Hagen water returns

NORMAL flow of water to Mt Hagen city, Western Highlands province, is expected to return to normal today, The National reports.

This follows tireless efforts by PNG Waterboard Hagen branch staff to flush out water in the storage tanks which were contaminated after someone poured engine oil into the tanks.

One of the raw water pumps started pumping water late yesterday afternoon to fill the contact tank before supplying to the town area.

With the second pump expected to start working this morning, water will return to normal today.

Two suspects were arrested and questioned by police investigators over the incident but later released yesterday. Investigations are continuing into the matter.

PNGWB branch manager Jack Moro yesterday condemned the manner in which a few individuals held the entire city at ransom by contaminating the water.

Staff had completed cleaning the chambers and the wet well (holding tank under the pump station) yesterday.

He reassured that water was only supplied to consumers after ensuring that it is clean and safe for consumption.

Guard Dog security personnel are guarding the raw water pumps and treatment plant premises.

PNGWB has appealed to consumers to boil water derived from other sources to ensure it is safe and clean for consumption.

It also called for community assistance to find the culprits who contaminated the water.

Meanwhile, a community leader in Mt Hagen has called on people living near the city to take ownership of public properties and look after them.

Michael Wamp from the Moge tribe said yesterday that destroying public property would lead to many innocent people suffering.

Mr Wamp said the contamination of the water supply clearly showed that people lack common sense and did not care about others.

“Western Highlander should be ashamed of this,” Mr Wamp said.

 

Government borrows to develop Kokopo

THE National Government is borrowing money to fund several projects in Kokopo, East New Britain province, The National reports.

The Government is borrowing locally, from Nasfund, through the issue of treasury bills, under a scheme described as the sovereign community infrastructure treasury bill (SCITB) series.

It is understood a number of Government projects is to be funded under this scheme.

Kokopo will get K125 million to fund its water and road infrastructure projects.

This was announced jointly in a statement by Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch, National Planning Minister Paul Tiensten and Communications Minister Patrick Tammur.

An appointed agent has been instructed by the Treasurer to issue the treasury bills on behalf of the Government.

Mr Pruaitch said this funding met the debt and fiscal strategy of the Government.

The statement did not detail the water and infrastructure projects to be funded in Kokopo.

Joint chief executive officer of Nasfund Rod Mitchell said this investment would deliver a return to members of the fund in two ways.

He said, financially, it would provide a good return to support member retirements and, socially, it would provide good infrastructure for the Kokopo community.

Mr Mitchell described this investment as a low risk, reasonable returns with a PNG focus.

In the statement, the ministers said the scheme was “within the full parameters of the law”  within PNG.

“I am delighted by the work done and the structure of this community treasury bill. It is the first direct infrastructure treasury bill to be issued and fully invested by one institution, Nasfund,” Mr Pruaitch said.

He assured the people of Kokopo that the funding and expenditure would be transparent and the coordinator would release and utilise the funds in accordance with the agreement and terms of the SCITB.

 

Are more PNG autonomous regions the answer?

From PAUL OATES

"Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."

Benjamin Franklin 1706 - 1790 (at the signing of the US Declaration of Independence).
___________________________________________________

Before any further split up of PNG happens, those promoting the break up as a remedy to produce better times should ponder on just what has caused the current impasse.
Clearly, the effects of ineffectual leadership and massive amount of unprosecuted corruption at all levels of government has resulted in diverting national resources away from providing desparately needed services for the vast majority of PNG people. A few have obviously
benefitted at the expense of the many.  This situation has been allowed to continue for many, many years by the very leaders who now suggest regional autonomy will be better for their people.
While everyone in PNG knows what the visible effects of the problems are, very few have come out and said what they would do about effectively fixing those problems?
If the obvious solution has been too hard for current leaders to manage or is far too electorally painful to contemplate, exactly how are smaller fractions of the same, basic, mathematical formula going to be any more effective than the current, unbalanced equation? More of the
same will not produce any different results, no matter how much it is further dissected.
Where are the politicians with enough guts to stand up and publically denounce what is clearly wrong with today's PNG? Plenty are prepared to talk about what is morally right but who has actually achieved any real results? The people responsible for PNG's current
woes must be clearly identified, publically denounced and officially charged by public authorities. Anything else cannot and will not work. That much is patently obvious.
So what will change with potentially smaller, fragmented, PNG autonomous regions?
Three fifths of five eighths of nothing!

