Fisheries programme comes of age in Kavieng

PNG UNRE Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu congratulating Augustine Galuwa, who graduated last year with a diploma in fisheries and marine resources.-Picture courtesy of UNRE

By UNRE Public Relations

“I, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Chancellor of Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the statutes, regulation and by-laws of the university, now confer the degrees, to those who have successfully completed the academic requirements of their course as laid down and duly prescribed by the academic board and approved by the council, and today, their names included in the 2009 roll of graduates of the university.”
These are the words that will signify the coming of age of the university’s fisheries and marine resources (FMR) programme on Friday Nov 27, 2009 when UNRE Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu confers bachelor’s degrees on five FMR pioneer graduates – Christopher Binabat, Joseph Kendou, Robinson Liu, Priscilla Warambin and Jane Wungun.
While the moment will no doubt be a proud one for the five and their families, it will be a prouder moment for the university, National Fisheries Authority, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), University of Bremen’s Centre for Marine Tropical Ecology (ZMT), Office of Higher Education and all those who collectively contributed to making the academic programme a success since its inception in 2006.
Many challenges including the lack of funding and teaching staff faced the programme designers when it was on the drawing board in 2005, but with determination and perseverance; and the strong professional will to bring into the higher education training a much needed skill that was lacking, they overcame these.
The fruits of their labour are the two female and three male students who will go down in history books as not only the first degree graduands of the programme but also as the first fisheries degree graduands in the country after more than 20 years.
With the world now focusing more and more on the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources and environment, the introduction of this course could not have come at a better time for the fisheries sector in the country as well as the South Pacific and the world as it provides a skilled and better qualified workforce for an industry that is rising internationally as a mainstay in the economy.
Meanwhile, also graduating on the day will be 16 students who will be awarded diplomas in fisheries and marine resources by Sir Rabbie.
They are the second batch of diplomats under the programme, the first group of seven students graduating in the inaugural FMR graduation ceremony last year.
Since the first 20 students were admitted in 2006, there has been an increase in applications from students throughout the country wanting to gain entry into the programme.
This year’s first year students also include seven Solomon Islands students who applied for the programme to help develop their country’s fisheries and marine resources.
They move to UNRE’s affiliated campus, National Fisheries College, for their second year of study.
UNRE expects to take in more Solomon Islanders for the same course next year.
For now, however, all eyes are on the five degree pioneers who will make history for the fisheries and marine resources programme, higher education training and the fisheries sector.

Fisheries programme comes of age in Kavieng

 PNG UNRE Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu congratulating Augustine Galuwa, who graduated last year with a diploma in fisheries and marine resources.-Picture courtesy of UNRE

 

By UNRE Public Relations

 

“I, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Chancellor of Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the statutes, regulation and by-laws of the university, now confer the degrees, to those who have successfully completed the academic requirements of their course as laid down and duly prescribed by the academic board and approved by the council, and today, their names included in the 2009 roll of graduates of the university.”

These are the words that will signify the coming of age of the university’s fisheries and marine resources (FMR) programme on Friday Nov 27, 2009 when UNRE Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu confers bachelor’s degrees on five FMR pioneer graduates – Christopher Binabat, Joseph Kendou, Robinson Liu, Priscilla Warambin and Jane Wungun.

While the moment will no doubt be a proud one for the five and their families, it will be a prouder moment for the university, National Fisheries Authority, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), University of Bremen’s Centre for Marine Tropical Ecology (ZMT), Office of Higher Education and all those who collectively contributed to making the academic programme a success since its inception in 2006.

Many challenges including the lack of funding and teaching staff faced the programme designers when it was on the drawing board in 2005, but with determination and perseverance; and the strong professional will to bring into the higher education training a much needed skill that was lacking, they overcame these.

The fruits of their labour are the two female and three male students who will go down in history books as not only the first degree graduands of the programme but also as the first fisheries degree graduands in the country after more than 20 years.

