Links
Communication Related Companies
Alcatel (Now owned by PACOM -- http://www.alcatel.com.pg)
ConXions -- http://www.conxions.com.pg
(also Ericsons PNG)
PACOM -- http://www.prosec.com.pg/pacom.
PNG Pacific Mobile Communications -- http://www.tiare.com.pg
PNG Telecommunications Authority -- http://www.pangtel.gov.pg
PNG Telikom -- http://www.teklikompng.com.pg
RAD-TEL Communications Sales and Services -- http://www.radtel.com.pg
TE PNG -- http://www.tepng.com
Tree House Village
http://www.treehouse.com.pg --
Tree House Village -- For those who want a truly tropical style accommodation
package then I suggest the exotic Tree House Village. The village is about
15 minute along the scenic Buluminski Highway from Kavieng in the New Ireland
province. If anyone wants further details then please write to Tree House
Village PO Box 351 Kavieng, PNG. Phone +675 984 2666 / facsimile +675 984
2693 or email albeck@global.net.pg
ENB Chamber of Commerce
The East New Britain Chamber of Commerce and the East New Brisbane Tourism
Bureau has a web site at --- http://www.eastnewbritain.com
Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce
The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce has a website located at -- http://www.pomcci.org.pg
Miscellaneous Sites
http://www.icd.org.pg -- PNG Institute
of Directors
http://www.rotary.org.pg -- Rotary
Club of Boroko
http://www.foda.org.pg -- Friends of
the Disabled Association
PNG Education Related Website
Computer Training -- http://www.workersmutual.com.pg
Divine Word University -- http://www.dwu.ac.pg
International Education Agency -- http://www.iea.ac.pg
Pacific Training Academy -- http://www.pta.com.pg
PNG Maritime College -- http://www.pngmc.ac.pg
University of PNG -- http://www.upng.ac.pg
University of Technology -- http://www.unitech.ac.pg
Training Towards Maturity in PNG -- http://www.training-toward-maturity.org/about.html
News Items
Gold Rush
The rush to find lost World War Two Japanese gold in New Ireland Province
is hopefully over. It is considered to be a hoax similar to a cargo cult.
The madness over the gold even lead to a court battle between the landowners
of the area and the National Government. The landowners under the name of
Basoma Holdings Limited were granted their wish by Justice Timothy Hinchliffe
who advised the soldiers and the government to pay due respect to the landowners'
traditional and constitutional rights.
The definition of Cargo Cult can be found at http://www.bartleby.com/65/ca/cargocul.html
and also http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=20632&tocid=0
More can be found about cargo cults at
-- http://www.anthropologising.ca/writing/carcult.htm
-- http://www.apologeticsindex.org/c79.html
-- http://www.coolth.com/cargo.htm
-- A slide show can be found at -- http://anth.ucalgary.ca/DHatt/Anth473/Cargo.htm
Siamese Twins
The Siamese twins born in Mount Hagen, reported in the last edition, have
died of heart failure. The twins had been sent to Port Moresby for examination
where it was found that they could not be separated.
Air Niugini
Air Niugini, facing industrial action by national pilots, has had its Boeing
767 delayed in Port Moresby recently. All passenger were flown down to Cairns
in Australia using the already stretched Fokker F28 fleet of aircraft. The
Boeing developed problems in the main fuel shut off valve and parts had to
be flown up from New Zealand to rectify the problem. Apparently this meant
a special 2:30am clearance by Customs so it would appear that PNG Customs
should be congratulated in helping to get the plane back in the air again.
Air Niugini cannot win. The Airbus hired from Malaysian Airlines broke down
before it even got to Singapore meaning that the stranded passengers, including
Sir Michael Somare, had to wait even longer while Malaysian found a replacement
Boeing B737 for the trip. The lengthy delay then meant that the crew of the
Malaysian plane had run out of flying hours by the time they reached Port
Moresby and had to have their required rest break before flying the plane,
with passengers, back to Singapore. It must have made the Malaysian Prime
Minister proud to see a Malaysian aircraft sitting on the tarmac when he arrived
in his jet.
Malaysian PM
The Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr. Mohamad Mahathir, has made a very quick
visit to PNG only days before he is set to retire from office. The Prime Minister
met extensively with the PNG PM, Sir Michael Somare, and paid a courtesy visit
on the Governor General before meeting with Malaysian businessmen at the Rimbuan
Hijau offices in Gordons.
The National Capital District Commission spent a great deal of time, effort
and money on ensuring the Malaysian PM had a clean Port Moresby to visit.
Many residents say that Port Moresby should have 52 important visitors a year
and then the city would be always clean.
Weight Lifting
Eighteen-year-old Dika Toua has won a spot in the Oceania team to compete
at the World Weightlifting Championships in Vancouver, Canada. The team comprises
of the top weight lifters from Australia, Nauru and the Federated States of
Micronesia. This is a first for PNG and no other PNG person has achieved so
much in the sport especially as a petite female. Dika is the current Oceania
and South Pacific junior and senior champion in her class. Dika made her world
entry at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney Australia.
