Monday, March 29, 2010
Pictures of the funeral service of photographer William Williando
Investigation committee commences at UOG
An independent investigation team will commence proceedings at the
As directed by the UOG Council, a three-person investigation committee has been established to investigate several concerns outlined in an agreed terms of reference (TOR) document previously submitted by the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the National Academic Staff Association (NASA) at UOG.
Some the concerns are matters relating to: governance, processes and procedures, administration matters, academic matters, student welfare, staff welfare and financial matters.
The independent investigation committee is composed of Michael Gene, prominent lawyer and former Attorney General; Prof Allan Easton, prominent academic; and George Kuno, practising accountant and will meet with representatives from the UOG Council, SRC, NASA and management teams to investigate issues from the TOR document.
The investigation will run until April 29, 2010, after which the University Council will meet to consider the findings of the report.
The investigation committee will appoint its own administration staff, and the university will provide logistical support for the duration of the investigation.
Mr Sabumei said he was pleased to see that classes have now resumed, and things were back to normal at UOG.
National Court commended for Ramu nickel mine decision
By BAPA BOMOTENG
Congratulations to the
The giant Ramu nickel project got its okay for construction almost on a golden plate (almost 80-90%) Chinese owned. PNG got peanuts in ownership. The deal looked funny and not right right from the start, as there may have been hidden players and gainers, as is the game with some Asians deals.
Every people group along the coast and the Islands of Madang, Raikos, Karkar, Rooke Is, Umboi, Manam Is and Wasu should be speaking out. What pollution and waste dumping will do to marine life is unpredictable. Look at 40-50 years from now when the nickel has been plundered out of Ramu. What will be left there after? Ghost towns, half-castes, polluted rivers and the sea bed?
Look at what Rio Tinto did for the Panguna rivers and the
Madang people need to stand united here and protect the "Beautiful Madang", the tourist destination. And for the sake of the generations in the future, protect the environment, our flora, the fauna and the marine life.
Chapman Freeborn to move LNG cargo
Partnership with Air Niugini
By YEHIURA HRIEHWAZI in
ONE of the world’s largest air chartering companies, Chapman Freeborn, has entered into partnership with the national flag carrier, Air Niugini, to move construction cargo for the PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, The National reports.
Chapman Freeborn has 32 offices in 22 countries and last year alone, it co-ordinated 5,000 charters, according to a statement on its website.
One of the aircraft being offered for use in the project is a large L-100 Hercules aircraft – one similar to the two from South America that were in joint-venture with Nationair in the mid-1980s to move cargo from Nadzab to Moro for the construction of the Kutubu oil fields and oil pipeline to the Kumul Marine Terminal in the Gulf province.
The cargo handling facilities are already available at Nadzab and it has anticipated that most of the PNG LNG construction cargo for the
The arrangement will provide Air Niugini with access to the international cargo charter market, allowing the airline to offer its clients freighter aircraft from third party operators managed by Chapman Freeborn.
Through the new venture, shippers and forwarders will be offered a one-stop shop for project cargo with main deck charter solutions to
Clients will also be able to utilise Air Niugini’s cargo capacity on their current scheduled passenger aircraft which offer the greatest frequency into the country.
The aircraft offer to the market included the highly capable L-100 Hercules which will be utilised to service specialised high altitude airstrips, to assist with the logistics relating to the development of a major LNG project and to supplement domestic cargo operations by Air Niugini’s Dash 8 freighter aircraft.
The L-100 Hercules is unequalled in its ability to lift up to 20 tonnes of cargo from unprepared and short airstrips.
Chapman Freeborn and Air Niugini are also studying a niche regional freighter for some of the smaller loads required in the country.
Shahe Ouzounian, Chapman Freeborn’s chief operating officer, said:
“We’re delighted that Air Niugini has chosen Chapman Freeborn as their partner in this venture.
“I’m confident that with their regional capabilities and unparalleled local knowledge, combined with our global expertise, together we will help to further unlock
“We are very pleased that this partnership allows the national carrier of
Air Niugini will, in turn, benefit from working in partnership with the world’s leading aircraft charter company.
Chapman Freeborn has a reputation for innovation, expertise and professionalism built up over 36 years.
BSP flaunts strength
Caption: The chopper flying the BSP banner across
BANK SOUTH PACIFIC (BSP) last Friday showcased its innovation and strength by taking over the skies above Port Moresby city with the largest banner ever flown in the South Pacific, The National reports.
The seven-story high and 10,000sqft feet banner was flown above
The largest banner fly-by was a reinforcement of BSP’s drive to transform into a modern bank.
BSP announced last year through its re-branding initiative that it was seeking to continue to grow from its position as a locally-owned banking group offering traditional banking services to its customers.
BSP has continued to grow its ATM network throughout PNG and aims at having more than 200 ATMs nationwide by year end.
