Western Highlands Development Forum gives K22,000 to rural health centres

Western Highlands Development Forum (WHDF) Incorporated has donated K22, 000 to three rural health centres in Western Highlands
At the fourth WHDF annual gala reception held at the American Corner in the National Library, which was officiated by US Ambassador Walter North, WHDF handed over K15, 000 to representative of three recipients. 

Ambassador Walter North deliver his keynote speech.

WHDF treasurer Bafino Koi hands over K5,000 to Thomas Paka of Koibuga Health Centre while Garry Laka looks on.

WHDF treasurer Bafino Koi hands over K5,000 to Nick Laki of Tinsley Health Centre while Samson Komati and Clivson Philip look on.

WHDF chairman Samson Komati with some guests.

The rural health centres which received K5, 000 each are Koibuga in Nebiliyer, Tinsley in Baiyer, and Kuruk in Mul districts in WHP.
An additional K7, 000 was pledged by three generous Western Highlanders: K5, 000 by George Bopi Kereka for Koibuga, K1, 000 by Nick Laki for Tinsley, and K1, 000 by John Noki for Kuruk.
The K22, 000 donations by WHDF and its members will go towards the purchase of 15kv power generator for Koibuga and bed frames and other equipment for maternity wards in Tinsley and Kuruk. 
The executive committee of WHDF will be handing over the funds to the respective officers- in-charge of the three health centres in the last week of December 2013.
Chairman, Samson Komati, said WHDF was a registered non-political, non-profit, independent think-tank, and a development vehicle and forum representing more than 10,000 educated and professional men and women from, of, or related to Western Highlands who were living and working anywhere in PNG and overseas.
“Every year, the WHDF organises social events aimed at uniting all the elites of the province, including raising of funds to donate to worthy causes in the Western Highlands community,” he said.
“In 2012, the WHDF helped facilitate a total of K700, 000 through the Law and Justice Sector Program with Department of National Planning and Monitoring and funded the development of two big community justice and resource centres at Kongra village and Telga village in Neibiyer district.
“Also in 2012, the WHDF raised almost K300, 000 from the Government of Japan through its GGP Program to fund eight new classrooms at three schools in Jiwaka province.
“A total of K1 million has been privately raised and expanded to develop important community development projects in Western Highlands under the WHDF Inc.
"One of the ambitious projects the WHDF seeks to undertake in 2014 is to work closely with the US Government through the Embassy of the USA in Port Moresby to establish an American Corner in Mt Hagen City so that all Western Highlands elites and the general public have access to internet facilities for research and connection with learning institutions in the USA for further studies and work programmes.
“America offers world-class diploma and degree programmes at exceptionally cheaper prices than Australia. It is therefore a better option for WHP elites to consider sending their children in American colleges and universities for further studies.
“Furthermore, the WHDF seeks to work closely with the PNG-USA Alumni Association Inc to host annual Independence Day celebrations in Mt Hagen on July 4 to celebrate the independence of USA, and also to highlight importance of democracy and democratic governance in WHP and PNG.
“The WHDF will work closely with foreign aid donor programmes and the government - both provincial and national - to address key development issues including gender, environment, democratic governance, HIV/AIDS, and youth.”
Komati added: "WHP has the best all-year-round agriculture-friendly climate, strategic geographical location idle for economic success, a hardworking entrepreneurial minded people, very abundant fertile soil in endless valleys, and good leadership.
“All we in Western Highlands need now is a good vehicle to harness and synchronise these key advantages to edge out as economic powers driven by a united elite class population that serves the engine room for thinking, planning, and implementing key programmes and projects.
"I am now calling on all business houses through the Western Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the provincial government including all the five MPs, foreign aid donor programmes, NGOs and community associations including interest groups to work together with WHDF in 2014 and onwards to change the landscape of thinking, introduce better approaches to problems, and address wider issues collectively through consultation and cooperation.”

Young PNG leaders return from USA, Taiwan

By MALUM NALU

Three promising young Papua New Guinea leaders have just returned from a three-month training programme in the USA and Taiwan.

They are University of Goroka lecturer Jane Awi, Office of Prime Minister senior research officer Bill Minjikul, and Department of Health policy officer Clement Dusava,

Awi is a PhD candidate in Creative Industry at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia, while Minjikul and Dusava are former SRC presidents of the University of Papua New Guinea.

Dusava is also a member of UPNG Council. 

Dusava, Hu and Awi during a welcome luncheon last Friday.-Picture by MALUM NALU

They went to Honolulu, Hawaii and Taipei, Taiwan to participate the Pacific Islands Leadership Program (PILP) with Taiwan for three months.

Taiwan Trade Mission representative Daniel Hu welcomed the three young leaders back from abroad to join the country’s endeavors toward growth and success.

“PILP with Taiwan is a new initiative designed to provide opportunities to enhance the leadership capacities of individuals in the Pacific Islands region and build a network of young leaders who will contribute to lasting people-to-people relationships across the Pacific Rim,” he said.

