Business easy with VSAT

DOING business with very small aperture terminal (VSAT) can be very efficient and convenient as it is only a click away with the use of modern technology.

People from Bulolo can now do business and make communication easier through the use of VSAT.

This was made possible after Bulolo MP Sam Basil presented a cheque for K200, 000 from his district support grant (DSIP) to Telikom PNG for VSAT rentals to continue the service in his electorate.

He said the payment was worthwhile as the service would go a long way in helping local business and improving the academic performance of students.

Basil said the people were happy with the VSAT service because it had added more value to their life in terms of communication.

 

 

Lae boy ‘Greg’ wins Digicel Stars

By MALUM NALU
Lae boy Greg Aaron has emerged as Papua New Guinea’s latest singing sensation after winning the lucrative Digicel Stars competition on Sunday night.

Greg Aaron belts out another number at the Ahi Festival in Lae last week

The 26-year-old, from the Ahi village of Yanga, in Lae, developed a cult following all over Papua New Guinea this year and Sunday was the icing on the cake.
Aaron pocketed K10, 000 and a major recording contract as his prize for winning the competition, which brings together the best singing talent from all over PNG.
He was at home in Yanga, after bringing the house down at the Ahi Festival last week, when he was named as winner on EMTV on Sunday night.
Yesterday (Monday) he gave the kudos to family members in Yanga, the other five Ahi villages, his Thronz band members as well as supporters from all over Lae and PNG who texted in their support.
“Last night (Sunday), we had a big celebration,” Aaron said.
“The village and the Thronz band had a big celebration at Yanga village.
“I had everything poured on me from coke, to beer, to coffee by celebrating family and supporters.
“I want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who voted for me, my band members, my manager, everyone in Lae and the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Wagang and Yanga.
“A special ‘thank you’ to major sponsor Digicel and all the others.”
Aaron said his immediate plan now was to have a break from his Thronz band and concentrate on recording a solo album next month.
“My plan now is to have a break from the band and have a couple of solo gigs,” he said.
“By mid January, we might start work on the album project.”

On the receiving end

Luck ran out for three armed robbers last Saturday morning in front of the Big Rooster shop at 4-Mile.
After posing as customers and robbing the fast food outlet, the robbers were intercepted by a patrolling police mobile unit as they made for their getaway vehicle, a stolen Toyota RAV 4 sports utility.
The robbers were searched on the spot for weapons as bystanders look on. – Nationalpic by AURI EVA

Jimi Valley gold a boost for Jiwaka

Gold samples found in exploration areas showed 92.3% purity: Siwi

 

By PATRICK TALU

 

A DISCOVERY of high grade gold deposits in the Jimi Valley could sustain Jiwaka and supplement its agricultural based-economy, The National reports.

The discovery was made three years back from alluvial mining by Damba Gold Ltd (DGL), a local mining and exploration consultancy firm based in Banz, North Wayla..

DGL managing director Michael Konga Siwi told The National last Friday that gold samples mined and tested and analysed  by Golau Pty Ltd in Lae showed 92.3% pure gold.

An airborne geophysical survey and the geological mapping and mineral potential assessment (Geomap) of the PNG highlands done by the Mineral Resources Authority recently confirmed the huge mineral deposits in the current prospect areas.

Siwi said it was a huge gold deposit from eight different prospect areas and had the potential to transform Jiwaka region  and the country if the project became a reality.

He said the gold prospect was located at Yeme Damb area of Upper Jimi and 40km west of current Yandera gold and copper project in Madang.

Siwi said many Jiwakans should not worry about not having natural resources to enhance the new province’s economy.

“Jiwaka has been proposed to be an agricultural based province given the fertile Waghi and Jimi Valley that produce PNG coffee and tea, but now that we have a 92.3% pure gold deposit, we can build the economy and be competitive,” Siwi said.

He said the discovery was made 18 years back but no one took the initiative to pursue and bring in mining and exploration companies until he decided to do so.

“I have been mobilising landowners of Yeme Damb gold prospect area for the past three years to seriously bring in a mining and exploration company.

“We did many tests and sample analysis to test its purity and we have confirmed 92.3% plus to warrant a gold mine in Jimi,” Siwi said.

He also said the Jiwaka Transitional Authority (JTA) had endorsed DGL to further negotiate to bring in a potential developer to mine the gold prospect.

JTA chairman Philip Kapal said: “We are ready for investors to come with funds for a large scale gold mining industrial development.

“We have commercially harvestable gold deposits and we need to invest for its enjoyable benefits in all win-win scenarios,” Kapal said.

Siwi is currently in talks with potential developers to obtain an exploration and mining licence from MRA.

The authority could not be contacted for comments.

