Business easy with VSAT

DOING business with very small aperture terminal (VSAT) can be very efficient and convenient as it is only a click away with the use of modern technology.

People from Bulolo can now do business and make communication easier through the use of VSAT.

This was made possible after Bulolo MP Sam Basil presented a cheque for K200, 000 from his district support grant (DSIP) to Telikom PNG for VSAT rentals to continue the service in his electorate.

He said the payment was worthwhile as the service would go a long way in helping local business and improving the academic performance of students.

Basil said the people were happy with the VSAT service because it had added more value to their life in terms of communication.

 

 

Lae boy ‘Greg’ wins Digicel Stars

By MALUM NALU
Lae boy Greg Aaron has emerged as Papua New Guinea’s latest singing sensation after winning the lucrative Digicel Stars competition on Sunday night.

Greg Aaron belts out another number at the Ahi Festival in Lae last week

The 26-year-old, from the Ahi village of Yanga, in Lae, developed a cult following all over Papua New Guinea this year and Sunday was the icing on the cake.
Aaron pocketed K10, 000 and a major recording contract as his prize for winning the competition, which brings together the best singing talent from all over PNG.
He was at home in Yanga, after bringing the house down at the Ahi Festival last week, when he was named as winner on EMTV on Sunday night.
Yesterday (Monday) he gave the kudos to family members in Yanga, the other five Ahi villages, his Thronz band members as well as supporters from all over Lae and PNG who texted in their support.
“Last night (Sunday), we had a big celebration,” Aaron said.
“The village and the Thronz band had a big celebration at Yanga village.
“I had everything poured on me from coke, to beer, to coffee by celebrating family and supporters.
“I want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who voted for me, my band members, my manager, everyone in Lae and the six Ahi villages of Yalu, Kamkumung, Hengali, Butibam, Wagang and Yanga.
“A special ‘thank you’ to major sponsor Digicel and all the others.”
Aaron said his immediate plan now was to have a break from his Thronz band and concentrate on recording a solo album next month.
“My plan now is to have a break from the band and have a couple of solo gigs,” he said.
“By mid January, we might start work on the album project.”

On the receiving end

Luck ran out for three armed robbers last Saturday morning in front of the Big Rooster shop at 4-Mile.
After posing as customers and robbing the fast food outlet, the robbers were intercepted by a patrolling police mobile unit as they made for their getaway vehicle, a stolen Toyota RAV 4 sports utility.
The robbers were searched on the spot for weapons as bystanders look on. – Nationalpic by AURI EVA

Jimi Valley gold a boost for Jiwaka

Gold samples found in exploration areas showed 92.3% purity: Siwi

 

By PATRICK TALU

 

A DISCOVERY of high grade gold deposits in the Jimi Valley could sustain Jiwaka and supplement its agricultural based-economy, The National reports.

The discovery was made three years back from alluvial mining by Damba Gold Ltd (DGL), a local mining and exploration consultancy firm based in Banz, North Wayla..

DGL managing director Michael Konga Siwi told The National last Friday that gold samples mined and tested and analysed  by Golau Pty Ltd in Lae showed 92.3% pure gold.

An airborne geophysical survey and the geological mapping and mineral potential assessment (Geomap) of the PNG highlands done by the Mineral Resources Authority recently confirmed the huge mineral deposits in the current prospect areas.

Siwi said it was a huge gold deposit from eight different prospect areas and had the potential to transform Jiwaka region  and the country if the project became a reality.

He said the gold prospect was located at Yeme Damb area of Upper Jimi and 40km west of current Yandera gold and copper project in Madang.

Siwi said many Jiwakans should not worry about not having natural resources to enhance the new province’s economy.

“Jiwaka has been proposed to be an agricultural based province given the fertile Waghi and Jimi Valley that produce PNG coffee and tea, but now that we have a 92.3% pure gold deposit, we can build the economy and be competitive,” Siwi said.

He said the discovery was made 18 years back but no one took the initiative to pursue and bring in mining and exploration companies until he decided to do so.

“I have been mobilising landowners of Yeme Damb gold prospect area for the past three years to seriously bring in a mining and exploration company.

“We did many tests and sample analysis to test its purity and we have confirmed 92.3% plus to warrant a gold mine in Jimi,” Siwi said.

He also said the Jiwaka Transitional Authority (JTA) had endorsed DGL to further negotiate to bring in a potential developer to mine the gold prospect.

JTA chairman Philip Kapal said: “We are ready for investors to come with funds for a large scale gold mining industrial development.

“We have commercially harvestable gold deposits and we need to invest for its enjoyable benefits in all win-win scenarios,” Kapal said.

Siwi is currently in talks with potential developers to obtain an exploration and mining licence from MRA.

The authority could not be contacted for comments.

 

 

Abal: No changes at departments or NEC

Don’t fret, Sir Michael alive and well, says acting PM

 

THERE will be no changes to heads of government departments and statutory bodies in the New Year but they are all required to start work on Jan 7 with the implementation of next year’s budget, The National reports.

Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal issued the directive yesterday while denying rumours of changes in departments or at the cabinet level.

He also denied rumours last Thursday and over the weekend that sidelined Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had died from a heart attack.

“I appeal to all citizens to remain calm because Sir Michael is in good health and well.

“Those involved in spreading such malicious misinformation must be condemned,” Abal said, promising to ensure those responsible were brought to justice.

“I call on all Papua New Guineans to remain calm and pray for Sir Michael during this difficult time.”

He also said Jan 7 was the date set for implementation and departmental heads who had taken recreational leave had been recalled for duty.

