Trainer: Security guards must be properly trained

By SAMPSON BONAI

SECURITY companies in the company have been urged to properly train their guards.

Aviset Security and Training Solutions trainer Max Ananuka, who trained six Mainland Holdings'  security guards on the basic use of batons last week, said many security firms were operating illegally without providing proper training to their static guards.

Aviset Security and Training Solutions' trainer Max Ananuka (right) demonstrating basic drill on how to fend off knife attacker using bare hands at the Mainland Holdings Graham Goudie Training Centre at 6 Mile in Lae last Thursday.~Pictures by SAMPSON BONAI

"The security firms should comply with the National Security Authority by-laws to provide basic baton and weapons training to their guards to use while providing security services to their respective clients," he said.

"Many security firms are operating illegally around the country.

"They have not met the standard set by the National Security Authority to provide baton and weapon training to their guards."

Ananuka commended Mainland Holdings for complying with the National Security Authority regulations by engaging a locally-owned registered security training solution company to train their guards in the past three months.

He who was a former police special services division trainer for 15 years and holds a level 4 training certificate.

Ananuka said he had conducted two trainings already on the use of baton and access control.

Aviset Security and Training Solutions trainer Max Ananuka (right) demonstrating  how to use a baton to defend himself from an attacker at Mainland Holdings' Graham Goudie Training Centre at 6-Mile in Lae last Thursday.

This is the third batch of guards to undertake basic baton training.

"I thank the company for realising the importance of providing training to its security guards on the use of batons at their workplace," Ananuka said.

"We are looking forward to continue to provide training to upskill the guards to enable them to perform their duties more professionally."

The one-day baton training was witnessed by Mainland Holdings' security supervisor William Wareka.

Mainland Holdings security manager Jacco Haasbrolk congratulated the guards for undertaking the baton training.

Six Mainland Holdings security guards with Avisat Security and Training Solutions specialised trainer Max Ananuka (centre) after the completion of basic baton training at Mainland Holdings' Graham Goudie Training Centre at 6-Mile in Lae last Thursday.

He thanked Aviset Training and Training Solutions for providing the training.

He said the security guards wuldnow be using batons as their weapons at their workplaces.

"We will continue to send more of our guards to attend similar training as we increase the number of our security guards,"Haasbrolk said.

Aviset Security and Training Solutions managing-director Willie Gumaim thanked Mainland Holdings for engaging his company trainer Ananuka train the guards on the basic use of batons.

"It is very important as the company has to comply with the National Securities Authority regulations to properly train their guards on the use of batons to empower them to perform their duties more effectively,"he said.

"I would like to see more security companies operating in Lae use our training company to facilitate their training on the use of batons, as it is the legal weapon for security companies.

"We are the only registered and recognised company in this country who are specialised in conducting such training programme

"We also provide training on the use of firearms to ensure the specialised guards providing escorts have permits for using it.

"The baton is part of the uniform of security guards.

"They should be trained on how to use the baton while executing their duties as it is allowed under the laws of this country.

"Our training company is fully registered with Investment Promotion Authority and National Securities Authority to provide various types of security training from the use of batons and firearms.

"We have highly-skilled, trained and certified former police and defence force officers who have attended various trainings in PNG and Australia and are qualified to provide security training to the various companies in PNG."

The retired police chief inspector and former contingent commander of Bougainville operations and Sandline Crisis operations commander, added that the regulating security body should carry out checks on all the security firms in PNG.

This is to ensure they have fully complied with the amnesty period which ended in February to provide proper training to all their guards.

The revival of Garaina

By SAMPSON BONAI

We arrived at remote Garaina on Independence Day 2018.

The closed down Garaina Tea Plantation now standing idle in thick kunai grass with no sign of life.~Pictures by SAMPSON BONAI

People  greeted us when we disembarked from chartered North Coast Aviation Britten Norman Islander aircraft and walked over to the airstrip hangar at Garaina station.

They welcomed us as we carried our bags to the small hangar.

The 20-minute flight from Wau on a fine day gave us an opportunity to glance down from the aircraft to see the mountains separating Waria Valley from Wau.

The towering Owen Stanley Range at Garaina

We flew over the Biangai mountains.

 We could see Lake Trist glittering under the mornng  sun.

Lake Trist as seen from our Britten Norman Islander.

We later flew over the Biaru and Waria mountains before we saw Waria Valley in front of us.

A local man and Grace Memorial Secondary School  principal,  Zukua Koito, who was sitting next to me excitedly pointed out of the window.

We flew over Onora airstrip near the two villages of Sikemu and Kapiso.

Garaina station was in front  of us.

The expatriate pilot steadied the plane as it slowly towards Garaina airstrip and landed safely on the grassy strip.

Locals came rushing to the airstrip and welcomed us in their local Gusamanie language that is widely spoken by the people from Waria Valley.

We grabbed our bags and returned their warm welcome by responding "dzobe".