 

 

Abal: No changes at departments or NEC

Don’t fret, Sir Michael alive and well, says acting PM

 

THERE will be no changes to heads of government departments and statutory bodies in the New Year but they are all required to start work on Jan 7 with the implementation of next year’s budget, The National reports.

Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal issued the directive yesterday while denying rumours of changes in departments or at the cabinet level.

He also denied rumours last Thursday and over the weekend that sidelined Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had died from a heart attack.

“I appeal to all citizens to remain calm because Sir Michael is in good health and well.

“Those involved in spreading such malicious misinformation must be condemned,” Abal said, promising to ensure those responsible were brought to justice.

“I call on all Papua New Guineans to remain calm and pray for Sir Michael during this difficult time.”

He also said Jan 7 was the date set for implementation and departmental heads who had taken recreational leave had been recalled for duty.

“Departments must start rolling things out by January and not wait until February or March.

“We have capable ministers and departmental heads. There is no need for me to crack the whip,” the acting prime minister said, after noting that Papua New Guineans had the tendency to go on long extended holidays without getting things done.

“I ask for everyone’s cooperation in implementing the biggest budget in the country’s history.”

Before jetting off to Wewak yesterday morning, Sir Michael declared at the Jackson Airport: “I am well and fit. I am all right; there is nothing wrong with me. And, as you can see, I am still alive.

“I urge all people to keep calm during this festive season and to celebrate peacefully with their loved ones,” he said.

 

 

Paoua New Guinea invests K157 million in broadband network

THE government will launch a US$60 million (K157 million) national broadband network (NBN) next year by piggy backing on the PNG LNG fibre optic cable, The National reports.

The NBN initiative, announced by State Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare last Friday, represented probably the largest ever telecommunication project undertaken in PNG.

The technology involves the laying of fibre optic cable to enable Papua New Guinea homes, schools and businesses to access broadband speeds much faster than many people experience today with their high speed wireless and satellite technologies.

Somare said in a media statement that the National Executive Council had agreed to spend this money for 41.68% share in the PNG LNG fibre optic cable. Other partners in this proposal include PNG LNG project operator Esso Highlands (33.33%), Oil Search (16.67%) and the Southern Highlands provincial government (8.33%).

It also meant setting up a new company to design, build and operate the new NBN which, he said, could be ready for service by the end of 2012.

“The national broadband network will greatly improve our telecommunications capabilities and bring internet access to a much wider customer base throughout the country,” Somare said.

The NEC has given the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) the nod to borrow US$35 million (K92 million) to fund the shareholding and a further US$25 million (K65 million) to integrate the PNG LNG fibre cable into current infrastructure and to build additional linkages to complete the NBN.

 “The ability to piggy back the PNG LNG project has provided this country with an ideal opportunity to implement a national broadband strategy at a substantially lower cost than would otherwise be possible.

“It will bring the nation’s telecommunications capabilities up to speed with networks that exist or are being planned in other developed and developing countries in the Asian region,” he said.

Somare said that IPBC would commission a detailed implementation study by July 1 that which would:

* Identify assets to be included in the integrated broadband backbone network, including assets presently owned by Telikom PNG and PNG Power;

* Formulate a plan for the rollout of the new backbone data communications infrastructure to enhance competition and accessibility;

* Consider the appropriate model for ownership and operation of the assets and the longer term roles of IPBC, Telikom PNG and/or a new data company that would focus on the broadband infrastructure;

* Formulate a plan to secure equity and operational participation in the data company through various public-private partnership and joint venture models; and

* Consider all related competition and regulatory issues and compliance with broad government policy objectives envisaged under the medium-term development plan, national ICT policy and broadband objectives.

 

 

Court throws out Forestry Act case

THE Supreme Court has thrown out a constitutional reference which sought to invalidate certain provisions of the Forestry Act and the Forestry (Timber Permits Validation) Act, The National reports.

A five-member bench ruled 3-2 last Friday that the interpretation and application of various provisions of the constitution should be the exclusive function of parliament and not any private citizen unless he has the necessary standing.

It said this was provided for under section 18(1) of the constitution.

In his written judgment, Chief Justice Salamo Injia said the wording and meaning of section 18(1) was quite simple and plain.

“The principles of fair and liberal interpretation of constitutional law should not be applied in a manner that produces a result that usurps the legislative function on a matter that is clearly within the exclusive function of the parliament,” he said.

“The vesting of jurisdiction in the court to deal with a particular matter and in a particular procedural matter is clearly a matter that is within the exclusive function of the legislature.”

Justice Nicholas Kirriwom, who read out the judgment to the court, and Justice Gibbs Salika concurred with the chief justice while Justice Catherine Davani ruled for the referrers.

Justice Mark Sevua did not make any interpretation.

The reference was filed by forest resource owners Ken Norae Mondiai, John Mavramantz, Frances Demo, Pastor Lala Amsing, Johannes Awep and Jimmy Sina.

