Post Courier, Thursday January 29, 2015

Probe will take time

‘Investigation is not Post-Courier editor’s cup of instant coffee’

BY DONALD WILLIE

POLICE Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki yesterday could not put a time frame on the completion of investigations into the deaths of two men who were allegedly shot by police.

The inquiry into the deaths of Nicholas Rarua and Toka Gaudi began on Monday – four days after their shooting at Hanuabada village in the national capital – with the Police Commissioner telling reporters at a press conference in Port Moresby that the police needed to be meticulous as the case will end up in court.

When asked by the Post-Courier on when he expects the inquiry to be completed, he said he had told Hanuabada villagers that there was no need to rush the investigations.

“If we don’t investigate cases meticulously and we don’t have a water tight case which gets thrown out in the committal courts, the village people, the family and those injured are going to be unhappy. We base our file on quality and evidence,” he said.

CONTINUED PAGE 2

Let’s revisit the 2004 police review report

THENational Capital District was literally brought to its knees in recent days as the roadblocks set up by disgruntled Hanuabada villagers began to take its toll.

The blockade next to the Hanuabada village and at the Tatana and Baruni turn-in were removed yesterday but not before Port Moresby residents witnessed and felt the wrath of the city’s traditional landowners when access to fuel depots on the outskirts of Port Moresby were cut off to wreak havoc with fuel supply and power generation.

The villagers – who had the backing of the other Motuan villages – were determined to force the Government (including the Royal PNG Constabulary) to address the shooting of Nicholas Rarua and Toka Gaudi and to get those who pulled the trigger to be arrested swiftly. Their decision to set up the roadblocks was to push for justice to be served in light of the delay by the police to make progress on the Tatana Island shooting and the criticism that they came under over their alleged role in the death of Lae resident Moanna Pisimi.

Yesterday the Post-Courier ran an editorial that was critical of the failure by the Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki and his top management team to effectively address ill-discipline within the rank-and-file, increasing incidences of police brutality by members of the constabulary and the delay in progressing the investigations into the murder of the two Hanuabada men.

Mr Vaki took exception to the newspaper’s editorial and highlighted the role that he played in getting the angry villagers to agree to lift the roadblocks and to allow for the freeflow of traffic in the NCD.

“I stood in front and told the Hanuabada people that I accept total blame for the irrational and undisciplined behaviour of the lunatics which is currently under investigation,” he said while calling on the newspaper to focus more on positive stories, especially the “rehabilitation work” that he is currently implementing in the constabulary.

We appreciate the arguments that the Police Commissioner has put forward to support his position that the criticisms in the editorial were unwarranted. However, we believe firmly that the buck stops with the constitutional head of the constabulary, in terms of the commissioner effecting change and promoting reforms through his deputy and assistant commissioners at the RPNGC Headquarters in Konedobu and regional headquarters.

The increasing incidences of police constables and officers abusing their powers and firearms in the NCD and the provinces – at the expense of ordinary Papua New Guineans’ security – points to a complete breakdown in command and control. The end result, tragically, has been the loss of lives and injury to Papua New Guineans.

Early in the week this newspaper alerted the Government and the RPNGC hierarchy to the 2004 Report of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Administrative Review Committee, which contained a list of recommendations to reform the constabulary to make it more responsive to the needs of Papua New Guineans. The report gives an insight into the challenges facing the police 11 years ago and makes recommendations to address those challenges. The good news is those recommendations are still relevant today and will help get the constabulary back on track if embraced, considered and implemented by those in positions of power including Mr Vaki and the Police Minister.

