Kokoda crash: Nine Australians on plane, wreckage found in jungle

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25917492-952,00.html

Article on Papua New Guinea leadership

Born to be free of anxiety and fear

By James Wanjik

God is life. God is truth. God is way. Those are the truth of God. In truth no mortal can claim to possess truth. Truth is a word steeped in the power of Word of God. No person can tamper with truth for it is immortal.

When Bal thought he was invincible God showed him how naive he was. When Nebuchadnezzar thought he was immortal God pushed him down and out. There are many instances in the Holy Bible especially in the Old Testament about the activism of God.

No superstition, sorcery, or witchcraft equates with Word of God. This truth will set our people free from their fear and anxiety.

Politics of PNG is steeped in fear and anxiety. So are our leaders and their advisers. Living in fear, leaders lead in fear. Living in anxiety, leaders only want power of position. Power politics has its root in fear and anxiety.

True leader is Jesus Christ. He overcame fear and anxiety. When the spirit of death tormented him Jesus Christ waited on God Father. Leaders of PNG can break free from their bondage of fear and anxiety. Leaders will find the way if they have the will. Will to be free of fear and anxiety.

More and more people are making same observations about our leaders. The common thread is leaders are selfish. Selfishness is another characteristic of the spirit of death.

Again Jesus Christ shows the best example yet of selflessness. No person can claim to be selfless exactly in the same way as Jesus Christ. But we can aspire to be selfless if we have the will. This is the power of free will and choice.

Power of free will and choice is a gift from God. Only the God of Life is free to give freely. To those this privilege has been given much is expected.

Time of lame excuse of leaders is not there anymore. It would not be taken at face value. People are increasingly restless. Such people will move without much analysis of circumstance or situation.

Playing on emotions is very unbecoming of leaders. Lot of emotive statements were made by leaders in the last week of this month. No worthy leader would want anarchy and mayhem. That would be unfortunate.

Anarchy and mayhem is the way of the spirit of death. So is where PNG is heading right now.

New way of development thinking is required to turn PNG back to journey of life. People must be reason and passion of leadership. God showed us the way by giving us Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was sent to show us the way to God Father in Him and through Him. That is the truth.

No new ideas are taken to be important by the present national leadership on both divides of National Parliament. Taking time to discern this would demonstrate leaders’ vision. Again leaders are fearful of upsetting the usual. Usual way is the way of fear and anxiety. It is the way of spirit of death.

Leaders are to lead without fear or favour. Truth is any leader who is in fear will be anxious. Fear and anxiety are terrible twins the spirit of death use to torment and imprison a mortal from being free.

We are born to be free. Freedom from fear and anxiety. Only thing is us. We have the free will to choose to be free or remain in bondage of fear and anxiety.

To God be all glory and praise.

.............

9 August 2009

For feedback contact: jameswanjik@hotmail.com

Nine Aussies on missing Airlines PNG plane

AAP

SEVEN Victorians and two Queenslanders setting off to walk the Kokoda Track are among 13 people aboard a plane feared to have crashed in rugged terrain in Papua New Guinea.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said there were fears for those aboard Airlines of Papua New Guinea flight CG4684 travelling from Port Moresby to Kokoda today.
"We hold grave concerns for their safety and wellbeing," Mr Smith said.
Authorities believe they may have located a crash site and Australia is deploying a contingent of military assets to help with search efforts when they resume, weather permitting, at first light tomorrow.
Eight Australians were part of a Melbourne-based No Roads Expeditions tour group and another was an Australian tour guide.
Their families are being offered assistance by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
"This of course is an agonising time for these families," Mr Smith said.
There was also one Japanese national and three Papua New Guineans on board the plane.
The two crew members aboard are believed to be PNG pilots Jenny Moala and Royden Soauka.
An aviation industry insider said the missing plane had aborted its first landing attempt.
"We've heard she pulled out of the first attempt and a plane behind her landed, then she has done a loop and gone missing," they said.
The aircraft has an emergency locator beacon but no signal has been received.
Authorities were searching the Owen Stanley Ranges north of Port Moresby this evening but called it off after it got dark. They believe they might have narrowed the search area to a possible crash site.
"We hope, weather permitting, that a substantially-enhanced search and rescue effort can commence tomorrow morning," Mr Smith said.
Search and rescue efforts today - involving two helicopters and a twin-engine aircraft - were being hampered by bad weather, low visibility and very rugged terrain along the Kokoda Track.
"One of the helicopters has landed in a village which is thought to be near the vicinity of a possible crash site," Mr Smith said.
"I say a possible crash site because PNG authorities, PNG Airlines and Australian officials are relying on information relayed by villagers on the ground."
Mr Smith said Australia was working "single-mindedly" to help with locating the plane and those on board.
Late today, Mr Smith, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Defence Minister John Faulkner and Australian Defence Force chief Angus Houston met to discuss Australian efforts shortly after being informed the aircraft was missing.
Mr Rudd then spoke to Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to offer assistance, which was accepted.
"Steps were taken to arrange the deployment of those assets," Mr Smith said.
HMAS Success, with a helicopter on board, is being diverted from near Torres Strait and will arrive off the PNG coast by first light tomorrow.
A Caribou aeroplane, currently in Port Moresby, will also be available to help. A C1-30 aircraft with medical facilities will depart overnight and be ready to assist.
"It will have on board a fully-equipped ground party with search and recovery assets," Mr Smith said.
Two Blackhawk helicopters will be deployed via a C-17 aircraft. The Australian Maritime Search and Rescue authority also deployed aircraft which left today.
The Australian High Commission in Port Moresby has established a consular crisis centre and was liaising with authorities.
People concerned about the welfare of family or friends are advised to contact DFAT's consular emergency centre on 02 6261 3305.