Wau-based policemen and two local guides arrived and led us along the track towards the LLG headquarters and the soccer fields.

Forty-eight soccer teams participated in the weeklong Waria Valley  Unity Cup Soccer Tournament.

Arihe (men) and Au (women) took out the top accolades and K1000 prizemoney.

Major sponsor and PNG Cocoa Board chief executive officer Boto Gaupu congratulated the winning teams.

PNG Cocoa Board CEO Boto Gaupu (right) with Arihe men's soccer team which took out the 2018 Unity Cup Soccer Tournament

He said next year's event would be even  bigger and better.

"We will launch the Waria Valley cocoa project next year," he said.

"Agriculture Minister Benny Allan and other senior Goverment officers from Waigani will be in Garaina to witness the launching programme."

At Garaina, one other track leads to the primary school, shops, health centre and the closed Department of Agriculture and Livestock office.

Garaina Health Centre which provides  services to the people of Waria Valley

Two shops with Bank South Pacific Eftpos machines, owned by locals and located near the health centre,  continue to provide public servants and local people with basic store goods.

One of the two shops in Garaina that serves public servants and the local people

The goods are flown in by air.

 It's very costly to buy a packet of sugar or rice.

The track then connects further down the road and leads to the local government council area.

The old road that connected Garasa and Bapi villages is now closed and had been turned into bush tracks.

The power line and the generator that used to supply electrocity to the station had also broken down and stands idle.

The people still mention the name of former council manager, John Orebut, who served in Waria in the 1990s.

They described him as the "best council manager of Waria LLG".

The towering Owen Stanley Range right in front us at Garaina runs from Waria all the way to Northern and Milne Bay provinces.

The lawn around the Waria LLG headquarters,  council manager's house, two patrol officers' houses, police barracks area and deteriorating RSL Club house are kept clean at all times.

Waria LLG Manager Pagau Arubidza with his son standing in front of his house at Garaina Station

Waria LLG headquarters lawn is kept clean and the office block is always manned

The cool climate and fertile soil makes Waria Valley one of the best areas to grow cash crops such as coffee, cocoa and tea.

The Garaina tea plantation now covered in tall bushes

The area is an tourist destination.

More guest houses need to be set up at Garaina and surrounding villages.

The local people are very friendly and always look after visitors and government officers passing through their villages with accommodation and food.

Waria Valley will soon transform into one of the biggest cocoa-producing area in Bulolo and Morobe.

A cocoa nursery in Bulolo

More local people will venture into various business activities to sustain their lives when cocoa production begins.

Tourism will be one area the local people can venture into.

They can build guest houses in the villages for tourists visiting their area for trekking, birdwatching and various other activities.

Finally the day arrived for us to return back to Wau.

I packed my bag, said goodbye to my new friends and walked to the airstrip to the rest of our team travelling back to Wau.

"Aipo",  all my new-found Garaina friends.

 See all of you again next year for a bigger and better soccer tournament to coincide with  launching of Waria Valley Cocoa Project.

Husband and wife teachers grateful for new classroom

Australian High Commission
Oct 5 2018

Cornelius and Wari Pondo are the husband and wife team who teach elementary students at Gorari Elementary School along the Kokoda Track.

Cornelius and Wari Pondo

Despite having no formal qualifications, the Pondos were inspired to become teachers to educate and change the lives of children in their village, which is about an hour from Kokoda Station in the Sohe District of Northern Province.

When an opportunity arose in 2012 to attend a teaching course at Mamba, run by the Kokoda Track Foundation, they both jumped at the chance and applied.

After graduating, the couple returned to Gorari and established a classroom made of bush materials to teach elementary school children aged five to eight years old.

Attendance in the bush classrooms has grown substantially over the years, and now the school has over 150 elementary students.

To provide a more comfortable learning environment, the Kokoda Initiative (KI) recently constructed a new double classroom for Gorari Elementary School.

Cornelius and Wari Pondo with their students and the new school facilities.

The KI is a long-standing partnership between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Mrs Pondo said both classrooms were being used for elementary grades at the school.

One room is used for her Prep and Grade 1 classes, while the other is used by the Grade 2 class taught by her husband.

“When the classroom was built for our elementary grades, it really assisted us because previously our students were sitting on bare earth,” said Mrs Pondo.

“With the new classroom, I am able to teach students from morning until afternoon, even when it is raining, and students also have proper desks and chairs.

“Thank you to the Australian Government for these new classrooms, as they are having a great impact on the lives of these students, and will help them to have a brighter future.”

Kandep in Enga offers untapped tourism potential

Remote Kandep, Enga, is know for all the wrong reasons.

There's a silver lining to the dark cloud.

It is a beautiful place with untapped tourism potential.

This article appeared in The National Weekender on Friday Oct 5 2018.

