Over 20 Papua New Guineans are part of a group of 50 scientists, explorers and TV presenters on a BBC expedition to one of
The team, who are part of the world-renown BBC Natural History Unit, are filming a major TV documentary series entitled ‘Expedition New Guinea’ which will be aired in the UK and around the world towards the end of the year.
Daniel Huertas, a British researcher with the group, highlighted the international composition of the expedition team and in particular the pivotal role played by the PNG participants.
“We have a number of PNG scientists and local community members assisting and advising the international team in species recognition and location finding. The project would not be possible without the support and amazing knowledge of our colleagues from
British High Commissioner to PNG, David Dunn, welcomed the team to PNG and highlighted that the shooting of such a major documentary series reinforced the special relationship between the BBC Natural History Unit and PNG, which started more than 50 years ago by British broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough.
“Sir David's ‘Zoo Guest’ series, which heralded his entry into wildlife television documentaries and 50 years of broadcasting, brought him to PNG in 1957. That much remembered pioneering series changed the way broadcasters filmed natural history forever and opened the wonders and beauty of the planet and in particular PNG to the world. Although the technology has changed dramatically since those early days the warmth of the welcome and generous support given to the numerous and regular visiting BBC teams by the people of PNG has not. I would like to thank the Government of PNG and all those associated for their continued help, support and collaboration and I look forward to PNG showcasing to the world its amazing beauty and bio-diversity through the Expedition
Mt Bosavi, a dormant volcano endemically rich in flora and fauna, has been the subject of various studies by international research and conservation groups in recent years.
Mr Huertas said the mountain’s isolation and the enthusiasm of the local communities for their forest to be part of the documentary series made it the first choice for the BBC.
· The expedition team’s adventures can be tracked through the BBC Science and Nature News website http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature and a Blog by expedition member and the University of California’s curator and department chair for ornithology and mammalogy, Dr John Dumbacher http://www.calacademy.org/blogs/jdumbacher/
By IAN TAUKURO
I'm on a roll today, lads...
Today marks the 200th birthday of two great men of history.
The first devised a theory that still causes much debate and controversy
among scientists and is a constant irritation to the church, although,
atheist's rejoice in the theory's teachings.
Let us all stand and offer a round of applause for the late but great,
Charles Darwin, who was born on February 12, 1809.
His theory of Natural Selection, which promoted the idea of evolution,
when first put forward, represented a great challenge to the teachings
of the church which, based on the bible, said all living things on the
planet are the result of Intelligent Design.
The other great man whose birthday was on February 12, 1809 is Abraham
Lincoln, who was the 16th
A great monument in his honour stands there in
a token of appreciation by the American people for what he did to save
the
If a lesser man had been president during those tumultuous years of the
American Civil War, the
separate nations, North and South. It would never have grown into the
powerful nation that it is today.
shed to protect the ideals of freedom and democracy and, on the fateful
day in 1860, made the decision to send in supplies to
the rival government to the
the fort. So began the Civil War, which went on for 5 years, ending soon
after
battle bloodied and weary but re-born nonetheless.
Aside from the Lincoln Memorial, there is even a powerful warship, the
USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier that patrols the high seas,
protecting the interests of the
was alive.
What's common to Lincoln and Darwin? Well, aside from being full of
character and virtue they both had that unshakable belief in themselves
and the decisions they made and they never gave up as a result.
That's a good lesson for us all to learn ... whatever you do, don't
quit!
By IAN TAUKURO
Morning All,
What is it with women's magazines that they always have to publish some article about how to keep track of the man?
For instance, In the Post Courier's New Age Woman today there is an article about how to 'See if your man is cheating you'. What the author of the article perhaps doesn't realise is that women who live in safe and secure relationships with a man who loves them dearly will read this story and, voila, the first seeds of doubt will be planted in their heads.
After reading the article, the woman, who suddenly feels very insecure because of what she has just read, will start to observe her partner, who oblivious to the 'cheaters' advice in the magazine, greets his wife with a kiss and a warm hug, then goes about his business of helping/playing with the children, helping with the dishes, etc, while the woman watches, like a hawk, with a calm but very suspicious eye.
