THE late Sir Brian Bell has been described as a great friend, an astute businessman and a true humanitarian and philanthropist, The National reports.
When expressing sadness at the knight’s passing, NCD Governor Powes Parkop said Sir Brian had progressively and successfully worked towards developing and rehabilitating the city since arriving in Port Moresby.
“I am very sad to hear of the death of Sir Brian Bell.”
He said Sir Brian’s contributions had been “through both his entrepreneurial endeavours and his humanitarian and philanthropic efforts.
“His keen business acumen has seen to the establishment of 10 retail outlets and more than 25 distribution agencies, not just in Port Moresby but all major commercial centres in PNG bringing employment to thousands of Papua New Guineans and quality, affordable services to individuals, companies and government departments throughout the country,” Parkop said.
“His humanitarian and philanthropic efforts are just as extensive.”
Sir Brian was on the board and committee of many charities, the notable ones being the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal and the Port Moresby GeneralHospital, which he served as chairman for a very long time.
“As chairman, Sir Brian directed the PMGH board the way he directed his many businesses – astutely and based on good business practices.
“He was always punctual and chaired his meetings concisely, always interested in outcomes.
“It was his dream to make PMGH the best in the country.”
Parkop said that one of the administrative matters he pushed hard for and achieved was the purchase of the hospital incinerator.
The Brian Bell group bought the incinerator for the hospital.
“Unfortunately, this is now lying idle as we await approval from the Department of Environment and Conservation.
“In my association with him, I have come to realise Sir Brian to be a man of principle and humility who always attributed his successes to PNG and its people and, so, endeavoured all the time to return to PNG (and this city) his time and efforts through his humanitarian and philanthropic endeavours.
“Sir Brian’s loyalty and generosity to PNG will, no doubt, be hard to fill.
“Through the most difficult times of Port Moresby’s and the country’s economic life, when he could have easily resigned and returned to Australia, Sir Brian persevered in his adopted country.
“City Hall has lost a visionary leader, Port Moresby has lost our leading citizen and friend, PNG has lost our immeasurable development partner,” Parkop said.
Warigiso (right) with DAL highlands regional office administration officer John Kawage.
By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL
A coffee farmer in the highlands has called on the Government to establish a lending bank solely for the coffee industry.
“Coffee is the major export revenue earner and involves the majority of the rural population, therefore it deserves a bank of its own,” says Francis Warigiso.
Warigisio, a long-time coffee farmer in Eastern Highlands province, claimed there was no commitment by the Coffee Industry Corporation and relevant government agencies in promoting the coffee industry and supporting small coffee groups and individuals.
He is a key figure in the success of the Namauka and Lupae coffee business development groups.
“Coffee industry makes a lot of money for the country but where is the money going to?” Warigisio wonders.
“I believe it is about time that the money is pumped into establishing a coffee bank – a bank that only coffee farmers can utilise.
“These are public funds that should be used in improving the coffee industry especially for the sake of the future generations.”
Warigisi, a onetime provincial politician who started producing coffee more than 20 years ago, suggested that a major coffee survey be conducted to seek the views of the coffee farmers and stakeholders.
“Many coffee farmers, producers, buyers and stakeholders are not satisfied with the services provided by CIC and other government agencies and will support moves to revitalise the industry,” he said.
Warigiso said coffee export licences were given to those who were not genuine in developing the industry.
The levy collected from coffee sales should be given back as a bonus to the farmers, he added.
From Fimito village outside Goroka, the enterprising farmer, who also grows rice, said any monies raised from coffee should be used wisely to improve the industry and to benefit the farmers who worked so hard.
More funding should be used to set up coffee nurseries in every district.
Warigiso said many Papua New Guinea-owned coffee groups were operating successfully because of good management.
These groups deserved more support from the government due to increase in costs of goods and services.
HIV/AIDS is already having a noticeable impact on
households’ ability to produce their own food.
Escalating labour shortages are reported in some African
countries due to high HIV/AIDS prevalence.
Food insecurity, labour shortage, loss of household income,
shift in the type farming practices and loss of knowledge on traditional method
of farming are some of the effects that HIV/AIDS could have on agricultural
development.
Until recently, HIV/AIDS was considered to be mainly a
health issue and programmes for combating the epidemic were managed by health
science and health-related organisations.
However, the impact of HIV/AIDS on development programmes experienced in
countries where HIV/AIDS prevalence is high, has forced the health and other
development agencies to approach the problem from different angles.
The epidemic is now
an important cross-sectoral development issue, which has far-reaching
implications for policy and programs at every level than currently envisaged by
leaders, policy makers and the public at large.
According the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the
United Nations, over seven million agricultural workers have died of AIDS since
it was first detected in 1982.
Studies conducted by FAO in
African countries with high HIV AIDS prevalence have found farming families
affected by the epidemic are substituting cash crops for crops which require
less labour.
FAO observed that Gwanda and Nakyerira regions
of Uganda
have abandoned coffee in favour of cultivated cassava and banana, which require
less attention and care.
