Cocoa programme for Lower Watut communities

Cocoa is a major revenue-earner in Papua New Guinea and with the arrival of the cocoa pod borer (CPB) in 2006, efforts have been stepped up to save this very-lucrative commodity in the nation’s agricultural industry.

Fearing the potential negative impact of CPB on the industry if nothing was done, a national cocoa workshop on preparation of a strategic plan for the cocoa sector in PNG was held in April 2009, to discuss the findings and suggestions by a consultant headed by Agrifood Consulting International and to plan a way forward to save the industry.

A strategic plan was developed which contained five major goals including productivity – to increase average yields to 0.8 tonnes per hectare by 2015; production – to increase exports to 100, 000 tonnes by 2015,; profitability – to increase cocoa income to growers by at least 80% by 2015; CPB –losses due to CPB infestations contained at less than 10% of production and quality to enhance PNG’s market position as a supplier of high quality cocoa by 2015.

This is the plan on the national scale and Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV) is helping to ensure that this plan is implemented through the establishment of a cocoa programme for the villages and communities located in the footprint of its operations in Bulolo, Morobe province.

MMJV has commenced a cocoa programme especially for the Lower Watut people in partnership with all stakeholders including, the three levels of government, non-government organisations (NGOs) and the local people.

MMJV ensures that the local people fully participate in the project to build a sense of ownership for the sustainability of project for future generations.

The cocoa programme is being implemented in partnership with Bris Kanda, a non-government organisation (NGO) group working in the Huon Gulf district of Morobe province.

The activities involved in this programme are establishment of cocoa nurseries to increase the number of household involved in planting improved cocoa varieties by 10% by  mid 2011; establishment of budwood gardens in strategic locations so hybrid cocoa gardens can be expanded in the future,; extension services – to ensure that skills training and good block management practices are regularly carried out in the communities and cocoa fermentery funding assistance to provide seed funding (to those eligible to process cocoa) which will be repaid under a current revolving scheme.

The communities’ contribution to this project is through sweat equity, while MMJV is providing substantial funding, with Bris Kanda providing extension and other support services.

Most of these communities and cocoa groups have been working with Bris Kanda for a number of years and MMJV’s assistance is a big boost to their efforts to produce and sell quality cocoa beans as cocoa is their main cash crop.

The villagers thanked MMJV for initiating the program and Bris Kanda for providing the expertise and are committed to working together in improving cocoa production in the area.

According to a four year and five months study conducted by the University of Sydney, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources in Australia and commissioned by Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIR) which ended on May 31, 2009, the PNG cocoa industry earned an estimated K168 million annually on production of 42 000 tons which makes up 2% of the world market.

A large part of this comes from nearly 70, 000 smallholders in 14 of the 20 provinces. The three major producing provinces are East New Britain, Madang and East Sepik.

 

January 11 for Governor General vote

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

THE election of the governor-general takes precedence over all parliament business when the acting speaker, Francis Marus, recalls parliament on Jan 11 as directed by the Supreme Court, The National reports.

Marus, who is Talasea MP, told The National yesterday that any other government and opposition business, such as the proposed vote of no-confidence motion, would not be entertained. He said parliament had been recalled to elect a vice-regal.

The Supreme Court had, on Dec 10, ruled that the July reappointment of Sir Paulias Matane as governor-general for a second term was unconstitutional.

Marus said parliament would sit for a few weeks until the appointment was formalised and the new governor-general sworn in by the chief justice.

In their ruling early this month, a five-judge Supreme Court bench ruled that Speaker Jeffrey Nape had presided over the nomination and election processes of the vice-regal in parliament when he was, in fact, the acting governor-general.

Marus said he would adjourn the house for recess after the formalities of a new vice-regal were completed.

Parliament was due to meet for its first session next May.

However, opposition sources told The National that they would make a final attempt to submit a notice for a vote of no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.

They said the two previous motions were not entertained by Nape, and they would make another attempt on Jan 11.

They appealed to the acting speaker to consider the motion as a matter of national interest and allow it to go through.

National parliament workers said public notices would be sent out today notifying MPs of the Jan 11 sitting.

Meanwhile, Attorney-General Sir Arnold Amet also brushed aside claims of a vacancy in the prime minister’s post following Sir Michael’s decision to step aside.

Sir Arnold said Sir Michael was still the prime minister as he was on voluntarily leave awaiting the tribunal.

 

 

Nasfund, Lamana in Fiji hotel project

FIJI National Provident Fund’s wholly-owned subsidiary FNPF Investments Ltd has entered into a joint venture with consortium partners from Papua New Guinea for the redevelopment of the Grand Pacific Hotel dubbed Fiji’s “Grand Old Lady”, The National reports.

The joint venture with the National Superannuation Fund Ltd (Nasfund) and Lamana Group of Co is expected to enhance Suva’s destination presence as a provider of a leading luxury hotel for today’s modern business traveller.

It had been confirmed that design work was being finalised by Lamana Group in conjunction with several consultants, with construction targeted to begin in the third quarter of next year.

FNPF chief executive officer Aisake Taito said the investment was a major step in ensuring good returns for the 280,000 plus members.

