Online access now available for Datec customers

Caption: Datec CEO Bhanu Sud (left) and ANZ head of retail in PNG MKV Nair seal the deal with a handshake

Tomorrow - Monday, April 26, 2010 - marks a major milestone for the retail business industry in Papua New Guinea, with the official launch of the Datec Learning Centers (DLC) online registration system, which also offers customers convenient online payment options.

"With the launch of this service, we can now provide online information on all our training products and their schedules," said Datec chief executive officer Bhanu Sud.

"Customers can also register for courses and make secure and immediate payment through credit cards.

"This service is designed for speed, convenience and security and will enable our DLC's to provide superior services to our customers."

Online retail has become a major source of revenue for businesses globally and customers can be assured quality of service and security of their transactions with the launch of this service.

Datec customers will also be able to pay online in their currency of choice, through a new product, ANZ eGateä, launched today by ANZ, using Datec as a pilot.

ANZ eGateä is a secure electronic payment gateway that allows merchants to securely accept and process online customer payments by credit card and gives customers the option of paying in their preferred currency.

ANZ head of retail in PNG MKV Nair said: "This product is in direct response to feedback from ANZ business customers who said they wanted to give consumers the option of paying for goods or services online using their currency of choice.

"It's ideal for businesses of any size that are looking to accept credit card payments online."

Explaining the concept further, Mr Sud said: "The DLC and ANZ systems have inbuilt security features to ensure all credit card transactions made for the DLC are fully secure."

The technology behind this has been jointly developed and verified by ANZ and Datec.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Datec to develop more financial and business products to the market," Mr Nair said.

"We believe the introduction of online payments for goods and services for customers while using their currency of choice will have a significant impact on the PNG retail industry."

Papua New Guinea youngster becomes US citizen, Marine Corps

Papua New Guinean Granger Michael was last Friday welcomed by US President Barack Obama at the White House as a citizen of the USA as well as a US Marine Corp serving and protecting US interests and aspirations abroad.

Proud parents, Graham and Celine Michael, said at the weekend that their eldest son, Granger, and PNG, were specifically mentioned by President Obama during the ceremony.

Mr Michael is a former PNG diplomat at the PNG Embassy in Washington DC.

President Obama spoke at a naturalisation ceremony for 24 members of the US Forces.

The ceremony recognises the contributions made by immigrant members of the US armed forces who have earned their American citizenship through service to the country, and the contributions immigrants from all walks of life have made to the US throughout its history.

President Obama commended all 24 men and women for choosing to become US citizens and named PNG and Granger Michael in his address.

“And it’s the patriotism of a young man from Papua New Guinea, who joined the United States Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq -  not once, not twice, but three times,” he said to much applause.

“Asked why he would choose to become an American citizen, he said simply, ‘I might as well.  I love this country already’.

“And so we congratulate Granger Michael.”

Pres Obama commended the parents, who he said “were willing to say good-bye to their own families, their own countries, so they could have an opportunity to give you the opportunity you never had”. 

“Like generations of immigrants before them, they worked hard,” he said.

“They scrimped and they saved. 

“They deferred their own dreams so that you could realise yours. 

“So today is a tribute to their sacrifices as well. 

“And I would ask that you join me in honoring your moms and dads and the families that helped bring you to this day.”

Both video and transcript of President Obama’s speech are available online, the video at http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/naturalization-ceremony-us-service-members and transcript at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-naturalization-ceremony-active-duty-service-members

“As you will note from the video, our eldest son, Granger L Michael, and Papua New Guinea, were specifically mentioned by the president of the United States of America, Barack H Obama during the ceremony,” the parents said in an email.

“We are so proud of his accomplishments first as our son, second as a US Marine Corp serving and protecting US interests and aspirations abroad, and finally as family and friend to so many of you.

 “We hope you join us on this occasion to mark another milestone in Granger's blessed journey through life.”

Drought and climate change to be focus of NARI show

The National Agricultural Research Institute is preparing the annual Agricultural Innovations Show for 2010 to be staged at its Sir Alkan Tololo Research Centre at Bubia, Morobe province, on Wednesday, May 5, 2010

This will be the fourth year of this ‘information exchange and knowledge sharing’ event in which partner and collaborating organisations in agricultural and rural development will be invited to display and exhibit their innovations and improved technologies and interact with farmers and the general public.

Over the past four years, NARI has been spearheading a campaign to prepare Papua New Guinea for recurring periods of prolonged drought linked to changes in the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the tropical Pacific Ocean.

 In recognition of the urgent need to prepare PNG for such a scenario, the theme of NARI’s innovation show this year is: “Preparing PNG for Drought and Climate Change”.

As an integral component of the event, NARI is also hosting a major stakeholder forum under the banner: “Preparing PNG for Drought”.

This aim of this forum is to raise awareness on drought nationally and to debate how best to prepare rural communities for drought conditions.

NARI is inviting representatives from all the major international and national aid agencies and government institutions concerned with food and agriculture, environment and water security issues in PNG.

 Local non-government organisations, churches, community-based organisations and rural farming communities will also be invited to participate in this forum.

“The Government of PNG has recently committed public investment programme (PIP) funding to support NARI in a major project entitled: ‘Preparing rural communities for frequent and prolonged El Niño-induced drought events,” according to NARI director-general Dr Raghunath Ghodake.

 “This project will be launched during the stakeholder forum by the Chief Secretary to the PNG Government, Mr Manusupe Zurenuoc.