Affected families have also
stopped cultivating rice in favour of maize and cassava. FAO also observed that
affected families in Zimbabwe
have replaced cotton and groundnut (peanut) with maize.
While the impact of HIV/ AIDS is not yet seriously felt in Papua New Guinea,
it is quite clear that the epidemic would have an impact on our agriculture and
food production system, if it is allowed to spread at the current trend and not
contained quickly (Figure 1).
This poses serious
challenges to our agriculture and food production system, as up to 85% of the
people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
Therefore, the
agriculture sector cannot continue with business as usual but must join hands
with other partners to jointly address the epidemic.
Figure 1: Total number of HIV infections reported annually
from 1987 – 2008 in PNG. Source: UNGASS 2010, Country Progress Report Papua New Guinea.
Key stakeholders in the agriculture sector need to
understand and prepare for the likely impact of HIV/AIDS on our food and
agricultural systems.
They need to develop strategies to address the likely impact
that HIV/AIDS would have, particularly in relation to food, nutrition, and
labour requirements.
It is important to explore which agricultural systems are
being or will be affected in what ways and what aspects of each agricultural
system are most vulnerable.
This will help identify and formulate strategies for the way
forward for sustainable agricultural development.
It is essential for agricultural research and development (R&D)
organisations to develop strategies to address issues concerning what is
happening, what is likely to happen, what can be done, what are the likely
responses, and gender issues.
It would appear that policies and strategies currently in
place aimed at promoting or improving agriculture in PNG have not given serious
enough considerations to the detrimental impacts and implications of HIV/AIDS.
NARI is aware of these issues and has initiated necessary
steps to address the problem effectively by mainstreaming HIV AIDS.
Not only is the institute concerned with minimising risks
and disruption and distress at its workplaces, but also with orienting its R&D
activities to minimise and/or alleviate the effects of the epidemic on farming
systems and agricultural communities.
To strengthen its commitment, the institute developed and
launched its HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy in 2007 which emphasises NARI’s
concern on the rapid spread of the epidemic, especially in the rural areas
where NARI’s work is focussed.
NARI workplace policy is intended to provide guidelines for the institute
practices with respect to its mandate and stakeholders, and the mainstreaming
of strategies to deal with the implications of the epidemic in its core
research and development activities.
While NARI and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector have
initiated steps at organisation level to address the epidemic, the way forward
is to approach the problem collectively, as the impact is likely to affect the
entire agricultural sector, from food crops to plantations and livestock.
The future impact of HIV/AIDS on agriculture will depend, among other
things, on finding ways to reduce the labour requirement by introducing less
labour-intensive methods of production and farm mechanisation with simple
agricultural tools.
It is anticipated that the
epidemic would intensify labour shortages, increase food insecurity, loss of
household income, shift in farming systems, and loss of knowledge about
traditional farming methods.
The HIV/AIDS and gender component of the Agricultural Research and
Development Support Facility funded by AusAID is one of the avenues that could
be used to bring together all stakeholders to address the epidemic
collectively.
This also presents an
opportunity to review and revise R&D programmes and design interventions to
address and mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS.
This is the time to start thinking and acting seriously about
integrating HIV/AIDS in agricultural R&D programmes.
The task looks more complex than many may think and it is important for
the agriculture sector to act now.
Friends and family of longtime Goroka and Eastern Highlands
province resident, Richard Ashton Carver, are advised of his passing in Goroka
on Sunday, July 25.
Born 1st September 1916, died 25 July 2010.
A dinosaur from a bygone era, Richard was a man with a great work ethic,
great ingenuity and bucket loads of tenacity.Apart from his many achievements – he will
be most remembered for his tenacity and will to live – clearly demonstrated in
the past few years, where with the help of a few friends he ‘escaped’ from an
Australian nursing home, which had left him unable to move, bedridden, and
without all his mental faculties.Upon
returning back to PNG, he threw out his medication and little by little began
to move his body again.He progressed to a wheelchair, and only
two weeks before his death, Richard had progressed to the point where he stood
up and walked …… much to the surprise of all family members.His
speech, hearing and mental ability had all returned to normal.It
was true testimony to his fighting spirit and will to live.Dearly missed by friends and family.
Funeral Service: Wednesday 28 July 2010 at 1200 pm, St
JohnsLutheranChurch Burial: Wednesday 28
July 2010 at 4.00pmPark Ridge Estates
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has expressed deep sorrow over the death of businessman Sir Brian Bell (pictured) in Brisbane, Australia, yesterday, The National reports.
To many, Sir Brian, 82, could be described as a great man of the people; an honoured gentleman and citizen and a friend of Papua New Guinea.
Over the years, Brian Bell had become Mr B, a nametag that had stayed on until his death.
“Sir Brian has made considerable contributions to his adopted country Papua New Guinea for more than 50 years in business development and innumerable humanitarian causes.
“I take my hat off to this pioneer businessman who contributed to various organisations such as being chairman of the Port Moresby GeneralHospital until his death.
“He also served as deputy lord mayor of Port Moresby, a member of the PNG lands board, the Salvation Army advisory board and the PNG law and order committee.
