Taiwan and Papua New Guinea recommit efforts to promote agriculture

Ministers Hickey (right) and Chen shake hands after the signing

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

Taiwan and Papua New Guinea have reaffirmed their commitment towards improving the agriculture sector.

This follows the signing of the revalidation of the technical cooperation agreement on agriculture for a further three-year period.

The PNG government has committed itself to ensure that the agreement with Taiwan is revalidated and remains active for the medium and long-term to ensure that PNG farmers continue to benefit and improve their livelihood.

Over the years since the agreement was first signed, PNG has benefitted through the provision of quality rice and vegetable seeds, machinery, technical expertise, irrigation technology and support to agricultural extension including human resource development both in country and in Taiwan through the international cooperation and development centre.

The technical mission has established its office and facilities in Bubia outside of Lae and has worked closely with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and other agricultural agencies to promote agriculture.

Many of the technologies promoted by the Taiwanese experts are being popularised in many parts of the country.

On Aug 30 this year, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock John Hickey and his counterpart minister and chairman of the council of agriculture, Wu-hsiung Chen, signed the agreement in Taipei, Taiwan.

Hickey expressed his appreciation and thanked the government of Taiwan for inviting him to visit Taiwan and for the second time revalidate the agreement.

APEC ministers urge sustainable growth of tourism

Issued by the 6^th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting

Nara, Japan, 22 September, 2010 – Tourism Ministers from the Asia-Pacific region stressed the importance of achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in this key industry, on the opening day of the 6^th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday.

 Opening the meeting, Japan’s Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Sumio Mabuchi, said tourism, like the rest of the economy, had suffered from the global financial crisis, natural disasters and the H1N1 virus in recent years.

 However Minister Mabuchi, who is chairing the meeting, said tourism has potential to play a key role in the region’s economic recovery. Steps, therefore, need to be taken by APEC to help nurture the industry so that it grows sustainably for future generations. 

 “Although we see some signs of upturn in the economy starting from this year, we are still far away from a full-fledged recovery. So there are efforts being taken around the world to bring about growth,” Minister Mabuchi told the meeting in his home town of Nara, Japan.

 “The tourism industry is an industry which can actually enable growth without resorting to fiscal stimulus. It is an industry that has the potential to impact on the revitalisation of the regional economy as well as on employment and therefore the sustainable growth of this industry is of paramount importance.”

 “Over the next two days in this ministerial meeting, I do hope that we can have very robust and active discussion and exchange of views and express and translate our strong resolve into the Nara Declaration, so that we can jointly take one step forward.”

 APEC’s share of world tourism has been growing over the past 15 years, according to StatsAPEC, an extensive database showing economic performance in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC’s share of world tourism has increased from 28 percent in 1995 to currently 51 percent. International tourism arrivals in the APEC region have grown approximately 122 million over this period.

 During the plenary session, Ministers discussed the important role that the sector can play in contributing to APEC’s new growth strategy, which will be submitted to APEC Leaders for consideration when they meet in November in Yokohama.

 In particular, Ministers discussed the need for protection of the region’s natural and cultural assets to create a more environmentally sustainable sector. Creating more stable workforces in the sector and enabling tourism to generate business opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises would also lead to more inclusive growth of the sector that benefits more sections of society.

 Among other topics discussed was the importance of sharing information and ideas between member economies to strengthen the industry, and closer cooperation between APEC fora, the private sector and other international organisations to help achieve APEC’s goals.

 Ministers provided an assessment of the tourism industry in their economies, and also received a report on the results of the APEC Tourism Working Group. The meeting will continue on Thursday before Ministers are expected to release the “Nara Declaration” on Tourism and hold a press conference.

                                            # # #

For more information, contact:  Trudy Harris + 65 98983710 or th@apec.org

For StatsAPEC, visit: http://statistics.apec.org/

Fighting resumes at Unitech

By PETER PIA and PISAI GUMAR

 

CLASSES at the University of Technology (Unitech) in Lae were disrupted again yesterday after Sepik students, claiming that nobody had attended to their petition, attacked students from Chimbu as early as 11am, The National reports.

