A tribute to Aquila Emil

By MALUM NALU

A couple of hours before his fatal shooting, former Kumul rugby league superstar Aquila Emil held his elder daughter, Vavine, 20, and they both wept.

A memorial banner for Aquila Emil which was made by his former rugby league team mates

Father and daughter had not been on talking terms for some time, but as God would have it, they finally made peace just before his time on earth was through.
Tomorrow never came, as Emil had his life so tragically cut short, and Vavine must now face this world without him.
Emil’s elder sister, Margaret Worri, remembers that all of last week, he had been with her.

Sister Margaret Worri

“That’s the thing that haunts me so much,” she tells me at Emil’s haus krai (house of mourning) today.
“It was more or less a reconciliation time with his children.
“On the Thursday (Feb 3) before he was killed, he drove here to our house and said he was hungry.
“He asked me about my children, and even offered to pay school fees for his nephews and nieces.
“I said my children were fine.
“He then asked me to go with him.
“He asked me to do him a favor.
“He said he had not been talking with his daughter.
“He asked me to go and talk with his daughter.”
Brother and sister drove to DHL, where the daughter Vavine worked, and after much coaxing by her aunt, the reluctant daughter agreed to talk with her father.
“They hugged and cried,” Worri recalls.
“I told her not to be hard on her dad.
“I told her to appreciate dad and thank God.”
Emil dropped off his sister at her home, where she gave him K50, and he drove off into the sunset.
“At 3am on Friday (Feb 4), they called me and told me that he was at the emergency ward,” Worri adds as tears start rolling.
“We went to the emergency ward and there was blood all over.
“I could not believe what I saw.
“Doctors and nurses were trying to resuscitate him.
“His heart was still beating, but then, he took his last breath and closed his eyes.
“I found it hard to cry.
“I touched him all over and then I broke down.
“The saddest thing is that he spent his last couple of days with me.
“He had love for his children, for his brothers and sisters.
“He is gone but his legacy will live on.
“He did not die for nothing.
“Aquila was a peace-maker.
“He was not a violent person.”
Dad is also not coming home again to Jr Aquila, 23, a student at IBS; Martha, 16, in Grade 8 at Babaka Primary School; Rupa Penias, 12, in Grade 7 at Babaka; and Tau Vaitas, 10, in Grade 5 at Babaka.
More so, his soul mate, his beautiful wife, Marieta, from Babaka village outside Port Moresby, who still cannot get over the initial shock of his killing.

Widow Marieta Emil and eldest son Jr Aquila

“I love him so much,” she says as she fights back tears.
“He was a good father.
“He never beat up the children or argued with me.
“He always cooked for us.”
Emil was born in April 1967 on the idyllic island village of Umbukul, New Hanover, New Ireland province, the fifth in a family of five boys and four girls.
Their father was a devout Christian and pastor of the United Church, who passed away last year, while the mother passed away some 20 years ago.
“Aquila was known as Temerem, a village name,” Worri remembers.
“His other nickname in the village was Gurumasi.
“Out of all my brothers, he was probably the shortest.
“He was exactly like our dad.
“I saw that dad loved him more than us.
“He had a special place in his heart for the little man.
“Aquila was a great cook.
“Aquila and I were so close; however, we were also the worst of enemies
“It happened that he gave me a black eye once over a plate of rice.”
Younger brother, Albert, says he learnt so many things such as spearing and diving for fish from Emil.
“I learned so many things from him,” he says,
“Whatever I was supposed to learn from dad, he taught me.”
Emil did Grades 1-6 at Umbul Primary School, Grades 7-10 at Utu High School in Kavieng, and in 1983 went to Malaguna Technical College in Rabaul where he studied printing.
After Malaguna, he came to Port Moresby, signed up with the PNG Defence Force and had a short stint along the PNG-Indonesia border, before returning to Port Moresby and rugby league stardom.
The livewire “little man” from New Ireland electrified the Lloyd Robson Oval starting from 1988 onwards for Port Moresby Brothers.
Those were the halcyon days of club football in PNG as the artful dodger strutted his stuff for Brothers against legendary teams such as Kone Tigers, Paga Panthers, Magani, Wests, Tarangau, Defence and the likes.
I was a fresh-faced cadet reporter out of university, at Niugini Nius with the inimitable sports team of Jack Metta and Ronald Bulum, and Emil gave us some of the greatest live shows that PNG has ever seen, that we often ran out of superlatives to describe him.
Later, after Niugini Nius closed, I teamed up with Post-Courier and The National and covered many games around the country with Emil starring for Port Moresby Vipers in the inter-city rugby league competition and also international games for the Kumuls.
In 1993, during the World Sevens in Sydney, Vipers, captained by Emil, Wests’ magician Tuksy Karu at pivot, and players par-excellence such as fullback Philip Boge, Mark Agi and Daroa Ben-Moide demolished highly-fancied NRL teams and shocked and entertained the rugby league world.
They proved all critics wrong and made it all the way to the finals.
The same boys were part of the best-ever Kumul side that nearly caused the upset of the century when they almost beat the seemingly-invincible Australian Kangaroos in Townsville in 1991.
The Kumuls were eventually beaten 34-14, but it was the best-ever result for the Kumuls, considering it was not the usual cricket scorelines we have today.
The halves combination of No. 6 Karu and No. 7 Emil demolished the Australian combination of Laurie Daley and Allan Langer, while Hanuabada fullback Philip Boge blew Michael Hancock off the paddock with a solid tackle which saw him carried out on a stretcher.
Emil’s life was taken in a moment of madness last Friday; however, the memories will never die.
And the most-touching thing is that his wife and family have forgiven the alleged killer, saying God himself will be the judge.
“We will forgive and let God himself be the judge,” Worri says.
“We come from a humble, Christian family and we were brought up in a loving way.
“We will maintain that.
“I know that if dad was here, he would say the same thing.”

