UPDATE: 8 passengers aboard Air Niugini Flight 73 hospitalised

by Kevin Kerrigan and Gaynor Daleno | The Guam Daily Post, postguam.com
September 28, 2018

Forty-six people aboard Air Niugini Flight 73 miraculously survived after the flight fell short of the runway on Weno International Airport in Chuuk this morning and landed in lagoon waters.

"No serious injuries ... Everybody is alive!" Jimmy Emilio, the airport's manager, confirmed by phone to The Guam Daily Post.

When the plane went down, a lot of local boaters and the local rescue team immediately rushed to the crash site, Emilio said.

"Everybody is safely off the plane," he added.

He said the passengers and crew were transported to the local hospital and as far as he knows, no one was badly injured.

Dr. Siana Shapucy, the Chuuk State Hospital's acting medical director, said at 2 p.m. Guam time Friday that eight people were hospitalized. One was on a ventilator while some of the other patients had various fractures.

A video reposted by Eriko Rekis on his Facebook page shows many boaters immediately responding as the aircraft hit the lagoon water, and helping passengers get off the half-submerged plane and transporting them to safer ground.

The aircraft is a Boeing 737, Public Affairs Manager Ian Gregor for the FAA Pacific Division confirmed.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cuttter Washington, which happens to be in nearby waters, is heading to the crash site to help. 

Air Niugini Flight 73 travels between Chuuk and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. The flight was to take two hours and 40 minutes.

Air Niugini is Papua New Guinea's leading airline, with more than 20 destinations nationally and 10 internationally.

A United Airlines flight from Guam that was scheduled to land at the same airport in Chuuk has been diverted to Pohnpei.

A team from Auckland, New Zealand en route to Weno to try and salvage the plane.

This is a developing story.

The changing face of Lae

By SAMPSON BONAI in Lae

Lae City, the industrial hub of Papua New Guinea,  is experiencing a building boom.

The new Bank of PNG Building being constructed along 3rd Street, opposite Lae Post Office,  is nearing completion and should be open for business before end of this year.

The new Bank of PNG Building being constructed along 3rd Street,  opposite Lae Post Office,  is nearing completion and should be open for business before the end of this year.~Pictures by SAMPSON BONAI

Papindo Supermarket has constructed a new look two-storey building along 7th Street to replace the old one that got burnt down in 1995.

The brand-New Papindo Shopping Centre along 7th Street.

Eye One Shopping Centre is a new two-storey building constructed at the site of the old Huon Theatre.

Eye One Shopping Centre is a new two-storey building at the site of the old Huon Theatre. It has become one of the busiest shopping venues in Lae.

It has become one of the busiest shopping venues in Lae. 

The old Wan Jin Wah shop at 7th Street is dwarfed by the towering Papindo Shopping Centre and the adjoining Victoria Supermarket.

The iconic Wan Jin Wah shop along 7th Street   is dwarfed by the towering Papindo Shopping Centre across the road.

Two new modern shopping complexes are being built at the Main Market area. 

Lae Plaza is situated along Aircorps Road near Bank South Pacific and Lae Shopping Centre is situated along Kisere Street behind Bowmans Hardware.

Lae Plaza offers the people of Morobe that heightened shopping experience right in the heart of Lae City. It has three stories of shops and self-contained units.

Rapid progress on high speed internet cable connecting PNG with the world

Australian High Commission

The Australian and Papua New Guinea Governments are progressing rapidly with the project to deliver the new high speed Coral Sea Cable that will connect Port Moresby through Sydney to the global economy.

On Sept 27  2018, marine survey vessel the RV Northern Endeavour visited Port Moresby to survey the area where the cable will connect to Papua New Guinea’s mainland.

Local media had the opportunity to go on-board the vessel to see the facilities, meet the crew and understand more about the process for delivering this key nation building infrastructure.

Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis was pleased to mark this important milestone.

He said, "Australia is delighted to partner with Papua New Guinea in delivering this key nation building project.

"This project has the potential to be truly transformative and I am excited to be able to celebrate this important step towards its completion."

The RV Northern Endeavour is at the start of a journey to map out the path the cable will take between Port Moresby, Honiara and Sydney.

Not only does this preliminary planning ensure that the installation of the cable is as efficient and cost-effective as possible, it also provides assurance that the impact of the cable on Papua New Guinea’s pristine marine environment is minimised.

The Coral Sea Cable will significantly improve Papua New Guinea’s internet connectivity, allowing businesses to access new markets, students to harness new learning opportunities and communities to reach out to other countries and people across the sea.

