Tanglefoot, a control for coffee green scales

By YVONNE NGUTLICK of CIC

The name sounds quirky but Tanglefoot may be the answer to coffee farmers’ woes against the coffee green scale pest.

Coffee green scales

Tanglefoot is a jelly-like substance that stops the movement of ants up and down coffee trees.

It is non-poisonous to ants, other organisms and humans.

Pasting Tanglefoot on the tree stump near the base effectively prevents the ants from climbing up and down the tree accessing aerial parts of the crop.

Applying tanglefoot to coffee tree stump to prevent ants climbing

Coffee green scales are currently the most-serious pest affecting the coffee industry in Papua New Guinea.

They are soft scale insects.

They are oval-shaped, flat and pale green in colour.

Green scales are often associated with ants and ‘sooty mould’ fungus.

The ants and fungus feed on the honeydew excreted by the scales.

The scales suck the sap of mature and young coffee trees, reducing growth and eventually causing the death of the tree.

The presence of ants also provides protection for the scales from their natural enemies, like ladybird beetles and parasitic wasps.

Trials conducted at the Coffee Industry Corporation research station on using Tanglefoot in controlling green scales are encouraging.

The length of time to achieve complete control is three months.

 Control takes longer compared to recommended conventional methods of spraying and pruning that provide fast knockdown effect.

Tanglefoot, unlike conventional methods, poses no risks to the natural coffee environment and promotes sustainable control of the pest.

Following are important points to consider in order to attain such level of control:

• Tanglefoot needs to be adequately applied around the stump with 10-15 cm width and layer thick enough to avoid quick drying; and
• Arial canopy of the tree must be independently stand-alone. This means branches must not come in contact with branches of adjacent trees, particularly the infested trees, to avoid ant access from these trees.

Tanglefoot

Manufactured in the United States of America, Tanglefoot is not new in PNG, but new for the coffee industry. 

In the 1930s, Tanglefoot was trialed on coconut trees in Manus province to prevent coconut treehoppers. Climatological conditions in that coastal island province deteriorated the use of Tanglefoot but may prove otherwise for coffee, especially for farmers in the cooler Highlands provinces where green scales are rife.

Tanglefoot can be purchased from leading agricultural suppliers.

400 in Bulolo resign in fear

By RIGGO NANGAN

MORE than 400 Sepiks, employed by the PNG Forest Products (PNGFP) in Bulolo, Morobe, have resigned en masse out of fear for their lives, The National reports.

Other Sepiks working in the local bank, post office and schools and the nearby mine are also expected to leave, causing losses to companies and affecting government services.

Locals from Bulolo in Morobe, armed with bush knives, axes, bows and arrows, with a placard calling for the complete removal of Sepiks from the township yesterday. Tension is still high in the area.

The 400 Sepiks at PNGFP have submitted their names to their workers union president, Moses Tikiong, and general secretary Albert Kaklep to take the matter up with the management for payout.

The Sepiks gathered at the Huxley Street Play School yesterday at noon while their leaders met with district authorities to discuss their future.

Kaklep later met with Sepik leader Nelson Bito and relayed the message to the people.

The fate of 12 others employed by Morobe Mining Joint Ventures is not clear yesterday.

Some of the 12 have been living with their families at the care centres while others lost their homes in the recent unrest.

The employees of PNGFP made it clear to the company management their decision to leave was due to the current unrest and the threats to the lives of their families and themselves.

District administrator Nimsen Kibisep travelled to Port Moresby yesterday to take the matter up with government secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc.

He would also seek funds for the repatriation exercise.

Bito said three venues for their temporary resettlement were discussed – the Lae show grounds, Wawin in the Markham Valley or a venue to be identified by the Lutheran church.

Kibisep predicted a decline in government services in the district if the entire Sepik community were to leave.

Bulolo University Forestry College principal Tommy Nahuet expressed similar sentiments, saying the campus might have to be relocated to Lae. Both men are from West and East Sepik respectively.

Bank South Pacific relieving branch manageress Linda Maron said eight employees at the bank were Sepiks and they were also affected.

