Monday, December 14, 2009
Gunmen wound Papua New Guinea chief ombudsman
Unknown gunmen have shot and wounded
The shooting occurred on Friday night and the newspaper, The National, says a bullet went through his shoulder.
Mr Manek says after shooting several times, the gunmen got back in their car and sped off, thinking he was dead.
He says he tried to follow his attackers but, feeling dizzy from loss of blood, he decided to drive to a nearby hospital.
The Police Commissioner Gari Baki says one of his senior officers visited the chief ombudsman in hospital soon after the incident.
Transparency International ranks PNG 151st out of 180 of the most corrupt countries in their annual list.
A host of other government figures, including the prime minister and the treasurer, are currently under investigation by the Ombudsman Commission.
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mv Mondi welcomed by PNGPCL
PNG Ports Corporation Ltd’s new pilot vessel mv Mondi (pictured) was officially welcomed at its Christmas function in
mv Mondi is named after the wife of PNGPCL chairman Dr Ila Temu, who officiated last Friday.
The 13.67m boat, with an aluminium superstructure and powered by two Caterpillar engines, was bought from Bundaberg Port Corporation in
Dr Temu thanked PNGPCL board of directors, CEO Brian Riches, management and the pilotage department for naming the newly-acquired boat after his wife.
Dr Temu said the board, as part of its strategic direction to move forward, had provided the CEO:
- The mandate to expand existing company operations to include harbour management and additional pilotage services;
- Set up the operating vehicle for harbour management; and
- Expand the pilotage service and fee structure.
“The board is aware that PNGPCL is in the process of implementing a strategic plan to identify direction of pilotage services and revenue opportunities, e.g., Australian Reef Pilots,” he said.
“We are committed to support the PNGPCL management in meeting challenges by facilitating economic growth through quality and efficient service delivery, profitability, sustainable investment in infrastructure, exceeding stakeholder and shareholder expectations and meeting legislative and community service obligations.
“The company is currently continuing its organisational restructure, revitalisation of services and rehabilitation of facilities throughout PNG.
“We are proud to be the only pilotage service provider in PNG.
“With the inclusion of mv Mondi, PNGPCL’s pilotage services will be boosted at its
“PNGPCL is aiming to boost the pilotage capacity from its current 15 to 20 pilots with the assistance of Australian Reef Pilots,
“We plan to have more pilotage boats as well for the pilotage department going forward.”
PNGPCL CEO Brian Riches admitted that currently resources in its pilotage division were limited.
“Resources include human resources and infrastructure, each of which require considerable investment to expand and provide an expanded service to other ports and provide reef and coastal pilotage services,” he said.
“Prior to a pilotage strategic review undertaken earlier this year, PNGPCL had estimated that it would have to increase its pilot numbers from 15 to 20 over the next five years.
“PNGPCL, with technical assistance from Australian Reef Pilots, has acquired the mv Mondi to boost its pilotage operations.
“In addition, there is the possibility to develop coastal pilotage services with some initial partnership approaches with Australian Reef Pilots.”
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The World visits Milne Bay
Captions: 1. Canadian tourists who were seen delving into
The
Among guests on the 200m-long vessel was renowned anthropologist Dr Nancy Sullivan who is currently based in Madang.
She was accompanied by tourists from
Dr Sullivan has been a strong advocate of tourism as a way forward for
"Tourism is good for PNG,” she said.
“It brings much-needed funds to these remote communities, encourages them to maintain a traditional lifestyle and prevents the young men, in particular, from having to seek to work in the cities where they are subject to many dangerous influences."
Dr Sullivan and her friendly entourage cycled to the Alotau War Memorial which was highlighted on the day of their arrival by Trobriand craftsmen and their impressive artwork.
While a few stepped in to grab some young, thirst-quenching coconuts and cordial ice blocks, the more adventurous tourists made a bolder move toward the betelnut and tobacco stalls.
The tourists cycled through the outskirts of the quiet town while most of the local people observed a quiet Sunday of Christian worship.
The World, which departed on the same day that afternoon, is no ordinary cruise liner but a floating residential community owned by residents of the ship from 40 different countries.
While she shares similar facilities to those on board a cruise liner, she is more unique because of her residential nature.
Her features include a grocery store and delicatessen, boutique, athletic facilities that include a golf simulator, putting green, casino, full-sized tennis court, jogging track and gym.
The World boasts four restaurants and entertainment including a movie theatre and music performances.
Classes are also offered for dance, navigation, cooking, language, arts and crafts, music, computers and photography
Her 200-300m bedroom luxury apartments have open plan living and dining areas with master and guest bedrooms that have ensuite bathing facilities.
A full-sized kitchen is also a feature and Internet access is provided to each residence.
The World's website www.aboardtheworld.com describes having a private apartment onboard as "the magic carpet that provides you with the ride of your life with the comfort of home".
While some residents live onboard full time others visit their floating home periodically through the year as their ship slowly circumnavigates the globe.
Accra Caucus on Forests and Climate Change (ACFCC)
December 12th 2009,
A robust agreement in
“The outcome of the negotiations of REDD under the UNFCCC will be crucial for the future of tropical rainforests and forest-dependent peoples. If we lose the battle against deforestation we lose the battle against climate change,” said Kenn Mondiai – Chairman of the Papua New Guinea Ecoforestry Forum speaking on behalf of the Accra Caucus [2] on forests and climate change.
The draft text, released by government negotiators this morning following three days of closed-door discussions, shows that an objective for reducing deforestation by at least 50% by 2020 that had been included in an earlier ‘pre-Copenhagen’ draft of the agreement has now been removed. Similarly, wording that would ensure that biodiversity and the rights of indigenous peoples would be protected has also been moved out of the operative part of the agreement [1].
”In order to be successful, the REDD agreement must include a target for ending deforestation by 2020. Without this, there is a risk that emissions from forest destruction will be prolonged with devastating impacts that will endanger forest-dependent communities and indigenous peoples, biodiversity and exacerbate climate change” said Kenn Mondiai – Chairman of the Papua New Guinea Ecoforestry Forum.
The loss of the specific target for reducing deforestation is believed to have come about as a result of pressure from tropical countries, who have been angered at the lack of financial commitments from the rich world to help them develop without destroying their forests and the lack of binding and adequate commitments to reducing industrial CO2 emissions by those responsible for creating the climate crisis.
“It’s hardly surprising that developing countries won’t agree to commit to global targets for reductions in deforestation, when rich countries aren't prepared to commit to global targets for reductions of industrial emissions. We are watching an historic opportunity turn into a monumental disaster” said Kenn Mondiai.
The key to saving forests and the climate is that binding targets to reduce industrial emissions, as well as long term financial commitments from developed countries, must be struck at the same time as a deal to reduce deforestation.
“As developing countries rally around the call for emission reduction targets that will keep temperature increases below 1.5 degrees, so the need for tougher targets for REDD become critical if REDD is to be a part of a meaningful outcome from Copenhagen”3 said Kenn Mondiai.
Notes
[1] The former text stated “parties shall”, but the new wording places no specific obligations on parties to adhere to safeguards
[2] The Accra Caucus consists of over 100 non-governmental organisations from 30 countries, (including all the major countries with tropical rainforest)
[3] notes on G77 position needed
For additional information contact Kenn Mondiai in
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