Two die, houses razed after clash at Sogeri

 TWO men are dead, several families are homeless and one person is in a critical condition at the Port Moresby General Hospital after an argument resulted in the killing and burning down of homes during the early hours of Saturday morning at the Owers Corner, outside Port Moresby, The National reports.
Sogeri police station commander Stanley Baroro said a weekend getaway for some Southern Highlanders at Owers Corner with a group of Goilala settlers living there turned sour after an argument resulted in the fight between the two groups. 
Baroro said from reports received the group was getting high on drugs while drinking alcohol.
Baroro said since the Southern Highlanders were visitors there, they were outnumbered and fled but were chased and attacked by the Goilalas, resulting in one of them being killed.
He said the body of the deceased was then mutilated and left on the roadside.
The matter was reported to police but before any action could be taken, relatives of the deceased, who learned of the killing, mobilised in two 25-seater buses, searched the the city for any Goilalas and abducted two innocent men from the Manu Autoport Market, bound them and headed for Owers Corner.
Police said the relatives then converged on the settlement and burnt down several houses. 
While the Southern Highlanders were busy burning and destroying property, the duo decided to make a run. 
One was cornered and chopped to death with petrol thrown over him before he was set alight while the other was chopped, suffering multiple deep wounds.
He is in a critical condition in hospital.
Baroro, who condemned the killings, said the senseless barbaric acts were symbolic of those in the Stone Age and that while policemen were trying to uphold justice by conducting investigations, the Southern Highlanders decided to use their own tactics.
“We are in the 21st century, modern PNG. We cannot allow people to payback at will using jungle justice,” he said. 
“I am appealing for both sides not to do any more harm, to respect each other and the law and to cooperate with police.”
Four Goilalas were questioned in relation to the deaths.

 

Kase is acting health secretary

 HEAD of the AusAID-funded capacity building service centre and former deputy secretary in charge of policy and administration with the Department of Health, Pascoe Kase is the acting secretary for Health, The National reports.
Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Sasa Zibe officially announced the appointment yesterday in the presence of senior health executives, management and staff and development partners at Aopi Building’s conference room.
“I welcome the decision of the government to appoint Kase in an acting capacity,” he said. 
“I have confidence in him that he will provide able leadership during this time when we have many exciting developments taking place in the department,” Zibe said.
“He is no stranger to this role. In his previous capacity as deputy secretary, he been acting secretary for health on a number of occasions and possesses good working knowledge of the operations of the department.”
Kase said: “It is good to be back after a while.”
He thanked the government for having confidence in him, saying it was a privilege and a honour.
“While I am looking forward to working with the rest the team, I know it is not an easy job. 
“There are many challenges that we still need to overcome and there are achievements and progress that we can work on to ensure that they become a scheme of success,” Kase said.
Zibe said Kase would remain in the position for six months while the government looked for a permanent replacement

 

Pundari lauds work by MMJV

 THE national government is impressed with Morobe Mining Joint Venture company for setting the benchmark in waste management and environmental standards, The National reports.
Minister for Mining John Pundari said in the history of mining in PNG, the operator of the Harmony gold mine in Morobe was the first to have well-established and controlled waste management and environment practices which others should follow.
“This is a challenge to other mines in the country and that is the only way to do business in the country. 
“This is the kind of changes we want to experience in the industry as well as other extraction industries in PNG,” Pundari said.
He claimed other mining operations in the country did not have such an impressive waste management standard.
Meanwhile, Ramu nickel and cobalt mining operations in Madang were being delayed pending a National Court ruling.
Pundari said mining operations had ceased for some time while the Yandera mine, also in Madang, was awaiting the outcome of the court case.
Other mines, including Ok Tedi, had completed their independent studies and were operating.
Pundari said his department would be reviewing all Mining Act policies.

 

Petroleum minister rejects 'guinea pig' operations

 By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

THE government will not accept petroleum companies which have no proven records to operate in the country, The National reports.

Petroleum and Energy Minister Francis Potape said, after the ministerial review forum held at the Institute of Public Administration last Friday, he would also ban companies wanting to use technology not internationally-proven and accepted.

“PNG is not a guinea pig where technology can be tested,” he said.

“We will not allow technology that has not been accepted and that has not been internationally practised and approved.

“Any companies that want to develop petroleum projects in the country must also use and apply technology that is proven and satisfied internationally because PNG government will not entertain companies testing new technologies here.”

He said if companies such as InterOil wanted to test a floating LNG facility, then they should go elsewhere because such technology had never been practised anywhere in the world.

Potape, who has a master’s degree in engineering, said such technology would not be tested in PNG.

He said the proposed Antelope LNG project was questionable as they did not have a proven track record in the petroleum industry.

However, he said if the company wanted to operate a gas project, they should look for other partners with experience in the industry with a record of operating world-class projects.

“If InterOil wants to develop the Antelope project, it has to look for a world class partner to operate so that it can develop both the upstream and midstream facilities here in the country,” he said.

“This also applies to new and interested companies that want to develop petroleum projects in the country.”

Potape said he had spoken to the directors of InterOil in Singapore last week and informed them of the government’s expectations.

