Well done, Papua New Guinea!

Eye-catching stuff ... Boys in Shanghai, China, with their mouths wide open, creeping up for a closer look at the Tari wig won by Southern Highlander Cedric Karai at yesterday’s Independence Day celebration at the Pacific Joint Pavilion where PNG has a booth. Karai was the star attraction with his Tari wig, tangets and all. Shanghai TV station CCTV also had an interview with him. – Nationalpic by BOSORINA ROBBY in Shanghai.

PAPUA New Guineans turned up in their thousands at various venues around the country to celebrate the 35th Independence Day anniversary.

Students from Chimbu at the University of Papua New Guinea performing during celebrations to mark the country’s 35th independence anniversary at the Waigani

campus yesterday. – Nationalpic by EKA KEAPU

All urban centres drew bumper crowds at the celebration venues, led by Port Moresby where Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare officiated at the flag-raising ceremony on Independence Hill – an occasion witnessed by MPs, members of the diplomatic corps, departmental heads, school children and city residents.

Sir Michael’s main message was for Papua New Guineans to reflect on past achievements and work for a better tomorrow.

“The task that we all face in continuing to build this vibrant nation is to accept that we are all different, get over it and unite to work together because our vision and aspirations, at the end of the day, are essentially the same.”

Sir Michael flew to Wewak later in the morning to celebrate with his East Sepik constituents.

The day’s events were trouble-free in all urban centres, police reported no serious accidents.

Port Moresby residents, buoyed by a clear sky, were orderly as they attended various traditional and cultural shows, sports and marches throughout the city.

In the afternoon, there was the lowering of the flag and then fireworks continued into the night from the Sir John Guise Stadium and the Jack Pidik Park.

Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane used the occasion to urge leaders “to forget their little politics of turf, power and political mileage” and support the implementation of Vision 2050.

The other highlight in Port Moresby was the announcement of the Logohu awards, the highest to be awarded that of “chief” going to Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The eye-catching Hiri Moale festival for Motu-Koitabu villages officially kicks off today at Ela Beach following Wednesday’s fashion parade at the Botanical Gardens in Waigani. The festival will end with the crowning of Miss Hiri Hanenamo on Sunday.

Sir Michael: Still a lot to discover after 35 years

By JASON GIMA WURI

 

THIRTY-five years on and we are still finding out about ourselves, which is truly the richness of this country that we must not take lightly, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said in his address to the nation at yesterday morning’s flag raising ceremony on Independence Hill in Port Moresby, The National reports.

“While moving PNG towards independence, I can say there were many parts of the country that are still not mapped and visited by outsiders.”

The 35th commemorative flag raising ceremony was attended by members of parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps, departmental heads and the disciplined forces, school children and

public who braved the early morning cold to kick-start independence celebrations in Port Moresby.

“Even today, there are people in Margarima in Southern Highlands who do not know the people of Kaibola in the Trobriand Islands.

“Similarly, the people of Rambucho Island in Manus may not know that there is a group of Papua New Guineans in the highlands of Madang known as the Hagahai,” Sir Michael said.

“If we are to take these factors for granted, we will lose our way, be disillusioned and feel a sense of hopelessness.

“If we are to achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves, then, we cannot simplify our makeup and be in denial about our complexities.

“The task that we all face in continuing to build this vibrant nation is to accept that we are all different, get over it and unite to work together.

“Our vision and aspirations, at the end of the day, are essentially the same,” the prime minister said.

“From complete isolation, we are now thrust into the age of technology and globalisation.”

He also acknowledged Sir Pita Lus, Sir Cecil Abel and Sir Maori Kiki (deceased) and others he worked alongside to force the early attainment of independence and nationhood.

“I also pay tribute to the policemen, colonial servicemen, carriers, aid post orderlies, the early catechists, teachers, plantation workers and labourers who had a hand in raising the early leaders of PNG.”

 

 

Indon president honoured as chief

INDONESIAN president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been conferred the title of “chief” in Papua New Guinea’s 35th independence anniversary honours’ awards, The National reports.

Yudhoyono was honoured for services in promoting the Indonesia-PNG relations, his leadership in strengthening democracy in Indonesia and fighting the evils of terrorism in the region and beyond, his leadership on climate change and international trade and development.

Catholic reverend Paul Marx was also conferred “chief” for services to the church and the people of PNG, especially the Gulf province where he had served as priest over the last 45 years and, more recently, as bishop of the diocese of Kerema.

South Pacific Brewery chief executive officer Stanley Joyce was among three recipients of the Star of Melanesia (CSM) for his services to commerce and the manufacturing industry, and to the community through contributions the brewer had made to numerous charities, humanitarian and sporting organisations.

The other two CSM awardees were Auwo Ketauwo for services to the community in Eastern Highlands and former MP, John Nilkare, for service to pre-independence public administration, commerce and the people of Chimbu.

