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 then mention that you heard about them from this web site.
-- The PNG Gossip Newsletter.
If links in the newsletter do not work properly, copy and paste the
URL into your browser and press Enter. Be sure to copy the entire link,
as it may wrap to the next line. If this still does not work please
send an email to the newsletter advising of the broken link.
Misc Links
Department of Treasury and Finance -- http://www.treasury.gov.pg/
Bank of Papua New Guinea -- http://www.bankpng.gov.pg/
Internal Revenue Commission -- http://www.irc.gov.pg/
Government of PNG online (other agencies) -- http://www.pngonline.gov.pg/
SIL PNG -- http://www.pnglanguages.org
Avis PNG -- http://www.avis.com.pg
Boroko Motors -- http://www.boroko-motors.com
Ela Motors -- http://www.elamotors.com.pg
Freeway Motors -- http://www.freewaymotors.com.pg
Hertz PNG -- http://www.leasemaster.com.pg
Thrifty Hire Cars -- http://www.lamanahotel.com.pg/lamana_thrifty.html
M. I. Rent A Car -- mirent_acar@yahoo.com
Port Moresby Rotary -- http://www.pomrotary.org.pg
PNG Department of Health -- http://www.health.gov.pg
Rotary adopt a village -- http://www.ram.com.pg/adopt.htm
Satellite Image of PNG -- http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/Australia/satellite_image.html
Vabukori Village
The people from Vabukori Village in Port Moresby are putting together
a rather nice website located at -- http://www.vabukori.com.
-- How many other villages around PNG have their own web site? Please
let the newsletter know if you have a link to a village or any other
PNG relevant link.
Real Estate Agents
Arthur Strachan (Lae) -- http://www.arthurstrachan.com.pg
Century 21 -- http://www.century21.com.pg/
-- and -- http://www.siule.com.pg/
Kohoy Real Estate -- http://kohoyrealestates.tripod.com/
L.J Hooker -- http://www.ljhooker.com
Ray White Real Estate -- monian@online.net.pg
Strickland RE -- http://www.sre.com.pg/
The Professionals -- http://www.theprofessionals.com.pg
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
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a free web based encyclopaedia and the information it
has on PNG can be located at the following web address -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea
Wikipedia is now trying to start a Wikipedia in Tok Pisin. It can be
found at -- http://tpi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
A page about Air Niugini can also be found at -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Niugini
-- This page has some information that is not accurate but it is a start
at documenting some of the history of the airline.
Mount Hagen Links
http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/about_destin/mounthagen.html
Haus Poroman -- http://www.hausporoman.com.pg/
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/
Tourism Links
NEW SITE --- http://www.png-tourism.com
-- the Australian version of the PNG Tourism web site looks a bit strange
when I looked at it using Netscape 7.2 so I fired up Internet Explorer
and it looked just as bad. Have I navigated to the wrong page or is
it just a poorly designed site with images, search boxes and headings
overlapping text? Take a look for yourself.
Another site -- http://www.pngtourism.com
-- renders a bit better but has many broken links. Both sites are worth
looking at if you are interested in PNG.
Don't forget to look at the main PNG tourism web site located at --
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg
-- and
Morobe Tourism Bureau -- http://www.tourismmorobe.org.pg
Milne Bay Tourism Bureau -- http://www.milnebaytourism.gov.pg
Madang Visitors and Cultural Bureau -- http://www.madangtourism.com
East New Britain Tourism Bureau -- http://www.eastnewbritain.com/
West New Britain Tourism Bureau -- http://www.tourismwestnewbritain.org.pg
PNG Tourism Directory Site -- http://www.pngtd.com
PNG Diving Sites
The following is sample of some of the web sites dealing with diving
in PNG. It is not a complete list and if you would like your organisation
mentioned in this newsletter please let me know.
Dive Discovery -- http://www.divediscovery.com//png/
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions - Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef, diving...
-- http://www.mikeball.com/
Diving Liveaboards and Diving Resort Packages in Papua New Guinea ...