The Sepik students had petitioned the Unitech administration and council after the death of a first-year applied physics student and the injury of two others in a fight with students from Chimbu three weeks ago.

Their petition called for:

* Kuima Security Services Ltd to withdraw its services from the university;

* Current university administration to be sidelined and a caretaker administration appointed to investigate the fight and death;

* Perpetrators to face the full force of law; and

* Effective security measures to be put in place to complete the academic year.

On Monday, the university administration and police had assured students from other provinces and abroad that there would not be any disruption to classes and that their safety was guaranteed.

However, this changed yesterday morning when students attending classes fled in fear for their lives when a group students, who refused to go for classes, mobilised and attacked those from Chimbu.

A final-year civil engineering student, who requested anonymity, told The National from Lae that they had fled their classrooms at about 11am when a group of students, who were armed, threatened his course mates from the highlands region.

“It all happened during our lectures.

“A group of Sepik students arrived and threatened an Eastern Highlander and two others.

“Police arrived and restored order,” he said.

“All Chimbu students packed their belongings and left early yesterday morning,” he added.

The source said the university administration and council must be blamed for not solving the problem fully and effectively.

The university suspended classes for the rest of yesterday and today “with the hope to recommence thereafter”.

“In the meantime, police have reassured that security on campus is intact and the incident had been attended to,” Vice-Chancellor Dr Misty Baloiloi said.

He said the administration of law and order on campus had been given to the metropolitan commander and “police were handling the issues of security on campus in the best way they know”.

He told the students that the provincial administrators of East Sepik and Chimbu had agreed to travel to Lae and onto the campus to assist the students involved in the conflict reconcile.

Baloiloi appealed to the students to cooperate with police and the administration to ensure the operations of the university was not affected, “especially to conclude the academic year properly”.

The fighting was said to have started at the administration block at about 10.30am and started a melee.

Several students were reportedly injured and taken to Angau while several were arrested by police.

Neither the hospital nor police could say anything about the injured nor those arrested.

During the rush, criminals capitalised and attacked an expatriate academic from Japan.

He was held up with a pocket knife in broad daylight as people ran about.

The academic was traumatised and left the campus.

Meanwhile, students from Enga, Southern Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Central and NCD and others have announced their intention to petition the national government for negligence and non-intervention in solving the problem.

They had called on the students representative council (SRC) to take the lead to ensure they complete this academic year.

Their petition called for the government to:

* Close this academic year and allow students to return and complete the remaining five weeks in early January;

* Tighten security with the police mobile squad setting up camp inside the campus; and

* An independent inquiry to be established to fully investigate the matter.

The students planned to send their representatives to Port Moresby either tomorrow or Friday to hand over their petition to the government.

 

Transparency International hits out at K9 million guns purchase

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

THE PNG chapter of the civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption, Transparency International, yesterday said the acquisition of non-lethal weapons and munitions by the Correctional Services will not solve the various problems faced by jails throughout the country, The National reports.

TIPNG said the K9 million would be better spent on upgrading and securing all prison facilities, including living quarters, to boost the low morale among staff and instill discipline among service members.

CS Minister Tony Aimo had earlier explained that the purchase would, presumably, deter mass breakouts.

However, yesterday, he said the organisation would not use its development budget to make the buy.

“It is just an order, with money not coming out of the CS development budget.

“This arrangement is on a protocol level (government to government),” Aimo explained.

He said the demolition and reconstruction of its staff living quarters and other entitlements were not compromised in the arms deal.

Aimo said the statement by TIPNG was “a slap in the face of hardworking prison officers working and living in trying conditions over many years”.

During a visit to the Beon jail in Madang last month, court judge Justice David Cannings also highlighted the problems faced by warders and their families. 

 

 

Customs impound tanker off Manus

AN oil tanker that ran aground on reef off the north of Manus, could have caused severe damages to the marine life if the oil and fuel it was carrying had spilled out, the PNG Customs Service said, The National reports.

The tanker, carrying 1,600 metric tonnes of oil and fuel with a crew of 21, including the captain, was detained by officials from PNG Customs, police

and National Fisheries Authority to establish grounds and impose possible fines under their respective laws as per breach of each of their regulations.