New international hotel for Kokopo

Picture of new hotel from the Golf Course.-Picture courtesy of NAMBAWAN SUPER

Picture of new hotel with the original steps of Queen Emma’s residence which has been retained and developed as a tourist attraction. - Picture courtesy of NAMBAWAN SUPER

The historic site of Queen Emma’s residence at Ralum near Kokopo in East New Britain will soon become an impressive three-storey hotel called Gazelle International.

Construction work started early this year on the multi-million kina hotel which is jointly owned by the largest superannuation fund Nambawan Super Ltd which has majority shareholding, plus Airways Hotel and East New Britain provincial government.
The owners of the new development have taken into account the invaluable historical significance of the hotel site and have modeled the design of the hotel to reflect as much as possible Queen Emma’s original house.

This included renovating the original steps of the Queen Emma residence as a drawcard and a major tourist attraction.

The steps are still located on the hotel property leading towards the golf course.
The hotel will comprise a reception, lobby shop, coffee lounge, restaurant, bar and poker machines all on the ground floor, while a total of 52 rooms make up the two upper floors.
Other amenities will include a resort pool, and a separate conference building which will seat up to about 150 persons.

In recent years, an influx of people have been attracted to Kokopo for conferences and a real need for good facilities have been unavailable to cater for their needs.
The builders for the hotel are Lamana Development Limited while the architect is Peter Kubli of Cairns.

According to the builders, the Gazelle International Hotel is designed to cater for a mix of customers, international tourists as well as conference people and weekenders.
All rooms will have spectacular views over-looking the blue waters of Blanche Bay and looking up to the green hills of Kokopo.
Building material for the hotel is mostly from PNG and via PNG suppliers.

Specialised equipment and furnishings are imported from various countries.
The hotel which is expected to be completed early 2010, will bring about greater employment opportunities creating jobs for around 60 people, and will also contribute to boosting the province’s economy through the development of tourism.
The hotel project managers agree: “Kokopo is a significant economic centre in Papua New Guinea plus it has an enormous untapped tourism potential.

"Rabaul, before the volcanic eruptions was held in high esteem as the most beautiful town in the country.

"We believe Kokopo will continue to expand, and with its unique mix of natural wonders, will attract people to visit this beautiful part of the world”.
Managing director of Nambawan Super Leon Buskens said the new hotel investment should not be seen as competing with existing accommodation facilities but rather complementing them as the hotel is pitched at another segment of the market.

The larger conference room facility compared to the accommodation will mean sharing of rooms within the Kokopo market
Mr Buskens said: “We are looking also at spreading our investments outside of Port Moresby and Lae where the investment returns are sustainable.

"The principle of partnership is one of long-term strategic value with the Lamana/Airways group which means that we are tapping into a proven and quality local brand with international standards, while the provincial government business arms bring local content and business alignment with provincial governments.

"Already one such model is operating in Alotau, in the Alotau International Hotel.

"Likewise, the Fund is also looking at the other centres to create a local hotel chain with international quality standards”.
He added that the partnership provided much needed training and development of local people as well as expertise in international hotel management services through the Airways/Lamana group.

Conversely, the involvement of provincial governments provides local representation and content.
Mr Buskens thanked the East New Britain provincial government for adopting a business friendly approach in enabling the international hotel venture to become a reality.