Relatives displaying the memorial banner at the haus krai today

Digicel becomes major sponsor of PNG's premier rugby league tournament

The newly titled Digicel Cup tournament will provide rugby league in PNG with a major boost, following the announcement of a new partnership with PNG-NRL, which sees Digicel become title and major sponsor of the country’s premier semi-professional rugby league tournament.

The significant sponsorship investment by Digicel will include the provision of communication services to the tournament organiser and teams as well as a major marketing and promotional campaign, which will help to take the country’s favourite rugby league tournament to a new level. 

Digicel is committed to supporting the PNG-NRL’s stated ambition of growing the footprint of the tournament and bringing in new teams and new host cities across the country.

The inaugural 2011 Digicel Cup will kick-off in early May and feature 10 teams, increasing from nine in 2009, playing 18 weeks of round robin action with five exciting games each weekend to look forward to.

The major PNG-NRL sponsorship sees Digicel become one of the country’s biggest investors in rugby league. 

Digicel’s unrivaled nationwide network offers mobile coverage in all seven cities and surrounding areas that will feature in the 2011 Digicel Cup

Digicel PNG CEO, John Mangos said: “Digicel is passionate about the development of sport in PNG and rugby League is the sport of the people.

“As PNG’s leading mobile service provider, there is a natural fit for us with the country’s premier national tournament which engages with hundreds of thousands of fans right across the country.

“We look forward to working in partnership with PNG-NRL board and the participating franchise teams to support their ambition to grow this wonderful tournament further and make provide even bigger and better league action.”

Don Fox, chairman of the board of PNG-NRL, welcomed Digicel as the tournament’s new title sponsor.

“Digicel’s sponsorship is fantastic news for the tournament, for the franchise teams and for all rugby league fans across country.

“The inaugural Digicel Cup, which will see 10 teams compete for the country’s most-coveted title looks set to be even more exciting than ever. 

“Digicel will be very welcome partners on our board and we look forward to their assistance and support over the next few years.”

PNGNRL bid gets on Broncos' shorts

PAPUA New Guinea, through its PNGNRL Bid team, will fork out more than K700, 000 as a minor sponsor for Brisbane Broncos in the upcoming NRL season, The National reports.

The move had expanded PNG’s horizons and, seemingly, its chances of success by opting to go into partnership with the glamour NRL club in a deal that would see the government-backed pro-ject effectively buy advertising space on the Broncos uniform (shorts).

Newly-elected Broncos chief executive Paul White, along with the club’s development manager Marty Roven and general manager of commercial operations Terry Reader, flew into Port Moresby yesterday to finalise a shorts sponsorship deal with the PNGNRL bid team worth about A$250,000 (K700,000) a season.

The visitors were holding talks with PNGNRL Bid board members Powes Parkop (NCD governor) and Philemon Embel (Sports Minister) over the deal.

The package, when confirmed, would see the country’s NRL bid aspirations use the famous Broncos club as a springboard to better name recognition in Australia’s NRL market.

“We are using Broncos as a medium to promote the bid and, at the same time, learn from them how to promote PNG-NRL franchise in preparation for the NRL expansion exercise,” Parkop said.

“The PNGNRL Bid team needs necessary skills on how to run a franchise, and could not go past Brisbane.”

But the new development had come at a cost with the preemptive resignations of the bid’s strategic adviser Paul Broughton and general manager Beverly Broughton.

The husband-and-wife team called it quits after what they described was a “conflict of interest” situation where Paul’s concurrent position as an executive of the Gold Coast Titans franchise had placed him in direct opposition to the proposal.

Broughton claimed the deal was put together at his back and he did not favour a marketing drive for NRL inclusion over funding for player, coaching and infrastructure development.

“Once I found out that the negotiations were going on, I immediately resigned because it was a conflict of interest because of my role with the Titans,” Broughton said.

 “(The Broncos) have made a commercial decision and they are going to be paid money for doing it.

“But, I could never do it against my own club.

“(The PNG bid team) knew I did not favour that type of progress to enable them to secure a licence.”

Sources within the bid team, however, have countered Broughton’s assertions, saying he had been aware of the impending deal months in advance and was also a part of the planning process which agreed that branding would play an essential role in marketing the country’s bid.

Funding for the shorts’ deal would come from the K20 million allocated by the national government to the PNGNRL Bid team. It was meant for the team to work with partners to secure a licence for the PNG team in the world toughest rugby league competition in Australia.

The National has been informed that the deal had been signed but was yet to reach the NRL commercial and marketing division for registration. NRL director of commercial and marketing Paul Kind could not be reached for comments.

However, a sports administrator in the country has described the move by the bid team as hypocritical and shallow.

He said the bid had yet to show one tangible result for all the monies poured into the project (see back page).

He said the Broncos joining forces with the PNG bid team could harm the chances of the consortium rallying for a second club in the city.

Former Broncos backer Craig Davison was behind a bid for a second Brisbane team to enter the NRL if the incoming independent commission to run rugby league decided to expand the competition.

The PNGNRL Bid logo would make its first appearance on the Broncos’ shorts when they play their opening trial of the pre-season against Gold Coast at Wynnum on Saturday night.

The Broncos were yesterday adamant the commercial association had no connection to the bid for a rival Brisbane team headed by Davison.

“This deal has been in the pipeline for nine months but we are on our way there as we still have to finalise some details,” White said in a statement.

“It will be an exciting partnership for both parties.

“For the Broncos, it will be a formal link into the one country in the world where rugby league is the national sport. And, it will also provide a link for Papua

New Guineans and their favourite team, the Brisbane Broncos.”

The group behind a potential second Brisbane club would hold its official launch at Suncorp Stadium on Feb 21, unveiling ambassadors and sponsors.