“Departments must start rolling things out by January and not wait until February or March.

“We have capable ministers and departmental heads. There is no need for me to crack the whip,” the acting prime minister said, after noting that Papua New Guineans had the tendency to go on long extended holidays without getting things done.

“I ask for everyone’s cooperation in implementing the biggest budget in the country’s history.”

Before jetting off to Wewak yesterday morning, Sir Michael declared at the Jackson Airport: “I am well and fit. I am all right; there is nothing wrong with me. And, as you can see, I am still alive.

“I urge all people to keep calm during this festive season and to celebrate peacefully with their loved ones,” he said.

 

 

Paoua New Guinea invests K157 million in broadband network

THE government will launch a US$60 million (K157 million) national broadband network (NBN) next year by piggy backing on the PNG LNG fibre optic cable, The National reports.

The NBN initiative, announced by State Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare last Friday, represented probably the largest ever telecommunication project undertaken in PNG.

The technology involves the laying of fibre optic cable to enable Papua New Guinea homes, schools and businesses to access broadband speeds much faster than many people experience today with their high speed wireless and satellite technologies.

Somare said in a media statement that the National Executive Council had agreed to spend this money for 41.68% share in the PNG LNG fibre optic cable. Other partners in this proposal include PNG LNG project operator Esso Highlands (33.33%), Oil Search (16.67%) and the Southern Highlands provincial government (8.33%).

It also meant setting up a new company to design, build and operate the new NBN which, he said, could be ready for service by the end of 2012.

“The national broadband network will greatly improve our telecommunications capabilities and bring internet access to a much wider customer base throughout the country,” Somare said.

The NEC has given the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) the nod to borrow US$35 million (K92 million) to fund the shareholding and a further US$25 million (K65 million) to integrate the PNG LNG fibre cable into current infrastructure and to build additional linkages to complete the NBN.

 “The ability to piggy back the PNG LNG project has provided this country with an ideal opportunity to implement a national broadband strategy at a substantially lower cost than would otherwise be possible.

“It will bring the nation’s telecommunications capabilities up to speed with networks that exist or are being planned in other developed and developing countries in the Asian region,” he said.

Somare said that IPBC would commission a detailed implementation study by July 1 that which would:

* Identify assets to be included in the integrated broadband backbone network, including assets presently owned by Telikom PNG and PNG Power;

* Formulate a plan for the rollout of the new backbone data communications infrastructure to enhance competition and accessibility;

* Consider the appropriate model for ownership and operation of the assets and the longer term roles of IPBC, Telikom PNG and/or a new data company that would focus on the broadband infrastructure;

* Formulate a plan to secure equity and operational participation in the data company through various public-private partnership and joint venture models; and

* Consider all related competition and regulatory issues and compliance with broad government policy objectives envisaged under the medium-term development plan, national ICT policy and broadband objectives.

 

 

Court throws out Forestry Act case

THE Supreme Court has thrown out a constitutional reference which sought to invalidate certain provisions of the Forestry Act and the Forestry (Timber Permits Validation) Act, The National reports.

A five-member bench ruled 3-2 last Friday that the interpretation and application of various provisions of the constitution should be the exclusive function of parliament and not any private citizen unless he has the necessary standing.

It said this was provided for under section 18(1) of the constitution.

In his written judgment, Chief Justice Salamo Injia said the wording and meaning of section 18(1) was quite simple and plain.

“The principles of fair and liberal interpretation of constitutional law should not be applied in a manner that produces a result that usurps the legislative function on a matter that is clearly within the exclusive function of the parliament,” he said.

“The vesting of jurisdiction in the court to deal with a particular matter and in a particular procedural matter is clearly a matter that is within the exclusive function of the legislature.”

Justice Nicholas Kirriwom, who read out the judgment to the court, and Justice Gibbs Salika concurred with the chief justice while Justice Catherine Davani ruled for the referrers.

Justice Mark Sevua did not make any interpretation.

The reference was filed by forest resource owners Ken Norae Mondiai, John Mavramantz, Frances Demo, Pastor Lala Amsing, Johannes Awep and Jimmy Sina.

They had claimed that the act was unconstitutional and invalid because it breached section 114(1), section 38, section 53(1), section 25(1) and section 3 of the constitution.

The reference was challenged by the National Forest Board and the PNG Forest Industries Association which, amongst other things, argued that the application was an abuse of the court process.

In their affidavit, they said the referrers were not a court or tribunal, and, therefore, had no power to refer a question to the Supreme Court under section 18.

The proceedings were misconceived and flawed and should be dismissed, they said.

Davani said the referrers had complained that their interests had been affected by the application of certain provisions of the Forestry Act (1991) and Forestry (Timber Permits Validation) Act 2007.

She said they, therefore, sought the court’s opinion on the interpretation and application of various provisions of the constitution to those acts of parliament.

“The court is invited to find that certain provisions of those acts are inconsistent or in conflict with certain provisions of the constitution and to declare them unconstitutional,” she said.

Kirriwom said while he understood the view expressed by Davani, he had to go along with the chief justice.

“(His) opinion is founded more on principle and with a view of developing a firm constitutional foundation on procedure to be applied and not focused on short-term and sporadic private interests that only arise from time to time,” he said.

“The Supreme Court must set the benchmark and direct traffic as it were on the processes and procedure in accordance with clear constitutional dictates and not bend backwards to find ways and reasons to accommodate private or public interests threatened by any executive acts or by legislations without usurping the function of the legislature.”