Seven people awarded the Officer of the Order of Logohu included Sod Baim, Ian Glanville, Maclaren Hiari, Simongi Kangiong, Rev Dick Noma, Don Pandan and John Peka.

Members of the Order of Logohu (ML) included Soni Boku, Dr Ellis Diebler, Sam Imine, Steven Ipiung, Daisy Kennedy, Clark Kuliniasi, Taumaku Momoru, Toea Naime, Tau Nauna, Helen Afora, Wilson Thompson, Annemarie Rhodes, Steven Tabolahafo and Mary Anne Walker.

The national Logohu Medal (LM) went to Roy Aihi, Silvanus Aisi, Albert Aliabe, Philip Anian, Yawa Ape, Dumbiari Arigo, Lucy Kiki Buck, Rev Michael Kendi, Kilipo Hetape, Rev Benny Lali, Anthon Mala, John Morrison, Henry Onai, Tui Ori, Simon Paraun, Like Sataro, Joshua Sipo, Rev Michael Sowaka, Epogo Tayu, Peter ToRot and Pulupe Wauwe.

APEC Tourism Ministers' Meeting

Issued by the APEC Secretariat

APEC Tourism Ministers to meet Sept 22-23

 Singapore, September 16, 2010 - APEC Tourism Ministers meet in Nara, Japan, next week to address issues such as the importance of achieving sustained and balanced growth in the tourism industry in the Asia-Pacific region following the global financial crisis.

The 6^th APEC Tourism Ministers’ Meeting to be held September 22-23 will discuss collaboration between APEC, the private sector and multilateral organizations to strengthen the industry, which is a major engine for growth in the region.

The industry was hit by the global financial crisis with households cutting back on travel plans and businesses reducing travel budgets. But long-term prospects for the industry remain strong.

Tourism and travel are expected to contribute 9.1 percent of total Gross Domestic Product in the APEC region in 2010, increasing to 9.7 percent in 2020, according to research by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Tourism and travel are also expected to directly and indirectly employ 117 million people in the APEC region in 2010 and increase to 159 million by 2020 - or contribute 8.2 percent of total employment in 2010, increasing to 10.2 percent in 2020, according to the WTTC.

Ministers at the meeting are expected to address expansion of newer forms of tourism in the region, such as medical, sports and ecotourism, and the importance of preparations in the industry for a response to future emergencies, both man-made and natural.  Other issues include meeting growing demand in the industry for a range of skilled workers.

Under the theme, “Tourism for Strategic Growth in the Asia-Pacific Region,” the meeting will be chaired by Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Mr Seiji Maehara.

Ministers will provide an assessment of the tourism industry in their economy at the meeting, and will hear from international tourism organizations such as the APEC International Centre for Sustainable Tourism (AICST), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the WTTC.

Ministers will hold a press conference at the end of the meeting and release the “Nara Declaration on Tourism.” The ministerial-level meeting will follow up on recommendations made by the APEC Tourism Working Group which meets in Nara on September 19-20.

A meeting of APEC Senior Officials will also take place in Sendai, Japan, from September 15-26. All meetings will provide valuable input to the work of developing APEC’s Growth Strategy, which will be presented to APEC Leaders meeting in Yokohama, Japan in November this year.

 

For further information, contact Trudy Harris on +65 98983710 or E-mail: th@apec.org

Falling rocks kill 'miners'

Disaster strikes as Porgera locals dig for gold

 

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

TWO illegal gold miners were killed and four others were injured by falling rocks at the Porgera gold mine’s open-cut pit in Enga last Friday, The National reports.

According to reports from Porgera yesterday, the injured are recovering at the Porgera hospital.

“They risked their lives going to steal gold at the restricted mine,” an official said from Porgera.

The two dead men were identified as Pair Daniel, 22, from Ubis Karkar area in the Kandep district, and Tarai Iapara, in his 30s, from Tukusanda in the Laiagam district, both in Enga.

Larop Kepen, an illegal miner who was among the group, told authorities that the two were killed at the bottom of the bench while others were hit by the falling rocks and received serious injuries to their legs, arms and head.

Kopen said that many rocks were falling and they had to run for their lives but the two were late to escape and died after they were hit by the rocks.

Porgera police were contacted but said that they had not received any report or complaint about the fatalities and, therefore, could not comment.

The mining township’s Paiam Hospital chief Dr Granda Granada confirmed receiving the bodies of two men and placing them at the morgue last Saturday morning.

He also confirmed receiving and attending to four others who had sustained injuries.

Granada said one of four had his limbs amputated because it could not be fixed; the other three were assisted by doctors at the hospital and were recovering.