The bank’s acting Momase chief security officer, Igag Woktamoi, closed the bank for an indefinite period as of yesterday.

BSP is the only bank in Bulolo and its customers will now have to travel to Lae to do their banking.

Post PNG branch manager Duna Mara said yesterday they would soon shut operations.

Meanwhile, locals yesterday said they were happy to see the Sepiks go but the government must ensure the repatriation was definite.

“We will stay here until they leave because the authorities did not play their part which led to another unrest,” the locals said.

Ramu NiCo considers laying off workers

RAMU NiCo, the manager of Ramu nickel joint venture, will consider laying off workers at its nickel and cobalt operations in Madang following yesterday’s National Court refusal to lift the interim injunction preventing the construction of its offshore component of the deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) system, The National reports.

More than 3,000 people in the province depended on the US$1.4 billion project which is nearing the end of its construction phase.

They included about 1,200 Papua New Guinean workers at the Kurumbukari mine site in Usino-Bundi, the refinery site at Basamuk in the Rai Coast and the Madang head office.

They stand to lose their jobs.

And, in a further blow, the forced stopwork at the mine will slash economic growth forecast for this year.

Government officials said yesterday the GDP growth target of 8.5% this year would be downgraded to 7.1%, a massive drop which could have a negative effect on PNG as an investment destination.

The slow down in the PNG LNG project was also going to have some impact on economic growth forecasts, they said.

Ramu NiCo said their first option though would be to urgently appeal yesterday’s decision to the Supreme Court.

An “extremely disappointed” Ramu NiCo said in a statement it had already lost millions of kina since the injunction was granted in March.

In an earlier pre-trial hearing, Ramu NiCo had told the court that damages suffered since the injunction was granted included K2.05 milllion in direct expenses, K360,000 a day in interest to banks and K1.3 million a day in cost to DSTP contractors.

It said it had suffered financial losses for which it could not possibly be compensated.

Ramu NiCo had sought to lift the injunction by five Basamuk plaintiffs to allow it to finish construction before the advent of the rainy season and had undertaken not to dispose of tailings through the pipeline without the court’s approval. 

It said that up to June 30, it had spent US$1.2 billion out of the total development cost of US$1.4 billion for the project, which was scheduled to start trial operation by October.

Ramu NiCo said that given that it was unlikely that the DSTP would be completed before the rainy season, significant delays to the project construction and operational schedule was now unavoidable.

It said it had to fully assess the impact and amend the construction and operational timetable accordingly.

“As the construction is winding down and most of the equipment has been installed, one real option is to now place the project on a ‘care and maintenance’ basis, postpone the operational preparation works and adopt retrenchment measures, even though this would be devastating for our workers and their dependents and for the landowners, other community members and business partners.

“Given this, Ramu NiCo will do everything it reasonably can to minimise the losses.

“Ramu NiCo will also discuss the present situation with project stakeholders, including Highlands Pacific Limited, the government and landowners, before taking further actions,” it said. 

 

Judge opts for safety

By JAYNE SAFIHAO

 

NATIONAL Court judge David Cannings opted for “a safety first approach” yesterday when he refused to grant an application by Ramu NiCo to lift the interim court injunction he had granted in March to stop offshore construction of the deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) system, The National reports,

Instead, he extended the injunction until Dec 21, the trial date for the substantive case by five Basamuk plaintiffs – Eddie Tarsie, Farina Siga, Peter Sel, Sama Melambo and Pommern Inc Land Group.

Cannings ruled that there was no material change in circumstances, as was sought by Ramu NiCo which had also failed to provide sufficiently evidence to prove that the trial was delayed due to failure on the plaintiffs’ part.

The March injunction meant that all preparatory or construction work on DSTP system had stopped, including all and any damage or disturbance either directly or indirectly to the offshore environment such as coral blasting, popping of dead or live coral and laying of pipes pending the substantive hearing.

Cannings said he was not convinced that waste would not be discharged into the seas if construction of the DSTP was allowed to proceed pending the substantive hearing.