Lest we forget

In loving memory of my beloved wife, Hula, who left us alone so tragically on this day, March 23, 2008.

The times we spent together will be cherished forever.

Never-ending love from me and our children Malum Jr, Gedi, Moasing and Keith.

Papua New Guinea cyclone hits Australia

Village-inspired Papua New Guinean son Tyrone "The Cyclone" Tongia will be fighting for the Australian professional light middleweight title in Brisbane on Friday.

It is the culmination of a long journey in which the 27-year-old has fought his way to the top, taking on the best Australia has to offer in boxing.

Born to a father from Hanuabada, NCD, and mother of mixed New Ireland decent, professional boxer Tyrone Tongia began an unconventional pugilistic journey in 2002, vowing to bring honour to his fellow PNG youth.

On Friday, "The Cyclone" fights Andrew "Sundance" Gosden, for the Australian light middleweight title at the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane.

After completing Year 12 at Brisbane State High in Queensland, Australia, it was while on a New Year's pilgrimage in 2001 to feel his roots in Port Moresby and Nokon, New Ireland, that the inspiration for self-knowledge and self-respect for the well-being of others was cemented.

His family and village experience along with a chance meeting with an uncle, PNG's former world-rated kyokushin champion and SOS director Walter Schnaubelt, ignited the will to merge his sense for adventure and sport with the greater good for family and community by channelling his raw energy constructively.

With initial ambitions for rugby league and union where he earned the nickname "Cyclone" for breaking lines and defensive competency, Tongia instead pursued boxing because he believes the gruelling sport challenged his "personal growth and sense of liveliness" like no other. 

Inspired by the international feats of our own professional boxing legends Johnny Aba and Martin Beni, Tongia ventured to Sydney to learn and train with Australia's best, remaining undaunted by the new city, his inexperience and lack of personal networks.

Tongia recalls encountering many obstacles but stayed on track at all costs, even sleeping in a park a few days until he was accepted to train at the world-renowned Team Fenech headquarters with Billy Hussein in Marrickville.

He did many menial jobs to economically support his ambition including factory work, fruit market packing, and cleaning jobs.

After three disciplined years plying his trade as an amateur, Tongia returned to Brisbane to train for his professional debut which was held in Sydney on the undercard to the biggest boxing fight in Australian history, Danny Green vs Anthony Mundine in May 2006.

 Tongia's alias "The Cyclone" was given new life as he exceeded expectations and blew out his opponent during his professional debut which quickly received over 35,000 views on worldwide internet site YouTube.

Building a growing army of supporters in Brisbane, Tongia has attracted praise from both Mundine and Green.

 In Australia's Courier Mail on March 6 this year, which headlined Tongia as one of the hottest prospects in Australia, three-time world champion and sporting icon, Jeff Fenech, commented:

"He (Tongia) has talent and great power.He just has to stay determined to make it."

For the first time since his pledge to honour his fellow PNG youth in 2001, "The Cyclone" returned to Moresby and New Ireland last September to again experience his roots.

 Tongia then resumed his boxing career in Australia, refreshed with village-inspired creativity, purpose and vigour; consecutively knocking off highly-touted fighters to earn a shot at the coveted Australian title.

After meeting with both setbacks and victories along the way, Tongia is proof that where there's a will, there's a way – it takes disciplined and constructive efforts.

University to host Donigi, Maladina public debate

From PAUL OATES

This is real, practical politics in action and should demonstrate a healthy way forward for PNG. Peter Donigi is to be congratulated for speaking out and standing up for his country in a time of desperate need.
The only problem I foresee is that a debate in Moresby is disconnected from most of the PNG people.
What should now happen is a concerted effort to advertise, televise and broadcast this debate on all  publically-accessed TV and radio stations and in the local PNG newspapers. Rural residents and those in other PNG towns and cities desparately need to become interested and involved. They need to start asking what their local member thinks and how they will vote on this issue?
Who would initiate and promote interest in this debate however? The PNG Opposition or perhaps some public spirited NGO's and business leaders? Perhaps the press may find that this important issue is a great way to sell newspapers?
Now is the time for action by all true PNG patriots to stand up with Mr Donigi and be counted.
__________________

