Links
New Guinea Traders
New Guinea Traders have a website located at -- http://www.newguineatraders.com
-- the company is a limited liability corporation importing green arabica
coffee beans. Originally established by Aarlie and Larry Hull for the purpose
of helping indigenous Papua New Guineans realise a greater return on their
labours and a more equitable profit from the magnificent natural resources
of their country.
Morobe Province
The recent Morobe Show has come and gone but the show society has a website
located at -- http://www.morobeshow.org.pg
-- which is worth looking at.
For all your cable TV needs in the Morobe Province visit the Tolec Electronics
website at -- http://www.tolec.com.pg
Insect Farming and Trading Agency web site is located at -- http://www.ifta.com.pg
-- The Insect Farming and Trading Agency (IFTA) has been in operation in Papua
New Guinea since 1978, when the innovative PNG Wildlife Department began fauna
ranching initiatives to help villagers.
Mount Hagen Links
http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/about_destin/mounthagen.html
Haus Poroman -- http://www.hausporoman.com.pg
News Items
Total HIV/AIDS cases
It has been reported that the number of PNG people living with HIV/AIDS reached
a total of 7,036 in March this year. The rate of infection has been put at
100 a month. Most new infections have been predominantly in the 15-35 year
old age bracket. HIV is now being reported from every province in the country
even some cases from the most remote places.
Sex Education
A study carried out by Geraldine Maibani and Tony Lupiwa of the PNG Institute
of Medical Research in the Eastern Highlands recommends that there is a need
to promote responsible and safe sexual behaviour and to conduct formal sex
education in the province at school level. The study carried out earlier this
year shows that children as young as 10 are actively participating in sex.
The age group studied, from 10 to 24, make up 31.5 percent of the PNG population.
Police Expenses
It has been revealed that the politically motivated sacking of the various
police commissioners over recent times may have cost PNG at least K9 million.
Damages alone awarded as a result of the unlawful discharge or termination
stand in excess off K2.7 million. Here is a summary of what has happened to
the top job in the police force.
1995 - Robert Nenta appointed in 1995 served only 14 months and was then
awarded damages totalling K390,000.
1997 - Peter Aigilo was awarded K700,000 after being changed by the Morauta
government.
1998 - John Wakon is owed in excess of K1 million for being terminated with
three years left on his contract.
2001 - John Kupo is owed damages of K650,000 after serving for only seven
months. He is currently claiming K6 million in damages.
Keith Buxton
I have just received a late notification that Keith Buxton passed away on
the 28th of September after losing his battle with cancer. Keith spent many
years in PNG and has documented some of those years in his book called The
Golden Years. -- http://www.keithbuxton.com
PNG Corruption
In a survey of 133 countries around the world Papua New Guinea has been ranked
at 118. This means that PNG has done very little to try and stem corruption.
It is rated in the same category as Libya, Ivory Coast and Kyrgyzstan. Bangladesh
was considered the worst at the bottom of the list.
Garaina Tea
Garaina Tea has had problem for almost a year in trying to get its world
famous tea to market. The road between the plantation and Wau is only half
done and the company cannot earn valuable export currency for its tea. The
company has called on the government to complete the road.
New Ireland Gold
Rumours of a massive find of gold hidden during the second world war has
seen a contingent of Defence Force troops being sent over to New Ireland to
investigate. It is believed that some of the gold sunk when a passing US aircraft
hit a Japanese submarine. the rest was hidden away in the mountains.
A group of New Ireland landowners has taken the matter to the National Court,
wanting to be recognised in any deals the State makes upon discovery of what
is believed to be an estimated $US1.6 billion (K5.5 billion) worth of gold
bullion stashed away in an undisclosed location. National Court Judge, Justice
Hinchliffe, has directed Attorney-General Francis Damem and the State to liaise
with the traditional landowners in their discovery, extraction and the disposal
of any gold bullion within the area.