With the world now focusing more and more on the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources and environment, the introduction of this course could not have come at a better time for the fisheries sector in the country as well as the South Pacific and the world as it provides a skilled and better qualified workforce for an industry that is rising internationally as a mainstay in the economy.

Meanwhile, also graduating on the day will be 16 students who will be awarded diplomas in fisheries and marine resources by Sir Rabbie.

They are the second batch of diplomats under the programme, the first group of seven students graduating in the inaugural FMR graduation ceremony last year.

Since the first 20 students were admitted in 2006, there has been an increase in applications from students throughout the country wanting to gain entry into the programme.

This year’s first year students also include seven Solomon Islands students who applied for the programme to help develop their country’s fisheries and marine resources.

They move to UNRE’s affiliated campus, National Fisheries College, for their second year of study.

UNRE expects to take in more Solomon Islanders for the same course next year.

For now, however, all eyes are on the five degree pioneers who will make history for the fisheries and marine resources programme, higher education training and the fisheries sector.

Alekano: a first for University of Goroka and Papua New Guinea

Elders and other supporters of the Alekano community handing over the Alekano study books to officially release the language and be taught at UOG.-Picture by KATE GUNN of UOG

This year saw the advent of the first group of 30 students study Alekano for Beginners, taught by Mr Philip Tama at the University of Goroka, Language and Literature Department.
This is the first group of UOG students to study the Alekano language as an academic subject. The Alekano dictionary was launched at the University in June of last year.
UOG is the only institution in the country to teach a Papua New Guinean language at university level.
A special gathering was held on Friday 6th November 2009, to officially release the language, and its embedded culture, to the University of Goroka for the teaching of Alekano to its students. This was symbolically conducted by the nine village elders of the Alekano-speaking tribes who were present to cut the ribbon which bound all materials and books used by the students for class (including the Alekano dictionary).
President of the Alekano Gako’ Otitive Group, Evangelist Bryan Kayho, said he was happy that the Alekano language was being studied by students from other provinces around PNG.
He also commended UOG for helping save Alekano from dying out.
The gathering was also witnessed by other prominent leaders of the Goroka community.
Mr Michael Gotaha also showed his support for the preservation of Alekano on the day.
In a speech by the Head of the Language and Literature Department, Ms Anne-Marie Wanamp, the gathering was reminded that “your tok ples (own language) is your identity, is your culture… and gives you a sense of belonging. Your language gives you your tools for self definition”.
Ms Wanamp also thanked the Alekano communities for their support in the collaborative effort to promote and preserve the language.
The Language and Literature students who studied the introductory course for Alekano said that they chose it as they wanted to help strengthen knowledge of the language, and because it gave them the motivation to help preserve their own tok ples.
The formation of the Alekano Gako’ Otitive Group was for the promotion and preservation of its language and the culture.
This is comprised of nine tribes from 50 villages around the Goroka area, with a total of approximately 47,000 speakers of Alekano.
Apart from Alekano the Language and Literature Department also teaches Japanese and French.

Due to a high level of interest in Languages Other Than English (LOTE) courses, the University of Goroka will offer a continuation of these languages in the near future.

For further information please contact:
Mr Philip Tama
University of Goroka
Department of Language & Literature
Ph: 7311 893
Email: tamap@uog.ac.pg

Ms Kate Gunn
University of Goroka
PR & Marketing Officer
Ph: 7311 877

Technical glitch

My apologies to readers of this blog from all over the world for a technical glitch which may have caused you some problems and panics.

The house is in order now and I’ll keep on giving you the best (and worst) of Papua New Guinea.

 

Malum

 

Miss Papua New Guinea in race for Miss South Pacific

By CHRISSILLA KABE TALIS of The National, Papua New Guinea's No. 1 daily newspaper

 

REIGNING Miss Papua New Guinea Red Cross Antonia Singut is contesting in the Miss South Pacific Pageant in two weeks time.

