Marijuana farm raided

Members of the police mobile squad 11, based in Enga, were among a police unit that raided a marijuana field (pictured) at Apipas village in Wapenamanda early last Friday morning and arrested four people, The National reports.
They uprooted 200 matured plants grown at the back of a house and confiscated 10kg of dried marijuana, neatly packed and stored in the house ready for sale.
Police estimated the drugs’ street value at K300,000.
Police had acted on a tip-off by local leaders.
The marijuana plants were farmed about 30m away from an international school.

Man 'feeds on' infant in Tabubil

A WEEK-old baby was allegedly eaten by his adopted father last Thursday night in what appeared to be a cult-related sacrifice, Tabubil police have said, The National reports.

Tabubil police station commander Sgt Damas Tapea and provincial police commander Chief Insp Peter Philips confirmed that a man, in his 30s, from Tari, Southern Highlands, was in police custody after allegedly eating his adopted daughter.

Frightened neighbours told police that the man had walked into the family home at their Old Wangpin settlement at around 10pm and strangled his Telefomin wife and grabbed the infant by the legs and started biting her face as she slept.

Neighbours told Tabubil police that they were only made aware of the incident when the baby started crying followed by screams from the mother pleading for help.

The man was allegedly heavily intoxicated with alcohol and marijuana when he committed the act, police said.

“From reports I have, the man, Rex Paijawi, was dead drunk when he ate the baby,” Philips said.

According to the PPC, the neighbours pleaded with Paijawi to release the child but he rejected, saying: “God told me to eat the child before the child eats me.”

Philips said neighbours than hit Paijawi with hammer, planks and sticks in the hope that he would drop the baby, but he did not respond.

Philips said the child was eventually removed from Paijawi when local police wrestled him to the ground.

Ex-Kumul icon shot dead outside Moresby hotel

THE PNG sporting community is reeling from the death of rugby league legend Aquilla Emil, who was shot dead last Friday outside a Port Moresby hotel, The National reports.

Emil’s killer, another well-known Papua New Guinean, who, until recently, was holding onto an important government office, remained at large.

Emil was gunned down with a pistol at close range at about 3am following an argument outside the Lamana Gold Club where both men had spent the evening.

Police claimed that the argument started when one of them collided with the other’s car outside the hotel.

NCD metropolitan superintendent Joseph Tondop confirmed the killing, saying police were carrying out investigations.

Aquila, 44, leaves behind his wife from Babaka village in Central with six children – three boys and three girls.

From Umbukul village in New Hanover, New Ireland, Aquila was, until his death, a development officer with the National Rugby League bid team.

Tondop said it was not known whether the killing was premeditated or they had been past stand-offs between “the suspect” and the deceased.

He said that it was also not known whether there were others involved in the killing of Emil, a former PNG Kumul player and rugby league icon.

The top police boss in NCD, while reluctant to give details of the activities of his men in relation to the incident, said they would track down the killer and have him questioned and arrested. 

“Police are aware of the incident and are taking it seriously.

“Normal police process will be followed and, once all evidence relating to the killing are put together, police will make arrests,” Tondop said.  

He said from the gunshot wound, it looked like the deceased was shot with a pistol at close range.

However, he could not disclose whether or not the firearm used in the killing was licensed to the suspect and whether or not the suspect was already in police custody for interrogation.

Meanwhile, Port Moresby General Hospital accident and emergency coordinator Dr Sam Yokopua confirmed the death yesterday but said he would need to verify with his officers on duty last Friday morning to give a full report about the cause of death.

Soldiers storm home of provincial police commander

Kasieng points finger at task force members

By JUNIOR UKAHA

ABOUT 10 fully armed soldiers in camouflaged uniforms, taking part in Operation Sunset Merona in Vanimo, West Sepik, allegedly stormed the home of suspended provincial police commander Chief Insp Sakawar Kasieng and threatened his family yesterday, The National reports.

Kasieng informed The National by phone that at about 8am, a tinted blue 10-seater Toyota vehicle, bearing the number plate LAV 336 and carrying 10 fully armed military personnel, closed in on his home in a military drill-type invasion.

“Guns were pointed at me and my children and we were ordered to stay indoors without any explanations,” Kasieng said.

He said an hour earlier, five policemen from Port Moresby, participating in the operation, had confronted him and took away his support vehicle allocated by Sandaun Governor Simon Solo, saying he was suspended and no longer had the right to keep the vehicle.

“They (police) told me that I was charged for treason and that I should immediately follow them to their command centre at the Vanimo council chambers for questioning,” Kasieng recalled.

He, however, told the arresting officers that it was Sunday and that he would be available for questioning tomorrow (today).

The policemen left but, about an hour later, the soldiers arrived and confronted Kasieng and his family at their West Tower home.