 

 

Happy Birthday, Hula

Happy birthday to my beloved wife and our Mum, Hula Debe Nalu, who would have turned 34 today, but left us so alone and tragically on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008.

Memories of the time we have spent together will be cherished forever.

With never-ending love from Malum and our four young children Malum Jr (9), Gedi (8), Moasing (6) and Keith (3).

Do not stand at my grave and weep,I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,I am the swift, uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there, I did not die!

Rice mill launched in Kutubu

By SENIORL ANZU of NARI

Women in Kutubu, Southern Highlands, have all the reason to smile as they now own two rice milling machines to boost local production.

History was made last Friday when the first gains of white rice poured out of one of the brand new machines during the launch at Pimaga government station under the watchful eyes of over 2,000 farmers, mostly women from Foe, Faso and Moran areas.

Oil Search Ltd community affairs officer Paul Sapake (right) and Kutubu Foe Women's Association president Naomi Samuel cutting the ribbon to officially launch two rice milling machines at Pimaga in Kutubu.-Pictures by SENIORL ANZU

Oil Search Ltd, a resource developer in the oil and gas rich Southern Highlands province, handed over the two machines to the local women.

Interest for local rice production had gained momentum after the Kutubu Foe Women’s Association (KFWA) started planting rice from upland rice seeds which they received from NARI Lae in 2008 during the launch of the PNG Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (PNGDiADF).

 In the last few years, more farmers joined to farm rice, including members of the Namoi Namo Women’s Association (Faso) and Moran Women’s Association.

However, a major hurdle was the lack of milling facilities which prompted KFWA, a member of the PNGWiADF, to seek support from possible avenues.

Through the PNGWiADF, the Department of Agriculture and Livestock provided a huge Satake rice milling machine, valued between K30-40, 000, to KFWA.

OSLdonated another machine, a micro-mill, worth more than K7, 000. 

First dish of milled rice pouring out of a brand new micro-mill at Pimaga in Kutubu last Friday from upland farming by women farmers from Foe, Faso and Moran areas

OSL facilitated the transportation of both machines to Kutubu.

The oil and gas developer, in partnership with Moro-based NGO, Community Development Initiative Foundation, also sourced resource people from NARI and PNGWiADF from Lae and Christian Leaders Training College in Banz to train interested rice farmers on field production and milling.

This training was conducted last week for more than 100 interested rice farmers.

During the launch, Kosi Sosoro, chairman of Kawaso Ltd, who witnessed the event, presented K2, 000 each to the three women’s associations from Kutubu.

OSL community affairs officers, Paul Sapake and Marc Mulungu, commended the Foe women for taking the initiative to venture into rice production.

Accolades also came from CDI-Moro manager Peter John, PNGWiADF president Maria Linibi and Dr Peter Gendua of NARI.

KFWA president Naomi Samuel said sago, which took 15-20 years to grow, had been their staple food all their lives.

She said the process of extracting sago was laborious and performed mostly by women, hence, her group had opted for rice to shorten food maturity period and also supplement household food intake.

Samuel said the group was aiming to produce large volumes of rice to supply to catering companies in the project areas.

She called on mothers from Faso and Moran to cultivate rice and mill them using the two machines.

The historical occasion was witnessed by representatives from Esso Highlands, landowner companies, government representatives, community leaders, NGOs, school children and farmers.

Extension delivery concept realigns to major government initiatives and policies

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

The realignment of agricultural extension systems such as the Smallholder Support Services Expansion Project (SSSEP) with the National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), DSP 2030 and Vision 2050 will further strengthen and boost agriculture productivity and development.

Department of Agriculture and Livestock deputy secretary for technical services, Francis Daink, said this in Lae when opening the SSSEP Inception Workshop today.

Delegates from Eastern Highlands provincial administration and SSCF Unit discuss their strategy before the workshop.-Pictures by JOY WOKTAMUL, SSCF Unit, Lae

Daink called on all the stakeholders involved with the SSSEP and in the realignment process to work closely to achieve these objectives.

He said this was a government direction that needed to be carried out and urged all partners to make positive contributions.