“Forum participants will be informed about the project aims, scope of operation and partnering arrangements, and opportunity will be given for feedback and comment on these matters.

“Presentations from other organisations will cover important issues of food distribution networks, clean water provision, and epidemic disease control, in the run-up to a severe drought event, and the forum will explore and debate these matters also.

“We believe that this forum will be an important milestone along the road to secure lives and livelihoods in PNG against a backdrop of increased climate change-related disasters both here and within the wider Pacific region.”

Fullhouse at Bomana for ANZAC Day service

Hundreds of people, mainly Australian trekkers, attended the traditional emotional ANZAC Day Dawn Service today at the Bomana War Cemetery outside Port Moresby.

People started arriving at Bomana as early as 4am for the ceremony and lit candles to see them through to the first rays of sunlight.

This year, unlike previous years, there were no Australian veterans; however, the number of people was up from last year and previous years.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Governor General Sir Paulias Matane, Australian High commissioner Ian Kemish, New Zealand High Commissioner Niels Holm, British High Commissioner David Dunn, PNG Defence Force Commander Brig Gen Francis Agwi as well as military officers from the four countries.

The bands of the Royal PNG Constabulary and Correctional Services were out in force this morning at Bomana.

 Ecumenical services were celebrated by the Salvation Army chaplain.

Students of Ela Murray International School and Port Moresby International School sang Abide with Me while Elaine Kila, holder of the Butch Bisset Memorial Scholarship for Higher Education, read the poem A Tribute To ANZAC Day. 

“Fathers, sons and brothers, together they fought and died,” she recited.

“That we may live in peace while at home their mothers cried.

“When that final bugle calls them to cross the great divide.

“Their comrades will be waiting when they reach the other side.”

The Requiem was read by Col Mark Sheperd, head of Australian Defence staff in PNG while Bible readings were done by Mr Holm and Lt Col Gordon Milward, New Zealand Defence attaché.

Mr Kemish gave the official address.

Sir Paulias lead the wreath laying while The Ode was read by Brig Gen Agwi and Port Moresby Returned Services League president Joseph Fillipi.

The hundreds at Bomana later thronged to the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby for the traditional Gunfire Breakfast.

Hundreds attend ANZAC Day service in Madang

Captions: 1. Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet with church leaders in Madang yesterday 2. Coastwatchers Memorial Lighouse in Madang yesterday. 3. Group Captain Tony Behm of the Australian Defence Force gives his talk. 4. Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet addresses the crowd

 

More than 1, 000 people attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service today at the Coastwatchers Memorial Lighthouse at Kalibobo in Madang.

 It was attended by Governor Sir Arnold Amet, his predecessor Sir Peter Barter together with representatives from the Australian Defence Force including Group Captain Tony Behm and Lt Col Simon Watts from the High Commission in Port Moresby. 

The ecumenical services were celebrated by Pastor Jeffrey Minirav, Rev Joiseph Tuoa and Fr Steven. 

The United Church Choir sang Abide with Me and O Help in Ages Past. 

“Both Grp Capt Behm and Sir Arnold addressed the service, a well-known local Alfred Sibut played the Last Post and Reveille and the Ode of Remembrance was read by Sub-Lt Isaac Napitalai of the PNG Defence Force,” Sir Peter said.

“It was a beautiful morning in Madang as  the sun rose over the horizon at 5.45am as the service commenced and upon the conclusion, a Gunfire Breakfast was served to the more than 1, 000 people who attended the service.”

Sir Peter Barter, chair of the Melanesian Foundation, thanked business houses who contributed towards the event including providing sufficient food to feed everyone, staff of Madang Resort for volunteering their time to set up the area for the service, PNG Maritime College, Correctional Institution Services, Divine Word University, Lutheran and Catholic Churches and choir from United Church for their contribution.

He in particular thanked the many hundreds of Papua New Guineans who had walked in from villages to attend the service.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

1.Part of the crowd at the Dawn Service 2. First light at Bomana War Cemetery 3. Bearing wreaths to the Cross of Sacrifice 4. Australian High Commissioner Ian Kemish 5. Governor General Sir Paulias Matane 6. Papua New Guinea Defence Force Commander Brigadier General Francis Agwi 7. Governor General Sir Paulias Matane.-Pictures by AURI EVA

Nambawan Super thanks the State for settling contribution arrears

THE State (Government) paid up the K40 million outstanding in employer contributions to Nambawan Super last Friday.

Managing Director of Nambawan Super Mr Leon Buskens thanked the staff of the Treasury Department, especially Secretary Simon Tosali, who has diligently met a commitment made the previous week in dealing with the issue of contribution arrears.

The State had earlier paid K65 million which included penalty interest and reimbursement. The K65 million represented what Nambawan Super had already paid out, on behalf of the State, to members who had left employment.

Mr Buskens said: “The fundamental issue of under-budgetting on the part of the Government’s superannuation obligations will always give rise to the problem of arrears. Going forward, I hope that this will not be the case from this year and onwards.”

He reiterated that under the Superannuation General Provision Act 2000, employers must comply with their obligations to contribute for and on behalf of their employees and urged the State to ensure that these obligations were met.

Mr Buskens said failure by an employer to remit staff super funds was guilty of an offence under the Superannuation Act and as stipulated, the employer was required to remit employer and employee contributions within 14 days of the date of deduction.