The PNG Customs Service will lay appropriate charges on the owner of the oil tanker for non-compliance in the provincial capital Lorengau.

The tanker is owned and operated by Singapore-based company Hai Soon International Trading Pte Ltd.

During the record of interview, Customs found that Hai Soon 5 was on a voyage through the high seas north off Manus Island to refuel fishing vessels operating in the international waters.

As it tried to pass through the PNG waters, the ship accidentally hit a coral reef and ran aground, but failed to inform PNG Customs and other relevant authorities of the incident.

The tanker is registered in Kiribati and its last port of call was Peyongtaek, South Korea bound for Hawaii.

Customs also found 10 pornographic DVDs during routine ship search and two crew members will also be charged for being in possession of prohibited items under PNG laws.

Customs commissioner Gary Juffa said all sea and aircraft entering and operating within the country’s boundary were covered by PNG laws.

“As Customs duty is to safeguard the country’s borders, its environment and the people, anyone found to break the Customs regulations would be severely penalised under the existing laws,” Juffa said.

ICT vital for agricultural development in Papua New Guinea

PNGARNet opens up greater learning and information sharing opportunities through broadband technology

By SENIORL ANZU of NARI

Information has become an important input in ever-increasing knowledge-intensive agriculture

. The information needs in Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) is increasingly become complex and changing due to climate change and its impact on agricultural practices; need for rural non-farm employment and income generation; integrated farming; agri-entrepreneurial opportunities; access to modern markets, food safety for consumers and depleting natural resources.

New knowledge based on innovative ideas and systematic research is a crucial catalytic agent for agricultural and rural development.

However, the extent of positive impact of new knowledge depends on how effectively this knowledge is transferred to and adopted by the farming communities and the end- users.

At the heart of the transfer process is the information and communication system and its effectiveness in a given environment.

The use of new tools and systems of information and communication technology (ICT) thus is of paramount importance in the development process. 

In today’s information age, new developments in ICT are offering many exciting opportunities and new challenges in rapid and effective dissemination of agricultural technologies and knowledge to stakeholders.

 The ICT advances are complemented by new techniques for efficient information and communication management (ICM).

The importance of ICT and ICM has been duly signified through global platforms in the realisation of the effective application of e-agriculture in recent years.

In recognition of these potentials, many national agricultural research systems (NARS) and agricultural research and development (R&D) organisations in the Asia-Pacific region have emphasised the use of ICT in agricultural research and rural development.

The extension mechanism, which is conventional, mandated to provide necessary information support to farming community often fail due to a variety of inherent problems.

Adding to this is the ever-increasing learning needs of stakeholders that are continuously changing due to globalisation.

This is where the applications of ICT in AR4D are offering immense opportunities to strengthen agricultural extension system all over the world.

The potential of ICTs is significant in making AR4D more inclusive through highly targeted and location specific information services; delivery of ICT-enabled services such as market access, access to export markets, traceability systems, mobile extension services etc.

To add to this, the advances like cloud computing, availability of new generation mobile technology in many developing countries and global information systems (GIS), ease of web 2.0 technologies and social networking at all levels have increased opportunities for new ways to share and exchange information and knowledge with wide range of stakeholders.

It also led to improve agricultural advisory services and encourage innovative partnerships in ICM for AR4D for greater impact.

There are notable ICT attempts in agriculture and rural development which not only provide lessons on connectivity and device development but also offer more insights into ICM issues related to digital content development, end-user needs, policy support, digital intellectual property rights, open access issues, standards for greater coherence, information and knowledge management, security of information systems, research in ICT/ICM, socio-economic impact, and institutional and process interventions to manage all these continuous changes.

 This specialised body of knowledge, cutting across disciplines, opens up great learning opportunities for all stakeholders in AR4D and it forms a key component to improve their capacities for leveraging ICT/ICM for AR4D.

There are many success stories on how ICT has been effectively utilised in rural development.

Experiences have also shown that ICT initiatives, including on-line agricultural databases, electronic forums and CD-ROMs, have changed the way the information and knowledge are managed and communicated.

New public domain software and applications allow for research information to be digitised. 

Audio-visual materials make transfer and access of information much faster.