One of the pillars in the Vision 2050 relates to wealth creation focusing on amongst other renewable resources, the agriculture sector, whilst DSP 2030 considered agriculture as one of the important sectoral strategies through economic corridors concept and NADP based its key programmes on enhanced productivity, research and extension, food and nutrition security, agro-forestry, human capacity and information improvement.

The SSSEP concept now being introduced into two new provinces, Central and Chimbu, looks at research and extension for development, innovations, human capacity development and others.

Daink told the workshop participants that their positive and valued contributions would assist in ensuring that the realignment process would bring good results for the SSSEP so that it was successfully implemented in the provinces.

 Morobe province’s deputy administrator for corporate affairs, Geoving Bilong, said the SSSEP concept, trialed in Morobe and Eastern Highlands provinces could be successfully introduced and implemented into the current delivery of extension services.

He said the concept had been successful in these provinces and believed that it could also improve extension services in Central and Chimbu provinces.

 He said in Morobe, many farmers who went through the pilot phase of SSSEP said that it had had a positive impact in their livelihoods.

Bilong said due to its overwhelming success, the SSSEP should be extended to other provinces. He thanked the New Zealand government through NZAID for contributing over K3 million for the expansion phase.

The Lae workshop was attended by officers from Morobe, Eastern Highlands, Chimbu, Central, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Department of National Planning and Monitoring and NZAID.

Smallholder Support Contract Facility staff from Morobe, Eastern Highlands and project coordination unit in Port Moresby facilitated the two-day workshop.

The issues discussed included the implementation approach, implementation schedule, logical framework, monitoring, and status of inception report, management information systems, service provider associations, and gender mainstreaming.        

Plan aims to reduce cocoa pod borer in Papua New Guinea

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

A 10-year strategic plan is to be launched as part of the government’s efforts to combat the spread of the cocoa pod borer (CPB) infestation in the country.

Relevant government agencies will work closely with the private sector, provinces, industry groups and farmers to implement the strategic plan as from this year.

A concerted effort by all stakeholders including adequate funding is vital to make the plan work, as the government is determined to boost cocoa production to 100,000 tonnes by the year 2015.

 Despite the spread of CPB, the industry has achieved a new record in production of 59,350 tonnes for the 2008/9 cocoa year.

CPB was first reported in East New Britain province in 2006 and has since been detected and confirmed in seven cocoa-growing provinces.

 The latest confirmation is from Baluan Island in Manus province.

At the same time cocoa is making inroads into the highlands region with new plantings in Simbu and Western Highlands provinces.   

The plan was revealed at a recent meeting of the national CPB steering committee held in Port Moresby.

Officials from the Cocoa Board, PNG Cocoa Coconut Institute, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, East New Britain, Madang, New Ireland, and two companies, Agmark Pacific Ltd and Monpi Cocoa Exports attended the meeting.

Provincial representatives in particular were happy with the news saying that more positive action with funding and resources were needed to tackle the CPB problem.

Cocoa Board acting chief executive Lauatu Tautea said the plan would involve the active promotion, facilitation and the adoption of CPB management practices including the integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) technology as a way of reducing CPB infestation and sustaining cocoa production.

The strategy will include training and awareness on the CPB management technology, provision of essential tools and chemicals.

He said the support of stakeholders including private companies and service providers was essential in the overall success of the plan.

“Of paramount importance is the sustainability of the project which is anticipated to be achieved through training as well as from farmer support activities,” Tautea said.

“Adoption of good practices by cocoa farmers in growing, producing and processing of cocoa at the end of the day is most important.”

Tautea said that if CPB was not contained and managed effectively it would result in huge economic losses which would give rise to other social problems.

Officials from the provinces were happy with the news and requested that funding be made available quickly for the programme to commence.

Private sector representatives said it was a positive move by the government and stressed that they were ready to work closely with key agencies to fight the CPB problem.

 They said the private sector was already working with cocoa farmers in areas such as setting up of nurseries and conducting farmer training.

