CPL and partners to open first multiplex cinema at Vision City

From left are  Maggie Raiwong, project manager of Paradise Cinemas with Adrian Au, general manager of PNG FM and Mahesh Patel, chairman of CPL Group during the press launch of the Paradise Cinemas at CPL boardroom.

The press people who attended the City Pharmacy Group's media launch two months ago were treated to a movie screening of the latest Hollywood movie The Green Hornet plus popcorn, sodas and cocktails
to go with it to somehow experience a glimpse of the future cinematic experience in Papua New Guinea.
There was an air of excitement during the media launch as the highly-awaited multiplex cinema will be opened at the third floor of Vision City in Port Moresby with an 8.5m widescreen in three theatres, two standard ones and one Gold Class.
It is timidly planned to open by middle of this year and is billed as "Paradise Cinema".
The said cinema project is a joint collaboration of three major companies namely CPL Group, PNG FM Ltd and Damodar Group from Fiji.
There will be two standard theatres with seating capacity of 210 for Theatre 1 while it's 180 seats for Theatre 2.
To be built exclusively for Gold Class members, this third theatre will have a seating capacity of 100 people.
Speaking at the media launch held recently, CPL group chairman Mahesh Patel (pictured above, right)said: "We will install the most-advanced digital equipment at the Paradise Cinema.
"We have started testing the equipment and are busy training the staff.
"With its digital aspect from Dolby Digital Sound, one can view a film in crystal-clear, near- to- perfect quality and with the best sound system."
One of the partners, Adrian Au, the general manager of PNG FM Ltd., added that "the said project would also mean additional employment opportunities for Papua New Guineans aside from providing a surefire entertainment avenue for them".
Once the cinema opens, it promises to show the latest Hollywood releases as well as other international and regional flicks.
Located on the third floor of Vision City, it will be the first multiplex cinema in Papua New Guinea, consequently creating another avenue of entertainment, where you and your family can have a good time.

Nambawan Super and Joint Venture Partner to build replica of former House of Assembly

Project signboard

Works begins on the old House of Assembly

By SIR NAGORA BOGAN
Chairman
Nambawan Super

Nambawan Super limited is the major shareholder (65%) in a join venture with the Lamana Group that will construct a replica of the Old House of Assembly building which, when completed, will be transferred
to the National Museum and Art Gallery as was approved and directed by the National Executive Council in January 2007.
We have had a number of successful joint ventures with the Lamana Group, which has delivered positive returns and value to the Fund. Nambawan Super, as a responsible corporate citizen, is pleased to be
part of a final win-win solution to rebuild a significant piece of our nation's democratic history.
There have been many attempts in the past that have not materialised for various reasons.
Attempts to achieve that objective failed even though considerable funds were raised and assigned to the project.
The neglect continued and the building became more derelict to the extent that a demolition order was issued in June 2005.
Just over a year later, in July 2006, a notice for eviction and demolition was published
A press statement back in April of 2006 created the seeds of an idea which would see the old House of Assembly reborn as a memorial and a museum dedicated to the birth of democracy in PNG.
That statement related to the disappearance of K300, 000 raised for the renovation of the old house.
Not a toea was spent, the report said.
That article highlighted the sad state for the old House of Assembly.
Since it was ravaged by fire, many former staff or their relatives along with new squatters converged on the property and demolition were notices issued by National Capital District Commission.
It didn't take long to find a win-win solution but it did take quite a while to get the necessary agreements to the idea and for it to then pass the various stages to obtain full approval and go ahead by the
National Executive Council in 2007.
The extensive internal due diligence process that followed also took time to ensure probity by Nambawan Super.
In fact, it has taken five years, but at last there is now action happening with clearance of the site with builders now mobilising on site to start work.
We have spent close to Kl million in land rent payments to the state and in getting the site ready for improvement.
We are pleased to be able to play a significant role in restoring a place of our modern history where the birth of our democracy took place.
This will be a historic place where many of our citizens, our children and visitors can visit, reflect and hopefully be inspired.
As a significant national project, the process will be inclusive and will involve consultations with all key stakeholders including the trustees and management of the National Museum for technical details in the internal reconstruction of the House of Assembly.
We will be developing the rest of the land for commercial development.
Nambawan Super has taken the opportunity to be leading the project and acknowledge that it will be in PNG hands with our members benefiting both in the commercial terms and for restoring back a major part of
our nation's history.

