By Barry FitzGerald in Business Day
March 7, 2011
There's plenty of potential in picking up where the Mount Kare alluvial gold rush left off.
IT HAS been a case of back to the future for Stephen Promnitz, chief executive of the south-east Asia and south-west Pacific copper-gold explorer Indochine Mining (ASX: IDC). Indochine raised $20 million in its December float on the strength of a big copper-gold exploration tenement package in little-explored Cambodia as its main go.
The float attracted the backing of the mighty fund manager BlackRock and hedge fund Och-Ziff as substantial shareholders, with holdings of 7 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. Drilling gets under way at the Cambodia properties later this year, but in the meantime Promnitz has secured an option for Indochine over the Mount Kare gold project in Papua New Guinea.
As a young geologist with CRA (since merged with Rio Tinto), Promnitz witnessed at Mount Kare one of the great alluvial gold rushes of the modern era.
The 1988-89 rush left an impression.
''It was the most astounding thing I have ever seen,'' Promnitz told Garimpeiro.
''There was more gold than you could poke a stick at. So much so that I thought I would never be looking for gold again.
''The locals were shaking gold nuggets from the roots of the grass. Some of the nuggets were the size of goose eggs. It was on for young and old.
''We saw the place go from having nobody there to having more than 6000 people with picks and shovels in the space of six weeks.''
Gold was well understood in the region, given Barrick's 25-million-ounce Porgera deposit some 20 kilometres away. Porgera hadn't been developed by then but it had been a gold exploration project for 30 years. What eventually got Porgera into production was the discovery there of Zone 7, with its amazing grade of 40 grams of gold a tonne.
In the end, the locals who swarmed onto the alluvial patch at Mount Kare plucked more than 1 million ounces of gold from thick, sticky clay. The alluvial gold eventually petered out, but the underlying hard-rock potential remained. And there was plenty of work for everyone at Porgera.
Books can and have been written on the Mount Kare alluvial gold rush. Fascinating stuff it is too, as you would expect: spivs and conmen were quick on the scene; they love a gold rush as much as anybody else.
For today's purposes, all we need to know is that CRA eventually walked away from Mount Kare, with the forced abandonment of its Panguna copper mine as attacks by secessionist rebels over on Bougainville Island encouraged the exit from all things PNG for the company. (Rio's listed subsidiary Bougainville Copper still harbours ambitions of returning Panguna to production.)
Canadian groups secured title to Mount Kare and in the 1990s and the opening years of the new century, they set about assessing the hard-rock potential of the site.
The Canadians outlined, under their national reporting requirements, a 1.7 million ounce hard-rock gold resource (1.9 million ounces if you give the silver in the mineralisation a gold equivalent value).
But the 2008 global financial crisis clipped their wings and Mount Kare ended up for sale in the hands of a liquidator. Indochine has now secured an option over the deposit in a deal with the private Aussie-PNG syndicate that acquired Mount Kare from the liquidator, with an initial payment of $4 million made by Indochine last week.
Full details of the expected shares-and-cash deal that will give Indochine control of Mount Kare are expected to be released within 21 days or so. When that happens, stand by for a re-rating of the stock.
At Friday's closing price for the stock of 30¢ a share, Indochine was being valued at $82 million. Compare that to the fancy market values of any number of ASX-listed West African gold explorers with similar-sized projects to Mount Kare under their belt and you'll see why the re-rating potential is there.
PNG can be a hairy place, as can West Africa. But if Garimpeiro had to be dropped into either of them, PNG would (now) be his choice. He says now because of the $20 billion being pumped in to developing PNG's gas export business by Exxon Mobil and others. It is transformational stuff for PNG in terms of all the things that will make the country less difficult to get things done. Things such as telecommunications, air services, and technical and legal support, not to mention the new casino and hotels that are going up in Port Moresby.
Once the Indochine option over Mount Kare is bedded down, the plan is to start work on an ASX-compliant resource. The estimate by the Canadians was largely in the drill-indicated category, so the swap from their assessment to one that suits local reporting requirements should be plain sailing.
More to the point is that the Canadians' assessment was based on a gold price of $US300 an ounce and a silver price of $US5.50 an ounce. Both metals now trade at multiples of those prices, so you would have to think there is now potential to add a sizeable open-cut resource to the underground resource.
It is also worth noting that while ''nearology'' is a dangerous practice, Mount Kare does have similar geology and geological setting to the Porgera deposit. Whether or not Mount Kare too has a Zone 7 that will be uncovered by further exploration remains to seen.
What is known is that the current Canadian resource estimate (it has a high-grade portion of 740,000 ounces of gold in 4.6 million tonnes of material grading 5g/tonne gold) is good enough for Indochine to get working on a feasibility study of Mount Kare's development.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Huli wigmen for world music festival
HULI wigmen dancers will have a chance to showcase PNG culture at this weekend’s world music festival in Adelaide, Australia, The National reports.
The Huli dancers from Southern Highlands have been invited by organisers, a first of its kind, to add colour and a different music flavour with their kundu drums.
The biennial music festival attracts some of the world’s popular rock and contemporary bands.
The Huli Duna Cultural Group, consisting of men, women and children, will leave for Adelaide tomorrow for the March 11-14 festival.
Markham Galut, who is the coordinator for the trip, said: “We are there to showcase our huge cultural heritage.
“We want to see if we can feature, blend and promote PNG culture to the world music scene.”
Galut, a freelance artist, dancer and musician, has been working closely with David Brady, a Melbourne-based musician, who has been promoting PNG string-band music, especially Tolai rock legend George Telek.
Brady, through the organisers, had extended the invitation to PNG through Galut who had a difficult task in selecting a group to represent more than 800 different cultural groups.
“I sent the some sample videos of our traditional dancers and the organisers were impressed with the colourful Huli dancers,” Galut said.
The group’s return air tickets, accommodation and transport while in Australia will be met by the festival organisers.
Huli Duna Cultural Group chairman Simon Bole, who will be accompanying his dance troupe, said PNG had been talking about and promoting the LNG project.
Bole said the LNG project would only bring Western cultures and modernisation, “a threat to our culture”.
He said the LNG project would come and go but unique cultures and traditions must be preserved for long term sustainable tourism dollars.
“The LNG project will not promote our cultures. We have a rich culture that we must protect at all costs.
“We must preserve and teach our children to uphold our cultures which will become extinct if nothing is done,” Bole said.
He also appealed to Culture and Tourism Promotion Authority to support freelancers such as Galut, who had given their time and resource, to give the Huli an opportunity to become ambassadors representing PNG’s different tribes at this year’s world music festival.
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| The Huli Duna Cultural Group rehearsing in Port Moresby for the world music festival in Adelaide, Australia, starting this Friday. |
The biennial music festival attracts some of the world’s popular rock and contemporary bands.
The Huli Duna Cultural Group, consisting of men, women and children, will leave for Adelaide tomorrow for the March 11-14 festival.
Markham Galut, who is the coordinator for the trip, said: “We are there to showcase our huge cultural heritage.
“We want to see if we can feature, blend and promote PNG culture to the world music scene.”
Galut, a freelance artist, dancer and musician, has been working closely with David Brady, a Melbourne-based musician, who has been promoting PNG string-band music, especially Tolai rock legend George Telek.
Brady, through the organisers, had extended the invitation to PNG through Galut who had a difficult task in selecting a group to represent more than 800 different cultural groups.
“I sent the some sample videos of our traditional dancers and the organisers were impressed with the colourful Huli dancers,” Galut said.
The group’s return air tickets, accommodation and transport while in Australia will be met by the festival organisers.
Huli Duna Cultural Group chairman Simon Bole, who will be accompanying his dance troupe, said PNG had been talking about and promoting the LNG project.
Bole said the LNG project would only bring Western cultures and modernisation, “a threat to our culture”.
He said the LNG project would come and go but unique cultures and traditions must be preserved for long term sustainable tourism dollars.
“The LNG project will not promote our cultures. We have a rich culture that we must protect at all costs.
“We must preserve and teach our children to uphold our cultures which will become extinct if nothing is done,” Bole said.
He also appealed to Culture and Tourism Promotion Authority to support freelancers such as Galut, who had given their time and resource, to give the Huli an opportunity to become ambassadors representing PNG’s different tribes at this year’s world music festival.
Bank South Pacific K283.15m net profit
BANK South Pacific posted an after tax profit of K283.15 million for the financial year 2010, The National reports.
The bank also announced that its assets as of December last year were worth K8.655 billion, up 6% from December 2009.
BSP chairman Kostas Constantinou made the disclosure in a financial result submitted to the Port Moresby Stock Exchange.
The bank’s pre-tax profit was K402.10 million, up 6% from K377.96 million posted at the end of 2009.
Constantinou said that emerging from period of some uncertainty into a year that held out some promise of a strengthening global recovery, and some positive expectations about the domestic economy, the BSP Group achieved sound result last year.
He said this was characterised by continued profitability and balance of sheet growth, showing operational and financial stability.