In Papua New Guinea, the government has created the enabling environment with the introduction of the national ICT policy 2009.

This timely policy sets out a strategic framework for meeting the government’s objective for the ICT sector.

Key amongst this will be the integrated government information system – the platform for e-government and governance.

This sets the basis and opens up opportunity for greater use of ICT/ICM in agricultural and national development.

The recent introduction of competition in mobile telephony and establishment of PNG academic and research network (PNGARNet) company have enhanced increased communication, research, teaching and learning.

The PNG NARS, in a new shift, have reorientated their focus to enhance development impact in their research and development efforts with prominence given to information and communication as an equally-important function at programme level.

Some educational and R&D organisations in PNG have on-line access to knowledge and information exchange using broadband technology and other ICT tools and techniques.

Many more have established electronic communication links with like-minders both in country and abroad, taking advantage of internet and email systems.

With the rapid growth of cellular telephony and wireless internet technologies, the use of ICT can be extended to household and individual levels, making it possible for real time communication.

Innovative actions such as the SMS market information project of the Fresh Produce Development Agency and the mega EU-funded regional agricultural information system (RAIS) for the Western Pacific Countries (PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) demonstrate the potential application of ICT/ICM in AR4D.

And traditional medium through radio, television and newspapers are continuing to be channels of information and education, with most moving into digitalisation.

The participation by PNG NARS at inter-regional events has opened up new initiatives and changes in the emerging global alliance in RAIS and collaborations. Through such collaborative and capacity building activities, a number of initiatives and resources have been locally developed, such as the PNG NAIS, an online database information system for the country. 

However, how to make ICT/ICM work in rural areas of PNG is a real challenge.

This is because of typical constraints such as limited access to remote areas, unreliable infrastructure, high illiteracy rate, inadequate funding support and high telecommunication costs.

 Farmers and key stakeholders need timely information and decision-making ability.

 It will also require capacity building support to enable them adopt the new ICTs in a user-friendly manner.

While rural telecommunications can play a vital role in supporting and providing farm and non-farm livelihoods, access to markets, education, health services, governance, etc, the cost of connectivity and its sustainability will continue to be an issue.

 At the same time, farming is the major economic activity in the rural areas and therefore, agricultural development should be a major consideration in defining telecommunications strategies.

For ICT to really impact on agriculture and rural development in PNG, a number of issues require consideration:

·        Policies relating to telecommunication and information management for agricultural and rural development should reflect local realities and needs;

·        Need for rural-based information communication policy framework to give access to the rural poor (and the illiterate) on a sustainable basis;

·        Resource allocation to support information services should be appropriate and effective to meet rapid technological development and demand;

·        Greater partnerships and collaborations be enhanced with RAIS and NARS based on institutional arrangements;

·        Relevant strategies for human resource development in ICT/ICM be developed and implemented.  Need is also to consider and incorporate gender equity and sensitivity in ICT/ICM;

·        There is a need to create public-private-community partnerships in agricultural information delivery and exchange; and

·        Agricultural policies need to focus on ICT/ICM use, considering initiatives by various stakeholders, including the private sector and NGOs.

Artists meet for exhibition

One of the 20 artists who turned up yesterday showing off his paintings. – Nationalpic by AURI EVA

By JUNIOR UKAHA

ARTISTS from all parts of the country gathered in Port Moresby yesterday to witness the launching of the garden art exhibition, The National reports.

The event is part of preliminary celebrations and awareness towards the staging of the 7th international orchid spectacular at the National Parliament grounds on Oct 2-3.

Works of PNG artists will also be displayed there.

Yesterday’s gathering was also an opportunity to unite, commemorate and recognise the work of artists throughout the country.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop launched the exhibition.

He urged the artists to use their talents and help the city commission beautify the city.

“We must use art to capture the dream of transforming this city into a beautiful place to live,” Parkop said.

Tree crop exports net K2 billion in 2008

By JASON GIMA WURI

 

FOR the first time, export earnings from the country’s main tree crops – oil palm, coffee, cocoa, coconut, tea and rubber – reached the K2 billion mark in 2008.

From oil palm alone, earnings had surpassed the K1 billion mark in 2008.