The bank has also expanded its Pacific network with 29 branches in the
This year, BSP has launched an internal “transformation programme” aimed at improving all areas of its business.
Qantas' direct non-stop services to PNG
QANTAS has been swiftly given approval by the Australian government to operate direct non-stop services to
All 888 seats, or 12 weekly services with a 74-seat Bombardier, have been given the green light from the international air services commission, as there were no competitors who sought to block the move.
Interestingly, despite Qantas having requested the rights for its subsidiary QantasLink, the commission has given the carrier approval to also ply the route with its Jetstar brand if needed.
“Qantas is an established carrier which is clearly capable of obtaining the necessary approvals and of implementing the proposed operations,” the government in its announcement, said.
“This means that there is public benefit arising from the use of the entitlements.
“The commission will allocate to Qantas the 888 seats of capacity per week it has sought.”
Currently, Qantas code-shares on the route with Air Niugini, while Pacific Blue code-shares with Airlines of PNG.
Qantas plans to launch services in July this year.
This move is set to become QantasLink’s first international destination.
'We were conned'
Landowners frustrated over LNG participation
By JASON GIMA WURI
LANDOWNERS in the
Landowners were promised K120 million in seed capital funding to start up businesses for their involvement in
the massive project.
It was because of this, and other financial commitments including K600 million for impact projects in the province this year, that they signed the umbrella and later the licenced-based benefits sharing agreements.
The signing represented the “green light” from them for the project to go ahead.
Landowner leaders and even Government MPs spoken to admitted that the Government had promised 20% of the seed capital up front, but has failed to deliver.
“It is very disappointing for them, and I can understand,” a Government minister said.
“Even the Department of Petroleum is so disorganised and not helping the landowners,” the minister added.
With the engineering, procurement and construction contracts (EPC) already determined, the landowners feel they will be spectators in their own land.
Some quickly negotiated and formed joint venture partnerships with foreign partners were now bidding for sub-contracts from the EPC contractors.
Yesterday, one group of landowners demanded not only their share of the K120 million, but also wanted the seed capital increased to K500 million.
The landowner representatives said after the Kokopo signing, they had realised that K120 million was not enough to divide among all registered landowner companies.
Chairman of the meeting and landowner Albert Mokai said no agreement or nomination of umbrella companies were made in Kokopo.
“We are here to cooperate and participate, but we want the agreement to be in our terms also and the State must respect the people,” Mr Mokai said.
Abduction claim surfaces at inquiry
PAPUA New Guinean border crossers were involved in abducting an Australian woman at gunpoint in the
PNG nationals, who are believed to be traditional border crossers, were also accused of crossing into the Saibai and Badu islands in the
They were also accused of moving in and occupying 30 of the new 100 homes built on
The claims were made in a senate inquiry into matters affecting Torres Strait islanders on Thursday Island early last week and then heard further reports in
Concerned about the reports, PNG’s consul-general in Brisbane Paul Nerau told The National he would make it a priority to visit
Torres shire mayor Pedero Stephen told the inquiry police response times were too slow because of travel times from their base on
The five-man senate inquiry heard that the islands were vulnerable to border-hoppers from PNG, unresolved crimes and foreign diseases.
Reports in the past also pointed to drug-smuggling and gun-running between PNG and the
A 1985 Torres Strait treaty between PNG and
Mr Nerau said the problem could be associated with lack of services on the PNG side of the border, but he would have to visit the area before making recommendations.
ABG now accepting election candidates
WRITS for the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) second general election were issued last Friday by the House of Representatives Speaker Andrew Miriki upon the advice of the Bougainville Electoral Commissioner Reitama Taravaru, The National reports.
This means nominations for the elections are now open and will close on April 2.
ABG President James Tanis was the first nominated candidate for the presidential seat.
Two candidates for the Atolls seat, one candidate for the Mahari seat and candidates for the Haku seats were also named.
Last Saturday, Hagogohe incumbent MP and Minister for Peace and Reconciliation Robert Hamal Sawa was nominated.
The Tsitalato seat saw the nomination of businessman Cosmas Sohia Ceetow.
Former
Most candidates for the seats in central and south
A total of 40 seats are up for grabs in this general election.
There are 33 single constituency seats, three seats for women representatives for north, central and south
How could Australia help Papua New Guinea break their 'Gordian Knot'?
From PAUL OATES
In ancient times, the Macedonian Greek prince Alexander, later called 'The Great', led his army into Asia and encountered a city whose doors were held together by a knotted rope. The knot in the rope was so complicated that legend had it that whoever undid the knot would be the city's ruler. Clearly a man who possessed 'lateral thinking', Alexander reportedly drew his sword and cut the knot to pieces and went on to take the city.