It is a very tangible symbol of Australia and Papua New Guinea’s enduring partnership as well as both nations’ strong commitment to growth and prosperity in the region.

Australian men's and women's Prime Minister's XIII annouced

The Hon Scott Morrison MP
Prime Minister

In conjunction with the National Rugby League (NRL), I am pleased to announce the Prime Minister’s XIII squads which will take part in annual games against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on October 6.

 The PMs XIII concept is an annual fixture which was first established in 2005 to help PNG celebrate 30 years of independence.

This year, in recognition of the surge in female participation in rugby league, a PMs XIII squad for women has been named for the first time.

The squads will be led by experienced and exceptional rugby league coaches and captains.

World Cup winning Jillaroo and Indigenous All Stars captain Rebecca Young will captain the women’s squad which is coached by Brad Donald.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles skipper and Queensland Origin representative Daly Cherry-Evans will captain the men’s squad which is coached by Mal Meninga.

The squads will arrive in Port Moresby next Thursday and are being supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

While I would love to be there to cheer on both squads, I will be following the games very closely from home.

I’d also like to congratulate the players who have been selected to play for the PNG Kumuls and Orchids and wish all teams the very best.

Australian PM’s XIII Men’s Squad:

Corey Allan (Brisbane Broncos)

Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers)

Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

Jake Clifford (North Queensland Cowboys)

Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders)

Tyson Frizell (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Ben Hunt (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Brian Kelly (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

Zac Lomax (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Jordan McLean (North Queensland Cowboys)

Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers)

Matt Prior (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Jesse Ramien (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Reece Robson (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)

Chad Townsend (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

Enari Tuala (North Queensland Cowboys)

Aaron Woods (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Australian PM’s XIII Women’s Squad:

Keeley Davis (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Quincy Dodd (Sydney Roosters)

Sally Dwyer (Parkes Spacemen)

Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa'amausili (Cabramatta)

Najvada George (Werribee Bears – VIC)

Rikeya Horne (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Melanie Howard (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Asipau Mafi (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Talesha Quinn (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Michaela Peck (ADF)

Patricia Raikadroka (Mounties)

Rhiannon Revell-Blair (Brothers Ipswich)

Hannah Southwell (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Sarah Togatuki (Sydney Roosters)

Shakiah Tungai (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Juraea Turner (Ellenbrook Rabbitohs – WA)

Holli Wheeler (St. George Illawarra Dragons)

Eliza Wilson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

Rebecca Young (CRL Newcastle

PNG Kumuls squad to play PM's XIII named

nrl.com | September 25, 2018

St George Illawarra winger Nene Macdonald, Cronulla hooker James Segeyaro and Canterbury back-rower Rhyse Martin head a strong contingent of NRL and Super League  players named in the Papua New Guinea squad to play the Australian Prime Minister's XIII in Port Moresby on October 6.

Macdonald, Segeyaro and Martin are among six NRL players in the 18-man squad, which also includes Catalans fullback David Mead and Widnes Vikings prop Wellington Albert.

Cronulla and PNG hooker James Segeyaro©Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos

Other NRL players are Melbourne winger Justin Olam, Sydney Roosters playmaker Lachlan Lam and North Queensland five-eighth Kyle Laybutt.

The remaining players are drawn from Queensland's Intrust Super Cup and include Easts Tigers hooker Tom Butterfield, Souths Logan Magpies centre Daniel Russell and eight members of the PNG Hunters team.

The squad, which is largely comprised of players from this year's Pacific Test and the 2017 World Cup teams, will assemble in Port Moresby this week, with Lam and Olam to arrive after completing commitments with their NRL clubs in Sunday's grand final.

The annual clash between the Kumuls and the Australian PM's XIII has been moved as PNG Hunters players were unavailable last year due to the Intrust Super Cup grand final.

PNG Kumuls squad:
Daniel Russell – South Logan Magpies (Intrust Super Cup)
David Mead – Catalans Dragons (Super League)
Edene Gabi – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Enock Maki – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
James Segeyaro – Cronulla Sharks (NRL)
Justin Olam – Melbourne Storm (NRL)
Kyle Laybutt – North Queensland Cowboys (NRL)
Lachlan Lam – Sydney Roosters
Moses Meninga – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Nene McDonald – St George Illawara (NRL)
Nixon Putt – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Rhadley Brawa – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Rhyse Martin – Canterbury Bulldogs (NRL)
Stanton Albert – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Tom Butterfield – Easts Tigers (Intrust Super Cup)
Watson Boas – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)
Wellington Albert – Widnes Vikings (Super League
Willie Minoga – PNG Hunters (Intrust Super Cup)

Improve tourist attractions in PNG to attract more tourists, says ADB

Asian Development Bank

The number of people visiting Papua New Guinea increased by 166% in the 10 years from 2005 to 2015.

