PNG leapfrog into Super Six stage

ESPC Crickinfo

Papua New Guinea opener Lega Siaka scored his second century of the tournament to ensure his side finished atop Group B courtesy of an eight-wicket thrashing of Namibia at Mount Maunganui. Namibia won the toss and chose to bat first but were under pressure immediately after Pipi Raho and PNG captain Chris Amini nipped out two wickets each in their opening spells to leave Namibia at 16 for 4 in the sixth over.

Gerrie Snyman provided Namibia's best resistance with 54 at number six, but lacked any genuine support. Snyman was dismissed by Mahuru Dai in the 41st over to make it 137 for 8 before Namibia were eventually bowled out for 163 in 48.4 overs. Siaka's 112 not out dominated the chase and PNG's next best score was Assad Vala's 16. PNG needed only half of the allotted overs to reach the target and vaulted to the top of the group in the process.

Lega Siaka scored a match-winning century for Papua New Guinea

© ICC

© ICC

New Zealand Business Mentors bringing expertise to local business owners

By DAVE CONN

Over 100 business owners in Port Moresby and Lae are reaping  the benefit of two mentor teams from New Zealand who visit on a regular basis. T
he programme started here in 2011 and has achieved significant growth for a majority of the clients in the programme.
It's a bit like a father teaching his son, this mentoring, explains John Helsdon, the Country Manager for PNG.  The mentors find out what weaknesses and strengths the client has and help him or her with getting to the next level. This programme is free of any costs for the clients who are accepted and is funded by New Zealand Aid.
Clients are mentored on a one on one basis and will agree on an action plan to monitor progress. Besides the personal meetings, the mentors are available by email or phone for continuous support. The brilliant results from regular feedback of the clients via an independent survey shows that this programme really works.
To qualify a small / medium business has to be trading for at least 12 months, have two employed staff and be from a sector driving the PNG economy as well as having good potential for growth.
On Friday, 24th January at 2.30 pm there will be a presentation for interested business owners at the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The presentation will take less than an hour and application forms will be available.
Chamber Office is located on Level 3 of United Church Building , Douglas Street , Downtown , opposite Grand Papua Hotel .
All welcome , but space is limited so book with Wendy on frontdesk@pomcci.com or Tel : 7200 0000

Applications open for prestigious Australian study opportunities

The Australian High Commission today invited Papua New Guineans to apply for prestigious Australia Awards Scholarships for study in 2015.

The Australia Awards Scholarships provide PNG’s next generation of leaders an opportunity to undertake study, research or professional development in Australia.

The Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Ms Deborah Stokes, encouraged young Papua New Guineans to pursue an opportunity of a lifetime by applying for an Award.

“You could join more than 1800 Papua New Guineans who have participated in the program and returned home with new ideas and knowledge and the ability to make a significant contribution to PNG as leaders in their fields,” Ms Stokes said.

“PNG sees the tangible benefits with Australia Awards alumni holding leadership positions in PNG’s public service and private enterprise. Alumni are leading change as senior managers, business owners, and professional throughout PNG.

“I strongly encourage women to apply. Australia is committed to at least 50% of the Australian Awards being awarded to women.

The Australia Awards program aims to contribute to PNG’s long term development needs by awarding scholarships in areas that align with PNG’s development partnership with Australia including health, education and law and justice.

Awardees can gain an internationally recognised qualification from an Australian university, build enduring links with Australia and develop their leadership potential.

The Australia Awards Scholarships are highly competitive with selection based on academic ability, leadership and employment record, the developmental benefit of the proposed field of study, and overall preparedness to study in Australia.

More than 700 applications were received for last year’s intake of 150 awardees who are this month departing for their study assignments in Australia.

Applications close on 30 April 2014. Potential applicants can visit www.australiaawards.org.pg for more information about the application requirements.

The Australia Awards PNG Information Centre is equipped with institutional handbooks and internet access to help potential applicants research courses, seek assistance with their applications and to assist alumni to look for positions where they can apply their skills, knowledge and leadership abilities.

The centre is located in Port Tower, Hunter St, Port Moresby, and is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm.

Cabinet approves proposed village courts amendment for introduction in parliament

Cabinet has recently approved the introduction of a proposed Village Courts amendment Bill in the next Parliament sitting this year.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said Cabinet endorsed the introduction of the amendment bill for an Act titled Village Courts (Amendments) Bill 2013, which seeks to modernise the Village Courts Act 1989 so that it reflects other legislative and national policy changes since 1989.

“The change is also to assist in the implementation of the White Paper on law and justice 2007, which calls for the revitalisation of the Village Courts,” O’Neill said.

He said the Village Courts system was established by Section 172  of the National Constitution during Independence in 1975.

“The system has been in operation in Papua New Guinea under the Village Courts Act up until 1989 when the first amendment to the original legislation was made.