Constantinou said most of the growth was attributed to non-interest income streams following a fall in net interest margins occasioned by a prolonged decline in bank bill rates since late in the second quarter of the year.
The newly-appointed chairman stressed the re-branding of BSP continued to be successful last year with some emphasis given to the appropriate BSP branding of newly-acquired business in
He said overall, the group posted well-rounded financial achievement for last year considering that the bank was progressing with major commitments to transform its programmes.
Constantinou said much work had been required on the integration of the newly acquired
“In 2010, there was evidence of a slow strengthening of global economic conditions with large traditional economic powers in North America and Europe showing more sustained recovery trends and the developing high-growth Asian and South American economies continuing to accelerate,” Constantinou said.
“PNG’s economy became increasingly exposed to those global trends as we move closer towards major steps change expected as the LNG project reaches production phase.
BSP was striving to get itself into a position where it would be able to achieve solid performances which would be competitive by global standards under these conditions.
“The 2010 results showed that we continue on track with this objective,” Constantinou added.
Departments summoned
PAC to haul up below par govt agencies
By DENNIS ORERE
Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inspected the
The PAC is expected to hold inquiries into the Department of Health today and also open inquiries into several government entities.
Tomorrow, the PAC will haul up the worst performing government institutions identified through the inquiries, to explain to the committee why they are unable to improve their performance.
The inspection team yesterday was led by chairman Martin Aini and Bulolo MP Sam Basil.
Chief Secretary Margaret Elias and other senior government officials from the Prime Minister’s Department and the Department of Health accompanied the inspection team.
At the PMGH, the team visited various wards, asking questions and receiving answers from hospital management and staff members.
Patients with relatives and staff at the hospital reacted in various ways when they saw the team touring the hospital, with some being happy that such an inspection could result in changes to the hospital in the future.
Others just admired the presence of senior government officials at the hospital.
North Bougainville polls set for May 14
By STEPHANIE ELIZAH
PNG Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen has announced March 21 as the date for the issue of writs for the
It is to fill the vacant seat left by former North Bougainville member Michael Ogio, who is now the governor-general, and is expected to cost the state K2.6 million.
Trawen, who was in
“Following the issue of writs, close of nomination will be on March 28 with polling on May 14 and end on May 20.
“The return of writs will be on June 10,” Trawen said.
“We aim to see a peaceful and democratic by-election. Despite the time constraints, I am confident it will progress at a comfortable pace,” Taravaru said.
Preparations by the
They include civil society groups, police, Leitana Women’s Council and United church AIDS council.
“Due to the time constraints in preparing the roll before the issue of writs, we will be using the ABG electoral rolls used in the last election with village assembly clerks assisting to prepare the election roll because of their local knowledge of the area and the people,” Taravaru said.
Six assisting returning officers to be nominated by the PNG electoral commission will be assisting Taravaru, who will be the returning officer for the by-election.
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Fuel prices up again
By BOSORINA ROBBY
FUEL prices for this month will see a big increase led by diesel and kerosene, The National reports.
Consumers in
Petrol, meanwhile, rose by 7t to K3.69 per litre.
Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) Commissioner Dr Billy Manoka said given another increase in crude oil prices last month, demand for crude oil continued to reach high peaks in the Asia Pacific region.
However, the trend is heading for a repeat of high fuel prices last felt in July 2008.
Then,
According the ICCC 2008 annual report, domestic prices decreased since August 2008 and this trend was maintained until December 2008.
This period of price reduction is the longest ever experienced in the country and the PNG consumers had benefited from these reductions.
This was due to the fall in crude and refined product prices as a result of a US-led recession which spread to Europe and parts of
From 2009 through to early this year, fuel and crude oil prices have continued to increase slowly but steadily.
Last month saw crude prices spiking due to political tensions in North Africa and several parts of
This has caused crude oil prices to pass US$100 per barrel for the first time since 2008.
Changes in fuel prices are determined by global energy demand and supply and given that crude oil is a globally traded commodity, it is expected that demand and supply determinants in the major regions around the world, the value of the US dollar and other geo-political tensions in oil producing nations will continue to cause prices to change at any time in the future.
Manoka said should the crude oil continued to trade above the US$100 per barrel, then prices would have to be adjusted accordingly.
He said domestic prices would continue to fluctuate in the coming months should crude oil prices continue to trade below or above that mark.
Monday, March 07, 2011
British High Commission launches women’s advisory centre
To coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, the British High Commission is pleased to announce a joint venture with Governor Powes Parkop and the National Capital District – the establishment of a women’s advisory centre for Papua New Guinean women.
The project, which is the brainchild of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will see the centre providing much needed professional advice for women who seek financial independence through obtaining relevant skills, information and knowledge.
The project, which will be launched tomorrow (March 8, 2011) will fund a support centre and network for PNG women who seek advice on achieving financial independence through obtaining relevant skills, information and knowledge at one convenient location.
The centre will be based in the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce Office.
British High Commissioner to PNG, Jackie Barson, said the women’s advisory centre would enable women in PNG, where the majority remain educated only to a to a minimal standard, to access professional advice as a means to enhancing both their professional and personal lives.
Barson said the establishment of the centre would also offer women access to information on how to start their own business, manage household finances, how to apply for a loan, statutory requirements of a registered business and basic book-keeping amongst other issues, and it would also offer access to women in business workshops.
She added that it is incumbent on all of us to focus our determination to tackle the discrimination and oppression of women and to step up our progress towards fairness and equality and equal opportunities.
Education is one of the most powerful instruments known for reducing poverty and inequality and for laying the basis for sustained economic growth, sound governance, and effective institutions.
Access to educational opportunities for women will change attitudes, economic circumstances and encourage opportunities for improving women’s social, economic and legal status.
Promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide is a priority for the UK coalition government.
Where it can, the British High Commission will continue to support programmes which promote the empowerment of women in PNG.
This is an integral element to the UK’s global commitment to promote human rights, sustainable global growth, alleviation of poverty and democratic values.
The project, which is the brainchild of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will see the centre providing much needed professional advice for women who seek financial independence through obtaining relevant skills, information and knowledge.
The project, which will be launched tomorrow (March 8, 2011) will fund a support centre and network for PNG women who seek advice on achieving financial independence through obtaining relevant skills, information and knowledge at one convenient location.
The centre will be based in the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce Office.
British High Commissioner to PNG, Jackie Barson, said the women’s advisory centre would enable women in PNG, where the majority remain educated only to a to a minimal standard, to access professional advice as a means to enhancing both their professional and personal lives.
Barson said the establishment of the centre would also offer women access to information on how to start their own business, manage household finances, how to apply for a loan, statutory requirements of a registered business and basic book-keeping amongst other issues, and it would also offer access to women in business workshops.
She added that it is incumbent on all of us to focus our determination to tackle the discrimination and oppression of women and to step up our progress towards fairness and equality and equal opportunities.
Education is one of the most powerful instruments known for reducing poverty and inequality and for laying the basis for sustained economic growth, sound governance, and effective institutions.
Access to educational opportunities for women will change attitudes, economic circumstances and encourage opportunities for improving women’s social, economic and legal status.
Promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide is a priority for the UK coalition government.
Where it can, the British High Commission will continue to support programmes which promote the empowerment of women in PNG.
This is an integral element to the UK’s global commitment to promote human rights, sustainable global growth, alleviation of poverty and democratic values.
Challenges of pig production in Papua New Guinea
By STANLEY AMBEN of NARI
Pork meat has been an important protein source for many generations of Papua New Guineans and continues to be so in many parts of the country.
However, supply of pork meat is still low.
Local commercial suppliers of chilled pork meat are unable to meet the high demand.
This is evident with the import of additional quotas of chilled pork meat.
On the other hand, the larger informal live pig market may also be facing shortages in meeting demands, with reports of live pigs selling at K1, 000 – K3000 in the highlands during the 2010 festive season.
These pigs are generally from native and cross bred origins and farmed with limited input. Information on this sub-sector is limited as past efforts were mostly focused on commercial breeds.
The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), in its effort to improve smallholder productivity through sustainable pig farming practices, conducted a baseline survey of smallholder pig production in the Morobe province to identify constraints and opportunities for further research and development.
The survey covered the Markham, Wau-Bulolo, Huon Gulf, Nawae, Tewai-Siassi, Finschhafen and Kabwum districts.
Pig farming is a labour intensive activity depending on the number of pigs per household. Therefore, a valid assumption would be the more pigs per household, the more labour input needed to sustain increased herd numbers.
However, this assumption does not hold true as the survey noted that household size had no influence on herd numbers.
This is attributed to the traditional low input practice of scavenging where pigs are left to fend for themselves.
Despite the predominantly low management input associated with traditional practices, the current trend is showing that farmers prefer to keep their pigs enclosed.
Due to increasing population densities and shortage of arable land, growing of food crops has intensified.
Scavenging pigs poses a threat to food gardens.
Some areas surveyed have enforced village laws to keep pigs enclosed.
