Hidden Valley gold mining environmental issues

By DR GAE GOWAE

 

Dear all,

This is a challenge to us Morobeans.

 The plight of the people affected by the Hidden Valley gold mining needs immediate attention by concerned Morobeans. 

You may have watched this on the EMTV Tok Piksa sometimes last month where people developed skin diseases and are scared to wash in the river where the waste system from the mining company is connected.

Few deaths occurred in children while adults are struggling with the disease.

Also garden areas now under water and slowly turning into swamp areas as a result of high sedimentation believed to be from the waste discharge from the mining causing high water table and runoffs.

 This never happened before until after the mining operation started.

 Both Hon. Sam Basil and Governor Luther Wenge have pledged their financial support for an independent team of scientists to investigate the cause.

 However, to date nothing has come forth from neither member, simply because of political differences. 

Sam Basil is trying to engage a University of PNG team which includes me while Luther Wenge is trying to engage his own team with me as the team leader. However, the total cost of the whole exercise (from Upper Watut to the mouth of Markham river and Labu Buttu village) require combine amounts from both MPs. This is becuse the engagement of the team will be through consultancy work arrangements and the fees are relatively high in the case of UPNG.

 Meanwhile landowners association from the area is up caught up between these differences.

The landowners’ association simply wants an independent team to udentake the study, regardless of which team, but need money to engage a team.

Neither MP will release the money to the landowners’ association because both MPs want to deal directly with the investigation team for political milage purposes. 

 I am also now caught up between these political differences, because of my association with the teams to undertake the study.

The study needs to be undetaken thoroughly because of the size of the area and that we are up against a multi-million company, and our findings need to be credible.

 To cut down the costs I now want to undertake the study outside consultancy work (volunteer basis) but I will need certain specific expertise in mining and waste engineering, hydraulogist, aquatic biologist, and an applied chemist among the Morobeans to come foward and assist.

The major cost component in this case will be for water and soil samples to be analysed at the Unitech analysis laboratory.

The other cost components will include the logistic support (transportation, accommodation, etc.), and travelling allowances.

 I am now negotiating this option with the landowners’ association leaders.

Any ideas or technical assistance from the Morobeans will be greatly appreciated.

Associate professor Eric Kwa and I are working together in this case.

 I welcome any thoughts or ideas from those of you Morobeans out there to assist our people who are now the victims of the so-called economic development activities.

 

Dr. Gae Gowae

Senior Lecturer

Environmental Sciences

UPNG 

APEC senior officials assess progress ahead of leaders' meeting

Issued by the APEC Secretariat

 

Sendai, Japan, 26 September, 2010 – Senior officials discussed key reports and recommendations on enhancing trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region that will be submitted to Ministers and Leaders of member economies when they meet in November.

 At the two-day senior officials’ meeting (SOM) in Sendai, Japan, delegates focused on APEC’s 2010 initiatives including its “high-quality” growth strategy, assessment on progress of the Bogor Goals and the way forward on greater regional economic integration.

 They made progress on the substance of APEC’s growth strategy, which aims to improve the quality of economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region in the wake of the global financial crisis, and identifies five key areas to target.

 Although the APEC region has become the world’s growth centre by promoting free and open trade and economic integration, APEC Leaders declared in 2009 the need for a strategy on growth, recognising that challenges such as further environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness are essential to the future prosperity and well-being of its citizens.

 “Is it clear that member economies cannot continue with ‘growth as usual’ and the quality needs to be improved so that it is more balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure,” APEC Japan 2010 senior official co-chair Shigeru Nakamura said.

 “Member economies recognise, for example, the need to protect our environment and natural resources and therefore develop sustainable growth. APEC could also contribute to inclusive growth by promoting policies for job creation as well as more economic opportunities for women,” he said.

APEC Japan 2010 senior official co-chair Hidehiko Nishiyama added: “The meeting made progress towards finalising this strategy which will be presented to leaders on the way forward for the next five years.”

 Senior officials also held discussions on the substance of a report that assesses APEC member economies’ progress on free and open trade. The assessment report on meeting the Bogor goals will also be presented to ministers and leaders in November.

 APEC Leaders issued a declaration in Bogor, Indonesia in 1994 that called for industrialised member economies to achieve free and open trade by 2010, and developing members by 2020. APEC has conducted a thorough and objective assessment on the progress of achieving those goals, with consultation from APEC’s policy support unit and external bodies.

 The progress of five economies – Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the USA – has been examined. Another eight economies, Chile, Hong Kong China, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Chinese Taipei, have volunteered to undergo early assessment before their own target date of 2020. 

 Officials also focused on the way forward on APEC’s strategy for structural reform. APEC is undertaking initiatives aimed at making it easier to do business by reducing “behind-the-border” barriers to trade, such as reducing unnecessary and costly regulations and reforming competition policy.

 They also focused on ways to accelerate regional economic integration, including possible pathways to a free trade area of the Asia-Pacific.

 Officials have been holding related meetings, workshops and symposiums in Sendai in the lead up to the senior officials’ meeting, which covered a wide range of issues, including non-tariff barriers to trade, energy security, food security, disaster preparedness, sustainable tourism, anti-corruption and supply chain connectivity.