Civil Aviation Appointment
The rumour about ex-Air Niugini Managing Director being hired as the Chief
Executive of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been confirmed in the
local press. It has been rumoured around town that Craftworks owned by the
new chief executive has had to be put on hold for the time being while he
concentrates on running CAA.
Telikad
Telikom PNG has recently introduced a product called TELIKAD. It is a prepaid
phone service that allows callers to use any telephone other than a mobile
phone to make calls without the owner of the phone being charged for the call.
It is fast becoming a favourite with the general public as they no longer
have to use a public telephone for making calls.
Morobe Show
The Morobe Show held in Lae recently was a success. It appeared to be very
organised and the show committee deserves to be congratulated for a job well
done. The Saturday evening fireworks were spectacular and kept the audience
entertained for over half an hour. The show was officially opened by the Agriculture
and Livestock Minister who made an impressive entrance to the show mounted
on a horse. The 43rd show was a success with the crowd falling just short
of the 100,000 people that attended in 2000. -- http://www.morobeshow.org.pg
--
Habitat for Humanity
In the past I may have recommended that people visit the Habitat for Humanity
establishment in Lae located inside the grounds of the University of Technology.
I recently visited and although it was good I was disappointed because two
of the major exhibits were not available. Both the butterfly and the orchid
exhibition were closed leaving tourists to wander around the rest of the habitat.
Having lived in PNG for a long time the only reason I went was to see the
orchids and the butterflies so I was disappointed. The only redeeming feature,
for me, was the extensive and varied collection of the bird of paradises.
-- http://www.habitat.org.pg
Auditor General
The Auditor General, Mark Wani, has been suspended from office following
the presentation of over 30 counts of alleged misconduct chargers before a
leadership tribunal recently. The case against the Auditor General will be
heard in early November meanwhile he is suspended on full pay with full entitlements.
Martial Arts
More than 50 fighters will contest the sixth National Kyukushin Karate Championships
to be held in Port Moresby. Five different martial arts codes will be participating
this year. They are the Kyukushin Karate, Stone's Taekwondo, Tong Kune Do,
PNG Hapkido and Nandex Kickboxing. Due to financial constraints international
fighters could not make it to the championships, unlike previous years.
Correctional Institutions
It has been revealed that that most firearms issued to warders were lost,
stolen, misplaced and simply unaccounted for in some instances. Due to this
the government has imposed a ban on the issue of firearms to warders. It has
been claimed that in a number of cases correctional services officers have
collaborated with criminals to draw weapons and ammunitions from armouries
for criminal purposes.
Internal Revenue Commission
The Internal Revenue Commission has reportedly lost K2 million in transit
to the Bank of Papua New Guinea on the 15th of September, 2003. The robbers
have not been able to cash K1.8 million of the stolen money that was in cheques
due to timely action by officers from the commission and the central bank.
Police are investigating the theft and say it could possibly be an inside
job in collaboration with known outsiders.
Rice Development Levy
The Department of Agriculture and Livestock has put a proposal to the National
Executive Council to consider imposing a 15 percent development levy on the
importation of rice into the country. This, it is said, would encourage more
Papua New Guinean rice farmers to grow rice locally. The money collected would
be used to support smallholder rice production around the country. The managing
director of Trukai Industries has said the imposition of the development levy
on rice imports would be unrealistic as it would mean the price of rice would
increase and the increase would be transferred onto the consumers. -- http://www.agriculture.org.pg
Palm Oil Levy
An export levy of 8 percent on palm oil exports is expected to earn the government
over K30 million a year. This is amongst a range of export and import taxes
proposed by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) to become effective
in 2004. The levy is expected to meet stiff opposition from the industry.
DAL has also proposed an export levy of 8 percent on tea exports and development
levies were being considered for red meat at 2 percent as well as the 15 percent
levy on rice imports mentioned above.
PNG Information Technology
Currently PNG is rated one of the lowest among other Pacific Island nations
in telecommunication that comprises of the fixed line segment, mobile and
Internet segment and television segment and the lowest fixed-line density.