This situation is forcing farmers to adopt the ‘highlands’ practice of tethering pigs.
Enclosed pigs require the farmer to provide all necessary inputs for its welfare.
Survey results show that the standard approach in feeding pigs comprises of starchy staples sourced from food gardens.
Farmers are content with this approach assuming that both feed and water is provided.
However, problems arise with this approach as protein and water requirement for pigs are not being adequately met.
As a result, the farmers have been observing a decline in the growth performance of their enclosed pigs and bluntly request for ‘marasin’ or medication alluding to protein supplements. Similar needs are expressed for fencing materials.
It was also noted that farmers in accessible districts rarely invest in pig production despite reporting good returns from selling their pigs.
Obligations such as school fees took higher precedence with income generated from the pig sales.
Pig farmers need more awareness on opportunities for improving their current production systems.
Economic modelling of improved pig farming systems can motivate and encourage farmers to enhance and sustain their production.
Most farmers surveyed keep crosses of native and exotic lines to capitalise on the hardiness and low input requirement of the native breed and the faster growth rate of exotic breeds.
However, a higher level of input in feed and management is needed for these crossbred pigs to be profitable.
Furthermore, farmers perceive their pigs to be suffering from serious ailments.
However, PNG is largely free from major contagious pig diseases apart from common ailments such as diarrhoea and the common flu associated with poor management practices.
Pig farmers in the Morobe province are being encouraged to emerge from the low input level of production into a more market-orientated production system where there they have reinvest from income generated from pig sales.
This is the case with two pig farmers from the Situm area outside Lae.
These farmers currently manage a breeding herd of about 50 pigs each, consistently producing live pigs for the informal market.
The pigs are fed with on farm-formulated feeds using agricultural by-products.
There is a lot of capital investment in terms of feed, housing and labour.
This higher level of production has been reached by the pair due to consistent investments back into their farms from the income generated from the sale of pigs.
A previous scheme initiated in the area by the Pelgens Smallgoods Company, whereby local farmers obtained weaned piglets from the company and raised to supplying the abattoir, has been unsuccessful.
This scheme needs some improvement based on previous experiences as a similar concept has been successfully implemented by Niugini Tablebirds with broiler chickens.
Improved technologies in pig feeding and management for enclosed pigs are required by the smallholder pig farmers in Morobe province.
They may not be alone; this is the situation for farmers’ country wide.
With proper management practices and formulating pig feeds using locally available resources would go in a long way to help increase pig production.
NARI has developed a pig feed using sweet potato tubers and leaves which was officially released to the farming community last May for adoption.
This is among other technologies on livestock feed that NARI is developing using locally available sources taking into consideration the increased cost of commercial feeds.
It is hoped with such technologies available, farmers will increase livestock production for their own consumption as well as for income.
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| Cross-bred pigs at Lennie Aparima’s pig farm at Munum village, Morobe province |
However, supply of pork meat is still low.
Local commercial suppliers of chilled pork meat are unable to meet the high demand.
This is evident with the import of additional quotas of chilled pork meat.
On the other hand, the larger informal live pig market may also be facing shortages in meeting demands, with reports of live pigs selling at K1, 000 – K3000 in the highlands during the 2010 festive season.
These pigs are generally from native and cross bred origins and farmed with limited input. Information on this sub-sector is limited as past efforts were mostly focused on commercial breeds.
The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), in its effort to improve smallholder productivity through sustainable pig farming practices, conducted a baseline survey of smallholder pig production in the Morobe province to identify constraints and opportunities for further research and development.
The survey covered the Markham, Wau-Bulolo, Huon Gulf, Nawae, Tewai-Siassi, Finschhafen and Kabwum districts.
Pig farming is a labour intensive activity depending on the number of pigs per household. Therefore, a valid assumption would be the more pigs per household, the more labour input needed to sustain increased herd numbers.
However, this assumption does not hold true as the survey noted that household size had no influence on herd numbers.
This is attributed to the traditional low input practice of scavenging where pigs are left to fend for themselves.
Despite the predominantly low management input associated with traditional practices, the current trend is showing that farmers prefer to keep their pigs enclosed.
Due to increasing population densities and shortage of arable land, growing of food crops has intensified.
Scavenging pigs poses a threat to food gardens.
Some areas surveyed have enforced village laws to keep pigs enclosed.
This situation is forcing farmers to adopt the ‘highlands’ practice of tethering pigs.
Enclosed pigs require the farmer to provide all necessary inputs for its welfare.
Survey results show that the standard approach in feeding pigs comprises of starchy staples sourced from food gardens.
Farmers are content with this approach assuming that both feed and water is provided.
However, problems arise with this approach as protein and water requirement for pigs are not being adequately met.
As a result, the farmers have been observing a decline in the growth performance of their enclosed pigs and bluntly request for ‘marasin’ or medication alluding to protein supplements. Similar needs are expressed for fencing materials.
It was also noted that farmers in accessible districts rarely invest in pig production despite reporting good returns from selling their pigs.
Obligations such as school fees took higher precedence with income generated from the pig sales.
Pig farmers need more awareness on opportunities for improving their current production systems.
Economic modelling of improved pig farming systems can motivate and encourage farmers to enhance and sustain their production.
Most farmers surveyed keep crosses of native and exotic lines to capitalise on the hardiness and low input requirement of the native breed and the faster growth rate of exotic breeds.
However, a higher level of input in feed and management is needed for these crossbred pigs to be profitable.
Furthermore, farmers perceive their pigs to be suffering from serious ailments.
However, PNG is largely free from major contagious pig diseases apart from common ailments such as diarrhoea and the common flu associated with poor management practices.
Pig farmers in the Morobe province are being encouraged to emerge from the low input level of production into a more market-orientated production system where there they have reinvest from income generated from pig sales.
This is the case with two pig farmers from the Situm area outside Lae.
These farmers currently manage a breeding herd of about 50 pigs each, consistently producing live pigs for the informal market.
The pigs are fed with on farm-formulated feeds using agricultural by-products.
There is a lot of capital investment in terms of feed, housing and labour.
This higher level of production has been reached by the pair due to consistent investments back into their farms from the income generated from the sale of pigs.
A previous scheme initiated in the area by the Pelgens Smallgoods Company, whereby local farmers obtained weaned piglets from the company and raised to supplying the abattoir, has been unsuccessful.
This scheme needs some improvement based on previous experiences as a similar concept has been successfully implemented by Niugini Tablebirds with broiler chickens.
Improved technologies in pig feeding and management for enclosed pigs are required by the smallholder pig farmers in Morobe province.
They may not be alone; this is the situation for farmers’ country wide.
With proper management practices and formulating pig feeds using locally available resources would go in a long way to help increase pig production.
NARI has developed a pig feed using sweet potato tubers and leaves which was officially released to the farming community last May for adoption.
This is among other technologies on livestock feed that NARI is developing using locally available sources taking into consideration the increased cost of commercial feeds.
It is hoped with such technologies available, farmers will increase livestock production for their own consumption as well as for income.
Rice research and development
By JAMES LARAKI of NARI
Rice is the second most important cereal in the world and staple food to about two billion people.
Production is geographically concentrated in Western and Eastern Asia with more than 90%of world output. China and India, which account for more than one-third of global population, supply over half of the world's rice. Brazil is the most important non-Asian producer, followed by the United States. Italy ranks first in Europe.
Although rice is not a traditional crop to Papua New Guinea, it has been cultivated for over 100 years and has become a staple food to many people, with an estimated consumption of over 300,000 tonnes per annum.
Rice and grains have emerged strongly during the post-war era in PNG.
It has now become prominent in the household food basket, thus contributing a significant part to national nutrition and calorie requirements.
Despite its popularity, almost all the rice consumed in PNG is imported.
Importing rice is one of the most-contentious food policy issues in PNG. Commentators have suggested that the local population is becoming too reliant on imported rice.
These concerns prompted policymakers in the 1990s to set an ambitious target to produce approximately 50,000 tonnes by the end of the decade.
Despite these goals, rice production in PNG has made little progress.
The estimated 10,000 tonnes produced is not sufficient to meet the growing demand. The scale of production has been limited by various technical, sociological, economic and institutional constraints.
PNG’s shifting farming systems, labour intensity and productivity, pests and diseases, have become major contraints.
These have been compounded with lack of continuous supply of pure seed, appropriate milling facilities, and lack of information and training.
The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) has been active in promoting rice and grains development through scientific research since 2001 when all rice and grains research was transferred from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL).
Research on rice and grains is aimed at addressing issues of food security and self-reliance with opportunities for people to participate in national development of rice production, distribution and consumption.
NARI rice and grains project takes heed of smallholder rice production using new and improved knowledge, information and technologies derived from scientific research under PNG conditions.
The current focus of NARI rice and grain project is on introduction and evaluation of upland rice varieties to contribute to improved productivity, quality and quantity of production.
Most of PNG’s local rice production is taking place in remote areas like Finchhafen and Garaina in Morobe, Maprik in East Sepik and inland Bougainville.