“The fund is committed to the redevelopment of the GPH as this is in line with the FNPF’s reform objectives, specifically, the rehabilitation of non-performing investments,” Taito said.

He said the project was expected to add slightly over 1% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), “which is good for the economy and country”.

Taito said the fund was confident that with the PNG consortium, it “found the right partners with the right capacity and extensive expertise in hotel development and management”.

“With a presence in Port Moresby, Honiara and now Suva, the expansion of Nasfund investments with Kostas Constantinou, OBE of Lamana Group, represented a significant cross-border investment that would result in a real tangible asset and reflects a growing confidence in Fiji by their fellow Melanesians,” he said.

Nasfund co-chief executive Rod Mitchell said: “The expansion of Papua New Guinean investment further into the Pacific market as well is a strategic milestone for us.

“Offering a world of style, service, and connection, Grand Pacific Hotel will be designed for today’s Pacific business traveller, which means providing the services and amenities needed for our guests to enjoy the luxury of being themselves.”

The fund said the hotel would be developed as a high-end Pacific business traveller hotel with restaurant, lobby lounge, specialty bar, convention facilities, multiple meeting rooms and health club.

 

 

Probe on Baki ready for NEC

AN investigation into allegations against suspended Police Commissioner Gari Baki has been completed, with the final report expected to go before cabinet this week, The National reports.

Chief secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc said the final report, including specific recommendations, would be presented to the National Executive Council for its consideration.

The investigation team comprised former judge Nemo Yalo, PNG Trade Union Congress and Public Employees Association president Michael Malabag and businessman Allan Bird. They were given two weeks by the NEC to submit their findings to Zurenuoc, which they did last Wednesday.

The allegations against Baki were raised in a letter, dated Nov 4, 2010, by the prime minister.

Baki was alleged to have misled government and senior government officers into allocating K10 million for police operations at the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project sites.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, in another letter to then Public Service Minister Peter O’Neill on Nov 4, instructed for the Department of Personnel Management to facilitate the suspension of Baki.

The allegations were that the police commissioner had allowed the police force to run down and there was a general break-down in law and order.

The same letter also gave instructions for DPM to prepare instruments to appoint Tony Wagambie and Fred Yakasa as acting commissioner and deputy commissioner respectively, which were effected on Nov 8.

In a statement yesterday, Zurenuoc also highlighted the need to follow established procedures and processes of governance.

Zurenuoc also made specific reference to the need to promote the ideals of good governance and, particularly, the elements of integrity, independence and the greater charter in being accountable to the people of Papua New Guinea.

He also thanked the investigators for completing their assigned tasks within the specified period.

 

 

Public servants told to deliver

By STEPHANIE ELIZAH

 

GOVERNMENT workers should not be politicking but concentrate on serving the government of the day, Margaret Elias, acting secretary of the Prime Minister’s Department, said, The National reports.

She also said that public service must be based on trust and honesty and that all public servants needed to work together to serve the nation.

“True public servants must care,” Elias said yesterday when responding to queries last week on her department’s focus for next year which she described as another challenging and hectic year.

“So much money has been given, for the first time we have more than K9 billion budgeted for the country.

“Among other tasks, we need to connect the roads, improve our health, education and infrastructure and uplift our performances and implement our plans,” she said.

Elias added that acting Prime Minister Sam Abal had recently given directive that by Jan 7, the public service must organise itself, plan its resources well and implement its departmental operational budgets.

“What this tells us is that this time around, the central agencies coordination committee (CACC), through the chief secretary, will be closely monitoring the performance of government agencies,” she said.

Elias said that strategically, the Department of Prime Minister and NEC would continue in the new year to effectively lead in policy administration, reforming the public service and coordinating and implementing NEC decisions and monitoring performance of departmental heads.

“This is a real test; we need to rise to the occasion and do what we are supposed to do,” Elias said.

 

 

Army HQ acts to pay caterer

By VERONICA FRANCIS

 

MURRAY Barracks army headquarters yesterday forked out K2.5 million to caterer NCS to continue their services to the PNG Defence Force, The National reports.

The NCS had announced on Dec 27 that it had withdrawn its services to all PNGDF messing facilities because of non-payment of accounts, dating back to April, totalling more than K7 million.

However, it would resume its normal services today after the K2.5 million payment was made.

Acting PNGDF commander Capt Alois Ur Tom confirmed yesterday that the money had been paid to NCS which had agreed to continue with its services.

He added that there was an outstanding of K4.5 million which would be paid by February.

He revealed NCS had agreed to continue with its services in the northern units which comprised the Lombrum naval base in Manus, Igam in Lae and Moem barracks in Wewak.

Ur Tom said for the southern unit, PNGDF’s contingency cooks had been put in place until NCS did its entire stock-take for the New Year before resuming normal services.

All services were expected to be back to normal by Jan 1, he added.

Ur Tom said at the moment, they could not do much to settle the debts because the finance office had closed for the festive season but, he believed, the outstanding bills would be paid within the next two months.

He assured all PNGDF soldiers that all NCS services were back to normal due to a quick response by the management.