 The APEC senior officials’ meeting is the third this year, and officials will gather again in November to finalise recommendations for ministers’ and leaders’ meeting, which takes place later that month.

 

                   # # #

 

For more information, contact: Trudy Harris +65 98983710 or th@apec.org

 

                                                 Michael Chapnick +65 96474847 or mc@apec.org

 

For photos, visit: http://www.apec.org/apec/news___media/news_photos.html  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lutheran youth conference ends in Buang

By Pastor SAKARIA MALELAK

Post-graduate student

Martin Luther Seminary

 A week-long Lutheran Jabem district youth conference came to an end in Bulandem parish, Buang circuit today.

Pr Gedisa Okamaisa delivering his speech.

The conference started last Monday September 20 and ended today.

It finished on a high note with Malalo circuit who won the bid to host the 2011 Jabem district youth conference.

Conference participants came from all 14 circuits that make up Jabem district including Kaiapit, Sangan, Wantoat, Wampar, Lae, Lae City, Laulu, Deka, Jabem, Malalo, Buang, Menyamya, Aseki and Kaintiba.

A total of 600 participants attended this conference.

Fog covers the conference area

The theme of the conference was “Wokabaut wantaim bilong ol bilip man meri insait long pasin bilong laikim (Walking with faith and love).

Bulolo MP Sam Basil was invited to declare the winners of the newly-elected executives with Araba Saia as the new district youth coordinator with a new secretary.

Jabem district president Pastor Gedisa Okamaisa accompanied by the nomination committee Paul Siwari and his chairman Pastor Douglas Tukiti ran the elections which saw the new executives voted into place.

Conference chairman

 Basil delivered a strong message to the Jabem district youths to use their Christian principals to guide them in their decision-making because the future was in their hands.

Bad leaders with bad decisions riddled with corruption has brought Papua New Guinea this far where  after 35 years we are still wondering what went wrong.

2012 elections is fast approaching, therefore, electing a good leader can make some difference.

A leader who has been exposed to private or public sector management with good and quality leadership experience can make a good leader.  

A leader who thinks from the heart makes good decisions.

 The onus is now with the youth of today to find those leaders in the next general elections and bring them into parliament.

Buang scouts leading Bulolo MP Sam Basil and delegates into the conference area

The conference ended today with Holy Communion service, after which delegates from the 14 circuits head back home.

Dance to the tapioka!

Hagara magic ... The Grade 6 tapioka dance troupe from Milne Bay yesterday stole the show at the Hagara Primary School near Hanuabada village, NCD, during the school’s Grade 6 mini-cultural show. Their exotic hip movements and war cries kept the crowd on its toes throughout. Three other groups also performed representing Central, Goroka in Eastern Highlands and the Tolais of East New Britain. The songs and dances were part of their school curriculum. – Words and picture by AURI EVA

Southern Highlands Governor Agiru in position to call the shots

By JEFFREY ELAPA

THE United Resources Party yesterday swelled its numbers to 16, making it the second largest party in the coalition government of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, The National reports.

Five members from opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta’s PNG Party and New Generation yesterday announced their defection, which effectively meant that URP leader Anderson Agiru can stake a claim for the deputy prime minister’s job in what could be a Somare-Agiru government.

It is common practice in a coalition government for the second largest party to be given the second highest post in cabinet.

Agiru’s newfound political strength was the result of the five MPs – Francis Awesa (Imbonggu), Isaac Joseph (Mendi), John Garia (Chimbu), Ferau Orimyo (Henganofi) and Steven Kama (South Bougainville) – deserting the opposition to be part of the government so

that their people would benefit from services currently on offer.

Neither the prime minister’s office nor the opposition had commented, but Agiru announced his new-look URP to the media at parliament house yesterday.

It was not without incident as URP deputy leader William Duma, the petroleum minister, barged into the meeting claiming he was not consulted.

Duma entered the B2 conference room alone, stood at the doorway, and announced that he did not authorise the conference.

Duma also said the five did not follow the proper process to join the party.

He then retreated and left. Duma’s action stunned his party members, journalists and members of the public who were present.

Agiru, who had earlier delayed the conference by 45 minutes, trying to contact Duma to attend, said there seemed to have been a misunderstanding between party officials and the leader about the timing of the press conference.

To date, other MPs who had also joined the URP from the opposition ranks were James Lagea (Kagua-Erave), Puri Ruing (Dei) and Patrick Kondo (Daulo) while James Lagea (Kagua-Erave) dismantled his one-man party in government to join force with Agiru.

Defections had been more common in recent months after the Organic Law on Political Parties and Candidates was declared null and void by the Supreme Court last July.

Komo-Margarima MP and Climate Change Minister Francis Potape, who is also assisting the prime minister on LNG matters, said the mass exodus was a sign of confidence in the URP and thanked and welcomed the defecting MPs to the government.

The five MPs said in a joint statement their decision was, importantly, to be in government to fast-track and give top priority to the Highlands Highway reconstruction and rehabilitation to serve three quarters of the population in PNG.