They had claimed that the act was unconstitutional and invalid because it breached section 114(1), section 38, section 53(1), section 25(1) and section 3 of the constitution.

The reference was challenged by the National Forest Board and the PNG Forest Industries Association which, amongst other things, argued that the application was an abuse of the court process.

In their affidavit, they said the referrers were not a court or tribunal, and, therefore, had no power to refer a question to the Supreme Court under section 18.

The proceedings were misconceived and flawed and should be dismissed, they said.

Davani said the referrers had complained that their interests had been affected by the application of certain provisions of the Forestry Act (1991) and Forestry (Timber Permits Validation) Act 2007.

She said they, therefore, sought the court’s opinion on the interpretation and application of various provisions of the constitution to those acts of parliament.

“The court is invited to find that certain provisions of those acts are inconsistent or in conflict with certain provisions of the constitution and to declare them unconstitutional,” she said.

Kirriwom said while he understood the view expressed by Davani, he had to go along with the chief justice.

“(His) opinion is founded more on principle and with a view of developing a firm constitutional foundation on procedure to be applied and not focused on short-term and sporadic private interests that only arise from time to time,” he said.

“The Supreme Court must set the benchmark and direct traffic as it were on the processes and procedure in accordance with clear constitutional dictates and not bend backwards to find ways and reasons to accommodate private or public interests threatened by any executive acts or by legislations without usurping the function of the legislature.”

Butibam tops Ahi Festival

By MALUM NALU
Butibam has taken out the ultimate accolade in the Ahi Festival by winning most medals in the week-long event in Lae.

Butibam team leader Danny Maliaki (second from left) receives the champions trophy from Ahi Festival ambassador John Wilshere

Butibam and archrival Yanga were tied on four gold medals apiece after the grand finals last Thursday and Friday, but when it came to a count back, Butibam won the most medals overall.
Yanga, with a wealth of talent from champion Lae team NS Busu, beat a young Hengali side 40-35 in the men’s basketball grand final at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium last Friday.

Champion men's basketball team Yanga with festival ambassador John Wilshere (left) and Riback operations manager George Gware

In the play-off for broze, Butibam edged out Wagang 38-32.
In the volleyball grand finals, Butibam beat Hengali 3-1 sets in a thrilling encounter, while Yalu ended up third.

Men's volleyball champions Butibam

Butibam also took out the women’s volleyball gold medal with a 3-0 sets pounding of Hengali.

Women's volleyball champions Butibam

In touch football last Thursday evening, Butibam took out the men’s final with a 3-1 win over Kamkumung, while Hengali ousted Yanga for bronze 4-3.
In the women’s touch football grand final, Yanga beat Butibam 4-3 in extra time, while in the play-off for bronze, Wagang beat Yalu 4-3 in extra time.
The soccer finals were not played because of a dispute involving players and supporters from Yalu.
This marred what was otherwise a very enjoyable week of sports.
In netball, Butibam, with giant international Nettie Sao at the helm, rode roughshod over all and sundry.
The Ahi Festival involved teams from the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung. Hengali, Butibam, Yanga and Wagang.

K100,000 pledged for Ahi Resource Centre

By MALUM NALU
The week-long Ahi Festival ended in style in Lae last Friday with more than K100, 00 pledged to build an Ahi resource centre, an education facility which will have a library, computer laboratory and conference and work shop facilities.

Riback Stevedores general manager Peter Boyd with Miss Ahi contestants during the crowning on Friday night

Other expected support is expected to see more than K200, 000 raised for the resource centre.
The pledges were made by Lae business houses, groups and individuals during a function at the Lae International Hotel last Friday night which coincided with the crowning of Miss Ahi.
General manager of Riback Stevedores and major sponsor of the festival, Peter Boyd, was overwhelmed at the support from sponsors
The pledges included K30,000 from Morobe provincial government, K25,000 from Lae Biscuit Company, K10,000 from lawyer Kelly Naru, K7,000 from Wanu family of Butibam village, K5,000 from In Touch Media, K2,000 from Bogan family of Butibam village, K10,000 from Nambawan Super, K5,000 from Aaron family of Yanga village, K10,000 from councilor Douglas Maliaki of Butibam village, K2,000 from PNG Steel and K10,000 from Deugro.
Lae Biscuit Company founder Sir Henry Chow said the company was indebted to the Ahi people as it had built its new factory on customary land at Kamkumung village.



Lae Biscit Company founder Sir Henry Chow makes the company's pledge for K25,000 to the Ahi resource centre

 Sir Henry announced that LBC would be rebuilding the sporting complex at Kamkumung into a homeground for the Lae inter-city rugby league team at a cost of K2 million.
He also revealed that LBG would be sponsoring the Lae inter-city rugby league team from next year onwards and would be looking at renaming the team to Snax Tigers.