 

MMJV investing today for a better tomorrow

Children from Latep in the upper Watut are among a number of communities, enjoying the benefit of clean reliable water supplies better than seasonal river flows brought right to their doorsteps

Morobe Mining Joint Venture’s (MMJV) Hidden Valley mine has this year spent more than K6 million on sustainable projects aimed at improving the lives of its host communities.
Health, education, agriculture and infrastructure development projects are the four major programmes currently being implemented through MMJV’s community sustainable development plans for the people of Wau / Bulolo district and Morobe province.
The projects include construction of water supply systems, roads and bridges including emergency repairs and ongoing maintenance and upgrade of the Lae – Bulolo highway, health and sanitation awareness, training in fish farming, cocoa and coffee growing, and other extension services and school fee assistance and construction of classrooms.
Community water supply projects are well underway and will cater for up to about 40 villages including landowner villages right through the Watut River communities.
To date the people of Golden Pine, Manki 1, Tsili Tsili, Mafranazo and Uruf are now enjoying the benefits of clean fresh water brought right to their doorsteps while progress on awareness, feasibility, soliciting village commitment to ensure ownership, ordering and delivery of materials are being progressed.
This covers Kwembu 1, 2 and 3, Nauti, Winima, Manki 2, Latep and Leklu for the upper regions, Biamena, Gawapu, Dambi, Kapin Nayakes, Piu, Babuaf Madzim, Pekumbe, Wawas in the middle Watut areas; and Maralina, Wongkins, Kapungung, Chiatz, Goraris, Wampan, Bavaga, Kasek and Magaring.
Also on water supply programmess, MMJV recently came to an agreement with the Minister for Health (also the Member for Huon Gulf), Sasa Zibe, to match the district on a kina-for-kina basis up to K1 million for water supply projects as nominated by the Huon Gulf joint district planning and budget priorities committee (JDP and BPC).
MMJV is sponsoring training for small-scale alluvial miners from the landowner and Watut villages at the Wau Small Scale Mining Centre (WSSMC) school of alluvial mining to help them improve their mining yields.
This year the company also paid education subsidies for the children of the Hidden Valley mine landowner villages of Nauti, Kwembu and Winima, affected Watut villages and Wafi-Golpu project area.
Infrastructure development in the three landowner villages of Nauti, Winima and Kwembu, including aid posts, school classrooms and community halls and construction of the Babuaf clinic in the Lower Watut area at Wongkins is also nearing completion.
Plans are also in place to construct six double-storey classrooms and three teacher’s houses in Wau, Baiyune, Bulolo and other selected schools down the Watut River and along the Lae-Bulolo highway in partnership with the provincial division of education.
These programmes were developed following extensive community consultation with all stakeholders, including the different levels of government taking into account the five-year development plans of Morobe provincial government, local level government (LLG) and district wards.
Following these meetings a number of private public partnership (PPP) agreements involving MMJV, the different levels of government, business houses and NGO groups such as Lutheran Development Services, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Bris Kanda, Morobe Fisheries Management Authority, NARI, dational and provincial departments of Works, health and education and Mainland Holdings Ltd, were developed to help facilitate the delivery of the programmes and projects.
General manager - sustainability and external relations, David Wissink, said that the focus of a number of the projects, such as aquaculture and agricultural training and extension services, was to help affected communities create non-mine related revenue generating activities, and to be self-sustaining.
“We cannot and will never take over the role of government but as a responsible development partner concerned for the livelihood of the people of Wau/ Bulolo, Morobe and Papua New Guinea, we will always proactively seek to engage, support and assist all stakeholders through working partnerships that will deliver benefits for everyone involved in this project,” he said.

Partnership agreement for water supply funding for Huon Gulf district

A partnership funding agreement for rural water supply projects has been reached by the Huon Gulf district in Morobe province and Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV).

A partnership for rural water supply projects in Huon Gulf district.  Representatives of Newcrest Mining Limited Borone Isana (left) and Morobe Mining Joint Ventures' DrGeoff Day (second from left) and Johannes van Heerden (right) with Hon Sasa Zibe at the signing of the water supply funding agreement

The agreement will see both partners (MMJV and Huon Gulf district) fund the establishment of water supplies on a kina-for-kina basis up to a total of K1million each.
The programme will target communities residing within the Huon Gulf district which are in the vicinity of MMJV’s mining and exploration activities near the Wafi-Golpu project and Morobe exploration sites in other areas of the district.
Access to clean safe and reliable water supplies has been identified as a priority for the people of the Huon Gulf district in Morobe Province.
Recently the Huon Gulf joint district planning and budget priorities committee (JDPand BPC) headed by Huon Gulf MP and Minister for Health and HIV and AIDS,Sasa Zibe, identified this as a key objective for all communities in his district.
The focus on rural water supplies by the Huon Gulf JDP and BPC also falls closely in line with the Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV) sustainable development activities
MMJV considers the provision of clean, reliable water supplies as a key component of its community development support programme for areas that fall within the footprint of its mining and exploration activities in the Morobe province.
The agreement complements MMJV’s existing water supply programme currently being implemented in the Bulolo district throughout Hidden Valley landowner and Watut River communities in partnership with Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) and Lutheran Development Service (LDS).
The programme funding will be administered by a project management committee with district and MMJV representation.
Mr Zibe and MMJV general manager - sustainability and external relations, David Wissink both agreed on the importance of forging close working partnerships to help provide an important benefit to the communities where it was needed most.