-- http://www.divingtravel.com/png.htm
Scuba diving Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. Liveaboard dive charters,
PNG. -- http://www.png-diveboat.com/
Diversion Dive Travel -- http://www.diversionoz.com/en/png.htm
Peter Hughes Diving, Star Dancer -- http://www.peterhughes.com/phstar/starmain.htm
MV FeBrina -- http://www.febrina.com
PNG Medical Symposium
PNG Medical Symposium web site -- http://www.medsymp.org.pg
News Items
Teacher's Union
Some but not all members of the Teacher's Union have resumed work after
the signing of a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the PNG
Teachers Association (PNGTA) and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).
http://www.thenational.com.pg/052306/nation5.htm
Newspaper to Wood
A youth group from Port Moresby is converting newspapers into firewood
after being shown the technology by New Zealand Company. The papers
are torn into strips, soaked in water, squeezed dry in a paper brick
firewood machine and placed in the sun for two to three days to dry.
The youth group is selling the "logs" at 30 toea a piece.
Cataracts
Cataracts are common in PNG however, there are no ophthalmologists
to identify and repair them. Cataracts are one of the main causes of
blindness for many people in PNG. A cataract is a condition of the eye
where the lens becomes cloudy and may cause blindness.
National Capital Elections
Twenty-three candidates including two women, Janet Sape (People's Action
Party) and People's Progress Party's Philemona Kassman from Kairuku
have nominated to contest the vacant National Capital District seat
left vacant by the death of Bill Skate.
The people who nominated are -
- Kaupa,
- John Onale,
- William Skate Jnr,
- Loani Henao,
- Philemona Kassman,
- Robert Tia,
- Caspar Wollom Jr,
- David Ungai,
- John Endemongo Kua,
- Lawrence Titimur,
- Kakkaraya,
- Newman Maeokali,
- Raymong Agonia,
- Joel Eremongo,
- Sam Tasion,
- John Eggins,
- Philip Taku,
- Solepe Tunofi,
- Janet Sape,
- Vele,
- Stanley Nandex,
- Varika and
- Powes Parkop.
One candidate who was not on the common roll - Caspar Wollom Jr - was
given special clearance despite the close of common roll updates because
he was a candidate. This seems a bit unfair because a person who is
not on the common roll is not eligible to vote.
Tourism
The PNG Tourism and Promotion Authority -- http://www.pngtourism.org.pg
-- has estimated that tourists bring in over K200 million each year.
The PNG Tourism and Promotion Authority has warned that it will not
allow tourists to visit parts of the country if attacks on tourists
continue. At the moment foreign governments are stating that PNG is
a bad place to visit when in fact it is only isolated incidents that
are causing major concerns.
Swamp Ghost
The removal of the Swamp Ghost, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber,
from Oro Province has caused more than a few ripples at various organisations
around the country. It has been reported that the Swamp Ghost was purchased
for US$100,000 from the National Museum and Art Gallery. Government
authorities are now questioning why such a valuable asset was allowed
to be sold for such a low price. The Internal Revenue Commission (IRC)
claim that they have not received any advice from the shippers to say
the asset is being exported from the country and the Parliamentary Public
Accounts Committee have said to do all possible to block the shipment
until an investigation can be carried out. The National Museum and Art
Gallery has also been directed to put together a submission for Culture
and Tourism Minister David Basua to take to cabinet regarding the World
War bomber.
The Swamp Ghost was returning from an air raid mission to East New
Britain when it crash-landed at Agaiembo Lake in 1942.
PM Slams CACC
The Prime Minister has slammed the Central Agencies Co-ordination Committee
(CACC) accusing it of giving "ill-advice" resulting in the
Government having to pay out millions of kina illegally. -- http://www.pacificislands.cc/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=22074
-- and -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20060519/news01.htm
ACP-EU Budget
The budget for the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific and European Union
(ACP-EU) meeting has already been overspent by K600,000 and the event
has not even started although some of the international guests have
already arrived. Over 600 delegates, including ministers, officials
from the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and European Union (EU)
and a large international media contingent are expected to attend the
event being held from the 28th of May to the 2nd of June 2006 at the
Sir John Guise Stadium.
Melbourne Vanilla Theft
A con-man based in Melbourne has stolen over 750Kg of vanilla from
Ramoi Vanilla in Wewak. The man using fake documents posing as a vanilla
buyer was able to convince Ramoi Vanilla to ship six bags of vanilla
to Melbourne. Despite having very good fake documents and covering his
tracks the Melbourne police were able to track the whereabouts of the
vanilla and charge the man with the theft.
Air Niugini
The National Airline has increased international airfares by increasing
the fuel surcharge. The airline claims the increase is in response to
continuing escalation of crude oil and jet fuel prices around the world.
The surcharge will add around another K50+ to the cost of a ticket.