 

 

Brand scheme key to rich New Zealand market

By BOSORINA ROBBY

 

PAPUA New Guinea is among six Pacific Island nations to join in an economic venture targeting the New Zealand  market through a branding concept called “true Pacific” (TP), The National reports.

The brand was a development project of the Pacific Co-operation Foundation (PCF) and the NZ government to help Pacific economies grow by helping them export their products under this concept.

The “TP” brand would focus on fresh produce, shelf-stable foods and spa and natural beauty products that countries like PNG, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and Cook Islands could export to NZ under the TP brand.

This was revealed at a TP stakeholder feedback meeting on Monday in Port Moresby hosted by PFC and Investment promotion Authority. 

The meeting aimed to gather feedback from stakeholders regarding TP quality assurance programme and to provide updates.

The Pacific quality mark has been established to help raise consumer awareness of quality products of Pacific origin.

PCF auditor Kevin Budd said the concept of supplying the NZ market began in 2008 and that the foundation was now finalising the policy before launching in June this year.

He said so far, more than 40 enterprises had indicated interest in participating in this programme and that he was optimistic that more would join before the launching.

International standards form the basis of the guidelines and specifications that had been developed within the code of practice which the enterprises would need to meet in order to be registered and use the TP quality mark.

PCF is working closely with the IPA to target PNG’s export sector.

Budd, who visited three of the participating countries, was meeting with the IPA and stakeholders to discuss how PNG could be part of this and what   needed to be done to be registered.

 

 

Revenue boost for OTML

MINING giant Ok Tedi Mining Ltd has posted its financial statements ending the fourth quarter of last year with K5.1 billion in full year sales revenue – an increase of 27% from 2009 – reflecting higher copper and gold prices, The National reports.

The financial report stated that the full year copper concentrate shipments were 9% higher than 2009 with no river constraints.

The export shipments of copper-gold concentrates were 24% higher in the fourth quarter (168,731 tonnes) than in the third quarter with 136,228 tonnes.

This result was mainly impacted by lower head grades of copper (2%) and gold (6%), and also by the 16-day industrial action taken by union workers in April that resulted in a 9% lower mill throughput.

Total gold production of 15.6 tonnes was 6% below the 2009 production rate; however, OTML remained within the top three of PNG’s gold producers.

OTML also realised for this period that the average copper price was US$3.68 (K9.65) per pound, compared to US$2.44 (K6.40) in 2009.

The report said net cash generated before dividends was up by 96% compared to the previous year, mainly due to higher metal prices and volumes shipped.

Dividends paid were K1.687 million which included K1.387 million for the benefit of PNG interests.

OTML payment of mining royalties were 40% higher than 2009, with the Fly River government and the mine area landowners each receiving K46.8 million.

The mining company had also paid out a total of K920 million in taxes last year.

The report stated that the state was finalising feedback on the detailed mine closure plan submitted in December 2009 and advised OTML that a response would be given this month.

The Inmet share buy-back is expected to be completed by the end of last month with OTML buying back Inmet’s 18% shareholding for a lump sum payment of US$335 million and cancel the shares.

Serpent ‘guards’ naked constable

Policeman Kami lost in Tari jungles for 52 hours

A policeman and a health worker watching over First Const Mathew Kami at his hospital bed in Tari, Southern Highlands, after he was found huddled up under a tree naked with a large snake at his side in thick jungles between Tari and Benaria. – Picture courtesy of police media unit

A POLICEMAN, who disappeared for 52 hours, was found naked but alive with a coiled serpent as his guardian deep in the jungles of Upele between Tari Gap and Benaria in Southern Highlands, The National reports.
The police media unit reported last night that First Const Mathew Kami was among a police contingent sent to the area in pursuit of criminals operating in the Ambua Ranges who, allegedly, raped five women and robbed travellers last Sunday.
Kami got separated in the jungle and did not rejoin his group.
He was found at around 3pm yesterday by four villagers, who carried the policeman for more than five hours in a stretcher made from tree branches and vines.
Kami was carried through thick jungle and across rapid river torrents before reaching Ambua where police were camping.
The 32-year-old policeman from Tambunum village, East Sepik, was last night reportedly exhausted and recovering at the Tari Hospital.
The bizarre twist in this tale, police pointed out, was that locals, who rescued the policeman, said they found Kami lying next to a large snake completely naked and incoherent.
They also found his weapon, a high-powered police-issued A2 rifle, by his side and had returned it to police in Tari.
When interviewd by police, the four villagers said the snake coiled itself close to where Kami was lying but slithered away when the rescuers recited a prayer.
Policemen engaged in the search and rescue operation were mystified because Upele was too far and separated by at least four fast-flowing rivers. It would take about five hours to walk between Upele and Ambua.
Police said their colleague appeared weak and delirious when he was taken to the Tari Hospital at 10 o’clock last night and was placed in intensive care.
Kami’s wife and three children were informed on Monday night and arrangements had been made for them to travel to Tari to be with him.
Medical superintendent of Tari Hospital Dr Hamiye Hewali said Kami would continue to receive fluids in drips until he regained his strength.
The doctor said blood tests would also be taken to examine the presence of any foreign substance and, depending on the outcome of the tests, appropriate medication would be prescribed for the patient.
Policemen who took Kami to the hospital said he lived on wild taro and fern leaves during his 52-hour ordeal.
Commander of Operation Paijele Haminye acting Chief Supt David Manning thanked the villagers for saving Kami’s life and said investigations would be conducted into the matter.
Locals said according to traditional beliefs, spirits guarding the forests did not accept foreigners.