Population and agriculture

By SENIORL ANZU of NARI

Papua New Guinea  has a challenge of feeding its young and growing population

Feeding the growing population is a major challenge facing the world today.
This poses a huge demand on agriculture which is unrelenting.
It was until the 20th century that much of the changes in human population happened in billions within a shorter period of time.
Human population left the 20th century with 6.1 billion when in the beginning of the century, there were only about 1.6 billion people.
Today’s net increase of world population stands at 2.5 people every second.
That means 9, 000 more people are born every hour and 216, 000 every day.
Global forecasts are that the planet will experience massive population increase in the coming decades, which mean the current figure of 6.8 billion would reach 9 billion by 2050.
The rising population brings with it the effects of migration and urban drift.
Worldwide figures show that the number of international migrants was 191 million in 2005, up from 155 million in 1990, constituting 3% of the world population.
The major flow of international migrants is from developing to developed countries, with about 62 million migrants making the move in 2005, mainly to find work and send money home to their families.
Migration is common in Papua New Guinea.
While many people leave homes in search for employment, others migrate in search of better services and opportunities.
Urban drift has implications in overcrowding, and depleting of food and household resources. Urban drifts by youths contribute to law and order and other social issues in major centres.
Overpopulating the planet puts everyone all at risk of extreme environmental and social consequences that are being witnessed today.
Clearing the forests for agricultural use has become one of the main threats, and high population growth rates are seen as one of the main causes.
The 2008 global food crisis was a manifestation of the relationship between population and food production.
One of the reasons of this crisis was that the ‘world has been consuming more food than it has been producing’.
Simply the world was not efficient enough in producing agricultural outputs, especially food commodities.
Further to this, the world was not investing enough in agriculture.
The sector is grossly underinvested and underused.
It is often misplaced in policy decision making and development investments.
And PNG is very much in this category.
The need to accommodate the rapid rise in human population is eminent.
It poses a major challenge to food producers and processers.
The world will not only need to find ways to improve food production and access to food to meet the needs of this growing population, but to also satisfy their changing dietary preferences for meat and diary products.
The challenge is also to halt the drift of young people from rural to urban areas and meet the growing demands for bioenergy sources.
Tackling the growing demand for agriculture requires a multi-pronged approach involving all stakeholders. Increasing agricultural productivity and food production can become the optimal strategy to accommodate population pressure.
This can be supported with innovative agronomic practices, new crop varieties, conservation agriculture, and the use of water- and resource-sufficient techniques through systematic approaches on a sustainable basis.
For this to be effective, policy and institutional interventions with effective funding mechanisms are crucial so as to that allow for increased productivity at smallholder and household level.
This is true for PNG.
Therefore, the country should improve on agricultural productivity and production, especially in the food and livestock sector to feed its own population.
Our current population is estimated to be around 6.7 million- this is based on annual national growth rate of 2.6% using 2000 population census data.
This is up from 5.1 million in 2000.
At the present rate, PNG’s year 2000 population would double by 2030.
Studies also reveal that approximately 105 000 people are added to the population every year. And these people must be fed, housed, educated and provided with access to health care.
PNG is endowed with the necessary agro-climatic resources and genetic diversity to produce a variety of food crops and outputs not only for domestic consumption but also for export to needy countries.
PNG has the advantage because of its huge resource base and potentials which are yet to be explored.
The country has enormous agricultural resources such as vast land mass, fertile soils and favorable climate for various types and kinds of crops.
PNG has a rich bio-diversity and a variety of food species, fruits and nuts, and cash crops.
Local farmers can grow various crops including cereals and pulses together with range of livestock species.
PNG has abundant land and bio-mass, creating opportunities for bio-fuels as well.
PNG has made modest advances on the technology front in terms of improved varieties and practices for a range of agricultural commodities and environments.
There is a huge potential in applying modern bio-technology, processing techniques and value adding, and linking farmers to markets.
However, climate change and the anticipated extreme conditions due to changing weather patterns are real issues which must be equally considered.

Jonathan Baure breaks silence on border crossing to Australia

By MALUM NALU

Papuan border crossers’ leader Jonathan Baure today revealed all about his members crossing into Australia, their treatment at the hands of Australian authorities, and of his apprehension in Daru at the weekend when he had never physically crossed over into Australia.



The Papuan border crossers who actually made it to Cape York Peninsula, the northernmost tip of Australia, raise the Papuan flag last Wednesday.-Pictures courtesy of JONATHAN BAURE

 In an exclusive interview from Boroko police station cell, where he is being held until his first court appearance, he expressed disappointment at the way the matter had been reported in both Australian and PNG media.
Baure said of the 16 dinghies carrying 122 people, which were confiscated by Australian authorities last Wednesday, one actually made it onto Cape York Peninsula on northernmost tip of the mainland, where seven passengers disembarked and raised their Papuan flag before being arrested.