University to host Donigi, Maladina public debate
Source:
By JASON GIMA WURI

A PUBLIC debate on the proposed constitutional amendments now before Parliament will be held at the University of Papua New Guinea main lecture theatre (MLT).
Member for Esa'ala Moses Maladina, who had successfully moved for the amendments to go past the first reading in Parliament, had accepted the challenge by lawyer Peter Donigi to a public debate on the matter.
While allowing the public debate to take place at the MLT following a written request from Mr Donigi, UPNG Vice-Chancellor Prof Ross Hynes said he would not be involved in moderating the public debate.
"The moderator must be someone who is independent and who has relevant status to such a debate," Prof Hynes said.
That person is yet to be identified including the date and time for the debate.
Prof Hynes, however, only indicated that the public debate would take place on the week after March 19.
In his letter to Prof Hynes, Mr Donigi said: "I understand that Mr Maladina will likely call for a second reading of his constitutional amendments at the next sitting of Parliament which is scheduled to start on May 4.
"It would appear, therefore, that we only have a short window of opportunity to debate this issue before it is presented for its last and final reading before passage by Parliament," Mr Donigi said.

Is it worth a Nickel?

From PAUL OATES

In the PNG newspaper 'The National' there is a report that there has been an initial triumph by local landowners in obtaining an injunction to try and prevent the dumping of five million tonnes of slurry waste from the Chinese Nickel mine (MCC) behind Madang into the pristine Basamuk Bay. This is only a temporary injunction however.

One would think that the PNG government, who clearly approves of this project, might start to take the issue seriously and have another look at the whole set up. Not so! In the same article it reports: 'No Government or mineral resources authority officials were available for comments last night, but they are expected to join MCC in fighting the injunction.'

Yep! You can be rest assured that the ol' PNG 'gavaman' is backing the 'right side'. Pity the right side doesn't appear to the PNG people's side isn't it?

Hello! That's the PNG people, who with their families and descendants, have to live with their government's mistakes, ineptitude and worse.

Eh ya! Sori tumas. Telepon blong bus ibagarap pinis ya! Nau husat igat sampela liklik samting blong mi a?

_______________________

article from PNG's The National

Mine work halted
LANDOWNERS in Madang have won a David-and-Goliath battle to freeze a Chinese nickel miner's construction of a massive pipeline to dump waste into the sea.
The National Court in Madang last Friday ordered work to stop on the nickel mine's previously approved submarine tailings disposal system.
The Ramu mine in Madang, operated by the Chinese Metallurgical Construction Group Co (MCC), plans to dump five million tonnes of slurry waste annually into Basamuk Bay.
The company was preparing to start blasting coral reefs for the tailings pipeline to be laid. The stop-work order is another setback for the Chinese project, which had suffered a series of problems with the mine's construction and relations with local people.
Tiffany Nonggorr, the lawyer representing the Madang landowners, said MCC must find an alternative to dumping the mine waste into the bay.
"This injunction is a massive victory for us, definitely a David-and-Goliath struggle.
"Landowners have stopped the Chinese, who have spent US$1.4 billion (K3.8 billion) to build this mine," she told AAP.
"The mine's proposal is just too risky. There are grave environmental concerns," she said.
Despite having Government and environmental approval, the proposed deep sea tailings pipeline would destroy the environment and local people's livelihoods, Mrs Nonggorr said.
Judge David Cannings granted a temporary injunction forcing MCC to stop work "that involves directly or indirectly damage or disturbance to the offshore environment including all coral blasting or popping of dead or live coral and laying of pipes".
MCC "shall not carry out directly or indirectly any such work, pending determination of the substantive proceedings" to be heard at a later date, he said.
Last July, construction of the mine was briefly stopped due to health and safety concerns, while in May outbreaks of violence exposed simmering tensions between Chinese management and PNG workers.
The Ramu mine is expected to yield 143 million tonnes of nickel over 20 years and, during construction, will employ 3,000 workers including 700 Chinese.
Revenue from the mine is expected to add to the country's GDP growth, and forms part of PNG's growth strategy under the National Government's Vision 2050.
No Government or mineral resources authority officials were available for comments last night, but they are expected to join MCC i n fighting the injunction.