So what could be done to break the current impasse where it seems, nothing is happening to improve PNG's domestic woes? Continual complaining about the metaphoric knot holding up improvement will clearly not produce any change to the 'status quo'.
An impartial observer however, often finds it easier to highlight a significant problem than people who have already been grappling with it for some time. It seems a human trait that the more one is immersed in trying to understand the problem, the greater the risk is of losing objectivity.
It's a bit like looking at something from atop a mountain and, having become interested, walking down to have a closer look. After a while, you end up climbing over fallen trees and losing sight of whatever it was that caught your eye.
Solutions are also easier to understand if they are kept simple: that's the KISS principle; 'Keep it simple, stupid'.
To use yet another analogy, in Tokpisin a tok piksa, what might be the 'helicopter view' of what is happening in PNG at the moment?
Put simply, there is a lot of input of resources but few results. One could say that much of the effort to make things work better seem to vanish. Why is this so? as old Professor Julius Sumner Miller used to ask.
Clearly the well intentioned efforts and significant resources of entities such as AusAID are misdirected. The time has come when a change in direction is warranted.
While many PNGians despair at where their country is going, no real connection seems to exist between the vast majority of voters and those leaders who are determining PNG's priorities.
The sophisticated, urban elite is doing very nicely, thank you. But the urban poor are increasingly turning to crime to survive. And the rural subsistence farmers are almost totally disconnected from day to day events.
So what's the answer? Why not have some of the AusAID millions sponsor an effective communication program for the vast majority of PNGians? Roll out community radio and television facilities to each local area.
How would this work in practice? Well, each, self identified community would be required to specify a public meeting place where that community could meet each evening.
This could be a Local Level Government hall or perhaps an NGO or Church building. The community would elect a volunteer committee to apply for an equipment grant.
The application must specify who the volunteers were who would be held accountable for the equipment and guarantee the security of those who may freely attend. The program must also be self sustaining and would therefore require provision for ongoing maintenance and supply of subsidised items like a solar generator and batteries, light globes, etc.
An essential and significant point would be that this program must not be in any way associated or linked to any government body or authority. Each community would have understand that they, themselves were responsible for the security and upkeep of this public facility. There must be public ownership to ensure people will value what they themselves own.
This would not be a PNG government run arrangement and those who were required to run this program could well be recruited by AusAID from Service Clubs and Church organisations on a purely volunteer basis. School principals could for example, effectively use this program to help their students.
So might this work? Surely it couldn't be less effective than the current arrangement.
Any comments or suggestions?
In ancient times, the Macedonian Greek prince Alexander, later called 'The Great', led his army into Asia and encountered a city whose doors were held together by a knotted rope. The knot in the rope was so complicated that legend had it that whoever undid the knot would be the city's ruler. Clearly a man who possessed 'lateral thinking', Alexander reportedly drew his sword and cut the knot to pieces and went on to take the city.
So what could be done to break the current impasse where it seems, nothing is happening to improve PNG's domestic woes? Continual complaining about the metaphoric knot holding up improvement will clearly not produce any change to the 'status quo'.
An impartial observer however, often finds it easier to highlight a significant problem than people who have already been grappling with it for some time. It seems a human trait that the more one is immersed in trying to understand the problem, the greater the risk is of losing objectivity.
It's a bit like looking at something from atop a mountain and, having become interested, walking down to have a closer look. After a while, you end up climbing over fallen trees and losing sight of whatever it was that caught your eye.
Solutions are also easier to understand if they are kept simple: that's the KISS principle; 'Keep it simple, stupid'.
To use yet another analogy, in Tokpisin a tok piksa, what might be the 'helicopter view' of what is happening in PNG at the moment?
Put simply, there is a lot of input of resources but few results. One could say that much of the effort to make things work better seem to vanish. Why is this so? as old Professor Julius Sumner Miller used to ask.
Clearly the well intentioned efforts and significant resources of entities such as AusAID are misdirected. The time has come when a change in direction is warranted.
While many PNGians despair at where their country is going, no real connection seems to exist between the vast majority of voters and those leaders who are determining PNG's priorities.
The sophisticated, urban elite is doing very nicely, thank you. But the urban poor are increasingly turning to crime to survive. And the rural subsistence farmers are almost totally disconnected from day to day events.
So what's the answer? Why not have some of the AusAID millions sponsor an effective communication program for the vast majority of PNGians? Roll out community radio and television facilities to each local area.
How would this work in practice? Well, each, self identified community would be required to specify a public meeting place where that community could meet each evening.
This could be a Local Level Government hall or perhaps an NGO or Church building. The community would elect a volunteer committee to apply for an equipment grant.
The application must specify who the volunteers were who would be held accountable for the equipment and guarantee the security of those who may freely attend. The program must also be self sustaining and would therefore require provision for ongoing maintenance and supply of subsidised items like a solar generator and batteries, light globes, etc.
