Links
Squash
If you are interested in squash then you can find the report and results
of the Trukai PNG Squash International held from the 15th to the 18th of July
2004 in Port Moresby at -- http://www.squashplayer.co.uk/psa-png-2004.htm
The Lae Open will be held between the 13th and the 15th of August 2004. The
Open will be held at the Venue: Lae Chinese Sports Club - if anyone is interested
they can contact -- gfs.huonelect@global.net.pg
-- for more details.
PNG Coffee
Kongo Coffee from Goroka advertises premium quality, freshly roasted coffee.
For enquires you can contact them at Kundiawa on +675 735 8304 Fax 735 1130
and at Goroka on 732 3069 Fax 732 3068 or email them on -- kongo@global.net.pg
Living Water Mission
http://www.livingwatermission.org/About_Papua_New_Guinea.htm
-- The Living Water Mission is based in Sewetaitai Bay on Normanby Island,
Milne Bay Province.
Yahoo Groups
If you want to find a Yahoo group that deals with Papua New Guinea then I
recommend that you visit this link -- http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=papua+new+guinea&submit=Search
-- with any luck you will find a whole list of groups that may interest you.
The Yahoo regional directory on PNG is located at -- http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Papua_New_Guinea/
Miscellaneous Sites
Surfing information for PNG can be found at the Surfing Association of PNG
website located at -- http://www.surfingpapuanewguinea.org.pg/home.htm
and -- http://www.surfing-waves.com/travel/papua_ng.htm
-- The Tourism Promotion Authority December 2003 Newsletter also had an article
on surfing PNG at -- http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/news/newsletters/newsletterdec.htm
The unofficial Port Moresby High School site is located at -- http://www.maipng.com/pomhi/
The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce website can be found at -- http://www.pomcci.org.pg
The Web Site for the PNG Institute of Directors gives an excellent introduction
to PNG company law and related governance issues it can be found at -- http://www.pngid.org.pg
Papua New Guinea Institute of Accountants -- http://www.pngia.org.pg
Rotary Club of Boroko and Papua New Guinea -- http://www.rotary.org.pg
Friends of the Disabled Association -- http://www.foda.org.pg
Frontier Travel - for all your travel needs -- http://www.frontiertravelpng.com.pg
-- There are many travel agents in PNG but I am having trouble locating
web site links for them. Does any one know what are the links for the other
travel companies?
Grafitti Signs -- grafitti@datec.net.pg
The Lonely Planet Guide to PNG is located at -- http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/australasia/papua_new_guinea/
Jane's PNG
Jane's Papua New Guinea web site -- A pictorial insight with comments on
Papua New Guinea traditional culture, art and history. Contains a series of
excellent photographs and can be located at --
http://www.janeresture.com/png_home/
Superannuation Funds
The Association of Superannuation Funds PNG (ASFPNG) has a website located
at -- http://www.asfpng.org.pg -- ASFPNG
is an industry body established in 2002 by interested industry participants
with the common goal to protect superannuants retirement savings within a
regulated environment whilst fostering a competitive industry.
Real Estate Agents Association
The PNG Real Estate Agents Association, a non-profit making organisation
operation under the laws of Papua New Guinea has a site located at -- http://www.reaa.org.pg/news.htm
News Items
FAQ's -- PNG Infant Death Rate
What is the infant death rate (IDR) in PNG?.
In 1971 the IDR was 174 per 1000 and now in 2004 it is down to 64 per 1000.
The IDR in 1980 was 72 per thousand. The child mortality rate for children
under five years old is down to 24 per 1000 compared to 91 children in 1971.
The International Conference on Population and Development has a goal of 35
deaths per 1000 for IDR and the less than five mortality rate to be less than
45 per thousand.
FAQ's Provinces
How many provinces are there in PNG?
There are 20 provinces and they are
- Bougainville,
- Central,
- Chimbu,
- Eastern Highlands,
- East New Britain,
- East Sepik,
- Enga, Gulf,
- Madang,
- Manus,
- Milne Bay,
- Morobe,
- National Capital,
- New Ireland,
- Northern,
- Sandaun,
- Southern Highlands,
- Western,
- Western Highlands,
- West New Britain.
Australian Aid
The PNG Parliament has given a green light for the deployment of some 230
Australian policemen to assist the PNG police to curb law and order problems
in the country as well as 50 other Australians to assist in key government
positions. The K2 billion package known as the Enhanced Co-operation Program
Act was passed on voices with minor amendments limiting Australian lawyers'
involvement to the duration of the program. The bill now needs to be certified
by the Speaker of Parliament.
Police Numbers
The ratio of police to citizens is far too low when compared with other countries.
