I caught this beautiful sunset over Nago Island, off Kavieng, New Ireland province, last Friday.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Papua New Guinea goes backward since 1975
From MALUM NALU in Kavieng
Papua New Guinea has gone backwards since 1975, according to one of the country's founding fathers and former Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan.
Sir Julius admitted to graduating students, including the first-ever fisheries and marines resources degree students, from the University of Natural Resources and Environment in Kavieng last Friday (Nov 27).
He said all that he and his fellow visionaries had worked towards at the time of independence in 1975 had been destroyed overnight.
This contradicts what the government, through Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu, said on Sept 16 this year that the country had developed over the last 34 years.
"Today, I stand before you 34 years after the creation of our country and say to you that we have not lived up to the promises we made in 1975," Sir Julius admitted.
"We have not brought the improvement in the quality of life of our people that we hoped to bring.
"We have not provided the health care, the education, the infrastructure that we should have provided.
"There is no sense in trying to avoid this unpleasant conclusion.
"If we cannot be honest with ourselves, then we have no hope of doing better.
"Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it, and I refuse to think we will repeat our mistakes."
Sir Julius said some people, especially national government, continued to insist that PNG had made progress and had become a better place for the people since 1975.
"That is not true," he said.
"I am here to tell you that we need to do better.
"I am here to tell you the truth so that you – the young people of our country – can do a better job than we have done to this point.
"It is unfortunate but true that since independence, Papua New Guinea has consistently failed to improve the health care of our people.
"According to the World Bank, we have fewer aid posts open today that we did at independence.
"And we know the condition of those that are still open – they have not power, most have no clean water supply, and many have no housing for our health care workers.
"Likewise, we have failed to improve access to education for our people.
"We just have to look around us.
"Our primary and elementary schools are falling apart.
"We do not have basic textbooks in the schools, we do not have decent toilets for our children, we do not have decent teachers' houses, and often we do not even have the teachers because the housing is so bad that they cannot live in it.
"Look around.
"We all know that this is true.
"And our infrastructure is not better.
"We used to have roads that we could travel on, but they have not been maintained for 10 or 15 or 20 years.
"Our roads have 'gone bush' and our people cannot get to market to generate income.
"Our children have to walk so many kilometers every day just to get to school, and when they get there, they have no books, no toilets, and sometimes no teachers."
Sir Julius said this was the real situation in PNG that the national government failed to admit.
"We have had huge amounts of wealth taken out of the country," he said.
"We have had reasonable macroeconomic growth.
"But our people have not benefited, they have actually suffered.
"That is not development.
"That is not progress.
"That is failure, pure and simple.
"It is a failure of our national institutions to provide the basic services that they should have provided.
"And it a failure we can no longer accept!"
'Don't believe in government'
From MALUM NALU in Kavieng
Young people of Papua New Guinea have been told to no longer believe in the government but in themselves if Papua New Guinea is to develop.
Former Prime Minister and New Ireland Governor, Sir Julius Chan (pictured), gave this blunt message to graduating students, including the first-ever fisheries and marines resources degree students, from the University of Natural Resources and Environment in Kavieng last Friday (Nov 27).
And he urged them to get rid of the government if it didn't perform to their expectations.
He said it was no secret that PNG had gone backwards since 1975 and the largely-corrupt government was to blame for this.
Sir Julius, after taking the students and crowd through a lengthy talk on corruption in PNG, told them that the old guard like himself were going out and they were the ones who would have big shoes to fit in.
"The young people of the world are a force for good and a force for change," he told them.
"You have the potential to become an army of reform, a force that says, 'we will not accept corrupt and inept government any longer.We insist that the wealth of our country benefit the people – all the people – of our country'.
"So go forth to your homes and spread the message.
"Spread the message of responsibility, of hard work and of hope.
"Spread the message that government must tell the people in clear and unequivocal terms what it is doing to improve the lives of the people.
