Australian teenage adventurer nears equator

Australian teenager Jessica Watson, who hopes to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted across the globe, is now nearing the equator after leaving Australia last month (pictured).
It is still too early to predict an exact date that she will cross the line, but based on her current progress, this could occur on the weekend of Nov 21-22.
Sunday marked three weeks since Ms Watson’s departure from Sydney Harbour, when she is expected to pass 2,300 nautical miles, 10% of the way through her epic journey.
For the next eight months, as the 16-year-old sails across more than 21,000 nautical miles of ocean, she will live aboard the 34-foot yacht Ella's Pink Lady with little except a satellite phone and internet access for company.
Her location will be tracked by a GPS device attached to her clothing as she voyages round Cape Horn and on towards the Cape of Good Hope.
Watson’s blog http://www.youngestround.blogspot.com/ is receiving thousands of hits from people around Australia and the world as they follow her adventures.
Her updated website http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/ has a tracking map so people can keep an eye on her movements.
“Really loving the way Ella's been chewing away the miles over the last few days,” she wrote in her latest blog post over the Tongan Trench.
“With the wind sitting on 20-25knots from the south east its good trade wind sailing, even if the sun hasn't been doing too much of that shining business lately.
“We're also really starting to make some good progress north.
“The GPS readout now puts our latitude well into the teens.
“The temperature is just starting to get a little warm in the cabin, but with so much water over the deck, having the hatches open is completely out of the question.
“But I'm sure this is nothing compared to how warm it will get over the over the next few weeks!
“With a bit of a headache, plenty of sea room and Ella's Pink Lady not needing much attention from me today, I pretty much just spent the day wedged into a comfy position working away at a book and staying dry.
“Apart from the odd flying fish and bird there's not really been a lot of wild life around lately and still no luck catching any fish.
“Then again we have just passed over the Tongan Trench one of the deepest places on earth.
“I'm not much of a fisherman but maybe it hasn't exactly been the greatest place to catch fish?
“I'll just have to keep trying!
“The overcast skies have been making for some dark nights out here.
“The sky and sea are completely black with no way of telling them apart.
“It's completely pot luck whether or not I get a face full of spray when I stick my head out above the dodger for a look around.
“But even if I do get un-lucky and cop a wave, I can't say it really bothers me.
“Normally I'll just laugh or squeal, even if I'm half asleep!”
“So it's all going well and at this pace, we'll be passing Samoa in the next few days and from there it really is a clear run to the equator.”

APEC members enjoy de facto integration, analysis reveals

Issued by the APEC Secretariat

9 November 2009 – The impact of APEC membership on trade is comparable to that of a free trade agreement, even without a binding agreement.

In a report completed last month, an independent research team has tackled the much-debated question: Does APEC really make a difference to trade?

The report’s analysis reveals that APEC members trade with each other more than they do with other free trading agreement partners and much more with trading partners who are both members of APEC and members of the World Trade Organisation. This, say analysts, demonstrates the high level of de facto integration between members of APEC, even under non-binding arrangements.

After taking into account the usual factors that influence trade – like size of economy, distance between economies, WTO membership and being in an FTA with a trading partner – APEC members are 3 times more likely to export to another member than to a non-member and two times more likely to import from another member than from a non-member.

Findings are further supported by a five-fold increase in trade within APEC since its establishment in 1989 and the 67 percent share that intra-regional trade comprises of total APEC trade. Notably, this is a larger intra-regional share of trade than that in the EU-27.

“This provides analytical evidence that APEC achieves results, explains Philip Gaetjens, Director of the APEC Policy Support Unit, the team responsible for the report.

“It shows that regional integration is strong and has prospered under a voluntary and non-binding approach to enhancing trade.”

Member economies have virtually eliminated tariffs and continue to find ways to reduce trade barriers. APEC has been exploring the possibility of a Free Trade Area in the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

The Report

Trade Creation in the APEC Region: Measurement of the Magnitude of and Changes in Intra-Regional Trade since APEC’s Inception, APEC Policy Support Unit, October 2009.

