HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea increases as National AIDS Council is "rotten to the core"

More than two million condoms paid for with Australian aid money have been left to expire in AIDS-ravaged Papua New Guinea, AAP reports.

The PNG government's National AIDS Council Secretariat left the stockpile, worth $A190, 000, sitting in a warehouse for more than 18 months.

The condoms are now past their expiry date and cannot be distributed in a country that has the highest incidence of HIV in the Pacific.

The secretariat has just appointed a new board, which aims to reform its activities and look into serious allegations of mismanagement.

Documents obtained by AAP show the secretariat has overspent its budget, with hundreds of thousands of dollars wasted - most notably on unnecessary travel.

The documents also outline alleged abuses by staff.

The secretariat's new chairman Peter Barter, a former PNG health minister, said the stockpile was discovered during a recent audit.

"I've only been on the board a month and have been dealing with various levels of alleged corruption and mismanagement (within the secretariat)," he said.

"AusAID is not to blame. We just need to distribute what condoms we can and get our direction right. We will also be getting the fraud squad (in)."

Another secretariat board member, who did not want to be named, said: "The new board recognises the immense problems within NACS and has commenced a major clean-up."

"NACS has become rotten to the core but the new direction is cleaning it up," the member said.

But board members have said a reduced budget from the PNG government will hinder the organisation as it tries to implement reforms.

Dr Ann Clarke, general manager of the PNG Business Coalition Against HIV and AIDS, said she was relieved that another batch of condoms had recently arrived in the capital, Port Moresby.

"We've known about AIDS since 1987 and could have had an effective condom distribution network set up in the 1990s," she said.

An AusAID spokesman said 45 million male and female condoms were on their way into PNG.

"While any wastage of resources is unfortunate, sufficient supplies of condoms are available in PNG," he said.

Australia has promised $A100 million to help PNG battle AIDS under a five-year program that began in January 2007.

It's estimated two per cent of PNG's population is infected with HIV/AIDS, affecting between 40,000 to 60,000 people.

 

Minister for State to appear next month over misappropriation charges

MINISTER for State Philemon Embel, facing a misappropriation charge, appeared in court yesterday, The National reports.

Police prosecutors told the court the Nipa-Kutubu MP was served his police file, which had been completed.

Embel, who appeared in person for his mention, was given until next month to respond to the allegation and serve his reply to prosecution before his next appearance next month.

Prosecutors said yesterday that Embel would need a legal counsel, in the event that the matter was committed to trial at the National Court.

He was arrested in January after being charged under section 38(3) A (1) (a), Chapter 256 of the  Criminal Code Act.

It is alleged that he misappropriated K165, 000 meant for a church in March 2006.

Police arrested Embel based on a complaint lodged by Southern Highlands provincial administrator William Powi.

Embel has appeared twice for mention at the Waigani Committal Court, but both times it was adjourned to give time for police to complete the files.

 

Police Minister grilled over deals

Rambi denies using position to get payment

 

By MADELEINE AREK in The National

 

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare was yesterday pressured to investigate allegations that millions of kina from the Police Department were pumped into a car rental company owned by Minister for Internal Security Sani Rambi, The National reports.

The Opposition raised the allegations on the floor of Parliament yesterday, and Sir Michael promised to look into the matter.

But while Mr Rambi admitted his company was doing business with police, he denied using his position to influence payments.

Bulolo MP Sam Basil told Parliament Mr Rambi had placed himself in a conflict of interest position, and this was a stumbling block in the minister’s administration of his duties as police minister.

Mr Basil alleged that Mr Rambi and Police Commissioner Gari Baki needed to be investigated over their alleged involvement in diverting millions of kina that could have been used to improve the working conditions of police personnel throughout the country into the Mt Hagen-based car rental company.

He also told Parliament that Mr Baki operated two bank accounts, the police commissioner’s trust account and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary infrastructure trust account into which monies transferred for special operations were being used “uncontrollably”.

Mr Basil identified Mr Rambi’s company as Mountain Hire Cars Limited, which he said had a very lucrative business engagement with the police force.