Asia news .............................37

Bougainville Today ..............18

Business ..........................19-22

Classifieds .......................40-42

How to contact us

EDITOR Alexander Rheeney Ph: 309 1021 Email:rheeneya@spp.com.pg

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Paula Speakman

Ph: 309 1044 Email: pspeakman@spp.com.pg

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Bala Babaga

Ph: 309 1013 Fax: 321 3284

Email: bbabaga@spp.com.pg

DELIVERY INQUIRIES

Ph: 309 1102

Email: bbabaga@spp.com.pg

CLASSIFIEDS

REGIONAL OFFICES

Lae: Franco Nebas

Ph/fax: 472 4683. Email: fnebas.spp@global.net.pg

Kokopo: Grace Tiden

Ph: 982 9186. Fax: 982 9147. Email: gracetiden@gmail.com

Mt Hagen: Johnny Poiya. Ph: 542 2602. Fax: 542 3039. Email: posthagen.spp@global.net.pg

Buka: David Lornie

Ph: 973 9188

Fax: 973 9170 Email: postbuka@gmail.com

309 1175, 309 1174, 309 1088

JOIN US ONLINE

www.postcourier.com.pg

NEWS TIP?

Ph 309 1021 or email editorial@postcourier.com.pg

Continuous heavy rain wreaks havoc in EHP

BY JOHNNY POIYA

CONTINUOUS rain in the

Kompri Valley of Eastern Highlands Province on Tuesday has caused landslips which cut off sections of the Highlands Highway, swept away houses and destroyed food gardens. PMV buses trying to bypass the flooded highway by taking the Okapa back road yesterday were held up, damaged and robbed by locals yesterday around midday, Goroka police said. The

landslips which police say would take up to three days to clear occurred during a heavy downfall in Avaninofi village in the Kompri Valley of Henganofi dstrict, blocking all traffic from about 3pm on Tuesday.

Eastern Highlands police commander John Kale yesterday said equipment were yet to be moved into the area to clear the highway. “Police Minister Robert Atiyafa, Works, Police and Disaster and Emergency Services personnel are on

the ground accessing the situation and talking to the locals,” Superintendent Kale said.

He said the landslips were big and would take time to be cleared but the locals were hostile and wanted compensation before the blockage was removed. He said PMV buses owned by Western Highlanders trying to use the Okapa back road were held up and robbed by locals. “We got reports also that the buses were damaged during the holdups. I call

on sensible thinking travellers and vehicle owners not to use any back road,” Supt Kale said. Many PMVs and vehicles owned by Western Highlanders were damaged several months ago by people in Henganofi and Kainantu following the murder of a man from Barola by the crew of a PMV bus owned by Western Highlanders. He said the killing was still fresh in the minds of the people there and urged travellers to be security-conscious.

Vaki furious with newspaper’s editorial

FROM PAGE 1

MR Vaki was particularly incensed with this newspaper’s editorial yesterday, which was critical of the delay by the Royal PNG Constabulary to investigate the deaths of the two Hanuabada men and the failure of his management team to tackle police brutality. The editorial made reference to other controversial cases including the death of Lae resident Moanna Pisimi, the Tatana shooting and the alleged involvement

of police reserve units in the death of an elderly woman betelnut vendor in the NCD last October. He said the editorial raised questions about his competency and that of his top management and was unwarranted as they had swiftly dealt with the Hanuabada shooting.

“I stood in front and told the Hanuabada people that I accept total blame for the irrational and undisciplined behaviour of the lunatics which is currently under investigation,” he said, while emphasising that the

process is lengthy.

Returning to this newspaper’s editorial, Mr Vaki lashed out at Post-Courier editor Alexander Rheeney for putting the police’s management of the Hanuabada shooting under the spotlight. “Maybe he thinks that the investigation is like an instant coffee where ingredients are added and expect to see that the investigation filed is compiled in two weeks,” he said.

But former acting National Court judge Nemo Yalo yesterday threw his support

behind this newspaper’s editorial, saying discipline within the constabulary starts with the commissioner and his or her top management and not the subordinates.

In a commentary (see page 12) on the Hanuabada shooting and its implications on the constabulary, Mr Yalo highlighted the failure by the RPNGC top brass to address ill-discipline and human rights abuse and the need for the National Parliament to urgently address the issue.

CONTRACTORS STILL WAITING

Schools warned not to charge fees

THE Education Department has reiterated its warning that schools operating legally under the national education system must not charge students project fees this year.