The figure currently has been quoted as one policeman for 1000 citizens. The
number should be around one policeman for every 600 citizens. Under the recently
signed Enhanced Co-operation Program funding another 400 recruits have been
allowed for. To make way for the new recruits the police force plans to retrench
150 long serving policemen freeing up jobs and accommodation for the recruits.
Police Uniforms
The police force has secured funding for just over K3 million worth of uniforms.
Several serving policemen have complained that the present uniforms are fading
and torn and do not present a good image of the police force.
Antibiotic Resistance
Due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in developing countries, including
PNG, there has been an increase in the resistance to the effectiveness of
antibiotic.
Mystery Illness
The mystery illness in the Kagua / Erave district of the Southern Highlands
continues to claim lives. It is believed that as many as 90 people have now
died from the unidentified disease but authorities can not confirm this. It
is believed that the disease first struck in April this year (2004)
AIDS Cure
People have been warned to be sceptical about a treatment claiming to be
a 100 percent cure for HIV/AIDS. The medical profession the highlands have
issued the warning after a third year medical student from the highlands claimed
to have made the discovery. People have been warned that if the treatment
was proven every pharmaceutical company in the world would be on the doorstep
attempting to buy the rights to the treatment. The people advertising the
treatment are charging K1000 for the medicine.
The Executive Dean of Medicine and Health Sciences, who is also the chairman
of the PNG Medical Board, has said that the person is no longer a student
at the University and that he was a pharmacy student not a medical student.
The Executive Dean also said that the ex-student may be mentally unstable
and should seek medical help.
Medical authorities in Mt Hagen have said that they would use the law to
deal with claims by the ex-student. There have been no laboratory tests /
investigations and therefore there is no proof that the discovery is a valid
treatment.
Twin Otter Tragedy
A Twin Otter aircraft operated by Airlines of PNG has crashed in Central
Province killing the pilot and first officer. The only other passenger on
board, the load master of the flight, survived the flight and is in Port Moresby
Hospital recovering. Airlines of PNG have conveyed their deepest sympathy
to the families of the pilot, Captain Philip Wiseman and First Officer Rachael
Kaltia. This newsletter expresses the same sympathy and condolences to all
associated with the two aviators.
Kokoda Trail
The Kokoda Trail may be closed to people from PNG, with the exception of
local villagers, until further notice after the murder of a person from one
of the villages along the trail by a group of PNG people walking the trail.
The Trail is a shortcut between Port Moresby in the National Capital District
and Popondetta in Oro (Northern) province. Currently people from overseas
are charged a fee to walk the trail and until a fee system is introduced for
locals the trail will remain out of bounds.
West New Britain - Bridges
Thanks to help from the Australian Aid organisation AusAID West New Britain
province has had access to K5.5 million to help build six new bridges in the
province. The bridges are along the Bialla to Kimbe section of the New Britain
Highway. Travellers will now be able to travel the road even during the wet
season.
West New Britain - Homeless
58 people in West New Britain were recently left homeless after strong, gale
force wind destroyed their homes. Strong wind hit part of Wasum village at
Kaporvo on the south east coast of Kandrian District recently destroying the
houses and food crops. The villagers have sought shelter with neighbouring
villagers.
Miss PNG Red Cross
So far seven young ladies have entered for the 2004 Miss PNG Red Cross contest.
The seven are -
- Marle Boromu - Miss Vanimo Beach Hotel
- Ashwin Samson - Miss Warehouse Nightclub
- Priscilla Daniels - Miss Western Highlands Red Cross branch
- Sheryn Bernard - Miss Manus Red Cross
- Dani Doura - Miss Sogeri
- Linda Natera - Miss Friends That Care
- Julie Joseph - Miss Rabaul Travelodge
Mt Hagen Show
Air Niugini has put on extra F28 flights over the Mount Hagen Show weekend
as follows:
Friday the 13th of August 2004
PX4180 -- departs Port Moresby 1140, arrive Mt. Hagen 1240
PX4181 -- departs Mt. Hagen 1305, arrives Port Moresby 1405
Sunday the 15th August 2004
PX4188 -- departs Port Moresby 1410, arrive Mt. Hagen 1510
PX4189 -- departs Mt. Hagen 1535, arrive Port Moresby 1635
Sogeri School
Land owners demanding compensation for the land the school is built on have
closed the Sogeri National High School just outside Port Moresby. Over 300
grade 12 students are affected by the demands. The students are due to sit
for their grade 12 national expression paper on the 16th of August.