A giant step for the Papuan movement…the first seven border crossers arrive at Cape York Peninsula on the Australian mainland last Wednesday

“Two dinghies were stopped just outside of Horn Island, which is in the special quarantine zone,” he said.
“Nine were held at Tudo, on the border of the treaty zone and the special quarantine zone.
“The last four dinghies were in the quarantine zone but they were sent back (to Daru).
“The total number of people who crossed was 122, and the total number of people who actually landed on the mainland itself was just seven.
“Under Australian immigration and customs laws, any person found inside the special quarantine zone will be arrested and detained, and taken to the Cairns court.
“There were 122 of our members detained at Horn Island, which is still inside the quarantine zone.
“While in Australia, their requests for legal aid and to have their case heard in court fell on deaf ears.
“They were refused opportunity to a lawyer.
“They were not even allowed to speak to the media.
“The first lot of 30 people was flown back the same afternoon to Daru, and their dinghies and outboard motors confiscated.
“I’m very disappointed that Australian authorities didn’t give our members the opportunity to present our case through the courts, as is the case when drug runners and gun smugglers cross into the special quarantine zone.”
Baure said they decided to take this action because Australian High Commission staff in Port Moresby had not been paying attention to their claims that they were Australian citizens, despite acknowledgement by former prime minister Kevin Rudd.
“We are not refugees crossing, simply people who want our Australian birth citizenship recognised, as we were born as Australian citizens,” he said.
“Australians are saying that we are not citizens, but we never revoked our birthright.
“At independence in 1975, they reckon we lost our Australian citizenship, but they must realise that we never revoked it.
“This is not a political issue; it is a civil rights issue.
“It is simply about Papuans who were born as Australian citizens before PNG independence.”

A Papuan border crosser at Cape York Peninsula

Baure denied media reports in Australia and PNG that he crossed the Torres Strait to Australia and was arrested, when in fact, he was in Daru all this time.
“I never crossed over,” he said.
“I was all the time in Daru catering for people who crossed over, doing awareness on the issue and talking to media and Australian authorities.
“I was apprehended on Sunday in Daru and flown to Port Moresby on an Australian-chartered plane, where I was formally arrested and charged.
“I’ve been charged with two counts of: false assumption of authority; and personating public officer.
“I’ve been charged by the police trans-national crime unit, together with PNG Customs and PNG Immigration.
“However, they keep on changing the charges, so I don’t know when I’ll appear in court.”
Asked if he had falsified Australian citizenship papers, Baure replied: “We did not carry illegal Australian papers; these were our own group identification papers.”
Meanwhile, another well-placed source said yesterday that members of the Papuan group were now stranded en masse in Daru, because all their money amounting to thousands of kina had been confiscated by the trans-national crime unit.

Miners hope to restart Bougainville gold and copper mine

By ROWAN CALLICK of The Australian

Panguna mine on Bougainville Island is one of the worlds richest copper mines Source: The Australian

TALKS are under way on reopening one of the world's biggest copper and gold mines, on Australia's doorstep -- the Bougainville mine that last produced ore 22 years ago and was widely believed to have closed forever.
The seemingly unstoppable China-driven commodities boom has pushed up prices, so the reserves in the Bougainville pit are now worth about $50 billion.
Its port, its access road up 30km of rugged terrain and its 200 million tonnes of pre-stripped ore are ready and waiting.
Crucially, leaders on Bougainville -- including former combatants and elected politicians -- are all calling for the mine to reopen, although they have yet to agree on the conditions they require.
"The key to the door," Bougainville Copper chairman and managing director Peter Taylor said, "is the landowners."
Nothing could happen "until they say to BCL, as a united group, 'We want the mine and we want you to run it' ".
"Then I'll focus on the process that would follow."
Veteran politician and former Catholic priest John Momis, the recently elected President of Bougainville -- an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea -- said: "We are keen to reopen the mine and we are holding talks with the landowners."
BCL's share price has doubled since August and trebled since May, as canny investors have watched vital and promising talks begin.
Bougainville Copper, which is 53.58 per cent-owned by Rio, 19.06 per cent by the Papua New Guinea government and 27.36 per cent by other shareholders, estimates it will cost about $3bn to reopen the mine, whose production was suspended on May 15, 1989.
The trucks and the electricity pylons may have been blown up, rusted or cannibalised, but the resources in the mine have not been damaged or diminished over the past 21 years. It contains 3.5 million tonnes of copper, today worth about $32.4bn, and 12.7 million ounces of gold, worth today about $17.8bn.
There are more reserves beyond the pit but still in the mine lease area.
The mine as presently configured is capable of producing up to 170,000 tonnes of copper and 500,000 ounces of gold annually.
The copper price has quadrupled since the mine closed, the gold price seven times.
The values of the two metals have usually run counter-cyclically, but this year they have peaked together.
But the cost of capital is also high, and is likely to come at a premium given the tumultuous history of the mine.
Former Australian prime minister Bob Hawke, who has close Chinese commercial connections, in late November visited Port Moresby, where he talked with Prime Minister Michael Somare and Mr Momis.
The discussions included plans to reopen the Bougainville mine.
After leading a Bougainville delegation of 34 on a visit to China, where he was once the PNG ambassador, Mr Momis said: "The Chinese have expressed an interest in the mine, but we are keeping all our options open."
The overwhelming focus of 40 years ago on the mine as a national economy maker or breaker is no longer present.
It would remain the crucial income earner for Bougainville itself, but for PNG the spotlight has shifted to the $16.5bn ExxonMobil-led venture piping gas from the Southern Highlands to Port Moresby, where it will be liquefied for export to Asia. This is by far the biggest project ever conceived in the Pacific islands.
In this context, Port Moresby might more readily contemplate transferring its 19 per cent ownership of Bougainville Copper to the island itself -- where preliminary discussions have contemplated the autonomous government retaining 60 per cent, and the landowners taking 40 per cent.
On a pro rata basis, the owners of PNG's 19 per cent share would have to raise $570 million towards the mine's reopening.
It is possible Chinese entities, eager to obtain reliable sources of resources, may be prepared to help fund it, either in return for equity, or for future copper output.

