Goroka MP’s “shameful”

By MALUM NALU

 

Highlands Farmers & Settlers Association vice-president Jonah Buka has described as "shameful" the actions of Goroka MP and Environment Minister Thompson Harokaqveh in not releasing K700, 000 allocated to the Goroka Show Committee by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

Harokaqveh has not made any explanation since the matter was discussed on talkback radio in Goroka last week as well as reported in The National.

Buka said close to 100,000 people witnessed when O'Neill – who grew up in Goroka - gave K700, 000 to Goroka Show and K20.7 million to other projects such as National Sports Institute ground upgrade, Goroka roads, mobile clinic, and Goroka Secondary School.

"The people of Eastern Highland were beating their drums and kundus when the Prime Minister made the commitments," Buka said.

"For Minister Harokaqveh to pick the cheque from hands of rightful recipients and get his members of the Goroka Joint District Planning and Budget Priorities Committee (JDBPPC) to endorse the change of name of the cheque to Goroka District is illegal and fraudulent.

"The actions of Minister Harokaqveh and members of his JDBP&PC amount to intending to defraud the Goroka Show Committee of K700, 000 and I call on police to investigate and charge them under appropriate laws of PNG.

"The actions of Minister Harokaqveh have tarnished the name of the Prime Minister and he should be reprimanded for that.

"The district administrator and district officials must give the cheque to the show committee or to make a counter cheque from the provincial treasury to make good the Prime Minister's commitment and goodwill.

"Goroka Show has commitment to settle service providers such as security, police and other service providers and must be given the money.

"For three years, the committee has settled its bills on time and now the uncalled actions of the minister have put everything into disarray.

"People are still waiting and it could cost the show committee additional expenses, which the minister should be held responsible for."

Buka congratulated chairman Gideon Samuel, his deputy David Seine and other members of the Goroka Show Committee for organising the 2011 Goroka Show which he said was biggest and most-colorful ever.

Motorcyclers thrill at Bulolo show

BULOLO District in Morobe staged its first ever cultural show on the Sept 16-18 coinciding with the country’s 36^th Independence anniversary celebrations. 

Thrilling the crowd at the Bulolo Show.-Pictures by PETER BOYD

The event was staged in Mumeng Town.

Traditional singsing groups from the six LLGs of Bulolo, Mumeng, Buang, Watut, Biangai and people from other parts of Morobe who live in Bulolo and Wau like the Kabub singsing group took part.

Bulolo MP Sam Basil meets rider Daniel Hargreaves and others as show committee chairman Stanley Komunt, of MMJC (centre) looks on

Bulolo’s own sons and PNGs famous artists Lister and Amon Serum performed live to entertain the show goers.

Other entertainment included a string band competition, greasy pole climbing, inter LLG tug of war.

The highlight of the day was without a doubt a visit from Morobe Motorcycle Club riders who stopped halfway through a two day fun race from Bulolo to Edie Creek and back to Lae.

Waterfall near Buang on Snake River

The large crowd was witness to a display of wheel stands, jumps and riders riding without too much skill or control. 

The invitation to participate in a race at Independence weekend was extended to the MMC several months earlier by show chairman Stanley Komunt and it proved a great success.

Ploughing through a quagmire

The 'fun' race started with a small but enthusiastic group of riders in Bulolo on the Saturday who rode to Wau via PNGFP tracks and overnighted at the Wau Adventures headquarters, home to Tim and Danielle Vincent. 

Crossing the Snake River...hoping not to fall

The first day’s easy riding determined the starting order for the grueling second days riding. 

Day two saw local favourite and PNG'S No.1 bike Rider Daniel Hargreaves take a commanding lead in the first of the days special stages, a savage hill climb to the summit of Mt Kaindi at 7800ft and back to Wau. 

Rider about to crash near summit of Mt Kainti, at 7800 ft, outside Bulolo enroute to Hidden Valley

This section took its toll on riders and bikes with several riders crashing and Tim Vincent of Wau Adventures, PNG'S Premier Adventure Tourism Company, suffering badly bruised ribs - forcing him to pull out of any further racing.