This was disclosed by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare while giving a brief run down of the economic performance of the country in a speech during the 35th independence flag raising ceremony in Port Moresby last week.

“The tree crop subsector accounted for over 92% of the total agriculture export values and engaged the bulk of population in rural districts,” Sir Michael said.

“It also reduces poverty among rural people and lessens migration to towns.

“This leads me to mention briefly our economic performance.

“The economy has been able to navigate the negative impact of the global financial crisis and grew by 5.5% last year.”

He said business activities, especially in the construction and communication sectors, had been strong despite the weaker external environment.

Sir Michael said due to the country’s strong economic performance, employment levels had also risen in 2008 to 8.5%, but eased last year to 4.7%,

“Agriculture has always been our livelihood and will continue to be an important economic sector for us.

“We have this safety net that is our traditional way of life based on subsistence agriculture,” Sir Michael added.

He also acknowledged that other activities had picked up as a result of the early works by ExxonMobil.

He added the growth the growth this year was expected to be 7.5%, in which the non-mining sector  was expected to be at 7.6%.

“Despite the issues facing the government, we have not stopped looking at ways to bring about increased employment and development to our people,” Sir Michael said.

 

 

Wife chopped to death

Senior servant flees following son’s death

 

By JAMES APA GUMUNO

 

A MAN hacked his wife to death in Chimbu at the weekend as details surfaced yesterday that the 35th Independence Day anniversary celebrations in the Highlands pro-vinces were not as peaceful as what police made them out to be.

In Enga, a senior public servant is still on the run last night after his son was found dead at the back of their house.

Police, in the meantime, claimed that the consumption of homebrew and marijuana contributed to the increase in law and order problems along the Western Highlands Chimbu provincial boundary troubled spots.

In Kompiam, Enga, three people have been arrested for the killing of senior teacher James Mond and police are hunting for another seven suspects.

Detailing the Chimbu killing yesterday, police said the man, a known marijuana user, would be rounded up and questioned about his wife’s body which was chopped up.

The killing happened last Saturday at the husband’s Wenaga village at Kerowagi.

Chimbu police commander Supt Joseph Tondop described it as a “cold-blooded murder”.

He named the dead woman as Ulana Garai, 48, of Narku tribe in Kundiawa district.

Tondop said the husband and wife had separated for a while because of the husband’s drug problems but reunited with her and their eight children recently.

Last Saturday, Garai decided to visit her Kugame village but was attacked and chopped to death.

The husband, Garai Pius, was arrested the next day and charged with wilful murder.

Meanwhile, Enga police chief Supt Martin Lakari said a father was the prime suspect in eldest son’s death at Teremanda village in Wabag district.

Lakari said that four other family members were also wanted in relation to the death which followed the cutting down of some banana trees.

He said that the suspected killers had used axes, sticks and metal objects in the attack.

Lakari said that the body was released to the relatives on Saturday for burial after doctors conducted the postmortem.

Youth leader John Kawage, who lives close to where the killing happened, said that the consumption of marijuana and homebrew in his Kunabau area was going from bad to worse.

He said these contrabands were now sold openly at the local markets, like any other garden produce.

Kawage said this illegal business was booming and contributing to the escalating law and order problems in the area.

In Chimbu, provincial police commander Supt Joseph Tondop said that marijuana-induced activities were getting out of hand on the Chimbu-Western Highlands boundary.

He said that the Mindima section of the highway between Kundiawa and Kuglbal were problem areas.

Tondop said despite many attempts by police to reduce the problem, leaders were not cooperating with the police.

He said that he was planning another major awareness on drugs which would be carried out soon.

 

Hela boss wants gas revenue locked in

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

HELA Transitional Authority chairman James Marape has recommended the HTA embrace the Hela long-term development plan to lock in gas revenue to realise the proposed Hela province’s development aspirations, The National reports.

Marape said the LNG revenue must be locked in for development in line with the long-term plans and not controlled by politicians.

He said the next six months would be critical as HTA’s task was to have nationwide consultations with its people and stakeholders including the elite Hela working class, students, youths, churches, women and leaders on the long-term plan for Hela province.