Over the course of time, the poor man does something that causes the woman to believe that he is, yes, really, really, cheating, when he suddenly becomes withdrawn and distant, all because that particular day he privately mourned the loss of his favourite NRL team!
So the arguments start, the furniture gets broken as the war rages, the love nest, their home, becomes a battleground, the children are neglected, the neighbours gossip, etc, etc, etc ... and all because of a silly article in a magazine!
Is it any wonder that there is so much misery and heartache in relationships today because of SUSPICION of cheating when the aggrieved party (i.e. the woman) has really no need to feel threatened at all?
Where have trust, loyalty and faith gone these days? We seem so keen on looking for fault in each other rather than being thankful for what our partner contributes to the relationship.
An interesting article by NAW and great timing too, don't you think?
Right on the eve of Valentines Day, a day when couples should be relaxed and joyous as they celebrate the warmth and clarity of their love – not being suspicious of each other.
By SAMSON KENDEMAN
National Capital District police are working to arrest the suspects who robbed
NCD superintendent of operations Chief Insp Andy Bawa last night said the suspects, two of whose identities were known to the police, were still at large.
Police personnel were deployed to the settlements near the Golf Club, including Morata, on Monday to meet with the community leaders and urge them to surrender the suspects promptly.
“I call on the community leaders living around the Golf Club area to fully cooperate with police to ensure all suspects are handed over to police.
“I will not tolerate such things done to diplomats working in the country,” Chief Insp Bawa said.
The community leaders assured police that the suspects would be handed over since their identities were known to them.
According to initial reports, eight men ran out from behind the utilities shed and robbed Mr Holm and three of his golfing partners.
Mr Holm is the second
The NZ High Commission, when contacted yesterday, said it had not yet seen the police report.
In an email, the High Commission noted that it was grateful for the prompt response of the police immediately after the incident, and would now wait for the law to take its course.
By CHEY SCOVELL
CEO
PNG Manufacturers Council
In early April last year the Treasury Department, made publically available the “Review of the Tariff Reduction Program July 2007”, a document that had only just been endorsed by the NEC.
But what is this document and what exactly does the NEC’s endorsement of it mean?
This report, often referred to as the Scollay Report, is a review of the Tariff Reduction Program, prepared by Associate Professor Robert Scollay of the
The report was prepared for and presented to the Department of Treasury in July 2007.
For reasons unknown the Government of PNG did not allow the public to assess the report until after the NEC endorsed it.
In only what can be seen as a stark contradiction to the government’s intention to entice investment and private sector support as well as provide stability, the government did not allow for any private sector consultation on the proposed final report and in the months since the NEC endorsed the report there have been no calls for community consultations on the matter.
As a background, there were two papers on tariff reform in PNG: the Brogan Tariff Review in 1986; and the World Bank Tariff Review in 1995.
Cabinet in 1995 (NEC Decision No 196/95) endorsed a tariff reform program that culminated in a White Paper on the Tariff Reform Program (TRP).
The intention of the TRP was to encourage the development of a more-efficient and more -roductive private sector being more exposed to competition.
The TRP removed many tariffs all together, saw the introduction of VAT (or GST) and proposed an eight-year tariff reduction program from 1999 to 2006.
With the TRP coming to an end in 2006, the government contracted the services of Scollay to review the TRP and provide some recommendations on the next steps and his report contains 14 such recommendations.
Without discrediting Scollay, his 2007 report is somewhat of a back flip on a report he earlier prepared for the Manufacturers Council in October 2005 on Proposals for the Future of the Tariff Reform Program.
His latest work seemingly encouraging changes to public policy that will effectively throw wounded PNG manufacturers amongst the wolves.
Perhaps unfortunately, in the climate of considerable increases to living costs especially over the past 12 months, local manufacturers stand to be big losers as politicians scramble to gain applause for reducing the cost of living under the guise of tariff reform.
It must be noted that local manufacturers losing equates to the people losing.
In any of the tariff reform reviews, in so far as the manufacturing sector is concerned, the intention has been to enhance the sector either by protection or exposure.
A commonality in each review was the high cost of doing business in PNG as a direct result of inadequate infrastructure and support services.
It was indeed the expectation of PNG manufacturers, the public and the architects of the White Paper for the Government of PNG to make continuous and substantial improvements to infrastructure and support services.