PNG has 700 payphones, by far the lowest per capita phone coverage of all
Pacific nations. PNG also ranks with the lowest in internet penetration, less
than one per cent of the population, while its internet access costs are among
the most expensive in the Pacific Island Nations States.
PNG also ranks among the lowest of television receivers in the PINS with
a TV penetration accounting for only eight per cent of the population.
Pyramid Fast Money Scheme
It has been reported that the U-Vistract fast money scheme (scam) owes K48m,
inclusive of interest, to creditors in Madang U-Vistract agent and manageress
of the Investors Association in Madang Susie Hapoto told creditors that Madang
investors held between K20 to K25 million in the principal sum and should
expect a good payout amounting to some K48 million inclusive of interest
Illegal Mining
The Porgera Gold Mine, in the Enga province, is concerned about illegal mining
activities at the mine site and general lawlessness in the province. The Porgera
Joint Venture's Community Relations Coordinator, Ken Vincin, told a law and
order summit in Wabag recently these problems could force the company to consider
its future in the province. He said the level of illegal mining by thugs at
open pits was simply unacceptable, saying the number of people outnumbered
police at the mine. He also said that unexpected roadblocks along the Highlands
Highway and the Wabag - Porgera Road were affecting the operation of the company
and costing them thousands of Kina in lost goods.
Marijuana Haul
Police Officers from Doa in Central Province have confiscated 27 bags of
marijuana weighing up to 55kg, was packed in 10kg rice bags. Fourteen suspects
have been arrested, including three females and 11 males from Goilala in the
Central Province.
Siamese Twins
Siamese twins have been born in Mount Hagen to parents from the Southern
Highlands. The twin girls are currently doing well. It has been five years
since the last delivery of Siamese twins in Mount Hagen. Australian doctors
have offered to help Mount Hagen General Hospital separate the Siamese twins,
joined at the abdomen. The offer came from the Royal Children's Hospital in
Melbourne, the same hospital that in 1996 separated the Buka twins Eustochia
and Eustina Bosin
Air Niugini
The PNG National Pilots Association president has warned the travelling public
to be aware that there may be disruptions to scheduled Air Niugini flights
in the coming weeks due to an unresolved industrial matter between Air Niugini
and the pilots. According to the association this is despite numerous requests
by the association to resolve the matter. The action has come at a time when
the travelling public will be most affected and the airline appeared to be
returning to profitability after many of the senior staff accepted a 10 percent
wage cut. It is believed that the national pilots did not accept the pay cut.
Kikori Peace Ceremony
A traditional exchange of items was carried out at Kikori recently by the
Minister for Justice and Kikori MP, Mr Mark Maipakai and his supporters and
former MP and Gulf Governor, Mr Riddler Kimave and his supporters. The exchange
was witnessed by police, public servants, NGO officers, teachers and church
leaders. Both leaders resolved to make peace following election-related troubles
and lawlessness by their supporters in the Kikori District when Mr Kimave
lost the Open Seat to Mr Maipakai in the 2002 general elections. Mr Maipakai
and Mr Kimave conducted a spear-breaking ceremony in front of about 1,500
people and formally declared peace and restoration of order in the district.
Swimming
Champion PNG swimmer, Ryan Pini is now rated fourth in the world for the
100 metre backstroke short course events conducted in 25 metre swimming pools.
His time of 52.93 seconds is only a couple of seconds behind the fastest in
the world (Australian Matt Welsh - 50.96). The rankings are from the FINA
website. -- http://www.fina.org/wrankscm_mBK100.html
Greek Envoy
The Greek Envoy, Fostios-Jean Xydas, has called on the Governor General,
Sir Silas Atopare at Government House in Port Moresby to present his credentials.
Diplomatic ties, between PNG and Greece, were established 26 years ago at
non-ambassadorial level.
Civil Aviation
A senior staff member of the Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry has been
charged by police for allegedly misusing more than K700,000 of funds allocated
to the former Member for the Jimi Open electorate. The Jimi electorate is
one of the most remote areas of the Western Highlands province.
PNG Media
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