The chairman of HTA and member for Tari-Pori said this when announcing that the HTA had passed a K23 million budget to ensure infrastructures were in place for a full provincial status for Hela province by 2012.

The K23 million was allocated by the national government in this year’s budget for physical infrastructure and public service structure in preparation for the provincial status.

Marape said the appropriation was to put in place structures for a new province by 2012 and to ensure that the province gets maximum benefit from the LNG project and not squandering the wealth created from their gas.

The break-up included K1 million to each for office rehabilitation in each of the three district offices, K200, 000 each to the 16 local level governments (LLGs) for the setting up of LLG assemblies, K250, 000 for a youth centre in Tari, K250, 000 to the Hela council of churches, K250, 000 to the council of women and K3 million for the construction of the HTA office complex in Tari.

 

 

Bombom confirms attack

By PEARSON KOLO

 

KEREMA Open MP Pitom Titus Bombom confirmed yesterday that some frustrated members of his electorate had attacked him at Kaintiba last Thursday where he had gone to celebrate the 35th Independence Day anniversary celebrations, The National reports.

Bombom said this in a statement after yesterday’s front page story in the two daily newspapers which said he was assaulted at the station.

“I was not seriously assaulted or ran away as claimed by the two daily newspapers,” he said.

“In fact, the incident actually happened and I only sustained a scratch on the right cheek caused by a bamboo which was thrown at me by a member of the public.”

Bombom said even after the attack, he stood and faced his people and addressed them.

He claimed that a small group of people who were supporters of the Kaintiba local level government, Jerry Yeninga, had tried to attack him.

Bombom said he had travelled to Kaintiba with one policeman and a Kerema district officer.

“My people want to see me more often then as been the case and I understand that but certain circumstances and situations have not allowed that,” he said.

The MP said he had been going in and out of his electorate, including Kaintiba, regularly, providing basic services since he was elected three years ago.

Bombom blamed Gulf Governor Havila Kavo for being assaulted.

He urged the Gulf government to assist the open electorates and district with service delivery.

Coffee pulpers and sewing machines donation

By SAM BASIL
Bulolo MP

Testing coffee pulpers with some coffee beans while Yapleh Gilimbing looks on

Well, the coffee beans look OK!

See for yourself!

Handing out the sewing machines to the Bundun women's group

Bundun is a small village alongside the Bulolo National Highway, Ward 2,  of the Mumeng local level government headed by LLG president Mathias Phillip.
Yapleh Gilimbing,  a local leader from Bundun village, took ownership of a rundown coffee plantation with his clansmen some 15 years ago and needed coffee pulpers to process wet beans.
Through the district's district support improvement programme (DSIP) funds,  I have made available coffee pulpers for men and sewing machines for women.
The sewing machines can be used by the women’s group to raise their own funds  by sewing  uniforms or mending villagers' clothes while coffee pulpers will process the coffee much quickly to generate more income by a man as head of the family.
The Bundun ceremony was brief but I really admired the job done by the building team of erecting the pulpers.
The ceremony ended and we had to proceed down the hill to open the Omalai footbridge project.

Omolai footbridge opening

By SAM BASIL
Bulolo MP

Bulolo MP Sam Basil opening the Omolai footbridge

Being a businessman from Bulolo district I have been engaged with the people from my district since 1996 in terms of providing essential community projects such as water supply, footbridge and other donations such as sewing machines to women’s groups, coffee pulpers to community groups and sporting gear to local sporting organisations at local level government level.

Singsing towards the footbridge project site

The Omalai footbridge was originally built by Armsec’s maintenance team in 2001 just before the 2002 national elections, which I contested, and lost.
I can remember back in 2001 we opened the old Omalai footbridge with the same bamboo band style and the great local people we met.

Receiving bilums from Omalai mothers, their apreciation for the project second time around

Many little children back then in 2001 are all over eight years old or older this very day.
The original Omalai footbridge got washed out four months ago and it was very timely for me now as their local MP to take charge to get the bridge back in order.

Villagers trying out the new Omolai footbridge

The new footbridge is two metres taller than the old washed-out footbridge to avoid another wash-out.
We were welcomed by the locals and accompanied by the Mumeng LLG president Mathias Phillip and Watut LLG president Waka Daman.