An essential and significant point would be that this program must not be in any way associated or linked to any government body or authority. Each community would have understand that they, themselves were responsible for the security and upkeep of this public facility. There must be public ownership to ensure people will value what they themselves own.
This would not be a PNG government run arrangement and those who were required to run this program could well be recruited by AusAID from Service Clubs and Church organisations on a purely volunteer basis. School principals could for example, effectively use this program to help their students.
So might this work? Surely it couldn't be less effective than the current arrangement.
Any comments or suggestions?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Query of the week
From PAUL OATES
In last night's local news there was an expose from the Queensland government on how much the health services currently being provided to PNGians travelling to Australian facilities in the Torres Strait are costing the Queensland government. The estimated cost was in the many millions of dollars. The Commonwealth government is now being asked to help with funding.
Now why isn't this assistance being funded by AusAID? Afterall, it is overseas aid and directly being applied to our immediate neighbours. At least the expenditure of these funds could be accountable under the Queensland government and not under a very fluid and extremely murky PNG government program as revealed by the recent PNG Commission of Inquiry (COI), into government finances. Only five PNG authorities were exonerated by the COI from the many other government bodies expending funds.
But what might happen if PNG people from all over the country start travelling to Australian facilities in the Torres Strait for treatment?What happens if the trickle becomes a flood? Would these people then be shipped off to Christmas Island to be ultimately accepted as
permanent residents? Many PNG people would welcome the opportunity.
Some might also say that PNG people have an equal or better claim toAustralian citizenship than others from elsewhere.
In last night's local news there was an expose from the Queensland government on how much the health services currently being provided to PNGians travelling to Australian facilities in the Torres Strait are costing the Queensland government. The estimated cost was in the many millions of dollars. The Commonwealth government is now being asked to help with funding.
Now why isn't this assistance being funded by AusAID? Afterall, it is overseas aid and directly being applied to our immediate neighbours. At least the expenditure of these funds could be accountable under the Queensland government and not under a very fluid and extremely murky PNG government program as revealed by the recent PNG Commission of Inquiry (COI), into government finances. Only five PNG authorities were exonerated by the COI from the many other government bodies expending funds.
But what might happen if PNG people from all over the country start travelling to Australian facilities in the Torres Strait for treatment?What happens if the trickle becomes a flood? Would these people then be shipped off to Christmas Island to be ultimately accepted as
permanent residents? Many PNG people would welcome the opportunity.
Some might also say that PNG people have an equal or better claim toAustralian citizenship than others from elsewhere.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Indian group eyes LNG slot
Gail India Ltd wants to tie up with InterOil on second gas project
By YEHIURA HRIEHWAZI in
InterOil office in
“Yes, InterOil is in talks with Gail, but we do not comment on discussions until any transaction is complete,” spokesman on behalf of CEO and chairman Phil Mulacek said.
Gail’s chairman and managing director BC Tripathi made the announcement during a sideline press conference where a regional gas conference is in progress this week.
It received wide coverage by local media including the Calcutta Daily Telegraph and major financial websites like Bloomberg and Dow Jones.
He said Gail was planning to invest in gas infrastructure globally and is looking at projects in
“We are examining the possibility of having a stake in the Papua New Guinea LNG terminal,” Tripathi told reporters.
The state-owned firm is talking to Canadian firm InterOil Corp to buy a stake in its proposed liquefied natural gas project (LNG) in
“In
The short-listed companies would be invited to build three major gas gathering plants and pipelines that would supply fuel to power firms.
Tripathi said: “In
The firm has a presence in city gas distribution projects in
“We are also exploring the possibility of expanding our city gas operations in
Flying high in Asia-Pacific
LNG forces Jackson International Airport to plan K1.4bil expansion, upgrading
The development is estimated to cost K1.4 billion.
The airport expansion follows pressures from the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, which will increase passenger and aircraft traffic volume into and out of
National Airport Corporation (NAC) managing director Joseph Kintau yesterday accepted the Port Moresby International Airport (PMIA) master plan from Jacobs Consultancy.
Mr Kintau said the current demand for aviation services had put a strain on the existing facilities.
“The LNG project, expansions by airlines and booming economic activities are factors that forced us to come up with the plan to raise the airport’s standards to meet the expectations of the air industry,” Mr Kintau said.
“The airport is also strategically located in the region where LNG project developers and consumers from the
He said the current airport, constructed in 1989, was designed to serve an annual capacity of 300,000 passengers.
“After 20 years, we are now serving 1.4 million passengers a year.
“That’s a significant strain on the airport’s facilities and infrastructure.”
Highlighting one of the key objectives of the organisation’s reforms, Mr Kintau said the 2010 project was to ensure infrastructure development was based on a comprehensive master plan which PMIA was giving priority.
The plan covers the development of infrastructure and facilities over the next 20 years – from 2010 to 2030.