“It appeared that the confrontation was preplanned and executed in a coordinated fashion,” the suspended PPC said.

“I am not a criminal and I will not escape,” he said.

“I am a known figure in the province and I will still turn up for the interview,” Kasieng said.

Momase regional police commander Supt Goasi Labi, when contacted yesterday, said he was aware of the incident but did not know the reason for the confrontation.

“They may have a reason for their actions but I do not know what it is at the moment,” Labi said.

“They should have at least explain to him (Kasieng) why they put him under house arrest and also, for protocol’s sake, they should have informed me and the acting commissioner about their actions,” Labi added.

“I am treated as if I am an enemy of the state and a common criminal.

“My family and I are very frightened at the moment,” Kasieng said.

“They (soldiers) completely surrounded the house. They have placed guards at eastern and western ends of the house and have a vehicle and men guarding the gate.

“Our friends and visitors have been sent away by the soldiers.”

Kasieng was suspended last month after refusing to allow policemen on Operation Sunset Merona entry into the local police station headquarters after one of his men was allegedly beaten up by a group of visiting task force officers.

He was also reprimanded for talking to the media about the alleged beating and hospitalisation of his policeman.

It was not known if those involved in beating up the traffic policeman had been arrested and charged.

Kasieng’s 28-day notice of suspension was issued by acting Deputy Police Commissioner Fred Yakasa

Acting Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie said that he was not aware of the incident and would talk to operations commander Jerry Frank to get a brief about the incident and establish the reasons behind these actions.

New Zealand - Papua New Guinea relations hinge on commerce

New Zealand High Commissioner to PNG Marion Cranshaw enjoying Waitangi Day today.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

Guests lining up to be served food straight from the hangi (earth oven) at the New Zealand High Commission today

By MALUM NALU

New Zealand high commissioner to Papua New Guinea Marion Cranshaw believes that commercial relationships between both countries are the future.
She said that at a traditional hangi (earth oven) picnic at the New Zealand High Commission at Waigani today (Sunday) to mark Waitangi Day.
Aid-wise, PNG is already the second-largest beneficiary of New Zealand aid to the tune of NZ$30 million (K57m) annually, after Solomon Islands.
“I think the future for New Zealand-Papua New Guinea relationships is in commercial relationships,” she said.
“I see that Papua New Guinea is a growing economy, with the ability to purchase New Zealand goods and services and that’s what’s starting to happen.
“New Zealand is still quite relatively small in the (PNG) market but we want to grow New Zealand’s place in the market.”
Cranshaw said a New Zealand trade mission would come to PNG in April to kick-start things.
“We’ll be looking at what other trade activities will follow that,” she said,
“New Zealand’s got good expertise in energy, some areas of infrastructure, engineering, and of course, food and beverages.
“In a way, I think New Zealand can help the development of Papua New Guinea by selling some of our expertise, because in that way, Papua New Guinea has the ownership of what they’re bringing.
“My focus on commercial engagement is not because it’s to New Zealand’s advantage, but it’s a way that we can help the development of Papua New Guinea and the ownership stays with Papua New Guinea.”
Cranshaw said the New Zealand government was making changes to its aid programme globally and PNG would be among those countries affected.
“Our government is looking to shift its aid programme into areas of economic development as well,” she said.
“We are looking at how we can reform our aid programme into economic areas.
“One of our proposals is putting up a wholesale food market in Port Moresby to improve access to market in Port Moresby for fruit and vegetable sellers.
“We are also looking at how we can assist in rural agricultural development, because while Papua New Guinea may make a lot of money from the big projects, agricultural development is important for development.”

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea trade and economic relationship

Bilateral trade
Papua New Guinea is New Zealand’s second largest market in the Pacific region (behind Fiji, and not including Australia).

New Zealand Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand being taken around Goroka market by FPDA production and supply manager Robert Lutulule in Sept 2009.-Picture by MALUM NALU

New Zealand exports (FOB) to PNG were NZ$161.80 million in the year to June 2010 (7% increase on 2009) and included:
Sheep Meat 29.88
Iron or non-alloy steel (clad) 18.26
Milk Powder, butter and cheese 13.29
Machinery (Refrigerators) 13.07
Quicklime 10.21
Textiles 8.90
Iron/steel products for construction 8.75
Electrical Products 7.49
Trailers 5.84
Light Aircraft 5.07
Frozen vegetables 3.68
Other 37.36

New Zealand imports from PNG vary because of a purchase of approximately NZ$100 million worth of petroleum is made every second year.
Our other main imports from PNG include coffee, timber, palm oil and cocoa.
In 2008 PNG successfully completed a trial export of ginger to New Zealand, one of the first times PNG fresh produce has been exported to any country for commercial distribution.
Although other Pacific countries already export significant quantities of tropical fresh produce to New Zealand and elsewhere, to date PNG growers and distributors have focused on meeting domestic demand.
PNG is now interested in trialling further produce on the New Zealand market, including coconuts and taro.
To take advantage of market opportunities, however, it will need to boost commercial production to meet potential overseas orders, and encourage local growers and suppliers to consider fully commercialised exports.