This blog wins UNESCO/Divine Word University Award for Communication and Development

Speech by Brother Michael McManus at World Media Freedom Day at Divine Word University

I am pleased to announce the winner of this year's UNESCO/DWU award for communication and development.
The winner is Malum Nalu from The National newspaper.
Since the emphasis at today's celebration today is on digital media, we would like to especially acknowledge Malum Nalu's contribution to digital media through his blog site: Malum Nalu blogspot.
His site is updated daily with news of interest to his local and international audience.
It certainly lives up to its aim of promoting PNG and what it has to offer.
He incorporates news written by journalists and comments by visitors from around the world.
The information on his site has been through the professional and ethical filters that apply in his workplace.
One of the problems with blogs is that there are no generally accepted standards of ethical practice, so in many blogs gossip and rumours are portrayed as facts.
We certainly encourage everyone to express their opinions as citizen journalists, but the lack of journalism skills by many writers does not improve the overall quality of the online news content.
We believe that in response to the wonderful opportunities created by the digital media, there is a greater need than ever for competent professional journalists to provide context and analysis of news for
consumers.
Opinion does have its place, but we would like to think that a new professionalism is possible amongst the digital revolution.
Since Malum Nalu is not with us here today, we are happy to present this award digitally, and we now invite him to respond digitally.
Congratulations Malum Nalu.

Accord gives Japan more access to PNG

By PATRICK TALU

TRADE, Immigration and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Polye has signed a bilateral accord on Tuesday that would remove obstacles to Japanese investment in the Pacific country rich in natural resources such as liquefied natural gas and copper ore, The National reports.
Japanese foreign minister Takeaki Matsumoto and Polye endorsed the pact in Tokyo, with the two expressing hope that the accord would deepen bilateral economic ties.
In a meeting with Polye following a signing ceremony of the investment treaty, Matsumoto said Tokyo would try to ratify the accord soon.
The Japanese minister also expressed gratitude for donations of K10 million by Polye on behalf of the people of PNG to support Japanese victims of the March 11 9.0 quake and tsunami.
The two countries launched negotiations on the investment pact last September after then Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama and his Papua New Guinean counterpart Sir Michael Somare reached an accord to start the talks in March last year.
During the talks, Matsumoto told Polye that Japan, which faces energy shortages due chiefly to the ongoing nuclear crisis spawned by the twin disasters, hoped that Papua New Guinea would be a stable LNG supplier for Japan.
Polye said from Tokyo that PNG would ensure that a LNG development project, in which JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp is involved, would run smoothly.
About half of some 6.6 million tonnes of LNG to be produced annually from the project is scheduled to be exported to Japan.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Japan embassy in Port Moresby said it hoped that the signing of the bilateral investment agreement would further boost the economic development of PNG and affirm the bilateral relationship of the two counties.
“The agreement will contribute to enhancing legal stability for investment and promoting investment between the two counties as well as people-people exchange.
“It will also contribute to further strengthening the economic relationship with PNG which is being more important to Japan as a supplier of LNG,” the statement said.

Seven government organisations excluded from 7.5% pay rise

By JEFFREY ELAPA

NOT all public servants will benefit from the 7.5% pay increase signed between the Public Employees Association and Department of Personnel Management yesterday, The National reports.
Under the new memorandum of agreement, seven government organisations involved in service to the people are excluded in the payout expected on May 18, the 10th pay day of the government payroll system.
More than 35,000 public servants will be entitled to the salary increase.
Department not included in the award are police, Correction Services, Teaching Service Commission, Defence, Ministerial Services, National Forest Authority and the National Judiciary Services and Magisterial Services.
Public servants in other departments and government organisations will benefit from salary increases for the next three years.
Public Employees Association president Michael Malabag said a 6% salary increase plus a 1.5% increment based on productivity had been agreed too.
He said the package included a consumer price index threshold given by the government to cushion any fluctuations of CPI.
He said this would be determined “from time to time”.
He said recreational leave fares to employees would be made available after every two years for a public servant and his family.
Malabag said the association had rejected the government’s buy-out offer of K500 per annum for the K20 fortnight housing subsidy.
He said the association was negotiating for a K250 fortnightly accommodation allowance and would pursue the matter before the public service conciliation and arbitration tribunal.
He said the government’s home ownership scheme was vague and a long-term plan that would benefit and solve the housing problems of public servants.
But, Malabag said other matters such as retrenchment/ retirement agreement, reduction of 35% tax on terminal benefits, compulsory life and health insurance cover, risk allowance and review of outdated allowance rate provided in the general orders would be negotiated at a later date.
DPM secretary John Kali urged all public servants to perform their duties diligently.
He said the people really needed their service and with the increase in salary, they should perform better.
The new agreement covers a three-year period of annual increases.

