A bulldozer clearing and expanding section of Fayantina road in Fore community area, which has deteriorated to almost inaccessible, even by four-wheel vehicles. Picture courtesy of HENZY YAKHAM
By HENZY YAKHAM
Recent commencement of a K15 million major road upgrading work on the Fayantina road in Henganofi district, Eastern Highlands province has resuscitated the local economy with increased agricultural, farming, trading and transport business activities.
The road works started last month (May 2010) on the over 36-kilometre road from Henganofi station along the Highlands Highway and will continue to the Okapa and Lufa road junction, which connects the two neighbouring districts of the same name.
The current dry season in the area has enabled work to progress very well and work is taking place in the Fore area, halfway between Henganofi and Okapa-Lufa road junction.
With improved road conditions, the volume of traffic along this road has dramatically increased as more and more people take the opportunity to transport their coffee, fruits, vegetables and other garden produce to markets in Goroka, along the Highlands Highway and Lae, Morobe province.
Henganofi MP Ferao Orimyo undertook this road project as one of his priorities since elected in 2007 general election by providing K1 million in counterpart funding to successfully secure funding from the Asian Development Bank.
This road serves over 20, 000 people in the Fayantina Local Level Government area of Henganofi as well neighbouring Okapa, Lufa and Kainantu districts.
A similar amount is to be spent to upgrade the 30-kilometre Dayantina road, which starts near Henganofi station and ends in the Ramu Sugar area in the border region of Eastern Highlands and Madang provinces.
Mr Orimyo has urged people in his electorate to return to their coffee plots to produce more coffee and other agricultural produce to earn money.
He also urged the people, particularly young people not to waste time gambling and other unproductive activities, but grasp the opportunity to work their land and enjoy the benefits.
'Let God take control', says PNG Police Commissioner when as Chairman, headdressed the National Anti Corruption Alliance (NACA) yesterday. Public servants should not be overcome by temptation and uphold godly principles Commissioner Baki is reported as maintaining. While agreeing withCommissioner Baki that he is on the right track, I suspect it might have been some time since he read his Bible."Let me remind you of the biblical phase that goes; "Money is the root of all evil", the Commissioner said.
With respect however Commissioner, you have either been misquoted or I suspect you have misquoted the good book. The actual expression is from Timothy 1: Ch.6 Vs. 10 : 'For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.:...' Money by itself is just a medium of exchange. It's people who create the problems and break the law.
Post Courier article News Tuesday 22nd June, 2010
State agencies form anti-corruption body
By TODAGIA KELOLA
THE fight against corruption by State agencies has now been elevated to another level with the resurrection of a body set up to curb this predicament. The National Anti Corruption Alliance (NACA) set up by the Government to investigate corruption in all Government Departments in 2004 has been revived with their first board meeting yesterday. The NACA board comprises, chief executive officers of key government departments which include police, public prosecutors office, public solicitors office, PNG Law and Justice Sector, Chief Ombudsman, Dept of Treasury, Dept of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Dept of Personnel Management, IRC, Auditor General, and Department of Justice and Attorney General. PNG customs commissioner, Gary Juffa will also be included in the Board. The primary role of NACA is to collaborate, mobilise resources and fight corruption in a holistic government approach. Chairman and police commissioner Gari Baki in his opening remarks said said PNG cannot advance socially and economically unless drastic action is taken to reduce corruption and crime. He said it is important for members of NACA and other Papua New Guineans employed in positions of trust and authority to uphold godly principals in their professional careers. He said public servants must overcome temptation by allowing God to take control of their lives. "Let me remind you of the biblical phrase that goes 'money is the root of all evil'. The temptation to receive money is often greater than a person's conscience. "As individuals we can make a huge difference by saying no to corruption and bribery," Commissioner Baki said. Since the establishment of this body it has investigated two provincial governments and successfully prosecuted them and has saved the state over K2 million during its investigations in to the Southern Highlands province in 2007. With the resurrection of the Board other major allegations involving corruption will be scrutinised by the body in which investigations will be carried out with prosecution.