“It is based on passenger and aircraft movements’ forecast and growth in the aviation industry,” he added.
Mr Kintau said the new airport would feature dual domestic and international terminals, extension of runways, redevelopment of apron and taxiways and also the commercial development of the aerodrome land.
Asked how it would be implemented, he said: “The most probable implementation method NAC will be pursuing is a possible public-private partnership arrangement.
“We are looking at a possible concession agreement to implement the capital programme to deliver the infrastructures, management capacity building and improved financial viability for regional airports through PMIA.”
He said the plan also covered the scope of work and, after deliberation by the NAC board, it would be submitted to NEC for approval.
Hagen water returns
NORMAL flow of water to Mt Hagen city,
This follows tireless efforts by PNG Waterboard Hagen branch staff to flush out water in the storage tanks which were contaminated after someone poured engine oil into the tanks.
One of the raw water pumps started pumping water late yesterday afternoon to fill the contact tank before supplying to the town area.
With the second pump expected to start working this morning, water will return to normal today.
Two suspects were arrested and questioned by police investigators over the incident but later released yesterday. Investigations are continuing into the matter.
PNGWB branch manager Jack Moro yesterday condemned the manner in which a few individuals held the entire city at ransom by contaminating the water.
Staff had completed cleaning the chambers and the wet well (holding tank under the pump station) yesterday.
He reassured that water was only supplied to consumers after ensuring that it is clean and safe for consumption.
Guard Dog security personnel are guarding the raw water pumps and treatment plant premises.
PNGWB has appealed to consumers to boil water derived from other sources to ensure it is safe and clean for consumption.
It also called for community assistance to find the culprits who contaminated the water.
Meanwhile, a community leader in Mt Hagen has called on people living near the city to take ownership of public properties and look after them.
Michael Wamp from the Moge tribe said yesterday that destroying public property would lead to many innocent people suffering.
Mr Wamp said the contamination of the water supply clearly showed that people lack common sense and did not care about others.
“Western Highlander should be ashamed of this,” Mr Wamp said.
Government borrows to develop Kokopo
THE National Government is borrowing money to fund several projects in Kokopo,
The Government is borrowing locally, from Nasfund, through the issue of treasury bills, under a scheme described as the sovereign community infrastructure treasury bill (SCITB) series.
It is understood a number of Government projects is to be funded under this scheme.
Kokopo will get K125 million to fund its water and road infrastructure projects.
This was announced jointly in a statement by Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch, National Planning Minister Paul Tiensten and Communications Minister Patrick Tammur.
An appointed agent has been instructed by the Treasurer to issue the treasury bills on behalf of the Government.
Mr Pruaitch said this funding met the debt and fiscal strategy of the Government.
The statement did not detail the water and infrastructure projects to be funded in Kokopo.
Joint chief executive officer of Nasfund Rod Mitchell said this investment would deliver a return to members of the fund in two ways.
He said, financially, it would provide a good return to support member retirements and, socially, it would provide good infrastructure for the Kokopo community.
Mr Mitchell described this investment as a low risk, reasonable returns with a PNG focus.
In the statement, the ministers said the scheme was “within the full parameters of the law” within PNG.
“I am delighted by the work done and the structure of this community treasury bill. It is the first direct infrastructure treasury bill to be issued and fully invested by one institution, Nasfund,” Mr Pruaitch said.
He assured the people of Kokopo that the funding and expenditure would be transparent and the coordinator would release and utilise the funds in accordance with the agreement and terms of the SCITB.
Are more PNG autonomous regions the answer?
From PAUL OATES
"Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin 1706 - 1790 (at the signing of the US Declaration of Independence).
___________________________________________________
Before any further split up of PNG happens, those promoting the break up as a remedy to produce better times should ponder on just what has caused the current impasse.
Clearly, the effects of ineffectual leadership and massive amount of unprosecuted corruption at all levels of government has resulted in diverting national resources away from providing desparately needed services for the vast majority of PNG people. A few have obviously
benefitted at the expense of the many. This situation has been allowed to continue for many, many years by the very leaders who now suggest regional autonomy will be better for their people.
While everyone in PNG knows what the visible effects of the problems are, very few have come out and said what they would do about effectively fixing those problems?
If the obvious solution has been too hard for current leaders to manage or is far too electorally painful to contemplate, exactly how are smaller fractions of the same, basic, mathematical formula going to be any more effective than the current, unbalanced equation? More of the
same will not produce any different results, no matter how much it is further dissected.
Where are the politicians with enough guts to stand up and publically denounce what is clearly wrong with today's PNG? Plenty are prepared to talk about what is morally right but who has actually achieved any real results? The people responsible for PNG's current
woes must be clearly identified, publically denounced and officially charged by public authorities. Anything else cannot and will not work. That much is patently obvious.