The 2007 report by Scollay notes that impediments caused by these failures are adversely affecting private sector performance, in fact in Scollays third recommendation makes clear that there should be tangible results on improvements to infrastructure and support services before the 2009 Budget.
Yet the report recommends the introduction of further tariff reductions in line with the handing down of the 2009 budget.
A major concern of the Council and its members is the stark reality that very little to no improvements can be made to infrastructure and support services by the end of 2008.
One should ask who is asking for further tariff reductions and why PNG should be making moves to move closer to zero tariffs.
Presently PNG rates in the top 10% worldwide for low tariffs, in fact we are an anomaly being ranked as such considering our state of development.
In an environment of high inflationary pressures it’s understood that consumers are searching for cheaper goods, and certainly in PNG retailers would prefer access to cheaply made foreign goods without tariffs.
There is no hiding behind PNG Manufacturers striving to be profitable, there is also no evidence that retailers would pass on the benefits of cheaper goods to consumers.
The IRC confirms that duty avoidance is a problem in PNG, goods are being imported without duties paid and benefits are not being passed onto consumers.
Taxpayers and the wider community should not finance ineffective businesses, the private sector should target its efforts in areas in which PNG has a comparative advantage for production.
If we accept the current level of infrastructure and support services (education, health, law and order) as adequate and not requiring improvement, academics could argue that those industries that fail if tariffs are reduced should fail.
If however, existing infrastructure and support services are regarded as inadequate, why not offer temporary relief?
In consultations with Scollay, the Manufacturers Council and its members proposed that further reforms should be linked to improvements in infrastructure and support services.
Perhaps the most important matter to consider when calling for further tariff reductions is its implications on PNG manufacturers.
In the absence of any real improvements to infrastructure and support services, the high cost of doing business means that manufacturers will cease to trade and this will result in massive job losses in urban areas.
The question rolling around in my mind is what will be the real outcome from removing another 5 to 10% off the price of imported consumer goods for Papua New Guineans?
The “Manufacturers Council of PNG - Position” reflects the official position of the Council for the noted subject. The Council recognises the importance of a collective position on key issues relating to our manufacturing industry. The Councils position shall endeavour to facilitate a collective voice and action to build and maintain an efficient and competitive PNG manufacturing sector.
Issue – Electricity Supply & Generation
Background
Power is an essential input for manufacturing. The cost of power in PNG is substantially higher than in our neighbouring nations and even in comparison to our African,
The state has a very poor record in both the provision and maintenance of power generation infrastructure and whilst PNG Power has an improvement program in place it has been noted that PNG will not have a sufficient and reliable solution in place for at least three to five years.
There are many impediments to doing business in PNG and each of these impediments increase the costs of doing business. All of these impediments multiply the cost of conducting business in PNG as each member is affected by the sum of all the impediments.
Issues
PNG Power is currently unable to provide sufficient power with redundancy (sufficient back up supply when there are outages). To compensate for this Manufacturers are required to maintain alternative power supply arrangements (generators etc). In addition to the capital outlay for back-up generators and maintenance the very high cost for fuel makes it very expensive.
The frequency of outages for members is high, over the past twelve months outages occur weekly if not daily.
There is a disparity of power availability between
The quality of the power supply is also of concern; the majority of members are required to outlay considerable amounts of money to install their own commercial power regulators to protect their plant from the frequent spikes.
The explanations for the majority of outages is understandable, however it does not alleviate the financial burden placed on members.
Several high energy using Members have entered into arrangements with PNG Power to self-supply throughout peak periods to ensure less outages overall.
Position
It is the official position of the Council that power supply must be readily available, affordable and of a satisfactory quality.
The Council has called upon the Government to ensure sufficient funds are made available to provide and maintain an acceptable baseline of power supply. Rural electrification is important however it is considered that the rectification of commercial centres power supply must be prioritised.
GoPNG and PNG Power must recognise the contribution that manufacturing makes to the economy, in particular employment and note that the high cost of power in PNG constrains productivity of our Members. Any options that improve the affordability, reliability and efficiency of power for manufacturers should be investigated and supported by all parties.
Issue –
Background
The
There are many impediments to doing business in PNG and each of these impediments increase the costs of doing business. All of these impediments multiply the cost of conducting business in PNG as each member is affected by the sum of all the impediments.