"And if it does not keep its word, spread the message that it will be cast out and replaced with those who will.
"The time of the free ride is over.
'Either provide benefits or get out!"
Sir Julius said the corruption perception index compiled each year by Transparency International spokes volumes about the level of corruption among public servants and politicians.
"Papua New Guinea has only been rated for the last five six years," he said.
"But in this short time, the country has been perceived as increasingly-corrupt and a very difficult environment in which to do business.
"In 2004, PNG was rated as 102nd out of 145 countries.
"We were two-thirds down the list; there were 43 countries considered as more corrupt than PNG.
"By 2006, PNG was rated 130th out of a total of 163 countries, so by then, only 33 countries were considered more corrupt.
"And in the most-recent year, 2008, PNG had slipped all the way to 151st out of 179 countries, so only 28 countries were considered more corrupt.
"Any rational observer would have to say that this is a major contributing factor to the failure of the state to ensure that the fruits of development are shared by the people of the country.
"/though I do not like saying it, the evidence is that PNG has a shell of democratic institutions, it has had macroeconomic growth, but beneath this thin cover is a system that is working for the benefit of a few and not the masses.
"We know that wealth is distributed very unevenly, and that the public officials and politicians are seen as among the most-corrupt in the world.
"So is it any wonder that the benefits do not get to the people?"
Friday, November 27, 2009
Lae poem brings back memories of another day
Bernard Oberleuter…his heart is still in Lae and PNG
Lae boys…Bernard Oberleuter and Tony StrachanA heart-warming poem written about Lae and Papua New Guinea in its glory days brought tears to the eyes of many former Lae residents who gathered for an emotional Lae-Markham Reunion get together in Brisbane last month.
The 2009 Lae-Markham reunion at Broncos Leagues Club, Fulcher Road, Red Hill, on Sunday, Oct 4 was a resounding success - an absolutely magical day – which brought together 350-odd people.
Many people present hadn't seen each other for 40 years or more, and the auditorium echoed with cries of recognition, accompanied by heaps of hugs and occasional happy tears.
The 2009 guest list reads like a who’s who of Lae and PNG.
As they listened to the magical words of New Guinea, a poem written by Lae boy and now Brisbane resident Bernard Oberleuter so many years ago, there was not a dry eye in the Broncos Leagues Club.
It brought back memories about a place they called “home” – that since 1975 has deteriorated from the beautiful “Garden City” to the "Pothole Capital” of PNG.
New Guinea
By Bernard Oberleuter
I know a verdant island fair, with forests, ferns and flowers rare,
Where mountains tower to the sky, and lovely fertile valleys lie.
Where flit the gaudy butterflies and hum the birds of paradise.
Where summer holds eternal sway; her people live so free and gay.
New Guinea, gem of the southern sea, what wondrous charms you hold for me.
One place upon our friendly strand is treasured more than all this land.
Tis Lae, my home on Huon shores, so fondly called the open door,
The open door to hills that hold vast quantities of richest gold.
Our buzzing dromes, our wharves, our shops With busy life forever throbs.
Our jungle nooks to hikes invite, our pools and brooks with tempting sights.
The ancient hills, the ocean blue, what grandeur great presents to you.
God bless our lovely isle and Lae, and make us more her own each day
Mr Oberleuter, a good friend of mine, admitted that he too had tears in his eyes as he heard his poem being read by another Lae boy Tony Strachan, son of Arthur Strachan, founder of the famous real estate company of Lae by the same name.
He recalls that he was getting ready for his Grade 6 external exams for a government scholarship to study in Australia when he wrote the poem.
“It was at St Mary's Primary School, opposite Lae Bowling Club,” he remembers.
“I was asked by the nun-in-charge, Sr Marinoma, to read it out to the class, who applauded me with a standing ovation.
“That year, I also excelled in my external examinations by coming second in over 1,200 students, in TPNG, only missing out by 2% in my maths tests to equal first place.
