Links
Warning:
PNG web sites seem to come and go. The fact of life is that it costs
money to host a web site and there is not much return on the outlay
to most businesses in PNG. If you do click on a link and use the services
or even have some comments to make then please contact the people at
the relevant web site and let them know so they at least know that someone
has gained some value from their efforts. If you are so inclined them
mention that you heard about them from this web site. -- The PNG
Gossip Newsletter.
Mention
of a website or service does not necessarily mean that this newsletter
endorses the website or service
PNG Connect
A new web site by CyberMasta can be found at -- http://www.pngconnect.com/.
-- CyberMasta has some more web sites in the pipeline almost ready to
release. Watch this newsletter to find out when the sites come online.
If you are interested in PNG Orchids then I suggest visiting -- http://www.orchidspng.com
AIDS in PNG
An article about AIDS in PNG can be located at -- http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/10/23/png.aids.ap/index.html
-- thanks to Sharon in USA for the link to this article.
Tingim Yut Kompetisen
Tingim Yut Kompetisen is a nationwide competition aimed at finding
and funding good ideas that address the major challenges facing PNG's
young people in their communities. The competition is an initiative
of the World Bank in partnership with Air Niugini, Airlines PNG, Bank
South Pacific, Coral Sea Hotels, the Department of Community Development,
Divine Word University, NASFUND, Pacific Enterprise Development Facility,
Port Moresby Grammar School, UNDP and UNICEF. A rather lengthy URL will
take you to the World Bank web site dealing with the Kompetisen but
try this tiny URL first -- http://tinyurl.com/dryqe
-- rather than the actual url.
South Pacific Tourism
The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is the mandated inter-governmental
body for the tourism sector in the South Pacific. A web site can be
found at -- http://www/spto.org --
SPTO members include the Pacific Island nations of the Cook Islands
(Cooks), Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Samoa, Solomons, Tahiti
(French Polynesia), Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea (PNG).
China is also a country member of SPTO. The SPTO web site contains one
of the most comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date accommodation and
activities listings for the South Pacific providing a complete guide
on where to stay and what to see and do in the South Pacific Islands.
PNG Missions
Here are a few of the websites run by PNG Missions overseas. If you
know of any other sites please send an email to this newsletter so the
list can be updated.
The Official web site of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) High Commission
in Australia can be found at -- http://www.pngcanberra.org
http://www.pngembassy.org --
Embassy of Papua New Guinea to the Americas, Washington, DC
ICCC Web Site
The Independent Consumer & Competition Commission has a web site
located at -- http://www.iccc.gov.pg
-- The ICCC is PNG's economic regulator and consumer watchdog.
Taklam Guest House
The Guest House, actually it is now called Taklam Lodge and Tours,
was originally located in Rabaul but was relocated to Kokopo after the
twin volcanic eruptions destroyed Rabaul in 1994. They commenced operations
in 1990 offering a home away from home service. A web site is located
at -- http://www.taklam.com.pg/
News Items
Public Servant Cuts
The government has plans to cut the number of public servants next
year by reducing salaries and abolishing non-productive departments.
If successful the government will be able to free up money to enable
them to deliver more services to the people. It is expected that the
Finance and Treasury minister, Bart Philemon, will table the 2006 budget
in parliament on The 15th of November.
TST Fire
The recently completed TST store in Boroko, just down from Brian Bell,
was burnt down a week ago. The fire started at about 11am on Friday
and due to a lack of breathing apparatus the fire brigade just across
the road from the store could do little except attempt to spray water
on the fire from outside the building until rescued by a private company
with breathing apparatus. One of the fire tenders from Jackson's airport
had to be called in to help fight the fire and water had to be diverted
to increase pressure for the fire fighters.
Pangu Party
One fragment of the once strong Pangu Party is considering merging
with another political party. Of course as PNG politics go another fragment
says that there is nothing on the table when talking about a proposed
merger. The Party now only has six Members of Parliament and those six
are having to undergo a leadership struggle between Chris Haiveta from
Gulf and Rabbie Namaliu from East New Britain. It has been tipped that
they may join up with the National Alliance party.