So what will change with potentially smaller, fragmented, PNG autonomous regions?
Three fifths of five eighths of nothing!
"Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin 1706 - 1790 (at the signing of the US Declaration of Independence).
___________________________________________________
Before any further split up of PNG happens, those promoting the break up as a remedy to produce better times should ponder on just what has caused the current impasse.
Clearly, the effects of ineffectual leadership and massive amount of unprosecuted corruption at all levels of government has resulted in diverting national resources away from providing desparately needed services for the vast majority of PNG people. A few have obviously
benefitted at the expense of the many. This situation has been allowed to continue for many, many years by the very leaders who now suggest regional autonomy will be better for their people.
While everyone in PNG knows what the visible effects of the problems are, very few have come out and said what they would do about effectively fixing those problems?
If the obvious solution has been too hard for current leaders to manage or is far too electorally painful to contemplate, exactly how are smaller fractions of the same, basic, mathematical formula going to be any more effective than the current, unbalanced equation? More of the
same will not produce any different results, no matter how much it is further dissected.
Where are the politicians with enough guts to stand up and publically denounce what is clearly wrong with today's PNG? Plenty are prepared to talk about what is morally right but who has actually achieved any real results? The people responsible for PNG's current
woes must be clearly identified, publically denounced and officially charged by public authorities. Anything else cannot and will not work. That much is patently obvious.
So what will change with potentially smaller, fragmented, PNG autonomous regions?
Three fifths of five eighths of nothing!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Lest we forget
In loving memory of my beloved wife, Hula, who left us alone so tragically on this day, March 23, 2008.
The times we spent together will be cherished forever.
Never-ending love from me and our children Malum Jr, Gedi, Moasing and Keith.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Papua New Guinea cyclone hits Australia
It is the culmination of a long journey in which the 27-year-old has fought his way to the top, taking on the best Australia has to offer in boxing.
Born to a father from Hanuabada, NCD, and mother of mixed New Ireland decent, professional boxer Tyrone Tongia began an unconventional pugilistic journey in 2002, vowing to bring honour to his fellow PNG youth.
On Friday, "The Cyclone" fights Andrew "Sundance" Gosden, for the Australian light middleweight title at the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane.
After completing Year 12 at Brisbane State High in Queensland, Australia, it was while on a New Year's pilgrimage in 2001 to feel his roots in Port Moresby and Nokon, New Ireland, that the inspiration for self-knowledge and self-respect for the well-being of others was cemented.
His family and village experience along with a chance meeting with an uncle, PNG's former world-rated kyokushin champion and SOS director Walter Schnaubelt, ignited the will to merge his sense for adventure and sport with the greater good for family and community by channelling his raw energy constructively.
With initial ambitions for rugby league and union where he earned the nickname "Cyclone" for breaking lines and defensive competency, Tongia instead pursued boxing because he believes the gruelling sport challenged his "personal growth and sense of liveliness" like no other.
Inspired by the international feats of our own professional boxing legends Johnny Aba and Martin Beni, Tongia ventured to Sydney to learn and train with Australia's best, remaining undaunted by the new city, his inexperience and lack of personal networks.
Tongia recalls encountering many obstacles but stayed on track at all costs, even sleeping in a park a few days until he was accepted to train at the world-renowned Team Fenech headquarters with Billy Hussein in Marrickville.
He did many menial jobs to economically support his ambition including factory work, fruit market packing, and cleaning jobs.
After three disciplined years plying his trade as an amateur, Tongia returned to Brisbane to train for his professional debut which was held in Sydney on the undercard to the biggest boxing fight in Australian history, Danny Green vs Anthony Mundine in May 2006.
Tongia's alias "The Cyclone" was given new life as he exceeded expectations and blew out his opponent during his professional debut which quickly received over 35,000 views on worldwide internet site YouTube.
Building a growing army of supporters in Brisbane, Tongia has attracted praise from both Mundine and Green.
In Australia's Courier Mail on March 6 this year, which headlined Tongia as one of the hottest prospects in Australia, three-time world champion and sporting icon, Jeff Fenech, commented:
"He (Tongia) has talent and great power.He just has to stay determined to make it."
For the first time since his pledge to honour his fellow PNG youth in 2001, "The Cyclone" returned to Moresby and New Ireland last September to again experience his roots.
Tongia then resumed his boxing career in Australia, refreshed with village-inspired creativity, purpose and vigour; consecutively knocking off highly-touted fighters to earn a shot at the coveted Australian title.
After meeting with both setbacks and victories along the way, Tongia is proof that where there's a will, there's a way – it takes disciplined and constructive efforts.
University to host Donigi, Maladina public debate
From PAUL OATES
This is real, practical politics in action and should demonstrate a healthy way forward for PNG. Peter Donigi is to be congratulated for speaking out and standing up for his country in a time of desperate need.
