Links
http://www.eco-melanesia.8k.com/PNG/PNGhome.htm
-- Ecotourism Melanesia
http://freepages.cultures.rootsweb.com/~arkbios/pngwgw.html
-- Papua Nui GuineaGenWeb
http://www.datec.net.pg/~mecba/
- Wrecks and Reefs around Port Moresby ... Wrecks and Reefs documents for
the first time, the history of early shipwrecks and World War II wrecks that
lie in the waters around Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. This
book, primarily a guide for scuba divers, includes intriguing tales of bloodthirsty
cannibals, retribution for a ruthless Japanese submarine that took the lives
of innocent citizens and the mystery of a lost airliner that disappeared along
with thirteen unfortunate souls.
Communication Related Companies
Conxions PNG -- http://www.conxions.com.pg
TE PNG -- http://www.tepng.com
PACOM -- http://www.prosec.com.pg/pacom.
They offer a vehicle tracking device (SigTec MobiTag) which has helped to
stop a few thieves in their tracks. A PDF file is available from that website.
PACOM grew from a requirement of its parent company to have good reliable
communications. From these first steps PACOM have gone from strength to strength.
They can even boast having a Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL/NATA)
Calibration centre.
News Items
Highlands Highway
The Government will spend K85 million to upgrade the Highlands Highway as
one of the "high impact" activities in the 2003 budget.
Counterfeit Money
The two men, one from Ghana and the other from Bougainville, were arrested
last month when they attempted to convert $US100,000 into PNG currency. The
Port Moresby police have charged the men of being in the possession of forged
bank notes without lawful authority.
Bully Beef
The price of Bully beef price has gone up 15 percent. This makes it more than
K6 a tin. The local meat canning industry had sought a 30 percent price hike.
At least 90 percent of direct costs in the production of corned beef products
in PNG were imported from overseas and paid for in foreign currencies.
Air Niugini
The sole Air Niugini Dash 8 aircraft had to make an emergency landing at Jackson's
airport the other day. On touch down some of the passengers on board shed
tears while others were terrified but thankful that they were alive. The flight
had come from the new Talasea airstrip in the West New Britain province.
Cyanide Pollution
The Central Province Governor has called on the Government to investigate
the pollution of the Auga River in the Central province allegedly by mercury
and cyanide waste from the Tolukuma Mine. It has been reported that the waterways
contain high levels of metal concentration from the tailings from the mine.
Ombudsman Commission
The Ombudsman Commission is to be probed for employing the wife of a foreign
diplomat. Parliament is concerned that the person will have access to the
entire confidential file pertaining to all the leaders of the country.
Parliament Bar
The Speaker of Parliament, Bill Skate, has barred the general public from
entering Parliament and coming anywhere near an MP's office in Parliament
without a valid pass. This follows a break and enter at Mr Yama's office yesterday.
and an earlier criminal attack on an MP within the precincts of Parliament
when Kerema MP, Ekis Ropenu, had his car got stolen while it was parked at
the Parliament car park.
The Budget
The news has been filled with items about the Somare 2003 budget. Some of
the items in this newsletter will cover a little bit about the budget but
for details please visit either http://www.postcourier.com.pg
or http://www.thenational.com.pg.
The budget doesn't seem to have any surprises and could be described as conservative
although the usual extra hit on smokers and drinkers would appear to have
happened yet again. It will be interesting to see if this budget blows out
in spending and has overestimated the revenue coming in like many others.
Bank South Pacific
The bank has cutover to a new IBM AS/400 computer which should give customers
in the branches faster access times to their banking details although the
speed of the telecommunication lines may be a downfall in achieving this.
Along with the conversion the Alotau branch of the bank can now boast flat
screen monitors and online transactions. Alotau now stands as the blueprint
for the conversion of the rest of the former PNG Banking Corp branches around
the country.
Post Boxes
For those readers living in PNG Post PNG has advertised the following rates
(including VAT) for private mailboxes and bags in the country.
Private Letter Boxes
- small K495.50
- medium K132.00
- large K346.50
Private Mail Bag
- without a box K346.50
- with a box K346.50 plus box charge.
Baby Bottles
The issue of baby bottles being sold over the counter at places other than
pharmacies has been raised again. Professor John Vince has said that a review
of the fine under the Baby Feed Supply Act should be made. The current maximum
fine is only K500 and it has been suggested that this should be increased
to K2000.
Squash
A fourteen-year-old PNG boy from Mount Hagen has won an Australian Junior
Squash championship for his age group from 185 other competitors. The boy
received his trophy from eight times world squash champion Jeff Hunt.
Kimbe
People travelling by sea to the New Guinea Islands region of PNG have been
warned that police operations will be tough of the festive season. The West
New Britain police commander has said that extra units will be added to
the active drug squad in Kimbe.