Please click to enlarge:

Kavieng looks to Australian Seasonal Workers' Programme

Maverick Kavieng MP Ian Ling-Stuckey is looking at the Australian Seasonal Workers' Programme (SWP) to solve Papua New Guinea's economic woes.

This article appeared in The National Weekender on Friday Sept 28 2018.   

Please click to enlarge:

China's 'little tricks' won't hamper Taiwan in APEC: foreign minister

focustaiwan.tw | October 4, 2018

Taipei, Oct. 4 (CNA) China has been deploying a number of "little tricks" over the past few months to inhibit Taiwan's participation in this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting but to scant effect, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Thursday.

In an interview with CNA Thursday, Wu said China has made several attempts to introduce its "one-China" principle, under which it sees Taiwan as part of its territory, into APEC's operating framework.

For example, he said, China has asked that references to Taiwan in APEC documents be changed to "Chinese Taipei," the official title used for Taiwan in APEC.

China has also tried to blocked many of the proposals made by Taiwan in APEC this year, he said, adding that such issues were resolved after Taiwan sought help from like-minded member countries.

Those "little tricks" by China have caused some small twists and turns but will hardly affect Taiwan's overall participation in APEC, Wu said.

In keeping with protocol, the 2018 APEC host country, Papua New Guinea, has sent envoys to Taiwan twice with an invitation to this year's leaders' summit, he said.

Following those invitations, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) announced Wednesday that Morris Chang (張忠謀), founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), will represent Taiwan at the APEC leaders' summit in Papua New Guinea in November.

Taiwan joined APEC as a full member under the name Chinese Taipei in 1991 and has played an active role in the annual meetings, seeking to enhance interaction with the other 20 member economies, according to the foreign ministry.

Commenting last month on the issue, Matthew J. Matthews, deputy assistant secretary and U.S. senior official for APEC, told CNA that the United States has always been supportive of Taiwan's full membership in APEC and is making sure that status will not be compromised.

Australia to support PNG’s immunisation strategy

Australian High Commission

The Nationwide Polio Campaign was launched by the Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Sir Puka Temu on Monday  October 1.

Australian High Commission Minister-Counsellor, Benedict David, attended the launch and was pleased to announce K24 million to combat vaccine preventable diseases in Papua New Guinea.

Australian High Commission Minister-Counsellor Benedict David vaccinates a child following the launch of the Nationwide Polio Campaign in Port Moresby.

He said: “Australia and Papua New Guinea are close friends, and we will always look out for each other in times of need. 

"Under the leadership of Minister Temu and the Department of Health, this additional support will help protect PNG’s children from polio and other childhood illnesses.”

The Government of Papua New Guinea has spearheaded a vaccination campaign to eradicate polio in PNG.

Sir Puka thanked the many health workers and communities who had supported the Government’s efforts to vaccinate every child in the country from this potentially deadly disease.

Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Sir Puka Temu vaccinates a child following the launch of the Nationwide Polio Campaign in Port Moresby.

Low rates of routine immunisation have led to recent outbreaks of preventable diseases such as polio, measles, and whooping cough.

 In partnership with the World Health Organisation, United Nations Children's Fund and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Australia’s contribution will support the National Department of Health’s emergency polio campaign.

Longer term Australian support will help to increase routine immunisation rates to avoid future outbreaks.

Dr Luo Dapeng, the WHO Representative in PNG, said: “Together, the international community in PNG can help support the Government to ensure a better future for Papua New Guinean children.” 

Dive seasons in Papua New Guinea

by Rebecca Strauss, scubadiverlife.com
September 30, 2018 

Occupying the eastern half of New Guinea, the world’s second largest island after Greenland, Papua New Guinea sits high atop almost every diver’s bucket list.

But in a land that spans 178,000 square miles (461,000 square kilometers), you’ve got to know where to go — and when — to get the most bang for your diving buck.

With no highways spanning the entirety of the country’s rugged terrain, dive resorts in PNG give new meaning to the word “remote,” reachable only by small plane in many cases.

Once you’re there, you’re there — and if it’s the right time of year, you’ll be happily stranded among some of the world’s best dive sites.

Here’s our guide to the dive seasons in Papua New Guinea, focusing on the main areas.

Tawali

A wide peninsula juts out of Papua New Guinea’s southeastern corner, pointing like a finger to Milne Bay, home of Tawali Dive Resort.

To get there, one must fly from the capital city of Port Moresby to Alotau.

From there it’s a 90-minute bus ride through the countryside to small dock, where a boat awaits to make the final 20-minute journey to the resort.

 Milne Bay is most well-known for muck diving, but there are manta-cleaning stations and WWII wrecks on hand as well.

Sitting on the north coast at the tip of the peninsula, Tawali is mostly sheltered from prevailing southeast winds.

 So even if the winds are blowing, visitors can still dive the protected northern sites.

If the air is calm, divers have access to a plethora of sites south and southeast of the resort.