“Previous to that, I was at the old St Mary's School, next to the old Morobe Bakery.
“This school site is now where the famous Lae Rugby League grounds sit, where I use to play my junior rugby league, coached by Barry Orchard and Bill Doherty of PWD (Public Works Department).
“They both played for the mighty Comworks RLFC.
“Mr Jack Amesbury was instrumental in starting me to play rugby league, soccer, hockey and Aussie rules. I played all over the back line, including fullback. I was the youngest player to represent Lae at the senior level.
“My dad worked for Public Works Department as a builder.
“My mum did freelance dress making and then she was in charge of the Melanesian laundry facilities.
“My dad built the very first Markham Bridge.
“We later transferred to Finschhafen, where I went to Gagidu Primary T School.
“He was posted there for a couple of years, built and maintained government housing and also built the first Nasigalatu Bridge near Dregerhhafen.
“I was born at the old Malahang hausik (hospital), near the feisty waters of the Busu wara.
“This WWII hausik then moved to uptown where Morobe Pharmacy is now situated.
“Then another move further just to the left of Steamships on 8th Street and opposite the Lae Coronation Primary 'A' School.
“Mr Tony Sadgrove was headmaster then.
“The hospital made a final move down town opposite to the old Lae airport to its final resting place, where it stands today.
“I have very fond and good memories of my childhood upbringing.
“I could walk anywhere, anytime, in Lae...hail, rain or shine, any hour of the clock.
“I use to do my training by running from Rotten Row Rd, behind the Hotel Cecil, to the athletics oval and back again, every morning during the footy season.
“We were living in Chinatown near the old Lae pumping station, close to Bumbu River.
The 2009 Lae-Markham reunion at Broncos Leagues Club, Fulcher Road, Red Hill, on Sunday, Oct 4 was a resounding success - an absolutely magical day – which brought together 350-odd people.
Many people present hadn't seen each other for 40 years or more, and the auditorium echoed with cries of recognition, accompanied by heaps of hugs and occasional happy tears.
The 2009 guest list reads like a who’s who of Lae and PNG.
As they listened to the magical words of New Guinea, a poem written by Lae boy and now Brisbane resident Bernard Oberleuter so many years ago, there was not a dry eye in the Broncos Leagues Club.
It brought back memories about a place they called “home” – that since 1975 has deteriorated from the beautiful “Garden City” to the "Pothole Capital” of PNG.
New Guinea
By Bernard Oberleuter
I know a verdant island fair, with forests, ferns and flowers rare,
Where mountains tower to the sky, and lovely fertile valleys lie.
Where flit the gaudy butterflies and hum the birds of paradise.
Where summer holds eternal sway; her people live so free and gay.
New Guinea, gem of the southern sea, what wondrous charms you hold for me.
One place upon our friendly strand is treasured more than all this land.
Tis Lae, my home on Huon shores, so fondly called the open door,
The open door to hills that hold vast quantities of richest gold.
Our buzzing dromes, our wharves, our shops With busy life forever throbs.
Our jungle nooks to hikes invite, our pools and brooks with tempting sights.
The ancient hills, the ocean blue, what grandeur great presents to you.
God bless our lovely isle and Lae, and make us more her own each day
Mr Oberleuter, a good friend of mine, admitted that he too had tears in his eyes as he heard his poem being read by another Lae boy Tony Strachan, son of Arthur Strachan, founder of the famous real estate company of Lae by the same name.
He recalls that he was getting ready for his Grade 6 external exams for a government scholarship to study in Australia when he wrote the poem.
“It was at St Mary's Primary School, opposite Lae Bowling Club,” he remembers.
“I was asked by the nun-in-charge, Sr Marinoma, to read it out to the class, who applauded me with a standing ovation.
“That year, I also excelled in my external examinations by coming second in over 1,200 students, in TPNG, only missing out by 2% in my maths tests to equal first place.