Yasause denied bail, transferred to Bomana

By JACOB POK

Dr Theo Yasause...now remanded in custody at Bomana jail

FORMER executive director of the office of climate change, Dr Theo Yasause, appeared briefly before the Waigani Committal Court yesterday charged with the wilful murder of former PNG rugby league star and junior rugby league development officer, Aquila Emil, The National reports.
Yasause appeared exhausted and was taken to the court house from police custody where he had been detained the previous night after he was charged and denied bail.
Yasause, 43, from Bukinera village in East Sepik’s West Yangoru, was charged with wilful murder under section 299(1) of the Criminal Code Act.
He appeared without a lawyer before magistrate Rosi Johnson, who, after reading the charges, adjourned the matter to March 8 for further hearing, allowing Yasause to make bail applications at the National Court pending the next appearance.
Yasause had denied shooting Emil at close range outside a nightclub in NCD last Friday.
NCD-Central Assistant Commissioner of Police Fred Sheekiot said during interview, Yasause denied shooting Emil and further denied being in possession of a firearm on the morning of Friday, Feb 4.
Despite his denial, police detectives arrested and charged Yasause based on their own investigations and evidence, Sheekiot said.
“The suspect is formally arrested and charged with the wilful murder of Emil and will appear for mention in court today (yesterday),” Sheekiot said.
According to Sheekiot, police were also considering another charge against Yasause for “being in possession of an illegal firearm” once all investigations were completed.
While exiting the courtroom yesterday, the doctorate holder was caught by surprise by waiting media personnel who flashed their cameras while he tried to cover his face using his hat to avoid the cameras.
He was escorted by a police prosecutor to a waiting police vehicle and was taken away.
A police report tendered in court by prosecutor Judith Tom reconstructed the scene of the killing last Friday morning.
Emil was shot with a handgun as he got out of his car near the National AIDS Council office in front of one other person. A taxi driver transported Emil’s body to the hospital.
Emil was pronounced death on arrival at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
The murder weapon was not produced.

Dr Theo Yasause charged with murder of Aquila Emil

Sydney Morning Herald

A former chief of staff to the Papua New Guinea prime minister has been charged with murdering a PNG rugby league legend.
Dr Theo Yasause, part of the highly connected East Sepik political elite, has been charged with the wilful murder of Aquila Emil, Port Moresby Metropolitan Police Commander Joseph Tondop told AAP on Tuesday.
Emil, 44, who played for PNG's national rugby league side the Kumuls, was shot dead in his car near the Lamana night club in Port Moresby early on Friday.
Mr Tondop said Yasause was arrested after he went to the police on Monday afternoon.
"Dr Theo was arrested then charged with one count of wilful murder.
"He is expected to be in court today (Tuesday) to apply for bail and make a plea," he said.
Mr Tondop said Yasause spent the night in custody in a Port Moresby police cell.
Emil was shot with a pistol at close range about 3am local time on Friday following an argument outside the club where both Emil and Yasause had spent the evening.
PNG's Post Courier reports an argument started when their cars collided outside the club.
A woman who was with Emil witnessed the incident.
On Monday, former Newcastle Knights rugby league player, now PNG national selector, Arnold Krewanty said Emil's death was a massive loss for PNG.
"We played footy together and he was a mate and comrade and we both were working on getting a PNG side into the NRL," Mr Krewanty said.
"Aquila had a lot to offer PNG, especially helping the schoolboy rugby league in the capital.
"Rugby league won't get another like this, he gave so much back to the game," he said.
Yasause was chief of staff to Prime Minister Michael Somare in 2007 and 2008 before becoming head of PNG's office of climate change.
He was suspended from this position in 2009 after numerous scandals and allegations of corruption.

Treasurer hits back at K112million claim

FINANCE and Treasury Minister Peter O’Neill has brushed aside claims by National Planning secretary Joseph Lelang that a total of K112 million was paid out to shore up government support in the face of a vote of no-confidence against the Somare government, The National reports.

He described the comments as “misleading and irresponsible”.

Lelang, in an alleged letter to Minister Paul Tiensten last Dec 6, stated that political directives were issued to the department to honour certain government commitments in 2010.

He claimed the department was advised to find money and make necessary payments irrespective of its source.

Lelang stated that on Aug 12 last year, the department was directed by O’Neill, who was Public Service Minister and acting Treasurer, at Havana Club in the presence of Tiensten and Patrick Pruaitch, to release K51 million from the development budget to shore up coalition numbers in view of an impending vote of no-confidence expected last November.

He claimed another K33 million was raised, upon direction by Tiensten and Public Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare, for presentation at the inauguration of the proposed Hela province in Southern Highlands.

Lelang said in the letter that from political direction, a total of K28 million was paid to 14 provincial governors when, in fact, the governors were entitled to only K1 million under the provincial service improvement programme; which meant each governor was paid an extra K1 million or an extra K14 million collectively.

He also claimed that a total of K98 million was dished out on unbudgeted projects following directions from the minister for finance and treasury and the prime minister’s office.

Funds were allegedly drawn from the district service improvement programme (DSIP), business development grants (BDG) and infrastructure development grants (IDG).

O’Neill, however, said he was disappointed that a person holding a senior position in the public service would make media statements that were not based on facts, were outrageous and damaging to the government.

He said the government had done its best to fund all projects submitted by MPs, depending on the availability of funds and irrespective of which side on the floor of parliament they sit.

“The projects listed in the news story are some of the projects identified under Resi (rehabilitation of education sector infrastructure), district and provincial roads, health programmes and growth centre projects which are appropriated in the 2010 budget.

“The government did not push these projects to MPs to buy their support. That is not true.

“Many of these projects came direct from the districts and were submitted to Lelang and the Department of National Planning. But, they were sitting there because of Lelang’s long absence from office, and his inability to deal with them in a timely manner.

“It became very frustrating, and that is why he was given directions to deal with the projects.

“At no time was he told or directed to breach the Public Finance Management Act. If he did, he chose to do so on his own accord and he should be dealt with.”

O’Neill said for the projects identified, cheques were written to the appropriate district treasury accounts with instructions that normal procurement processes and public accounting requirements be followed.

He said no cheques were written to any member of parliament.