Education Secretary Michael Tapo said in a media statement yesterday that schools charging project fees would face disciplinary action, including suspension of school heads regardless of the project fees endorsed by the provincial education boards last year. This directive applies to elementary, primary, provincial high and secondary schools, vocational centres, national high schools, flexible and open distance education, inclusive education resource centres

The bottom line

the drum

THE IRONY

NOT sure if you saw the irony in our pictures in this Monday’s edition. It had a big focus on the police shooting in Hanuabada village with blocked roads, disgruntled villagers on the lookout for coppers and the elderly coming to terms with the violence.

PASS-OUT

OPEN the next page and the headline “New CS recruits pass out” with a colourful picture of some of the 136 graduates in the pass-out parade catches the eye. Correctional Service is on a roll unlike their PNGDF and RPNGC cousins.

YES PLAN

DID the Government have a contingency plan to mitigate the effects of losing complete road access to the fuel depots at Kanudi?

It seems the Hanuabada crisis and the subsequent events that followed caught everyone by surprise.

CRIPPLED

PORT Moresby was literally crippled by the crisis. The roadblocks cut off access to the fuel depots and brought the city to its knees. Folks at Waigani might want to put in place a Plan B to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

At a glance

SCHOOLS WARNED: THE Education Department has reiterated its warning schools operating legally under the national education system not to charge students project fees this year.

CHARGING: Schools charging would face disciplinary action.

and approved permitted schools.

Mr Tapo warned also that boards of schools and institutionsmust comply with his instruction by not collecting any project fees.

The Education Department would take necessary disciplinary actions on heads of schools and institutions

Supreme Court

is

who defied this instruction.

Mr Tapo said in the case of provinces which have provincial education laws, schools and institutions boards, the provincial education authorities would be asked to suspend these boards.

In other cases where a province does not have a provincial education law, the NEB would take the necessary action to suspend the board.

The secretary’s instruction also demanded that all provincial education board approved project fees for schools in their respective provinces should be withdrawn immediately.

“All school boards and principals are not to collect or charge any form of

fees approved by their provincial education boards. Likewise, school boards and administrators are not allowed to collect or charge project fees not approved by their provincial education boards.

“Furthermore parents that have already paid for project fees must collect refunds,” Mr Tapo said. The department urged parents, guardians and stakeholders to report those defying instructions to: Highlands regional TFF coordinator phone 3013416; Momase regional TFF coordinator phone 3013415; NGI regional TFF coordinator phone 3013419; and Southern regional TFF coordinator phone 3014803.

NO MEN

ANY truth in reports that a private organisation in Port Moresby has banned its foreign female employees from having relationships with local men? Its male expatriate staff are free to date local women, we hear.

SIGN UP

DO YOUR bit for the Kepari Leniata movement to tackle gender violence in PNG. Wear red tomorrow, take a selfie and then post it on social media to confirm your support with the hash tag #justice4kepari

INCREASE

PACIFIC MMI Building tenants feel they’ve been short-changed by their new landlord MRDC. Despite increasing rental by 100 per cent this year, the air condition has been down the last two weeks and the standby generator fails to kick in each time there’s a blackout.

IMPACT

THE Ombudsman Commission’s referral of the Ijivitari MP and Community Development Minister Delilah Gore could have implications for our womenfolk. Her case will be watched with a lot of interest.

CHAOS

PENGEE: thedrum@spp.com.pg

the only authority to determine issues relating to application and interpretation of constitutional laws.

THIS is one reason why proper physical planning in the nation’s capital went pear-shaped. Firms should be tasked to provide ample parking space for their clients.

TWO weeks after setting camp outside the Department of Education at Waigani in the nation’s capital, contractors owed money by the department are still waiting. There is still no word on when they will be paid. The picture here shows some of the contractors under the tents they have been waiting under.

Top cops meet with villagers to open road

THE people of Tatana in the outskirts of Port Moresby removed the road blocks they set up after a four hour meeting yesterday with Commissioner of Police Geoffrey Vaki and National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Andy Bawa.

