Dangerous criminals on the loose in Port Moresby

William Kapris

Peter Plesman

Oliver Ben Gabi

Kito Aso

John Siko Wel

James Pari

Greg Wawa

All of Papua New Guinea’s most-dangerous criminals have escaped from the country’s highest maximum security unit at Bomana jail, outside Port Moresby, yesterday morning and were still on the run last night, The National reports.
The 12 prisoners included three who are on death row, a serial rapist and William Kapris, the mastermind in a series of armed bank robberies.
The National Security Advisory Committee summoned Correctional Services Commissioner Richard Sikani for a briefing yesterday afternoon, saying it was a national security issue.
According to Mr Sikani, the National Security Advisory Committee will be meeting today to institute an independent investigation while the CS will carry out its own.
The escape appeared to be well planned and involved a woman “lawyer” who managed to breach all security procedures to smuggle in a gun and empty the maximum security unit of its occupants at about 10am.
Acting Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga said police had a mammoth task on hand to recapture more than 150 prisoners who escaped from PNG jails in the past 12 months, including 40 from Bomana last October.
Police warned of increased criminal activities in Port Moresby and warned that anyone found aiding, abetting or harbouring the escapees would face the full force of the law.
As news of the daring escape spread, the Business Council of PNG said in a widely-circulated email to its members to take extra precautions when moving in and around Port Moresby because some of the escapees were dangerous.
The maximum security unit at Bomana was undermanned at the time of the escape, Correction Service Commissioner Richard Sikani said.

New Australian high commissioner to Papua New Guinea

From AAP

 

AN Australian who went to primary school in Papua New Guinea is to return - as high commissioner.

Ian Kemish will take up the top job next month.

Mr Kemish, who speaks the PNG language Tok Pisin, is a career public servant who was recently ambassador to Germany.

He was decorated for his work with the Australian Government dealing with the aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombings.

Meanwhile, Australia's consul-general to the Pacific nation of Nauru, George Fraser, has been upgraded to a high commissioner.

The move recognises that Australia's mission to Nauru has been upgraded from a consulate-general to a high commission.
 

Polar bear attacks man in Canada

Man survives bear Attack in Churchill , Manitoba , Canada .

These are pictures of an actual polar bear attack.
The pictures were taken while people watched and could do nothing to stop the attack!
Reports from the local newspaper say that the victim will make a full recovery.

Note to Hillary: Papua New Guinea's government has failed its people

By REG RENAGI

With Hillary Clinton about to visit my country, does she know that the cries of Papua New Guineans go unheard?

Past trends show that PNG’s current political regime will not drastically change its poor governance.

It is now up to the next new leadership and government.

PNG desperately needs a new progressive government after the 2012 elections, one that will totally transform the country.

Since independence, government policies have not regularly being reviewed, updated and broadened.

The next PNG government must have a sound development strategy with two overriding goals: greater participation by the people, and sustainable development.

PNG needs a revolution in political affairs. It must change its political landscape. Every citizen and government must work together for a better country.

A fresh leader with a new political message to inspire PNG is also required.

Today PNG faces very serious national challenges; its performance in the past 20 years has been dismal.

The country is disunited.

There is high unemployment, serious crime, social and political instability, serious health and environmental challenges, a decrepit health care system and rapid urbanisation.

Papua New Guineans are simply fed up with their government’s performance.

Its central agencies are inefficient.

Their output has failed to meet people’s expectations.

The people want to see a progressive and transformational government.

A government with a sound plan and clear strategies targeting critical areas, to totally transform PNG into a prosperous, progressive and united country.

PNG needs a responsive and responsible government with the right plan and a new leadership approach to bring about major change.

The people of PNG desperately wants a caring government with sound policy strategies to target key areas that will grow the economy, create jobs and give full government support to small businesses.

Do we have political parties out there listening to the cries of Papua New Guineans?

Do we have any MP and other aspiring politician prepared to take up this future challenge and field a good prime minister for PNG?

Port Moresby's building boom in pictures

Steamships commercial development in Gordon, along the Poreporena Feeway.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

Nasfund's IPA Haus along Lawes Road

Nasfund's 'The Edge' with Ravalien Haus in the background

The recently-opened ANZ Bank at Harbour City

Nasfund signboard at Harbour City

Nambawan Super commercial development in down town Port Moresby

Crowne Plaza in down town Port Moresby, one of the icons of the city

Steamships commercial development in down town Port Moresby

Port Moresby and Papua New Guinea's current tallest building, the 14-storey Deloitte Tower, owned by Nasfund

Steamships commercial development in Boroko

Datec's new Megastore in Gordon, along the Poreporena Freeway, which will open next week

Latest pictures of Port Moresby's building boom which I took on Sunday.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea Synod starts in Lae

Five hundred tambourine girls added colour to the grand opening of the week-long synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG in Lae, Morobe province, yesterday. Among the VIPs who witnessed the spectacular extravaganza at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium was Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, who praised churches for providing health, education and other community development programmes for the people.-Pictures by OSEAH PHILEMON of The National

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare being greeted by dignitaries after slighting from the Government's executive Falcon jet from Wewak yesterday morning. Officially, Sir Michael is still on Christmas vacation but took time off to deliver the keynote address at the official opening of the 27th Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. The jet flew from Port Moresby to Wewak, where it picked up Sir Michael and his entourage for the flight to Lae. The plane was hosed down by airport fire trucks upon arrival. Later, at the opening ceremony, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge, who was the first to meet Sir Michael at the airport, defended the Government's purchase of the jet. He called on the people of Morobe to support the Government for buying the aircraft.

World's largest yacht to visit Papua New Guinea

The world's largest sailing yacht, EOS (pictured), is planning a visit to Papua New Guinea later this month.

Melanesian Tourist Services owner Sir Peter Barter said todat that EOS was currently at Cairns Superyacht Marina in Australia and would be heading up north later this month.

"This luxurious sailing vessel is 302 feet long, crewed by around 30 and will cruise the waters of Milne Bay," Sir Peter said.

He could not divulge further information as owners of the EOS are known in international yachting circles to be very publicity-shy since she was launched in 2006.

According to information sourced from the Internet, EOS is a three-masted Bermuda rigged schooner sailing luxury yacht, currently owned by Barry Diller.

It is one of the largest - if not the largest - private sailing yacht in the world, its overall length measuring approximately 305 feet (93 m).

It was launched in Germany from the Lürssen yard in 2006 after being designed by Bill Langan, with Rondal/Huisman supplying the rig, and the naval architecture being completed by the Lürssen team.

The interior was designed by French designer François Catroux.

The yacht is moored in Cairns at the time of writing.

Characteristics

Length Overall (LOA) - 304.86 feet (a significant amount of EOS' overall length comes from her bowsprit)

Length on Deck (LOD): 271 feet (83 m)

Waterline Length (LWL): 233 feet (71 m)

Beam: 44.29 feet (13.50 m)

Hull Material: Aluminium

Superstructure: Aluminium

Gross Tonnage: 1500

Engines: 2 x 2,333 hp (1,740 kW) MTU Diesels

Propulsion: Twin Screw

Max Speed: 16 knots (30 km/h)