Ms Singut, 21, comes from a mixed parentage of East Sepik and East New Britain.

She is currently a third-year journalism and environmental science student at the University of PNG.

She was crowned Miss PNG Red Cross earlier this year.

Papua New Guinea’s quest organising committee has reignited its relationship with the regional pageant, hence, the inclusion of PNG in their board of directors and the attendance of the reigning Miss PNG Red Cross to the MSPP.

The pageant will be from Nov 21-28 in Suva.

Ms Singut will be leaving for Fiji on Nov 20.

She will be up against nine other contestants from around the South Pacific.

The other island countries sending in their contestant are America Samoa, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Niue and Fiji itself.

The reigning Miss South Pacific is Vanessa Marsh from Niue.

Meanwhile, the MSSP organising committee has set up a website www.misssouthpacificfiji.com, where you can vote for your favorite.

Ms Singut  will be accompanied by her chaperone Molly O’Rourke, PNG quest organising committee chairman Dadi Toka Jr and other supporters.

Mr Toka said PNG is the largest Pacific country and everyone should get behind Ms Singut by placing a vote for her on the website.

His team is confident of her chances.

It is also taking this opportunity to promote PNG tourism while in Fiji and will also bid for PNG to host next year’s pageant.

Death of Goroka radio personality Lucy Baru

I was quite saddened to hear this morning that well-known Goroka personality Lucy Baru, a famous radio voice in Eastern Highlands, and also on the PNG women’s bowling scene, passed away last weekend (from mouth cancer, I believe).

She was a good friend and I just met her couple of weeks ago at my mother’s haus krai (house of mourning) in Lae, at which she didn’t look sick at all.

Very sad, but also a timely reminder to Papua New Guineans, of what excessive betel nut chewing can do.

Somehow, and I know, being a Goroka lad myself, that the town will never be quite the same again without Lucy’s personality.

Sir Mekere questions Prime Minister on corruption

From David Ulg Ketepa in Detroit, Michigan, USA

While many do not agree with me that we are heading out to become a police state under National Alliance, I strongly feel that we are shifting to that direction and I am afraid it will become soon. National Alliance now has the mandate and has the power to size government and bulldoze drastic changes which will see our freedom taken away from us.

The gun culture is now making Papua New Guinea another African state heading for disaster. The country population has tripled since the nineties, infant mortality is at its peak, TB and malaria among curable diseases is killing thousands every year, and what are the politicians doing about it? Nothing absolutely nothing.

I look at the current band of politicians and I don’t see anyone capable of standing out amongst the Third World as a person to be reckoned. Our political history is tainted with so much dirt; it’s tainted by people who have become rich overnight after plundering all the natural resources which would have put us on par with countries like Singapore and Malaysia.
These countries were born around the same time Papua New Guinea got self-government and they are now controlling all the major trade and economies in our region. While we are still scratching around the surfaces fighting for scraps, our own in-fighting is killing the hope of progress.
We forget the fact that MPs or members of Parliament are there now to make Laws. For Somare's terms in office, can someone list me the laws that were passed by him? Or under his leadership? We know this from high school social science that legislators make laws, which laws have NA under Somare's leadership pass to protect the continual plunder, rape, and stealing of our natural resources? What are the laws being passed to date to address corruption and the culture of greed and lust for power?
And the questions go on and on... Somare is cunningly manipulating our system to extend his empire and that of his cohorts and somebody has got to stand up to fight for the best interest of the majority of our people. He will do anything to cling onto power, even to places like Kandep to campaign for Polye. No gat sem blo em!

DUK
Detroit, Michigan
http://www.pngemmiyet.blogspot.com/

Corruption in Somare Government

Mr Speaker, I direct my question to the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister,

During your visit to Kandep to support the by-election campaign of Don Polye, you announced your intention to quit politics in 2012. Last Friday, the Post-Courier, your Government’s favourite daily, reported this news under the heading “Sir Michael to quit, again”.