Mr Vaki and Supt Bawa met with the Tatana villagers in their church hall from 12 noon to about 4.30pm yesterday during which they listened to the people’s grievances.

The Tatana villagers made a number of demands, including an investigation into the killing of two Tatana men, also allegedly by police.

One of the deaths occurred during police investigations into the murder of Gulf man Harold Farapo earlier this month.

One of the speakers said as done with the Hanuabada shootings, the families of the two Tatana men must be compensated as well.

Mr Vaki reassured the villagers that a full and thorough investigation will take place into the two killings.

He said findings of the investigation will be made known and also that it will take time but promised that it will be done.

On the issue of compensation Mr Vaki told the people to take it up with the Government through their leaders.

He also appealed to the people to reopen the road and allow traffic to flow.

Many of the village leaders also reasoned with their own people to have the road reopened.

Mr Vaki assured both the Hanuabada and Tatana people that due to the seriousness of the situation and the alleged involvement of policemen, he had to personally attend to their grievances.

He assured the villagers that he will be making his report to the Government through the Minister for Police.

Meanwhile, the road blocks set up by the Hanuabada people was also removed yesterday morning following a visit late last night by Mr Vaki and Supt Bawa.

Aggrieved Motuans remove blockade

BY TALOWIN GEMA

THE roadblock along the road leading to Hanuabada village in Port Moresby has been cleared by the villagers after Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki successfully negotiated with the villagers leaders at Hanuabada on Tuesday night.

Men, women and children were seen sweeping and clearing burnt tyres and debri from off the road while Alex Jani of Lea Builders and contractors rendered his services by lifting all other heavy materials such as logs, boulders and cement slabs.

Other heavy items included old vehicles and refrigerators.

An outspoken villager, Mase Peter, said the relatives of the deceased have appealed to the villagers to remove the road blocks and let the law take its course.

Coronial inquest to probe city killings

BY GORETHY KENNETH

THE Government will set up an independent investigation through a coronial inquest to probe the Hanuabada police raid.

Chief Secretary to Government Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc announced yesterday that chief magistrate Nerrie Eliakim will be the coroner investigating the deaths of Hanuabada villagers Nicholas Rarua and Toka Gaudi last Friday.

The coroner will start the inquest as soon as the necessary papers are in order, which could take up to a month, Sir Manasupe said.

Ms Eliakim said yesterday that her office was ready to take on the task, but also stressed that in order for an inquest to be carried out,

a full police investigation must be completed and furnished for the inquiry to be done.

“This full report will also determine the cost of the inquest and the next course of action,” she said.

Sir Manasupe said Prime Minister Peter O’Neill had sanctioned a meeting headed by himself with families of the deceased and village leaders this week which resulted in this outcome.

He later called a media conference attended by the Hanubada village elders, the parents of the deceased and other leaders who had been part of the negotiating team with the Government team.

“Our successful meetings with these people had led to the demand by them for an independent inquiry to deal with people involved.

“We will set up what we call a coronial inquest to get to the bottom of what happened at Hanuabada,” he said.

“As you know coronial inquest is usually an inquiry to determine the evidence surrounding a certain event and determine whoever is responsible.”

“In this instance, Hanuabada say the perpetrators are policemen so they do not want police investigators,

we have agreed for an independent inquiry, which will be the best possible way and through legal avenue is by way of coronial inquest,” he said.

“The Magisterial Services normally do not have funds to run a coronial inquest, we have been authorised by Prime Minister to use funds to assist the coroner set up the inquest and carry out the inquiry.

“This independent Inquiry, which will basically find out who is responsible, then we will proceed from there on for other actions. “As you know the coronial inquest can sometimes perform the role of a committal court and can refer a person to the national court directly. We hope that this investigation will go that way.”

“We must respect the will of the relatives of the deceased and clear the roadblocks, for the petitions and demands are made because of them,” said Mr Peter.

Hanuabada villager Micky Tamarua said that the villagers were pleased that Mr Vaki had displayed his good leadership by making time to attend the meeting with Metropolitan Superintendent Andy Bawa at the village level.