For a short synopsis of report findings, go to:

http://www.apec.org/etc/medialib/apec_media_library/downloads/psu/2009/reports.Par.0002.File.tmp/FS_Trade_Creation_Paper_Findings.doc

To view the report in its entirety, go to:

http://www.apec.org/etc/medialib/apec_media_library/downloads/psu/2009/reports.Par.0001.File.tmp/MeasureIntraRegTrade.pdf

For more information, contact:

Carolyn Williams at cdw@apec.org or at (65) 9617 7316

Anita Douglas at ad@apec.org or at (65) 9172 6427

Plans afoot to build fisheries facility in Oro Bay

By UNRE Public Relations

PLANS are afoot to build a fisheries facility at the PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment Popondetta Campus.

Plans are to have this facility built at Oro Bay where the university has about one to two hectares of undeveloped land.

Campus director Jack Lapauve said he was keen on seeing this land developed and therefore had already assigned a lecturer to survey it.

Mr Lapauve said tentative plans were to put up a shelter that could house basic things like fishing gear and outboard motors and dinghies.

He said this facility was vital as it would enable the students to put into practice what they learn in the classrooms.

He said to make these plans a reality, it would require finance.

However, he said he was confident that with a good proposal, the university would be able to secure funding support.

“I really want to see that land being developed and therefore I am prepared to do

whatever it takes,” Mr Lapauve said.

“I am confident that with a good proposal we will be able to secure funding not only from the government but from other donor agencies.”

Mr Lapauve said the establishment of the facilities would go a long way in ensuring the campus was self-reliant.

“…whatever the students are able to catch will be put into the mess and the surplus can then be sold to the public or private entities here,” he said.

Work set to start at Sepik Central Campus

By UNRE Public Relations

EDUCATED Papua New Guineans must take the lead in ensuring that basic and essential services reach their fellow countrymen and women.

PNG University of Natural Resources & Environment (UNRE) Vice Chancellor Prof Philip Siaguru said this last Friday at the signing of three agreements related to construction work at the former Sepik Agricultural College in Maprik, East Sepik province.

“The Somare-Temu government has time and again proclaimed service delivery to the people,” he said.

“Time and again the beauracracy has not delivered.

“We the educated masses must deliver the service.”

Prof Siaguru said while it was the government’s desire for basic services to reach people, many a times this did not happen and urged those involved with projects undertaken by the university to deliver.

Three contractors signed agreements with UNRE: AP Engineering, the principal contractor will construct new classrooms, dormitories, houses and other buildings; Kemkai Investments Ltd will provide on-site supervision while Island Security Services will provide security back-up.

KCA Associates, who will undertake land demarcation work, are yet to sign their contract.

“The signing today marks a significant historical event for Maprik district and the nation as a whole because another natural resource management facility offering higher education training is being built,” Prof Siaguru said.

“We must all work together as a team of people committed to this nation and this government’s desire to deliver much-needed service to the rural people.”

Phase one of the “Jump-Start Plan” for Sepik Central Campus is set to begin, following this formality. It involves the construction of an administration block, four high-cost houses, student dormitories, messing facilities, clinic, laboratory, a communal Christian centre and sporting facilities.

Other tasks include re-establishment of electricity, water and communication; and appointment of a campus director and station manager.

Prof Siaguru acknowledged that the commencement of the project was made possible by Commerce & Industry Minister and Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris, who facilitated the first- phase funding of K5.6million.

He said it was the government’s desire through Minister Kapris that the nation gained another higher education facility and urged everyone present at the ceremony to work in collaboration with each other to ensure that it was the people of PNG that benefited.

Prof Siaguru added that it was in the best interest of the project if differences and misunderstandings were resolved outside of court.

