Tavurvur continues to send dust over Rabaul

Tavurvur Volcano in Rabaul, East New Britain province, continues to send out ash and steam.

A visit to the volcano last Saturday saw it making belching noises like a mammoth jet engine and continuing to send out ash over Rabaul.

The area near the volcanoe is eerie and like a moonscape, however, people stubbornly persist and continue to live in Rabaul.

The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption.

After the eruption the capital was moved to Kokopo, about 20km away.

Rabaul is continually threatened by volcanic activity due to being built on the edge of Rabaul caldera, a flooded caldera of a large volcano.

There are eight active vents in Rabaul Caldera: Tovanumbatir, Kabiu, Rabalanakaia, Turanguna, Tavurvur, Sulphur Creek, Vulcan, and Vulcan Island.

A large eruption occurred at Rabaul volcano on Saturday October 7, 2006, with ash to 60,000 ft.

The eruption shattered windows in the town, and lava flows reached the sea

On November 20 this year, Tavuvur released a spectacular plume of ash and steam, and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite took a picture the same day and posted it on its website http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/.

In this image, a dingy gray plume blows westward over the Bismarck Sea from the volcano’s summit.

The plume differs from the nearby clouds in both its darker color and more diffuse shape.

Another milestone for University of Vudal

Caption: Kampalap villagers from Siassi Island, Morobe province, leading graduating students at the University of Vudal in East New Britain province last Friday.

University of Vudal in East New Britain province celebrated another significant milestone in its history and development last Friday with the graduation of 125 students.

This included 35 diploma in tropical agriculture students from the Oro campus who could not graduate in their own ceremony due to the closure of Girua airport at their scheduled time of graduation.

While the majority of Oro students graduated in absentia, four – Jeremy Philip, Adolph Ruku, Isidor Saeke and Fidelma Sarsoruo – were part of the ceremony at Vudal.

Of the 90 main campus graduands, 50 students received their diplomas in tropical agriculture, 25 had their bachelors degrees in tropical agriculture conferred on them while 12 received graduate certificates in management studies.

A further three students received their masters degrees in management studies.

This, including the seven fisheries and marine resources diploma graduands in Kavieng the previous week, brought the total number of graduates from the university this year to 132.

Solomon Islands High Commissioner Bernard Bata’anisia officiated at the ceremony as guest speaker while others included Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Vice Chancellor Professor Philip Siaguru and student respondent Nason Gene

“I understand the department of forestry here in Vudal is finalising plans to start enrolling its first post-graduate students on a split arrangement with James Cook University, Cairns campus, in 2009, to work on ACIAR research projects,” said Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu.

“Early this year, we took delivery of 20 new high covenant houses and eight new student dormitories, a total of 28 new buildings for the growing and expanding university.

“These facilities were built at a cost of K23 million by the government and people of the People’s Republic of China.

“Unfortunately, we have not been able to furnish them for occupancy due to the inability of the national government to fulfill its commitment in full to the university until recently.

“Even then, the money is yet to be paid to Vudal in full.

“Hopefully, we will have these facilities fully furnished and ready for occupancy by the beginning of the academic year 2009.”

University of Vudal VC attacks bureaucratic red tape

University of Vudal Vice Chancellor Professor Philip Siaguru launched a savage attack on bureaucratic red tape at the university graduation last Friday.

In a no-holds barred speech, he said that while universities in the country were focused on the production of manpower to develop Papua New Guinea, they continued to fight an uphill battle against bureaucrats in Waigani.

Vudal is a case in point, as earlier this year, the Chinese government spent K23 million to build seven dormitories (pictured above) and 20 houses, however, have not been occupied because the PNG government has not reciprocated by releasing K1.2m for beds and wardrobes for the dormitories.

“The problem lies in the corridors of Vulupindi Haus,” Prof Siaguru said.

“Our country is seriously suffering from what I call ‘governance deficiency syndrome’.

“There are many unnoticed symptoms, however, the eight common ones are:

• Sunken eyes every day from hangovers;
• Getting to the office at 10am every morning;
• Leaving the office at lunchtime;
• Backchatting and calling it a meeting;
• Cancelling meetings with CEOs from other organisations outside Port Moresby willy nilly;
• Forgetfulness and misplacing files and letters;
• Applying procedures to create a wall when a clear ‘no’ answer would have been constructive.
• On fortnights, weekends begin on Thursdays.

“That is how and why we are starving this nation of growth, development, resource sharing and progress, and our politicians are wondering why this nation is not delivering services.

“The old guard, in the likes of Sir John Guise, Sir Albert Maori Kiki, Sir Vincent Eri, Sir Tei Abal, and Sir Alkan Tololo were nation builders.

“They were men who had strong principles and high governance ethics.

“They believed in their beloved Papua New Guinea and guided it with firm principles of honesty and integrity

“They were taught and mentored by an order of disciplined colonial masters in government and churches who believed in meeting appointments and taking instructions from the boss.”

Prof Siaguru said in February this year, Planning Minister Paul Tienstein promised and delivered a dummy cheque “taller than myself” for K1.2m.

“This was to facilitate for beds and wardrobes for the dormitories,” he said.