Ow! That hurts!

Leg two was the reverse of the first day’s course from Wau to Bulolo and convincingly won by Suzuki rider Michael Schulz with a clear gap to Hargreaves, who was unable to maintain his first afternoons pace.

A steep descent

A short third leg from Bulolo to Mumeng saw the riders cross the line within a minute of each other, the tarmac riding not being to anyone's liking as the thought of crashing on tarmac was enough to deter anyone from risking life and limb - all riders knew that the last section of 94km from Mumeng Station to MMJV Headquarters at 9-Mile Lae would require all their energy and attention. 

Riding in fog is an unbelievable experience, the forest is dead quiet except for the bikes' sound

Thirty minutes were spent entertaining the crowd at the Bulolo Show and taking advice on the route ahead from MP Sam Basil, one of the few people who had actually driven down the Snake River to Buang and Gabensis.

The route chosen followed the Snake River past Buang, Wagau and onto Gabensis on the Bulolo Highway - a distance of 65km, and finishing off with a 30km road stage.

Village people close to Wagau - experiencing a motorbike for the first time in their lives

The only problem was that so much fun was had at Mumeng entertaining the crowd that riders lost track of time and were very late leaving Mumeng. 

Heavy fog and fading light slowed the bikes to a crawl for over an hour past Buang and Wagau.

Drops on either side of the overgrown track were vertical and deadly and any thoughts of racing were set aside with safety of riders paramount. 

Several of the bikes had no lights and this meant extra care needed to be shown.

What should have taken two hours took five hours and at 8pm the bikes arrived at MMJV headquarters with riders exhausted having commenced riding at 9am that morning.

Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Samuel Basil officiated at the show which was attended by over 3, 000 people.

Basil thanked the show chairman Stanley Komunt and his committees and all the sponsors for making the event a success.

Major sponsors:

1. Bulolo District - Joint District Planning & Budget Priority Committee (JDP&BPC) – K85,000 in cash
2. Morobe Mining JV (MMJV) K20,000 in kind
3. Hornibrooks NGI Limited – K5,000 in cash
4. Bank of South Pacific (BSP) – K3,000 in cash
5. Island Mobile Hirecar
6. Lae Biscuits company
7. ArmSec Limited
8. Digicel PNG
9. NBC Morobe
10. Zenang Chicken
11. Bulolo District Administration

Inaugural Bulolo Show a success

The Bulolo Show held over Independence long weekend was first of its kind after many years without such a show.

It was initiated and supported by the Bulolo District, Joint District Planning & Budget Priority Committee (JDP & BPC) under the chairmanship of Bulolo MP and National Planning Minister Samuel Basil.

Stanley Komunt was appointed as show chairman and supported very well by deputy chairman Tony McHarets and Mumeng local level government president and Morobe provincial mining chairman Mathias Philip, Mumeng LLG manager Samuel Philip, and Bulolo district administrator Tae Guambelek.

Bulolo District staged its first-ever cultural show on Sept 16-18,   2011 coinciding with PNG's 36th Independence anniversary celebrations.

This important event was staged in Mumeng Town.

This location was chosen as it was convenient for tourists or visitors from Lae and other parts of PNG to travel to and fro from Lae and also local people from Wau, Bulolo and Watut to come down.

 There were traditional singsing groups from the six LLGs of Bulolo - Mumeng, Buang, Watut, Biangai and people from other parts of Morobe who live at Bulolo and Wau.

There were other entertainments such as string band competition, greasy pole climbing, inter-LLG tug-of-war, motor cycle show, and many more.

Bulolo's own sons and PNG's famous artists Lister and Amon Serum performed live to entertain the show goers.

The event started with the flagraising ceremony on Sept 16, followed by the cultural show the next day.

 On Sept 18, there were two greasy poles, tugs-of-war, greasy pig chase, motor cycle show and handing out of prize money.