Ahi Festival ambassador John Wilshere (left) receives a pledge for K30,000 from Morobe administrator Kemas Tomala

The festival itself ended on a high note with closing remarks by In Touch Media managing director Sir Nagora Bogan
With the theme Promoting Education Through Sports and Culture – the festival was aimed at raising funds for the establishment of the resource centre.
It brought together the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Yanga and Wagang to showcase their talent in sports and culture.
Some of the main objectives of the Ahi Festival included:
• Promoting community unity;
• Promoting and preserving Ahi culture;
• Creating awareness on social Issues and assistance available; and
• Showcasing local talents in culture, sports, music and business.

Yanga girl is Miss Ahi 2010

By MALUM NALU

Yanga beauty Christine Amos has been crowned as Miss Ahi last last Friday night at the Lae International Hotel.

Miss Ahi Christine Amos flanked by proud parentsStephanie and Willie Amos at the Lae International Hotel last Friday

Amos, 20, who has just completed Grade 12 at Lae Secondary School, won the crown from 14 other beauties from the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Yanga and Wagang in the climax of the week-long Ahi Festival.
She will have five years of university education, in either Papua New Guinea or overseas, paid for by festival sponsor Riback Stevedores.
Riback general manager, Peter Boyd, also announced that the company would be looking at sponsoring Amos to contest the 2011 Miss PNG quest.
Amos, who was lost for words after being crowned, said she would strive to promote the theme of the festival, which is “promoting education through sports and culture”.
“I thank my mum and dad and all the people of Yanga for their support, as well as Riback Stevedores for taking up this intiative to sponsor and organise this festival,” she said.
A good crowd of people attended the crowning, mainly from the six Ahi villages as well as members of the Lae business community.

Miss Ahi Christine Amos (centre) flanked by first runner-up Emily Namung (left) and second runner-up Alang Issac

Runner-up was Emily Namung, 21, from Wagang village, who has just completed Grade 12 at Coronation College, who pocketed K1, 000.
In third place was Alang Issac, 19, from Butibam village, who won K500.
The other 12 participants received K200 gift vouchers from Riback.
The crowning capped off a hectic week for the 15 young women, who were screened and interviewed by judges, and paraded in traditional and modern dress.

MMJV statement untrue

Bulolo MP Sam Basil says a statement issued by the Hidden Valley mine on December 16 claiming he has withdrawn legal proceedings over the pollution of the Watut River is untrue.

"I have not withdrawn the legal proceedings on behalf of 110 landowners who have been seriously impacted by the pollution of the Watut River by sediment and heavy metals from the Hidden Valley mine,” he said.

"For the Hidden Valley mine to claim that I had made an announcement to that effect is simply not true.”

Basil says he has been in dialogue with the mining company Morobe Mining Joint Venture (MMJV) and representatives of its owners, Harmony Gold and Newcrest Mining, in an attempt to find a satisfactory resolution of the issues without having to go through lengthy and expensive court proceedings.

"To that end I have agreed not to take any further steps with the litigation until my lawyers and scientists meet with the mine owners in January,” he said.

“But I have not, and I repeat have not, withdrawn the proceedings.

"I am also very disappointed that MMJV have not issued a further media release, as requested by my lawyers, correcting the public record.”

 

For more information contact:

Sam Basil - Mobile: 7215 4806

Tiffany Nongorr - Mobile: 7268 9295

 

Basil denies MMJV claims

Bulolo MPSam Basil, says a statement issued by the Hidden Valley mine on December 16 claiming he has withdrawn legal proceedings over the pollution of the Watut river is untrue.

 "I have not withdrawn the legal proceedings on behalf of 110 landowners who have been seriously impacted by the pollution of the Watut river by sediment and heavy metals from the Hidden Valley mine,” he said.

For more information contact:

Sam Basil, Bulolo MP             - Mobile: 7215 4806

Tiffany Nongorr                      - Mobile: 7268 9295

 

 

 