The paper also went on to report and I quote: “The elderly statesman admitted corrupt practices were rampant in government systems but diverted the blame to public servants as the worst perpetrators”.

Prime Minister, at last you have admitted that your Government is corrupt. But instead of telling the people of Kandep and people everywhere what you intend to do about it, you blamed public servants.

Prime Minister, people are just fed up with corruption. Everyone, everywhere, is talking about it. People are fed up with lack of action to punish corrupt people and lack of action to get rid of corruption.

Now that you have finally admitted corruption in the public sector is, in your words, “rampant”:

1. Can you now tell us how you will deal with the corruption you have discovered?

2. Can you outline in detail and in concrete terms your plan to fight the growth and spread of this evil and destructive disease?

3. Can you give facts to substantiate your statement that public servants are the quote “worst perpetrators”? In what ways, and in what areas?

The large majority of people would in fact disagree with you. Most people know that it is a handful of Ministers who are the worst perpetrators, and people know who these Ministers are. Most people think that those public servants who are corrupt are just copying their political masters: public servants know they can get away with corrupt practices, because their leaders are in it too. They have joined the same club.

4. How will you convince Papua New Guineans otherwise?

5. But more importantly, how will you lead the fight against corruption?

Mekere Morauta Kt MP

Leader of the Opposition and

Member for Moresby North-West

Discovering Papua New Guinea aboard the Oceanic Discoverer

Tourist vessel mv Oceanic Discoverer arrived in Papua New Guinea on Nov 6 and will spend a month in the country.

The vessel arrived on Nov 6 in Alotau from Cairns and will undertake several cruises whilst in PNG waters visiting Fergusson Island, Kitava Island, Tuam Island, Madang, Lower Sepik River, Manam Island, Crown Island, Witu (Garova), Tufi, d'Entrecasteaux Group, Bona Island, Louisiade Archipelago, Laughlin Islands and continue on to Giza in the Solomon Islands on Nov 30.

The ships owner is Coral Sea Cruises based in Cairns, Australia

The vessel operates regular cruises to PNG waters and is being handled by Melanesian Tourist Services based in Madang.

Oceanic Discoverer is a modern sleek but small ship that can negotiate remote reefs, islands and shallow bays where bigger ships cannot go.

Onboard facilities are good and what you would expect of a much larger cruise ship: spa pool, bars, and lecture room.

Oceanic Discoverer passengers tend to be adventurous 35-65 and international.

When all cabins have double occupancy, the ship provides a space ratio of 25.5 tons per passenger and a crew to passenger ratio of one for every 3.6 passengers.

At full capacity the space ratio is 25.5 tons per passenger and the crew ratio is one to 3.6 passengers.

World's largest floating community to visit Papua New Guinea

The world’s only private residential cruise ship, mv The World, operated and managed by US-based company ResidenSea with some 150 residents and guests on board is set to sail through Papua New Guinea’s prime tourist destinations from November 20 to December 2.
These include premier beaches in Kavieng, Rabaul, Walindi, Witu Island, Madang, Karkar, Kitava, Alotau, Samarai and Debroyne Lagoon before travelling onto Cairns, Australia.
Its visit promises to maximise benefit to the local people, particularly those who sell carvings and artifacts.
The ships agent in PNG is Inchep Shipping and MTS are handling ground arrangements.
While the ship appears to be a typical holiday liner at 43,000 tons, mv The World is the only private community at sea, offering residential options and rental travel experiences to the discriminating traveler.
The mv The World has 165 homes onboard ranging from 30 sq m (325 sq ft) up to 300 sq m (3,300 sq ft).
The ship’s operator, ResidenSea, assists those who are interested to purchase a residence or rent a private home onboard the ship.
Its luxury studios are designed by-world renowned names in ship design: Nina Campbell, JP Molyneux Studio, TMT Design, Yran & Storbraaten, and Hirsch Bedner & Associates.

