediate stopwork on the waste disposal site and to fund an independent scientific study into the project. The government was given 21 days to respond before local people intended to take further action.
Had the local residents not obtained a court injunction on the mine construction work, it is now apparent that the PNG government and the Ramu NiCo would have gone ahead with the planned tailings disposal process. A process that many have very serious concerns about.
This admission by the government now begs the question: What else about this
particular mining project has not been fully investigated, prior to government approval? A similar mine in New Caledonia had significant problems reported about its waste disposal arrangements. There doesn't seem to be any other reason why the PNG couldn't have learnt from their fellow Melanesian neighbour's previous experience except one: Incompetence.
A qualified mining engineer has previously claimed that the PNG government has agreed to a vastly undervalued deal with the developers of Ramu NiCo. If this is true, then the PNG people have been sold out by their own government. Perhaps the local landowners should be insisting the PNG government now examine all aspects concerning Ramu NiCo mine in a
fully transparent manner before any further action is allowed?
______________________________ ________

In today's The National

Temu admits to poor awareness at Ramu

By JAYNE SAFIHAO

THE national government has admitted to lack of awareness and consultation on the deep sea tailing processes at the Ramu nickel-cobalt mine in Madang province.
Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu said the government had failed to carry out awareness within the local impacted areas in Madang on the process of deep sea tailings.
He told villagers at Bongu, Rai Coast district, that awareness on the tailings processes should have been carried out earlier for the locals to better understand what was involved.
He was speaking when receiving a petition from the people on the activities of Ramu NiCo and what they wanted done. With him was Environment and Conservation Minister Benny Allan.
Sir Puka said responsible government authorities were now carrying out awareness on the process of deep sea tailings, and villagers along the impacted areas must allow officers to give help them better understand the processes involved.
Among other issues raised, the petition also called for an immediate stopwork on the waste disposal site; for the government to fund an independent scientific research to prove or disprove studies carried out by National Research Systems (NRS) prior to the one by the Mineral Policy Institute of Sydney, Australia; for the landowners to have their say included in the new research; and for the developer to find "other alternate means" of disposing wastes.
The Bongu people gave the government 21 days to respond.
The petition stated that if nothing positive was gained, they would be forced to take "appropriate measures".
Meanwhile, the locals said the government's quick action to shove scientific information on the process of the tailings plan within a very short period was inadequate and incorrect.
They stressed that the government had slept on the issue up until now, and was resorting to a quick resolution .

Papua New Guinea honey to go on show

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

 

Livestock Development Corporation and its partners are preparing to host a national field day on potential of honey bee industry.

It is anticipated that the honey bee promotion and awareness event and a seminar will be held in Goroka later this month or in June.

LDC managing director John Akipe said the field day and seminar was a follow-up to the first-ever national apiculture industry workshop held in early March which attracted a large turnout and was very successful.

He said the workshop was well attended by all stakeholders including bee farmers, producers, buyers, suppliers, government, industry and institutions and this planned field day and seminar was part of the overall process in developing and promoting the honey bee industry in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Akipe said the proceedings of the workshop and the way forward plan of the apiculture programme would be presented in the seminar, whilst the field day would involve displays of honey bee farming equipment and materials, bee processing and manufacturing facilities, queen breeders, and finished products.

Selected farmers, farmer associations, relevant government agencies and private sector will be invited to participate and put up displays.

Mr Akipe said an organising committee had been established to prepare and plan for the big event.

The committee comprises representatives from LDC, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, National Agriculture Research Institute, National Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Authority, Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association, Eastern Highlands provincial administration, Ministry of Culture and Tourism and  Isten Hailens Beekeepers Association.

Invitations will be extended to government agencies, institutions and new farmers in other regions to attend.

 It is hoped that the successful Bulolo bee farmers of Morobe province will attend and showcase their thriving honey bee programme.

 

 

Queen's Birthday Weekend in beautiful Madang!

In recent years people have been opting to fly to Cairns or beyond on long weekends whereas historically, Madang was invaded by people from the

Highlands and other parts of PNG. 

The excellent facilities provided by the Madang Resort and Kalibobo Village provide superb diving, snorkelling, visiting some of the many coral-laced islands and village in the harbour. 

There is an excellent nine-hole golf course where guests become automatic members.

Tennis courts and bowling are some of the sporting activities but there is more: you can hire a game fishing boat or if you prefer a village banana boat and learn how to fish with the local experts. 

Hire a car and tour the North Coast, take a bicycle for a tour of Madang and nearby villages, take a Kayak, sailing canoe or just relax on the near Olympic-sized pool at the resort.

The Madang Resort provides three restaurants that provide authentic Chinese, Western and Italian menus. 