Issues
Currently the
It is acknowledged that vast amounts of money have been allocated for the maintenance, improvement and extension of the
All members that use the
Not linked directly to the assets, it should however be noted that ongoing increases for the cost of fuel has further increased haulage costs. The compounding affects of all the additional costs of doing business means that Members have little choice but to pass on the costs.
These issues have been ongoing for a long time now. The increased costs of doing business causes upward pressures on gate prices and adversely affect both general inflation and the consumers’ purchasing power.
Position
It is the official position of the Council that there is exists a major, genuine need to immediately address and improve the operating efficiency of the
It is vital that the access to
The Council encourages any measures to simplify the processes for the improvement and management of the Highlands Highway network and maintains a view that landowner claims should be both legitimate and minimal when claiming against the provision of basic, required public utilities and infrastructure (such as roads, power, water and telecommunications). Any and all contracts awarded must be done in accordance with GoPNG procedures and roads should be built fit for purpose with the highest of recognised standards.
Issue – Minimum Wage Board Determination (Jan09)
The Manufacturers Council of PNG (MCPNG) has noted with interest the determination of the Minimum Wages Board (MWB) handed down on Friday 30th January 2009.
Whilst the Council and its members concur that a review of the minimum wage rate is long overdue, it notes its concern at the level of the increase (equivalent to 250% on wage cost alone) and the burden this will place on industry in PNG.
Under the Mid Term and Long Term Development Strategies, the Government of PNG has stated its aims of increasing output in downstream processing and value add industries with a view to increasing GDP and employment in the country.
The Council feels that such a substantial increase in the operating costs of businesses will lead to negative economic benefits in the following ways:
1. Businesses will be forced to rationalise their workforces to reduce the impact of the additional cost leading to higher unemployment especially in the urban areas
2. Companies currently exporting from PNG will lose competitive advantage due to higher costs, the level of export from PNG is already in decline due to falling global demand for commodities and the impact of the Kina’s strength with its trading partners
3. As businesses costs rise, it would be not be unreasonable to expect a rise in the costs of goods and services leading to inflationary pressure negating any benefit from the increase in the base rate
In short, it is likely that such a severe increase in the minimum wage rate will lead to lower output, higher unemployment and increased inflation.
As mentioned, the MCPNG agrees that a review of the minimum wage is necessary; however that it should be in line with the economic realities during the current global crisis, and allows all participants in the business sector to gain.
Issue – Telecommunications
Background
Telecommunications refers to the provision of both voice and data services.
Until recently there has been a sole State-owned supplier for telecommunications in PNG, in 2007 the government opened completion in the mobile voice services market.
Landowner issues and vandalism have significantly hindered the State ability to supply reliable and affordable telecommunication services.
There are many impediments to doing business in PNG and each of these impediments increase the costs of doing business. All of these impediments multiply the cost of conducting business in PNG as each member is affected by the sum of all the impediments.
Issues
The cost of voice and data services in PNG is acknowledged as being as one of the most-expensive in the world. The introduction of competition in the mobile voice segment has brought about large cost savings; this has however been of limited benefit to most businesses due to their being no interconnectivity between carriers.
The quality of the state owned voice and data services has been severely unsatisfactory; the network suffers frequently from congestion and outages.
In terms of data services GoPNG officials recently announced that PNG was in the top 5% of the world of most-expensive data services, and it should also be noted that transfer speeds well below international standards.
Businesses and individuals are currently severely impeded by the quality, reliability and affordability of telecommunications.
Position
It is the official position of the Council that telecommunications must be readily available, affordable and reliable. The Government must quickly address interconnectivity problems, and ensure that government policy does not hamper any improvements to the access of affordable and reliable telecommunications.
The Council notes the tremendous problems with vandalism to the networks and supports the strengthening of law enforcement agencies and judicial system to manage this problem and maintains a view that landowner claims should be both legitimate and minimal when claiming against the provision of basic, required public utilities and infrastructure (such as roads, power, water and telecommunications).
The Council is disappointed that GoPNG did not adequately consult stakeholders before endorsing the ICT Bill. It is the view of the Council that the Government should actively seek and consider the views of the private sector when formulating policy, in particular policy that is tied directly to the effectiveness and profitability of businesses.