New MI Booklet
The Melanesian Institute has published a booklet about the issues modern
women and children face in Papua New Guinea's society today. "Emerging
Issues for Women and Children in Papua New Guinea" by Jeline Giris
and Theresia Rynkiewich outlines the traditional roles women played
and continue to play in Papua New Guinea. The book aims at bringing
to light the new, modern challenges women face now, in contrast to what
they faced in the past. It gathers together up to date statistics and
information on Papua New Guineans' lives. Interesting scenarios are
also included, with comparisons between 'a typical day in the life of'
a village woman in the highlands, a woman from the coastal village,
and a single young working woman in town. These scenarios show the different
traditional and modern issues women experience. The book is an ideal
resource for students of all levels, and people interested in today's
PNG. It is sold for only K5 (excluding postage). For more information
contact the Publication Department, Melanesian Institute on PO Box 571,
Goroka, phone at 732 1777 or email -- mi_books@online.net.pg.
-- http://www.mi.org.pg -- The Melanesian
Institute is a non-government organisation undertaking independent research
into Melanesian cultures.
Speaker's Chair
Almost a year ago Manus M Charlie Benjamin disgraced Parliament and
the Speaker by occupying the Speaker's Chair after the Speaker Jeffrey
Nape had suspended Parliament on the 10th of November last year. For
his actions it looks as if the MP will be suspended for 90-days. It
is considered that tough action must be taken against him to deter other
MP's from considering similar action in the future.
Cassava / Ethanol
Villagers from Central Province have leased land to a South Korean
company to start a project to produce ethanol from cassava. Up to 3,348
hectares of customary land has been leased for a period of 40 years.
It is expected that another 3,800 hectares will also be signed away
for 40 years for the project.
Petrol Prices
What is the official price of petrol in Port Moresby, one fuel chain
is charging 3.17 per litre and another one is 3.163 per litre?
Peace Deal
A peace deal brokered between two warring tribes in the Eastern Highlands
by AusAID has irked Henganofi MP, Doctor Banare Bun. Representatives
of AusAID brokered the deal between the Ikanofi and Kriunafe tribes.
Dr Bun has warned that the peace deal could not be sustained as the
aid agency could move out of the province at any time. In the Eastern
Highlands, over the last five years, more than 50 people have died as
a result of tribal fights with Henganofi district toping the list with
more than 20 deaths.
Air Niugini Raffle
The Air Niugini Staff Sports and Social Club in a bid to raise money
for their ball to be held on the 1st of December are raffling off a
pair of business class return tickets to either Singapore, Manila or
Narita. If anyone is interested in obtaining more details about the
raffle then contact Cathi, part of the fund raising committee on 327
3590. This is the first Ball for Air Niugini staff and friends for many
years.
Student - Police Clash
Three students are dead and 20 others have been injured in a clash
with police at Porgera. The clash was set off after the headmaster and
his deputy allegedly harassed the public while under the influence of
alcohol. When police went to the school to arrest the pair students
blocked the way and threw solid objects at the police. Police, fearing
for their lives, opened fire with live ammunition to clear the crowd.
It is alleged that the headmaster mobilised the students. The students
were in the middle of their examinations and were angered by the police's
attempt to arrest the headmaster. What else do they teach in schools?
Ramu Rum
Rum made from Ramu sugar was recently given to attendees of the Pacific
Island Forum after their visit to Madang. It is unlikely that the people
of PNG will see Ramu Rum for at least another four to five years. Ramu
Sugar presently sells alcohol to distillers in PNG, Fairdeal Liquors
and Trade Winds as well as exporting to Australia. Ramu is currently
diversifying and has planted over 4,000 hectares of Oil Palm. They also
produce beef with a current herd of 16,000 animals. This is on top of
the 10,000 tonnes of sugar exported annually to the Pacific and USA.
Government Performance
The Finance and Treasury Minister, Bart Philemon, has said that if
he gives an honest assessment of the performance of the present government
since it came into power he could only rate it as a three out of ten.
He says that is being self critical and because they are not performing
as a government. He also questioned why the government had not made
any inroads into tourism. He went on to say that the politicians can
fool themselves that they can lead the country out of poverty but he
has said "When can we do that and what are we waiting for?"
PNG FAQ's
The PNG Frequently Asked Question database needs your help. Do you
have a question that someone else may be asking that you know the answer
to? If you do then drop a line to this newsletter with the question
and answer. If you haven't had a look at the PNG FAQ's then do so by
visiting -- http://michie.net/png_faqs.