Mother’s joy on Christmas

Rita Patrick from Bereina in Central is a proud mum at about 7.30am on Christmas Day, giving birth to a 3.3kg baby girl at the Port Moresby General Hospital, The National reports.
Thankful for her daughter, Rita said Christmas was truly a time when miracles happen.
Sr Annette Semo said nurses and staff at the labour ward worked hard to ensure the safe delivery of 24 healthy babies on Christmas Day, the first of which was a baby girl weighing 4kg. Lae’s Angau Memorial Hospital reported 19 Christmas babies while St Mary’s Vunapope Hospital in East New Britain recorded four babies. – Nationalpic by ALISON ANIS

Vision City gets Bank South Pacific ATMs

By  BOSORINA ROBY

 

RUNNING out of cash while shopping at Vision City Megamall is now a thing of the past with the installation of two Bank South Pacific automatic teller machines at the shopping centre’s premises, The National reports.

This was in line with the bank’s roll-out programme to strengthen its position as a bank that “provides convenient, accessible and cost-effective banking solutions”.

RH Trading general manager Ang Cheng Chooi said the partnership between their companies would offer greater convenience to customers as they show their commitment to meeting the needs of today’s busy consumers.

BSP head of retail network Kili Tambua said the expansion of BSP’s ATM network allowed its customers to choose how they bank with BSP – at a time, place and location convenient to them.

“Using a BSP ATM, customers could check balances, withdraw cash, get phone credits, obtain mini-statements, transfer funds and change PIN,” he said.

Electronic banking transactions were cheaper than transactions performed by a teller in a branch, Tambua said.

These ATMs would also benefit international travellers who may use their MasterCard on the BSP network.

Tambua said BSP’s efforts to extend its ATM network would go a long way towards making ATMs more accessible to customers.

“No other PNG bank reaches out to customers like BSP and we are committed to making banking more convenient, simple and safe for our customers.”

 

 

Pray for Papua New Guinea, says acting Prime Minister

ACTING Prime Minister Sam Abal’s Christmas message was for all Christians to pray for the country as most Papua New Guineans celebrated the festive weekend in the peace and comfort of their homes and communities, The National reports.

Spreading the message in front of thousands at his home town, Wabag, on Christmas Eve, he said that Christmas was a time to get blessings from God as well as to give glory to God.

“I urge all people to put God first as everything comes from Him.”

Extra police patrols contributed to peaceful celebrations in the provinces.

However, there were many incidents in several urban centres, notably the National Capital District, where two ethnic clashes claimed the lives of three people on Christmas Day.

NCD Metropolitan Supt Joseph Tondop said city residents celebrated normally elsewhere.

In nearby Central, police reported a double murder at Brown River and a drowning of a picnicker at Kuriva.

In Western, more than 130 Papua New Guineans, who attempted to enter Australia by a flotilla of boats earlier last week to claim Australian citizenship, were returned to Daru Island, where their leader Jonathan Baure was arrested by police over immigration breaches. Australian authorities chartered five planes to return the group.

In the Eastern Highlands, two primary school students were among seven people arrested at a Goroka settlement following a Christmas Day break-in at the Chemica supermarket where thousands of kina in electronic and electrical items, among others, were stolen.

Eastern Highlands provincial police commander Chief Supt Augustine Wampe said that, generally, the people and community maintained peace and unity during the festive season.

Western Highlands provincial police commander Supt Kaiglo Ambane thanked Western Highlanders for their trouble-free behaviour, urging them to continue this during the coming New Year weekend.

He said Christmas Day was also special for his men who arrested two Baisu jail prisoners, one a suspected bank robber, who had been on the run for the past two months.

And, while celebrations in Port Moresby may have been dampened by light drizzles throughout the weekend, the weather office said more wet days were expected throughout the week.