Therefore, it is necessary to have a number of varieties available for farmers at any given time that are high-yielding under low input, resistant to important pest and diseases, good eating qualities spread over diverse agro-ecological conditions.
In May 2006, NARI released four rice varieties to the PNG farming community (NARI Rice (NR) 1, NR 9, NR 15 and NR 16) suitable for upland production in the lowlands.
With a total of 1100 varieties obtained from the International Rice Research Institute in its germplasm collection, the project is identifying varieties that can stand out and suit a wide range of environments in PNG.
In some rice growing places such as Finschhafen and Garaina, growers have selected and maintained suitable landraces from earlier introductions.
“Waria Sunlong” of Garaina and Waria valley, and “Finsch Brown”, “Sukong Turung”, and “Finsch White” of Finschhafen are some examples.
Supply of good quality seeds is vital for rice production in the country.
Currently, the supply of rice seeds is coordinated by DAL.
Seeds of NARI rice varieties are distributed from NARI regional centres and can also be sourced through provincial DALs.
With annual import bill running into millions of kina, efforts to reduce import dependency remain a major challenge.
These efforts are being aided by various overseas governments, aid agencies and NGOs.
The government’s efforts are manifested in DAL policy document: ‘Papua New Guinea Rice Development Policy 2004 – 2014’.
This document is the successor to the National Rice Policy of 1998.
The latest policy document recognises the importance of rice as a staple food for the people of PNG and proposes a range of policy and programme interventions to provide a clear policy environment to mobilise resources to promote sustainable domestic rice development.
It provides a framework for partnership between the government and its development partners and donor agencies to support the domestic rice development.
Attempts to achieve self-sufficiency in domestic rice production over the years have had limited success, although it is a proven fact that rice can be grown in PNG. Despite renewed interest and recent reports of a surge in rice cultivation by local farmers throughout the country, domestic rice production is still remains minor and highly local.
This calls for coordinated efforts to review the factors which hinder domestic rice production in the country. Issues on access to rice milling facilities, shortage of trained personnel, technical support and credit facility, poor infrastructure and market access, continuous supply of pure seeds, information and support services, quality of locally-grown rice, and other contributing factors need to be addressed.
Research and extension support also need to be strengthened and supported to drive rice development in PNG.
Rice development needs to be promoted to the farming community for food security, income opportunity, and improved living standard of the rural population.
Rice is the second most important cereal in the world and staple food to about two billion people.
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Rice germplasm evaluation field at NARI Bubia, outside Lae
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Although rice is not a traditional crop to Papua New Guinea, it has been cultivated for over 100 years and has become a staple food to many people, with an estimated consumption of over 300,000 tonnes per annum.
Rice and grains have emerged strongly during the post-war era in PNG.
It has now become prominent in the household food basket, thus contributing a significant part to national nutrition and calorie requirements.
Despite its popularity, almost all the rice consumed in PNG is imported.
Importing rice is one of the most-contentious food policy issues in PNG. Commentators have suggested that the local population is becoming too reliant on imported rice.
These concerns prompted policymakers in the 1990s to set an ambitious target to produce approximately 50,000 tonnes by the end of the decade.
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NR 1- 'C Fields'
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The estimated 10,000 tonnes produced is not sufficient to meet the growing demand. The scale of production has been limited by various technical, sociological, economic and institutional constraints.
PNG’s shifting farming systems, labour intensity and productivity, pests and diseases, have become major contraints.
These have been compounded with lack of continuous supply of pure seed, appropriate milling facilities, and lack of information and training.
The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) has been active in promoting rice and grains development through scientific research since 2001 when all rice and grains research was transferred from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL).
Research on rice and grains is aimed at addressing issues of food security and self-reliance with opportunities for people to participate in national development of rice production, distribution and consumption.
NARI rice and grains project takes heed of smallholder rice production using new and improved knowledge, information and technologies derived from scientific research under PNG conditions.
The current focus of NARI rice and grain project is on introduction and evaluation of upland rice varieties to contribute to improved productivity, quality and quantity of production.
Most of PNG’s local rice production is taking place in remote areas like Finchhafen and Garaina in Morobe, Maprik in East Sepik and inland Bougainville.
Therefore, it is necessary to have a number of varieties available for farmers at any given time that are high-yielding under low input, resistant to important pest and diseases, good eating qualities spread over diverse agro-ecological conditions.
In May 2006, NARI released four rice varieties to the PNG farming community (NARI Rice (NR) 1, NR 9, NR 15 and NR 16) suitable for upland production in the lowlands.
With a total of 1100 varieties obtained from the International Rice Research Institute in its germplasm collection, the project is identifying varieties that can stand out and suit a wide range of environments in PNG.
In some rice growing places such as Finschhafen and Garaina, growers have selected and maintained suitable landraces from earlier introductions.
“Waria Sunlong” of Garaina and Waria valley, and “Finsch Brown”, “Sukong Turung”, and “Finsch White” of Finschhafen are some examples.
Supply of good quality seeds is vital for rice production in the country.
Currently, the supply of rice seeds is coordinated by DAL.
Seeds of NARI rice varieties are distributed from NARI regional centres and can also be sourced through provincial DALs.
With annual import bill running into millions of kina, efforts to reduce import dependency remain a major challenge.
These efforts are being aided by various overseas governments, aid agencies and NGOs.
The government’s efforts are manifested in DAL policy document: ‘Papua New Guinea Rice Development Policy 2004 – 2014’.
This document is the successor to the National Rice Policy of 1998.
The latest policy document recognises the importance of rice as a staple food for the people of PNG and proposes a range of policy and programme interventions to provide a clear policy environment to mobilise resources to promote sustainable domestic rice development.
It provides a framework for partnership between the government and its development partners and donor agencies to support the domestic rice development.
Attempts to achieve self-sufficiency in domestic rice production over the years have had limited success, although it is a proven fact that rice can be grown in PNG. Despite renewed interest and recent reports of a surge in rice cultivation by local farmers throughout the country, domestic rice production is still remains minor and highly local.
This calls for coordinated efforts to review the factors which hinder domestic rice production in the country. Issues on access to rice milling facilities, shortage of trained personnel, technical support and credit facility, poor infrastructure and market access, continuous supply of pure seeds, information and support services, quality of locally-grown rice, and other contributing factors need to be addressed.
Research and extension support also need to be strengthened and supported to drive rice development in PNG.
Rice development needs to be promoted to the farming community for food security, income opportunity, and improved living standard of the rural population.
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| NR 1- 'C Fields' (before flowering) |
Playing with the rules of Rafferty in Papua New Guinea*
BY PAUL OATES
* Rafferty's rules: An Australian expression meaning no rules at all
INDULGE ME FOR a few minutes while I examine the Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea [the citations are from the Constitution].
211. ACCOUNTING, ETC., FOR PUBLIC MONEYS.
(1) All moneys of or under the control of the National Government for public expenditure and the Parliament and the Judiciary for their respective services, shall be dealt with and properly accounted for in accordance with law.
In a recent statement, the Deputy Police Commissioner publicly identified that half of PNG's annual budget was lost to corruption.
Amazingly, no government Minister or representative chose to deny this statement or defend their responsibility to effectively and accountably govern PNG. Of course, with Parliament suspended, there was no forum for this disastrous situation to be debated and fully examined.
27. RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICE.
(1) A person to whom this Division applies has a duty to conduct himself in such a way, both in his public or official life and his private life, and in his associations with other persons, as not–
(a) to place himself in a position in which he has or could have a conflict of interests or might be compromised when discharging his public or official duties; or
(b) to demean his office or position; or
(c) to allow his public or official integrity, or his personal integrity, to be called into question; or
(d) to endanger or diminish respect for and confidence in the integrity of government in Papua New Guinea.
In a letter titled 'Former CJ (Chief Justice) gone too far' in the PNG Post-Courier of 2 March, 'Sprox Walker' writes:
The Former Chief Justice, current Regional Member for Madang and Justice Minister (Sir Armet) has gone way too far and lowered himself too low when he sacked the acting public prosecutor Wala Tamate….
His reason that Tamate has not performed his administrative duties competently is sluggish, insensitive and balant abuse of power —when Mr Tamate is handling the Prime Minister referral case to appear before a Leadership Tribunal.
However the former Chief Justice tries to justify his actions — he has gone far too low for a person that is supposed to understand the law better.
On the other hand the new Public Prosecutor — Camillus Sambua — is the blood nephew of Sir Michael Somare who is the Prime Minister that is now waiting to appear before the Leadership Tribunal. Isn't that illegal?'
Surely this can't be true? The acting Public Prosecutor sacked for apparently performing his duties correctly and a relative of the PM who has been referred for judicial review, appointed in his place.
141. NATURE OF THE MINISTRY: COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY.
The Ministry is a Parliamentary Executive, and therefore–
(a) no person who is not a member of the Parliament is eligible to be appointed to be a Minister, and, except as is expressly provided in this Constitution to the contrary, a Minister who ceases to be a member of the Parliament ceases to hold office as a Minister; and
(b) it is collectively answerable to the People, through the Parliament, for the proper carrying out of the executive government of Papua New Guinea and for all things done by or under the authority of the National Executive; and
(c) it is liable to be dismissed from office, either collectively or individually, in accordance with this Subdivision.