“The bills run into millions (of kina) which can be saved and used for vehicle purchases that can be used by the police department, which can cut costs by almost 50%, and the savings expanded into other logistical support that the department did not have,” Mr Basil said.

“Millions of kina had been transacted into these accounts for special operations and some excessive funds have run dry, therefore, bringing the morale of investigating officers very low.

“Regular cashing out of cheques and transfer of funds to other operating accounts needed to also be scrutinised,” he added.

He later circulated to the media copies of what appeared to be bank transactions of those accounts.

Mr Basil asked the Prime Minister to appoint an independent auditor to probe the expenditure in those two trust accounts, and monies paid to the car rental company.

Sir Michael said he would look into this as he had received documents relating to the matter and was aware of it.

Speaking to The National outside Parliament, Mr Rambi did not deny that his company, Mountain Hire Cars Limited, had business with the police department.

He said the department, in fact, still owed him K700,000 in outstanding hire car fees.

Mr Rambi said the payments were for a five-year period, from 2002 to 2006, before he entered politics and were for police special and election operations in the Highlands.

Mr Baki concurred with Mr Rambi, saying the department owed K1.2 million to two other Mt Hagen-based car rental companies.

Mr Rambi said Mountain Hire Cars leased vehicles to the police department for the Chuave and Anglimp-South Waghi by-elections as well as all the cars that were used in the state of emergency in Southern Highlands province.

However, all that was before he entered politics in 2007.

And, while he did receive some payments, Mr Rambi said he did not take it up as a matter of priority after winning in the 2007 general elections and was given the police ministry because he knew it would amount to a “conflict of interest” situation.

“I have been paid only K1.5 million; the State still owes me K700,000,” Mr Rambi said.

He said after he became minister, the police department rented vehicles from his company only once – during the ethnic clash in Mt Hagen last year.

He said the vehicles were rented for 42 days, but he got paid for 21 days’ use only.

He did not say by how much.

 

Papua New Guinea Defence Force Officer on UK defence scholarship

A senior officer from the PNGDF will leave for the United Kingdom this weekend to undertake a seven-week course funded by the British government.

Commander Tau Ila of the PNG Defence Force will attend the ‘Managing Defence in a Wider Security Context’ course at the Cranfield University in the UK from March 9 to April 24.

The high level international course is designed to expand a senior officer's knowledge and understanding of the skills required to run a modern, effective and efficient military in a globalised world – especially the military's relationship with a democratically-elected civilian executive and its promotion of transparency and good governance.

In wishing Commander Ila a safe trip to the UK the British High Commissioner to PNG, David Dunn, said:

“It is extremely important that senior military officers from around the world are able to come together to share best practice and compare working methods. Modern military forces need to be up to date with the latest thinking to ensure that they are able and equipped to deliver the quality of defence services expected of them and meet the new challenges ahead in what is a rapidly changing world.”

Commander Ila’s departure comes six months after PNGDF colleague Lt Col Mark Goina completed an international staff course at the UK Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS).

It also builds upon the very successful visit to PNG in October last year of senior international military officers from the RCDS in which they visited Port Moresby, Madang and Goroka.

The Cranfield University’s Defence College of Management and Technology is one of three main colleges of the UK Defence Academy, the others being the RCDS and the Joint Services Command and Staff College.

 

Vavine's Curse highlights Papua New Guinea's HIV/AIDS problem

A powerful new book by Port Moresby-based journalist David Lornie shines the spotlight on the terrifying HIV/AIDS situation and associated social problems in Papua New Guinea.

Vavine's Curse is the inspiring story of a young orphan girl from a small inland Rigo village outside Port Moresby who, through no fault of her own, finds herself with a HIV sentence.

Ostracised by her fellow villagers at a very young age, Vavine has to battle her way through prejudice, male chauvinism, superstition and violence.

Her journey in life takes her from the village to the bright lights of Port Moresby and through a world of drugs, corruption, crime, poverty and prostitution in the big city.

David Lornie, no stranger to PNG, takes us through the urban jungle and shows how the people dress, talk, eat and drink.