Wilshere a big hit in Lae

From MALUM NALU in Lae
Former Kumul rugby league captain John Wilshere was a big hit in Lae over the weekend in the lead-up to the inaugural Ahi Festival which he officially opens at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium today (Sunday).
Wilshere, the last captain  of the respected Kumul sides which won the Pacific Cup in 2009 under coach Adrian Lam before this year’s well-known disaster at the Four Nations, is the ambassador of the festival and a true son of Ahi from Butibam village.
He got the ball rolling by leading a 20-strong motorcade through pothole and crime-infested Lae to promote the festival last Friday and continued his tour de force the next day with a visit to each of the six Ahi villages – Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Yanga and seaside Wagang – to present them their uniforms and sporting equipment.
It was just in time for Christmas as Wilshere put smiles on the faces of the long-suffering Ahi people.
The festival, a weeklong extravaganza of Ahi sports and culture including a Miss Ahi pageant, begins tomorrow (Monday) after today's opening.
Wilshere was accompanied by key organisers including Riback Stevedores operations manager George Gware and games coordinator, former champion sportsman Bob Aaron.
He was feted like royalty at each of the six villages, who laid out the red carpet and welcomed him with traditional song and dance, and plied him with gifts.
Wilshere’s message at each of the six Ahi villages was simple: nothing was impossible with discipline, hard work and commitment.
“I ask that you all play fair and may the best team won!” was his resounding message.
The festival, the first and biggest of its kind to be held in Lae, is aimed at promoting Ahi culture, unity, social issue awareness and showcase local talent in sport, music and business.
Proceeds of the festival will go towards building a resource centre to be known as Ahi Resource Centre which would have a library, computer laboratory, and conference room and workshop facilities.

Papua New Guinea may bar foreign tuna fishers from its EEZ

THE National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has proposed to bar all foreign flagged vessels from fishing within the PNG economical exclusive zone if compatible management measures are imposed by Western Central Pacific tuna commission (WCPTC) in the high seas, The National reports.

This was the bold message from Fisheries minister Ben Semri at the opening of the 7th WCPTC meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii this week.

Semri said PNG, through the NFA, would take this measure if the WCPTC encroaches into the EEZs of coastal states instead of operating the high seas.

He said if the tuna commission could not do its functions and interfered with the measures that coastal states carry out within the EEZ, then PNG might be left with no option but to consider closing the EEZ to all foreign flagged vessels that were licenced under bilateral and multilateral arrangements. 

PNG has abundant tuna resource which accounts for approximately 500,000 metric tonnes within PNG’s EEZ (10% of the world catch).

Semri also said PNG supplied 10% of the world tuna catch, of which more than 80% comprised skipjack. 

PNG has a strong partnership with private sector partners which had laid the foundation to build a strong national tuna fishing and processing industry that used tuna caught within PNG’s EEZ.

NFA managing director Sylvester Pokajam said the sustainable management of tuna resources was a “paramount concern” to PNG.

“We have continuously carried out management measures and put in place tools to ensure the sustainable management of tuna for the future generation,” he said.

Semri told the tuna commission to carefully impose compatible management measures in the high seas so that the fisheries resources, especially tuna species, were managed sustainably.

The NFA had done PNG well in terms of tuna, other fisheries and marine resources management, he said.

As part of management and conservations exercise, NFA has developed a web-based vessel monitoring system (VMS) that is more powerful and more flexible to provide real time reporting and data management.

 

 

Prime Minister: I will step aside

By ISAAC NICHOLAS
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has confirmed that he will step aside if the chief justice appoints a leadership tribunal.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare stressing a point to journalists yesterday. – Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

“Should a tribunal be set up, I will step aside in the interim as prime minister,” he told a media conference yesterday in Port Moresby, The National reports.
And, he officially confirmed Wabag MP Sam Abal as the new deputy prime minister – the man who could be acting prime minister as early as next week.
“However, I would like to make it clear to the public that this case is not a criminal case,” he said of the 2006 decision of the Ombudsman Commission to refer him to the public prosecutor for failing to submit returns or acquittals of his pay, as required of all public office holders, between 1993 and 1998.
When Sir Michael was referred by the Ombudsman Commission to the public prosecutor in 2008, he appealed against that in the National Court.
He also sought to restrain the public prosecutor from asking the chief justice to set up a tribunal until the substantive matter against the Ombudsman Commission was dealt with.
However, last week, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, allowing acting public prosecutor Jim Wala Tamate on Wednesday to notify Sir Michael that he would ask Sir Salamo Injia, within three days, to appoint a tribunal.
Sir Michael yesterday said the dismissal of the appeal did not affect the Supreme Court application challenging the Ombudsman Commission’s referral, which is the substantive matter before the court.
He said, as a citizen, he had every right to pursue the matter in court and he would only step aside when a tribunal was appointed.
Sir Michael said: “It is an administrative issue that my lawyers are addressing in the Supreme Court.
“I cannot make comments that will be seen as an attempt to influence the courts, however, I do take exception that an alleged administrative breach can be confused with cases that are criminal in nature.
“My substantive case is pending in the Supreme Court but I respect the decisions taken by the office of the Ombudsman Commission, public prosecutor and the chief justice.”
The prime minister made a brief statement on his referral when confirming a reported cabinet reshuffle in which Sam Abal was appointed deputy prime minister and minister for works.
The media briefing was done after Abal was sworn in by acting Governor-General Paul Tiensten at Government Haus.
Sir Michael had the support of Abal, Internal Security Minister Mark Maipakai, Public Service Minister Moses Maladina and Lagaip-Porgera MP Philip Kikala, who were present.