They said the highlands region deserved the best road network as it was home to most of the major national resource projects and agricultural commodities such as coffee and tea, while noting that the region contributed three-quarters of the nation’s coffers but no due recognition had been given to its leaders.

They said that after several months of hard decision-making, they saw the enormous potential the URP had in the running of the nation in the near future.

URP was a party which had members drawn from all the regions of PNG, making it an institution that would unite everyone.

Agiru welcomed the addition, saying that it was a good sign of stability and hope in the Somare-led coalition government.

“The United Resource Party is an institution that belongs to the people of PNG, based on the value of resources, including the natural resources, and, most importantly, the human resource which is the greatest of all resources.”

He stressed that the MPs had joined the URP at their own free will.

“There was no indulgence or promises for the credible leaders to join the party.

“They are credible leaders who have decided to join the party and we respect their decision,” he said.

“I must make it clear that URP and NA will still be partners in government until the next election,” Agiru said.

But observers said the URP move, and the imminent arrival of others in government in support of the prime minister, meant “sacrifices” would have to be made to accommodate them.

“All the prime minister has to do is pass the 2011 budget in November, and he gets into the safe period. Then, he can sacrifice men, likely from within NA, to accommodate those coming in.

“This will be done with the future in mind,” an observer said.

 

Police explain stop order

By THOMAS HUKAHU

POLICE directives on Wednesday to stop civil society and non-governmental organisations from staging a protest march was for peace and safety of the city residents and business houses, The National reports.

NCD-Central police commander ACP Awan Sete said peace, law and order was of paramount importance and would not be compromised at any cost.

Sete told reporters yesterday afternoon that the decision by police to stop the planned march from going ahead

was made after carefully assessing the situation.

“The incidents in Goroka and Kainantu, as well as from intelligence reports of other interest groups and criminal elements joining in, warranted the decision we took to prevent the protest march from taking place,” he said.

Sete said the move to stop the march was not intended to curtail anyone’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression but to promote the rights of every man, woman and child to live in a safe and secure society.

He said it was rather unfortunate that the planned march affected some schools, government services and businesses in NCD.

Reports said some school children and workers had stayed home out of fear and anxiety regarding the march.

Sete and NCD metropolitan commander Chief Supt Fred Yakasa also thanked civil society groups, NGOs and the public for responding well to the announcement made by police to stop the march.

“We also thank the groups planning for the march for respecting our position at this time,” Yakasa said.

However, NGO activist and protest march leader Noel Anjo said NCD police had contradicted themselves when they stopped yesterday’s planned protest march.

He said planning for the march had taken months, only to be stopped at the 11th hour.

“I am terribly upset.

“The police failed to inform me,” Anjo told The National yesterday.

In Goroka and Kundiawa, separate peaceful marches were held where petitions were handed over the people’s elected representatives to present to the prime minister and government.

In Goroka, Eastern Highlands Governor Malcolm Kela-Smith received the petition while Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Joe Mek Teine did the same for protesters in the Chimbu capital.

In one of the petitions, the protesters gave the government 24 hours to recall parliament and revisit the Environment Amendment Act among other issues.

Shops in Goroka and Kainantu reportedly closed yesterday while life in Kundiawa continued as usual.

 

 

PNG, China bilateral ties still going strong

CHINA and Papua New Guinea still maintain strong bilateral tie since establishing diplomatic relations 34 years ago, The National reports.

Chinese ambassador Qiu Bohua said this on Wednesday during a function to celebrate the 61st anniversary of the founding of China.

The Chinese community in the nation’s capital, business heads and members of the diplomatic corps were present for the occasion.

Qiu said that PNG had become the largest trade partner and investment destination country of China among the South Pacific island countries.

He said another important event was the historical visit by the Chinese navy training formation to PNG.

“China’s naval voyage of friendship, peace and harmony injected new vigour into the long-lasting friendship between the two countries.”

Qiu said that over the years, the Chinese government had done its best to support and assist PNG in achieving its social developments with the implementation of a dozen of aid projects, including the Sir John Guise Sports Centre, Kandep Agricultural Technical Cooperation project, upgrade of Papa-Lealea Road, Usino Junction-Yamagi Road, the Hagen comprehensive agricultural technical cooperation project, the expansion of students’ dormitory and teachers’ houses at Vudal University, reconstruction of mathematics and computer building of Unitech in Lae, the renovation and expansion of Government House, the Lae fishery processing plant and cold storage project, the Wewak Sports Stadium and the expansion of students’ dormitory of Goroka University.

He said that currently, Pacific Marine Industrial Zone project in Madang and the international conference centre near parliament house in Port Moresby were both underway.

Qiu also pointed out that Ramu NiCo’s US$1.4 billion nickel-cobalt project was a win-win cooperation project between PNG and China.

He also said that this year alone, 26 students were granted Chinese government scholarships to undertake degree studies in China, eight PNG Defence Force senior officers were enrolled for training and more than 60 government officials and technical personnel of different sectors were trained for various programmes.

“The Chinese government always attaches great importance to strengthen friendship and cooperation with PNG.

“With a lot of common views in political field and a lot of complementary advantages to the economy, it is a collective responsibility for us to tap the great potentials in bilateral relations.”