APNG expands fleet with 10th Twin Otter

AIRLINES PNG (APNG) last Thursday announced an expansion of its fleet with the purchase of a De Havilland DHC-6-300 (Twin Otter) aircraft, The National reports.

The acquisition, which brings the total of Twin Otter fleet to 10, is aimed not only at providing APNG with enhanced capacity for new services but also at easing the burden on existing operations.

In a statement, APNG said the aircraft, with a capacity of 19 seats, was still in the United States, where it would remain for modifications before it is ferried to PNG by middle of next month.

These modifications would include installation of the state-of-the-art avionics equipment, which were announced last year as part of a fleet-wide initiative for the upgrade of all APNG Twin Otter aircraft.

“This year, APNG plans to increase its fleet size by up to 25%,” an unidentified APNG spokesperson was quoted in the statement.

“Delivery of this aircraft represents the first step in this expansion process which is necessary to position the company for anticipated growth opportunities,” the statement said.

The Twin Otter operates shorter regional flying missions for APNG and remains integral in future plans to service remote areas more efficiently for both corporate clients and the general public.

The Twin Otter would also be used to provide vital community services such as mail delivery and emergency medical evacuations, the spokesperson said.

“The Twin Otter is one of very few aircraft types suited to the difficult operating environment in PNG, particularly in the more remote areas of the country,” where it would provide vital community services such as mail delivery and emergency medical evacuations,” the spokesperson said.

The “Twin Otter” would be used to provide vital community services such as mail delivery and emergency medical evacuations,” the spokesperson said.

LNG plant shut down

Villagers go on rampage over boy's death

 

ANGRY landowners of Hides 4 PDL 7 have shut down the liquefied natural gas (LNG) conditioning plant following the death of a boy, The National reports.

The stop-work began on Saturday at 8am, a day after work resumed last Friday.

The first stop-work was over issues relating to their outstanding business development grants, memorandum of agreement funds and ministerial commitments.

Gigira Hides 4 Joint Venture chairman Erick Ayule, Hides Special Purpose Authority chairman Limson Mapiria, Hides 4 Landowners Umbrella Association chairman Chris Payabe and other Hides leaders confirmed the shut-down yesterday.

Mapiria said relatives of the deceased, whose age could not confirmed, said he was with two others who allegedly consumed a powder-like substance used for drill blast at a quarry site near Hides 4.

The boys were all taken to Mendi Hospital. One passed away and two are still at the hospital.

Hospital authorities could not determine the cause of death.

Mapiria said: "There was set procedures to follow in addressing such grievances but opportunists have taken advantage of the already volatile situation and stopped work on the project."

He said angry mobs, frustrated over various LNG-related matters, took advantage of the situation and looted the camp and chased CCJV and CPI-Clough workers.

Ayule said they did not physically harm the construction workers or destroy their equipment, but forced them to stop work and leave.

Relatives of the deceased had demanded compensation from CPI-Clough and CCJV for allegedly spilling the chemical which killed the boy.

Reports said the workers were airlifted to Mendi.

Meanwhile, Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru said he would travel to Mendi this week to wait for the government to find money to meet all outstanding commitments.

He also challenged the departments of commerce and industry and petroleum and energy to fix the mess created at the LNG project sites.

"My landowners will not be suppressed."

Agiru, however, refused to comment on CCJV's withdrawal of its workers, claiming that it had to do with workplace safety and health issues.

"This is the tip of the iceberg of problems associated with a number of outstanding issues including seed capital, MoA and ministerial commitments."

Agiru said integrated landowner groups had not been formed and landowner identification was yet to take place.

"I sympathise with my landowners and developer ExxonMobil; and I want the Waigani public servants to go and solve the issue on the ground.

"I am not going to go and correct somebody's mistake. They have to leave their comfort zones in Waigani to fix their own problems."

LNG plant shut down

Villagers go on rampage over boy’s death

 

ANGRY landowners of Hides 4 PDL 7 have shut down the liquefied natural gas (LNG) conditioning plant following the death of a boy, The National reports.

The stop-work began on Saturday at 8am, a day after work resumed last Friday.

The first stop-work was over issues relating to their outstanding business development grants, memorandum of agreement funds and ministerial commitments.

Gigira Hides 4 Joint Venture chairman Erick Ayule, Hides Special Purpose Authority chairman Limson Mapiria, Hides 4 Landowners Umbrella Association chairman Chris Payabe and other Hides leaders confirmed the shut-down yesterday.

Mapiria said relatives of the deceased, whose age could not confirmed, said he was with two others who allegedly consumed a powder-like substance used for drill blast at a quarry site near Hides 4.

The boys were all taken to Mendi Hospital. One passed away and two are still at the hospital.

Hospital authorities could not determine the cause of death.

Mapiria said: “There was set procedures to follow in addressing such grievances but opportunists have taken advantage of the already volatile situation and stopped work on the project.”

He said angry mobs, frustrated over various LNG-related matters, took advantage of the situation and looted the camp and chased CCJV and CPI-Clough workers.

Ayule said they did not physically harm the construction workers or destroy their equipment, but forced them to stop work and leave.

Relatives of the deceased had demanded compensation from CPI-Clough and CCJV for allegedly spilling the chemical which killed the boy.

Reports said the workers were airlifted to Mendi.

Meanwhile, Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru said he would travel to Mendi this week to wait for the government to find money to meet all outstanding commitments.