The Rakuen Japanese Restaurant is also available for the budget-minded visitors, buy fish from the fish market or snacks from one of the bars.

 On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, live music is provided by our resident musician Bill Arua and the Melanesian String Band.

Special discounts are offered over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

 For more details on how you can visit Madang, call Michael Aukogo or Paul Talivan on (674) 422 2655, visit website www.madangresort@mtspng.com or email mrhreservations@mtspng.com

 

August Sepik Cruise 2010

Please click to enlarge

Sepik River Expedition Cruise

The Kalibobo Spirit will operate a five night/day special Sepik River Expedition Cruise departing Madang on August 9, 2010 cruising the lower and middle Sepik River.

Cruise will visit Murik Lakes on Lower Sepik, then continues upriver via Bien, Marienberg, Angoram, Kambaramba, Nagam River, Tambanum.

In the Middle Sepik, visit the Chambri Lakes, Kambimbit, Aibom, Wombun and Kurau Village.

Accommodation available in four double, two twin, one double bunk and two single air-conditioned cabins all with ensuites.

 A luxurious lounge and dining room is located on the main deck and covered decks on all three upper decks for relaxing and observation.

 The ship is manned by qualified officers and crew and operates under full survey.

The Kalibobo Spirit carries several tenders, and a helicopter on selected cruises.

There is an extensive library of books and video documentaries on PNG.

Excursions are operated to major villages in the ships tenders providing an excellent opportunity to purchase valuable Sepik artifacts and handicraft.

This cruise also terminates at Timbunke where aircraft charters can be arranged to travel to see the Hagen Show on Aug 14 and 15.

 

$3500.00 per person

*includes twin/double share, all meals, accomodation, per person excludes airfares, air charters and beverages and items of a personal nature. (Mt Hagen Show extension is not included). Single supplement available. Quoted in Australian Dollars.

 

Melanesian Tourist Services Limited

P.O. Box 707, Madang

Papua New Guinea

Tel: 424 1399 Fax: 422 3543

e-mail:melanesian@mtspng.com

 

 

What is happening to our country?

By SAIBODO

 

What is going to happen to our country?

 

We really are at the crossroads…

 

The people aren’t going to keep taking it… the protests are going to become more-often and less-peaceful, you remember when Iambaky Okuk died…

 

I know you have seen the Kapris video as have I and many other people.

 

Be his claims legitimate or not, any other country in the world would have the implicated members of parliament suspended until investigation proves the allegations to be true, false or otherwise.

 

We are on the verge of becoming a Rwanda or Somalia…it scares the crap out of me.

 

Where are our children going to go?

 

What are they going to do?

 

Congratulations to Ano Pala ?

By SAIBODO

 

It is with amusement I read the congratulations note to the Rigo MP in today’s paper by “Rigo Man” of Port Moresby.

Perhaps the Honorable member will make a great Attorney General, time will tell.

My concern, however, is his achievements as Member for Rigo Open.

Whilst the Honorable Member is in Port Moresby, the people of Rigo are suffering.

Basic services are yet to be delivered, schools are deteriorating, roads are falling apart and health centers have either no staff or no drugs or both.

One just has to take a drive to Kwikila, the electorate station and have a look at the filthy streets, overgrown grass and bushes and only an hour from Port Moresby.

Kwikila is a disgrace; this once-beautiful town was the pride of Rigo, not anymore.

Where is the Member’s office in Kwikila?

Mr Pala, have you driven to Hula or Kalo lately?

The road from Gabone all the way to Hula is falling apart, full of massive potholes and washouts and it’s been like that for almost three years now.

You haven’t even sent a grader down the road just to do some basic maintenance in two years.

The road now has nearly one-metre deep gorges cut through it from water erosion.

It is dangerous and requires great care and skill.

What about the power lines that were supposed to come to Hula?

They have stopped just outside of Kemabolo and again that was two years ago.

Mr Pala, where are you?

It seems as if everything in Rigo simply stopped happening two years ago.

That’s when you won your seat, wasn’t it?

Congratulations for becoming the newly-appointed AG, but please Mr Pala, don’t forget about us, the people of your electorate.

 

Saibodo

Babaka Village, Rigo Coast

Water disruption notice

EDA RANU wishes to advise valued consumers in Gordons, 7-Mile and Waigani Government Office that there will be disruptions to the water supply from 8am to 4pm on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, to enable inspection and removal of faulty valve.

EDA RANU apologises for any inconvenience caused and assures the public that every effort will be made to ensure water is restored as soon as possible.

Consumers are asked to store water during this period and for health reasons, please boil all water for consumption 12-hours after water is restored.

For further information contact our Hotline on 312 2100.

 

 

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.