Nonetheless, the very best time to visit this area of PNG is from October through March, when visibility is the best and the skies are relatively calm.

Strong winds in February make getting to most dive sites a challenge.

Tufi

In Oro Province, which makes up most of the peninsula’s northern shore, Tufi Resort perches atop a spectacular green fjord with sweeping views of the water below.

Just as with other PNG resorts, Tufi is quite remote.

 You’ll arrive via small plane from Port Moresby, which lands on a nearby runway, paved by Tufi’s owners to make the resort more accessible.

It’s a short walk or quick car ride to the resort from there.

Although there is diving in the fjords, Tufi’s real draw is the spectacular offshore reefs, five to 10 nautical miles offshore, so remote that many remain unexplored.

 On good-weather days it takes from 15 minutes to over an hour to reach some sites, and steady onshore winds for part of the year make them nearly inaccessible.

The very best time of the year to visit is during wet season, from November to March.

Walindi

Walindi Plantation Resort sits on the shores of Kimbe Bay on New Britain, a PNG satellite island just north of the mainland.

To get here, you’ll fly from Port Moresby to Hoskins Airport, also called Kimbe Airport.

From there it’s a 50-minute drive to the resort.

Kimbe Bay is best known for spectacularly healthy coral gardens and walls, and guests can reach even further-flung destinations onboard the resort’s liveaboard dive boats, the MV FeBrina and MV Oceania, which offer 8- through 10-night itineraries.

The best time of year to visit Walindi is April through June and August through December.

Rabaul

Rabaul, also on New Britain at its northern tip, is best known for fantastic WWII wreck diving.

 Most sites are relatively near shore, with the furthest being about an hour’s boat ride away.

Aside from the wrecks, there’s also a healthy shallow-water reef and wall dives, offering the chance to see passing pelagics.

The best time of the year to visit Rabaul is April through early January when the visibility is best and wind direction cooperates with dive boats.

Lissenung

Tiny Lissenung Island is home to a private resort right off the west coast of New Ireland Island, itself just north of New Britain Island.

Visitors fly from Port Moresby to Kavieng, then it’s a 5-minute ride to the shore and a 20-minute boat ride to the resort, which sits just two degrees south of the equator, making for pretty consistent weather year-round.

The island is only 1300 by 262 feet (400 by 80 m) and the resort sleeps a maximum of 16 guests, so you’re guaranteed seclusion.

There are 36 mapped sites nearby, most well-known for pristine coral, sharks, turtles and macro life.

Lissenung is best from late March through early January. Mid-January to mid-March is wet season and although you can still visit, it can get very windy and wet.

Body found in submerged Air Niugini plane

Tahawar Durrani
Chief Executive Officer
Air Niugini Ltd 

It is with deep sadness I confirm that the body of a male passenger was discovered by divers today (Monday Oct 1) as they conducted a further search of P2-PXE and the surrounding area in the Chuuk Lagoon.

This is the unaccounted passenger from the aircraft.

Our outreach team is in touch with the man’s family and we are making arrangements to repatriate his body.

The circumstances surrounding this accident are now a matter for relevant authorities as they begin their task of investigating the events that led to the incident and the actions which followed.

We are committing all required resources to ascertain the factors that led to this accident.

We express our deepest sympathy to his family.

We are and will continue to provide support to his family in this time of loss.  

Paradise found in Papua New Guinea

Bestowed with stunning natural creations and rich cultural traditions, Papua New Guinea entices visitors like no other
   

Anjaly Thomas
Sep 29 2018
Deccan Herald

Two reasons can take you to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the Oceania — diving or Kokoda Track. My reason was the latter — a 96-km-long killer track with a reputation of being attempted only by the ‘brave’. Fully aware of the dangers, I plunged into the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, and for 11 days, pushed myself beyond every imaginable limit, and emerged on the other side intact, but determined never to attempt anything like that again.

An aerial view of the islands in Papua New Guinea

So once back in the capital Port Moresby, fondly called Pom Town, I set about understanding why Papua New Guinea was the new tourist hotspot. PNG has over 7,000 different tribes, each with their own language, and Port Moresby is the entry point to the country, ideally located on the coast and perfect for exploration of the rest of the country.

A word of caution. Papua New Guinea is still considered a dangerous place to visit, but the good news is that the tourism industry is slowly growing. Beautiful nature hikes, scuba diving and kayaking are the top attractions in this island nation. Although tourism infrastructure is lacking, you cannot ignore the fact that the country offers incredible sights and activities for those wishing to explore.

My first destination was Bomana War Cemetery (BWC), the resting place of about 3,200 servicemen from World War II, killed in action in Papua and Bougainville. BWC, about 20 km from Port Moresby, is a well-maintained and the only cemetery in the country to contain white marble headstones. Memorial services for Anzac Day are held here on April 25 every year. I knew very little about the importance of Anzac Day, till I walked on the Kokoda Track, which still bears the scars of the fighting between the Japanese and the Allies.