Polye throws down gauntlet

 By JEFFREY ELAPA

THE National Alliance party leadership has been further thrown into confusion with a row over who is the rightful highlands deputy party leader, The National reports.
Kandep MP Don Polye said he remained in that position. 
But, last week, the party's parliamentarians elected Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal to the position in Polye's absence.
Polye said the position would be contested at the party's highlands caucus in Goroka on Thursday. 
Polye had also challenged party members, who wanted to contest the National Alliance highlands' deputy leader position, to do so at the Goroka meeting. 
"Therefore, I remain deputy leader NA highlands and I call on all leaders from the region to turn up for the meeting,'' he said.
"I call on Abal to come to the meeting and contest the leadership."
Polye maintained he was elected to that position through the normal democratic process and no one, including Abal, could take the lea­dership away from him unless through the party caucus meeting in Goroka.
Polye said he would respect the decision of that meeting on who should hold that position.
"Leadership cannot be sold or bought but is something that is earned," he said.
"Every time when I am out, he (Abal) tries to take away my leadership at the cabinet level and calls for meetings to get me out. 
"But we have to follow the constitution of the party," he said. 
"I welcome such ac­tions through the normal democratic process of election that is through the secret ballot.
"It is a sad day to use threats to wrestle power from me.
"We've got to practise and encourage the norms and laws in place. 
"We cannot use un-constitutional and unethical processes to obtain leadership because it is a public thing."
Abal was last week suspended by the party for two months. 
But, on the same day he received his suspension letter, Abal was elected deputy leader of National Alliance by the highlands 
parliamentarians at a meeting in Port Moresby.
Polye pointed out that under section 10 of the party constitution, he should have been the one to call the meeting in the presence of the party executives – which was not done.
He said last week's meeting was not recognised because many procedures, as outlined in the party constitution, had not been followed.
He said he, as the duly elected leader, should have been given a 30-day notice to call a meeting.
"If not followed, then the members can call for election," he said.
Polye said the meeting this week would be conducted properly with all minutes taken and proper processes followed in accordance with the constitution.
"Until then, I am still the party deputy leader of National Alliance highlands and supported by the party executives," he said.

The reality of the angels; medals presented to Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels

By JOHN FOWKE

The legend of the "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels"; forgotten founders of a free PNG.
It is well that we reflect on the recent presentation of medals to 34 of the
last of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels by Australia.
The "Angels" and the RPC members and the PIB members plus the New Guinea Constabulary members and others who came over the border into Allied territory to serve their country are all of similar status as returned
servicemen/ war veterans everywhere in countries aligned with the Allies
against the Axis forces of Germany and Japan.
They had records-of-service, many suffered wounds and serious illness, and many lost their lives.
 At long last a few are being paid the honour and respect they richly deserve.
But the accolades come from another land, not from within their own nation.
These men, those few who survive, and their compatriots now long-gone, are
not given very much thought or regard outside their immediate families, in
the land they fought to save.
The land which became Papua New Guinea- a land free and independent and proud to stand among the democratic nations of the world.
The freedom and the independence now enjoyed by PNG would never have come about if the Allies, including the native-born conscripts and combatants, had not resisted Japan.
The rather silly, even demeaning imagery of the "faithful, simple, black Fuzzie Wuzzies", created in a poem published in the Australian Womens Weekly in 1943 is largely responsible for the myth that these men gave service and gave their lives for the Australians.
An image which conceals the reality.
An image which ignores the fact that these native-born men were fighting for the freedom and the future of the land of  many tribes which would one day become Papua New Guinea.
That few of the ordinary populace understood this at the time makes no difference.
It is the truth.
Today's  PNG youth and their parents have been led to believe that the war fought in their land was one between outsiders, having no relevance to the village people who were simply pushed about and suffered consequent privations for no reason of any validity to themselves
In fact,  the native-born war-veterans are the true pioneers of the PNG nation, the true heroes, the preservers of freedom and the rule of their own society within their own land.
Forget about all the young men in  long white socks and nylon shirts who sat up late in the 'sixties, planning their journey upon the developing pathway for independence from Australia.
The majority saw the pathway as one firstly for their own benefit.
 For their own rise to privileged "Blakmasta" status, status which coalesced into today's largely selfish and under-achieving political class; the ruling elite with little heart for the people.
Few, if any at all ,of this generation of self-promoting "lidaman" have shown signs of incipient heroism, of a level of honesty,generosity and idealism which might have lifted the nation out of the deep, dark, smelly drain in which it walks today, onto a sunny, happy road which the old war-veterans had every right to expect.
Lets see some real respect and real regard expressed with humility by today's generations for the truth of the contribution to the nation of the Fuzzy Wuzzies.
 Let's teach the truth in the schools as a measure towards the one-ness which is lacking in this nation of many tribes; let's have parades and services in every district centre on "the day" each year.
Respect for forefathers is embedded deep within the PNG psyche.
 Let's focus this talent of ours upon the  memory of the old veterans, and for our own sake.
We who have benefited from their service and their sacrifice.

First-ever Chinese performance delights Goroka

Caption: Acrobats from the Guangdong Art Troupe performing an eye-opening routine on the night at the University of Goroka.-Picture by KATE GUNN

 

By KATE GUNN of University of Goroka

 

On the evening of Sunday, July 24, a troupe of 32 performing artists from the Guangdong province of the People’s Republic of China delighted audiences at the University of Goroka for the first time ever.

 

A dazzling performance for UOG was held at the Mark Solon Auditorium to a full capacity crowd, which was amazed at the levels of talent, physical strength, agility and professionalism displayed by all performers on the night. 

 

The performance was composed of several short but visually-stunning acts of traditional Chinese dances, performances of traditional musical instruments, acrobatic and gymnastic routines, and martial arts demonstrations. 

 

All acts were very entertaining with special attention given to costumes, lighting, and music to form a show that was extremely well executed and enjoyable to watch.

 

The performance was given by the Guangdong Art Troupe as part of their Ode to Friendship Tour of Pacific Island countries including Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. 

 

The performance was initially meant to be a one-night only show for Port Moresby residents, however,  due to the positive relationship formed with Guangdong Foreign Construction Company, Guangdong Constructions PNG and the University of Goroka, the Guangdong Art Troupe made a special trip to Goroka to perform for staff, students and friends of the UOG.