“As secretary of national planning, it is Lelang’s responsibility to identify and fund projects, monitor and ensure they are implemented.

“He has failed in his duty and is attempting to pass the buck.”

O’Neill said Lelang was stepping away from his responsibilities and making political statements, breaching his employment conditions, and using false and misleading information to attack the government.

He said an independent audit would be done on the implementation of the 2010 development budget.

Main shooting suspect meets police

Warring Tari and Enga people settle for peace

 

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

A MAN, wanted by police for questioning in relation to the killing of former PNG rugby league player and junior rugby league development officer Aquila Emil, turned up at the Boroko police station yesterday and was questioned but no formal charges have been laid, The National reports.

NCD metropolitan superintendent Joseph Tondop said the man could be charged after all investigations and interviews were completed.

The man complied with a request by police for him to voluntarily turn up at the Boroko police station at 1.30pm yesterday with his lawyers.

The suspect had earlier called The National to suggest that he was attending to a traditional obligation in his village but that he would cooperate with police when he returned.

He denied any involvement in the shooting of Emil and told The National five or six other people were involved.

Police are continuing their investigations.

Emil died from a bullet wound to his upper body, discharged at a close range, in the early hours of last Friday morning near the new Lands building after he came out of the Lamana Hotel.

Meanwhile, superintendent of police operation Jim Namora said the people of Tari and Enga residing in Port Moresby had decided to make peace.

He said leaders from the Hela region invited him to a meeting and told him that they were prepared to make peace and would meet at the Boroko police station this morning.

Namora said police knew the identity of those involved in the five killings reported during the ethnic clash and would make arrests soon, however, he called on leaders from the two groups to bring the suspects forward today and surrender them to police.

The ethnic clash occurred two weeks ago.

 

 

World food prices at historic high

By JAMES LARAKI of NARI

FAO Food Index for January 2011. The index measures monthly changes in international prices of a basket of food commodities. Source: www.fao.org

World food prices surged to a new historic peak in January this year, following rising trend for the seventh consecutive month, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
And the recent catastrophic weather around the globe could put yet more pressure on the cost of food, an issue that has already contributed to spark protests across the Middle East.
The Index, a commodity basket that measures monthly changes in global food prices averaged 231 points, topping the peak of 224.1 recorded during the last food price crisis in 2008.
This is the highest level since FAO started measuring food prices in 1990.
 Prices of all monitored commodity groups registered strong gains in January, except of meat, which remained unchanged.
FAO has warned that the new figures clearly show that the upward pressure on world food prices is abating and these high prices are likely to persist in the months to come.
This trend of high food prices and the likely food shortages in the world offer PNG a real golden opportunity to be food secure and self reliant.
Besides, PNG should take advantage of the situation and improve on its agricultural productivity and production, especially in the food and livestock sectors.
This is possible as PNG has suitable climatic conditions and genetic diversity to produce a variety of food crops and access to improved far
World leaders and international organisations are already raising concerns with the current trend.
World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, urged world leaders to ‘put food first’ and wake up to the dangers of rising food price inflation.
"We are going to be facing a broader trend of increasing commodity prices, including food commodity prices" he said
FAO Director-General, Jacques Diouf, said the rapid increase in hunger and malnourishment since the food crisis of 2008 reveals the inadequacy of the present global food system and the urgent need for structural changes.
Some countries are likely to ban food export, especially for major commodities such as grains and cereals and essential oils.
High food prices also are likely to put upward pressure to the domestic inflation in both developed and developing countries.
People are going to be badly affected from riots and protests, a scenario that is already unfolding in the Middle East.
Farmers are likely to go on strike in opposition to governments’ imposition of new export tax regimes in order to safeguard domestic food security.
This will affect millions of people in all parts of the world.
During the last food price crisis in 2008, the World Bank estimated that some 870 million people in developing countries were hungry or malnourished.
The FAO estimates that number has increased to 925 million.
The causes of increase are many, including tight supplies, unfavorable weather conditions, diverting land to non-food production (especially biofuels), and rising demand in emerging economies.
The bottom line reason appeared to be that the world has been consuming more food than it has been producing.
Simply the world is not efficient enough in producing agricultural outputs, especially food commodities.
Also to be blamed is the long-term policy of encouraging cash crops and industrial crops at the expense of food crops.
However, most importantly, the world is not investing enough in agriculture.
The sector is grossly underinvested and underused.
It is often misplaced in policy decision making and development investments.
And Papua New Guinea is very much in this category.
FAO stated clearly that the key to long term food security lies in boosting investment in agriculture.
“The food and economic crisis will have severe impact on millions of people in all parts of the world.
“The global food import bills could pass the one trillion dollar mark in 2011, a level not seen since food prices peaked in 2008.”
Papua New Guinea should make use of this opportunity not only to produce enough for her own consumption but also for export to needy countries.
In doing so, PNG could establish new food trade relationships and niche markets.
Once established, it would be easier to continue and maintain such exports.
The time is right for us to make this happen.
PNG has the advantage because of its huge resource base and potentials which are yet to be explored.
This nation has just six million people with enormous agricultural resources such as vast land mass, fertile soils and favourable climate for various types and kinds of crops.
Papua New Guinea has a rich bio-diversity and a variety of food species, fruits and nuts, and cash crops.
Farmers can grow various crops including cereals and pulses together with a range of livestock species.
There are also abundant land and bio-mass, creating opportunities for bio-fuels as well.
Papua New Guinea 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.
Much of these can be achieved through science and technology with appropriate policy and capacity development.
This also means that there must be favourable policies towards agriculture with adequate investment.
The global food crisis is a real golden opportunity for PNG not only to be food-assured and self-reliant, but also be prosperous by being efficient in agricultural production, down-stream processing and exporting to the rest of the world.
And we must not allow this opportunity to go by.