Wenge: Prime Minister should consider retirement

By ELLEN TIAMU

 

MOROBE Governor Luther Wenge says Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has achieved many milestones during his illustrious career as a politician and, with current steps by the public prosecutor to refer him to a leadership tribunal, it will only be proper that he retires from politics, The National reports.

Speaking to reporters in Lae yesterday, Wenge said Sir Michael had become a national icon and his name was synonymous with the country’s attainment of independence, making him deserved of the title of grand chief because he was the chief of chiefs.

The Morobe governor said the prime minister had served in politics for more than 40 years and was the longest serving politician in the Commonwealth nations.

He became a leader and stayed a leader through the democratic process and was a nationalist who stood for all things PNG, Wenge said.

“As a Papua New Guinean, I am one of his greatest admirers although there are some issues that we differ on.

“He has done his part for the country and has led the nation to many great achievements, the recent being the Vision 2050 policy,” he said.

The prime minister, Wenge said, had done his part and should now step down from politics and allow other capable politicians to take Vision 2050 and run it.

“Sir Michael has had an outstanding political career and, for him to be dragged through the court system is belittling, so, my suggestion to him will be to step down from politics.”

Wenge’s comments followed media reports that Sir Michael would be referred to a leadership tribunal for not submitting his annual financial returns, hence, breaching the Leadership Code.

 

Somare: Abal is new deputy Prime Minister

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare yesterday confirmed Wabag MP Sam Abal as the new deputy prime minister, replacing Kandep MP Don Polye, The National reports.

He announced the changes in a long-awaited cabinet reshuffle, ending speculations in some sections of the PNG media that Polye was still second in charge.

It was swap positions for the two – Polye taking foreign affairs and immigration and Abal also assuming the works ministry.

Other changes Sir Michael made official yesterday were Sir Arnold Amet as attorney-general and justice minister; Ano Pala – agriculture and trade; Fidelis Semoso – Bougainville affairs; Moses Maladina – public service; and Francis Potape – transport and administrative services.

The prime minister made the announcement at a media conference at his Morauta Haus office soon after Abal returned from Sydney, Australia, where he was attending the 11th Mining and Petroleum Investment conference.

Among those present to witness the occasion were Mark Maipakai, Maladina, Enga Governor Peter Ipatas and newly appointed vice-minister for planning Philip Kikala.

Before the announcement, Abal was sworn in as deputy prime minister at the Government Haus by the acting governor-general, Paul Tiensten.

Uniting the Ahi people of Lae

By MALUM NALU

The Ahi villages - Wagang, Yanga, Butibam, Hengali, Kamkumung and Yalu are all located within and around Lae – the industrial city of Papua New Guinea.
Lae is Papua New Guinea’s second largest city and the industrial and manufacturing hub of the country.
It has the largest port facilities and is the gateway to the Highlands.
The Lae gateway and the Highlands Highway is the lifeline for over 50% of the population of PNG who rely on the port of Lae and Lae town for supplies.
Exacerbated by the huge urban drift from the Highlands region, the town cannot absorb the inflow and settlements abound with all the associated ills that such a diaspora brings. Crime from muggings to murder abound and fueled by homebrew, marijuana and alcohol, the hospitals overflow from the rampage of weekend desperation, of disaffected, disengaged youths and communities that have been wearing the brunt of neglect for too long.
Along with the expansion and development of Lae, the traditional Ahi villages are also being forced to accept new changes and influences brought about by the changing socio-economic conditions.
The changing socio-economic conditions have placed a high demand for land on the Ahi communities.
This has seen most of the traditional land being taken away.
Land was taken earlier by missionaries, then the colonial government and recently the state and industry.
The attractions of urban life along with government’s and industry’s demand for labour has also attracted Papua New Guineans to migrate to Lae in search for work and better living conditions.
This unfortunately has created a need for more land.
Consequently, customary land which used to be hunting and gardening land has all been replaced with buildings, factories and urban settlements.
Without gardening or hunting land, most inhabitants of the Ahi community are now forced to adopt and embrace the cash economy.
I know this only too well because I am from Butibam village, have grown up in Lae, and have watched as the lifestyle of my people has completely changed.
It is something, needless to say, that is very painful to me.
The economic changes around Lae also bring with them many tangible and intangible social problems which affect the Ahi communities.
Tangible social problems include unemployment; law and order issues; drug abuse; alcohol problems; and school drop-out rate is high.
Intangible social problems include breakdown in moral standards; lack of ethics in community leadership – a recipe for corruption which affects the management of church groups, clans and businesses owned by the people; community disharmony; and breakdown in the family unit.
Amidst the gloom and doom, despair and no hope, has come an angel of hope in the form of Riback Stevedores Ltd.
The inaugural Ahi Festival, a major cultural and sporting event involving the six Ahi villages in and around Lae, will be held at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae from Dec 12-17.
It is an initiative of Riback Stevedores, the major employer of Ahi men and women from the six Ahi villages of Wagang, Yanga, Butibam, Hengali, Kamkumung and Yalu and has their full support.
Sporting events include basketball, volleyball, netball, soccer, touch rugby and a number of other fun games for the kids.
The Ahi Festival – with the theme Promoting Education Through Sports & Culture - is aimed at raising funds for the establishment of an Ahi resource centre, an education facility which will have a library, computer laboratory and conference and workshop facilities.
“The Ahi Festival is an initiative of Riback Stevedores Ltd and has the full support of the Ahi community,” explains Riback general manager Peter Boyd.
“The company believes that the effects of the social problems facing the Ahi community can be wide-ranging in size anywhere from local effects on a family or a village to the Lae community and even the entire society.
“The company therefore wants to do its part in helping the Ahi community to help themselves to take a lead now in working towards addressing some of their social problems.
“We hope other members and stakeholders of the Lae community can also join in and help the people of Ahi in their endeavours to create an educated and orderly community that can co exist peacefully with others in the wider Lae community.”
Boyd said the social problems of the Ahi community could be addressed only if the community could unite and work together in search of solutions with the support of strategic partners.
“The Ahi Festival can be a powerful tool to unite the Ahi community,” he added.
“It can also create awareness of the social issues and promote a team approach with key stakeholders to address the socials problems with the view to minimise its crippling effects on the people of Ahi – the current generation and also the future generation.”
Some of the main objectives of the Ahi Festival include:
• Promoting community unity;