The only problem I foresee is that a debate in Moresby is disconnected from most of the PNG people.
What should now happen is a concerted effort to advertise, televise and broadcast this debate on all publically-accessed TV and radio stations and in the local PNG newspapers. Rural residents and those in other PNG towns and cities desparately need to become interested and involved. They need to start asking what their local member thinks and how they will vote on this issue?
Who would initiate and promote interest in this debate however? The PNG Opposition or perhaps some public spirited NGO's and business leaders? Perhaps the press may find that this important issue is a great way to sell newspapers?
Now is the time for action by all true PNG patriots to stand up with Mr Donigi and be counted.
__________________
University to host Donigi, Maladina public debate
Source:
By JASON GIMA WURI
A PUBLIC debate on the proposed constitutional amendments now before Parliament will be held at the University of Papua New Guinea main lecture theatre (MLT).
Member for Esa'ala Moses Maladina, who had successfully moved for the amendments to go past the first reading in Parliament, had accepted the challenge by lawyer Peter Donigi to a public debate on the matter.
While allowing the public debate to take place at the MLT following a written request from Mr Donigi, UPNG Vice-Chancellor Prof Ross Hynes said he would not be involved in moderating the public debate.
"The moderator must be someone who is independent and who has relevant status to such a debate," Prof Hynes said.
That person is yet to be identified including the date and time for the debate.
Prof Hynes, however, only indicated that the public debate would take place on the week after March 19.
In his letter to Prof Hynes, Mr Donigi said: "I understand that Mr Maladina will likely call for a second reading of his constitutional amendments at the next sitting of Parliament which is scheduled to start on May 4.
"It would appear, therefore, that we only have a short window of opportunity to debate this issue before it is presented for its last and final reading before passage by Parliament," Mr Donigi said.
The only problem I foresee is that a debate in Moresby is disconnected from most of the PNG people.
What should now happen is a concerted effort to advertise, televise and broadcast this debate on all publically-accessed TV and radio stations and in the local PNG newspapers. Rural residents and those in other PNG towns and cities desparately need to become interested and involved. They need to start asking what their local member thinks and how they will vote on this issue?
Who would initiate and promote interest in this debate however? The PNG Opposition or perhaps some public spirited NGO's and business leaders? Perhaps the press may find that this important issue is a great way to sell newspapers?
Now is the time for action by all true PNG patriots to stand up with Mr Donigi and be counted.
__________________
University to host Donigi, Maladina public debate
Source:
By JASON GIMA WURI
A PUBLIC debate on the proposed constitutional amendments now before Parliament will be held at the University of Papua New Guinea main lecture theatre (MLT).
Member for Esa'ala Moses Maladina, who had successfully moved for the amendments to go past the first reading in Parliament, had accepted the challenge by lawyer Peter Donigi to a public debate on the matter.
While allowing the public debate to take place at the MLT following a written request from Mr Donigi, UPNG Vice-Chancellor Prof Ross Hynes said he would not be involved in moderating the public debate.
"The moderator must be someone who is independent and who has relevant status to such a debate," Prof Hynes said.
That person is yet to be identified including the date and time for the debate.
Prof Hynes, however, only indicated that the public debate would take place on the week after March 19.
In his letter to Prof Hynes, Mr Donigi said: "I understand that Mr Maladina will likely call for a second reading of his constitutional amendments at the next sitting of Parliament which is scheduled to start on May 4.
"It would appear, therefore, that we only have a short window of opportunity to debate this issue before it is presented for its last and final reading before passage by Parliament," Mr Donigi said.
Is it worth a Nickel?
From PAUL OATES
In the PNG newspaper 'The National' there is a report that there has been an initial triumph by local landowners in obtaining an injunction to try and prevent the dumping of five million tonnes of slurry waste from the Chinese Nickel mine (MCC) behind Madang into the pristine Basamuk Bay. This is only a temporary injunction however.
One would think that the PNG government, who clearly approves of this project, might start to take the issue seriously and have another look at the whole set up. Not so! In the same article it reports: 'No Government or mineral resources authority officials were available for comments last night, but they are expected to join MCC in fighting the injunction.'
Yep! You can be rest assured that the ol' PNG 'gavaman' is backing the 'right side'. Pity the right side doesn't appear to the PNG people's side isn't it?
Hello! That's the PNG people, who with their families and descendants, have to live with their government's mistakes, ineptitude and worse.
Eh ya! Sori tumas. Telepon blong bus ibagarap pinis ya! Nau husat igat sampela liklik samting blong mi a?
_______________________
article from PNG's The National
Mine work halted
LANDOWNERS in Madang have won a David-and-Goliath battle to freeze a Chinese nickel miner's construction of a massive pipeline to dump waste into the sea.