Mutterings of a Mid-Aged Mutt

Check the blog of my good mate, South African man and former PNG resident, Barry Greville-Eyres, http://barrygreville-eyres.blogspot.com/  for some interesting anecdotes of life in PNG and abroad!

Marijuana farm raided

Members of the police mobile squad 11, based in Enga, were among a police unit that raided a marijuana field (pictured) at Apipas village in Wapenamanda early last Friday morning and arrested four people, The National reports.
They uprooted 200 matured plants grown at the back of a house and confiscated 10kg of dried marijuana, neatly packed and stored in the house ready for sale.
Police estimated the drugs’ street value at K300,000.
Police had acted on a tip-off by local leaders.
The marijuana plants were farmed about 30m away from an international school.

Man 'feeds on' infant in Tabubil

A WEEK-old baby was allegedly eaten by his adopted father last Thursday night in what appeared to be a cult-related sacrifice, Tabubil police have said, The National reports.

Tabubil police station commander Sgt Damas Tapea and provincial police commander Chief Insp Peter Philips confirmed that a man, in his 30s, from Tari, Southern Highlands, was in police custody after allegedly eating his adopted daughter.

Frightened neighbours told police that the man had walked into the family home at their Old Wangpin settlement at around 10pm and strangled his Telefomin wife and grabbed the infant by the legs and started biting her face as she slept.

Neighbours told Tabubil police that they were only made aware of the incident when the baby started crying followed by screams from the mother pleading for help.

The man was allegedly heavily intoxicated with alcohol and marijuana when he committed the act, police said.

“From reports I have, the man, Rex Paijawi, was dead drunk when he ate the baby,” Philips said.

According to the PPC, the neighbours pleaded with Paijawi to release the child but he rejected, saying: “God told me to eat the child before the child eats me.”

Philips said neighbours than hit Paijawi with hammer, planks and sticks in the hope that he would drop the baby, but he did not respond.

Philips said the child was eventually removed from Paijawi when local police wrestled him to the ground.

Ex-Kumul icon shot dead outside Moresby hotel

THE PNG sporting community is reeling from the death of rugby league legend Aquilla Emil, who was shot dead last Friday outside a Port Moresby hotel, The National reports.

Emil’s killer, another well-known Papua New Guinean, who, until recently, was holding onto an important government office, remained at large.

Emil was gunned down with a pistol at close range at about 3am following an argument outside the Lamana Gold Club where both men had spent the evening.

Police claimed that the argument started when one of them collided with the other’s car outside the hotel.

NCD metropolitan superintendent Joseph Tondop confirmed the killing, saying police were carrying out investigations.

Aquila, 44, leaves behind his wife from Babaka village in Central with six children – three boys and three girls.

From Umbukul village in New Hanover, New Ireland, Aquila was, until his death, a development officer with the National Rugby League bid team.

Tondop said it was not known whether the killing was premeditated or they had been past stand-offs between “the suspect” and the deceased.

He said that it was also not known whether there were others involved in the killing of Emil, a former PNG Kumul player and rugby league icon.

The top police boss in NCD, while reluctant to give details of the activities of his men in relation to the incident, said they would track down the killer and have him questioned and arrested. 

“Police are aware of the incident and are taking it seriously.

“Normal police process will be followed and, once all evidence relating to the killing are put together, police will make arrests,” Tondop said.  

He said from the gunshot wound, it looked like the deceased was shot with a pistol at close range.

However, he could not disclose whether or not the firearm used in the killing was licensed to the suspect and whether or not the suspect was already in police custody for interrogation.

Meanwhile, Port Moresby General Hospital accident and emergency coordinator Dr Sam Yokopua confirmed the death yesterday but said he would need to verify with his officers on duty last Friday morning to give a full report about the cause of death.

Soldiers storm home of provincial police commander

Kasieng points finger at task force members

By JUNIOR UKAHA

ABOUT 10 fully armed soldiers in camouflaged uniforms, taking part in Operation Sunset Merona in Vanimo, West Sepik, allegedly stormed the home of suspended provincial police commander Chief Insp Sakawar Kasieng and threatened his family yesterday, The National reports.

Kasieng informed The National by phone that at about 8am, a tinted blue 10-seater Toyota vehicle, bearing the number plate LAV 336 and carrying 10 fully armed military personnel, closed in on his home in a military drill-type invasion.

“Guns were pointed at me and my children and we were ordered to stay indoors without any explanations,” Kasieng said.

He said an hour earlier, five policemen from Port Moresby, participating in the operation, had confronted him and took away his support vehicle allocated by Sandaun Governor Simon Solo, saying he was suspended and no longer had the right to keep the vehicle.

“They (police) told me that I was charged for treason and that I should immediately follow them to their command centre at the Vanimo council chambers for questioning,” Kasieng recalled.

He, however, told the arresting officers that it was Sunday and that he would be available for questioning tomorrow (today).

The policemen left but, about an hour later, the soldiers arrived and confronted Kasieng and his family at their West Tower home.

“It appeared that the confrontation was preplanned and executed in a coordinated fashion,” the suspended PPC said.

“I am not a criminal and I will not escape,” he said.

“I am a known figure in the province and I will still turn up for the interview,” Kasieng said.

Momase regional police commander Supt Goasi Labi, when contacted yesterday, said he was aware of the incident but did not know the reason for the confrontation.

“They may have a reason for their actions but I do not know what it is at the moment,” Labi said.

“They should have at least explain to him (Kasieng) why they put him under house arrest and also, for protocol’s sake, they should have informed me and the acting commissioner about their actions,” Labi added.

“I am treated as if I am an enemy of the state and a common criminal.

“My family and I are very frightened at the moment,” Kasieng said.

“They (soldiers) completely surrounded the house. They have placed guards at eastern and western ends of the house and have a vehicle and men guarding the gate.

“Our friends and visitors have been sent away by the soldiers.”