However, a new brief from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warns that continued visitor growth is not inevitable and that government action is needed to help attract more of the lucrative tourist market.

Despite the high growth in visitor numbers, tourism revenue in PNG remains low compared to other Pacific countries.

 The ADB brief, Tourism as a Driver of Growth in the Pacific: A Pathway to Growth and Prosperity for Pacific Island Countries, offers a number of recommendations, including some specific to PNG, to help the country grow its tourism sector.

As a first step, it recommends the national tourism policies be reviewed with a view to increasing visitor numbers and spending.

It also recommends fostering tourist attractions around the country, such as developing Madang as a tourist destination, especially for cruise ships, and increasing Mount Wilhelm’s tourism potential by improving access to it.

The brief also says restoration of the Baiyer River Sanctuary could attract tourists to the area.

The brief identifies tourism as a unique opportunity for economic growth in the coming decade that could help Pacific island countries self-sufficiently fund national objectives, such as improved health services, education and transport.
Along with generating employment and income growth across the region, tourism development can serve as a catalyst for the protection and preservation of natural and cultural assets, the brief notes.

Visitor numbers across six Pacific countries examined have increased by almost 50% in the past 10 years, but the brief warns that continued tourism sector growth will not happen automatically, and that its benefits will continue to be unevenly distributed unless governments take action.

The brief recommends countries create an enabling environment to facilitate tourism growth and maximise its benefits.

This means investing in infrastructure, human resources, and product development and marketing, as well as ensuring that tourism policy, strategy, and the regulatory environment are designed to grow the sector sustainably.

“While many Pacific countries are using tourism effectively to generate income and employment, opportunities exist to expand and increase its benefits and ensure its sustainability,” said Rob Jauncey, Regional Advisor with ADB’s Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office.

“As Pacific countries develop and pursue strategies to grow their tourism sectors, ADB stands ready to offer insight and advice, and provide technical assistance, finance, or coordination support.”

The brief was produced by ADB’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI), a regional technical assistance program undertaken in partnership with the governments of Australia and New Zealand.

PSDI works with ADB's 14 Pacific developing member countries to improve the enabling environment for business and to support inclusive, private sector-led economic growth.

It has operated in the region for 11 years and assisted with more than 300 reforms.

Garaina police infrastructure goes to the dogs

By SAMPSON BONAI in Wau

POLICE infrastructure at remote Garaina in Bulolo is rundown and needs to be urgently renovated.

Lone Garaina policeman Steven Sep pointing to the partly burnt police station building there. It requires urgent maintenance work.~Pictures by SAMPSON BONAI

Police reservist Steven Sep, who has singlehandedly maintained law-and-order in Garaina for the last 15 years, said the Police Department has forgotten about Garaina.

"Police infrastructure such as housing and the police station are completely rundown," he said.

"It's not fit for any policeman to live in and perform policing duties in Garaina.

"The four two-bedroom police houses are completely run down with leaking roofs, broken walls and flooring.

"The houses, which were built during the colonial era, have not seen any maintenance work being carried on them for many years."

Sep has had to use his own money to purchase materials to maintained the house.

"There is leakage in the  roof and whenever it rains we always put empty pots under to collect water," he said.

Lone Garaina policeman Steven Sep with his wife and children in front of their rundown two-bedroom police house there.

The lone policeman said the  crumbling police station was far worse.

There has been no maintenance whatsoever.

Part of the station was burnt down.

The general duties office is in a complete mess without any proper equipment such as desks, chairs and filing cabinet.

Old broken desks and tables are scattered everywhere.

Policeman Steven Sep inside the general duties office at Garaina Police Station. It is in a complete mess and has not seen any maintenance work for many years

 Old files are left lying around.

This is one of the filthiest and most rundown police stations in Morobe.

The walls and the floors have not seen any proper maintenance work carried.

Rats and other insects have taken over the station.

The police houses and the station are slowly crumbling under the forces of nature.

The department continues to turn a blind eye to its current deteriorating state.   

The cell block is a registered cell.

Sep still uses it to lock up suspects and transfer to Lae to appear in  court.

The reservist from nearby Sopa village in Garaina has experienced a lot of hardship performing his police duties over the last15 years.