Governor Leo Dion (right) and other official guests DAL secretary Anton Benjamin (second from left) proudly display the CCI strategic plan with CCI chairman Peter Tokele (third from left) and CCI acting CEO Dr Eric Omuru (left).-Pictures by SOLDIER BURUKA
CCI staff based at Tavilo, ENB, prepare to sing the national anthem during the launching By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL
The national and provincial Governments continue to realise and appreciate the importance of agriculture as the sector that sustains the livelihood of over 85% of the population in PNG.
It is therefore important that practical goals and objective must be in place to ensure that agriculture regains its position as the prime contributor to the national and provincial purse.
This is something that was significant many years ago and calls for greater cooperation not just to implement government agriculture policies but also to take decisive steps in actively promoting private and public partnership and investments.
This was the message delivered by East New Britain Governor Leo Dion when launching the PNG Cocoa Coconut Ltd strategic plan 2010-2019 at Tavilo last week
. The launching also coincided with the release of the new Integrated Pest and Disease Management technology.
Mr Dion stressed that the national government must continue to give priority in its future national budgets to the agriculture sector despite the current boom in minerals, gas and oil industries.
He said PNG was where it was today because of the agricultural commodities such as cocoa, coconut, coffee, rubber and oil palm industries and not the minerals which began only recently.
“I strongly believe and say that with the kind of money being picked up from the gas and oil industries it is imperative to say that the agriculture sector is assisted and further boosted and this is the reason why we need to have strategies in place like the CCI strategic plan,” Mr Dion said.
He continued that the Government had developed the export-driven economic recovery police as reflected in the MTDS 2005-2010, and further reflected under the ENB provincial economic development plan together with the growth centre strategy.
The CCI strategic plan is the starting point and lays the foundation for important happenings for the organisation and will promote transparency and accountability in the cocoa and coconut industries.
This plan will also support provincial plans and policies in place to increase productivity by rehabilitating and expanding cocoa and coconut through best management practices and high yielding varieties.
Mr Dion stressed that his government was mindful of the public-private partnership which had strengthened cooperation in the implementation of major government initiatives such as the agriculture integrated projects, spices, food production, copra and the cocoa pod borer project.
He said the provincial government would continue to work closely with CCI and relevant agencies such as Kokonas Indastri Koporesen, Cocoa Board and other stakeholders in sustaining the cocoa and coconut industries and realise the aims of the strategic plan.
CCI chairman Peter Tokele described the new CCI strategic plan as another milestone to move the cocoa and coconut industries forward into the future. The vision and expectations can only be realised if people and communities are empowered to participate as productive citizens in agriculture and other industries, instead of passive recipients of government provided services, as is the case today.
People empowerment, in particular in agriculture production and export, is dependent on the research and development and extension services provided by organizations such as CCI.
CCI acting chief executive Dr Eric Omuru said the new plan emphasised on impact at farm or people level, and a shift away from a supply-oriented approach to one that was demand-driven.
It also promotes partnerships with key stakeholders and others along the cocoa coconut value chains.
The vision of the plan is “prosperous, happy and health rural communities; dynamic, innovative and sustainable” cocoa and coconut industries, which is an ideal future for CCI and the two industries.
Dr Omuru said CCI had recognised that a lot of well-targeted work would be required to realise this future and with it meet the aspirations of the people in the rural areas.
He said, “at last we have a road map to service farmers and those along the cocoa and coconut value chain with purposefulness”.
He also commended the Australian Government initiative, Agricultural Research and Development Support Facility (ARDSF) for helping CCI in developing the strategic plan.
National Rugby League (NRL) and Channel Nine commentator Phil Gould (right) exchanging a friendly joke with Huli wigman Joseph Tongi (second left) yesterday after arriving in Port Moresby from Sydney. Standing between the two is PNG NRL Bid chairman and Sports Minister Philemon Embel with NCD Governor Powes Parkop looking on from behind. Gould is here to see how the PNG NRL Bid is progressing as well as offering advice on administrative issues with the PNG Rugby Football League.-Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU
AT least 40 students sustained injuries and classes at the Fr Peter (Fatima) Secondary School in Banz, Western Highlands, have been suspended for an indefinite period after a fight broke out among the male students, The National reports.
The fight broke out around 6am yesterday between WesternHighlands and Jiwaka students as they fought each other with stones and bush knives.
It was a continuation of a previous fight caused by the theft of a mobile phone on May 23, which forced a week-long suspension of classes.