Political reviews of Melanesia

Dear friends and colleagues,

An excerpt of the contemporary Pacific journal Melanesia in Review: Issues and Events, 2009 – can be found on this link http://groups.google.com/group/malum-nalu/web/TCP22.2PolRv.melanesia.pdf - for your interest.

Our friend and colleague, Solomon Kantha, was in fact the one who passed it on to me.

Papua New Guinea's review of issues and events in 2009 is also included in this issue. 

 

Best regards,

 

Malum.

 

AIDS awareness under trees

From BRUCE COPELAND

 

It is great news to hear that the National AIDS Council Secretariat Director Wep Kanawi has announced a new approach to AIDS awareness in this country.

Counsellors are to go out to give awareness talks under trees and after church.

AIDS Holistics has been doing that for many years.

We have even adopted a church and helped them with their present slogan “strongim family”.

The tide is turning against foreign donor organisations that go out into the provinces to run four-day seminars to selected people and live in the hotel room

of the top hotel in the town.

People come for the lunch.

The pressure is now on the message given out.

No more can foreigners talk on rights and no responsibilities.

A church will make sure there is appropriate focus on family.

No more focus only on condoms.

It is good that Messrs Hopley and Collins of PACE are back to talk about paedophiles disguised as tourists coming to seek sex with children in the Pacific.

They will come disguised as AIDS advisors.

UNICEF says that children have the right of association.

That means their parents cannot stop sons and daughters from having sex with paedophiles.

Many foreign advisors will never go out to sit under trees and talk.

They do not speak Tok Pisin.

 

LGL-Newcrest merger to create US$25b empire

Miner to acquire high-margin, one-gold asset, says Gaurnaut 

 

By PATRICK TALU

 

THE merger between Lihir Gold Ltd (LGL) and the Australian gold miner Newcrest Mining Ltd (Newcrest) will create a A$25 billion (K60 billion) company with portfolio of a long-term high margin and a tier one gold asset,   LGL chairman Dr Ross Garnaut said yesterday, The National reports.

The merger agreement was finally signed yesterday in a special meeting among shareholders in Port Moresby for the proposed merger through a scheme of arrangement (SOA) announced last May.

 LGL shareholders overwhelmingly approved through a secret ballot the merger during the meeting.

They approved the SOA with 99.86% of the total number of votes cast at the meeting, exceeding the required majority of 75% as ordered by the Waigani national court.

The final hurdle for the merger is approval of the scheme by the national court with the hearing scheduled on Friday.

If approved, the scheme will become effective Aug 30 and is scheduled to be carried out on Sept 13.

“Through merger with Newcrest, we can immediately deliver strong returns to our shareholders with certainty, while simultaneously achieving greater diversification, reducing costs and improving our risk profile,” Garnaut said.

 “For the local communities where we operate, they can be assured that Newcrest has an excellent track record as a good corporate citizen, committed to delivering on its promises, sharing the benefits of its mining projects equitably, and operating in a way that is sensitive to diverse cultural needs and practices,” he said.

Gaurnaut said that Lihir mining project had played a special role in the development of the country’s mining industry and economy.

“It has demonstrated that with careful management and close co-operation with communities and governments, large-scale mining in PNG is consistent with exemplary outcomes for relations with communities and governments and for the environment,” he said.

“Newcrest’s commitment of more than US$10 billion (K27.25 billion), mostly for the Lihir Island asset, is a large vote of confidence in the PNG investment environment.”

Garnaut stressed the Lihir operation would continue to generate wealth and enhance society in the region for a long time to come.

“We expect high profitability will make the Lihir operations the second largest taxpayer in PNG next year.

“We have started paying sustainable dividends to shareholders.”

Newcrest chairman Don Mercer said the merger would create one of the world’s great gold mining companies with an outstanding platform to deliver superior returns to shareholders.

“The combination of Newcrest and LGL will create a world class portfolio of high quality operating mines and growth opportunities capable of delivering long term, sustainable production growth within the lowest cost quartile of the global industry,” Mercer said.

Bulolo shuts down as armed locals hunt rivals

EMBATTLED Sepik settlers in Bulolo are blaming the Morobe government of being slow in repatriating them, The National reports.