“It’s satisfactory to us to note the three-month programme met all participants’ high expectation.

“They have gained knowledge and understanding of key economic, social, political, health, educational and environmental issues affecting the region, and thus been cultivated with leadership skills, innovative approaches and new networks to make meaningful contributions to the region in the years to come.

“Improvement in leadership standards and capacity is the most important remedy to service delivery to the people, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said.

“We wish the three PNG young leaders all the best to fulfill their dreams and passions about service delivery to their fellow Papua New Guineans through their extended networking in the region.

“As the eligibility for the PILP with Taiwan is competitive, merit-based awards, we are seeking outstanding individuals from all walks of life - government, business, environment, NGOs, health, media, agriculture, education, and others - to apply.

“The mission calls on qualified PNG’s young leaders, with a minimum of two years of significant work experience, and who are committed to a career in the Pacific Islands region, to apply in 2014, irrespective of your respective status.”

Awi said: “We are mid-career young leaders.

“We are at the crossroads.

“The programme has really helped us to sharpen our leadership ability and skills, to think broadly, to think holistically of how we can contribute more meaningfully and effectively.”

Dusava said: “In PNG’s case we’ve seen reports many times that we suffer from a crisis in leadership.

“Some of the decisions being made are not in the best interest of our country.

“The key thing that we learned is our own leadership, where we are in our communities, our country, and our workplace.”

PM: Government is very much focused on priorities

Media Statement

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says the government is focused on increasing Papua New Guinea’s trade and investment opportunities in the world market.

He made this statement during an interview with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Media Manager, David Hendrickson, at this Parliament Office in Port Moresby recently.

“As the largest Pacific Island country, we look forward to sharing our experiences and natural resources with our neighbours.

“Since PNG has a vibrant economy, the future is looking very good for us.

“This government’s aim is to ensure that the future is right for our young men and women and we assure you, we are heading in the right direction.

“We are very much focused on increasing trade and investment with the rest of the world and other APEC member countries to enable quality standard of living,” he said.

Mr O’Neill said the APEC community can do more in taking the lead to address the issues of climate change appropriately and provide sustainable measures for the smaller island economies.

"Like the European Union, we are further encouraged to receive preferential treatment in the international markets.

“This government aims to improve our access to the world markets – and that is one of the most important things for us."

He told Mr Hendrickson, that the government is very much focussed on increasing our trade and investment with the rest of the world so as to improve our people’s standard of living. 

The Prime Minister also said the 2018 APEC summit in PNG will enable and encourage global leaders to experience PNG first hand. He said PNG has so much to offer and is in its planning stages of preparing for this international event. 

Mr O’Neill said PNG is currently in a very detailed planning phase to host the 2018 APEC Summit by building many new infrastructures.

"I am more than certain that we will host this summit successfully, just like other countries have previously," he said.

Agwi's term as PNG Defence Force commander expires

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill announced yesterday that Brigadier-General Francis Agwi will continue as commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force on an interim basis.

General Agwi’s term as Commander expired at midnight last night.

The process to appoint a new commander is currently underway.

“The appointment of Agwi on an acting basis is therefore necessary to fill the vacuum, and to maintain command and control in the force while the appointment process is completed.

“Agwi has shown professionalism and dedication in his years of service to the military and country. He led by example in maintaining stability in the force and I would like to thank him on behalf of the people of PNG for a job well done,” Mr O’Neill said.

InterOil's PNG LNG project heats Up

Energy and Capital

For the last two years, InterOil Corp. has been looking to tap into the liquefied natural gas reserves under Papua New Guinea which could yield more than 5 trillion cubic feet of gas.

Last week, the company agreed to sell a majority stake in the LNG development project to Total SA (NYSE: TOT) for an as-of-yet undetermined amount. The deal could be worth up to $3.6 billion, depending upon the fecundity of the fields in Papua New Guinea.

Australia's Oil Search is reportedly in talks with InterOil getting involved with the project as well. The company has been operating in PNG since 1929 and already works with Total on exploration projects there.

The development of LNG wells by Total and Oil Search is seen as a competitive move against ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), which operates a $20 billion liquefied natural gas facility in Papua New Guinea. ExxonMobil will begin shipping gas to Asia in 2014.

Oil Search in talks to join InterOil, Total in PNG project

Seeking Alpha

Oil Search International (OIS) says it is in talks about getting involved in development of the Elk and Antelope oil discoveries in Papua New Guinea, which may contain more than 5T cu. ft. of natural gas.
Just three days ago, InterOil (IOC) agreed to sell a majority interest in the discoveries to Total (TOT) in a deal worth up to US$3.6B, depending on how much gas is confirmed to be there.
TOT had hinted at a selldown when confirming the deal with IOC but didn’t name a prospective partner; one way to facilitate OIS’s entry into Elk-Antelope could be an equity swap involving part of its stake in the Taza oil and gas discovery in Iraq's Kurdistan.
IOC +4.8%, TOT -0.6% premarket.