The Council shall accept GoPNG positions that endeavour to provide reliable, affordable telecommunications, and asks that GoPNG recognises that expensive and unreliable voice and data services restrict businesses.
By CHEY SCOVELL
CEO
Papua New Guinea Manufacturers Council
The manufacturing sector in Papua New Guinea continues to strive forward making valuable contributions to the ongoing socio-economic development of Papua New Guinea and the private sector growth.
Major reform initiatives such as SME policies, tariff reforms reviews and regional agreements have assisted in the expansion of the Manufacturing sector in PNG and continues to offer the opportunity to replace imports of consumer goods and services.
The recent signing of the interim Agreement with the European Union paves the way for opportunities to export product to the EU states, quota and duty free.
The Manufacturers Council is a non-government organisation, which was formed in 1991, to promote the Manufacturing and downstream processing sector within PNG.
The Council provides a wide range of services and assistance to existing and potential manufacturers in the country and sees its role towards its Members as threefold: Promotion, Assistance, and Information.
The Council also provides an input conduit between the private and public sector.
The Council works closely across business sectors and government to promote and strengthen manufacturing industries in PNG.
The Council influences change through its work in state economic committees such as the Impediments to Business and Investment Committee and National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology, WTO and various ICCC sub-committees.
Whilst maintenance of public infrastructure (roads, power and telecommunications supply) law and order and the increased cost of input materials (generally as flow-on impacts from high oil prices to the ongoing drought in Australia, and regional exchange rate movements) continues to place additional constraints on PNG Manufacturers, they continue to supply markets and capture new ones.
PNG is a developing economy and is growing at a steady rate, supported by the resource sector (such as mining, oil and gas).
Despite growth constraints PNG Manufacturers have continued to improve export opportunities and grow at an average rate of 6.5% per annum over the last 10 years.
The manufacturing sector has continued to employ approximately 25% of the private sector formal workforce in.
PNG’s export strength lies in our ability to competitively convert home grown raw materials into finished products (competitively meaning, to be able to produce a like good or product for less than our competitors).
The Council is committed to ensuring its members obtain the maximum tariff exemptions on goods and material imported into the country, for genuine manufacturing purposes.
This is seen as being of enormous benefit, not only to the manufacturing industrial sector, and equally important, to all consumers of PNG-MADE products.
In addition, the Council deals with other private sector organisations, in negotiating prices for the industry, in the supply of goods and services.
The Council works towards improving the standard of products made in
The PNG-MADE logo was launched in the 1990’s, to promote PNG-MADE goods in the local and export markets.
The logo was established in order that these products are competitive and that there be instilled in all citizens, a sense of pride to see the words MADE IN PAPUA NEW
For further information on becoming a member of the Manufacturers Council of Papua New Guinea, contact the Chief Executive Officer on (675) 321 7143.
A French firm has poached and patented the
The issue was first highlighted by
One outraged reader went as far as calling on the National Cultural Commission to begin intellectual property registration of PNG names.
“Yes, it’s true,” Tumbuans and Dukduks wrote.
“And the name of this particular French firm - well, have a guess!
“The firm has decided to call itself Bilum and you can find their website here, http://www.bilum.fr/.
“Bilum - the French firm - makes bags and accessories using recycled advertising banners.
“Every one is unique, because the material comes from the giant advertising hoardings that you are found on buildings undergoing work, department stores, and on the outskirts of large cities.
“The French brand – yes, it is now a ‘French brand’ - uses recycled car seatbelts as handles and straps for its designs.
“The most ironic thing about this French firm is that it labels its’ creations as ‘eco-ethical fashion’ and it even entered the 2008 Ethical Fashion Show.
“I can accept the ‘eco. and the ‘fashion’ - but how in the world can it be termed ‘ethical’ when its commercial brand is a poached national cultural-identity unique to
The Treehugger website wrote an article on this URL http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/05/paris_shopping.php highlighting Bilum’s bags on the
The following is a comment from Rick Brittain, a Cairns’ expatriate who works in PNG:
“My original concern was that the name ‘bilum’ has basically been monopolised now, internationally, and has been removed from its PNG roots.
