Story and picture by ROSELYN ELLISON
Fresh pawpaws from Baon village on
Pictured is Anna Pokarup, who brought these juicy and fresh pawpaws from her village to sell at Lorengau market, when Icaught up with her.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Pawpaw a'la Manus
Government incompetence
From PAUL OATES
It's official - the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed has that the Papua New Guinea government had no idea what the effects of the waste disposal arrangements from the Ramu nickel mine would be when it approved the process.
The Department of Environment and Conservation Minister reportedly stood by while Sir Puka Temu admitted to Rai Coast residents that the government was now carrying out what was reported as 'awareness on the process of deep sea tailings'. Both Ministers received a petition that called for an immediate stopwork on the waste disposal site and to fund an independent scientific study into the project. The government was given 21 days to respond before local people intended to take further action.
Had the local residents not obtained a court injunction on the mine construction work, it is now apparent that the PNG government and the Ramu NiCo would have gone ahead with the planned tailings disposal process. A process that many have very serious concerns about.
This admission by the government now begs the question: What else about this
particular mining project has not been fully investigated, prior to government approval? A similar mine in New Caledonia had significant problems reported about its waste disposal arrangements. There doesn't seem to be any other reason why the PNG couldn't have learnt from their fellow Melanesian neighbour's previous experience except one: Incompetence.
A qualified mining engineer has previously claimed that the PNG government has agreed to a vastly undervalued deal with the developers of Ramu NiCo. If this is true, then the PNG people have been sold out by their own government. Perhaps the local landowners should be insisting the PNG government now examine all aspects concerning Ramu NiCo mine in a
fully transparent manner before any further action is allowed?
______________________________ ________
In today's The National
Temu admits to poor awareness at Ramu
By JAYNE SAFIHAO
THE national government has admitted to lack of awareness and consultation on the deep sea tailing processes at the Ramu nickel-cobalt mine in Madang province.
Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu said the government had failed to carry out awareness within the local impacted areas in Madang on the process of deep sea tailings.
He told villagers at Bongu, Rai Coast district, that awareness on the tailings processes should have been carried out earlier for the locals to better understand what was involved.
He was speaking when receiving a petition from the people on the activities of Ramu NiCo and what they wanted done. With him was Environment and Conservation Minister Benny Allan.
Sir Puka said responsible government authorities were now carrying out awareness on the process of deep sea tailings, and villagers along the impacted areas must allow officers to give help them better understand the processes involved.
Among other issues raised, the petition also called for an immediate stopwork on the waste disposal site; for the government to fund an independent scientific research to prove or disprove studies carried out by National Research Systems (NRS) prior to the one by the Mineral Policy Institute of Sydney, Australia; for the landowners to have their say included in the new research; and for the developer to find "other alternate means" of disposing wastes.
The Bongu people gave the government 21 days to respond.
The petition stated that if nothing positive was gained, they would be forced to take "appropriate measures".
Meanwhile, the locals said the government's quick action to shove scientific information on the process of the tailings plan within a very short period was inadequate and incorrect.
They stressed that the government had slept on the issue up until now, and was resorting to a quick resolution .
It's official - the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed has that the Papua New Guinea government had no idea what the effects of the waste disposal arrangements from the Ramu nickel mine would be when it approved the process.
The Department of Environment and Conservation Minister reportedly stood by while Sir Puka Temu admitted to Rai Coast residents that the government was now carrying out what was reported as 'awareness on the process of deep sea tailings'. Both Ministers received a petition that called for an immediate stopwork on the waste disposal site and to fund an independent scientific study into the project. The government was given 21 days to respond before local people intended to take further action.
Had the local residents not obtained a court injunction on the mine construction work, it is now apparent that the PNG government and the Ramu NiCo would have gone ahead with the planned tailings disposal process. A process that many have very serious concerns about.
This admission by the government now begs the question: What else about this
particular mining project has not been fully investigated, prior to government approval? A similar mine in New Caledonia had significant problems reported about its waste disposal arrangements. There doesn't seem to be any other reason why the PNG couldn't have learnt from their fellow Melanesian neighbour's previous experience except one: Incompetence.
A qualified mining engineer has previously claimed that the PNG government has agreed to a vastly undervalued deal with the developers of Ramu NiCo. If this is true, then the PNG people have been sold out by their own government. Perhaps the local landowners should be insisting the PNG government now examine all aspects concerning Ramu NiCo mine in a
fully transparent manner before any further action is allowed?
______________________________ ________
In today's The National
Temu admits to poor awareness at Ramu
By JAYNE SAFIHAO
THE national government has admitted to lack of awareness and consultation on the deep sea tailing processes at the Ramu nickel-cobalt mine in Madang province.
Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu said the government had failed to carry out awareness within the local impacted areas in Madang on the process of deep sea tailings.
He told villagers at Bongu, Rai Coast district, that awareness on the tailings processes should have been carried out earlier for the locals to better understand what was involved.