The National Court in Madang last Friday ordered work to stop on the nickel mine's previously approved submarine tailings disposal system.
The Ramu mine in Madang, operated by the Chinese Metallurgical Construction Group Co (MCC), plans to dump five million tonnes of slurry waste annually into Basamuk Bay.
The company was preparing to start blasting coral reefs for the tailings pipeline to be laid. The stop-work order is another setback for the Chinese project, which had suffered a series of problems with the mine's construction and relations with local people.
Tiffany Nonggorr, the lawyer representing the Madang landowners, said MCC must find an alternative to dumping the mine waste into the bay.
"This injunction is a massive victory for us, definitely a David-and-Goliath struggle.
"Landowners have stopped the Chinese, who have spent US$1.4 billion (K3.8 billion) to build this mine," she told AAP.
"The mine's proposal is just too risky. There are grave environmental concerns," she said.
Despite having Government and environmental approval, the proposed deep sea tailings pipeline would destroy the environment and local people's livelihoods, Mrs Nonggorr said.
Judge David Cannings granted a temporary injunction forcing MCC to stop work "that involves directly or indirectly damage or disturbance to the offshore environment including all coral blasting or popping of dead or live coral and laying of pipes".
MCC "shall not carry out directly or indirectly any such work, pending determination of the substantive proceedings" to be heard at a later date, he said.
Last July, construction of the mine was briefly stopped due to health and safety concerns, while in May outbreaks of violence exposed simmering tensions between Chinese management and PNG workers.
The Ramu mine is expected to yield 143 million tonnes of nickel over 20 years and, during construction, will employ 3,000 workers including 700 Chinese.
Revenue from the mine is expected to add to the country's GDP growth, and forms part of PNG's growth strategy under the National Government's Vision 2050.
No Government or mineral resources authority officials were available for comments last night, but they are expected to join MCC i n fighting the injunction.
In the PNG newspaper 'The National' there is a report that there has been an initial triumph by local landowners in obtaining an injunction to try and prevent the dumping of five million tonnes of slurry waste from the Chinese Nickel mine (MCC) behind Madang into the pristine Basamuk Bay. This is only a temporary injunction however.
One would think that the PNG government, who clearly approves of this project, might start to take the issue seriously and have another look at the whole set up. Not so! In the same article it reports: 'No Government or mineral resources authority officials were available for comments last night, but they are expected to join MCC in fighting the injunction.'
Yep! You can be rest assured that the ol' PNG 'gavaman' is backing the 'right side'. Pity the right side doesn't appear to the PNG people's side isn't it?
Hello! That's the PNG people, who with their families and descendants, have to live with their government's mistakes, ineptitude and worse.
Eh ya! Sori tumas. Telepon blong bus ibagarap pinis ya! Nau husat igat sampela liklik samting blong mi a?
_______________________
article from PNG's The National
Mine work halted
LANDOWNERS in Madang have won a David-and-Goliath battle to freeze a Chinese nickel miner's construction of a massive pipeline to dump waste into the sea.
The National Court in Madang last Friday ordered work to stop on the nickel mine's previously approved submarine tailings disposal system.
The Ramu mine in Madang, operated by the Chinese Metallurgical Construction Group Co (MCC), plans to dump five million tonnes of slurry waste annually into Basamuk Bay.
The company was preparing to start blasting coral reefs for the tailings pipeline to be laid. The stop-work order is another setback for the Chinese project, which had suffered a series of problems with the mine's construction and relations with local people.
Tiffany Nonggorr, the lawyer representing the Madang landowners, said MCC must find an alternative to dumping the mine waste into the bay.
"This injunction is a massive victory for us, definitely a David-and-Goliath struggle.
"Landowners have stopped the Chinese, who have spent US$1.4 billion (K3.8 billion) to build this mine," she told AAP.
"The mine's proposal is just too risky. There are grave environmental concerns," she said.
Despite having Government and environmental approval, the proposed deep sea tailings pipeline would destroy the environment and local people's livelihoods, Mrs Nonggorr said.
Judge David Cannings granted a temporary injunction forcing MCC to stop work "that involves directly or indirectly damage or disturbance to the offshore environment including all coral blasting or popping of dead or live coral and laying of pipes".
MCC "shall not carry out directly or indirectly any such work, pending determination of the substantive proceedings" to be heard at a later date, he said.
Last July, construction of the mine was briefly stopped due to health and safety concerns, while in May outbreaks of violence exposed simmering tensions between Chinese management and PNG workers.
The Ramu mine is expected to yield 143 million tonnes of nickel over 20 years and, during construction, will employ 3,000 workers including 700 Chinese.
Revenue from the mine is expected to add to the country's GDP growth, and forms part of PNG's growth strategy under the National Government's Vision 2050.
No Government or mineral resources authority officials were available for comments last night, but they are expected to join MCC i n fighting the injunction.
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