Cabinet to be reshuffled, resized

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare intends to increase the size of his Cabinet, and has promised to reshuffle his Cabinet after the March sitting of Parliament which starts tomorrow, The National reports.

But Planning Minister Paul Tiensten, the man who sets the Government’s agenda on the floor of Parliament, brushed aside suggestions the increase in Cabinet’s size and the reshuffle has anything to do with the threat of a vote of no-confidence.

Mr Tiensten, who is Leader of Government Business, said the Government was intact and was not distracted by the Opposition’s mooted vote of no-confidence motion.

Parliament sits at 2 o’clock tomorrow and high on the agenda is the Bill to increase the number of ministries from 28 to 31, the motion to have nominated women in Parliament and amendments to the Organic Law Governments to retain the provincial seats after 2012.

“We have the executive arm and we will go into Parliament to run the business of the day of putting through legislative amendments and policy statements,” Mr Tiensten said after a special National Executive Council meeting tonight.

He said if the motion (of no-confidence) was introduced, the Private Members Committee would sit down and determine the merits and demerits of the motion.

He said the committee would determine whether it (motion) was of national importance or if it was parochial.

“There is a process before it can be entertained by Parliament but we are ready to defeat any motion as the Government’s strength is intact,” Mr Tiensten said.

Mr Tiensten himself has been the subject of a push by some governors from his New Guinea Islands region to have him removed as minister, but the Prime Minister has kept his faith in him.

In a statement released earlier today, the Prime Minister said he was holding back the announcement of a reshuffle until the re-introduction of the Bill to increase the number of ministries from 28 to 31.

This is not catered for in the 2010 Budget, and the Government will blow a hole in the budget to fund the expansion of Cabinet.

But the Prime Minister said the expansion had to happen after 35 years.

“We have had 28 ministers since 1975 when our population was less than half of what it is today. A total of 35 years have lapsed and responsibilities have greatly increased.

“Due to the political stability our growth since 2002 is almost five times more. We have to better manage governance with the level of growth taking place in the country today.

“Currently, many ministers are taking care of more than one portfolio and there is a need to share some of these responsibilities.

“In the proposed changes I will also be giving vice ministers more responsibilities and functions so that they can complement the work of the ministers.

“Experience has shown that ministers also have not been able to properly utilise vice-ministers.”

Warriors given a second chance

Kundiawa Warriors are back after 3 years in exile

 

By BURI GABI and ZACHARY PER

 

PNG rugby league’s prodigal son the Kundiawa Warriors are set to return to the country’s premier rugby league competition the bemobile Cup, The National reports.

After getting the green light by the Cup governing board over the weekend, the Simbu franchise will take part in the competition after three years in the sporting wilderness.

The Warriors paid K70, 000 to the PNGRFL offsetting a K60, 000 debt incurred by previous sponsor Pagini Transport.

The extra K10, 000 was an initial payment to get the Warriors on board with an additional K80, 000 yet to be paid for the Simbu provincial team complete its entry requirements for 2010.

According to Fox, all franchise teams are urged to pay their franchise fees of K90, 000 for this year before March 13.

The bemobile cup board under chairman Don Fox agreed unanimously to accept the Warriors bid after submissions and guarantees from the interim Warriors board headed by Jerry Kapka with the endorsement of Simbu MPs in Governor Fr John Garia and Kundiawa/Gembogl MP  Joe Mek Teine.

Fox, also the PNG National Rugby League board chairman, confirmed that the Warriors were definite starters for the 2010 season but under strict conditions in particular not bringing the game into disrepute through violence.

“We want to make rugby league a family sport were mums and dads can take their children to watch a game of footy but we need to put a stop to violence in rugby league first,” Fox said.

He said the board decided to re-instate a team from Simbu which he acknowledged had produced many great players over the years and would no doubt continue to do so.

With the inclusion of a team from Simbu, the bemobile Cup can now boast a full complement of teams from the Highlands region further strengthening the competition.