We are introduced to teenage girls with mini skirts in sleazy nightclubs, corrupt politicians, and sugar daddies who prey on high school girls.

Vavine's pimp "uncle" Dennis, a typical Port Moresby sugar daddy, brings her to the city to work in his nightclub/cum brothel.

The innocent Vavine is introduced to the shady and seedy world of prostitution, alcohol, drugs and all things evil.

Dennis and his partner in crime, Billy – on the recommendation of 'boss lady' Emily - get the naïve village girl to be a courier for their lucrative drug-running business on the streets.

The "stink thing" within her, however, gets too much and she seeks the wise counsel of Father Michael, who runs the Holy Cross Centre in Tokarara, one of the poorer suburbs of Port Moresby.

The centre is cramped beneath a government-sponsored clinic and offer blood tests, counseling, treatment and, above all, love and understanding.

Fr Michael recommends that Vavine starts the anti-retroviral drug treatment programme, which can keep the disease under control for a long time.

The story takes a twist towards the end as Vavine is busted by police – who have been keeping her under surveillance all this time - and her Mike Tyson-like driver Butler, fast becoming one of her best friends, is shot dead in the process.

Devastated, lost and alone in a tiny, dank room, she has just about resigned on everything when Emily – who all this time is an undercover cop – comes in and sets her free.

And in a final happy twist, Gaba, a young village boy who has had a crush on Vavine all this time, marries her and they live happily ever after in the village…despite her HIV status.

Lornie has created this story of courage and determination in the hope that it will increase awareness of the horrifying threat of HIV/AIDS.

"This disturbing events that surround Vavine in her struggle for survival are common in PNG," comments Community Development Minister Dame Carol Kidu.

"This is a novel that deserves to be widely read, particularly by high school students, as the awareness it brings will serve as a sober warning about HIV/AIDS and the human costs."

Fr Jude Ronayne-Forde, of the Simon of Cyrene Centre, notes: "I grieve for the children of PNG: for the ones infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

"They have a right to protection and care, and we adults are duty bound to give them a future."

David Lornie grew up in PNG in the 1970's, his parents teaching at Maprik High School, Goroka Teachers College and University of PNG.

He returned to PNG in 2001 to work for the Post-Courier where he is currently supplements editor.

He has a great love for PNG and is horrified by the HIV epidemic in this country which looks set to explode further and tear the country apart.

He wrote Vavine's Curse in the hope that it will help educate young people about the dangers of HIV and also to show that those with HIV are simply humans with a terrible disease who need love, not hatred.

Vavine's Curse – now on sale at Theodist and soon the UPNG Bookshop - is dedicated to the people of Papua New Guinea, with 10% of the author's royalties and 10% of the profits to be donated to Tessie Soi's Friends Foundation.

The Friend's Foundation provides support and care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

This support includes assisting parents in the prevention and reduction of the transmission of HIV to their babies; and Orphan Buddy system for children who have lost their parents, burials for unclaimed children from Port Moresby General Hospital and community-based home care.

Vavine's Curse

ISBN 13: 9780646488950

Publication Date: 2008

Binding: Softcover

Written by DAVID LORNIE

Dwyers Pacific Press

'Green Chip' Somare or is it 'Grand Chief' Somare?

Story and picture by JASON SOM KAUT

 

There was a buzz of activity in Enga with everyone busy.

Wabag Primary School students apparently, with teacher supervision, decorated the school for the ‘Grand Chief’s’ historical visit last Thursday.

They had different coloured balloons with welcome messages hanging everywhere.

‘Welcome to Enga NEC (National Executive Council), etc...

But one of these balloons read: “Welcome ‘Green Chip’ to Enga” when it should it should have read “Welcome ‘Grand Chief’ to Enga”.

Either very stupid or very clever with all the talk of Green Revolution and technological age of micro and computer chips...mmm.

 

 

 

Rainy day in Wabag

CHILDREN and the crowd braving a sudden downpour at Wabag Primary School in Enga province during the historical visit by Prime Minister

Sir Michael Somare last week Thursday. Picture by JASON KAUT.