Turtle hunting in Papua New Guinea

Turtle hunting is prevalent in Papua New Guinea, whatever marine conservationists may say.

People need turtle meat for food, and at this time of the year, school fees for their children, so they take to the seas to hunt for this marine delicacy.

Port Moresby resident, David Nalu, took this picture of turtle hunting at Abau, Central province, by Mailu fishermen.

"So much for marine conservationist - these guys need to put food on the table," he said.

"I took this shot at Kapari/Viriolo Market at Cape Rodney on Tuesday this week.

"One of the turtles was tagged by a Hawaian marine biologis.

"Turtle hunting took place to cover school fees."

Hunt hots up for prison escapees

By DULCIE OREKE in The National

 

THE hunt for William Kapris and 11 other dangerous prison escapes was stepped up yesterday with the deployment of about 500 police and Correctional Services personnel.

Police Commissioner Gari Baki is also back in command as top cop and has set up a National Crime Coordination Centre (NCCC) at the police headquarters in Konedobu to coordinate the hunt for the escapee.

The stepped up manhunt is initially for the National Capital District, but would be extended to other provinces if required and when funding is made available.

The massive operation was launched with the promised K1.5 million from the National Government now in the police accounts for use.

Roadblocks into and out of the city will be stepped up, and all vehicles searched, regardless of who is in the vehicle.

The operation will run for a month.

During a parade at Reke Street in Boroko yesterday, National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent, Chief Supt Fred Yakasa, called for a united effort to retake the escapees.

“We have to be united in this course.

“The Government, the community and everybody is looking at us”.

He told them no one could be trusted in this day and age, and nothing must be left to chance.

He gave directives for all vehicles to be thoroughly checked at roadblocks regardless of its occupants, even if they were from a disciplinary force such as the police.

There are many “Judases” around and those caught would be isolated, dealt with and exposed publicly.

 He was referring to law enforcement officers who assist criminals and lawbreakers.

Mr Yakasa warned the public to refrain from habouring the escapees and turn them in to police.

The K1.5million allocation will go towards facilitating the operation including the hiring of cars and boats, overtime allowances, roadblocks, torches, patrol and other basic materials needed for the operation. 

Mr Yakasa said the three warders and one civilian who were arrested for their alleged involvement in the breakout at Bomana were tight-lipped during questioning.

He said the men had compromised their positions when all protocol was breached on the day of the escape on Jan 12.

Mr Yakasa said police had been checking various locations in Port Moresby and Central province as far as the coastlines and highways.

So far this week, police have managed to capture one escapee from last October’s breakout.

Mr Yakasa said Peter Kuman Kaupa from Gumine in the Simbu province escaped while serving his term for the murder of a pilot in Lae.

 

Datec's magnificent new Megastore in Port Moresby

These are pictures of Datec's magnificent Megastore in Port Moresby, situated at Gordon along the Popeporena Freeway, which opened its doors to the public this week and promises to change the whole ICT landscape of Port Moresby.

Jails minister, commissioner suspended for jailbreak

Caption: Jails Minister Tony Aimo (right) and Commissioner Richard Sikani...suspended over jailbreak

From The National

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has taken over the Correctional Services ministry with immediate effect.
Sir Michael got tough yesterday, eight days after the Bomana prison breakout, as three warders and a person who was allegedly the driver of the getaway vehicle appeared before a magistrate yesterday for allegedly aiding the escape of the 12 dangerous prisoners.
Tony Aimo, who had held the position, is now Minister without Portfolio pending investigations into the Bomana prison breakout on Jan 12 by the Correctional Services and the National Security Advisory Council.
CS Commissioner Richard Sikani has also been suspended.
The decisions were taken by the National Executive Council in a special meeting yesterday afternoon.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a short statement: “This is to advise that the Prime Minister had met with Minister Tony Aimo on 19 January and informed him that he will remain minister but without portfolio.
“The Correctional Service portfolio will be vested with the Prime Minister until further notice and after an investigation is carried out.”
During the meeting with Mr Aimo, Sir Michael also instructed the minister to meet with senior Correctional Service officials immediately and to make the necessary reshuffle in light of the prison escape. It is understood that Mr Sikani’s responsibilities are being taken over by deputy commissioner (operations) Henry Wavik, while deputy commissioner (human resources) Steven Pokanis has been moved up as acting deputy commissioner.
The acting appointments are expected to be announced by Public Service Minister Peter O’Neill. When contacted, Mr Aimo said it was the Prime Minister’s prerogative to sideline him.
“I as the minister accept the decision. The Prime Minister must be in charge of this pressing issue.
“I will work closely with the Prime Minister to ensure the smooth functioning of this very important State entity.”

Jailbreak accused appear in court

John Weka...warder

Kimoi Kingsley...civilian

Allan Maru...warder

Ambiang Kera...warder

By GEEJAY MILLI in The National

THREE Correctional Services (CS) warders and a civilian, all of whom were allegedly involved in the escape of 12 hardcore criminals from Bomana prison’s maximum security unit last Tuesday, appeared before the Waigani Committal Court yesterday.