Australian teenage adventurer nears equator

Australian teenager Jessica Watson, who hopes to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted across the globe, is now nearing the equator after leaving Australia last month (pictured).
It is still too early to predict an exact date that she will cross the line, but based on her current progress, this could occur on the weekend of Nov 21-22.
Sunday marked three weeks since Ms Watson’s departure from Sydney Harbour, when she is expected to pass 2,300 nautical miles, 10% of the way through her epic journey.
For the next eight months, as the 16-year-old sails across more than 21,000 nautical miles of ocean, she will live aboard the 34-foot yacht Ella's Pink Lady with little except a satellite phone and internet access for company.
Her location will be tracked by a GPS device attached to her clothing as she voyages round Cape Horn and on towards the Cape of Good Hope.
Watson’s blog http://www.youngestround.blogspot.com/ is receiving thousands of hits from people around Australia and the world as they follow her adventures.
Her updated website http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/ has a tracking map so people can keep an eye on her movements.
“Really loving the way Ella's been chewing away the miles over the last few days,” she wrote in her latest blog post over the Tongan Trench.
“With the wind sitting on 20-25knots from the south east its good trade wind sailing, even if the sun hasn't been doing too much of that shining business lately.
“We're also really starting to make some good progress north.
“The GPS readout now puts our latitude well into the teens.
“The temperature is just starting to get a little warm in the cabin, but with so much water over the deck, having the hatches open is completely out of the question.
“But I'm sure this is nothing compared to how warm it will get over the over the next few weeks!
“With a bit of a headache, plenty of sea room and Ella's Pink Lady not needing much attention from me today, I pretty much just spent the day wedged into a comfy position working away at a book and staying dry.
“Apart from the odd flying fish and bird there's not really been a lot of wild life around lately and still no luck catching any fish.
“Then again we have just passed over the Tongan Trench one of the deepest places on earth.
“I'm not much of a fisherman but maybe it hasn't exactly been the greatest place to catch fish?
“I'll just have to keep trying!
“The overcast skies have been making for some dark nights out here.
“The sky and sea are completely black with no way of telling them apart.
“It's completely pot luck whether or not I get a face full of spray when I stick my head out above the dodger for a look around.
“But even if I do get un-lucky and cop a wave, I can't say it really bothers me.
“Normally I'll just laugh or squeal, even if I'm half asleep!”
“So it's all going well and at this pace, we'll be passing Samoa in the next few days and from there it really is a clear run to the equator.”

APEC members enjoy de facto integration, analysis reveals

Issued by the APEC Secretariat

9 November 2009 – The impact of APEC membership on trade is comparable to that of a free trade agreement, even without a binding agreement.

In a report completed last month, an independent research team has tackled the much-debated question: Does APEC really make a difference to trade?

The report’s analysis reveals that APEC members trade with each other more than they do with other free trading agreement partners and much more with trading partners who are both members of APEC and members of the World Trade Organisation. This, say analysts, demonstrates the high level of de facto integration between members of APEC, even under non-binding arrangements.

After taking into account the usual factors that influence trade – like size of economy, distance between economies, WTO membership and being in an FTA with a trading partner – APEC members are 3 times more likely to export to another member than to a non-member and two times more likely to import from another member than from a non-member.

Findings are further supported by a five-fold increase in trade within APEC since its establishment in 1989 and the 67 percent share that intra-regional trade comprises of total APEC trade. Notably, this is a larger intra-regional share of trade than that in the EU-27.

“This provides analytical evidence that APEC achieves results, explains Philip Gaetjens, Director of the APEC Policy Support Unit, the team responsible for the report.

“It shows that regional integration is strong and has prospered under a voluntary and non-binding approach to enhancing trade.”

Member economies have virtually eliminated tariffs and continue to find ways to reduce trade barriers. APEC has been exploring the possibility of a Free Trade Area in the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

The Report

Trade Creation in the APEC Region: Measurement of the Magnitude of and Changes in Intra-Regional Trade since APEC’s Inception, APEC Policy Support Unit, October 2009.