“Since Independence, the Village Courts are the most accessible and cost effective means of justice administration. PNG is unique having this system of justice that brings together formal and informal processes in addressing law and order issues at the community level,” O’Neill said.

These are some of the reasons for the amended bill:

·         seeks to modernise the Village Courts Act 1989 to accommodate the changing relationships, conflicts and issues in villages and for the ever increasing settlement population migrating into urban centres with their varied ethnic and cultural heritage;

·         strengthen the role of Village Courts in protecting the rights of women and children and addressing violence in PNG communities;

·         clarifies that Village Courts are bound to comply with constitutional requirements to protect the rights of people accessing the courts;

·         set limits to the number of Village Courts officials appointed to each Village Court to make it manageable and cost effective and ensure faster processing of appointments and revocation of officials; and

·         Strengthen the role of District Courts in supervising Village Courts through the appeals and review processes.

The Prime Minister said Village Courts play an important role in containing local law and order issues both in urban settlements where they are established and in the villages where the bulk of the people live.

It is therefore important that this court is modernised and strengthened, he said.

PM: Government owned businesses must help drive down costs

 Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says his government will require all government-owned businesses to set an example and help drive down cost of living pressures on families and cost pressures on the business sector. 

O'Neill said the decision to block the proposed power price rise by PNG Power would be followed up by a wider government policy that requires all state owned businesses to look at ways to cut costs, be more efficient, and not just rely on increasing charges.

"For too long governments have rubber stamped price increases by a range of state enterprises and the impact on families, and on small business have been huge. That has almost encouraged the state's power and other entities to be lazy when it comes to efficiency and driving down costs."

"I am putting all state-owned service providers on notice. My government will not be automatically approving price and charge increases.

“The Minister for Public Enterprise and State Investment will be directing all state owned entities to focus first on efficiencies and cost saving measures before seeking price rises - especially in what are known as basic service areas, such as power and water," he said. 

O'Neill said his government would set an example when it came to making the economy more efficient and competitive - and on keeping increases in service costs as low as possible.

"We expect the private sector to follow our example. We need to all work together to make our economy more efficient, so we can maximise the opportunities our vast natural resources offer us."

"I have listened to our people and our businesses - power charges are already very high."

"For too long we have put the whole question of the efficiency of government services, including government owned business services, in the 'too hard basket' and the result has been higher inflation, and even putting basic services, such as electricity beyond the affordability of families and businesses alike."

"We have made an important start with regard to power price rises. That approach will be the blueprint for the future."

Cabinet approves issuance of K1.92 billion in inscribed stock

The National Executive Council has approved the issuance of up to K1.92 billion in inscribed stock in 2014.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said Cabinet in a recent meeting agreed to advise the Governor General to authorise the Treasury Minister to issue up to K1.92 billion in inscribed stock in 2014 in accordance with the Loans Securities Act 1960 (Chapter 134) and aligned it to the debt strategy.

“NEC has also noted the Minister’s decision to implement the 2014 Debt Issuance Program by increasing total government debt by net of K2,355.5 million which includes increasing domestic debt by a net of K1, 707.7 million, and foreign currency loans by a net of K647.8 million,” he said.

“The 2014 Debt Issuance Program is a large financing task, similar to that of 2013. The financing requirement is K2355.5 million and the level of debt projected to GDP is expected to be 35.2 per cent. This level remains consistent with the Medium Term Fiscal Strategy 2013-2017 and the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2006.”

The Department of Treasury has already canvassed the views of domestic investors, and will hold monthly Inscribed Stock auctions on the third  Tuesday of each month starting on January 21.

“Monthly competitive auctions are best-practise as they spread the new borrowings evenly in 2014, and ensure the government borrows funds at the cheapest rate," O'Neill said.

" On a quarterly basis, the Treasury Department will provide an updated schedule to investors in consultation with the Central Bank (BPNG) and investors whereby it will accommodate changes that require smoothening of administrative processes relevant to the issuance and settlement of inscribed stock.”

PNG cricketers still positive after first loss

Radio New Zealand International

Papua New Guinea cricket coach, Peter Anderson, says the team won't be dwelling on their first loss at the World Cup qualifying tournament in New Zealand.
The Barramundi's were thrashed by 130 runs in their latest match against the Netherlands, ending a three game stint in New Plymouth that also brought wins over Kenya and Uganda.
The team now moves to Mount Maunganui for their final group game against Namibia on Thursday and Peter Anderson says it's a new day.
"Sun comes up tomorrow mate so I'm very quick to move on.
" I know people dwell on things and that but we're very positive, we're going forward.
"Our attitude when we come to every tournament is always to go there to win the tournament so we're still focused on one step at a time.
"Every sporting team has a hiccup, no matter how well you play, and those days happen, so the best thing to do is put it behind you.
"So long as we learnt some good things from it. I think we certainly learnt a bit more about their bowling and what we've got to execute with our bowlers".
A win against Namibia will secure PNG's place in the Super Six stage.