Next on the cards was a visit to Port Moresby Nature Park, a botanical garden and zoological park that is home to hundreds of animals, including kangaroos and reptiles, and it’s the only rainforest track in the city. Particularly fascinating was walking through rows of native plants and orchids. To truly understand the orchid variety, a visit here is a must. There are over 10,000 orchids in the park!

Towards evening, I headed to a local market in Pom Town. It was like walking back in history — there was nothing ‘modern’ about the market — just picturesque stalls selling food, local crafts, paintings, traditional carvings. I returned with wooden masks and meri blouse (traditional dress): loose-fitting, and comfortable but a fashion disaster, and stuffed to my gills on taro and cassava, which my hotel receptionist told me was “the thing to do anyway.” It was she who put the idea of visiting the Parliament House into my head. “You can see the birds later,” she said. With a phone call, she arranged a tour of the Parliament House and the next morning, I found myself with a guide and permission to enter the building.

It is said a passionate guide can make or break your impressions — my guide influenced my opinions favourably. The gardens and orchids are fabulous and so are the flags that represent many different tribes in the country. Fortunately, the Parliament was not in session, so we could easily look into the floor of the Parliament. The grandeur of the building was hard to ignore, but pictures are forbidden, not even discreetly!

The city of Port Moresby is charming in a rather quaint way. Nightlife is decent and a few good restaurants have cropped up in the recent past, a sign that PNG is gearing up to welcoming more tourists in the near future.

It is amazing how much of the country is still unexplored and you often get the feeling that it is a civilisation yet to be discovered. From tropical birds to vibrant colours, cultures and tribal traditions — everything conspires to make you fall in love with the place.

PM thanks flight crew and rescuers , caution against rumor and fake news

 Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has expressed his gratitude to the air crew of P2-PXE, and local Micronesians who came to the rescue of passengers, for their quick response in the evacuation

He made the comments after aircraft P2-PXE 'landed short’ yesterday in the Federated States of Micronesia, and warned people on social media to be vigilant
against rumors and fake news.

"Any aircraft crash in any part of the world is alarming, and ultimate concern above
property is the safety of human lives,” O'Neill said.

"I commend the crew of P2-PXE for their swift action to evacuate passengers.

"I especially thank the people of Micronesia who were very quick to move in with boats
to the aircraft and assist passengers as they evacuated.

“Micronesian safety and security services were also swiftly on the scene, and
passengers were quickly assessed and attend to at the hospital.

“We thank our Micronesian brothers and sisters for their response and care following this accident.

“The health of passengers is being monitored and arrangements for temporary accommodation is being arranged, and soon travel will be facilitated to their chosen ports."

O'Neill said the initial concern for the Government and the airline was the
safety and wellbeing of passengers, and people should be wary of misinformation.

“Now is not the time for speculation or rumor, let’s wait for the facts and further
information from the airline.

“Air accident investigators will be undertaking a thorough examination of the incident and the causes being identified.

“I call for people to be careful with what they re-post online.”

Air Niugini update on crash

Bulletin number 2 issued at 3:00pm, date: 28.09.2018

Air Niugini provides the following update regarding the short landing of its Boeing 737-800 series aircraft at Chuuk International airport, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) this morning.

P2-PXE was operating scheduled flight PX 073 between Pohnpei and Chuuk Airport in FSM when the incident occurred.

The incident occurred at 10:10am FSM local time. 

Air Niugini has been informed that the weather was very poor with heavy rain and reduced visibility at the time of incident.

The aircraft had 35 passengers and 12 crew members onboard, all of whom were able to safely evacuate the aircraft.

Air Niugini is now positioning assistance to Chuuk for our passengers and crew.

We are also in touch with the embassies, passenger representatives, stakeholders and families of the crew.

We thank everyone in Chuuk for the assistance provided today.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew and their families at this time.

Following are the media call centre numbers.

PNG Media Call Centre: (675) 327 3378/ 327 3221
International Media Call Centre: +1 407 205 1814 
Email: mcc2@kenyoninternational.com

UPDATE: 8 passengers aboard Air Niugini Flight 73 hospitalised

by Kevin Kerrigan and Gaynor Daleno | The Guam Daily Post, postguam.com
September 28, 2018

Forty-six people aboard Air Niugini Flight 73 miraculously survived after the flight fell short of the runway on Weno International Airport in Chuuk this morning and landed in lagoon waters.

"No serious injuries ... Everybody is alive!" Jimmy Emilio, the airport's manager, confirmed by phone to The Guam Daily Post.

When the plane went down, a lot of local boaters and the local rescue team immediately rushed to the crash site, Emilio said.

"Everybody is safely off the plane," he added.

He said the passengers and crew were transported to the local hospital and as far as he knows, no one was badly injured.