Mark Fisher, the executive general manager of owner Barrick PNG Ltd told The National yesterday that trespassing was a problem which the company had taken all available approaches to discourage by educating the local people not to venture into the restricted mine area.

He said many different approaches had been taken by the company to educate the people but nothing had changed.

“It is an unfortunate situation and also a difficult situation.

“We have used numerous attempts to educate the communities through the local radio station and the company’s communication unit to disseminate messages to educate them of the dangers of going to the mine site but that was still lacking,” Fisher said.

He said that the company even fenced the entire special mine lease area but people continued to take the risk and trespass.

Regular incursions by illegal miners into the open pit, the ore stockpiles and the waste areas at Porgera are common even though people are warned of the dangers of illegal mining and the risks of accessing the pit with no appropriate safety measures in place.

In recent years, criminal behaviour in and around the mine had become much more aggressive and had often involved armed individuals. 

Frequently they enter the mine site in large groups prepared to confront security personnel, who are responsible for the safety of the mine and its employees.

Vision City RH Hypermart opens for business

This group of women from the highlands residing in Port Moresby were among the first to walk in, see what the new Vision City RH Hypermart has to offer, do their shopping and leave when Papua New Guinea’s biggest supermarket opened its doors yesterday along Waigani Drive in Port Moresby.

THE country’s newest and biggest supermarket opened its doors for business yesterday.

A big crowd started converging on the Vision City RH Hypermart at Waigani in Port Moresby from early morning.

Scores of armed policemen, including mobile squad members, and private security personnel were stationed around the perimeter to prevent any untoward incident.

In view of the large crowd, the shoppers were only allowed into the hypermarket in batches.

Occupying a whopping floor space of more than 10,000sqm, the RH Hypermart offers a huge range of goods that include clothings, sporting goods, tools, furniture, personal care products, health products, gifts and of course, food and wine.

The meat section is supervised by an Australian butcher while the bread section will be operated by popular franchise Brumby’s from Australia.

Apart from fresh breads, Brumby’s is also known for its pies, cup cakes, sausage rolls and many other favourites.

It will commence business next month.

The seafood section offers a wide selection and for a small fee, customers can have their purchases cut, clean and ready to cook.

The service is also available from the meat section.

CC Ang, the general manager of RH Trading which runs the hypermarket, said the new outlet offered Port Moresby residents a new shopping experience.

“The hypermarket is the largest in PNG and possibly the South Pacific. It offers a one-stop shop for everything and anything,” he told The National.

“We have about 45,000 items for sale.”

He said that apart from competitive pricing, they also offered quality, freshness and convenience.

“There will be no shortage of parking space as we have up to 1,000 lots in a safe and secure environment.

“In the near future, we will introduce a loyalty programme to our frequent shoppers.”

On the other two outlets in Port Moresby, Ang said both would be renamed RH Hypermarket Express and would offer goods at lower prices.

“While the Vision City RH Hypermarket is aimed at the middle and upper end, it does not mean that the prices will be higher,” he said.

Ang is confident customers will appreciate the convenience of shopping under one roof.

Many shoppers are surprised by the range of goods available.

“Now I know where I want to shop. It’s so convenient,” a shopper, who lives at Touaguba Hill, said.

Another shopper from Boroko said: “Most of the items are cheaper than at the usual supermarket where I shop.”

The business hours of the new hypermart have been tentatively fixed at 8am-9pm daily.

The hypermart is located in Vision City’s shopping mall which is close to completion.

The mall will house more than 50 retail outlets, restaurants and a foodcourt.

They are expected to start moving in next month.

Vision City is a billion-kina project undertaken by the RH Group (PNG) which includes an office tower block, service apartments, a hotel and convention centre.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Abal orders illegals to leave immediately

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

FOREIGNERS working or living illegally in Papua New Guinea must leave immediately, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration minister Sam Abal said yesterday, The National reports.

These people are illegal immigrants who are not wanted here, he told journalists when announcing the department’s new model for processing visa applications at the Moale Haus in Port Moresby.

Abal said that the past weaknesses and other illegal means of obtaining and issuing visas would now be over with the installation and implementation of the new border management system.

He said the new PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services (PNGICS) would increase its staff strength and officers would be travelling to the provinces to hunt “foreign aliens”.

Therefore, he is warning those living in the country without proper visas to pack up and leave.

“My warning is that you start packing up and start leaving because we will not be lenient.”

Abal also warned foreign companies to abide by PNG laws and not to bring in people through illegal means.

He said those who had been engaged in human trafficking should also leave because they would face a bigger problem when the law caught up with them.

“Big companies and investors are warned to follow laws and respect the people of this country like what we do when we visit their countries.

“We know what is happening but because of lack of capacity and logistics, we were not able to monitor and investigate. However, with the new approach, it will be different because all visas will be approved at Waigani and issued at the diplomatic missions overseas,” he said.