Travel Taxes
The Civil Aviation Authority will soon implement the taxes or fees first
mooted many months ago for International and Domestic passengers leaving Jackson's
airport Port Moresby. The fee for International passengers will increase by
K30 making the total a departing passenger has to pay come to K90.00. Simply
put this means that a family of five will now have to pay K350.00 to leave
the country and receive very little in return for the what they have paid.
Domestic passenger will now have to pay a K10.00 fee every time they fly out
of Port Moresby.
Milne Bay Drought
A six-month long dry spell has affected isolated island communities in the
Trobriands, Woodlark, Calvados Chain south of Misima and even mainland Milne
Bay near Rabaraba. Government officers have been dispatched to the areas to
ascertain how severe the drought has affected the people. A former politician
has called on all Milne Bay politicians to unite to help save the hundreds
of people affected by the drought.
UniTech
The University of Technology in Lae owes over K1.2 million to the company
providing catering to the organisation. UniTech recently paid K600,000 to
the company. The finance is in such a bad state at the University that students
travelling home at Christmas will have to take the cheapest route. this means
that for those that can travel by road or sea then that option will have to
be taken simply because the University is struggling to find funds for the
students. The University of Goroka recently sent students home as there was
no money to keep them in Goroka.
Seminary Woes
It is claimed by Seminary officials that students at the Martin Luther King
Seminary run by the Evangelical Lutheran Church have instigated an illegal
strike to protest over what the students claim to be poor staff performance
and outdated and insufficient curriculum. Many of the students have already
returned to their homes. International students have also returned to their
home countries. The students claim that they have not gone on strike. The
students say that they have only boycotted classes to protest over the inaction
of the college admin to act on a number of claims being made by the students.
Kundiawa
Residents of Kundiawa, Chimbu Province were treated to an HIV/AIDS awareness
campaign that saw the town come alive. The campaign saw the Miss PNG entrant
Alice Solomon and fourteen other people come to Kundiawa to get the message
across. Popular singer and songwriter Patti Potts Doi and kick boxing champion
Stanley Nandex were some of the people who helped out. Thousands of people
including sins-sing groups met them at the Kundiawa airport.
Limited Preferential Voting
Another Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) exercise is now underway to educate
the public. This time the Miss PNG Quest will be used as an example to find
the "Miss People's Choice". Previously a sample exercise
was voting for the most popular Rugby League player. This gave election officials
and the general public a good grounding in how to use the LPV system to vote.
The electoral officials are also touring the country to help educate the
general population. They have been in Madang recently and Abau in Central
Province will be the first electorate to use the system when electors go to
the vote in December.
Miss People's Choice
The following girls are contesting the Miss PNG Quest --
- Mary Efi - 23 - Central (Miss Highway Automotive)
- Helen Stephen - 20 - Milne Bay (Miss Milne Bay)
- Cynthia Asi - 21 - Central (Miss MRDC)
- Christine Oa - 19 - Central (Miss NCDC / Central)
- Stella Lamboku - 23 - Central / WNB (Miss PriceWaterhouseCoopers)
- Sibona Bogahenao - 23 - Central (Miss RH Supermarkets)
- Alice Solomon - 22 - Chimbu (Miss Skala / Evoluxe)
- Jenny Sourang - 26 - Manus (Miss Vanimo Beach Hotel)
- Baia Kidu - 19 - Central (Miss Warehouse Nite Club)
Crown of Thorns
It has been reported that the Crown of Thorns starfish has been seen in East
New Britain along the reefs near Kokopo. 30 starfish have been found in a
10 square metre area. The starfish feed on living coral and can destroy a
living reef leaving bleached coral skeletons behind. It is not known what
cause the increase in the starfish population. It has been said that possible
increases could be attributed to the over collection of the starfishes natural
predators by villages.
Rabaul / Kokopo
Tolai women are working in jobs usually performed by men along the Rabaul
/ Kokopo road project. The East New Britain women are renowned for their get
up and go attitude. East New Britain is a matrilineal society where land is
passed through women. A group of women have been employed by Curtain Brothers
to help on the major repair work along the road. They are helping to direct
traffic around the various reconstruction areas. In patches the road has been
buried under three metres of volcanic ash laid down in since the 1994 volcanic
eruptions in the area.
Airlines of PNG
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Airlines of PNG formerly known
as Milne Bay Air, John Wild, has celebrated his 75th birthday. He is still
very actively involved in the airline. Airlines of PNG has recently acquired
two new Dash 8 aircraft with entertainment systems built in and a Cessna Citation
jet for the local network. In the in-flight DVD entertainment system using
cordless headsets and several LCD screens throughout the aircraft is reported
as being a world first and the Canadian manufacturer of the aircraft has expressed
interest in the system.