Their statement followed the killing of two young Sepiks, who were believed to be from the care centre, at the Saksak settlement and the severe wounding of 12 men by locals on Sunday.

The toll included 10 homes which were also razed by locals at Saksak, Jinker Road and New Camp.

The 12 critically wounded men have been rushed to Lae for intensive care at the Angau Memorial Hospital.

As the situation worsened with all schools, shops and the bank closed, locals were entering Bulolo with guns, bows and arrows and knives to join forces at the town market while the 32 policemen try their best to contain the situation.

Fears of fighting have forced all transport operators off the roads.

Residents in Wau last night said all shops were without food and the Morobe Mining JV, developer of the Hidden Valley gold mine, had not made any freight runs since Sunday.

Several Sepiks in Bulolo said people at the care centre wanted to leave, but the provincial government had not helped the district to repatriate them.

The plea was an about-turn by the Sepiks who, up until last Friday, had demanded the Morobe and national governments to find land in and around Bulolo to resettle them.

“They were so staunch in their demands that they went out and attacked local villagers panning for gold in the Bulolo River – both as a revenge for the April attacks and as a sign that this was as much their home as it was the Morobeans,” a PNG Forest Product employee said.

More than 2,000 Sepiks are now camped in the care centre at the PNG Forest Products premises, with very little to survive on. They had no clothes, no food and medicine.

The rations ran severely low yesterday.

On Sunday afternoon, locals from Bulolo camped at the town market.

Residents said the number of locals was rising every evening, with people coming in from the villages with bows and arrows, bush knives and axes.

Police also reported that they had proof from ballistics that the locals had “a number of sophisticated rifles”.

More than 30 policemen were stationed in Bulolo with reinforcements expected in from Port Moresby and Goroka today.

The police themselves have been burdened with logistical support. They have not been paid their previous three-month allowances.

Last weekend’s 21-day operational call had also not been paid.

The policemen are paying for meals out of their own pockets.

“What is worse, they are paying for calls to police headquarters using their own units on their mobile phones,” an observer said. 

The police also suffered at the hands of the locals.

A resident policeman was stripped of his uniforms and his house cleaned of all its items yesterday.

Warning out on child sex tourists

By ALISON ANIS

 

INTERNATIONAL consultants on child abuse and sexual exploitation have warned Papua New Guineans to be cautious of child sex tourists, The National reports.

These are people who target specific countries and travel under the guise of tourists but with the intention of sexually exploiting young girls and children.

Carl Collins and Ian Hopley, during a joint presentation at a one-day seminar addressing child abuse and sexual exploitation, said PNG had the potential of being a target for child sex tourists because of problems with enforcing laws, widespread corruption and poverty where money does the talking.

Hopley said commercial sex was rampant in Pacific countries, including PNG, and the country had to be aware of how the perpetrators operated to safeguard their women and children from being exploited.

“Many of these tourists are now targeting countries in the Pacific because other countries have introduced extra territorial legislation,” he said, adding that the legislation was introduced to safeguard women and children from these perpetrators.

Collins said sex tourists were mainly paedophiles or preferential child molesters who visited selected countries for the wrong reasons and to sexually exploit young girls and children.

Hopley said with reports of high child prostitution being experienced in PNG and an increase in commercial sex trade, the boom in the mineral, fishery and logging industries could also attract sex tourists.

However, he said this would happen on a few occasions as a majority of the sexual abuse on children in PNG would be carried out by Papua New Guineans.

“Foreigners arrested in the Pacific should, wherever possible, be charged with the relevant offences under the local laws and dealt with in the country where the offence occurred.

“In this way, it will sent out a warning to sex tourist that they are not welcomed here,” Hopley said.

 

Exxon: Project under threat

By PATRICK TALU

 

CONTINUED threats and interruptions to early works on the multi-billion-kina liquefied natural gas (LNG) project will have a detrimental effect on the project schedule, The National reports.

ExxonMobil, operator of the K40 billion project, yesterday expressed grave concerns after various landowners threatened to stop early works.