In a recent article in The National, it was claimed that the Department of Personnel Management did not have records of the total number of public servants on the government pay-roll.
It seems the government is paying more than 300,000 public servants, including dead persons, wives, children and even people walking around the streets but still getting salaries each fortnight.
Apparently there are less than 100,000 public servants but there are no accurate records. Public Service Minister Moses Maladina said he was awaiting the return of secretary John Kali from holidays to map a way forward. He confirmed there were too many acting appointments with some acting in jobs for more than six months, which is illegal.
Isn't this the same Minister that claimed Deep Sea Tailing Disposal of toxic mining waste would only 'damage a few worms'. The same Minister who inspired recent large public demonstrations and petitions against amendments to weaken the Ombudsman Commission.
If Mr Maladina doesn't know what to do or how to run his Department, in the words of PNG's Constitution, he 'is liable to be dismissed from office.'
The PNG people could well ask why Mr Maladina is still a Minister. They could, that is, if there was a functional Parliament that sat for the required number of days set out in the Constitution.
Can anyone realistically claim that there is a government in control of PNG at the moment? If no one is obviously in control of the country then maybe there remains just a vacuum waiting to be filled?
Students nabbled for attempt on policeman's life
By JAMES APA GUMUNO
SEVEN high school students, facing charges of attempted murder, have been released on K200 bail each, The National reports.
They were among 17 people arrested by Wabag police in Enga over an alleged attempted murder on a member of the police mobile unit based in Laiagam district.
The incident allegedly took place on Feb 17.
Ten other men were released on K500 bail each with their guarantors also ordered to pay K500 each.
Police claimed that the Lanekep tribesmen, living at the edge of Wabag town, attacked First Const Caspar Maugla at the Wabag bus stop with bush knives.
This was in reaction to an incident earlier on during the day when one of their tribesmen was allegedly bashed up by a police mobile unit member during a drunken brawl.
Provincial police commander Supt Martin Lakari said Maugla was attacked while he was waiting to catch a PMV to Laiagam.
The victim sustained cuts to his forehead and parts of his body.
Lakari said bystanders at the bus stop reacted quickly and stopped the villagers from inflicting severe injuries, or possible death, on the policeman.
He said Wabag police also responded quickly and, with the help of bystanders, arrested the suspects and had them locked up in the police cells.
The accused were refused bail until last Friday when they made an appeal to the committal court.
The suspects would appeal in court at the next call-over, which was yet to be confirmed.
While condemning the attack on the policeman, Lakari said higher and stiffer penalties must be imposed on such people to deter others from doing the same.
He also warned that police would not go easy on people who threaten or attack them, but would ensure their attackers face the full brunt of the law.
Maugla has been discharged from
Floods destroy Anglimp area
By YVONNE HAIP
THOUSANDS of kina worth of properties, education infrastructure and food gardens were destroyed at Avi in Western Highlands’ Anglimp district after heavy rain forced rivers to flood their banks last Thursday night, The National reports.
Students turning up for classes last Friday found their chairs and desks floating around and had to wade into the classrooms to save some of their items.
Classes were suspended for the day.
Families, on the other hand, spent the day draining flood waters from their food gardens while others checked on their livestock that could have fled the area or were caught in the floodwaters and carried away.
According to community leader Pr Solomon Lucas, the issue of flooding in Avi was ongoing and needed to be addressed at the provincial level.
He said flooding was brought on by drainage problems and, even though the local community had done its part to trying to resolve it, the problem had resurfaced and was affecting them.
He said the primary solution was to maintain and seal the feeder roads, with one of them leading to Baisu jail, and build proper bridges.
Lucas said in this way, the drainage system would be upgraded and streams, which caused flooding, could be diverted into the nearby Waghi and Penn rivers.
He said ongoing flooding and the problems it posed had gone unnoticed by the government and was a sign that government services in the district were either lacking or were in chaos.
Lucas said locals, a majority of whom were block holders, had suffered long enough and were wondering when existing services would be maintained.
He called on local MP Jamie Maxtone-Graham to bail them out of this mess as the people were being denied services when schools and roads were affected by the floods.
He said the community had played its part and now needed government intervention to replace the logs being used as bridges and upgrade the road system.
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| Classes suspended ... Avi Nazarene Elementary School students in Anglimp, Western Highlands, turned up for classes last Friday only to find their classrooms flooded as a result of heavy rain the previous night. Nearby, villagers lost their food gardens and livestock while the roads and bridges in the area have disappeared. – Nationalpic by YVONNE HAIP |
Students turning up for classes last Friday found their chairs and desks floating around and had to wade into the classrooms to save some of their items.
Classes were suspended for the day.
Families, on the other hand, spent the day draining flood waters from their food gardens while others checked on their livestock that could have fled the area or were caught in the floodwaters and carried away.
According to community leader Pr Solomon Lucas, the issue of flooding in Avi was ongoing and needed to be addressed at the provincial level.
He said flooding was brought on by drainage problems and, even though the local community had done its part to trying to resolve it, the problem had resurfaced and was affecting them.
He said the primary solution was to maintain and seal the feeder roads, with one of them leading to Baisu jail, and build proper bridges.
Lucas said in this way, the drainage system would be upgraded and streams, which caused flooding, could be diverted into the nearby Waghi and Penn rivers.
He said ongoing flooding and the problems it posed had gone unnoticed by the government and was a sign that government services in the district were either lacking or were in chaos.
Lucas said locals, a majority of whom were block holders, had suffered long enough and were wondering when existing services would be maintained.
He called on local MP Jamie Maxtone-Graham to bail them out of this mess as the people were being denied services when schools and roads were affected by the floods.
He said the community had played its part and now needed government intervention to replace the logs being used as bridges and upgrade the road system.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Border Development Authority celebrates second anniversary with new website
By MALUM NALU
Treasurer Peter O’Neill says the Border Development Authority (BDA) is working towards increasing economic activities in the long-neglected border provinces.
He said this at a function last Thursday to celebrate BDA’s second year in existence, launch of its new website http://www.bda.gov.pg/ , and the screening of a television documentary on the launching of BDA’s new vessel mv Manus Atolls.
O’Neill said BDA was working towards increasing economic activities in border provinces, and complementing the work of existing government agencies to improve the lives of rural people.
“These are the people we have ignored for the last 30-odd years,” he said.
“I see that the Border Development Authority is working towards achieving that goal.”
The BDA was established by an Act of Parliament in August 2008.
Provinces covered by the act are West Sepik, Western, Manus, New Ireland, Milne Bay and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The BDA was officially launched on March 3, 2009, at the Ela Beach Hotel in Port Moresby.
The inauguration ceremony coincided with the appointment and swearing-in of board members followed by the first board meeting.
The main responsibility of the BDA is to improve the lives of people living in the border provinces of Papua New Guinea by coordinating and implementing economic, social, and security projects and infrastructures.
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| Treasurer Peter O’Neill (left) and BDA executive chairman Pomat Manuai watch a projected version of the new website.-Picture by MALUM NALU |
He said this at a function last Thursday to celebrate BDA’s second year in existence, launch of its new website http://www.bda.gov.pg/ , and the screening of a television documentary on the launching of BDA’s new vessel mv Manus Atolls.
O’Neill said BDA was working towards increasing economic activities in border provinces, and complementing the work of existing government agencies to improve the lives of rural people.
“These are the people we have ignored for the last 30-odd years,” he said.
“I see that the Border Development Authority is working towards achieving that goal.”
The BDA was established by an Act of Parliament in August 2008.
Provinces covered by the act are West Sepik, Western, Manus, New Ireland, Milne Bay and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The BDA was officially launched on March 3, 2009, at the Ela Beach Hotel in Port Moresby.
The inauguration ceremony coincided with the appointment and swearing-in of board members followed by the first board meeting.
The main responsibility of the BDA is to improve the lives of people living in the border provinces of Papua New Guinea by coordinating and implementing economic, social, and security projects and infrastructures.
Petromin pays K100 million in taxes and dividends
By MALUM NALU
Petromin has paid K8 million as dividend to the state in the 2008 and 2009 years of operation, in addition to K105.5m in taxes to the government since 2008, according to board chairman Brown Bai.
Speaking at the opening of Petromin Haus last Friday, Bai said this was because of sound and prudent management, and urged management and staff to continue taking pride in their work and new office.
He also applauded last week’s decision by Mining Minister John Pundari to nominate Petromin to participate in four world-class mining projects: Solwara-1, Frieda River, Wafi-Golpu and Yandera.
“In our assessment,” Bai said, “these projects are operated by reputable operators and Petromin is happy to be a participant in these respective projects, because they will add value to the growth of the company and future prosperity of our people.