Kek Riggers & Footbridges contractors packing and ready to move to the next project site.

This included the press group.
The singsing group led us to the project site followed by their one and only bamboo band.

Couldn't sit down have to eat my kaukau while watching the Omalai Bamboo Band hammering out its tunes

Band members have to hammer chords out of the soft ground to produce each chord required by the band master, armed with his flutes.
Each chord consists of five or less bamboos tuned and stringed together to produce specific chords.
I believe this style is unique to PNG among many other undiscovered musical cultures of the country.
The local pastor conducted the dedication service with prayers followed by speeches by Mumeng and Watut LLG presidents,  who supported the programme and urged the people to take care of this important investment.
The footbridge will serve over 300 people who will use it for transporting their alluvial gold, vegetables for Lae and roadside markets and also to access schools, aid posts and other essential services.
During my speech,  I  urged villagers to take care of the bridge for another eight years or so.

A sewing machine and a coffee pulper were handed out to the women's and men's group during the bridge ceremony

I reminded them that this was my second footbridge project as a person and first as an MP and would be committed to continue to come back and fix the footbridge whenever required.
A sewing machine for the Omalai women’s group and a coffee pulpers for Omalai community were presented after the footbridge ceremony.
The event finished off with some local dishes to the tune of the local bamboo band which I later joined, playing the bass chord.

Finally joined the band with the bass bamboo tubes

Mona from Morobe National Broadcasting Commission did some recordings and re-played it over Radio Morobe during the independence weekend.

MMV donates to Mumeng police barracks

Members of the police force and the new houses against a panoramic Mumeng background

By SAM BASIL
Bulolo MP

Bulolo MP Sam Basil talks about the need to make his electorate a better and safer place to live and work in

The new Mumeng station will be one of the fastest-developing stations in Bulolo district after its re-location from its old location which was devastated by the Kumalu River some six years ago.
The station will in the future serve the population of Mumeng, Buang and parts of Wampar local level government in terms of court circuits, lock-ups, shops, post office, service stations and other essential services that a small township can offer.
Landowners of Wafi have shown interest in having some spin-offs from the Wafi mine development to be directed towards the station and is supported by my office.
In late 2007, Morobe Tutumang,  of which I am a member,  approved K500, 000 from the Morobe provincial government 2010 for the construction of those five houses for police in Mumeng station.

Guests taking a tour of the new houses

Construction started in late 2008 and finished early 2010.
The houses were vacant for at least a year until my joint district planning and budget prioritees committee (JDP&BPC) approved the K2m law and order programme.

Guests led by Bulolo MP Sam Basil finish in specting one of the new houses

Part of the funding covered the new police station of Mumeng including furniture , computers and networking software.
JDP&BPC also funded fencing and white goods.
There is a pavement from the driveway into the house and EMTV broadcasting systems for the station.
Law and order is of a concern to all stake holders in the district and the district must be seen to work hand-in-hand with all stake holders.
Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV) stepped in with the purchase of six new Tuffa tanks, six electric water pumps and plumbing to help fasttrack the development.

Representatives from MMJV

MMJV community affairs manager Stanley Komunt spoke on behalf of the company and stressed that MMJV was keen on being a partner in such projects.
He said the company's donation showed its commitment to the district and the government of Papua New Guinea.

Morobe PPC Peter Guiness makes a point at the gathering

He officially handed over MMJV’s donations.
Morobe provincial police commander Supt Peter Guiness praised MMJV for its timely donation and assured the district and MMJV that he would source policemen for the rural police programmes to come to Mumeng and reside there to conduct their duties.
It is planned that under the K2m budget, a police vehicle including annual running costs, driver's allowances, 10 community police uniforms and monthly allowances, three firearms (a bolt action high powered rifle, pump action shot gun and a gas gun) and ammunition.
The police station will be under the command of a regular senior constable who will be based in Mumeng.
A total of seven areas have been targeted:

• Wau Rural LLG (Biaru-based);
• Wau Town (markets and shop-based);
• Bulolo Town (market and shopping area-based);
• Upper Watut LLG (Manianda-based);
• Buang LLG;
• Mumeng LLG (Mumeng-based); and
• Mumeng Station command (Mumeng-based).