Kasieng was suspended last month after refusing to allow policemen on Operation Sunset Merona entry into the local police station headquarters after one of his men was allegedly beaten up by a group of visiting task force officers.

He was also reprimanded for talking to the media about the alleged beating and hospitalisation of his policeman.

It was not known if those involved in beating up the traffic policeman had been arrested and charged.

Kasieng’s 28-day notice of suspension was issued by acting Deputy Police Commissioner Fred Yakasa

Acting Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie said that he was not aware of the incident and would talk to operations commander Jerry Frank to get a brief about the incident and establish the reasons behind these actions.

New Zealand - Papua New Guinea relations hinge on commerce

New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG Marion Cranshaw enjoying Waitangi Day today.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

Guests lining up to be served food straight from the hangi (earth oven) at the New Zealand High Commission today

By MALUM NALU

New Zealand high commissioner to Papua New Guinea Marion Cranshaw believes that commercial relationships between both countries are the future.
She said that at a traditional hangi (earth oven) picnic at the New Zealand High Commission at Waigani today (Sunday) to mark Waitangi Day.
Aid-wise, PNG is already the second-largest beneficiary of New Zealand aid to the tune of NZ$30 million (K57m) annually, after Solomon Islands.
“I think the future for New Zealand-Papua New Guinea relationships is in commercial relationships,” she said.
“I see that Papua New Guinea is a growing economy, with the ability to purchase New Zealand goods and services and that’s what’s starting to happen.
“New Zealand is still quite relatively small in the (PNG) market but we want to grow New Zealand’s place in the market.”
Cranshaw said a New Zealand trade mission would come to PNG in April to kick-start things.
“We’ll be looking at what other trade activities will follow that,” she said,
“New Zealand’s got good expertise in energy, some areas of infrastructure, engineering, and of course, food and beverages.
“In a way, I think New Zealand can help the development of Papua New Guinea by selling some of our expertise, because in that way, Papua New Guinea has the ownership of what they’re bringing.
“My focus on commercial engagement is not because it’s to New Zealand’s advantage, but it’s a way that we can help the development of Papua New Guinea and the ownership stays with Papua New Guinea.”
Cranshaw said the New Zealand government was making changes to its aid programme globally and PNG would be among those countries affected.
“Our government is looking to shift its aid programme into areas of economic development as well,” she said.
“We are looking at how we can reform our aid programme into economic areas.
“One of our proposals is putting up a wholesale food market in Port Moresby to improve access to market in Port Moresby for fruit and vegetable sellers.
“We are also looking at how we can assist in rural agricultural development, because while Papua New Guinea may make a lot of money from the big projects, agricultural development is important for development.”

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea trade and economic relationship

Bilateral trade
Papua New Guinea is New Zealand’s second largest market in the Pacific region (behind Fiji, and not including Australia).

New Zealand Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand being taken around Goroka market by FPDA production and supply manager Robert Lutulule in Sept 2009.-Picture by MALUM NALU

New Zealand exports (FOB) to PNG were NZ$161.80 million in the year to June 2010 (7% increase on 2009) and included:
Sheep Meat 29.88
Iron or non-alloy steel (clad) 18.26
Milk Powder, butter and cheese 13.29
Machinery (Refrigerators) 13.07
Quicklime 10.21
Textiles 8.90
Iron/steel products for construction 8.75
Electrical Products 7.49
Trailers 5.84
Light Aircraft 5.07
Frozen vegetables 3.68
Other 37.36

New Zealand imports from PNG vary because of a purchase of approximately NZ$100 million worth of petroleum is made every second year.
Our other main imports from PNG include coffee, timber, palm oil and cocoa.
In 2008 PNG successfully completed a trial export of ginger to New Zealand, one of the first times PNG fresh produce has been exported to any country for commercial distribution.
Although other Pacific countries already export significant quantities of tropical fresh produce to New Zealand and elsewhere, to date PNG growers and distributors have focused on meeting domestic demand.
PNG is now interested in trialling further produce on the New Zealand market, including coconuts and taro.
To take advantage of market opportunities, however, it will need to boost commercial production to meet potential overseas orders, and encourage local growers and suppliers to consider fully commercialised exports.

Migration and labour mobility
New Zealanders are visiting Papua New Guinea in greater and greater numbers.
At almost 2500, the number of New Zealand visitors to Papua New Guinea is more than double what it was five years ago.
Papua New Guineans are eligible to participate in New Zealand’s seasonal labour scheme, but as yet, none have done so.
That should change soon – New Zealand’s Department of Labour has recently approved participation by two PNG citizens in the scheme.

Private sector partnerships
A range of New Zealand companies do business with Papua New Guinea across sectors including telecommunications, engineering, construction, education and insurance.
The New Zealand–Papua New Guinea Business Council – based in Auckland is the heart of the private sector relationship between the two countries.
Over 20 New Zealand businesses belong to the Council and are actively engaged in business activities in Papua New Guinea.
The council can be contacted by email on: info@nzpngbc.org.nz.
There is momentum building towards the establishment of a Papua New Guinea-based PNG-NZ Business Council to complement the New Zealand-based organisation, and also momentum building towards a New Zealand trade mission to Papua New Guinea in the first half of 2011.
These are both exciting developments and represent a big step in the already strong relationship between our two countries.

Working together in the wider trade arena
Together, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand are members of the Pacific Islands Forum, APEC and the World Trade Organisation.

New Zealand aid to Papua New Guinea

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea development assistance

New Zealand coat of arms

New Zealand’s development support for PNG for 2010/11 is NZ$29 million.
The New Zealand Aid Programme activities in PNG are based on the overall aid programme mandate and the specific development challenges in PNG, and are guided by a 10-year joint strategy (2008-2018) agreed with the Government of Papua New Guinea.
The strategy aims to improve economic development opportunities for rural people and improve social services in education and health.
Gender equality and the empowerment of women are incorporated throughout these activities.
PNG also benefits directly from the New Zealand Aid Programme’s regional programmes that are focused on law and justice, governance, environment, health, education and trade/economy; and through the New Zealand Aid Programme's support to regional agencies such as the University of the South Pacific, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the Forum Fisheries Agency, and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Programme.
In 2009/10 the value of these non-bilateral sources is estimated to total over NZ$7 million.