The prices paid for jet fuel by Air Niugini in Port Moresby reflect
both the posted price a barrel in Singapore applied under import parity
pricing by the supplier, and the cost of freight to and distribution
within PNG. Domestic passengers have been given a reprieve for now as
the domestic fuel surcharge had been deferred until the end of next
month.
Air Niugini is also advertising weekend getaways for residents of other
towns who want to visit Port Moresby. The packages include two nights
twin share accommodation and airfares. The costs are K635 per person
from Lae, K772 from Madang and K783 from Mt Hagen.
Simbu Floods
Villagers in the Simbu province are searching for the bodies of four
school children that were swept away while fishing in a river last week.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/052206/nation1.htm
Cyanide Poisoning
It has been alleged that some villagers in Enga Province are buying
stolen cyanide and using it for evil purposes. Cyanide is known locally
in the province as "no chance". One report has stated that
an elderly woman said that she had intended to poison a man but she
had poisoned a younger woman, her stepdaughter instead. In another incident
it has been reported that a 72-year-old man told a local court in February
that he had put "no chance" into the food of a man who died
soon afterwards. The local court, which has no jurisdiction to impose
jail terms, ordered the man's tribe to pay K20,000 and 100 pigs to the
dead man's family and clan.
ADB Helps PNG fight HIV/AIDS
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will help the PNG government control
and stabilize the spread of HIV/AIDS infection -- http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/23/content_4590141.htm
One And Two Toea Coins
The Bank of PNG is heavily advertising the fact that all one and two
toea coins will be withdrawn from service and cease to be legal tender
from the 18th of April 2006. Many shops have already stopped accepting
the coins even though they are still legal tender. The government appears
helpless to help protect the rights of the shopper with shops rounding
up and / or down and some shops even offering lollies as change instead
of giving 1 and 2 toea coins back to the customer.
Southern Highlands Chaos
Chaos is looming in the Southern Highlands province administration
as sacked administrator Brian Pebo defies cabinet's decision to remove
him, and new administrator William Powi moves to freeze all accounts
of the provincial government as he stamped his authority. -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/052506/nation2.htm
Tribal Fights
Andrew Alphonse reporting in The National -- http://www.thenational.com.pg
-- newspaper has said that an on-going tribal war between the Hawa and
Ajako tribes near the Hawa prison pose a threat to the power pylons
linking the Hides Gas Field and Porgera Gold Mine in Enga province.
The fight is reported to have started in January 2005 and has so far
claimed at least 13 lives with thousands of kina worth of damage to
property. The two tribes directly own much of the land on which the
power pylons stand and it is feared that if authorities continue to
ignore the conflict, the tribes are likely to topple the pylons to attract
government attention.
Coming Events
UN Concert -- The Port Moresby International School is holding its Annual
United Nations Concert on the 27th of May at the school oval from 6pm
to late. If you are in Port Moresby this is an annual event that should
not be missed.
Squash Club -- The Port Moresby Squash Club has had to vacate its club
rooms due to the place being condemned. They are holding a huge farewell
cocktail party this Saturday the 27th of May to say goodbye to the old
premises.
Africa, Pacific and Caribbean nations and European Union Conference
-- from the 27th of May to the 3rd of June.
The Gogodala (canoe) Festival will be held on the 27th and 28th of
May. 24 canoes have been launched for the festival.
Swimming -- WESTPAC Dolphin Sprints 2006 -- Starting Friday the 9th
of June and concluding on Sunday morning the 11th of June at the Taurama
Pool, Port Moresby.
Tufi Cultural Show -- Tufi from the 9th to the 11th of June.
Sepik Iron Man Competition. The competition is an annual triathlon
event held in the East Sepik Province between the scenic Wewak Hill
and along the picturesque Meni Beachfront. - 11th of June 2006.
Lukim PNG Nau Expo -- From the 16th to the 18th of June at the Holiday
Inn in Port Moresby.
National Tourism Conference -- 19th of June 2006
Tolai Warwagira -- from the 5th to the 11th of July.
42nd PNG Medical Symposium will be held in Madang from the 4th to the
8th of September 2006 -- http://www.medsymp.org.pg
PNG 31st Independence Anniversary - 16th September 2006
Kiwi Ball - The fabulous ball held by the Kiwi's will be held on the
28th October this year. The New Zealanders hope to have a five piece
band to entertain the crowd.
PNG Media
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