• Promoting and preserving Ahi culture;

• Creating awareness on social Issues and assistance available; and

• Showcase local talents in culture, sports, music and business.

“Education of the children of Ahi is therefore important,” Boyd said.
“Without land and other natural resources, the human resources must be trained and developed if the Ahi community is to survive and live in peaceful co-existence with every other Papua New Guinean and the wider Lae community.”

Production issues of sweet potato needs addressing

By JOSEPHINE YAGA of NARI
The adoption of interventions or introduced innovative agricultural practices is being absorbed in a rapid pace as demand for food and cash crops increases.
Hence continuous use of arable land leaves less or no time for fallow periods to replenish soil fertility and this is leading to land degradation
Amongst the foods cultivated, sweet potato accounts for 63% of the dietary energy of the population and is becoming the mainstay of the country's food security.

Participants Singis Ketti (left) and Dulcie Fonny gathering sweet potatoes after harvest.  Behind them are groups of sweet potatoes piled on the mounds where they were dug

Current production is more than three million tones per annum and is worth an estimated $A700 million.
Not withstanding the dominance of the crop, both to the subsistence economy and increasingly as a cash crop on domestic markets, the crop has been facing production problems.
Apart from climatic factors such as El Nino events, which causes major but temporary fall in production, farmers and scientists, have noted a gradual decline in yields and the quality of tubers, the cause of which is not always obvious.
This decline has implications on food security.
A number of pests and diseases, along with crop physiology issues have been identified which may be involved in the decline.
Main research issues in PNG include the causes of apparent yield decline over time for some cultivars, the influence of soil moisture extremes on crop growth and yield and of soil moisture by nitrogen interactions, management of cultivars by villagers including cultivar replacement and soil fertility management.
Due to its importance in PNG, sweet potato features prominently in the National Agricultural Research Institute’s (NARI) strategic plan.
There are currently five research projects being undertaken by NARI.
The projects are based on on-farm variety testing and dissemination, crop improvement through cleaning of planting materials (in tissue culture), management of major pest and diseases and management of soil / water for improved productivity.
Improved marketing opportunities through improved post harvest management and product development remains the priority now for NARI, to maximise benefits to farmers.
Farmer awareness and training on best management practices and availability of improved clean and improved drought tolerant sweet potato varieties have been conducted in the highlands and the lowlands to help farmers identify quality planting materials and address areas resulting to low yield.
One of such training ended last week in which participants, mostly women from 12-Mile, Huon Gulf district in Morobe province, received certificates of achievement after completing three months (theory and practical) of training under a project titled “the use of pathogen tested planting materials to improve sustainable sweet potato production in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands”.