Guest-of-honour was Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Samuel Basi.

It was attended by Bulolo district administrator Tae Guambelek, Mumeng LLG president Mathias Philip, Buang LLG president Stephen Sep, Wau Rural LLG manager John Yawa, MMJV general manager David Wissink, BSP Momase regional Manager Mark Kamuja and Bulolo BSP staff.

A notable presence was former Markham MP, Andrew Baing.

There were well over 3, 000 people who attended the three-day event, with lots of positive comments.

 Basil, when closing the show, announced that his JDP&BPC would continue to support next year and the years to come. T

He also acknowledged and thanked show chairman Stanley Komunt and his committee, as well as sponsors for making the event a success.

Major sponsors:

1.         Bulolo District - Joint District Planning & Budget Priority Committee (JDP&BPC) – K85, 000 in cash

2.         Morobe Mining JV (MMJV) K20, 000 in kind

3.         Hornibrooks NGI Limited – K5, 000 in cash

4.         Bank of South Pacific (BSP) – K3, 000 in cash

5.         Island Mobile Hirecar

6.         Lae Biscuit Company

7.         ArmSec Ltd

8.         Digicel PNG

9.         NBC Morobe

10.       Zenang Chicken

11.       Bulolo District Administration

Treasurer expects 9.3% in growth

By JEFFREY ELAPA

TREASURY Minister Don Polye expects the country's growth rate this year to be around 9.3%, compared to 8% last year, The National reports.
He said amid the uncertain global economic depression, the country had experienced an uninterrupted, strong and vibrant domestic economic growth driven by higher levels of economic activity in the non-mining and the construction sector of the LNG project.
Polye said the supplementary budget was the result of this unprecedented economic growth which was being shared among the people of PNG through projects targeting the rural areas.
He said major exports continued to grow and the prices of mineral exports of gold and copper rose by 25% and oil by 20%, which was above the 2010 budget forecast.
They were expected to remain high.
However, he said annual inflation was forecast to be 9% in 2011, an upward revision from 8.2%.
This was due to the high level of economic growth, a continued shortage of skilled labour and land which pushed up wages and rental prices, and higher food and fuel prices from high global demand.
Polye said the domestic outlook was positive but not without risk.
The theme of the K781.8 million 2011 Supplementary Budget handed down in parliament is "sharing the benefits of economic growth with the people".
He said the government would improve the rural economy by ensuring funding was allocated to the right areas.
He said providing funding was as critical as implementing projects and delivering services.

Airlines PNG welcomes decision

AIRLINES PNG has welcomed the government decision to merge with Air Niugini, the national flag carrier, The National reports.
"APNG congratulates the PNG government for their vision in making this possible," the airline said in a statement.
"The merger will enable the combined airline, which will operate one of the largest fleet of aircraft in the South Pacific, to better cover an extensive range of international and domestic destinations, serving locations from Singapore right down to small villages in PNG."
Airlines PNG said it would work closely with the government and Air Niugini to develop the merger transaction.
A Merger Implementation Office, under the leadership of Sir Mekere Morauta, would establish the transaction structure and timeline for implementation.
The merger was expected to bring great opportunities to the people of PNG, with plans to extend aviation services into rural areas not presently well served.
Several attempts to get comments from Air Niugini were unsuccessful.
But Airlines PNG said a larger and stronger national carrier was expected to provide increased employment opportunities for PNG staff following the expansion of operations and the localisation of certain support services currently provided off shore.
The merger is subject to the approval of the APNG shareholders.
The airline was listed on the Port Moresby Stock Exchange early this year.
Last week, it reported a K700,000 profit for the first six months of this year – a commendable recovery from a K4.5-million loss last year.
The merger will make the new airline the biggest in the South Pacific as it will serve international destinations as well as rural areas in Papua New Guinea.
The airline said its board remained committed to maximising value for its shareholders and that would continue to be the central premise upon which the merger transaction would be evaluated.