“I have been given the merry-go-round by Departments of National Planning and Treasury since March, and my final year students are graduating now without sleeping in those dormitories yet.

“I was told to work with the Department of Works in Kokopo to organise a certificate of expediency to get the money to be released.

“I did.

“When I went to Moresby with the certificate of expedience, I was referred to Central Supply and Tenders Board and sent back to Treasury.

“I went to Treasury was told that it was not ethical to engage two government ministries.

“The involvement of Planning was sufficient, so they cancelled a 23-page document I had prepared showing all the quotations and justifications and referred me back to Planning.

“So I went to Planning and advised them of the information I picked up from Treasury.

“While walking back and forth and feeling very, very small in the powerful ‘governance deficiency’ corridors of Waigani, fortunately, I met the Honorable Minister Paul Tienstein in the hallway.

“The Minister had 15 minutes to spare and quickly called his Departmental Secretary for a meeting.

“In that meeting, we finally agreed that the K700, 000 balance would be included in the supplementary budget.

“The August supplementary budget has come and went.

“No money was allocated.

“I have since phoned up; they now say it will come from education rehabilitation.”

Prof Siaguru said the dormitories were still standing, and at the Kerevat National High School graduation recently, another K3.4m was promised by Planning for Vudal, however, nothing had been forthcoming.

“Unless we change the public service system and structure, this country will not come out of the ‘governance deficiency syndrome’,” he said.

“The overall management of the public service is sick and really needs a complete overhaul.

“It is like a cancer that is chronic and is already at an advanced stage.

“It cannot be operated on; it must receive external radiotheraphy or internal chemotherapy.”

Prof Siaguru called on graduating students to make a change from this status quo and take a turn for the better.

“If you do not stand up to be counted, the generation after you, your children, will live in a country that is corrupt, lazy, tired and greedy,” he said.

INTEROIL APPOINTS DIRECTOR

PORT MORESBY: INTEROIL Corporation announced today that Mr. Roger Lewis has been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Lewis has also been appointed to serve on the Board’s Audit Committee.

Mr. Lewis is an Australian and a successful former senior finance executive, having spent 22 years with Woodside Energy Ltd in Western Australia, finishing as Group Financial Controller.

Prior to that, Mr. Lewis worked in commercial and finance roles for over 15 years in the heavy manufacturing industry both in Australia and overseas.

Mr. Lewis brings to the Board vast experience in commercial, financial and accounting matters. He is a Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant (FCPA) with the Australian Society of Accountants and, since 2000, has been a Commissioner of the Lottery Commission of Western Australia, with particular responsibility for finance and accounting matters. He is a member of the Commission’s Audit, Remuneration and Major Projects subcommittees.

“We are delighted to welcome Roger to our Board. His skills and expertise complement those of existing directors and his significant experience at Woodside Energy during a major developmental period for that Company will be of great benefit to InterOil,” said Mr. Phil Mulacek, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of InterOil.

 

• InterOil Corporation is developing a vertically integrated energy business whose primary focus is Papua New Guinea and the surrounding region. InterOil’s assets consist of petroleum licenses covering about 8.7 million acres, an oil refinery, and retail and commercial distribution facilities, all located in Papua New Guinea. In addition, InterOil is a shareholder in a joint venture established to construct Papua New Guinea’s first LNG plant on a site adjacent to InterOil’s refinery in Port Moresby.

For further in formation please contact

 

Susuve Laumaea

Senior Manager Media Relations InterOil Corporation

Ph: 321 7040

Mobile: 684 5168

Email: susuve.laumaea@interoil.com

 

 

Wonderful Kavieng Market, New Ireland province

Wonderful Kavieng Market, New Ireland province, is one place where you can find the tastiest sea food and freshest vegetables.

The main Kavieng Market is situated on the foreshore and is a central hub of activity most days of the week, except Sundays.

There is a fantastic variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh and smoked fish, live mud crabs, baskets of sunga and kina shells, and of course plenty of buai.

Also found in large quantities are huge trays of tapioca slice made with coconut milk, sago slice, donuts, rice balls and other local delicacies.

While in Kavieng from last Thursday till Sunday, I took a stroll down to the market from my hotel almost every day, and ate smoked fish, kina shells, tapioca, sago and other local delicacies to my heart’s content.

Although generally a produce market, you will also find woven baskets, locally printed laplaps, and handmade bilums available for sale.

 

Pacific Freedom Forum applauds Justice Lloyd decision in Fiji

  The Pacific Freedom Forum, an online network of Pacific journalists committed to advocacy of a free media and access to information, applauds the recent decision by Justice Ian Lloyd to open up Fiji Court of Appeal proceedings between its former and current governments.

The appeal, led by former PM Laisenia Qarase and other members of Fiji's last elected government comes after a Fiji High Court ruling last month validating their 2006 ousting. Qarase, his government, and the entire Parliament had been dissolved by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo in the aftermath of the military takeover and ensuing state of emergency, two years ago.

"We commend and praise His Honour's wisdom and foresight in ruling that if matters are held in chambers, this would subject the judiciary to public suspicion," says PFF chair, Susuve Laumaea.