Migration and labour mobility
New Zealanders are visiting Papua New Guinea in greater and greater numbers.
At almost 2500, the number of New Zealand visitors to Papua New Guinea is more than double what it was five years ago.
Papua New Guineans are eligible to participate in New Zealand’s seasonal labour scheme, but as yet, none have done so.
That should change soon – New Zealand’s Department of Labour has recently approved participation by two PNG citizens in the scheme.

Private sector partnerships
A range of New Zealand companies do business with Papua New Guinea across sectors including telecommunications, engineering, construction, education and insurance.
The New Zealand–Papua New Guinea Business Council – based in Auckland is the heart of the private sector relationship between the two countries.
Over 20 New Zealand businesses belong to the Council and are actively engaged in business activities in Papua New Guinea.
The council can be contacted by email on: info@nzpngbc.org.nz.
There is momentum building towards the establishment of a Papua New Guinea-based PNG-NZ Business Council to complement the New Zealand-based organisation, and also momentum building towards a New Zealand trade mission to Papua New Guinea in the first half of 2011.
These are both exciting developments and represent a big step in the already strong relationship between our two countries.

Working together in the wider trade arena
Together, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand are members of the Pacific Islands Forum, APEC and the World Trade Organisation.

New Zealand aid to Papua New Guinea

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea development assistance

New Zealand coat of arms

New Zealand’s development support for PNG for 2010/11 is NZ$29 million.
The New Zealand Aid Programme activities in PNG are based on the overall aid programme mandate and the specific development challenges in PNG, and are guided by a 10-year joint strategy (2008-2018) agreed with the Government of Papua New Guinea.
The strategy aims to improve economic development opportunities for rural people and improve social services in education and health.
Gender equality and the empowerment of women are incorporated throughout these activities.
PNG also benefits directly from the New Zealand Aid Programme’s regional programmes that are focused on law and justice, governance, environment, health, education and trade/economy; and through the New Zealand Aid Programme's support to regional agencies such as the University of the South Pacific, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the Forum Fisheries Agency, and the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Programme.
In 2009/10 the value of these non-bilateral sources is estimated to total over NZ$7 million.

Improving rural economic development
New Zealand provides support to strengthen PNG's agricultural sector.
This includes support for:
• Fresh Produce Development Agency, which links farmers and consumers of fresh fruit and vegetables
• Bris Kanda, which focuses on building commercially productive partnerships between rural communities and service providers in Morobe province;
• A government extension programme to help rural farmers improve their agricultural and business skills.

New Zealand is exploring the potential for a fresh produce wholesale market in Port Moresby, due to the increased demand for fresh fruit and vegetables in Port Moresby and from workers involved in the PNG liquefied natural gas pipeline project.
There is scope to see wider social benefits from a market, particularly for women.
In the future New Zealand will look to support other market infrastructure developments in PNG.

Improving social services
New Zealand has a long-term commitment to the Health Sector Improvement Programme (HSIP), a joint approach between the PNG government and a number of development partners to improve delivery of health services.
Support is provided for a number of targeted initiatives in community and reproductive health, and HIV prevention.
One of these is the East Sepik Women and Children's Health Project which is managed by Save the Children.
The project works with over 1,000 volunteers in 800 villages, and a range of health providers to improve standards of health in the remote parts of East Sepik.
The New Zealand Aid Programme supports a large scale household survey that will gain a more accurate picture of HIV prevalence and the behavioural risk factors that are behind the epidemic.
The initiative is important for PNG's response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
New Zealand is supporting the development of a sector-wide approach to improve access to basic primary education in PNG.
It is designed to get every primary school-aged child attending school.
The New Zealand Aid Programme currently offers around 250 scholarships per year for study in New Zealand and PNG.
New Zealand will work more closely with Australia to improve the effectiveness of the scholarships provided to PNG citizens.

Bougainville
Over the past 10 years, New Zealand has supported Bougainville in its reconstruction, including strengthening of law and justice systems, and governance.
Through the Bougainville Community Policing Project, the New Zealand Police, funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme, provide training and support to the Bougainville Police Service and Community Auxiliary Police, who help communities deal with law and order problems in consultation with village courts and traditional leaders.
The Bougainville Governance Implementation Fund supports the improvement of government administration and service delivery.
It is a joint initiative between the PNG Government, the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Australia, and New Zealand.