Mining Links
Highlands Pacific -- http://www.highpacific.com.au
Lihir Gold Limited -- http://www.lihir.com.pg
Misima Mine -- http://www.placerdome.com/properties/content/sites/misima/misima.html
Oil Search -- http://www.oilseach.com.au
Ok Tedi -- http://www.oktedi.com
Orogen -- http://www.orogen.com (au?)
Porgera Environmental Advisory Komiti - PEAK -- http://www.peak-pjv.com
Porgera Mine -- http://www.placerdome.com/properties/content/sites/porgera/porgera.html
http://www.metalsrefining.com.pg -- Metal
Refining Operations Ltd
Kutubu
Tension was high recently following on from a dispute between police and
local settlers near the Moro camp in the Southern Highlands Province. It was
feared that oil production from the Kutubu project could be disrupted due
to the dispute. Recently settlers of the Benelia district seriously injured
a policeman, from the Chimbu mobile squad. It is alleged that after a settler
was shot in the legs by the police in retaliation for the injury to the policeman.
Moro is the main gateway to the Kutubu project and was used by Chevron Texaco
until their recent pull out from PNG. It is used by Oil Search and non-government
agency as a base camp for housing employees.
Genetic Testing
It has been announced that the University of Technology's biotechnology centre
in Lae can carry out DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) testing. Most hospitals in
the country could not afford such technology and they have had to turn away
clients who have requested tests. Hospitals from around the country have been
invited to use DNA facilities. Some hospitals have already taken up the offer.
Advertisements have recently been see in the newspaper for DNA testing.
Parliament
A former Speaker of the National Parliament has claimed that Parliament is
in "a disciplined and controlled chaos". Bernard Narokobi was speaking
at the Legislative Needs Assessment National Parliament of PNG seminar being
hosted by the Melanesian and Pacific Studies centre of the University of PNG.
Mr Narokobi said that currently, in the National Parliament, things were not
being done not for the common good but "what is possible for the inevitable
survival of a Member of Parliament".
Approx Exchange Rates
++ 0.4049 = Australian Dollar, AUD
++ 0.2865 = US Dollar, USD
++ 0.2423 = European Euro, EUR
++ 0.3730 = Canadian Dollar, CAD
++ 1.7750 = Danish Kronor, DKK
++ 0.5115 = Fijian Dollar, FJD
++ 2.2200 = Hong Kong Dollar, HKD
++ 12.8332 = Indian Rupee, INR
++ 31.18 = Japanese Yen, JPY
++ 0.4704 = New Zealand Dollars, NZD
++ 1.9680 = Norwegian Kroner, NOK
++ 15.61 = Philippines Peso, PHP
++ 0.4961 = Singapore Dollar, SGD
++ 2.0461 = Solomon Islands Dollar, SBD
++ 1.9651 = South African Rand, ZAR
++ 2,1584 = Swedish Kronor, SEK
++ 0.3758 = Swiss Francs, CHF
++ 11.2864 = Thai Bhat, THB
++ 0.1692 = United Kingdom Pound, GBP
Common Currency
There has been another call to have a common currency in the region. Government
backbencher, John Koigiri, has made the suggestion in view of the high cost
of basic food items. He says they having a common currency would eliminate
much of the current weaknesses in that the country is facing with a weak Kina.
Telikom Cables
More Telikom cables have been sabotaged. this is the second time this month
that sabotage has affected Port Moresby communications. This time it is believed
that a grass fire on Paga Hill burnt cables at the transmitter site. The affected
areas are Lawes Road, Six-Mile, Motukea and the Atlas area around Port Moresby.
The analogue and digital mobile networks are also affected. The analogue network
will be decommissioned on the 31st of October.
Australian Citizens
The Australian High Commission wishes to advise Australian Citizens that
a new and more secure passport will be released in December 2003. Consequently,
there will be changes in the Australian Passport Issuing System.
Key changes effective from 1 October and 1 November 2003 include:
- 1 October; the introduction of a new 10 page PC8 Application for an Australian
Passport Overseas form
- 1 November; applications will no longer be accepted on the old 4 page
PC8 Australian Passport Application Overseas form
- Australian Citizens applying for either a passport renewal or first passport
will need to complete the new (PC8) form available now from the Consular
Section of the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby or Honorary Consul
in Lae
Key changes effective from 3 December 2003 include:
- At short notice; it will no longer be possible for Australian citizens
to obtain a full validity passport i.e. 10 years for adults and 5 years
for children from the High Commission in Port Moresby or via the Honorary
Consul in Lae
- The standard turnaround time for issuance of full validity passports which
in future will be printed in Australia, will be 10 working days, calculated
from the time all necessary documentation has been provided until the replacement
passport is received back at the High Commission
- A limited validity i.e. maximum of 7 months emergency passport may be
issued in a timeframe to meet the applicant's travel needs if there is an
urgent unforeseen need to travel
The High Commission in Port Moresby and Honorary Consul in Lae will continue
to conduct passport interviews, accept lodgement of application forms, collect
fees, confirm entitlement to an Australian passport and carry out local
identity checks.
Current Australian Passports remain valid until their expiry dates.
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