 

 

Christmas bombshell: PNGDF caterer quits

AN unpleasant Christmas surprise awaited PNG Defence Force soldiers at the weekend – they were told that can expect to go hungry for the rest of the festive season, The National reports.

This was because after serving them their Christmas Day meals on Saturday, contracted caterer NCS announced yesterday in a media statement that it had withdrawn catering services to the PNG Defence Force.

“This action is the result of non-payment of accounts dating back to April totalling more than K7 million,” NCS financial controller Tony Green said on behalf of the company’s board of directors.

He said NCS regretted withdrawing its services but it was left with no choice after numerous demands for payment, both verbal and written, over a period of several months went unheeded.

Green said that notice to suspend the catering services was given more than one month ago but was lifted after a payment was promised

“Unfortunately, that payment never eventuated and, two weeks ago, a final notice was given to PNGDF that services would cease if payment was not forthcoming.”

He said that while the PNGDF had always been slow to pay for services, the current level of debt and the time waiting to be paid had never been as bad as it was now.

Green added that the board had met and resolved that the risk to NCS and its suppliers was too great to continue incurring expenses without any clear sign of payment.

“NCS is a 100% PNG-owned company that has, in partnership with other PNG landowner companies, been very successful in winning contracts against international competition.

“Allowing the PNGDF debt to continue to grow would pose an enormous risk to NCS and its other clients,” he said.

The withdrawal of services would affect PNGDF messing facilities at Murray Barracks, Taurama Barracks, Goldie River Barracks, Igam Barracks (Lae), Moem Barracks (Wewak) and Lombrum naval base (Manus).

 

Abal puts God first

By YVONNE HAIP

 

ACTING Prime Minister Sam Abal returned to his Wabag electorate in Enga to a chief’s welcome last Friday for the first time in his capacity as acting prime minister, The National reports.

He was accompanied by Public Service Minister Moses Maladina, Mining Minister and Kompian-Ambum MP John Pundari, Enga Governor Peter Ipatas, Western Highlands Governor Tom Olga, North Waghi MP Benjamin Mul and acting Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie.

Thousands of people throughout Enga turned up to welcome Abal and his delegation, including his wife.

As the people stood watch, church elders dedicated Abal to the Lord and urged him to be the “leader to lead the people, pastor to feed the people and shepherd to look after the people”.

They said Abal had been bestowed a huge responsibility and challenged him to serve the country with integrity and honesty as a God-fearing leader.

The acting prime minister said he was committed to do the best for the people and called for Christians throughout the country to pray for PNG and receive God’s blessings.

He also cleared the air that there was no vacancy in the office of the prime minister as he had be given the power to perform the responsibilities of the prime minister.

He said he would do his job in consultation with other senior ministers to carry on with the policies and programmes implemented under the leadership of sidelined prime minister and East Sepik MP Sir Michael Somare.

“I did not ask for or make a move for the post of acting PM nor the deputy prime minister’s seat but it was Sir Michael’s decision, through his own wisdom (to appoint Abal as deputy prime minister),” he said.

He also committed the office of the prime minister to God because, without God, the country would not progress and asked Christians to pray for guidance during these hard times.

Other parliamentarians who witnessed the occasion indicated their support for Abal and promised to work with him.

 

 

Boat people organiser charged

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

JONATHAN Baure, the organiser of the 130 Papua New Guineans who last week crossed illegally into Australia, has been arrested and charged with impersonation, The National reports.

The group, who attempted the Torres Strait crossing by a flotilla of boats to claim Australian citizenship, was returned to Daru Island on Saturday and Sunday on five charter planes where Baure was taken into custody and flown to Port Moresby.

He was locked up at the Boroko police station cell where spent the night. He was questioned yesterday before being charged.

Police said last night that Baure, 44, of Guruguru in Northern, had been charged under section 97(1)(b) of the Criminal Code for impersonating a public service officer.

The charge meant that he was providing illegal travel documents to the group, mostly from the Papuan provinces, to travel across the Torres Strait into Australia to pursue their interest.

Police said Baure would appear in court this week when his files were completed.

According to sources in Daru, Baure was initially arrested by Australian police and custom officials and was handed over to PNG customs and police when he was returned to Daru on Saturday.

They said he was put up at a lodge on the island before he was flown the next day, about 3.30pm to Port Moresby.

Australian authorities had chartered the planes to repatriate the group, who had claimed their Australian citizenship was illegally taken from them when PNG became independent in 1975.

Papua covers the southern half of the PNG mainland and the group claimed they were still Australian citizens because there had never been a referendum to legally sever ties with Australia.

But Immigration Department spokesman Sandi Logan told Radio Australia that they needed to follow correct procedures and lodge citizenship applications at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.

He said the vessels they arrived in Australia in would not be returned to them.

Fishing lessons from Tahiti

By MALUM NALU

Bulolo MP Sam Basil has taken three weeks off his busy political schedule to take his wife and children to Papeete, French Polynesia (Tahiti), where his wife comes from.
Not one to waste time, he has contacted politicians and businesses in Papeete, about how this country and Papua New Guinea can strengthen their economic and political ties.
Just before Christmas, Basil has a chance to see logline fishing boats sailing in to offload their catches at the fish wharf.