“I actually met with Helene (owner of Bilum) earlier this year, and found out that the company she operates is a predominently non-profit, recycling centre, using people with special needs to manufacture her bilums.
“Good luck to her, and I have no problem with that, and she is a genuine lady with genuine concerns for our planet.
“I donated a couple of PNG bilums for her use, and she reciprocated with her bilums, which are certainly unique…but not genuine bilums as anyone who has spent time in PNG will tell you.
“You cannot mimic culture…it’s developed through centuries of trial and error”.
The author of Tubuans & Dukduks said he had somehow managed to keep his emotions under control for the duration of the penning of this post.
“But I will say say this: Paia bilong mi em i dai nating (my flame has gone dead),” he added.
“I will be sending Bilum - the French firm - an email detailing my deep concern about the blatant poaching and patenting of PNG’s name and product - bilum.
“So too can you.
“Here is their email address: contact@bilum.fr.”
The WACC Photographic Competition 2009 has been launched. The competition is being run on Flickr.
This year’s theme of the competition is “portraying gender”. Photographers are invited to submit photos that portray women or men in ways that offer new perceptions about their roles and responsibilities. Such photos challenge conventional understandings of ‘femininity’ and ‘masculinity’ and help break the mould of the male-female ‘divide’.
Photos must be must be loaded on flickr.
Winners of the competition will be awarded cash prizes. There will be one first prize and five commendations. The first prize is $500 and each commendation will be awarded $200.
The closing date is 1 May 2009. The competition winners will be announced later in May. Read more about the competition.
This popular event brings together hundreds of photographers from around the world with each photo on the subject of communication. Last year’s theme was Women’s communication rights. The winning photo was submitted by Leslie Knott. It presents a journalist in
The Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association has refuted claims by James Watson of Goroka-based New Guinea Fruit Company on the absence of the bee mite disease in
Secretary Wilson Thompson and Eastern Highlands Beekeepers Association president Jonah Buka said the Asian bee was the natural host of the mite, was now in the country, and the colonised European bee was now becoming the alternate host.
“We have seeen that the bee mite has affected actual colonies in Goroka and Daulo districts in
“This was reported to the National Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Authority to independently verify a Department of Agriculture and Livestock report.
“NAQIA confirmed the impact and destruction of bee colonies in other districts of
“A training workshop was organised in Goroka and more recently, last December, another was held at Aiyura, comprising DAL, NAQIA, National Agriculture Research Institute, Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association, Eastern Highlands Beekeepers Association and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research on how to address this issue.
“We have, through the leadership of the
“Mr Watson, being a major bee farmer and buyer of honey, should just these groups and talk about how to address the problem rather than claiming that it does not exist.
“If the mite does not exist on his bees, as he claims, then he must come out and show us how he is doing this, so that other farmers can apply his techniques.
“It has been confirmed that the disease has taken its toll on honey production, hence, the price per kg has risen from K7 to K10.”
Mr Thompson and Mr Buka commended DAL, NAQIA, and NARI, who have allocated resources, together with partner organisations, to conduct awareness, training, surveillance and research into this problem.
This is particularly in regards to the impact of the bee on introduced crops such as coffee, cocoa, copra, palm oil and pyrethrum.
By ANDREW ALPHONSE
A LOCAL councillor yesterday said one of the men who was reportedly burnt to death over accusations of practising sorcery at Ban village outside Mt Hagen, Western Highlands province, on Sunday afternoon is still alive, The National reports.
Cr John Rok of the Moge Kimininga tribe, Ban village, who claimed he witnessed the incident, said only the son was chopped to death and his house set alight while the father survived despite being chopped in the back and on his hip.
The National yesterday reported that both victims were killed and burnt.
Cr Rok told The National yesterday that the old man was fighting for his life at the Mt Hagen General Hospital while the body of the son was at the morgue.
He said the villagers brought the wounded father and his son’s corpse to the hospital late at night after police, fearing repercussions, did not attend to the crime.
Cr Rok claimed that about 400 villagers were involved in the incident following the death of a community leader last month.
He said bush knives and axes were used in the attack, and not guns as claimed by police.
According to Cr Rok, the father and son had continuously postponed a community “hearing” to resolve the death of another man.
Angered, the villagers decided to act against the pair, leading to the attack, he said.