From a call out there will be more than 70 men armed with 21 firearms ready to take on any problems before reinforcements arrive,  all for K2m with annual funding to sustain operational costs.

2010 Hiri Hanenamo queen

And, the winner is ... Kaia Morea Hila, 22, from Hanuabada representing Poreporena Lahara, is the 2010 Hiri Hanenamo queen.
She was announced winner by Justice Minister Ano Pala at the Sir Hubert Murray stadium during the final day of the Hiri Moale festival yesterday. 
Hila is a final-year diploma in business accounting student at the Port Moresby Business College. 
With tears of joy, she said: “I owe it to my parents, my family and loved ones. I can’t believe it, it is a dream come true.”-Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

Kerema MP bashed in rural Kaintiba

By PEARSON KOLO

 

KEREMA MP Pitom Titus Bombom is nursing a bruised body after his constituents in the Kainteba district attacked him when he flew there last Thursday to celebrate the 35th Independence Day anniversary, The National reports.

More than 300 men, women and children were at the airstrip to welcome him but a group set upon him with sticks and stones as he stepped off the plane.

Last night, Bombom, a first-term MP, was nursing a cut to the right upper chin and a bamboo spear wound on his back.

According to eyewitnesses, police security and others who had escorted the MP on the chartered flight fled as soon as the attack started.

Bombom ran into a makeshift shelter but a group from the crowd followed him there and continued attacking him with sticks and stones, they said, adding that he could have been beaten unconscious.

Someone from the crowd threw a bamboo spear at the member, hitting him on the back

Luckily for Bombom, police officers, who had travelled separately to Kaintiba with Gulf Governor Havila Kavo earlier, intervened and chased away the violent mob, saving him from further attacks.

The Kaintiba, or Kanabea people, who live in the mountains bordering Gulf, Eastern Highlands and Morobe, are part of the Kerema Open electorate and they are culturally different from the coastal constituents.

They said Bombom had not visited them since winning the Kerema seat in the 2007 general elections.

Kaintiba local level government president Jerry Yeninga was evidently angry with the MP who, he claimed, had continuously lied to his people about providing them basic services.

“No one has organised the people to bash up the member, it was unplanned,” Yeninga said at the weekend.

“They have shown their frustration on the member for continuously lying to them and not even visiting them or providing a single project or development in Kaintiba.”

Yeninga said the people were equally frustrated with Bombom’s recent involvement in the Gulf provincial politics where a vote of no-confidence was taken to depose Kavo and name him as alternate governor until the courts intervened to restore Kavo as head of the province.

He said the Kaintiba leaders had urged their MP to make peace with Kavo in Kaintiba and demanded that he delivered on his failed promises.

“It is almost four years and Bombom has not provided a single service to Kaintiba,” Yeninga said.

The attack disrupted the Independence Day programme in Kaintiba but Kavo, who went to the area separately, restored order and addressed the people.

Bombom, still shocked but recovered from the attack, was given time to address the crowd but did not say much and left soon after with his delegation.

 

Kapris applauds Chinese investments

By BOSORINA ROBBY in Shanghai

 

EXCELLENT trade and foreign relationships between PNG and China over the years have culminated in many good investments and business initiatives, a government minister visiting China has said, The National reports.

Commerce and Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris said last Friday that this was evident in the grants that the Chinese government had set aside for PNG and other Pacific Island countries to build the Pacific joint pavilion to showcase their country and products in their respective booths.

Kapris told reporters at a gathering to mark PNG’s 35th independence anniversary that assistance like this had strengthened the relationship between PNG, the Pacific and the Chinese people.

Papua New Guineans working and studying Shanghai turned up to celebrate the day with a flag-raising ceremony, witnessed by visitors to the Shanghai 2010 exposition at the Expo Cultural Centre.

Kapris said in the 35 years of independence, the country had continued to grow, standing the test of time and challenges with significant achievements.

He said Vision 2050 was the guideline for PNG to be a smart, wise, happy and wealthy country.

He said China had assisted PNG in developing so many projects, the largest being the Ramu nickel mine in Madang.