That fight resulted in two Jiwaka students wounded and two female students from Western Highlands’ Dei district were reportedly raped.
In yesterday’s clash, many more students from both sides were wounded and sought medical treatment at the Mt Hagen General Hospital and KudjipNazareneHospital.
Mt Hagen hospital staff at the accidents and emergency unit was busy all morning treating at least 30 students for minor injuries while a Grade 12 student had a more serious knife wound in the neck.
According to reports from the school, the fight started after the bell rang at 6am for students to attend morning devotion at the school chapel.
Police and locals intervened soon after and prevented it from getting out of hand.
Banz is in North Waghi, which will become part of the proposed Jiwaka province.
Mt Hagen students claimed they were chased by the local students and fled to the Sigiri area where they caught PMV buses and travelled home.
They said that some staff houses had also been damaged.
Buses on the Minj-Waghi routes stopped operation and many commuters were stranded in Mt Hagen because there were not enough PMVs.
Fr Peter principal refused to comment when contacted yesterday afternoon.
Provincial education adviser Hans Gima blamed the May 23 fight on the lack of staff supervision.
Provincial police commander Supt Kaiglo Ambane said yesterday police quickly mobilised to ensure that the violence did not spread to other schools in the province – Kitip Secondary, Togoba High and HolyTrinityTeachers College.
He said police escorted some Western Highlands students from Fr Peter back to Mt Hagen and Jiwaka students at Kitip, Togoba and HolyTrinityTeachers College back to Jiwaka.
Ambane was grateful for the cooperation police got from the locals and teachers in diffusing a volatile situation.
He urged the Fr Peter board of management, education authority and local communities to investigate and discipline students responsible for the fights.
Ambane said such ethnic differences were affecting the education of other innocent students from other provinces as well.
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare yesterday reassured Bougainville President John Momis that the national government was committed to rebuilding and reconstructing the autonomous region, The National reports.
Landowners’ uprising, which led to the Bougainville conflict over 15 years, resulted in the destruction of many infrastructures.
Momis met with Sir Michael yesterday after arriving in the capital last Friday after he was sworn in as new Bougainville president, replacing James Tanis.
In yesterday’s meeting, both leaders agreed that several areas in the restoration process should be addressed and given special attention.
Momis was accompanied to Morauta Haus by several members of his cabinet.
Before leaving for Bougainville tomorrow, they are also expected to call on several diplomatic corps.
However, Momis, in his inauguration speech at the University of PNG at the weekend, said the people of Bouginville were frustrated about things like the transfer of few powers, the failure of national government to pay the full restoration and development grants for 2010 and the slow progress in appointment of a chief administrator to fill the gap created over three years ago.
After meeting Sir Michael yesterday, Momis paid a courtesy call on the Solomon Islands and the Australian high commissioners.
Today, he would meet with the Chinese and the Japanese ambassadors.
Momis is also expected to meet with the managing director of Rio Tinto to discuss the possibility of re-opening the Paguna mine.
However, he told reporters in Port Moresby last Friday that re-opening the mine would depend on dialogue between the landowners and leaders of Bougainville.
GULF public servants and Kerema town residents last week petitioned Governor Havila Kavo and provincial assembly members over the lack of essential government services in Kerema town, The National reports.
The petition was drawn up following the recent deaths of two public servants from Ihu who drowned during a fatal dinghy accident last week while returning from Port Moresby.
One of the deceased, Joe Hae, was employed by the Kerema GeneralHospital while Maiva Tamarua worked with the Gulf provincial tax office.
The petition pointed out that all public servants and their families regularly commute to Port Moresby because essential government and other services were not readily available in Kerema.
The petition also called for:
* The immediate upgrading of the Kerema-Malalaua road;
* The permanent appointment of a provincial disaster coordinator to oversee the operations of the provincial disaster office;
* The enforcement of the Maritime Act to ensure all boats and dinghies transporting people to and from Kerema have life jackets and other safety features including the operators not drunk and overloading passengers; and
* To restore all banking and postal services.
The petition also touched on the high cost of living in Kerema, the poor wharf and shipping services at Gulf ports by existing shipping companies, education, health, high air travel costs and the escalating law and order problems in the province.