"By opening up all appeal proceedings to the media, Justice Lloyd is ensuring that there will be unfettered and unrestricted coverage of a case that is of interest to the citizens of Fiji," he says.

Setting March 2009 as the date for proceedings Justice Lloyd has ruled out the question of having the hearing in chambers, away from public scrutiny. He noted that the original case had been opened up to the media in the spirit of ensuring public understanding of the issues involved.

The PFF co-chair Monica Miller says Justice Lloyd has recognized the need for the trial to be held in open court thereby maintaining the trust of the Fijian people in the independence and integrity of the judiciary.  

"Coming at a time when the interim military regime has engaged in intimidating and harassing media organizations, journalists, editors and publishers, His Honour's decision gives us hope that the current climate is only temporary, and we sincerely hope that other decision makers of Fiji will emulate the example of Justice Lloyd in allowing open access to the media".

 PFF interim Chair

Susuve Laumaea | Sunday Chronicle Newspaper | Papua New Guinea

Mobile: 675-684 5168 | Office: 675-321-7040 | Email: susuve.laumaea@interoil.com

 

PFF interim co-Chair

Monica Miller | KHJ Radio | American Samoa

Mob    684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com

 

The Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.

We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance.

In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.

-- “More and more, if you're not in the digital conversation about your community, you're not in a conversation that matters” --   Alberto Ibargüen, President, The Knight Foundation.
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Thanks for being part of the "Pacific Freedom Forum" and supporting press freedom in our region.
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Winds of change sweep through remote Warakamb Valley

Captions: 1. Promoting self help – Raising goats in the valley. There are currently over 500 goats in the valley. 2. In a semi permanent church building self funded by elites. 3. New church building.  

 

The rural Warakamb Valley in Kandep district, Enga province, has decided to put its old ways behind and embrace change.

Sandwiched between Enga and Southern Highlands provinces, it is very remote.

The unreliable Mendi-Kandep Highway goes through the Warakamb Valley.

The valley was first discovered in the late 1940s.

The first missionaries were Anglican and Catholic priests who decided to settle there.

They set up schools, a mission station and cattle farms.

However, after the 1975 Independence and continued nagging by the locals, the Catholic missionaries packed up and left.

There was a vacuum left.

Then the Seventh Day Adventists (SDAs) moved into the valley.

The local people, having recognised their foolishness, embraced the SDA mission.

 Never did they know the blessings that will come later.

Despite that, trouble fights started to erupt here and there.

Nearby tribes went to war causing much destruction.

People were killed and thousands of kina worth of property was destroyed.

Weapons started to become more and more sophisticated.

The rules of law were no longer existent.

Meanwhile, the SDA church had started to use community school leavers of the previous years to train them into laymen missionaries to spread the word of God.

There were more than 10 of them.

They worked hard and the dividends paid off.

  Most went on to become pastors.

They excelled in their work, baptising many people and spreading the Good News throughout the PNG Highlands. 

The Lord blessed them with children who excelled in their school work.

Some have now finished university studies to work as lawyers, accountants, architects, doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, geologists and so on both in PNG and abroad.

Combined with other SDA students from the valley who had excelled, and with missionary’s kids and the local people, they have formed an association called The Warakamb Adventist Elite and Clergymen’s Association Inc (WAECA).

WAECA was formed in 1998 and registered with the PNG IPA in 2001.

It was formed to continue to spread the Word of God and promote peace and prosperity in the Warakamb Valley.

Since its establishment, many people have been baptised. 

The valley has seen a dramatic decrease in tribal fights and people are very hesitant to start any wars.

 The fact that WAECA is a non-political association means that the elites and clergymen can work with any MPs who are elected into parliament. 

Currently WAECA elites are helping two local MPs from Kandep and Mendi, and are available free of charge to any local people who need help.

Self-help projects including goat projects and tree planting have been initiated in the valley. 

All these and other information can be found on their web site http://www.waeca.com .

Since the launch of their website, compliments were sent from all over the world including Australia and the US, as this was one of the first of its kind from the developing world.

 Their other main activities include the areas of HIV/AIDs and climate change.

WAECA continues to hold its conventions once every two years.

Elites form all over PNG and abroad converge in a selected village in the valley to help spread the gospel, promote law and order, talk about world events, give talks on HIV/AIDs, climate change, show gospel movies on huge screens and promote self-help activities.

 Some of the self-help projects include three new church buildings, an aid post, tree plantations and few others coming up.

 The local people are well versed with major events in the world.

Their next convention will be held from December 28th, 2008 to January 4th,   2009, and runs for a week.

Many people are expected to attend including guests and visitors from all over the country.

A fund raising dinner is being organised for December 6 at the Hideaway Hotel in Port Moresby, and invitations will be soon be sent out.

 Money raised will be used to run conventions, build churches buildings, pay laymen and pay for other socio- economic activities.

 Already two MPs have promised a health centre, a school, and other government services.

WAECA’s motto is “Together we serve”.

For further information, contact: info@waeca.com  or Joe- PR officer on 72689831 or Jack Assa on 72669451.

 Feel free to browse through their website http://www.waeca.com . 

God bless.