Others had forced early works at Hides and Komo to stop for three weeks.

The latest threat came from Papa landowners from portion 152 in Central where the proposed conditioning plant and jetties would be built. They wanted the developer to give them the contract to build the jetty.

“The project is the biggest single investment in the petroleum sector and PNG cannot afford to lose it.

“We have schedule for our first shipment by 2014 and such a threat will have a detrimental effect on our project schedule,” a spokesman for ExxonMobil told The National.

“We have three years to complete the respective phases of the project before our first LNG shipment.

“We cannot afford to lose time. It is going to cost PNG and ExxonMobil.

“As a borrower, we are answerable to financiers who loaned us to fund this massive project,” the spokesman said.

He said this year was just wasted dealing with landowners’ issues, which were not expected.

“The recent activities by these so-called landowners are uncalled for and are illegal.”

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil and Chiyoda JGC joint venture yesterday denied a report in The National last week that 5,000 Indonesian skilled workers would be brought in to work at portion 152.

The report was based on an announcement by an Indonesian embassy official.

A senior manager for Chiyoda said: “The article is incorrect.

“There is no contractor who can supply so many Indonesian workers.”

 

 

Ex-servicemen lay claim

By JASON GIMA WURI

 

EX-SERVICEMEN throughout the country will know the status of their claims from the state after the national executive council deliberates and review their petition in two weeks, The National reports.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare yesterday directed three of his ministers to meet and accept a petition from the ex-servicemen outside Morauta Haus, who are demanding the state to pay them their retrenchment claims and entitlements totalling K23 million.

The ex-servicemen have been fighting for their entitlements since 1989; some even ending up in the national and supreme courts.

Acting chief secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc told reporters that the prime minister had directed Labour and Industrial Relations Minister Mark Maipakai to accept the ex-servicemen’s petition.

Maipakai was joined by Attorney-General and Justice Minister Ano Pala and Correctional Services Minister Tony Aimo.

“The K23 million will be divided into the three categories: Colonial ex-servicemen – K5, 425,526.20; ex-servicemen retrenched between 1982 and 1989 (334 group – K12, 389,553.50 and 185 group – K5, 500,000).

Zurenuoc said since these payments were not contained in this year’s budget, it would take some time to make the final payments.

He said that the following were the groups that were claiming their retrenchment payments and entitlements.

They were the colonial ex-servicemen, ex-servicemen who retrenched between 1982 and 1989, ex-servicemen retrenched and discharged between 1989 and 2001 and ex-servicemen retrenched under the PNGDF downsizing reforms between 2001 and 2007.

“Colonial ex-servicemen consist of members who had served under the Australian colonial administration prior to PNG gaining Independence in 1975.

“In 1989, the Australian government transferred funds (K2.5 million as employer contributions) to the Defence Force Retirement Benefit Fund (DFRBF) board through the Department of Finance.

“Only K2.2 million was paid out through the special project headed by Lt-Col John Lytus, hence, the balance of about K300, 000 was transferred to the Finance Department and held in trust.

“An additional amount of K800, 000 was paid as employees’ contribution to the DFRBF.

“These monies were never paid to the particular group of ex-servicemen. And, they now claimed the principal sum and interests in the total sum of K57, 607,446.53,” Zurenuoc said.

He said for the ex-servicemen retrenched between 1982 and 1989, this group consisted of 1,111 ex-servicemen.

However, the main group of claimants come under the 188 group, the 334 group, the 323 (previously 494) group and 185 group respectively.

They claimed that they were not paid their various retrenchment entitlements arising from Brown J’s decision in OS No.58/89 in 1989.

The ex-servicemen discharged between 1989 and 2001 consists of the following, Daniel Tali group – 117 (Murray barracks), John Coomer group – 56 (Taurama barracks), Jerry Abraham group – 88 (Moem barracks) and Laki Kalon group – 102 (Igam barracks).