For a short synopsis of report findings, go to:

http://www.apec.org/etc/medialib/apec_media_library/downloads/psu/2009/reports.Par.0002.File.tmp/FS_Trade_Creation_Paper_Findings.doc

To view the report in its entirety, go to:

http://www.apec.org/etc/medialib/apec_media_library/downloads/psu/2009/reports.Par.0001.File.tmp/MeasureIntraRegTrade.pdf

For more information, contact:

Carolyn Williams at cdw@apec.org or at (65) 9617 7316

Anita Douglas at ad@apec.org or at (65) 9172 6427

Plans afoot to build fisheries facility in Oro Bay

By UNRE Public Relations

PLANS are afoot to build a fisheries facility at the PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment Popondetta Campus.

Plans are to have this facility built at Oro Bay where the university has about one to two hectares of undeveloped land.

Campus director Jack Lapauve said he was keen on seeing this land developed and therefore had already assigned a lecturer to survey it.

Mr Lapauve said tentative plans were to put up a shelter that could house basic things like fishing gear and outboard motors and dinghies.

He said this facility was vital as it would enable the students to put into practice what they learn in the classrooms.

He said to make these plans a reality, it would require finance.

However, he said he was confident that with a good proposal, the university would be able to secure funding support.

“I really want to see that land being developed and therefore I am prepared to do

whatever it takes,” Mr Lapauve said.

“I am confident that with a good proposal we will be able to secure funding not only from the government but from other donor agencies.”

Mr Lapauve said the establishment of the facilities would go a long way in ensuring the campus was self-reliant.

“…whatever the students are able to catch will be put into the mess and the surplus can then be sold to the public or private entities here,” he said.

Work set to start at Sepik Central Campus

By UNRE Public Relations

EDUCATED Papua New Guineans must take the lead in ensuring that basic and essential services reach their fellow countrymen and women.

PNG University of Natural Resources & Environment (UNRE) Vice Chancellor Prof Philip Siaguru said this last Friday at the signing of three agreements related to construction work at the former Sepik Agricultural College in Maprik, East Sepik province.

“The Somare-Temu government has time and again proclaimed service delivery to the people,” he said.

“Time and again the beauracracy has not delivered.

“We the educated masses must deliver the service.”

Prof Siaguru said while it was the government’s desire for basic services to reach people, many a times this did not happen and urged those involved with projects undertaken by the university to deliver.

Three contractors signed agreements with UNRE: AP Engineering, the principal contractor will construct new classrooms, dormitories, houses and other buildings; Kemkai Investments Ltd will provide on-site supervision while Island Security Services will provide security back-up.

KCA Associates, who will undertake land demarcation work, are yet to sign their contract.

“The signing today marks a significant historical event for Maprik district and the nation as a whole because another natural resource management facility offering higher education training is being built,” Prof Siaguru said.

“We must all work together as a team of people committed to this nation and this government’s desire to deliver much-needed service to the rural people.”

Phase one of the “Jump-Start Plan” for Sepik Central Campus is set to begin, following this formality. It involves the construction of an administration block, four high-cost houses, student dormitories, messing facilities, clinic, laboratory, a communal Christian centre and sporting facilities.

Other tasks include re-establishment of electricity, water and communication; and appointment of a campus director and station manager.

Prof Siaguru acknowledged that the commencement of the project was made possible by Commerce & Industry Minister and Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris, who facilitated the first- phase funding of K5.6million.

He said it was the government’s desire through Minister Kapris that the nation gained another higher education facility and urged everyone present at the ceremony to work in collaboration with each other to ensure that it was the people of PNG that benefited.

Prof Siaguru added that it was in the best interest of the project if differences and misunderstandings were resolved outside of court.

University registrar Henry Gioven agreed that going to court was not the way to go.

“All players in this development are professional adults,” he said.