Basil admiring a big moon fish at the French Polynesia fish market

“The reason why I am interested to visit this establishment is that in PNG we have a well-established National Fisheries Authority (NFA) which I believe is the best in the Pacific Islands nations of fisheries in terms of regulating and also monitoring fishing activities of the long line, purse seiner operators and other fishing activities,” he said from Papeete.
“Unlike PNG, the Tahitians do not allow many purse seiner operators into their waters because they reckon it is too destructive and unsustainable, as the kilometer-long destructive nets scoop up everything from the ocean with unnecessary by-catches.

Basil being shown around the waterfront fish market in Papeete

“The purse seiner nets scoops up turtles, sea birds, sharks, dolphins and many other sea creatures including endangered species like the big eye tuna and others.”
Basil said he also had the chance to meet Joseph Teanotoga, chairman of the government-owned SEML Tahiti Nui Rava’ai a, local company set up the French Polynesian government to help the local fishing industry.

Basil with Joseph Teanotoga, who is now in control of the French Polynesian government's investment in long line boats

“They took several boats and signed up small fishing businesses to own and operate under a loan programme which didn’t work out, so the government pooled the boats into a government business arm managed under the chairmanship of Teanotoga,” he said.
“Teanotoga boasts that about 80% of the loan has been retired and by end of 2011 they should break free from their liabilities.
“The lesson’s learnt here are that fishing business is a very hard business with needs huge capital investment, especially the purchasing of boat and the first few months of operational expenses with a well-facilitated and dedicated wharf.
“We all know NFA is efficiently operated in PNG with enough revenue and must now invest into establishing a local auction market to properly regulate and allow locals to participate in the long line businesses and also the purse seiner business.
“A dedicated wharf and facilities such as the ice-making machines, back-up generator and auction facilities will cost us millions of kina which will be hard to establish at first, but with commitment from NFA and proper management and control can make tuna business available for all citizens to participate.
“Currently in PNG, the system favours outside investors who knows the business well and have the cash to come and participate, but as a responsible country we must use NFA to teach our people how to participate and make funding and facilities as such available to facilitate this important industry.
“The fishing business must be driven by nationals from trawling, beche de mer, and long line and purse seiners.
“Some people think it is impossible because they do not believe in themselves but I reckon PNG needs a change.”

Papua New Guinea boatpeople treated "hypocritically"

From JOHN PASQUARELLI



John Pasquarelli...berates Australian authorities for treatment of PNG border crossers

 The Australian boatpeople saga took an interesting turn last week when the story of Papuans coming across Torres Strait in dinghies surfaced in the Australian media. 

The fact that 120 people apparently made the trip should have meant a huge story but like a lot of politicians, the journos were asleep at the wheel and there was not a single TV image. 

According to reports,  Australian immigration officials seized the dinghies and the Papuans were 'sent packing' back to Daru. 

It is alleged that the Papuans were carrying false Australian citizenship documents but until the PNG media investigates, we are all in the dark somewhat.

Illegal boatpeople from the Middle East,  Afghanistan and Sri Lanka regularly arrive on Australian shores and  many of these people are culturally-incompatible with mainstream Australians,  especially the Muslims with their often unveiled contempt for the traditional Australian/Christian culture but this does not stop them embracing all the benefits that Australia affords,  including Centrelink and all the other welfare 'goodies.'  

Many ex-PNG expats find it hypocritical and confusing that Australian immigration can send the Papuans 'packing' but literally welcome other illegals to our shores. 

The situation is of course complex but woe betide Australian authorities if the thousands of West Papuan refugees decide to hop into their canoes and dinghies.

Namah welcomes Supreme Court ruling

Leader of PNG Party Hon Belden Namah has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling on Christmas Eve ordering the acting speaker Francis Marus to recall Parliament to elect a new governor general by or on January 20, 2011.

Namah said the Supreme Court ruling confirmed the common knowledge that the current National Alliance-led was hell-bent in breaking laws and the constitution to remain in power.

“It was very clear and obvious that that the government breached the constitution in the so-called re-election of Sir Paulias Matane as governor general on June 25, 2010 for another six-year term,” he said.

“The suspended Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has been involved in the election of all governors general since independence. 

“He claims to have written the constitution and yet he chose not to abide by constitution he crafted himself.

“Sir Michael himself has endlessly been seeking relief through courts to deliberately avoid facing a Leadership Tribunal for alleged misconduct in office charges.

“Today Papua New Guinea does not have a governor general, prime minister, acting speaker and acting deputy prime minister.

“We are in serious constitutional crisis.”

Namah called for a mass exodus of concerned parliamentarians currently in government and join parties in the opposition to elect a new governor general and a new prime minister.

He urged all MPs to put PNG and its people ahead of personal, party and sectional interests.

“We have a paramount duty to correct the wrongs of this corruption-tainted government,” Namah said.

“People in all sectors of the whole PNG community are fed up.

“We’re at the mercy of the people’s goodness, but the patience of many is running thin.

“If we fail to fix the mess created by this Government, we’re in for big trouble.”