A tribute to Jack Remus Nawatz (September 9th 1983 - October 25th 2004)

Caption: Jack and the gang on the weekend of Morobe Show 2002

We buried Jack at home in Butibam village, Lae, on Tuesday, November 2, 2004, under one of those typically-beautiful November afternoons.

He had just turned 21 that September, had a pretty Manus girlfriend and a bouncy seven-month son, and was eagerly looking forward to graduating from the University of Goroka in 2005 and becoming a music teacher.

All these hopes and dreams, however, were cruelly snuffed out like a candle in the wind when Jack’s heart gave way at the Port Moresby General Hospital on the night on Monday, October 25, 2004.

Jack Remus Nawatz, elder son of my sister Alison and her husband Goromp Nawatz, was born with a heart defect in Lae on September 9, 1983.

It was something that doctors hoped would go away over time; however, this was not to be.

Alison and Goromp were then studying at the University of Technology in Lae and I remember the unparalleled joy that Jack brought into our lives.

Since the two were busy at school, Jack’s grandparents – my mum and dad – looked after Jack as one of their own.

I remember that time in November 1983 when Jack was to be baptised at the Ampo Lutheran Church in Lae.

My elder brother David, who had just graduated a day earlier from Aiyura National High School, sacrificed graduation parties to be with us for the day.

We were all at Ampo Church on Tuesday November 2^nd, 2004 – exactly 21 years later - for Jack’s funeral service.

It was David who read the eulogy – a far cry from 1983.

There is a picture somewhere in one of my old albums, of David and me carrying Jack the day of his baptism in 1983.

We carried his coffin that day.

Despite his short life on this earth, Jack brought so much joy and happiness into our lives.

He was never a strong child, because of his heart defect, and wasn’t actively involved in sports like many of his peers.

He would have made a very good basketball player – all six feet, four inches of him.

Jack, however, found his forte: music.

A very talented musician (Jack could play a variety of musical instruments) since his primary and high school days in Lae, Jack decided that this is what he must study.

In 2002, he went to the UOG, to take up his first year of studies.

I was then living and working in Goroka, with my wife and two sons, and Jack became very much a part of our young family.

Unfortunately, we had to leave Goroka in mid 2002 because my three-year work contract was up, and we left Jack behind.

He remained, and together with some of his best mates, formed a band that often performed at the University of Goroka.

I never realised how good a musician he was until last year, when I was up there for a weekend, I got to watch him play at a concert.

There couldn’t have been a prouder uncle!

In 2004, because his Manus girlfriend Evelyn was pregnant with their son Steven, the young couple was ejected from permanent accommodation by the seemingly-draconian University of Goroka administration.

They rented a backyard shed, down the hill from the university, and continued to look after their newborn baby while going to school.

Jack, with his weak heart, continued to trudge up the steep hill leading to the UOG – something that often made him sick.

In 2004, while in Goroka for the PNG Coffee Festival & Trade Fair, I fell very sick and was admitted to Goroka Base Hospital.

It was kind-hearted Jack and his UOG mates who looked after me.

I promised them drinks at the end of the year – this will never be now.

In September 2004, Jack turned 21.

In October, he came to Port Moresby after final exams, and started complaining of chest pains and shortage of breath.

He was admitted to hospital, with a smile on his face for all family and friends who visited.

He was discharged, however, fell ill again was readmitted to hospital where the heart problem which had plagued him all his life finally claimed him.

I took a picture of Jack and his son Steven in Goroka in May 2004.

I took a look at the picture and was reminded of the Lion King, where Musfasa showed his son Simba the world, and said: “You are part of the never-ending circle of life.”

Au revoir Jack!

Papua New Guinea thrashes Tonga 44-14 in Pacific Cup rugby league

Papua New Guinea has just thrashed Tonga 44-14 in their SP Brewery Pacific Cup rugby league game at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby today.
Full details to come.

Cook Islands late try sinks Fiji

A sensational corner try two minutes from time elevated Cook Islands to a thrilling 24-22 win over Fiji in their SP Brewery Pacific Cup rugby league game at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby yesterday.
Vocal, flag-waving Fiji supporters were singing a dirge for Cook Islands when winger Dominic Peyroux smartly latched on to a well-placed kick from pivot John Ford to score the winner.
Fiji was leading 22-20 at that stage with the game seemingly won when it was grabbed from them by Peyroux with the dexterity and precision of a ballet dancer.
The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, however, the game was in their bag as the Cook Islanders took off their jumpers and entertained an appreciative crowd with song and dance.
Cooks Islands led for most of the match, however, the never say die Fijians fought back to level the scores 20-20 with a 73rd minute try to centre Mike Ratu, goaled by pivot Wes Naiqama, to set the stage for a thrilling finish.
After shocking Samoa in Cairns last weekend, Cook Islands came in with all guns blazing and with tries to forward Tinirau Arona and halfback Daniel Fepuleai, the first of which was goaled by Fepuleaia, strolled to an early 10-0 lead.
An initially disorganised Fiji got its act together midway into the first half with consecutive tries to winger Akuila Vate and backrower Lepa Naga, the second goaled by Naiqama, to level 10-10 at the break.
A domineering Cook Islands opened up the second stanza with a goal to Fepuleai in the 44th minute followed by tries to Peyroux (49min) and Fepuleai for a 20-10 lead before Fiji stepped on the high gear.
Tries to winger Vate (67min) and Ratu (73min), both goaled by Naiqama, including the second from the corner, saw Fiji in front for the first time and the game looking as good as won.
Singing Fiji supporters were suddenly quite when Peyroux leaped into the air for the winner.
Cook Islands 24 (Peyroux 2, Fepeleai 2, Arona tries; Fepuleai 2 goals) bt Fiji 22 (Vate 2, Naga, Ratu tries; Naiqama 3 goals). Scrums: Cook Islands 9-8. Penalties: Fiji 3-1.