mv Siddy to serve Sepik River people

Moim villagers pay a visit on mv Siddy at along the Sepik River

mv Siddy prepared to berth at Moim village along the Sepik River

A NEW cargo and passenger barge called mv Siddy is certain to boost transportation along the mighty Sepik River.
The ship was launched last week at Timbunke purposely to serve the Sepik River people under the Community Water Transport Programme (CWTP).
The CWTP supports implementing the sector reform programme with the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA), which is in line with the recent government Medium Term Development Strategy (MTDS) and National Transport Development Programme (NTDP).
It is mandated to provide viable and effective maritime transport services to selected remote and disadvantaged communities in the coastal and river based areas of PNG.
It also will establish a trust fund that will provide a source of finance to subsidise transport costs to selected remote and disadvantaged communities, restore small water transport infrastructure, improve small craft safety, and induce the ability of the affected communities to take full advantage of the benefits of transport provided.
About a month ago, the ship was christened mv Siddy by Lutheran Shipping on Siassi Island in memory of one of the company’s pioneer local captains, who died while on duty in the wheel-house some years back.
The ship was purchased by Lutheran Shipping in Pusan City, SouthKorea.
Four expert navigators from Luship travelled to Korea to bring her into PNG waters.
Captain Emmanuel Akau, of Manus and East Sepik parentage, said the ship under the programme of the CWTP would be making 13 stops along the Sepik River for two weeks.
mv Siddy stretches around 50 metres in length and is fully equipped with modern navigational aids including radar, depth sonar sound system, radio communications, inflated life rafts and jackets.
The ship also has two spacious air-conditioned cabins for 13 crew and 200 passengers (upper and lower decks).
According to chief engineer, William Robui, the ship was installed with a 570-horsepower Yanmar diesel-operated engine as well a Daewoo generator set capable of producing 137.5 KVA or 110 KW of electricity on board.
Both the skipper Mr Akau and the chief engineer Mr Robui were very helpful in hosting a team of journalists who boarded the ship at Angoram.
Mr Robui helped by providing electricity from a stand-by portable generator set to help journalists to charge batteries for their mobile telephones and laptops.
Many of the people, especially villagers along the Sepik River, expressed appreciation at having the ship providing transport for their produce such as cocoa, sago, fish and other agricultural produce.
Angoram MP and Public Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare, who officiated at the launch of the ship for its travel along the Sepik at Timbunke, said the CWTP was funded by the Asian Development Bank and co-funded by OPEC Fund for International Development and the PNG National Government.

Shipping freight subsidies help rural Western province rubber growers

Rubber growers line up to sell their produce at Kapikam village in Lake Murray, Western province.-Picture by NORTH FLY RUBBER LTD

North Fly Rubber Ltd, the only successful smallholder rubber project in the country, is an example of what could be achieved through shipping freight subsidies.
NFRL currently produces the highest quality PNGCR10 (rubber) in PNG and exports to markets throughout Europe and Australia.
Since 1995, NFRL has exported over 9, 442 tonnes of smallholders’ processed rubber to overseas markets, earning foreign exchange of K28.6 million and providing income of over K13.1m to the smallholder shareholders of the company.
In 1992, Ok Tedi Mining Ltd agreed to provide K100, 000 in loan capital as well as provide subsidised (free) shipment of containers of PNGCR10 rubber to Port Moresby or an international port for on-shipment to international buyers.
This has proved to be a win-win situation for all parties, particularly the rubber growers of Western province.
Papua New Guinea Rubber Board chairman Warren Dutton, citing the success story of NFRL, has called for National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) funds to be spent on freight subsidies to move rubber and other commodities to markets.
Mr Dutton, who is also chairman of NFRL and a former politician, told the National Development Forum in Port Moresby last week that only then could more money be put into the pockets of rural people as well as prop up PNG’s agricultural exports.
“The shipment of three or four containers of PNGCR10 rubber among a backload of over 100 empty containers cost OTML virtually nothing,” Mr Dutton said,
“In 1992, it allowed the rubber growers to be paid an extra 25t per kg for their cup lump.
“In 2008, it allowed for an extra 43t per kg.
“Without freight subsidies, there could be no rubber industry in the Western province.
“Without subsidies, there could be so much less agricultural production by the farmers in the major countries of the G8 and G20.
“Without subsidies, the production of most of the smallholder crops in PNG has been in continual decline.
“Production has been in decline ever since PNG destroyed its plantation industry and the partnerships which the plantations have with their neighbouring smallholders.”
Mr Dutton said other reasons for NFRL being a success story was because of hard working village rubber growers, and a public private partnership (PPP).
The PPP was originally between NFRL, which the rubber growers own and Ok Tedi Mining Ltd, but this has since grown to take on PNG Sustainable Development Program and the Fly River provincial government.
Mr Dutton emphasised that the government’s policy of encouraging PPPs was “correct” because it would help rebuild the relationship which used to exist between smallholders and expert agricultural; investors.
“These expert agricultural investors are then responsible for providing the training, the transport, and the marketing for their neighbouring smallholders,” he said.
“Most importantly, they must pay an acceptable price for the smallholders’ products.”

My Soul Mate

Twinkle in my eye,

Heart skips a beat,

I Smile from within

My Laughter echoes

The joy I have since we crossed paths.

 

I see you in my sleep

Even when I am very awake.

The very thought of you

Makes me smile all over.

 

I anxiously await you,

For our quality time however brief

Attaches an ounce, I so very much

am yearning for.

 

Our conversations,

A window to my soul

And yet a very down trodden glimpse

Of my inner being.

 

I have in you;

My shoulder to cry on

Warmth for shelter,

A reason to smile.

You don’t need to say or do more

You are my soul mate.