Unfinished Roadwork
Global Construction have defended their decision not to finish their share
of the roadworks in Port Moresby due to non-payment by the city authority.
They said that the various contractors couldn't finish the work until City
Hall pays the money that is owed to them.
Defence Force
The town of Madang has recently seen Australian army, navy and air force
representatives in Madang town. A Royal Australian Air Force Caribou, army
Blackhawk helicopter crews, and the HMAS Whyalla have all called into Madang
ether on the way to various exercises or on the way back to Australia.
Barramundi
Dylup Plantation Estate are successfully farming barramundi along the east
coast of the Madang province. The company hopes to be able to export over
200 tonnes of barramundi annually.
Quick Budget Figures
The 2003 budget deficit is projected to be K244.2 million or 2% of GDP.
- The Mining, petroleum and gas sectors appear to be the big winners.
- Company tax increased from 25 per cent to 30 per cent.
- Personal income tax stays the same.
- Forestry sector fares poorly.
- Special tax credits for Gulf and SHP Highlands provinces.
- Free education has been axed.
- No import duty on PNG-Queensland gas project construction components.
- Cigarettes and alcohol hit with increases of 2.55 percent tax every six-months.
- Fringe benefits tax on housing and car has gone up by 25 percent.
- PNG salt has been given a 40 percent import tax protection from overseas
competition.
- Increased fees by Government departments (work permits and visas, vehicle
registration, driver's licence, firearms license, land fees etc).
- Special Tax Credit for new roads and highways in Southern Highlands and
Gulf provinces.
- Imported soap powder for packaging in PNG is free of duty.
- Export tax on logs valued at US dollar instead of kina.
Free Education
The Government has done away with the free education policy of the previous
government in the 2003 budget. Funding for 2003 will be reduced by K75 million
(55.5 per cent) to K60 million compared to the estimated K135 million in
2002.
Trade Balance
PNG's trade balance is projected to record a surplus of K3.1 billion this
year but will drop to K3 billion next year. The Government has projected
a moderate trade balance increase to K3.3 billion in 2004 and K3.5 billion
in 2005 and thereafter falling to K3 billion in 2006 and K2.7 billion in
2007.
Kavieng
The governor of New Ireland has warned traditional landowners of Kavieng
town that he would only entertain their grievances over their claim for
compensation for the land on which the final approach of the Kavieng airport
was constructed if they acted in accordance with the law.
Scams
A former PNG member of parliament has been conned in a scam that promised
lots of money for helping to turn "blackened" US notes into real
notes. The con man has been caught, arrested and jailed for 5 years. the
scam involves the "mark" buying special cleaning fluid to remove
the special black ink used to hide the notes. The former parliamentarian
was even conned into paying for accommodation for the conman.
Lifeline
Thieves have hit the Lifeline Office in Waigani for the second time this
year. Lifeline, a community service organisation, provides counselling services
and a women's refuge for the public. Thieves stole previously donated office
equipment worth about K7000.
National Capital Schools
Each School in the National Capital District has received K2000 from the
National Capital District Commission. The money is to help the schools complete
the school year properly. The Chairman of the NCDC board presented some
of the cheques. Most of the schools had run of money and the K2000 would
help to see the schools through the next couple of weeks before they closed
for the year.
Mount Hagen
Lawbreakers in Mt Hagen have been warned that the police mean business.
This follows the killing of three criminals in a Mt Hagen bank robbery on
recently. The robbery was a stark reminder of what can happen to criminals.
Police operations throughout the country will be stepped up in anticipation
of the Christmas and the New Year activities.