Cook Islands bt Fiji 24-22 in Pacific Cup rugby league

Cook Islands yesterday took out the first game of the SP Brewery Pacific Cup rugby league in Port Moresby with a nailbiting 24-22 win over Fiji.
Full story and pictures to come.
Papua New Guinea plays Tonga today.

First pictures of the Cook Islands v Fiji game

Band entertainment after the game

Cook Islands celebrate with a song and dance

Part of the grandstand crowd at the Lloyd Robson Oval

Pacific Cup kicks off in Port Moresby this weekend

The 2009 SP Brewery Pacific Cup, the newest rugby league competition on the international calendar, is scheduled to be held in at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby.

 The competing teams are Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.

The four Pacific Cup matches will be played at Lloyd Robson Oval on October 24-25 October and October 31 October.

 The Pacific Cup final will be played on November 1.

The winner of the 2009 Pacific Cup will compete in the 2010 Four Nations tournament.

Momentum continues to build around the newest event on the international rugby league calendar, with SP Brewery’s announcement of sponsorship a strong show of corporate support from the host nation.

SP Brewery has been a driving force in developing rugby league in PNG, highlighted by a 21-year commitment as naming rights sponsor for the country’s premier competition.

The SP Brewery Pacific Cup is set to attract unprecedented radio and television audiences for a Pacific Nations Rugby League tournament with coverage into the UK, Australia and throughout the Pacific.

 

World Bank has conflict of interest on Bougainville

By James Wanjik, Former Secretary for Mining

 

BOUGAINVILLE is fortunate to have mining powers unlike other provinces in Papua New Guinea.

 However, having mining powers is one thing.

 Having the capacity to exercise that power is another.

Since 2001 when Peace Agreement was executed, Bougainville has mining powers.

Only consequential actions were required.

Thus the National Parliament approved the constitutional amendment in about 2003.

Subsequently the Autonomous Bougainville Constitution of 2004 was approved.

From 2004 the ABG was in a position to promulgate mining policy and pass law.

However, in 2005 the National Government through Parliament passed the Mineral Resources Authority Act 2005.

It has nine sections and 15 issues dealing with Panguna mine.

This is contrary to the Constitution of PNG.

It is likened to giving with right hand and taking it all back with left hand.

 MRA is that left hand.

The MRA in turn confused the National Government and the ABG.

This confusion resulted in the National Government and the ABG signing a 15- step Alotau Pact on 31 March 2008.

 It was a political pact.

It politicised ABG’s mining powers.

The confusion is the MRA.

It is on Bougainville in breach of the Constitution of PNG.

The combined readings of sections 288 and 290 of the Constitution of PNG vests mining powers in the ABG as the legitimate government on Bougainville.

The ABG would have been overrun by the MRA had it not been for kind hearts of PNG.

Now MRA is politicising PNG Government.

It has not approved World Bank Loan yet we hear.

The World Bank was responsible for creating MRA.

Graeme Hancock was the World Bank consultant who drove World Bank agenda in PNG.

Now Graeme Hancock is with the World Bank.

 Graeme Hancock also advised former Minister for Mining Sam Akoitai on MRA.

He was at the verge of being engaged on Letter of Engagement to be a consultant adviser to the government on a K 6 million package.

MRA, World Bank and Graeme Hancock have huge conflict of interest.

ABG would be advised to beware. K20 million it is promising is a loan.

ABG will be nailed with loan conditions like it nailed PNG under its previous loan.

With Graeme Hancock at the World Bank, ABG will need strong leadership to get assistance.

Graeme Hancock knows how to manipulate laws, leaders and public servants to have his way.

 Under the previous loan Graeme Hancock was exempted from paying any tax on consultancy fees. He failed to submit a project closure report.

He left five days prior to end of his consultancy contract to avoid embarrassment and political powerlessness.

Till Graeme Hancock is out of PNG, MRA will be a proxy for World Bank.

Graeme Hancock and MRA are World Bank moles in PNG.