“We must not forget that the true achievers in this are the communities and people of Papua New Guinea.” he said.

All three contractors expressed total support for the project and said that the bulk of their general workforce would be recruited from the surrounding communities so that they would take ownership of the campus development and expansion through active participation.

More comments on this blog

By ROB AGEN in North Yorkshire, England

"Hey Malum, brata long taim no speak - great to see you in Facebook.
Toksave, your blog (http://malumnalu.blogspot.com/) is excellent!
Arguably the best blog transmitting events and news in PNG to the rest of the world.
From time to time I would get into your blog to read about news from back home.
Recently I was searching all over the web for the Kumuls v Cook Islands final outcome, and lo behold you were the first person to carry the news (plus photos) in your blog!!!!
Brilliant stuff mate - keep up the good work wantok.
Take care."

Comment about this blog

By REG RENAGI

Having browsed through several PNG web & blog sites & while I enjoy all of them, I rate Malum Nalu's website (or blog site?) as one top interesting place to visit.
It stands out from the others with its variety of human-interest stories. I read a few daily & come back to read some more a few days later, or even once a week.
Malum's blog will only improve over time as many readers post their comments. From reader's feedback, no doubt the webmaster will refine it more by frequently having fresh reader-friendly items posted.
It's a great place to find out more about the many different aspects of our beautiful country, PNG. I have told friends overseas to check Malum's site out if they want to learn more about my beautiful country.
Keep up the good work Malum.

Reginald Renagi
Port Moresby

War museum becomes popular

An impromptu war museum at the site of what used to be Schwimmer Drome at Laloki, on the banks of the great river of the same name, is becoming a must-visit for tourists to Port Moresby.
The museum is run by Thomas Richard Auhava, from Iokea in the Gulf province, without any assistance from organisations such as the National Museum and Art Gallery as well as the Tourism Promotion Authority.
Ironically, last month, when visiting tourist cruise ship Rhapsody of the Sea visited Port Moresby, tourists who were turned away from the NMAG ended up visiting Mr Auhava’s ad hoc museum (pictures above, by Eco Tourism Melanesia).
Mr Auhava has, over the years, been collecting numerous war relics in and around the site of the old Schwimmer Drome in a labour-of-love.
He is fighting a lonely battle against scrap metal hunters and dealers, who without any scruples do anything to get an extra buck.
He has brought a proposal to the NMAG in Waigani, Port Moresby, for funding to set up a proper museum, as well as the TPA, but to no avail,
Mr Auhava has been living at Laloki for the last 20 years and knows every nook and cranny in the area.
“Over the years,” says the former PNG Defence Force soldier, “I’ve been collecting these war relics and I’ve been featured in newspapers.
“Because of this media publicity, tourists started visiting, and I’ve decided to start a proper museum.”
The war relics include human bones, helmets, dog tags, tools, hand grenades (defused), bombshells, bullets, coins, jerry cans, 1940’s Coca-Cola bottles and assorted paraphernalia.
One of the prized possessions of the collection is the remains of the plane of Australian air ace, John Jackson, after whom Port Moresby’s famous Jackson’s International Airport is named.
Jackson crashed on the hills overlooking Laloki after a heroic dogfight against Japanese fighters.
“History is very important,” Mr Auhava extols.
“This generation, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to know anything about the war.
“Historical sites like Schwimmers should be preserved for educational purposes, tourism, etc.
“These relics should be preserved and protected.
“Scrap metal vendors are getting their hands on these war relics.
“If we lose these war relics, we lose history.
“People are just taking them out and selling them to scrap metal dealers.
“I decided to bring them all to one place and take care of them.
“After that, I began to find out about the place itself, its history.
“I borrowed some WW11 books from a historian and did research.
“I realised that it (Schwimmers) was a WW11 US airbase.”

The amazing cucumber

Cucumbers to the rescue!!!

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinate soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours./

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!! Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems...