Expenditure Details
DEPARTMENTS
- Office of the Governor General K1,143,300.00
- Department of Prime Minister & NEC K25,847,900.00
- National Statistical Office K2,806,900.00
- Office of Bougainville Affairs K1,431,400.00
- Department of Finance K7,834,400.00
- Department of Finance Treasury - Miscellaneous K335,459,200.00
- Department of Treasury K7,677,600.00
- Office of the Registrar for Political Parties K358,400.00
- Information Technology Division K7,230,700.00
- Fire Services K5,943,500.00
- Internal Revenue Commission K29,084,000.00
- Department of Foreign Affairs K26,752,500.00
- PNG Institute of Public Administration K2,990,600.00
- Department of Personnel Management K5,282,200.00
- Public Service Commission K1,115,300.00
- Magisterial Services K16,100,000.00
- Department of Attorney General K15,476,200.00
- Department of Corrective Institutional Services K34,254,300.00
- Provincial Treasuries K13,998,600.00
- Department of Police K106,402,300.00
- Department of Planning &Monitoring K5,352,800.00
- Electoral Commission K7,193,300.00
- National Intelligence Organisation K1,958,500.00
- Department Provincial & Local Level Government Affairs K4,163,800.00
- Department of Defence K68,885,000.00
- Department of Education K99,285,700.00
- Commission of Higher Education K25,771,200.00
- Department of Health K58,240,900.00
- Hospital Management Services K117,334,000.00
- Department of Social Welfare & Development K3,812,800.00
- Office of Environment and Conservation K3,693,200.00
- Department of Agriculture and Livestock K8,725,700.00
- Department of Lands & Physical Planning K10,312,900.00
- Department of Mining K6,212,000.00
- Department of Petroleum and Energy K6,105,200.00
- Independent Consumer and Competition Commission K2,371,600.00
- Department of Transport K9,015,400.00
- Department of Trade & Industry K4,561,200.00
- Department of Industrial Relations K4,391,400.00
- National Tripartite Consultative K265,100.00
- Department of Works and Implementation K28,241,700.00
- Office of Rural Development K3,113,000.00
- Central Supply & Tenders Board K 504,300.00
- F & T - Debt K1,229,000.00
STATUTORY AUTHORITIES
- Office of the Auditor General K7,331,000.00
- Ombudsman Commission K8,960,000.00
- National Research Institute K2,401,500.00
- National Training Council K553,500.00
- National Economic and Fiscal Commission K1,105,200.00
- Legal Training Institute K735,000.00
- University of Papua New Guinea K26,809,000.00
- University of Technology K26,780,300.00
- University of Goroka K9,557,500.00
- University of Vudal K4,748,800.00
- Papua New Guinea Sports Commission K1,413,000.00
- National Narcotics Bureau K1,562,000.00
- PNG Maritime College K2,252,900.00
- National Aids Council Secretariat K587,600.00
- Institute of Medical Research K2,465,900.00
- National Youth Commission K8,006,600.00
- National Broadcasting Commission K1,832,100.00
- Investment Promotion Authority K1,473,300.00
- Small Business Development Corporation K763,600.00
- National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology K1,360,400.00
- National Museum and Art Gallery 2,337,400.00
- National Housing Commission 300,000.00
- National Cultural Council 2,644,900.00
- Cocoa Coconut Extension Agency 2,191,500.00
- Fresh Produce Development Company 2,000,000.00
- Cocoa Coconut Research Institute 1,821,700.00
- National Forest Authority 20,501,400.00
- Tourism Promotion Authority 4,894,600.00
- National Agriculture Research Institute 4,199,500.00
- National Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Authority 1,507,600.00
- Civil Aviation Authority 18,112, 900.00
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS
- Fly River K2,644,900.00
- Gulf K2,191,500.00
- Central K2,000,000.00
- NCD K4,465,600.00
- Milne Bay K29,302,500.00
- Oro K19,001,400.00
- Southern Highlands K42,662,000.00
- Enga K31,763,500.00
- Western Highlands K40,301,900.00
- Simbu K31,763,500.00
- Eastern Highlands K42,491,100.00
- Morobe K52,557,500.00
- Madang K36,143,500.00
- East Sepik K37,014,100.00
- Sandaun K23,064,600.00
- Manus K12,856,600.00
- New Ireland K22,303,200.00
- East New Britain K36,227,900.00
- West New Britain K29,763,800.00
- North Solomons K26,310,300.00
Budget Spending
- Highlands Highway (K85m)
- Roads and bridges (K206m)
- Airport maintenance (K24.6)
- Maritime Infrastructure (K46.8m)
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is increasing rapidly in PNG and it will leave a devastating effect
on PNG and its economy. More and more people are dying from AIDS worldwide
every day. The first PNG HIV positive case was reported in 1987 and since
then the infection had increased slowly but steadily up until 1995. Thereafter
the figures rose dramatically until December 2001 when it was reported that
4,792 people in the country were diagnosed with HIV infection. Of these
4,792 cases, 2,458 (51%) were males, 2174 (45%) were female and 260 (4%)
sex was not stated.
Library Donation
Six libraries in the country have been presented with K1000 worth of free
access to Post-Courier's Internet Newstext library system by the managing
director of Post-Courier. The libraries included the Kavieng Public library,
Lae School of Nursing, Balob Teachers College in Morobe, Summer Institute
of Linguistics in Goroka, Holy Trinity Teachers College Mt Hagen and Catholic
Theological Institute Bomana, NCD.
PNG Media
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and you would like to keep receiving free copies then please visit ../news/index.html
for instructions on how to join the list.
Articles for this Newsletter
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Some of the above are courtesy of Liz and her friends at the University of
Technology in Lae. http://www.unitech.ac.pg
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PNG Gossip Newsletter Archive
22
Sep 2002