University registrar Henry Gioven agreed that going to court was not the way to go.

“All players in this development are professional adults,” he said.

“We must not forget that the true achievers in this are the communities and people of Papua New Guinea.” he said.

All three contractors expressed total support for the project and said that the bulk of their general workforce would be recruited from the surrounding communities so that they would take ownership of the campus development and expansion through active participation.

More comments on this blog

By ROB AGEN in North Yorkshire, England

"Hey Malum, brata long taim no speak - great to see you in Facebook.
Toksave, your blog (http://malumnalu.blogspot.com/) is excellent!
Arguably the best blog transmitting events and news in PNG to the rest of the world.
From time to time I would get into your blog to read about news from back home.
Recently I was searching all over the web for the Kumuls v Cook Islands final outcome, and lo behold you were the first person to carry the news (plus photos) in your blog!!!!
Brilliant stuff mate - keep up the good work wantok.
Take care."

Comment about this blog

By REG RENAGI

Having browsed through several PNG web & blog sites & while I enjoy all of them, I rate Malum Nalu's website (or blog site?) as one top interesting place to visit.
It stands out from the others with its variety of human-interest stories. I read a few daily & come back to read some more a few days later, or even once a week.
Malum's blog will only improve over time as many readers post their comments. From reader's feedback, no doubt the webmaster will refine it more by frequently having fresh reader-friendly items posted.
It's a great place to find out more about the many different aspects of our beautiful country, PNG. I have told friends overseas to check Malum's site out if they want to learn more about my beautiful country.
Keep up the good work Malum.

Reginald Renagi
Port Moresby

War museum becomes popular

An impromptu war museum at the site of what used to be Schwimmer Drome at Laloki, on the banks of the great river of the same name, is becoming a must-visit for tourists to Port Moresby.
The museum is run by Thomas Richard Auhava, from Iokea in the Gulf province, without any assistance from organisations such as the National Museum and Art Gallery as well as the Tourism Promotion Authority.
Ironically, last month, when visiting tourist cruise ship Rhapsody of the Sea visited Port Moresby, tourists who were turned away from the NMAG ended up visiting Mr Auhava’s ad hoc museum (pictures above, by Eco Tourism Melanesia).
Mr Auhava has, over the years, been collecting numerous war relics in and around the site of the old Schwimmer Drome in a labour-of-love.
He is fighting a lonely battle against scrap metal hunters and dealers, who without any scruples do anything to get an extra buck.
He has brought a proposal to the NMAG in Waigani, Port Moresby, for funding to set up a proper museum, as well as the TPA, but to no avail,
Mr Auhava has been living at Laloki for the last 20 years and knows every nook and cranny in the area.
“Over the years,” says the former PNG Defence Force soldier, “I’ve been collecting these war relics and I’ve been featured in newspapers.
“Because of this media publicity, tourists started visiting, and I’ve decided to start a proper museum.”
The war relics include human bones, helmets, dog tags, tools, hand grenades (defused), bombshells, bullets, coins, jerry cans, 1940’s Coca-Cola bottles and assorted paraphernalia.
One of the prized possessions of the collection is the remains of the plane of Australian air ace, John Jackson, after whom Port Moresby’s famous Jackson’s International Airport is named.
Jackson crashed on the hills overlooking Laloki after a heroic dogfight against Japanese fighters.
“History is very important,” Mr Auhava extols.
“This generation, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to know anything about the war.
“Historical sites like Schwimmers should be preserved for educational purposes, tourism, etc.
“These relics should be preserved and protected.
“Scrap metal vendors are getting their hands on these war relics.
“If we lose these war relics, we lose history.
“People are just taking them out and selling them to scrap metal dealers.
“I decided to bring them all to one place and take care of them.
“After that, I began to find out about the place itself, its history.
“I borrowed some WW11 books from a historian and did research.
“I realised that it (Schwimmers) was a WW11 US airbase.”