Improving rural economic development
New Zealand provides support to strengthen PNG's agricultural sector.
This includes support for:
• Fresh Produce Development Agency, which links farmers and consumers of fresh fruit and vegetables
• Bris Kanda, which focuses on building commercially productive partnerships between rural communities and service providers in Morobe province;
• A government extension programme to help rural farmers improve their agricultural and business skills.

New Zealand is exploring the potential for a fresh produce wholesale market in Port Moresby, due to the increased demand for fresh fruit and vegetables in Port Moresby and from workers involved in the PNG liquefied natural gas pipeline project.
There is scope to see wider social benefits from a market, particularly for women.
In the future New Zealand will look to support other market infrastructure developments in PNG.

Improving social services
New Zealand has a long-term commitment to the Health Sector Improvement Programme (HSIP), a joint approach between the PNG government and a number of development partners to improve delivery of health services.
Support is provided for a number of targeted initiatives in community and reproductive health, and HIV prevention.
One of these is the East Sepik Women and Children's Health Project which is managed by Save the Children.
The project works with over 1,000 volunteers in 800 villages, and a range of health providers to improve standards of health in the remote parts of East Sepik.
The New Zealand Aid Programme supports a large scale household survey that will gain a more accurate picture of HIV prevalence and the behavioural risk factors that are behind the epidemic.
The initiative is important for PNG's response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
New Zealand is supporting the development of a sector-wide approach to improve access to basic primary education in PNG.
It is designed to get every primary school-aged child attending school.
The New Zealand Aid Programme currently offers around 250 scholarships per year for study in New Zealand and PNG.
New Zealand will work more closely with Australia to improve the effectiveness of the scholarships provided to PNG citizens.

Bougainville
Over the past 10 years, New Zealand has supported Bougainville in its reconstruction, including strengthening of law and justice systems, and governance.
Through the Bougainville Community Policing Project, the New Zealand Police, funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme, provide training and support to the Bougainville Police Service and Community Auxiliary Police, who help communities deal with law and order problems in consultation with village courts and traditional leaders.
The Bougainville Governance Implementation Fund supports the improvement of government administration and service delivery.
It is a joint initiative between the PNG Government, the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Australia, and New Zealand.

Waitangi Day message from New Zealand Governor General Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand

Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand GNZM, QSO

Governor-General of New Zealand
Waitangi Day message
6 February 2011

Sir Anand Satyanand GNZM

Greetings in the languages of the Realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean and Tokelauan: Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni.
On this day, 171 years ago, representatives of the British Crown and New Zealand’s first people, the Māori chiefs, agreed on how this nation should be governed.
They managed to reach this accord without the accompanying conflict that has been seen in so many other countries.
From the very first Waitangi Day observance in 1934, many differing views have been expressed about the significance of the Treaty and its role and place in our nation.
The fact that people continue to debate the importance of the Treaty is a positive sign, as it is evidence of New Zealanders increasingly talking to each other rather than past each other, thus maintaining a process of real communication and understanding.
Our country also continues to address the wrongs of the past. New Zealand is all the stronger for having the courage to attempt to reconcile its past with its present, and to make some amends, often after recourse to the Waitangi Tribunal.
I believe that our prospects as a nation are worth rejoicing.
Ours is a young country, but in a short time New Zealanders have conquered the world’s highest mountains, achieved breakthroughs in science, and excelled internationally in sport, literature, film making and the creative arts.
New Zealanders have also served with honour in many conflict zones, sometimes far from home, to defend democratic freedoms.
As Governor-General of New Zealand I send my best regards to all New Zealanders on Waitangi Day, New Zealand’s national day.
No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.
Rt Hon Anand Satyanand, GNZM, QSO
Governor-General of New Zealand

Growing local business in Papua New Guinea

By GLICK D LAMBEA

Sydney, Australia

 

I'm writing in regard to the article "NDB to back more local business" in the Post Courier 04/02/2011".

I appreciate the National Development Bank for taking the initiative to support the inaugural Papua New Guinea indigenous business summit proposed to be held in Kokopo.

I hope the summit will become the forum to discuss government policies and business model that have worked in other countries similar to PNG's settings.

 In the same article NDB managing director Richard Maru claims that 20% of PNG businesses are in the hands of nationals.

I think this is a good percentage to start with to increase the level of indigenous ownership.

In terms of government support, at the least I am yet to see a comprehensive government policy that talks about supporting small business in PNG.

 The Vision 2050 is very ambiguous on small business and the document was written by people who are elitist and far removed from a coffee farmer in the Highlands or a cocoa producer in the New Guinea Islands.

So this piece of document is a load of cow manure written for other elites like the authors themselves!

What we need is a strategy and a road map to guide us on how to execute the strategy to increase indigenous ownership.

 For instance, in 20 years we want to increase indigenous ownership of business to 30%.

 The question is how do we achieve that?

Well, we need a team of people headed by someone from the Department of Trade and Industry to write the strategy paper.

 The team should be comprised of people from the finance and banking industries, small-medium business owners, Finance and Treasury officials, civil society and a senior statesman in the likes of Sir Rabie Namaliu.

 The strategy should clearly point out where government help is needed and the policy required to support the strategy.

 The strategy should also talk about how the finance and banking institutions would help aspiring entrepreneurs to help start their own business and help grow it with some form of government intervention.

The government intervention I'm talking about must be driven by the policy.

The strategy owner will be the Department of Trade and Industry and they must be convicted that it is the right strategy and it will work.