Airlines PNG, Air Niugini in merger

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

THE National Executive Council has approved in principle a merger by Air Niugini and Airlines PNG, The National reports.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill announced the cabinet decision yesterday morning before flying off in the Falcon jet to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
O'Neill said details of the merger would be worked out by a special Merger Implementation Office to be chaired by Public Enterprises Minister Sir Mekere Morauta.
It will comprise the chief executives of Air Niugini, Airlines PNG and independent valuers.
He said the independent valuers would undertake a due diligence exercise to ascertain the exact value of assets and business of each airline.
"At this early stage, it is likely that Air Niugini will have the majority of shares in the new merged airline,'' he said.
"The exact break-up of the shareholding will be determined by the valuations."
O'Neill gave an assurance there would be no job losses as a result of the merger.
O'Neill said: "I give that guarantee to employees of Air Niugini and employees of Airlines PNG. In fact, jobs will grow and there will be better opportunities for promotion and training.
"Air Niugini and Airlines PNG will complement each other and be in a position to provide the services our people need without capital injections from the government."
The prime minister said Air Niugini would continue to operate.
"In fact, instantly Air Niugini will grow," he said.
"It has 21 aircraft. Straight after the merger it will have 33, as the 12 Dash 8 aircraft owned by Airlines PNG will be transferred to Air Niugini and painted in Air Niugini livery (colours and logo) for operation on major routes.
"This will result in increased frequency of services for passengers at more convenient times."
O'Neill said the major result of the merger would be the significant expansion of services.
He said only 32 ports had scheduled airline services.
"The plan is that by Christmas, 132 airports will have scheduled passenger services," he said.
"By April 2012, 169 more airstrips will see services commence and, by August next year, 328 cities, towns and villages will have regular services."

Oxford wins major science contract for schools

By MALUM NALU

Oxford managing director Jeno Aeno (centre) seals the deal with Central Supply and Tenders Board contractor coordinator Veari Hitolo (right) as wife and fellow director Kaia looks on.-Pictures by MALUM NALU

Nationally-owned company Oxford First Aid Supply today (Monday, September 19, 2011) signed a major K5.1 million contract with the Department of Education and Central Supply and Tenders Board to supply scientific equipment to selected schools in the highlands.

 Oxford managing director Jeno Aeno, and his wife and fellow director Kaia, signed the contract with CSTB contract coordinator Veari Hitolo this morning.

Oxford managing director Jeno Aeno (right) signs contract papers with Central Supply and Tenders Board contractor coordinator Veari Hitolo yesterday as wife and fellow director Kaia, and another Oxford staff look on.

  Aeno said his company had worked hard since its inception in 1993 to establish itself as a major supplier of curriculum materials such as text books, science equipment, laboratory chemicals, library books, encyclopaedias and sports equipment to schools in Papua New Guinea.

 “I want to thank the Department of Education, acting secretary Dr Joseph Pagelio and Education Department teaching evaluation committee headed by John Joseph and Simon Fauma,” he said.

 “I also want to thank the CSTB, particularly Mr Hitolo.

 “I know it’s a big project because we will be supplying science equipment to selected schools in the highlands region.

 “We will be doing it out of our Goroka office.

 “We should be getting everything supplied by the end of the year.

 “We will be taking representatives of the Education Department to inspect our warehouse in Goroka, which is where we’ll be distributing the equipment from.

 “I assure the Department of Education that we will do a good job.”

 Hitolo said the CSTB was glad to see companies like Oxford participating in the government procurement system.

 “I thank the managing director of Oxford and I’m confident that he will do a good job,” Hitolo said.

 Aeno, from Kama village in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, started the company from humble beginnings in 2004 and it has since grown in leaps and bounds.

 Oxford First Aid Supply’s head office is at Ahuia Street in Gordon, opposite the Datec building.

 Its head office is in Port Moresby with branches in Lae, Goroka and Wewak.

 Oxford employs 80 people.