He was speaking when receiving a petition from the people on the activities of Ramu NiCo and what they wanted done. With him was Environment and Conservation Minister Benny Allan.
Sir Puka said responsible government authorities were now carrying out awareness on the process of deep sea tailings, and villagers along the impacted areas must allow officers to give help them better understand the processes involved.
Among other issues raised, the petition also called for an immediate stopwork on the waste disposal site; for the government to fund an independent scientific research to prove or disprove studies carried out by National Research Systems (NRS) prior to the one by the Mineral Policy Institute of Sydney, Australia; for the landowners to have their say included in the new research; and for the developer to find "other alternate means" of disposing wastes.
The Bongu people gave the government 21 days to respond.
The petition stated that if nothing positive was gained, they would be forced to take "appropriate measures".
Meanwhile, the locals said the government's quick action to shove scientific information on the process of the tailings plan within a very short period was inadequate and incorrect.
They stressed that the government had slept on the issue up until now, and was resorting to a quick resolution .
Papua New Guinea honey to go on show
By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL
Livestock Development Corporation and its partners are preparing to host a national field day on potential of honey bee industry.
It is anticipated that the honey bee promotion and awareness event and a seminar will be held in Goroka later this month or in June.
LDC managing director John Akipe said the field day and seminar was a follow-up to the first-ever national apiculture industry workshop held in early March which attracted a large turnout and was very successful.
He said the workshop was well attended by all stakeholders including bee farmers, producers, buyers, suppliers, government, industry and institutions and this planned field day and seminar was part of the overall process in developing and promoting the honey bee industry in
Mr Akipe said the proceedings of the workshop and the way forward plan of the apiculture programme would be presented in the seminar, whilst the field day would involve displays of honey bee farming equipment and materials, bee processing and manufacturing facilities, queen breeders, and finished products.
Selected farmers, farmer associations, relevant government agencies and private sector will be invited to participate and put up displays.
Mr Akipe said an organising committee had been established to prepare and plan for the big event.
The committee comprises representatives from LDC, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, National Agriculture Research Institute, National Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection Authority, Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association, Eastern Highlands provincial administration, Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Isten Hailens Beekeepers Association.
Invitations will be extended to government agencies, institutions and new farmers in other regions to attend.
It is hoped that the successful Bulolo bee farmers of Morobe province will attend and showcase their thriving honey bee programme.
Queen's Birthday Weekend in beautiful Madang!
In recent years people have been opting to fly to
The excellent facilities provided by the Madang Resort and
There is an excellent nine-hole golf course where guests become automatic members.
Tennis courts and bowling are some of the sporting activities but there is more: you can hire a game fishing boat or if you prefer a village banana boat and learn how to fish with the local experts.
Hire a car and tour the
The Madang Resort provides three restaurants that provide authentic Chinese, Western and Italian menus.
The Rakuen Japanese Restaurant is also available for the budget-minded visitors, buy fish from the fish market or snacks from one of the bars.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, live music is provided by our resident musician Bill Arua and the Melanesian String Band.
Special discounts are offered over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
For more details on how you can visit Madang, call Michael Aukogo or Paul Talivan on (674) 422 2655, visit website www.madangresort@mtspng.com or email mrhreservations@mtspng.com
Sepik River Expedition Cruise
The Kalibobo Spirit will operate a five night/day special Sepik River Expedition Cruise departing Madang on August 9, 2010 cruising the lower and middle
Cruise will visit Murik Lakes on Lower Sepik, then continues upriver via Bien, Marienberg, Angoram, Kambaramba, Nagam River, Tambanum.
In the Middle Sepik, visit the
Accommodation available in four double, two twin, one double bunk and two single air-conditioned cabins all with ensuites.
A luxurious lounge and dining room is located on the main deck and covered decks on all three upper decks for relaxing and observation.
The ship is manned by qualified officers and crew and operates under full survey.
The Kalibobo Spirit carries several tenders, and a helicopter on selected cruises.
There is an extensive library of books and video documentaries on PNG.
Excursions are operated to major villages in the ships tenders providing an excellent opportunity to purchase valuable
This cruise also terminates at Timbunke where aircraft charters can be arranged to travel to see the Hagen Show on Aug 14 and 15.
$3500.00 per person
*includes twin/double share, all meals, accomodation, per person excludes airfares, air charters and beverages and items of a personal nature. (Mt Hagen Show extension is not included). Single supplement available. Quoted in Australian Dollars.
Melanesian Tourist Services Limited
Tel: 424 1399 Fax: 422 3543
e-mail:melanesian@mtspng.com
What is happening to our country?
By SAIBODO
What is going to happen to our country?
We really are at the crossroads…
The people aren’t going to keep taking it… the protests are going to become more-often and less-peaceful, you remember when Iambaky Okuk died…
I know you have seen the Kapris video as have I and many other people.
Be his claims legitimate or not, any other country in the world would have the implicated members of parliament suspended until investigation proves the allegations to be true, false or otherwise.
We are on the verge of becoming a
Where are our children going to go?
What are they going to do?
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