Telikom Payrise
Telikom PNG has agreed to improve the salary and working condition of workers
to the tune of K1.26 million over three years. This means that the workers
will receive a 4 percent pay rise beginning from July 2005. Other benefits
include ex-gratia payments for some workers, increased clothing allowances,
and increased risk allowances along with other benefits.
Jungle Chemist Shop
An academic at the University of Technology in Lae has said that the jungles
of PNG could hold the cure for many medical conditions. A large number of
novel compounds with anti-fungal properties have already been reported in
PNG. Many of these could provide leads for the development of newer antifungal
antibiotics. In the last five or so years over 55 papers have been published
in international journals dealing with the medicinal use of plants in PNG.
Traditional healers use most of these plants.
Traditional Medicine Database
The Health Secretary has launched a traditional medicine database. The database,
stored electronically, will contain information about the different types
of plants used in traditional medicine around the country. The database will
be owned by the government and will be used to help the people of PNG have
access to information about the different plant types and their uses to cure
medical problems.
Madang Donation
The Rotary Clubs of Tasmania, in Australia, have donated a 25 cubic metre
container filled with school supplies to schools in Madang. The container
contained 260 boxes of books, 250 boxes of stationary supplies, 120 chairs,
809 desks, 30 tables, filing cabinets and other school goods. The container
weighed over one tonne.
Coming Events
Daffodil Corporate Golf Challenge -- 30th August 2004 in aid of the Port
Moresby Cancer Relief Society.
Mount Hagen Show -- 13th to 15th of August 2003.
The PriceWaterhouseCoopers 2004 Walk for Life Corporate Challenge is on again
-- Sunday, 29th August 2004
Kiwi Ball -- 4th of September 2004 - Held in Port Moresby
PNG Economy
The Bank of PNG governor is expecting the PNG economy to grow by as much
as 2.8 percent this year. High external loan repayments have impacted on this
figure even though PNG now holds financial reserves of almost US$540 million
(K1.7 billion). The 2.8 percent figure is higher than government estimates.
St John's Ambulance
Two ambulances previously used by the Queensland Ambulance Service to serve
patients in the rugged outback country of Western Queensland, Australia, have
been refurbished and shipped to Port Moresby. The two ambulances and the associated
equipment, decommissioned from the Queensland Service, will be a welcome boost
to the work of the St John's Ambulance Service in Port Moresby.
Birth Registrations
23 people including three children have received birth certificates in Lae,
Morobe province at a small ceremony conducted by the Minister for Social Development,
Lady Carol Kidu. These were the first people to be issued with certificates
at the launch of the Birth Registration Program in the province. The Morobe
Administrator and the head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG were
amongst the first group of people. The free registration program began on
the 23rd of June and is going for six months. Lady Carol said that they are
aiming to have 20 percent of the children in the province registered by the
end of 2005.
Teak Exports
It would appear that the export of teak in unprocessed form is still going
on. Forestry officials claim that the export of teak in log form is illegal.
According to reports some operators are making the logs look like processed
sawn timber so that it can be exported.
Operation Open Heart
Airlines of PNG have helped the Operation Open Heart program by presenting
a cheque for K15,000 to the Port Moresby General Hospital Chairman. Airlines
of PNG are a regular donor to the program that is conducted by volunteer doctors
and nurses from Australia every year. The Doctors and nurses donate their
time and expertise to operate on mainly children with heart defects. The money
will be used to meet the cost of the medicine needed for the program.
Public Smoking
It has been proposed to ban smoking in public places. It is also hoped that
the sale of tobacco products on the streets of towns will also be banned.
Many developed countries have seen a reduction in diseases that have been
associated with smoking but this is not the case in developing countries.
Basketball
PNG basketball player Illiwa Baldwin, just over 2 metres tall, may possibly
get a long tern professional contract with the Brisbane Bullets. Baldwin will
join the Bullets development squad where he will get a chance to break into
the senior team if he performs well.
Port Moresby By-Election
Residents of Port Moresby are again being blasted with election propaganda
from candidates standing in the by-elections and this was on the day the nominations
opened for the vacant Moresby Northeast seat. What will it be like closer
to the actual election date?
Solomon Islands
PNG has offered to help with the restoration process in the Solomon Islands.
Sir Michael Somare has said that PNG will drop its "mere spectator"
status to provide technical assistance to its Melanesian neighbours.
Morobe Aid Posts
Aid post orderlies, at some locations in Morobe province, have abandoned
their posts and headed to the provincial capital of Lae to follow up on their
overdue entitlements. Many of the sick people in the areas affected are walking
two or three hours to the next closest aid post for treatment. Some that are
unable to walk have resorted to traditional herbal remedies for treatment.
PNG Media
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