“Similarly, Petromin is comfortable to be a partner in the Moran oil fields and the PNG LNG projects, which are operated by world-class operators.
“Petromin is also a nominee in the second large Elk/Antelope LNG project, with a 20.5% equitable interest, led by InterOil Corporation.
“Whilst we have not been provided information on the recent arrangement between Energy World Corporation (EWC) and Liquid Niugini Gas Ltd (LNGL), we hope the project will be developed on schedule.
“…I am particularly excited about the future prospects based on major important investment decisions and new commitments that we have made to further enhance Petromin’s continuing successful performance.
“These include mineral and petroleum exploration programmes and commercial investments in partnership with strategic partners.”
Petromin currently has six wholly-owned subsidiaries which hold its equity in current and future projects: Tolukuma Gold Mines Ltd (TGM); Eda Oil Ltd (Moran petroleum project); Kumul LNG (PNG LNG project); Eda LNG (Elk/Antelope LNG project); Eda Minerals (mineral exploration and production); Eda Energy (petroleum exploration and production); and Petromin Shipping (LNG shipping).
Petromin has paid K8 million as dividend to the state in the 2008 and 2009 years of operation, in addition to K105.5m in taxes to the government since 2008, according to board chairman Brown Bai.
Speaking at the opening of Petromin Haus last Friday, Bai said this was because of sound and prudent management, and urged management and staff to continue taking pride in their work and new office.
He also applauded last week’s decision by Mining Minister John Pundari to nominate Petromin to participate in four world-class mining projects: Solwara-1, Frieda River, Wafi-Golpu and Yandera.
“In our assessment,” Bai said, “these projects are operated by reputable operators and Petromin is happy to be a participant in these respective projects, because they will add value to the growth of the company and future prosperity of our people.
“Similarly, Petromin is comfortable to be a partner in the Moran oil fields and the PNG LNG projects, which are operated by world-class operators.
“Petromin is also a nominee in the second large Elk/Antelope LNG project, with a 20.5% equitable interest, led by InterOil Corporation.
“Whilst we have not been provided information on the recent arrangement between Energy World Corporation (EWC) and Liquid Niugini Gas Ltd (LNGL), we hope the project will be developed on schedule.
“…I am particularly excited about the future prospects based on major important investment decisions and new commitments that we have made to further enhance Petromin’s continuing successful performance.
“These include mineral and petroleum exploration programmes and commercial investments in partnership with strategic partners.”
Petromin currently has six wholly-owned subsidiaries which hold its equity in current and future projects: Tolukuma Gold Mines Ltd (TGM); Eda Oil Ltd (Moran petroleum project); Kumul LNG (PNG LNG project); Eda LNG (Elk/Antelope LNG project); Eda Minerals (mineral exploration and production); Eda Energy (petroleum exploration and production); and Petromin Shipping (LNG shipping).
A dream comes true for Petromin
By MALUM NALU
What began four years ago from the private residence of Petromin managing director, Joshua Kalinoe, has culminated with the opening of the magnificent K31.9 million Petromin Haus at 2-Mile in Port Moresby last Friday by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.
From Kalinoe’s residence, Petromin moved on to the Government Printing Office, and then Pacific View Apartments before staff began moving into Petromin Haus on Jan 3 this year.
Petromin board chairman, Brown Bai, said the opening of the company’s new head office building was an excellent testimony of the will for Papua New Guinea to prosper through more direct and active investment in the development of minerals and petroleum resources.
“As the saying goes, ‘where there is a will, there is a way’,” he said.
“And Petromin plays a pivotal role in paving the way for the nation’s will to prosper from the revenue generated through our mineral and hydrocarbon resources.
“This process began with the creation of the Petromin Act and establishment of Petromin PNG Holdings Ltd and now it has its very own head office building.
“I am really proud of our hardworking management team and staff serving tirelessly in their new office to deliver on Petromin’s mandate to advance the state’s interests as enacted by parliament.
“Now the company, with its new home here, can confidently move forward from strength to strength in the performance of its mandate to help propel the nation’s will to prosperity.
“I have no doubt in my mind that this modern office facility shall shine as symbol of prosperity for PNG, through direct participation by Papua New Guineans in the mineral and hydrocarbon sectors.
“This will be the engine room for generating revenue flows from oil, gas and minerals developments that will be invested in nation-building efforts that bring more benefits to our people.”
The building was pre-fabricated in Indonesia to Petromin specifications, and delivered, with all furniture and fittings, in containers.
This includes the cost of land, design, materials, fittings, furniture, and security features.
The building is one of PNG’s first green buildings, and has many energy-saving features, including climate control, insulated roofing, and reflective glass panelling.
It is designed to save energy.
The building was designed to company specifications by a Jakarta-based firm, and was constructed over a period of 10 months.
It is earthquake-proof, and the structure is coated in a fireproof material that ensures that despite fire damage, the structure will remain intact.
All divisions and subsidiaries of the company are located within the building, except for the Tolokuma gold mine administration, which is still based at Waigani.
Petromin PNG Holdings Ltd is an independent company created by the state of PNG to hold the state's assets and to maximise indigenous ownership and revenue gains in the mineral and petroleum sectors.
It is empowered as the vehicle to better leverage the state's equity holdings and encourage more production and downstream processing of oil, gas and minerals in PNG through proactive investment strategies either wholly or in partnership with resource developers.
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| Petromin board chairman Brown Bai (right) with (from left) fellow board member Sumasy Singin, managing director Joshua Kalinoe, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and Mining Minister John Pundari.-Picture by MALUM NALU |
From Kalinoe’s residence, Petromin moved on to the Government Printing Office, and then Pacific View Apartments before staff began moving into Petromin Haus on Jan 3 this year.
Petromin board chairman, Brown Bai, said the opening of the company’s new head office building was an excellent testimony of the will for Papua New Guinea to prosper through more direct and active investment in the development of minerals and petroleum resources.
“As the saying goes, ‘where there is a will, there is a way’,” he said.
“And Petromin plays a pivotal role in paving the way for the nation’s will to prosper from the revenue generated through our mineral and hydrocarbon resources.
“This process began with the creation of the Petromin Act and establishment of Petromin PNG Holdings Ltd and now it has its very own head office building.
“I am really proud of our hardworking management team and staff serving tirelessly in their new office to deliver on Petromin’s mandate to advance the state’s interests as enacted by parliament.
“Now the company, with its new home here, can confidently move forward from strength to strength in the performance of its mandate to help propel the nation’s will to prosperity.
“I have no doubt in my mind that this modern office facility shall shine as symbol of prosperity for PNG, through direct participation by Papua New Guineans in the mineral and hydrocarbon sectors.
“This will be the engine room for generating revenue flows from oil, gas and minerals developments that will be invested in nation-building efforts that bring more benefits to our people.”
The building was pre-fabricated in Indonesia to Petromin specifications, and delivered, with all furniture and fittings, in containers.
This includes the cost of land, design, materials, fittings, furniture, and security features.
The building is one of PNG’s first green buildings, and has many energy-saving features, including climate control, insulated roofing, and reflective glass panelling.
It is designed to save energy.
The building was designed to company specifications by a Jakarta-based firm, and was constructed over a period of 10 months.
It is earthquake-proof, and the structure is coated in a fireproof material that ensures that despite fire damage, the structure will remain intact.
All divisions and subsidiaries of the company are located within the building, except for the Tolokuma gold mine administration, which is still based at Waigani.
Petromin PNG Holdings Ltd is an independent company created by the state of PNG to hold the state's assets and to maximise indigenous ownership and revenue gains in the mineral and petroleum sectors.
It is empowered as the vehicle to better leverage the state's equity holdings and encourage more production and downstream processing of oil, gas and minerals in PNG through proactive investment strategies either wholly or in partnership with resource developers.
Prime Minister opens landmark Petromin Haus
By MALUM NALU
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare says the opening of the landmark K31.9 million Petromin Haus also reflects the successful performance of state-owned Petromin since its inception in early 2007.
He said this last Friday when opening the modern state-of-the-art office complex at 2-Mile in Port Moresby, witnessed by senior ministers, corporate executives and members of the diplomatic corps.
“I am proud to say that Petromin Haus will accommodate and facilitate the vision for Papua New Guineans to develop capacity and expertise to play a leading role in this fast-growing industry with its huge potential and impact on our national economy,” Sir Michael said.
“I am pleased to be part of this national company that is prepared to take on the country’s modern commercial and international development culture.
“A culture of sophisticated technology, technical language, communication systems, safety and environmental consciousness, good field and industry best practices at world standards and high returns that can come with successful operations.
“Having initiated and established Petromin, my government will continue to maintain firm support for the company in its mission to generate and effect asset acquisitions and investments, and to efficiently manage the state’s interest in designated mineral and petroleum resources.”
Sir Michael said Petromin’s determination was quite evident when, despite criticisms and skepticism, it took the bold step of acquiring Tolukuma gold mine with liabilities and turned it into a sound operating mine within a short period of time.
“Petromin has taken important and decisive moves to invest in exploration activities, including partnering with InterOil Corporation in the Elk/Antelope project as well as other areas with potential for oil, gas and minerals,” he said.
“These include its first-ever exploration license - PPL 345 – for petroleum exploration in the New Ireland Basin and 13 highly-prospective mining tenements in Central, Morobe and Oro provinces.
“As part of Petromin’s innovative approach to investment decisions, I note with keen interest that the company is now pursuing a joint development plan with strategic partners from Republic of South Korea and Norway that is aimed at introducing new and sophisticated technology in floating LNG production, storage and off-loading system (FPSO).
"As a trustee shareholder, I expect these partnerships to be developed in ways that respect each other’s roles and functions so that projects are implemented expeditiously.
“And with the current increase in exploration and mining in the country and your outstanding performance, I would like to see Petromin make a significant commitment to human resource development in this sector.”
Sir Michael urged the Petromin board to consider a significant number of scholarships for young Papua New Guineans in coming years.
"And with the current increase in exploration and mining in the country and your outstanding performance, I would like to see Petromin make a significant commitment to human resource development in this sector,” he said.
“We have many vocational training schools funded by our donor and development partners.
“It makes sense for national companies in this sector to also invest in the training of our trades people as well as specialists.”
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| The K31.9 million Petromin Haus as it looked before opening last Friday.-Pictures by MALUM NALU |
He said this last Friday when opening the modern state-of-the-art office complex at 2-Mile in Port Moresby, witnessed by senior ministers, corporate executives and members of the diplomatic corps.
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| Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare cuts a ribbon to open Petromin Haus flanked by from left Petromin chairman Brown Bai, Treasurer Peter O’Neill, Petromin Minister William Duma, Mining Minister John Pundari and deputy Prime Minister Sam Abal |
“I am pleased to be part of this national company that is prepared to take on the country’s modern commercial and international development culture.
“A culture of sophisticated technology, technical language, communication systems, safety and environmental consciousness, good field and industry best practices at world standards and high returns that can come with successful operations.
“Having initiated and established Petromin, my government will continue to maintain firm support for the company in its mission to generate and effect asset acquisitions and investments, and to efficiently manage the state’s interest in designated mineral and petroleum resources.”
Sir Michael said Petromin’s determination was quite evident when, despite criticisms and skepticism, it took the bold step of acquiring Tolukuma gold mine with liabilities and turned it into a sound operating mine within a short period of time.
“Petromin has taken important and decisive moves to invest in exploration activities, including partnering with InterOil Corporation in the Elk/Antelope project as well as other areas with potential for oil, gas and minerals,” he said.
“These include its first-ever exploration license - PPL 345 – for petroleum exploration in the New Ireland Basin and 13 highly-prospective mining tenements in Central, Morobe and Oro provinces.
“As part of Petromin’s innovative approach to investment decisions, I note with keen interest that the company is now pursuing a joint development plan with strategic partners from Republic of South Korea and Norway that is aimed at introducing new and sophisticated technology in floating LNG production, storage and off-loading system (FPSO).
"As a trustee shareholder, I expect these partnerships to be developed in ways that respect each other’s roles and functions so that projects are implemented expeditiously.
“And with the current increase in exploration and mining in the country and your outstanding performance, I would like to see Petromin make a significant commitment to human resource development in this sector.”
Sir Michael urged the Petromin board to consider a significant number of scholarships for young Papua New Guineans in coming years.
"And with the current increase in exploration and mining in the country and your outstanding performance, I would like to see Petromin make a significant commitment to human resource development in this sector,” he said.
“We have many vocational training schools funded by our donor and development partners.
“It makes sense for national companies in this sector to also invest in the training of our trades people as well as specialists.”
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Flower power to Gerehu
By MALUM NALU
Tete settlement at Gerehu Stage 2 in Port Moresby is a notorious ‘hell’s kitchen’ synonymous with the worst of crimes.
Tete is one of the worst settlements in Port Moresby, where law and order problems have been rife over the years, including murders, rapes and robberies.
On December 16, 2008, leading citizen and businessmen Sir George Constantinou was killed by just petty criminals outside Tete, in a crime which shocked Papua New Guinea and the world, and which saw Port Moresby disparaged as one of the top five murder capitals in the world.
In retaliation, police went in and demolished the settlement two days later to fulfil what the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had warned about in November 2003, after 15 people were killed in Tete.
Sir Michael had warned that one more killing would have this settlement removed.
Hundreds of setters were left homeless, with many fleeing the area with their belongings when the police operation started.
The police operation followed a public outcry against the notorious settlement, which has a long history of criminal activity, following the brutal murder of Sir George.
Police personnel from all stations in the nation’s capital went to the settlement around 2pm and began bulldozing it, setting alight buildings and chopping down trees on one side of the settlement.
“In retrospect, we all have very short memories: we are masters of the art of knee-jerk reaction,” businessman Allan Bird said after the Sir George murder.
“Illegal settlements full of young men with little or no education, no skills and little chance of getting a job, who are going to turn on the rest of us eventually unless we do something about their situation.
“Razing the settlements will only move the criminals to another location.
“There are many more places with young men who have no jobs, no life, no hope and no future.
"To them their life has little value, so why should your life or that of our loved ones be worth anything?
“They have nothing to lose while we have everything to lose.”
Three years on, Tete is back, and rising from the ashes with its denizens quietly determined to rub off that mark of Cain which has plagued them since the settlement was established.
In the Biblical Book of Genesis, God declared that Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, was cursed for murdering his brother Abel in the Garden of Eden, and placed a mark upon him.
When God confronted Cain about Abel's death, God cursed him, saying:"What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth." (Gen. 4:10–12).
One of those quietly striving to rub off that mark of Cain at Tete, working the land so that it will yield its crops for him, is Joe Gimbe from Amaiyufa village in Asaro, Eastern Highlands province.
He has set up a roadside flower and plant market at the recreational park at Gerehu Stage 2, from his ‘Garden of Eden’ at Tete, and is quietly working towards greening and beautifying Gerehu and Port Moresby: literally bringing us all ‘flower power’,
Since Gimbe set up shop on Wednesday last week, business has been good, with many people stopping to buy plants, flowers and home-made compost for their homes, as well as wandering through his little roadside market.
Not bad for a self-taught gardener, who has never been to school and, ironically, was given his marching orders from the big PNG Gardener Justin Tkatchenko last July.
Gimbe has since been eking out a living by selling beautiful plants and flowers in stylish flower pots.
Many a house in Gerehu and wider Port Moresby is decorated with trademark Joe Gimbe pot plants.
He fashions them at Tete, where he sold them at home, but has now ventured into the public domain at the recreational park.
Gimbe makes enough to put food on the table for his young family, pay the bills, and put his two children to school.
He is adamant PNG would not have such a huge unemployment problem if people eat humble pie and go into such small business.
He is also proud that he is quietly contributing to keeping Port Moresby green and beautiful.
“I first came to Port Moresby in 2000,” Gimbe tells me.
“I started work with Robin Carter at Palm Grove.
“I learned how to nurse flowers, maintain gardens for companies, as well as plant flowers in gardens.
“Robin Carter left for New Zealand in 2004.
“I then started work with Justin Tkatchenko at PNG Gardener, however, left PNG Gardener in July 2010.
“I was without a job, so I started growing plants and selling them, out of Tete settlement.
“Since last July, I’ve been running my own little plant business at home in Tete, where people who knew me came and bought my plants.
“However, it wasn’t that many, that’s why I decided to come out in public to this area.
“There have been many customers since I came out here on Wednesday last week.”
Gimbe admits to me that he has never been to school.
“I grew up growing coffee,” he says.
“There was a tribal fight in my area from 1993-2000, so I left and came to Port Moresby.
“When I came to Port Moresby, I didn’t know anything about this plant business, until I joined Robin Carter at Palm Grove.
“Now I really enjoy what I’m doing.
“If my plants give so much joy and happiness to people, it also gives me a lot of joy and happiness.
“I haven’t made any big sales as yet, or have major clients, and only make small sales to individuals who want plants and flowers for their homes.
“My plants and flowers are reasonably priced, and range from K1 to K40.”
So there you are, next time you’re driving to Gerehu, make sure you stop at the recreational park and buy a plant or flower from Joe Gimbe.
You will make your home more beautiful, help a small local businessman, as well as rub off the mark of Cain from the notorious Tete Settlement.
If you want to contact this little PNG gardener, his number is (675) 72361481. Show him your support by buying one of his plants or flowers!
 |
| Joe Gimbe and wife Jenny tending to plants at their roadside market.-Picture MALUM NALU |
Tete is one of the worst settlements in Port Moresby, where law and order problems have been rife over the years, including murders, rapes and robberies.
On December 16, 2008, leading citizen and businessmen Sir George Constantinou was killed by just petty criminals outside Tete, in a crime which shocked Papua New Guinea and the world, and which saw Port Moresby disparaged as one of the top five murder capitals in the world.
In retaliation, police went in and demolished the settlement two days later to fulfil what the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had warned about in November 2003, after 15 people were killed in Tete.
Sir Michael had warned that one more killing would have this settlement removed.
Hundreds of setters were left homeless, with many fleeing the area with their belongings when the police operation started.
The police operation followed a public outcry against the notorious settlement, which has a long history of criminal activity, following the brutal murder of Sir George.
Police personnel from all stations in the nation’s capital went to the settlement around 2pm and began bulldozing it, setting alight buildings and chopping down trees on one side of the settlement.
“In retrospect, we all have very short memories: we are masters of the art of knee-jerk reaction,” businessman Allan Bird said after the Sir George murder.
“Illegal settlements full of young men with little or no education, no skills and little chance of getting a job, who are going to turn on the rest of us eventually unless we do something about their situation.
“Razing the settlements will only move the criminals to another location.
“There are many more places with young men who have no jobs, no life, no hope and no future.
"To them their life has little value, so why should your life or that of our loved ones be worth anything?
“They have nothing to lose while we have everything to lose.”
Three years on, Tete is back, and rising from the ashes with its denizens quietly determined to rub off that mark of Cain which has plagued them since the settlement was established.
In the Biblical Book of Genesis, God declared that Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, was cursed for murdering his brother Abel in the Garden of Eden, and placed a mark upon him.
When God confronted Cain about Abel's death, God cursed him, saying:"What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth." (Gen. 4:10–12).
One of those quietly striving to rub off that mark of Cain at Tete, working the land so that it will yield its crops for him, is Joe Gimbe from Amaiyufa village in Asaro, Eastern Highlands province.
He has set up a roadside flower and plant market at the recreational park at Gerehu Stage 2, from his ‘Garden of Eden’ at Tete, and is quietly working towards greening and beautifying Gerehu and Port Moresby: literally bringing us all ‘flower power’,
Since Gimbe set up shop on Wednesday last week, business has been good, with many people stopping to buy plants, flowers and home-made compost for their homes, as well as wandering through his little roadside market.
Not bad for a self-taught gardener, who has never been to school and, ironically, was given his marching orders from the big PNG Gardener Justin Tkatchenko last July.
Gimbe has since been eking out a living by selling beautiful plants and flowers in stylish flower pots.
Many a house in Gerehu and wider Port Moresby is decorated with trademark Joe Gimbe pot plants.
He fashions them at Tete, where he sold them at home, but has now ventured into the public domain at the recreational park.
Gimbe makes enough to put food on the table for his young family, pay the bills, and put his two children to school.
He is adamant PNG would not have such a huge unemployment problem if people eat humble pie and go into such small business.
He is also proud that he is quietly contributing to keeping Port Moresby green and beautiful.
“I first came to Port Moresby in 2000,” Gimbe tells me.
“I started work with Robin Carter at Palm Grove.
“I learned how to nurse flowers, maintain gardens for companies, as well as plant flowers in gardens.
“Robin Carter left for New Zealand in 2004.
“I then started work with Justin Tkatchenko at PNG Gardener, however, left PNG Gardener in July 2010.
“I was without a job, so I started growing plants and selling them, out of Tete settlement.
“Since last July, I’ve been running my own little plant business at home in Tete, where people who knew me came and bought my plants.
“However, it wasn’t that many, that’s why I decided to come out in public to this area.
“There have been many customers since I came out here on Wednesday last week.”
Gimbe admits to me that he has never been to school.
“I grew up growing coffee,” he says.
“There was a tribal fight in my area from 1993-2000, so I left and came to Port Moresby.
“When I came to Port Moresby, I didn’t know anything about this plant business, until I joined Robin Carter at Palm Grove.
“Now I really enjoy what I’m doing.
“If my plants give so much joy and happiness to people, it also gives me a lot of joy and happiness.
“I haven’t made any big sales as yet, or have major clients, and only make small sales to individuals who want plants and flowers for their homes.
“My plants and flowers are reasonably priced, and range from K1 to K40.”
So there you are, next time you’re driving to Gerehu, make sure you stop at the recreational park and buy a plant or flower from Joe Gimbe.
You will make your home more beautiful, help a small local businessman, as well as rub off the mark of Cain from the notorious Tete Settlement.
If you want to contact this little PNG gardener, his number is (675) 72361481. Show him your support by buying one of his plants or flowers!
Friday, March 04, 2011
3 charged with fraud
By ANGELINE KARIUS
THE main suspect involved in conning a local businessman in Madang into believing he was Department of National Planning and Monitoring secretary Joseph Lelang has been arrested and charged with two of his accomplices, The National reports.
Nelson Paniu, 42, of Bulian village in Manus was charged along with Patrick Guan, 23, of Kondan village in Kerowagi, Chimbu, and Wesley Pabulu, 36, from
All three were charged with two counts each of stealing under false pretence and conspiracy.
Paniu, a former policeman, conspired with his accomplices to steal from complainant Bobies Karbain from Bogia in Madang, according to police.
The incident occurred between Feb 14 and 18, where Karbain made two cash deposits of K1, 000 and K10, 000 into a BSP account number 1001629208 under the name Robert George.
The second payment was made after Paniu claimed that his wife had cancer and needed treatment in
Karbain was given a false copy of a K5 million department cheque serial number 241839 under the name of Kaborbor General Contractor Ltd, when he was asked to travel to
Karbain paid another K40, 000 to the accused upon request.
Paniu and his accomplices told Karbain, who was in Madang, that his K5 million cheque was ready and that an upfront payment was to be made before the cheque could be released.
It is understood that Karbain had submitted a K5 million cocoa and coconut rehabilitation project proposal through the department to help start his project.
Guan had his case adjourned after appearing for mention yesterday, however, Paniu and Pabulu are expected to appear before the Waigani committal court today.
Acting deputy police commissioner and chief of operations Fred Yakasa, when referring to this case, said the fight against graft would intensify due to theft and embezzlement was spiralling out of control.
He warned people to be wary of conmen and thieves who had become more daring and cunning in their illegal activities, adding that the theft of K5 billion over the years from the government is a good example of such crimes.
Clinton: China seeks to outflank ExxonMobil
She told the senate foreign relations committee in Washington DC that Republican proposals to cut US foreign affairs budget would hit US efforts to compete with China’s rising power on the global stage, Reuters news service reported.
“We are in a competition with
“ExxonMobil is producing it.
The committee heard that ExxonMobil was the majority stakeholder in the PNG LNG project, now in full construction stage, which was due to come on stream in 2014 and was expected to produce 6.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas a year.
When she visited
She urged PNG not to go down that path but learn to use and invest the revenue from the LNG project in long term investments.
The US-based Export-Import Bank in 2009 approved the largest financing transaction in its history to help develop the PNG gas reserves.
In
According to Reuters,
“If anybody thinks that our retreating on these issues is somehow going to be irrelevant to the maintenance of our leadership in a world where we are competing with
Republicans have proposed a 16% cut to US spending on diplomacy and foreign assistance, among other things, saying it was imperative to fight the ballooning federal deficit.
Reuters reported
“Let’s put aside the moral, humanitarian do-good side of what we believe in and let’s just talk straight realpolitik,” she said of the various
“I also look at this from a strategic perspective, and it is essential.”
Murder suspect for top government t job
MURDER suspect Dr Theo Yasause was short-listed for, at least, three departmental head positions, including that of the chief secretary, before he was arrested by police following the shooting death of rugby league star Aquila Emil last month, The National reports.
This came to light on Wednesday when cabinet appointed Margaret Elias as permanent secretary for the prime minister and the National Executive Council. By virtue of the post, she automatically assumes the post of chief secretary as well.
Elias beat Yasause and a former deputy secretary of the Prime Minister’s Department, James Melagepa, to the post.
The National learnt that Yasause had applied for and was short-listed for the position of secretary of Commerce and Industry and Education as well – appointments for which were still pending before cabinet.
The National learnt that all selections were made and the short-list finalised before the shooting incident which landed Yasause as the main police suspect.
Yasause, a doctorate holder, was formerly head of the Office of Climate Change but it was closed under controversial circumstances by the prime minister and he was subject to an investigation and was cleared of all the charges.
After the fatal shooting of Emil in the early hours of Feb 4 in
He had been denied bail and remained a remandee in Bomana prison.
Wednesday’s cabinet decision on the chief secretary revealed that government jobs, however senior, were unattractive.
The position of chief secretary, the top of the public service bureaucratic ladder which carried the most attractive terms and conditions, was publicly advertised but attracted only five applicants.
Only Elias was a serving departmental head. The National learnt that the other four were retired former public servants.
Even the acting chief secretary, Manasupe Zurenuoc, was said to have not applied for the job and so was not considered. He would revert to his substantive position as secretary for Provincial Affairs.
There were fewer than 10 candidates for each of the other heads of department positions advertised-Education, Commerce and Industry and Agriculture and Livestock.
There were no permanent appointments made at Wednesday’s meeting but the short-listed names would be considered when NEC next convenes.
It was almost certain Yasause would be dropped from the short-list.
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