Cr Rok said he tried to intervene but was “outnumbered and overpowered” and could not save the two men.
He said he would assist police with their investigations.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Douglas Young of the Catholic archdiocese of Mt Hagen yesterday described the killing and attack on the two men as “senseless and ridiculous”.
Archbishop Young said such barbaric killing was not the right way to seek justice, especially in a civilised society where rule of law and respect for human life should prevail.
He said even if someone was guilty, they must be proven guilty or innocent in a court of law and not through tribal justice.
Archbishop Young also said that police, due to lack of logistics and manpower, also contributed to such incidents because people were no longer looking to them as agents of Government to protect lives and properties.
THE Government should know by September whether or not it has secured the US$12 billion (K34 billion) liquefied natural gas project, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands and Mining Dr Puka Temu.
In-country, relevant Government agencies were finalising the benefits sharing arrangements with the project’s stakeholders to ensure everyone knows and is aware of the arrangements before the project is finalised while, externally, project operator Esso Highlands Limited is negotiating market arrangements.
PNG is targeting the Asian market particularly the Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Indian markets, where the development requirement for energy is very high and expects to sell it at a premium price.
“What we are doing right now is sitting down with the landowners to arrange benefit sharing arrangements so that landowners are part and parcel of this big project in the country,” Dr Temu told a large crowd of people in Buka last Friday.
“We are also, through our joint venture partners around the world led by ExxonMobil, negotiating markets and are going to lock them in for 30 years,” he said.
“Once we secure the project in September, the first shipment will leave our shores in 2014 for
“That means by 2025, our 50th
“That means that we will have more money in our system to move the nation forward and become one of the best developed nations in the world,” he said.
Dr Temu also told the people of
Two weeks ago, representatives of some of the world’s export credit agencies came to the country on a due diligence visit, to see whether they would support the LNG project, whether politics in Papua New Guinea was stable, whether landowners would support the project and whether there was anything they could learn.
He said the Government was confident that these visitors had left satisfied.
By ANDREW ALPHONSE
A father and son suspected of sorcery were burnt to death at Ban village, just a few kilometres outside Mt Hagen city yesterday afternoon, The National reports.
Police said the suspects were believed to be men from the local community.
Mt Hagen duty policemen visited the crime scene after being alerted via mobile phone by other locals and confirmed seeing the corpses of the two victims.
The policemen tried to bring in reinforcements from other police units in the city in an effort to take the corpses to hospital for autopsy, but were denied access to the crime scene by heavily armed locals.
A policeman, who managed to visit the scene earlier, said the incident happened about 4pm when the villagers from the local tribe (named) suspected the father and the son of being behind the alleged sorcery death of a prominent person in the community earlier.
The policeman said the locals believed that the only way to remove the “evil spirit” in the two was to burn them alive.
He said the old man was shot and then thrown into the fire.
The policeman said the son, who was in the house with his wife, was also dragged out after the house was set on fire and burnt alive.
He said the son’s wife, who is believed to be from Nebilyer and had no part in the alleged sorcery, managed to escape.
Locals identified the father as 60-year-old Plak Mel Doa, while the son was identified as Anis Dua, both of Ban village and belonging to the Moge Kimininga tribe in Mt Hagen.
Police said they would return today with the police criminal investigations (CID) detectives and an ambulance to collect the corpses for autopsy.
Local police authorities could not be reached for comments last night.
Sorcery-related killings had become common in the
“Eight of these guys suddenly ran out from behind the utilities shed – a couple with handguns and one with a home-made shotgun, and the rest with machetes,” Mr Holm told
“We were all fairly expertly frisked, with golf bags rummaged and one even came back to get my sunglasses, and off they all went,” he said.
Mr Holm is the second
The National attempted to get comments from senior police officers in Port Moresby but was unsuccessful.
The 2009 Morobe Show will be held at the Lae Showground on Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 1st, 2009.
The Morobe Agricultural Show is a major tourist attraction and showcases the agricultural, industrial, commercial and cultural aspects of Lae and the
It plays a major role in the dissemination of information on cultivation, crops, diseases and breeding, as well as being the largest entertainment event in the province.
This is the 49th show since 1959 and, like its predecessors, will pull in people from all over
If you’re from overseas, mark these dates on your calendar and make your bookings early!