“Previous to that, I was at the old St Mary's School, next to the old Morobe Bakery.
“This school site is now where the famous Lae Rugby League grounds sit, where I use to play my junior rugby league, coached by Barry Orchard and Bill Doherty of PWD (Public Works Department).
“They both played for the mighty Comworks RLFC.
“Mr Jack Amesbury was instrumental in starting me to play rugby league, soccer, hockey and Aussie rules. I played all over the back line, including fullback. I was the youngest player to represent Lae at the senior level.
“My dad worked for Public Works Department as a builder.
“My mum did freelance dress making and then she was in charge of the Melanesian laundry facilities.
“My dad built the very first Markham Bridge.
“We later transferred to Finschhafen, where I went to Gagidu Primary T School.
“He was posted there for a couple of years, built and maintained government housing and also built the first Nasigalatu Bridge near Dregerhhafen.
“I was born at the old Malahang hausik (hospital), near the feisty waters of the Busu wara.
“This WWII hausik then moved to uptown where Morobe Pharmacy is now situated.
“Then another move further just to the left of Steamships on 8th Street and opposite the Lae Coronation Primary 'A' School.
“Mr Tony Sadgrove was headmaster then.
“The hospital made a final move down town opposite to the old Lae airport to its final resting place, where it stands today.
“I have very fond and good memories of my childhood upbringing.
“I could walk anywhere, anytime, in Lae...hail, rain or shine, any hour of the clock.
“I use to do my training by running from Rotten Row Rd, behind the Hotel Cecil, to the athletics oval and back again, every morning during the footy season.
“We were living in Chinatown near the old Lae pumping station, close to Bumbu River.
“I remember walking from Butibum Village to Kamkumung.
“I use to go swimming at Voco Point, and at the mouth of the Bumbu River.
“We used to walk along the beach all the way to Sipaia, where the old Japanese warship was beached and rusted.
“We use to climb onto it and play hide and seek.
“The old Tanyo Maru was still protruding and visible at the end of the Lae airport runway, where Crowley Airways and MAL hangared all their aeroplanes.
“We use to go in a canoe to catch the pigeons that nested on the exposed bow of the warship.
“I enjoyed my growing up in Lae, Mumeng, Bulolo, Wau, Kaiapit, Finschhafen, Madang and Port Moresby.
“I treasure those fleeting moments and memories.
“I lived and loved for my home Lae as a child growing up to 12 years old.
“I, unlike all the other ex-Territorians, have no desire to return to PNG.
“I only want to remember it, the way it was, when I left it.
“You see, the writing was on the wall for people like myself.
“We would become second-class citizens and those in the power of politics would ensure that their very own kin or clan would rise in the hierarchy, in the scheme of things to follow, after 1975.
“The proof is in the pudding.
“See for yourself now after 34 years of independence.”
“I use to go swimming at Voco Point, and at the mouth of the Bumbu River.
“We used to walk along the beach all the way to Sipaia, where the old Japanese warship was beached and rusted.
“We use to climb onto it and play hide and seek.
“The old Tanyo Maru was still protruding and visible at the end of the Lae airport runway, where Crowley Airways and MAL hangared all their aeroplanes.
“We use to go in a canoe to catch the pigeons that nested on the exposed bow of the warship.
“I enjoyed my growing up in Lae, Mumeng, Bulolo, Wau, Kaiapit, Finschhafen, Madang and Port Moresby.
“I treasure those fleeting moments and memories.
“I lived and loved for my home Lae as a child growing up to 12 years old.
“I, unlike all the other ex-Territorians, have no desire to return to PNG.
“I only want to remember it, the way it was, when I left it.
“You see, the writing was on the wall for people like myself.
“We would become second-class citizens and those in the power of politics would ensure that their very own kin or clan would rise in the hierarchy, in the scheme of things to follow, after 1975.
“The proof is in the pudding.