This will now see a total of nine teams in the semi-professional competition: Agmark Gurias, ACTL Bombers, Toyota Mioks, SBS Muruks, CIVPAC Vipers, Masta Mak City Rangers, Bintangor Eagles, Bintangor Lahanis and the Kundiawa Warriors.

The competition will kick off on the April 25 with four matches around the country while one team has the bye.

PNGNRL Chairman, Don Fox said that he was impressed with the Warriors’ commitment to re-entering the competition and commended Warriors board chairman Jerry Kapka and the rest of the interim board for their tireless work over the last seven months.

Fox also visited the playing facilities at the Warriors home ground, Dickson Oval, recently to see first hand the interim board’s plans for redeveloping the playing surface and the stands in time to host home games this season.

 

Lae, Cairns ink economic tie-up

Mr McLay (right) and Mr Blockey shaking hands after  signing the agreement at the Melanesian Hotel in Lae. –  Nationalpic by OSEAH PHILEMON

Business chambers of both cities to expand trade

 By OSEAH PHILEMON

THE Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Inc (CCCI) in Australia have signed an agreement to improve economic and commercial ties between the two sister cities, The National reports.

The agreement was signed between LCCI president Alan McLay and his Cairns counterpart Jeremy Blockey after a tour of Lae city by a Cairns business delegation.

The agreement states that the two chambers, recognising the immense possibilities of improving economic and commercial ties between Papua New Guinea and Australia, have agreed to work together to establish and develop commercial links between the respective members of the two chambers within the scope of their terms of reference.

The agreement states that the two chambers undertake to co-operate with each other and do their best to strengthen and improve economic cooperation and trade between the two cities.

It also states that the two chambers shall mutually assist and contribute to the expanding commercial links between trade enterprises of the two cities.

They agreed to exchange information and views on widening commercial ties between the two cities and countries.

The agreement states that the two parties will participate in each others’ national exhibition, international trade, specialised exhibitions, economic and technical fairs, information bureaux, symposia, conferences or similar events taking place in their respective cities with the aim of expanding economic co-operation.

Steamships posts K96m profit for 2009

STEAMSHIPS Trading Co Ltd (STCL) posted a profit (after tax and minority interests) of K96.6 million for the period ending December 2009, The National reports.

The directors in their report to the stock exchange revealed the profit, up 7% from K90.2 million in 2008, on the back of healthy performance by businesses within the Steamships group especially the hotels and property division.

This figure includes Steamships’ equity-accounted share of associates’ results.

Revenues were K496.0 million, up 7.1% compared to 2008 result of K463.0 million.

Depreciation in 2009 was K47.9 million compared to K39.3 million in the previous year, and interest on borrowings was K12.2 million against K4.7 million in 2008.

Capital expenditure for the year was K195.4 million against K133.7 million in 2008.

“The result reflects the continuing improvement in trading performance from businesses within the Group.

"Notably, the hotels and property divisions recorded healthy results against budget expectations.

“This is largely driven by increased demand for short-term stays and conferencing.

“Room and facility expansion at the Gateway and Ela Beach Hotels together with the construction of the new 166-room Grand Papua Hotel, in Port Moresby, ensures the divisions’ position as a leading hospitality service provider.”

The board said demand for high quality commercial, industrial and residential accommodation drove favourable results for the property division and reinforced investment decisions to commence property development programmes.

 

Government backs Petromin on LNG plan

Caption: Petromin chairman Brown Bai (right) making a point to Sir Michael during the meeting last week. – Picture courtesy of Petromin Media

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has said the Government and its agencies will work with Petromin PNG Holdings Ltd in the Elk/Antelope liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, The National reports.

This will be to help Petromin, the Government’s nominee, fund the State’s equity in the project being spearheaded by InterOil Corp.

Sir Michael disclosed these during the Petromin Board meeting in Wewak last where he addressed the meeting as trustee shareholder.