Dr. Siana Shapucy, the Chuuk State Hospital's acting medical director, said at 2 p.m. Guam time Friday that eight people were hospitalized. One was on a ventilator while some of the other patients had various fractures.

A video reposted by Eriko Rekis on his Facebook page shows many boaters immediately responding as the aircraft hit the lagoon water, and helping passengers get off the half-submerged plane and transporting them to safer ground.

The aircraft is a Boeing 737, Public Affairs Manager Ian Gregor for the FAA Pacific Division confirmed.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cuttter Washington, which happens to be in nearby waters, is heading to the crash site to help. 

Air Niugini Flight 73 travels between Chuuk and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. The flight was to take two hours and 40 minutes.

Air Niugini is Papua New Guinea's leading airline, with more than 20 destinations nationally and 10 internationally.

A United Airlines flight from Guam that was scheduled to land at the same airport in Chuuk has been diverted to Pohnpei.

A team from Auckland, New Zealand en route to Weno to try and salvage the plane.

This is a developing story.

The changing face of Lae

By SAMPSON BONAI in Lae

Lae City, the industrial hub of Papua New Guinea,  is experiencing a building boom.

The new Bank of PNG Building being constructed along 3rd Street, opposite Lae Post Office,  is nearing completion and should be open for business before end of this year.

The new Bank of PNG Building being constructed along 3rd Street,  opposite Lae Post Office,  is nearing completion and should be open for business before the end of this year.~Pictures by SAMPSON BONAI

Papindo Supermarket has constructed a new look two-storey building along 7th Street to replace the old one that got burnt down in 1995.

The brand-New Papindo Shopping Centre along 7th Street.

Eye One Shopping Centre is a new two-storey building constructed at the site of the old Huon Theatre.

Eye One Shopping Centre is a new two-storey building at the site of the old Huon Theatre. It has become one of the busiest shopping venues in Lae.

It has become one of the busiest shopping venues in Lae. 

The old Wan Jin Wah shop at 7th Street is dwarfed by the towering Papindo Shopping Centre and the adjoining Victoria Supermarket.

The iconic Wan Jin Wah shop along 7th Street   is dwarfed by the towering Papindo Shopping Centre across the road.

Two new modern shopping complexes are being built at the Main Market area. 

Lae Plaza is situated along Aircorps Road near Bank South Pacific and Lae Shopping Centre is situated along Kisere Street behind Bowmans Hardware.

Lae Plaza offers the people of Morobe that heightened shopping experience right in the heart of Lae City. It has three stories of shops and self-contained units.

Rapid progress on high speed internet cable connecting PNG with the world

Australian High Commission

The Australian and Papua New Guinea Governments are progressing rapidly with the project to deliver the new high speed Coral Sea Cable that will connect Port Moresby through Sydney to the global economy.

On Sept 27  2018, marine survey vessel the RV Northern Endeavour visited Port Moresby to survey the area where the cable will connect to Papua New Guinea’s mainland.

Local media had the opportunity to go on-board the vessel to see the facilities, meet the crew and understand more about the process for delivering this key nation building infrastructure.

Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis was pleased to mark this important milestone.

He said, "Australia is delighted to partner with Papua New Guinea in delivering this key nation building project.

"This project has the potential to be truly transformative and I am excited to be able to celebrate this important step towards its completion."

The RV Northern Endeavour is at the start of a journey to map out the path the cable will take between Port Moresby, Honiara and Sydney.

Not only does this preliminary planning ensure that the installation of the cable is as efficient and cost-effective as possible, it also provides assurance that the impact of the cable on Papua New Guinea’s pristine marine environment is minimised.

The Coral Sea Cable will significantly improve Papua New Guinea’s internet connectivity, allowing businesses to access new markets, students to harness new learning opportunities and communities to reach out to other countries and people across the sea.

It is a very tangible symbol of Australia and Papua New Guinea’s enduring partnership as well as both nations’ strong commitment to growth and prosperity in the region.

Australian men's and women's Prime Minister's XIII annouced

The Hon Scott Morrison MP
Prime Minister

In conjunction with the National Rugby League (NRL), I am pleased to announce the Prime Minister’s XIII squads which will take part in annual games against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on October 6.

 The PMs XIII concept is an annual fixture which was first established in 2005 to help PNG celebrate 30 years of independence.

This year, in recognition of the surge in female participation in rugby league, a PMs XIII squad for women has been named for the first time.

The squads will be led by experienced and exceptional rugby league coaches and captains.

World Cup winning Jillaroo and Indigenous All Stars captain Rebecca Young will captain the women’s squad which is coached by Brad Donald.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles skipper and Queensland Origin representative Daly Cherry-Evans will captain the men’s squad which is coached by Mal Meninga.

The squads will arrive in Port Moresby next Thursday and are being supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

While I would love to be there to cheer on both squads, I will be following the games very closely from home.

I’d also like to congratulate the players who have been selected to play for the PNG Kumuls and Orchids and wish all teams the very best.