The warders are Ambiang Kera, 47, of Morobe province; John Weka, 35, of Malalaua in Gulf province; and Allan Maru, 31, of Rigo, Central province. The civilian is Kimoi Kingsley, 40, of Unggai-Bena in Eastern Highlands province.

Kingsley is said to be one of the drivers of the getaway vehicles used to spring the 12 prisoners, including alleged bank robbery mastermind William Kapris, from the maximum security unit cells at Bomana prison on Jan 12. The four appeared before magistrate Fred Tomo.

All four were charged with aiding and abetting the escape of the 12 dangerous prisoners from lawful custody, thereby contravening section 138(a) of the Criminal Code Act.

While the four were entitled to apply for bail, magistrate Tomo said that because of the serious nature of the case, the defendants would have to arrange for a lawyer to lodge a formal bail application at the National Court.

They were therefore denied bail, and ordered to be held in custody at the Bomana prison until their next appearance.

The matter was adjourned until Feb 24.

IinterOil confirms indication of oil at Antelope 2

Cairns, Australia and Houston, TX -- January 20, 2010 -- InterOil Corporation (NYSE: IOC) (POMSoX: IOC) today announced confirmation of indications of oil in the Antelope-2 well in Papua New Guinea.

The Company is continuing to test whether the zone contains commercial quantities of oil and will announce the results of these tests when the evaluation has been completed.

 

About InterOil

InterOil Corporation is developing a vertically integrated energy business whose primary focus is Papua New Guinea and the surrounding region. InterOil’s assets consist of petroleum licenses covering about 3.9 million acres, an oil refinery, and retail and commercial distribution facilities, all located in Papua New Guinea. In addition, InterOil is a shareholder in a joint venture established to construct an LNG plant on a site adjacent to InterOil’s refinery in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. InterOil’s common shares trade on the NYSE in US dollars.

 

What about a Papua New Guinea Neighbouhood Watch Program?

From PAUL OATES in Queensland, Australia

In the Post Courier today was a good example of public spirited self help. Local police were complimented on the effect their public patrolling of Lae City was having on reducing urban crime. The writer however still had to band together with others and defend a young person against thugs who were trying to rob her. So by putting your own life on the line is still the only way to stop urban crime ? At the moment, the answer might appear to be 'Yes!'. Is there is a better way however?

Creating a Neighbourhood Watch program or an organised arrangement between the public and police needs to be investigated. Those members of the public that are cleared by police can then go about helping their community reduce personal assaults and petty crime. By standing up for public decency and reporting criminals to police without necessarily having to physically defend yourself and others is an effective way of assisting police. Effectively organised, 'People Power' can work wonders.

As an example, might each busy PMV had at least two police appointed Neighbourhood Watch members with mobile phones ready to report any lawbreakers? If each suburb and settlement had a Neighbourhood Watch program that were the eyes and ears of the police, this 'intelligence' could well turn the corner on urban crime. Identification of personal items and making law abiding citizens aware of how they can assist with their own security are very important. Reports of 'modus opperandi' or details of recent crime and local criminal behaviour also helps people become more aware of how they can help themselves. Reducing opportunities for crimes to be committed has a very positive overall effect in reducing crime.

Is there an effective police 'dob in' facility for anonymous reporting? This would help those who don't want to reveal to their wantoks who reported a crime or criminal behaviour. While the mischievous will always try to use the system to their own advantage, the overall benefits of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in PNG cities might well be worthwhile.

The RPNGC could help themselves as well as the public by becoming more proactive rather than just reactive.

viewpoints
Thursday 21st January, 2010

Let's work with police to fight crime

I would like to comment on the police officers patrolling the main streets in Lae City.
It's almost a month and we have witnessed a drop in bag snatching, public harassment and pocket-picking by street thugs. Police presence in the city has made a lot of difference.
However, in the early hours between 6 and 8am street thugs are preying on young girls and the elderly, harassing and robbing people going to work as if they own the streets. Yesterday my friends and I were able to rescue a young lady who was being harassed and robbed around 7am on her way to work. My friends and I put our lives on the line and put up a fight with these thugs, more than 10 of them. One of my friends lost his shopping bag in the confrontation.
We were attacked with iron rods and outnumbered, fortunately no one was hurt. Police, consider street patrolling between 6am and 7am and clean out these opportunists. As a law abiding Papua New Guinean, I will speak against immorality, public harassment and robbing of our women folk by street thugs. It's risky to physically confront street thugs. If we the innocent public and the law enforcing body do not step up, someone we know will become a victim to street thugs.
If good, law-abiding citizens are not saying or doing anything to attack immorality around us, evil and lawlessness will increase.
Let's work together with community policing to make our city and country safe for everyone.

W Hera