Anatomy of politics of Sepik

By James Wanjik, Fellow Sepik of Wosera, PNG

SEPIK covers East and West in the North West of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Known business centres are Wewak, Vanimo, Maprik, Aitape, Angoram, Ambunti, Lumi and Nuku. There are number of districts without physical or functional business centres.

PNG is now 34 years old as a nation. Many areas are progressing well even at a small scale. The Sepik is still powerless and helpless.

Toll on people is attributed to stuff up of our leaders. Leaders are working for their popularity more than they are for people and their needs.

No Sepik leader has ever got leaders of the Sepik Provinces to work together. Somare and Pangu Pati tried in the 1970s and the 1980s with some success. Parties which made inroads were United Pati, People’s Democratic Movement, Melanesian Alliance, and most recently People’s National Congress, People’s Action Party and National Alliance.

District that saved the Sepik from the law of ‘group think’ is Wosera Gawi. Though there were incidences of departure from the ‘group think’ in other districts Wosera Gawi made the break since 1985. Wosera Gawi has experience it must share with other districts.

The wall that politics of divide and rule put up since PNG’s independence on 16 September 1975 has been exposed. Very law of ‘group think’ is not a criterion for leadership in Wosera Gawi any more.

Landing the prize for carrying and scurrying for leader and father of the nation Wosera people in particular will share experience. Domestic issues in home province of leader will lead leaders to see how greedy Sepik leaders were.

Lot of leaders are lost and confused because they are ‘group think’ mindset.

Knowing leader and using sudden and abrupt power and arrogance of leadership leaders think that they have power. Arrogance is not a criterion for true leadership. It contrasts with humility as virtue.

Leader claiming to be god is landing credence to new leadership in the horizon.

People of Sepik will have new leaders in 2012. These leaders will work together for Sepik and PNG people.

Now people are restless. They are living in fear and anxiety. Leader of today has made the people feel powerless and hopeless without this leader. Such is the result of ‘group think’.

So we see rushing, pushing and shoving of projects in the two Sepik Provinces in the twilight years of the leader.

National Alliance Government is weak without Somare. This is evident in no heir apparent.

The danger for the people of Sepik is to follow their leaders to think that another National Alliance Government will arise. It’s time had expired.

Desperation tactics we have seen. It will get worse. Leaders want power for selfish ends. Our people must be aware of same old tactics.

In 2012 people of Sepik will share their experience with people of PNG.

Long live PNG.

Leader and great leader

By JAMES WANJIK

I am a keen follower of leadership debates and discussions in Papua New Guinea and do hope and pray that leaders will rise to great leaders.

In the last few months a deputy leader of a political party got deposed by a Court of Disputed Return for election fraud committed by election officials.

Now the same leader is duped as a great leader. Then a comparison is made with other past leaders of a region.

However, no criteria are set out for any meaningful comparison.

I have assisted the people of Wosera in East Sepik Province to look at quality leadership.

Here are 10 criteria for determining great leader.

1. Visionary

To be able to see into the future where and what Wosera people would be.

2. Charisma

To be able to draw Wosera people to the vision.

3. Servant hood

To be of service to the Wosera people.

4. Trustworthy

To lead with word and action.

5. Humble

To walk humbly with God and lovingly serve Wosera people.

6. Knowledgeable in government and politics of development

For removing obstacles know workings of government and policies and programs of government.

7. Wisdom of value-based leadership

Christian values and noble customs well understood and made part of life.

8. Noticeable role model

Inspire and enlist Wosera people to serve people.

9. Power of speech and word of wisdom

Oratory and wise use of language that captivates and motivates people for service.

10. People-centred development leader

Promoter of people as source, means, and end of development.

People have their own criteria.

Politics of popularity is not a criterion for a great leader. Model leader of all great leaders is Jesus Christ. He had lot of faith in His Father God and His greatness came from God. Great leaders are servants of their people.

Unfortunately PNG leaders are too egoistic. It is not a characteristic of leadership greatness.