Participants of the sweet potato training (women dressed in red) displaying their certificates of achievement. The certificates were presented by  NARI information and knowledge programme director Dr Pikah Kohun (left)  and senior agronomist Elick Guaf

The project is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Australia, and the Centre for International Potato, Peru.
The objective of the training was to promote the sustainability of sweet potato production and post-harvest management through best practices in the sweet potato production by starting with using clean planting materials for good yield.
Virus and disease free sweet potato or pathogen-tested vines were collected from screen houses at the NARI Momase regional centre, Bubia, and distributed during the practical sessions.
The plants were planted and over three months with good management practices including good size mounds, drainage, cuttings per mound, spacing of plants, timely weeding, hilling up and timely harvest were thought and practiced.
No fertiliser or animal manure was used in this training to improve yield.
“Selection and distribution of clean materials is very important and we are also planning to train farmers on best practices in the production of other staple crops under the NARI information and knowledge programme,” said Elick Guaf, NARI’s senior agronomist.
Sweet potatoes grown in the lowlands take more then four months to mature but planting early maturing clean materials and using best management and production practices promote crops to mature in only three months with quality and increased yields.
NARI released 79 sweet potato varieties suitable for the lowland conditions of PNG.
These included four lowlands drought tolerant varieties previously released by NARI as a drought-coping strategy.
All these cultivars have acceptable yields with good market and consumer appeal.
They also have a range of other positive traits such as good tuber shape and colour (including orange tuber flesh colour with a high beta-carotene content), high dry matter content, good processing characteristics, firm flesh texture after boiling and preferred degree of sweetness which allow the growers and end users to choose the variety that best suits their needs or preferences.

Al Wahda thump Hekari United in opener

Reigning UAE Pro League champions advance to quarter-finals of Fifa Club World Cup

 

UAE’s reigning Pro League champions Al Wahda overcame a nervy start to beat Hekari United from Papua New Guinea 3-0 in the opening match of the Fifa Club World Cup presented by Toyota at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night, Emirates 24/7 reports.

It was a historic win for the Abu Dhabi-based side on the world stage, banishing bitter memories of last year’s tournament for the host nation when Al Ahli of Dubai suffered a shock defeat at the hands of another side from Oceania Auckland City.

Fifa president Joseph Sepp Blatter graced the ceremonial opening of this annual tournament being held in UAE for the second time turning the attention of football fans once again to the region which is celebrating the awarding of organising the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

Al Wahda did not disappoint with a clinical performance on the field against a motley group of amateur footballers from the Pacific islands representing Oceania confederation in this six-team competition.

Brazilians Hugo and Fernando Baiano struck within the space of four minutes before the interval to virtually seal the fate of Hekari in this playoff match while substitute Abdulraheem Jumaa added the icing to their victory with his 71st minute goal to the delight of the nearly 24,000 mostly Wahdawi fans who created a lively atmosphere to this momentous occasion.

Al Wahda qualified to meet Asian champions Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma FC of South Korea in a quarter-final on Saturday.

Hekari United surprised the hosts when they threatened to score off the first corner of the match in the fifth minute. Fahad Masoud stood in the way of a pin point header at the near post from Pita Bolatoga.

But this was the only sight of goal the visitors had thereafter until a fine left-footed drive was stopped by a diving Adel Al Hosani in the 81st minute.

Al Wahda controlled the pace and pattern of the game without having to actually step on the accelerator although national star Ismael Matar must be kicking himself after failing to get on the scoresheet being wide of the target on at least two occasions.

Hekari stopper Simione Tamanisau denied Baiano twice in quick succession after 15 minutes. The gaunt Brazilian shot straight to him after doing well to control a lobbed pass from Magrao in the first instance while a minute later a thundering drive from the edge of the box following a fine break by Hugo was blocked by Tamanisau.

On the half hour, a lovely move initiated by midfielder Mahmoud Al Hammadi saw Matar making a dummy run before put clear by Baiano but the UAE striker’s effort only managed to clear the far post.

Al Hammadi who along with Masoud weaved through the Hekari defence time and again, combined beautifully to break the ice for Al Wahda in the 40th minute.

Masood crossed to Al Hammadi who played it back for Hugo to drill it into the right corner with a left-footed strike from outside the box.

Four minutes later, Baiano deservedly found the net when he rifled in from close range between the keeper and the near post after Masood split the defence with a perfect through ball which gave Al Wahda a 2-0 lead at the break.

After the turn around, Baiano triggered another scoring opportunity by providing a long ball to Masoud who put Matar through. But his effort trickled wide of the far post despite a desperate lunge by Baiano.

Hekari stopper Tamanisau parried away a fine left foot volley from Al Hammadi in the 55th minute.

Hugo masterminded Al Wahda’s third goal when his cross across the face of goal beat a diving Tamanisau for Jumaa to bundle it home. Jumaa, who came in for Masood, fluffed a chance two minutes later when his chip over the keeper was off target.

Baiano and Matar were taken off late in the game while substitute Modibi Diarra going close twice in the last ten minutes of the game.