He said he was looking forward to receiving Petromin’s advice on how the State could best fund its equity in the project.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that Petromin had secured the financing of its equity, through its subsidiary Eda Oil Ltd in the Exxon Mobil-led PNG LNG project.

“This indeed gives me more confidence that I have in the board and management in taking on more challenges of similar nature in the future, on the company’s own strength.”

Sir Michael said Petromin has shown positive growth since its inception and he commended the board and management for putting in place an investment strategy which provided the pathway for a planned process of investment.

“It is my hope that one day, Petromin would live up to its expectations of becoming an exploration and development company in the whole value chain of the mineral and petroleum sector.

“It was this main vision that led us to create Petromin,” Sir Michael said.

Dame Carol Kidu launches Early Childhood Education at University of Goroka

Caption: Dame Carol Kidu, Vice Chancellor Dr Onagi, Professor Simms and Dr Forrest unveiling the signboard for the launching of the Early Childhood Education Centre at UOG

 

The University of Goroka’s new programme in Early Childhood Education was launched last Friday.

 Dame Kidu said she was “very passionate about early childhood”. 

She commended UOG on its breakthrough course that focuses on the most valuable resource of PNG (small children).

 Dame Kidu also advised the gathering that the curriculum for the course needed to be flexible with a holistic approach, as early childhood care and practices were a community concern.

 She was very excited about the program and thankful that it was giving another career pathway to students.  Dame Kidu closed her speech by giving the highest congratulations to UOG and encouraging all Ita Eboda (Motu for “all of us can do it together”).

Two special guests from the University of New England were also present for the occasion: Professor Margaret Simms and Dr Rhonda Forrest.

 Both visitors were very supportive of and excited by the new programme and also gave valuable advice and specialist knowledge to the gathering.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Goroka Dr Gairo Onagi remarked that “a child is the only known substance from which a responsible adult is made” (Thomas Lickona) and UOG had a responsibility to train young people to help shape children into better adults.  Dr Onagi announced that UOG was the first university in PNG offering training for teachers in early childhood education.

 He announced that funding had been granted for two lecturers to teach the Early Childhood programme at UOG. 

Dr Onagi also thanked Dame Kidu, Professor Simms and Dr Forrest for their continuing support and advice to UOG and the new programme.

Dean of the Faculty of Education Dr Kapa Kelep-Malpo said the most crucial time in a child’s life was from conception to eight years old. 

Dr Kelep-Malpo said she was happy for UOG to join others to promote and cater for this special age group through support from the government and UNE.

The launching, held at the Steak Haus, was witnessed by a number of special guests including representatives from NGOs, elementary school teachers and trainers, UOG staff and the first intake of students for the programme.

The one-year diploma programme is a positive step forward for the Education Faculty at UOG, and is testament to the recognition and importance of education at the elementary level. 

The programme commences this year, with hopes of expansion for the future.

The programme concluded with the unveiling of the Early Childhood Education Centre signboard for the Faculty by Dame Carol Kidu, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Simms and Dr Forrest.

The magic of Kokoda Track

By NEWMAN CUTHBERT

Communications & Marketing Officer

Kokoda Track Authority

The Kokoda Track (Trail) produces some amazing views and often times it unfolds before you and allows you to admire it than fades as you watch.

Whether it is rainbows that seems to cut through the forest canopy or the sound of the wind that  whispers your own name as you pass, the track has a way of wiping away the  aches and pains of  a tough trekking day.

But it is where you will sometimes feel closer to our maker and when the going gets tough at certain locations along the entire 96 km of the Kokoda Track, he has ways of making us pause, rest and admire his creation.

 

And in the stillness of the mountain track he makes it known that he is our God as he brilliantly choreographs his own creation that even the most renowned artist of any generation could not possibly capture in its finest details on canvas.

 

For it was on this track in our time that he took back many lives that he gave.

 

You all have a great day.

 

Pictures by Kokoda Track Authority Operations Manager VOLKER SCHOLZ