Remake of old ‘house’ to portray democracy

THE torn-down old House of Assembly in downtown Port Moresby is to be rebuilt and dedicated as a museum to the birth of democracy in Papua New Guinea, The National reports.
Superannuation fund, Nambawan Super Ltd (NSL), is the major shareholder (65%) in a joint venture with the Lamana Group that will construct a replica of the old House of Assembly.
NSL chairman Sir Nagora Bogan said in a statement yesterday that, when completed, the building would be transferred to the National Museum and Art Gallery at no cost to the state.
In return, the joint venture would be given an adjacent subdivision of the House of Assembly land to develop for its own purposes.
The statement sets to rest conflicting messages reported this week that the site might be turned over to private interests to use for their purposes, a view that was supported by the culture and tourism minister and the management of the national museum.
The plan for a private consortium to build a replica of the old House of Assembly was agreed to by the national executive council in January 2007 but internal matters of due diligence that followed to ensure probity by the Nambawan Super took time, Sir Nagora said.
When completed, the replica of the old House of Assembly will have on display old photos, statutes and other memorabilia such as who designed the national flag and who wrote the national anthem.
Former culture, tourism and civil aviation minister Charles Abel, who had quite a bit to do with this idea in his time, said: “We wanted not just to restore the House of Assembly but to have a living, moving theme.
“We wanted an element of self-sufficiency to it.”
Sir Nagora confirmed this in his statement: “We are pleased to be able to play a significant role in restoring a place of our modern history where the birth of our democracy took place.
“This will be a historic place where many of our citizens, our children and visitors can visit, reflect and, hopefully, be inspired.”
He praised the Lamana Group for its part in the project.
“We have had a number of successful joint ventures with the Lamana Group which has delivered positive returns and value to the fund.
“Nambawan Super, as a responsible corporate citizen, is pleased to be part of a final win-win solution to rebuild a significant piece of our nation’s democratic history.”
Many attempts have been made in the past to restore the building but none had materialised.
Considerable funds were raised and assigned to the project to no effect.
The neglect continued and the building became more derelict to the extent that a demolition order was issued in June 2005.
In July 2006, a notice for eviction and demolition was published.
A press statement in April 2006 created the seeds of an idea which would see the old House of Assembly reborn as a memorial and a museum dedicated to the birth of democracy in PNG.
That statement related to the disappearance of K300,000 raised for the renovation of the old house.
Not a toea was spent on restoration, the report said.
That article highlighted the sad state of the old House of Assembly which had been ravaged by fire.
Many former staff, or their relatives, and new squatters converged on the property and demolition notices were issued by NCDC.
Sir Nagora said the joint venture had spent close to Kl million in land rent payments to the state and in getting the site ready for improvement.
He said the rest of the land would be developed for commercial use.
“Nambawan Super is leading the project and acknowledges that it will be in PNG hands with our members benefiting both in commercial terms and for restoring a major part of our nation’s history,” he said.

Port Moresby power, water restored

City Hall kick-starts talks with K500,000
By ANGELINE KARIUS and SAMUEL RAITANO

WATER and power was restored to Port Moresby residents at 1pm yesterday after Koiari landowners reached an agreement with the national government and NCDC, The National reports.



Kairuku-Hiri MP and Minister for Education Paru Aihi (left) assisting NCD Governor Powes Parkop as he switches on the main power valve at 1pm yesterday.-Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

 The landowners agreed to accept K500,000 instead of the K1.5 million they had demanded.
They then handed over the keys to the Rouna II hydropower station.
By 8pm last night, electricity and water were fully restored to the capital city.
The keys were given in exchange for the payment, which would be used to facilitate talks between the landowners and the national government over outstanding memorandum of understanding (MoU) issues.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop said the K500,000 from the City Hall was not to compensate for the death of Koiari leader Umaia Koeari.
It was to help the landowners begin negotiations under the established task force committee and ensure a memorandum of agreement (MoA) was reached.
He said he would join the task force team, set up by the national government, to address the grievances the landowners had with the state in order to solve the matter once and for all.
He said compensation payments by the government would set a precedent for future demands when similar incidents occurred.
Parkop said the K1.5 million compensation requested by landowners should be paid by the perpetrators responsible for Koeari’s death and not the government.
Koeari was killed on April 19 at Hohola 3, Port Moresby.
Parkop thanked acting Prime Minister Sam Abal, Higher Education Minister and Kairuku-Hiri MP Paru Aihi and Finance Minister Peter O’Neill for their help in reaching a quick resolution to the water and power crisis in the capital.
“I am happy that an agreement has been reached, and power and water supply restored,” Parkop said.
Aihi thanked his people for taking the boldness to address the issue.
“Koiari people have been neglected for too long,” he said, stressing that a MoA was needed to secure commitments on their behalf and the government to fully realise its positions on the agreement.
He said Abal and Attorney-General Sir Arnold Amet had assured their support for the people.
Both PNG Power and Eda Ranu officers thanked Parkop for resolving the dispute.
Landowners cut water and power supplies to Port Moresby on Tuesday.
PNG Power workmen were filling the head pond and penstock before water could go into Rouna 1, III and IV power stations to start generating electricity.
Linesmen were working on a fallen line that caused a blackout last night and disrupted the starting of auxiliary equipment at the power stations.