He also challenged the departments of commerce and industry and petroleum and energy to fix the mess created at the LNG project sites.

“My landowners will not be suppressed.”

Agiru, however, refused to comment on CCJV’s withdrawal of its workers, claiming that it had to do with workplace safety and health issues.

“This is the tip of the iceberg of problems associated with a number of outstanding issues including seed capital, MoA and ministerial commitments.”

Agiru said integrated landowner groups had not been formed and landowner identification was yet to take place.

“I sympathise with my landowners and developer ExxonMobil; and I want the Waigani public servants to go and solve the issue on the ground.

“I am not going to go and correct somebody’s mistake. They have to leave their comfort zones in Waigani to fix their own problems.”

 

 

Australian aid to corrupt countries

By JOHN PASQUARELLI

How many Australians have serious concerns about how their taxes are shovelled off to so many dubious recipients of foreign aid by our politicians?

'Charity begins at home' is being proclaimed by those who oppose the level of our foreign aid when it is viewed against the backdrop of disasters like floods and bushfires as well as the plight of those home-grown Australians who are disadvantaged for whatever reason. 

 This doesn't stop a lot of silly politicians feeling good about dishing out our money overseas and it certainly doesn't stop dills like Kevin Rudd making a big man of himself as he pursues his agenda to get on board the UN.

Massive corruption in the majority of recipient countries guarantees that it is impossible to ensure that Australian aid dollars gets to those who are supposed to need it. 

Why do we have to give millions to Indonesia and how can we justify sending our money to African countries where monsters like Mugabe have supporters in the UN and even here in Australia? 

 

A recent piece in the business section of  'The Australian' – Paul Cleary, Jan 20,  is beyond belief as it describes aid-recipient Papua New Guinea powerbrokers buying into Australia. 

 

When will our so-called leaders wake up? 

Sunset Merona operations disgraceful: Namah

Leader of PNG Party and Vanimo Green MP Belden Namah has described as disgraceful, certain actions of security force members currently engaged in the joint operations, Sunset Merona, in Vanimo and areas along the PNG-Indonesia common border initially to flush out OPM rebels.

Namah noted with grave concern that certain conducts of security forces were inconsistent and contrary to the mission of operation which was publicly announced, to destroy OPM camps on the PNG side of the border.

He cited instances of landowners told by the members of the security forces to ask for compensation and road levies from logging companies operating in the operation areas.

"This is very, very disgraceful," Namah said.

"It is a national disgrace for landowners to be told by security forces to set road blocks to collect road levies, when such infrastructures are national assets.

"If they are targeting foreign workers for work permits, passports and other related documents, that is fine, but why are they encouraging the landowners to engage in actions that causes disruption and destructive to the smooth operations of companies in the area.

"The security forces must concentrate on the core focus of the operation.

"They must not deviate from the original mission, creating problems and anxiety for investors, their employees and communities in the Vanimo/Green River district."

Namah said such actions were totally against the charter of the operation and could well result in the mission not accomplished.

He said instead of harassing innocent people in and around Vanimo and using landowners to disrupt the operations of logging and other companies, the operation must concentrate on its mission.

"The operation should go into Bewani, Imonda, Amanab, Wutung and Green River to achieve its mission," Namah, a former PNG Defence force soldier, said.

"It should not cause havoc and problems for the peace-loving majority citizens of Sandaun."

 

Aussies come good

Staff of the Australian High Commission and their families have given infants confined to the special care nursery at the Port Moresby General Hospital a new lease in life, The National reports.
Yesterday, Roxanne Martens, wife of Australian High Commissioner to PNG Ian Kemish, delivered 10 boxes (or 1,000 pieces) of naso-gastric tubes to nursery staff at the hospital.
Money to buy the tubes was raised by high commission staff and their families during their Christmas party last year.
The thin, flexible tubes are inserted through the nose of premature and sick infants, who cannot feed naturally, so that they could be fed their milk and medication.
Martens also took time out to visit some of the babies kept at the nursery under the guidance of sister-in-charge Maria Bernard. – Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

Lae confident for basketball tourney

By MALUM NALU


From left (back) are Russell Stafford, Joe Giali, Peter Buala, Lawrence Lahari (coach), Richard Soba, Jonathan Orme and Mika Laho while front are Wayne Aaron, Junior Oscar, Percy Aaron and Michael Kramer.-Picture by BOB AARON

 Lae is quietly confident of doing well in this weekend’s Port Moresby invitational tournament at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.
The tournament brings together the finest talent in the country at the moment from Port Moresby, Tubusereia, Exodus club and Lae.
Staunch supporter and former Papua New Guinea international Bob Aaron, who is also one of the sponsors of the team, said the Lae team would use the tournament as build-up to the Jan 28-31 Far North Queensland All Stars competition, as well as this years Pacific Games.
He also made an 11th-hour appeal to potential sponsors to chip and help the Lae team, following Wednesday’s K25, 000 sponsorship of the Port Moresby Papuan Blacks by Pacific MMI to the same tournament.
“Most of our players are young students and are part of the national development squad,” Aaron said from Lae.
“This will be a stepping stone for the Pacific Games this year.”
Aaron said the youngsters from Lae had been undergoing training since last November, and with players from Yanga and Butibam villages in top form following last month’s Ahi Festival, would be out to give the rest a run for their money.