-- Here is a sample of some of the questions that are already answered
in the database.
When was Sir Kingsford Dibela elected to be the third Governor General
of PNG?
On Wednesday the 1st of December 1982. He was elected through an exhaustive
secret ballot winning the job in a final showdown with former lands
minister Thomas Kavali by a vote of 59 to 37. He officially succeeded
Sir Tore Lokoloko on the 1st of March 1983
Of the 43 known species of bird of paradise in the world, 38 are found
in PNG where they are often hunted for their feathers.
Pyrethrum Export
Enga Province is set to benefit for the export of pyrethrum to an Australian
company based in Tasmania. The Tasmanian company will process the crude
pyrethrum into a sellable product. Enga produces 95 percent of the pyrethrum
grown in the country and is also the owner of the factory that processes
dried flowers to extract pyrethrum. The factory is based at Kagamuga
just outside Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands Province. Pyrethrum
is used in the formulation and packaging of natural insecticides. The
Tasmanian company, Botanical Resources Australia is one of the four
main players in the pyrethrum industry in the world and controls 30
percent of the market dealing with refined pyrethrum products.
Dietary Products
A company described as being a K2 company in parliament has applied
to the Minster for Health to import chemicals supposedly to make dietary
and weight loss products. The ingredients, ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine,
can also be used to make "ice" or "ecstasy" a synthetic
psychoactive drug. A K2 company is worth little more than the paper
the company registration certificate is printed on. It is doubtful whether
the Health Minister is legally allowed to give the approval to import
such substances.
Police Patches
Here is a copy of an email received about Police Patches. --
Dear Sir, my name is Maudlyn Gébert. I am a woman police officer
from the Mauritius Police Force. I am posted to Rodrigues Island. My
request to you may sound unusual and I apologise for any inconvenience.
I collect police patches world wide and I have just acquired 2 patches
from Royal Papua New Guinea. I need to know from what unit is the second
patch as there is nothing mentioned except SRI Police. Should you not
be a position to help me, can you please refer me to someone else? I
have a web site dedicated to patch collecting and also to promote Rodrigues
Island at -- http://gebert.net.tc/
-- Thanking you in advance for your help.
Police Patch Collector
Member of IPA ( Mru) & IAWP
Canadian Police Insignia Collectors Association
Honorary Member of PICA Australia
Home page: http://gebert.net.tc/
Mobile: +230 8752388
Morobe Sorcery
Over 300 people from three villages in the Wain-Erap area of Nawaeb
District have been arrested and charged by police for allegedly practicing
sorcery and cargo cult.
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
Popondetta
Due a shortage of diesel fuel in Popondetta PNG Power has had to commence
a load shedding schedule to try and stretch what fuel is available for
the provincial capital until new stock turns up.
PNG Men Say No
Wear a white ribbon. The White Ribbon is a symbol of men's opposition
to men's violence against women. Men who wear a white ribbon demonstrate
their opposition to violence against women and their commitment to equality
between women and men.
I notice that the PNG Info website is still running its poll on the
subject whether "PNG men are violent" or not. The results
seem biased but maybe that is the real answer. Take a look yourself
and vote -- http://www.pnginfo.com/survey.html
Coming Events
20th November -- Universal Children's Day
25th November -- Day Against Violence Against Women
1st December -- World AIDS Day
Miss PNG Crowning night -- the 3rd of December at the Crowne Plaza
in downtown Port Moresby. For more information about the 2005 Miss PNG
Red Cross Society Charity Quest or your intention to support the Quest
please call the Quest Coordinator Ms. Aiva Tamate at the PNG Red Cross
on telephone 325 7016 or 325 8577 or fax 325 9714.
Air Niugini Ball - 1st December 2005 at the Crowne Plaza in downtown
Port Moresby.
Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games -- March 2006.
2006 - April 8th to the 16th -- National Game Fishing Titles
PNG 31st Independence Anniversary - 16 September 2006
PNG Media
If a friend has given or sent you a copy of this newsletter 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
If you think you have a PNG page worth mentioning then please click here and use the submission form .
To send a message for submission to the PNG Gossip Newsletter queue please click here and use the submission form.
.gif)
.jpg)
View PNG Gossip Newsletter Archive