“He was at one time chairman of UPNG Foundation, the NCD South Pacific Festival of Arts (1980) and the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. Sir Brian also served as patrons of AIESECPNGUniversity and the Port Moresby City Mission.
“Apart from setting up a school just outside Port Moresby, Sir Brian also helped in offering scholarships and funding to many needy and deserving young Papua New Guineans.”
The man from Cinchilla, Queensland, has been in PNG for longer than he has ever been at home and, for most of his years here, he has been a citizen.
Sir Brian, CSM, KBE, C.St.J, was knighted by the Queen for his many contributions to business and charity in PNG.
“PNG has recognised his invaluable contributions and bestowed upon him a number of well-earned awards over the years,” Sir Michael said.
Sir Brian was also the honorary consul-general of Norway and Sweden.
“On behalf of Papua New Guineans, Lady Veronica and my family, I sincerely thank the late Sir Brian’s family for his many contributions.
“He will be remembered by many whose lives he touched,” Sir Michael said.
Sir Brian was an icon who had been at the helm of his business everyday since he began in 1961, and had singularly been responsible for building up a
quality conscious non-food mercantile, hardware, home and electrical appliances business in Papua New Guinea – expanding from Port Moresby to Lae, Kokopo, Madang, Mt Hagen and other smaller towns in the country.
Brian Bell & Company Ltd has become one of Papua New Guinea`s premier retailer, wholesaler and distributor of non-food and clothing products companies.
Through its extensive branch and distribution network, it offers a wide range of products and services to businesses, aid agencies, mining companies, government departments and individuals throughout the country.
Brian Bell`s retail network comprises 10 retail outlets and more than 25 distribution agencies in all major commercial centres in PNG.
ACTING Prime Minister Don Polye has made known his intentions to contest the prime minister’s post, The Nationalreports.
Polye said he would make public his candidacy at the National Alliance party convention in the Jiwaka region next month.
He told reporters that there must be a strike of balance between all the other regions of the country, with Paias Wingti being the only prime minister from the region.
“Now is the time to give a chance to the highlands region,” Polye said.
He was speaking after announcing the ministerial portfolios of the new ministers last Thursday.
“With the new ministries, I do not think the Somare-Polye government will fall.
“The opposition cannot go and oust a government when you do not have a notice in parliament,” Polye said.
He said the opposition was trying to mislead the public and create instability within government.
The new cabinet ministers and their portfolios are Lucas Dekena (Lands), Francis Potape (Climate Change), Moses Maladina (Trade), Benjamin Poponawa ( Civil Aviation and Immigration), John Pundari (Mining), Timothy Bonga (Forest), Guma Wau (Culture and Tourism) and Fidelis Semoso (Bougainville Affairs).
The climate change, trade and immigration are new ministries.
“I ask the people of PNG, the public and private sectors to accord the new ministers their full support and cooperation.”
Polye said the new team would be the backbone of the new-look Somare-Polye government, stressing that the team would not be moved in any political horse trading.
He said the aim of the new group was to go into cabinet to discuss and review some of the controversial and much debated issues such as the amendments to the Ombudsman Commission Act.
He said other bills brought before parliament would also be reviewed by the new leaders.
“Nation building is not only to do with individuals with picks and shovels, plants and equipment or saws and hammers,’’ Polye said. “It is more so with the building of the culture in the mind and heart of hard work, strive, thrifty, industrious, honesty and justice in Papua New Guineans, children, women and men.
“A society of high standard in values and principles is what we must build,” Polye said.
Trade Minister Moses Maladina said the Ombudsman Commission Bill was introduced as a private member’s bill and he would also bring that up in cabinet for further discussion.
THE stories of those brave men and women who fought in World War II to make it possible for us to have the freedom we enjoy today, must be properly documented and placed prominently in our national history, Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane said, The National reports.
Speaking at the 29th Remembrance Day ceremony in Port Moresby last Friday, Sir Paulias said this would “instil pride in us at their sacrifice and to remember them forever”.
“This history is an obligation for Papua New Guineans to remember the heroes who fought and helped, not just in the war, but also during the Bougainville crisis, so we can live to see this day,” he said.
Hosted by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, the celebration was themed “Building a strong and prosperous nation”, which Sir Paulias said was the reflection of the war, their efforts and the hardships and challenges that go into nation-building.
He said one such challenge was that children of today were not taught the importance and significance of Remembrance Day.
“I urge parents to ensure that their children understand the day and do not miss these ceremonies just because none of their relatives died,” the governor-general said.
“Children of today and tomorrow have the obligation to remember these brave people because their rights to be remembered far outweigh our rights to forget.”
Sir Paulias said we all must remember and know that it was when Australia realised that they were alone in the war that indigenous people of PNG assisted them, adding that this led to their continued relationship between both nations today.
“There is no greater love from a man than to lay down his life for another, and it is this selflessness and humility which are some of the key virtues in our
constitution that we must embrace and practice to build a strong and prosperous nation,’’ he said.
“Let us emulate spirit and dedication of our heroes.”