Papua New Guinea marine strategy to be launched

The Department of Environment and Conservation is organising to launch the Papua New Guinea Marine Programme Strategy (PNGMPS) as a ‘side event’ coinciding with the upcoming 21st South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP) meeting in Madang, on Friday, September 10, 2010.

The Secretary of Department of Environment & Conservation, Dr Wari Lea Iamo said: “The Minister of Environment & Conservation Hon. Benny Allen will officially launch this important five-year strategic programme (2010-2015), towards the end of the SPREP meeting in Madang that will commence on September 2. 

Dr Wari Iamo

The overarching purpose of the PNGMPS is to provide a framework for government, local communities and corporate citizens in partnership to manage and sustain the capacity of our marine ecosystems and habitats that support PNG’s growing population.

Dr Iamo revealed that PNG’s average growth rate of 3.5% over the last 10 years was starting to impose greater demands on our natural marine resources, especially within the vicinity of urban areas.

“Human population pressure and urbanisation-related development activities are impacting marine habitats and associated marine resources over the years, to such an extent that they have been reduced to rubble littered with anthropogenic wastes (rubbish caused by humans),” Dr Iamo said.

“The PNG Marine Programme Strategy has been nine months in the writing, and will provide a plan of action for concerned stakeholders to work towards in achieving poverty reduction and food security for Papua New Guineans.

“In addition, the country’s unique marine environment and unmatched biodiversity presents numerous opportunities for nature based eco-tourism as well as commercial tourism, augmenting income generation at the local and international market niches.

“So the marine programme strategy is important, as it will allow us to monitor and evaluate through the next five years on how we are managing our marine resources.”

 The program will be updated on an annual basis.

Copies of this document are available from the 4th floor of Somare Foundation Building, Department of Environment Conservation or visit the website @ www.dec.gov.pg.

The address to write to for a copy is:  Department of Environment & Conservation, P O Box 6601, BOROKO 111, NCD or call (675) 325 0180.

For email contact: odir@dec.gov.pg or rrage@dec.gov.pg.

Regional water meet in Port Moresby

The 3rd Pacific Water and Wastes Association conference will be held in Port Moresby from September 13-15 at the Holiday Inn.

Over 100 participants from the region including Australia and New Zealand are expected to attend the conference, themed – ‘Water Quality Challenges in the Pacific’.

These include water utilities, suppliers, and exhibitors.

Preceding the conference will be a ‘Water Quality’ Workshop at the Coast Watchers Hotel in Madang from September 9-10 sponsored by AusAID through City West Australia.

Governor General Sir Paulias Matane will officially open the workshop and State Owned Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare will give the keynote address.

Trade and Industry Minister Minister Gabriel Kapris will open the trade show (expo) which will coincide with the conference and will see displays from organisations involved in the water and sanitation industry.

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare will be the guest-of-honour during a Pacific night on Tuesday while National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop will be the guest during welcome cocktail on Monday night.

Other guests include heads of departments, statutory organisations, SOE’s, high commissioners and members of the Pacific community.

There are three sub-themes of:

·        Water quality;

·        Water sustainability –challenges and opportunities; and

·         Climate change.

Conference will bring together speakers from the region’s water utilities, donors and other stakeholders to share ideas and find innovative solutions to address the Pacific’s common water woes, thus, ensuring future access to safe and clean water for the Pacific.

Access to safe drinking water is vital for our health and well-being.

 Conference is being co-hosted by the nation’s two water utilities – PNG Waterboard and Eda Ranu.

The Host Chair is Mr Billy Imar –General Manager of Eda Ranu while CEO & MD of PNG Waterboard Mr Patrick Amini is the current PWWA Chair.

 Sponsors in cash and kind include National Gaming Control Board, Meddent, NCDC, IPBC, SP Brewery, PNG Waterboard and JC-KRTA Consulting Group

 

 

Morobe day at University of Papua New Guinea

Picture by EKAR KEAPU of The National

Morobe students at the University of Papua New Guinea celebrating their provincial day last Saturday.

Traditional performances ruled much of the day.

 The students were supported by their parents, guardians and other Morobeans living and working in Port Moresby.

Among those present at the celebrations was government secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc.