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Dead fish and animals continue to worry Western province villagers

Villagers from remote Iruupi village in the Western province continue to be plagued by dead fish in their Kura River as they await assistance from the provincial government.

And they now fear that what is contaminating the water could pass on to human beings and other animals and affect their whole livelihood.

The villagers last Thursday, September 25, raised their concern in a letter to Governor Bob Danaya, asking him to urgently send in experts to ascertain the exact cause of the fish dying.

They believe that the fish, including prized barramundi, could be dying because of oil or petroleum substances in the river.

Secretary of Naga Bewani Resource Association Kapena Memafu said from Daru yesterday, Wednesday, October 1, that provincial headquarters in Kiunga had agreed to send over an officer to assess the situation but they were still waiting.

He said that three villagers, a father and his two children, were very sick after eating taro boiled with water from the Kura River while out hunting last week and were waiting for transport to receive treatment at Daru hospital.

Mr Kapena said the number of dead fish surfacing continued to rise daily, crocodiles were surfacing and there was now widespread fear that birds, deer, pigs and wallabies – hunted for meat – could be poisoned.

“It’s getting worse everyday,” he said.

“Ducks and birds are dying.

“Crocodiles are also dying because their habitat is being disturbed.

“Deer, pigs and wallabies also drink water from the Kura and the fear now is that they could be poisoned.

“The crocodiles are coming out and are floating on the surface, causing fears that they could attack people.

“There are also a lot of barramundi in the river system.”

Bureaucratic red tape, in the form of funding being kept in far-off Kiunga, is the cause of the Iruupi villagers’ pleas not being heeded with the urgency it needs.

“We have just seen all the officers in Daru and they’re just waiting for funding to come over from Kiunga,” Mr Memafu said.

“I, in fact, saw the South Fly district administration but they are not responding.

“It’s only provincial headquarters who are responding.”

Iruupi, south of Daru near the Torres Strait, is closer to Australian than the Western province capital.

 

Trade between China and PNG soars

H. E. Ambassador Wei Ruixing

Trade between China and Papua New Guinea continues to grow with the total volume of bilateral trade for the first half of this year recording US$488 million, according to Chinese Ambassador Wei Ruixing.

Mr Ruixing, when disclosing these figures at a reception marking the 59th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at the Chinese Embassy on Tuesday night, said this was an increase of 38% from the previous year.

He predicted that these figures would soar with Ramu Nickel Mine Project to start operations in 2009.

“… a good momentum has been maintained in the bilateral relations between China and PNG, with constant expansion in scope and depth of our bilateral trade and economic cooperation,” he told government ministers and departmental secretaries, MPs, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests.

“The total volume of our bilateral trade for the first half of this year recorded USD488 million with an increase of 38%.

“More and more reliable Chinese enterprises have been investing in PNG, with about US$11 million last year.

“PNG has been the largest trade partner and investment destination country of China among the South Pacific Island countries during the past few years.”

“With the construction of Ramu Nickel Mine Project to be completed and put into operation in the second half of next year, the economic cooperation between China and PNG will be lifted to a higher level.”

Mr Ruixing said exchange and cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture, education, health, agriculture, fishery, and others also yielded fruitful results.

This is seen in 26 PNG students granted Chinese government scholarships to pursue their degree studies in China; over 50 government officials and technical personnel of different sectors being trained in China for various programmes; the 4th Chinese medical team dispatched by Chinese government will arrive in Port Moresby in November to provide continuous medical services to the local people; and a series of Chinese government-aided projects, such as teachers’ houses and students’ dormitories of Vudal University and Lae fish processing factory were completed and put into operation.

“Further development of China-PNG friendly and cooperative relations is in conformity with the common interests of the two peoples,” Mr Ruixing said.

“The Chinese government is ready to work with the PNG Government and people to promote the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, expand and deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields, continue our mutual support and sound cooperation in the international and regional affairs, so as to ensure the stable and sound bilateral relations between the two countries in the years and decades to come.”

The Chinese Ambassador’s full speech can be seen below.

Toast by H. E. Ambassador Wei Ruixing ---at the Reception Marking 59th Anniversary of theFounding of the People’s Republic of China

Government Ministers and Department Secretaries,
Members of National Parliament,
Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good evening! My wife and I feel very much delighted and greatly honored to have you at the Chinese Embassy to join us in celebrating 59th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. I wish, on behalf of the entire staff of the Chinese Embassy, to extend to all of you our warm welcome and best wishes. I also wish to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation and sincere thanks to all of you for making unremitting efforts and contributions to the promotion of the friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Papua New Guinea.
Ladies and Gentlemen: The year of 2008 is of special significance to China and to the Chinese people of all ethnic groups.
First this year marks the 30th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up. During the past 30 years, great and historic changes have taken place in China, with remarkable achievements in economic development and social undertakings. China has maintained rapid and sustained economic development for the past three decades. The aggregate GDP grew by about 20 times with the average annual growth rate of about 9.7%, and the volume of foreign trade increased more than 100 times making China rank 3rd in the world. The Chinese government successfully lifted 230 million rural people out of poverty, making a Chinese miracle witnessed by the world. There have been great improvements in the material and cultural life of the Chinese people, who are now enjoying a greater comfort and an improved quality of daily living. Despite the slowdown of world economy since the beginning of this year, China has maintained steady economic development. The total GDP of the first half of 2008 recorded US$1.93 trillion at the growth rate of 10.4% compared with the corresponding period of last year. The total volume of foreign trade amounted to US$1.72 trillion, an increase 26.4%. The total value of actual utilization of foreign investment reached US$67 billion, up by about 13%. By the end of June, the foreign exchange reserve totaled US$1.81 trillion. Confronted with many difficulties and challenges, China remains one of the countries with fast economic development.

Second, Beijing successfully hosted 29th Olympiad and 13th Paralympics. The Chinese Government and people have honored their commitments to the international community by sparing no effort to make the two Games high-level and unique sports events with Chinese characteristics. More than 1,200 athletes from 204 countries and regions competed under the Olympic Flag with more than 4 billion people around the world witnessing this largest gathering in the history of the Olympic Games. Beijing Olympics gathered peoples of different nations, cultures and religions to promote their mutual understanding and friendship, carried forward the Olympic spirit of unity, friendship and peace, and made great contributions to the building of a harmonious world with lasting peace and common development and prosperity of humankind.PNG made a historic breakthrough in Beijing by winning a silver medal in the Paralympics. Congratulations! The Chinese people share the joy with all Papua New Guineans and wish PNG athletes even greater success in the future.

Third, China successfully launched its third manned spacecraft Shenzhou VII on September 26th, 2008 with three astronauts on board making the country's first-ever space walk the following day. The Shenzhou VII mission marks a historic breakthrough in China's manned space program, which is hailed as another feat on the Chinese people's journey to ascend the peak of science and technology.

Fourth, China suffered a series of natural disasters this year. From late January to early February, extreme weather conditions of sleet and snowstorms struck southern China, and in May, the most disastrous earthquake which had not occurred in the past century rocked Sichuan province and surrounding areas, causing great loss of life and property. The Chinese Government mobilized all forces throughout the country for this unprecedented disaster relief and the Chinese people rallied together and united as one. Soldiers, police officers, fire brigade and medical personnel and volunteers from all over the country worked day and night in their rescue efforts and disaster relief. Under the leadership of the Chinese Government and with the concerted efforts of all rescue and disaster relief workers and the international community, tens of thousands of survivors were saved from the ruins, millions of the injured were treated promptly, tens of millions of the affected people were properly resettled, power transmission lines, public telecommunication services, radio and TV networks and water-supply pipelines have been restored gradually, and the reconstruction is now well under way.The Chinese community and PNG friends made their generous donations to the disaster relief. On behalf of the Chinese Government and the people of the disaster-stricken areas, I wish to express our sincere gratitude.

Fifth, a good momentum has been maintained in the bilateral relations between China and PNG, with constant expansion in scope and depth of our bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The total volume of our bilateral trade for the first half of this year recorded USD488 million with an increase of 38%. More and more reliable Chinese enterprises have been investing in PNG, with about US$11 million last year. PNG has been the largest trade partner and investment destination country of China among the South Pacific Island Countries during the past few years. With the construction of Ramu Nickel Mine Project to be completed and put into operation in the second half of next year, the economic cooperation between China and PNG will be lifted to a higher level. The exchange and cooperation between the two countries in the field of culture, education, health, agriculture, fishery, etc. also yielded fruitful results. 26 PNG students were granted Chinese Government Scholarships to pursue their degree studies in China. Over 50 government officials and technical personnel of different sectors were trained in China for various programs. The 4th Chinese Medical Team dispatched by Chinese Government will arrive in Port Moresby in November to provide continuous medical services to the local people. A series of the Chinese Government aided projects, such as the Teachers’ Houses and Students’ Dormitories of Vudal University and Lae Fish Processing Factory, were completed and put into operation.

Further development of China-PNG friendly and cooperative relations is in conformity with the common interests of the two peoples. The Chinese Government is ready to work with the PNG Government and people to promote the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, expand and deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields, continue our mutual support and sound cooperation in the international and regional affairs, so as to ensure the stable and sound bilateral relations between the two countries in the years and decades to come.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for joining us in the auspicious occasion, and wish you an enjoyable evening. Thank you.

REGIONAL EFFORTS TO BULK PROCURE PETROLEUM CONTINUE

Petroleum and other energy experts will meet in Auckland on the 8 and 9 October in an effort to progress the regional bulk procurement of Petroleum initiative.

A key Pacific Plan initiative, it is aimed at consolidating the purchasing of petroleum by Pacific Island Countries in an effort to offset the damage to local economies by higher global oil prices which continue to affect Pacific economies at both macro- and micro levels.

“For the region’s countries with little or no export based manufacturing and in particular, its smaller island states, the impact is devastating with reductions in gross national income of between 4% and 14% for every US$10 per barrel increase in fuel prices,” says Jared Morris, the Forum Secretariat’s Import Management Adviser.

The question of energy supply and energy security is all the more tenuous with the continuing divestment of multinational oil supplier operations from the Pacific, the exit of which has forced many national governments in the region to utilise scarce resources to mitigate short falls in supply and maintain costly infrastructure.

Among issues under consideration in Auckland will be a framework document, which if agreed to, offers a first step in seeing interested Pacific Island Countries on the path to procuring petroleum products not as single actors but as a consolidated market. Based on international experience such a move would produce considerable savings at the point of purchase. “The approach is one that, if adopted, will see the unbundling of supply from distribution. This will relieve pressure on government resources but still maintain a space for private sector operators. Such a consolidation will work to better harmonise standards, legislation and supply chain efficiencies more generally,” says Mr Morris. The initiative could not be timelier, something recognised by Forum Leaders at their recent annual meeting in Niue. A topic of considerable focus during Leaders’ discussions, the meeting will be attended by senior Forum officials, technical experts and private sector representatives. The meeting will be facilitated by the Forum Secretariat. Financial assistance to support the meeting is being provided by the government of New Zealand.

For more information contact, Mr Jared Morris, the Forum Secretariat’s Import Management Adviser on phone 679 331 2600 or email jaredm@forumsec.org,fj

 

SBDC finally has a board in place

The Small Business Development Corporation finally has in place a new board after being without one since November 2006.

This means the SBDC can now offset its other problem of being without a managing director which has also beset it since November 2006

The board was sworn in at a ceremony at the Country Club in Port Moresby on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 witnessed by Commerce & Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris, senior department staff, family members and SBDC staff.

Businessman Michael Mell heads the new board which comprises of his deputy and prominent women leader and businesswomen Janet Sape as deputy chairperson, Michael Koka Roysa (financial institutions), Alois Makeng (Momase small business), Peter Iggy (Highlands small business), Andrew Pakila (Islands small business), Department of Commerce & Industry secretary Anton Kulit (ex-officio) and Finance Secretary Gabriel Yer (ex-officio).

Mr Kapris said the government continued to give prominence to SBDC as a lead agency in the promotion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) despite that challenges it had undergone over the last two years without a board and managing director.

“Nevertheless, SBDC, like any other organisation, has its own share of challenges, opportunities and constraints which hamper the smooth and efficient execution of its responsibilities, and one such problem was the non-existence of a board and permanent managing director,” he said.

“The organisation was operating without a proper board and managing director for the last 20 months.

“The previous board’s term expired on December 1, 2006, and the managing director’s contract expired on November 14, 2006.”

Mr Kapris said attempts were made to have a new board in place in 2007 but former minister Paul Tiensten was restricted by the process of enactment of the Regulatory Statutory Authority (RSA) Act of 2004 and other significant events that year including the 2007 elections.

“The prolonged delay in appointing the SBDC board and managing director proper has seen a decline in staff morale and the smooth daily operation of the corporation, and as minister responsible for all commercial statutory authorities under my ministry including SBDC, would not like to see the corporation continue encountering problems,” he said.

“In the absence of a duly-appointed board, the caretaker managing director (Diri Kobla) was brought from Department of Commerce & Industry to instill discipline and all forms of control and bring back normalcy in the administration and operation of SBDC.

“He was further instructed to fast track the process under both acts of SBDC Act and RSA Act 2004 to forward a list of nominees representing various regions and institutions, public and private, for the board.”

Caretaker managing director Mr Kobla expressed confidence the appointment of a new managing director would now be deliberated on by the new board.

New chairman Mr Mell described SBDC as a “sleeping giant” which needed to be awoken.

“Why I use the phrase ‘sleeping giant’ is because SBDC can achieve more, take a positive, leading role in assisting the expansion and establishment of new SMEs, especially in the rural areas,” he said.

Kapris stresses vital role of SMEs

Caption: Commerce & Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris stresses a point at the swearing-in of SBDC board members

Commerce & Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 emphasised the important role that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) played in the development of Papua New Guinea.

He said, during the swearing in of new board members of the Small Business Development Corporation, that the importance of SMEs should not be understated.

“SMEs play a very significant role in creation of a dynamic private sector, referred to as the ‘engine room’ for economic growth, to sustain livelihood by creating employment opportunities and eradicating poverty,” Mr Kapris said.

“I am determined to ensure SBDC continues to contribute immensely to the development of the SME sector with the current new board appointed.

“SME development will increase any country’s economic growth and independence, which will lead to reducing poverty through income-earning opportunities, sustaining livelihood and empowering people to be involved in small scale business and self-reliance.”

He said his ministry would continue to address constraints under the SME Policy which were globally-common such as human resource development, access to information, market, finance, women in business, technology and business infrastructure.

Mr Kapris said since taking up office 12 months ago, he was building team work with other corporate statutory authorities under his ministry to work as a united team to implement major government policies and projects that would impact upon and bring lasting changes to the country.

This will mean institutions such as SBDC promoting growth of SMEs, Industrial Centres Development Corporation (ICDC) to provide facilities, Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) to promote and market SME products offshore and National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT) to address quality and standard issues.

“There are still challenges of properly co-ordinating these mechanisms,” Mr Kapris said,

“The ministry has taken on the challenges in liaison with the private sector, NGOs and other stakeholders through various workshops and forums, resulting in resolutions and strategic plans in place to take courses of action, namely review the SME Policy, working in partnership with the private sector and establishing a central co-ordinating centre for SME development and growth.”