Australian PM’s XIII Men’s Squad:

Corey Allan (Brisbane Broncos)

Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers)

Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

Jake Clifford (North Queensland Cowboys)

Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders)

Tyson Frizell (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Ben Hunt (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Brian Kelly (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

Zac Lomax (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys)

Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers)

Matt Prior (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Jesse Ramien (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Reece Robson (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)

Chad Townsend (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

Enari Tuala (North Queensland Cowboys)

Aaron Woods (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Australian PM’s XIII Women’s Squad:

Keeley Davis (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Quincy Dodd (Sydney Roosters)

Sally Dwyer (Parkes Spacemen)

Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa'amausili (Cabramatta)

Najvada George (Werribee Bears – VIC)

Rikeya Horne (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Melanie Howard (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Asipau Mafi (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Talesha Quinn (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Michaela Peck (ADF)

Patricia Raikadroka (Mounties)

Rhiannon Revell-Blair (Brothers Ipswich)

Hannah Southwell (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Sarah Togatuki (Sydney Roosters)

Shakiah Tungai (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Juraea Turner (Ellenbrook Rabbitohs – WA)

Holli Wheeler (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Eliza Wilson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

Rebecca Young (CRL Newcastle

PNG Kumuls squad to play PM's XIII named

nrl.com | September 25, 2018

St George Illawarra winger Nene Macdonald, Cronulla hooker James Segeyaro and Canterbury back-rower Rhyse Martin head a strong contingent of NRL and Super League  players named in the Papua New Guinea squad to play the Australian Prime Minister's XIII in Port Moresby on October 6.

Macdonald, Segeyaro and Martin are among six NRL players in the 18-man squad, which also includes Catalans fullback David Mead and Widnes Vikings prop Wellington Albert.

Cronulla and PNG hooker James Segeyaro©Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos

Other NRL players are Melbourne winger Justin Olam, Sydney Roosters playmaker Lachlan Lam and North Queensland five-eighth Kyle Laybutt.

The remaining players are drawn from Queensland's Intrust Super Cup and include Easts Tigers hooker Tom Butterfield, Souths Logan Magpies centre Daniel Russell and eight members of the PNG Hunters team.

The squad, which is largely comprised of players from this year's Pacific Test and the 2017 World Cup teams, will assemble in Port Moresby this week, with Lam and Olam to arrive after completing commitments with their NRL clubs in Sunday's grand final.

The annual clash between the Kumuls and the Australian PM's XIII has been moved as PNG Hunters players were unavailable last year due to the Intrust Super Cup grand final.

PNG Kumuls squad:
Daniel Russell – South Logan Magpies (Intrust Super Cup)
David Mead – Catalans Dragons (Super League)
Edene Gabi – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Enock Maki – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
James Segeyaro – Cronulla Sharks (NRL)
Justin Olam – Melbourne Storm (NRL)
Kyle Laybutt – North Queensland Cowboys (NRL)
Lachlan Lam – Sydney Roosters
Moses Meninga – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Nene McDonald – St George Illawara (NRL)
Nixon Putt – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Rhadley Brawa – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Rhyse Martin – Canterbury Bulldogs (NRL)
Stanton Albert – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Tom Butterfield – Easts Tigers (Intrust Super Cup)
Watson Boas – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Wellington Albert – Widnes Vikings (Super League
Willie Minoga – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)

Improve tourist attractions in PNG to attract more tourists, says ADB

Asian Development Bank

The number of people visiting Papua New Guinea increased by 166% in the 10 years from 2005 to 2015.

However, a new brief from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warns that continued visitor growth is not inevitable and that government action is needed to help attract more of the lucrative tourist market.

Despite the high growth in visitor numbers, tourism revenue in PNG remains low compared to other Pacific countries.

 The ADB brief, Tourism as a Driver of Growth in the Pacific: A Pathway to Growth and Prosperity for Pacific Island Countries, offers a number of recommendations, including some specific to PNG, to help the country grow its tourism sector.

As a first step, it recommends the national tourism policies be reviewed with a view to increasing visitor numbers and spending.

It also recommends fostering tourist attractions around the country, such as developing Madang as a tourist destination, especially for cruise ships, and increasing Mount Wilhelm’s tourism potential by improving access to it.

The brief also says restoration of the Baiyer River Sanctuary could attract tourists to the area.

The brief identifies tourism as a unique opportunity for economic growth in the coming decade that could help Pacific island countries self-sufficiently fund national objectives, such as improved health services, education and transport.
Along with generating employment and income growth across the region, tourism development can serve as a catalyst for the protection and preservation of natural and cultural assets, the brief notes.

Visitor numbers across six Pacific countries examined have increased by almost 50% in the past 10 years, but the brief warns that continued tourism sector growth will not happen automatically, and that its benefits will continue to be unevenly distributed unless governments take action.

The brief recommends countries create an enabling environment to facilitate tourism growth and maximise its benefits.