“See for yourself now after 34 years of independence.”
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Fisheries programme comes of age in Kavieng
Caption: PNG UNRE Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu congratulating Augustine Galuwa, who graduated last year with a diploma in fisheries and marine resources
I'll be travelling to beautiful Kavieng, New Ireland province, tomorrow to witness the first fisheries degree graduation of University of Natural Resources and Environment students. Below is a preview of the event
By UNRE Public Relations
“I, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Chancellor of Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the statutes, regulation and by-laws of the university, now confer the degrees, to those who have successfully completed the academic requirements of their course as laid down and duly prescribed by the academic board and approved by the council, and today, their names included in the 2009 roll of graduates of the university.”
These are the words that will signify the coming of age of the university’s fisheries and marine resources (FMR) programme on Friday Nov 27, 2009 when UNRE Chancellor Sir Rabbie Namaliu confers bachelor’s degrees on five FMR pioneer graduates – Christopher Binabat, Joseph Kendou, Robinson Liu, Priscilla Warambin and Jane Wungun.
While the moment will no doubt be a proud one for the five and their families, it will be a prouder moment for the university, National Fisheries Authority, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), University of Bremen’s Centre for Marine Tropical Ecology (ZMT), Office of Higher Education and all those who collectively contributed to making the academic programme a success since its inception in 2006.
Many challenges including the lack of funding and teaching staff faced the programme designers when it was on the drawing board in 2005, but with determination and perseverance; and the strong professional will to bring into the higher education training a much needed skill that was lacking, they overcame these.
The fruits of their labour are the two female and three male students who will go down in history books as not only the first degree graduands of the programme but also as the first fisheries degree graduands in the country after more than 20 years.
With the world now focusing more and more on the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources and environment, the introduction of this course could not have come at a better time for the fisheries sector in the country as well as the South Pacific and the world as it provides a skilled and better qualified workforce for an industry that is rising internationally as a mainstay in the economy.
Meanwhile, also graduating on the day will be 16 students who will be awarded diplomas in fisheries and marine resources by Sir Rabbie.
They are the second batch of diplomats under the programme, the first group of seven students graduating in the inaugural FMR graduation ceremony last year.
Since the first 20 students were admitted in 2006, there has been an increase in applications from students throughout the country wanting to gain entry into the programme.
This year’s first year students also include seven
They move to UNRE’s affiliated campus,
UNRE expects to take in more Solomon Islanders for the same course next year.
For now, however, all eyes are on the five degree pioneers who will make history for the fisheries and marine resources programme, higher education training and the fisheries sector.
Unitech agriculture functions transfer to University of Natural Resources % Environment
By UNRE Public Relations
This is the word from Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology Michael Ogio.
Mr Ogio made the announcement when officiating at a graduation ceremony for more than 100 farmers in Maprik last Friday.
According to Minister Ogio, the department would be placed at UNRE’s Sepik Central Campus in Maprik, East Sepik province, and urged the people of
“The Agriculture Department at Unitech will be transferred to UNRE and will be moved to Bainyik (Maprik) but you must look after the campus and be proud that you will have an institution of higher learning at your doorstep once again,” he said.
Minster Ogio said by transferring the agriculture department, Unitech would have room to develop the gas and petroleum engineering training which it now has on the drawing board.
The move is also consistent with a National Executive Council Decision of 1996.
The 105 farmers who graduated received certificates for training received in sustainable livelihood, land use and soil fertility management and basic record and book keeping under UNRE’s integrated agriculture training programme (IATP).
They are the first group to receive the training outside the
Minister Ogio challenged the farmers to practice what they had learnt.
“You have received the training, now the challenge is for you to implement this and make a difference in your families and communities,” he said,
“We Papua New Guineans have a tendency to dream of big things but that is not necessary.
“If everyone collectively makes small changes and improvements in our own families, that is special and will go towards the development of this country.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)