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PNG in the News
Death sparks new controversy over nickel mine waste dump -- http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/49770
Asian bees at Townsville -- http://qcl.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/general/asian-bees-at-townsville/2418204.aspx
PM issue to go before Supreme Court -- http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-16/high-court-again-asked-to-decide-png-deadlock/3776392
Borderless instability -- http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/NA13Ae01.html
Misc PNG Links
Tufi Dive -- http://www.tufidive.com
Jacksons Hotel, close to the airport, opening in June 2012 -- http://www.jacksonshotelpng.com/
Tales of old Rabaul: Dubbo the human chock -- http://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2012/01/tales-of-old-rabaul-dubbo-the-human-chock.html
Milne Bay Senior Cricket Update -- http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/newsdetails.php?newsId=18654_1326754380
Serah Gahuno - Rotary Club of Lae -- http://www.rotarylae.org/2012/01/19/serah-gahuno/
Air Niugini -- http://www.airniugini.com.pg
Airlines PNG -- http://apng.com
Travel Air -- http://www.travelairpng.com
Helifix -- http://www.helifix.com.pg
Blogs about PNG
Andrew's UKARUMPA -- http://pngandrew.blogspot.com/2012/01/ahhhhhh-brisbane.html
Martins complete circle with mission trip to PNG -- http://rapidcityjournal.com/hotspringsstar/community/martins-complete-circle-with-mission-trip-to-papua-new-guinea/article_b04dff02-406e-11e1-a319-0019bb2963f4.html
News Items
Moresby Building Boom
Everywhere you look in Moresby there are new buildings going up. It is a shame the road and other infrastructure has not kept pace with development. Everywhere you go in Moresby you will come across a pothole followed by another and another in fact it is easier to find a pothole in some areas than actual bitumen. The Chief Executive of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce has said it is difficult to say how much is being spent on high rise buildings including offices, apartments an hotels. He said the building boom is "huge".
O'Neil Govt Accepted
Many governments around the world have recognised the administration of Peter O'Neill as being the legitimate government of Papua New Guinea.
-- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=65477
Within PNG O'Neill has the support of the police, defence force, public service and most parliamentarians.
O'Neill is so confident of support that his Attorney-General has filed a Supreme Court reference asking for the court's opinion on 29 constitutional questions.
-- http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201201/3409182.htm
Police Admit Jiwaka Assault
PNG police have admitted assaulting a provincial administrator who failed to pay them money they were expecting, and then stoning his office. The National newspaper reports sources as saying the officers were angry because the money allocated by the authority for their Christmas and New Year operation had not been paid.
Yakasa Misses Court
Police Chief, Fred Yakasa, appointed by the Somare led government has failed to appear in court for his own court case despite assurance given by the O'Neil appointed Police Chief (Tom Kulunga) that Yakasa would not be arrested.
-- http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201201/3407063.htm
Travel Air
Travel Air has commenced services to Kagamuga airport (Mt Hagen) and expects to cover Wewak and Vanimo in the future. Travel Air offers competition to Air Niugini and Airlines PNG on some of the domestic route at a cheaper price. Travel Air, using modernised older Fokker Friendship aircraft (F27), is also known as "Mangi Lo Peles". Travel Air's first passengers out of Mt Hagen were mainly students and parents that schedule to attend schools in Lae and Port Moresby.
PPII Helps Madang
The Madang Provincial Admin has receive a K500,000 boost from the Provincial Performance Improvement Initiative (PPII) Program run through AusAID. The program is to build capacity and empower the public service in the province to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently.
National Alliance Party Split
The National Alliance Party has officially split with the new political entity being known as THE Party (Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party). Don Pomb Polye will head the split group with Buntabu Brown, the wife of Sinai Brown from East New Britain as the national executive vice-president. Polye has claimed he has the support of at least 24 former National Alliance members.
MS Amsterdam
The MS Amsterdam, operated by the Holland America Line, is scheduled to visit Port Moresby in the second half of the year as part of its 75 day around the world cruises. This is the third vessel to use the name of MS Amsterdam in the 135-year history of the Holland America Line.
PNG Honours
The Orders of Papua New Guinea is modelled on the British Imperial system. PNG also retains the British Imperial System. The awards have been referred to as the Order of Logohu in the past. Logohu is a Motuan word for the national symbol of PNG - the Bird of Paradise.
The Orders are made each year on New Year's Day and on PNG Independence Day. Awards under the Imperial Awards are announced on the Queen's official birthday holiday in June. Sir Frederick Reiher, KCMG, MBE is the current Chairman of the National Honours and Awards Committee.
Gun Power
With the elections around the corner here is an article from the 6th of Jan 2009 edition of the PNG Gossip that you may find interesting -
The police in the Mul-Baiyer electorate in the Western Highlands have less gun power than what criminals are using in tribal fights. Two tribal fights in the electorate have claimed the lives of more than 30 people. The fights were in the electorates of the then Police Minister Sani Rambi. Police from Mt Hagen are unable to stop the fight due to inferior firepower and shortage of police.
Youth from the Southern Highlands are predicting another failed election in the province if a provincial administrator is not sworn-in before the issue of writs.
Public Employees Association
Michael Malabag has been returned as the President of the PEA (Public Employees Association) for a fourth term. Deputy President - Tau Vali, Vice Deputy President - Anna Igo.
Next Government
Belden Namah is confident of forming the next government after the coming general elections are completed. He has also promised an office and a vehicle in every province for his PNG Party during the elections. Other members of the party are Sir Mekere Morauta, Jamie Maxtone-Graham and Sam Basil.
Firewood Dispute
At least ten people have been killed in an ongoing dispute over firewood with many others injured. The dispute began last October in the Upper Mendi area of the Southern Highlands when two clansmen fought over a bundle of firewood. The fight was between the Mungrar and Boin sub-clans of the Mendrep tribe.
Bulolo Floods
A woman is missing after being swept away by floodwaters in the Bulolo District of Morobe province. The flooding has caused widespread problems in the town of Bulolo and surrounding areas causing the destruction of homes, bridges and roads. The bridge connecting Wau an Bulolo has been washed away at Pine Top leaving businesses, government an the people isolated.
Tari Landslide
It is believed that there may be at least 60 people buried in a landslide at Tari near Tumbi Quarry close to the Hides Gas field. Esso Highlands has suspended operations indefinitely in the gas fields and at Komo airport following the disaster.
CASA PNG Roadshow
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of PNG (CASA PNG) is conducting a series of roadshows for all service providers and air operators in the civil aviation industry between Feb and Mar.
Series 1 - Bird of Paradise Hotel in Goroka on the 8th an 9th of Feb.
Series 2 - Madang Resort Hotel in Madang on the 15th an 16th of Feb
Series 3 - Lae International Hotel in Lae on the 29th of Feb and the 1st of March
The roadshows are free. Contact CASA on 302 7536, 302 7560 and 302 7558
New Boss for NIO
PNG's National Intelligence Organisation (NIO) has a new head. Bruno Maika, a career officer, replaces Director General, Bob Nenta who has reached the Public Service retirement age of 60. The appointment has the approval of the National Executive Council.
Aseki Coffee
Coffee growers in the Aseki Local Level Government of the Menyama district of Morobe province have appealed to leaders to support their business activities. The growers claim governments have neglected them. Poor road conditions make the transporting of coffee to Lae, Morobe province almost impossible.
Cricket
35-year old Geraint Jones, former wicketkeeper for England and born in Kundiawa, is returning to the international scene as a PNG representative at the World Twenty20 qualifier in the United Arab Emirates. Jones has played many games at international level and it is hope his experience will encourage PNG to obtain a spot in the cricketing World Cup
Kokoda Track
Trek leaders along the Kokoda Track say trekkers who are risking their lives and defacing a "living-breathing museum" are stealing precious war relics. There is currently legislation to support the joint Australian and New Zealand funded Kokoda Track Authority.
Foreigner Charged With Bribery
An Asian businessman has been charge with bribery after he allegedly tried to offer cash to officials from Customs during the confiscation of illegal items on his property. Customs and Police have discovered undervaluation of goods and false declaration of goods in a joint operation conducted in Lae.
Coming Events
Note: please verify any date mentioned as dates change and events can sometimes get cancelled. Of course I may also put down a wrong date.
Ladies & Juniors Fishing Competition at the Royal Papua Yacht Club - 29 Jan 2012,
Ride the Rivers Enduro - 24 and 25 March 2012
2012 PNG Games - Kokopo, East New Britain
Olympic boxing qualifying tournament - April 2012
2012 Milne Bay Critter & Adventure Expeditions with Bob Halstead & Graham Abbott
Milne Bay-Critters-Milne Bay: 17th April 2012 to 29th April 2012
Milne Bay-Critters-Milne Bay: 1st May 2012 to 13th May 2012
Alotau-Adventure Diving-Kimbe Bay: 15th May 2012 to 30th May 2012
-- http://diving4images.com/trips/milne-bay-critter-cruises
South Pacific Export Papua New Guinea Golf Open - May 2012?
National Elections - Scheduled for June 2012
Solomon Islands - 11th Festival of Pacific Arts -- http://www.festival-pacific-arts.org.sb from 1 to 14 July 2012,
Mt Hagen Show - 11th and 12th of August 2012
Samarai and Milne Bay Reunion - Rydges Oasis Resort, Caloundra, Australia between the 7th and 9th of September 2012 -- http://www.loosenuts.com.au/www/index.php -- http://www.facebook.com/groups/121192744602253/
Pacific Mini Games - Wallis and Futuna 2013
2013 Pacific Netball Series (hosted by Fiji)
Full Pacific Games - PNG 2015 -- http://giaman.com/pg/?081f78
Pacific Mini Games - Vanuatu 2017
Do you have an event that you want advertised? - Use the submission form located at -- http://www.pnggossip.com/misc/ctc.html
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