This means investing in infrastructure, human resources, and product development and marketing, as well as ensuring that tourism policy, strategy, and the regulatory environment are designed to grow the sector sustainably.

“While many Pacific countries are using tourism effectively to generate income and employment, opportunities exist to expand and increase its benefits and ensure its sustainability,” said Rob Jauncey, Regional Advisor with ADB’s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office.

“As Pacific countries develop and pursue strategies to grow their tourism sectors, ADB stands ready to offer insight and advice, and provide technical assistance, finance, or coordination support.”

The brief was produced by ADB’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), a regional technical assistance program undertaken in partnership with the governments of Australia and New Zealand.

PSDI works with ADB's 14 Pacific developing member countries to improve the enabling environment for business and to support inclusive, private sector-led economic growth.

It has operated in the region for 11 years and assisted with more than 300 reforms.

Garaina police infrastructure goes to the dogs

By SAMPSON BONAI in Wau

POLICE infrastructure at remote Garaina in Bulolo is rundown and needs to be urgently renovated.

Lone Garaina policeman Steven Sep pointing to the partly burnt police station building there. It requires urgent maintenance work.~Pictures by SAMPSON BONAI

Police reservist Steven Sep, who has singlehandedly maintained law-and-order in Garaina for the last 15 years, said the Police Department has forgotten about Garaina.

"Police infrastructure such as housing and the police station are completely rundown," he said.

"It's not fit for any policeman to live in and perform policing duties in Garaina.

"The four two-bedroom police houses are completely run down with leaking roofs, broken walls and flooring.

"The houses, which were built during the colonial era, have not seen any maintenance work being carried on them for many years."

Sep has had to use his own money to purchase materials to maintained the house.

"There is leakage in the  roof and whenever it rains we always put empty pots under to collect water," he said.

Lone Garaina policeman Steven Sep with his wife and children in front of their rundown two-bedroom police house there.

The lone policeman said the  crumbling police station was far worse.

There has been no maintenance whatsoever.

Part of the station was burnt down.

The general duties office is in a complete mess without any proper equipment such as desks, chairs and filing cabinet.

Old broken desks and tables are scattered everywhere.

Policeman Steven Sep inside the general duties office at Garaina Police Station. It is in a complete mess and has not seen any maintenance work for many years

 Old files are left lying around.

This is one of the filthiest and most rundown police stations in Morobe.

The walls and the floors have not seen any proper maintenance work carried.

Rats and other insects have taken over the station.

The police houses and the station are slowly crumbling under the forces of nature.

The department continues to turn a blind eye to its current deteriorating state.   

The cell block is a registered cell.

Sep still uses it to lock up suspects and transfer to Lae to appear in  court.

The reservist from nearby Sopa village in Garaina has experienced a lot of hardship performing his police duties over the last15 years.

IFC: US and European tourists are biggest spenders in PNG

The FINANCIAL -- Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, September 21, 2018 — New research shows visitors from North America and Europe are the biggest holiday spenders in Papua New Guinea, with Europeans spending USD$3600 and North Americans spending USD$4000 per trip on average.

Two Italian tourists having fun with local Goroka dancers at the 2018 Goroka Show.~Picture courtesy of Tourism Promotion Authority

The figures were released by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Tourism Association at the 2018 Lukim PNG Nau, this year’s tourism expo showcasing the country.

The research, compiled from the International Visitor Survey, shows travel agents play a key role in North Americans deciding to travel to Papua New Guinea, while Europeans tend to use travel guides and the internet to plan and book their trips independently online.

Drawing on data from six months, the research reveals North Americans are primarily interested in cultural activities and tours, while the market is also an important one for bird watchers. For the North American market, Papua New Guinea is likely viewed as a holiday destination for a “once in a lifetime trip” with the majority of travelers over 60 years of age.

Previous studies have highlighted the importance of Papua New Guinea growing its tourism by developing niche markets such as cultural, adventure and historical tourism.

Overall Papua New Guinea is heavily reliant on the Australian market for tourists, with Australia making up 48 percent of total visitors in the first six months of this year. The Australian holiday market is predominately a mature male market with most visitors between 40 and 70 years of age, and highly interested in active and adventure holidays.

The findings highlight that diving is an important activity for Asian travelers to Papua New Guinea, with potential to increase arrivals to the country from tourists interested in dive and World War Two experiences

Overall, the first six months of this year saw more than 34,600 visitors to Papua New Guinea, contributing some PGK $260 million (USD$78 million) to the country’s economy. That number is set to be overtaken in the second half of the year with Papua New Guinea hosting APEC – the Asia Pacific Economic Forum.

IFC’s tourism work in Papua New Guinea is focused on supporting the development of tourism business, improving tourism-related conditions, and helping attract investment in the tourism sector. IFC is also working with the World Bank to improve tourism services in the targeted destinations of East New Britain and Milne Bay.