“Mr Vaki was able to explain the impact the road block has had in the city such as low fuel levels which affected the business houses, the Napanapa Oil Refinery, Boral Gas and city residents,” said Mr Tamarua.

Mere Oala, also from Hanuabada, said the village had made its point and all other authorities concerned had taken note of, and that it was time to let justice take its course.

Meanwhile, the planned protest has been put off however a petition drawn up by villagers will be presented to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill today.

The petition is expected to have more than 10,000 signatures.

Central leaders call for reversal of buai ban

BY SHIRLYN BELDEN

THERE should be a total reversal of the betelnut ban as it has drastically affected the livelihood and economy of the people of Central Province.

This was the combined call by the Central Province leaders in Port Moresby yesterday led by Governor Kila Haoda, urging NCD Governor Powes Parkop to reverse or consider focusing the ban in the city rather than picking on Central peo-

ple who grow and trade the nut for their living.

“As the Governor of the province I am concerned about my people of Mekeo. Mekeo’s economy has been drastically affected. That (betelnut) is what these people heavily rely on. For them it is a commodity. I have been constantly pushing that issue that the buai ban has affected my people,” he said. The call was re-ignited by the recent shooting of two villagers at Hanuabada by police last Friday regarding

the betelnut ban campaign.

Mr Haoda was accompanied by Kairuku-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo, Mekeo-Kuni LLG president Bona Ine’e, Kairuku LLG president Aihi Ikupu and Abau MP and Public Service Minister Sir Puka Temu. Mr Isoaimo and Mr Ine’e who have been opposing the ban since its inception said their people have been unnecessarily harassed causing them to lose opportunities in trading the nut and meeting their daily needs. “As the MP con-

cerned I oppose the ban and am urging the government to intervene and see a reversal of it because lives have been lost, we have seen guns used on innocent people.

“Our people have been victimised with no direct reasons at all. Our cash flow is based on buai and since then we have seen our economy dropped.

“It needs to be considerate on humanitarian grounds; betel nut is a commodity that sustains the livelihood of the people,” Mr Isoaimo said.

Henry Ford produced the model T only in black because the black paint available at the time was the fastest to dry.

MPS SIR Puka Temu, Peter Isoaimo, Central Governor Kila Haoda and Mekeo Kuni LLG President Bona Ine`e.

HANUABADA villagers clearing the roadblock yesterday morning after meeting with authorities.

The inquiry will find out who is responsible ...

SIR MANASUPE ZURENUOC

Port Moresby

Parents forgive son’s killer

BY GORETHY KENNETH

PARENTS of one of the Hanuabada men killed last Friday have sent a strong message of forgiveness instead of demanding compensation.

Davai and Mary Lohia Rarua, parents of slain villager Nicholas Rarua, said in an emotional message yesterday that while they forgave the person who pulled the trigger, they need him to come forward so they can make peace and have closure.

Amid their call for justice to prevail, both mother and father, now in their mid-60s, said compensation money of any amount would not bring back their son.

Mrs Rarua, daughter of statesman Sir Senaka Goava, spoke between sobs of how her son’s death had broken her heart.

She managed to say that she forgave the killer and wanted peace to be embraced.

“If you are a mother, you will know or feel the pain that I am going through right now.

“I feel as if a sharp object has just pierced my heart,” Mrs Rarua said.

Late Nicholas Rarua is the fifth of seven children and 22 grandchildren that Mrs and Mr Rarua had raised.

“I am looking after his four-year-old daughter who is always asking me where daddy went.

“I don’t want to tell her what happened, I don’t really know if she’ll understand.

“But yes, I am lost. I am

Women leader blames Parkop

GRIEVING families of the two men allegedly killed by policemen in Hanuabada village say they have not demanded compensation from the Government. This was made clear by the Government’s Chie f Secretary Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc at a press conference yesterday, attended by the grieving families of the two men.

At a glance

SLAIN MAN: Late Nicholas Rarua is the fifth of seven children and 22 grandchildren.

PARENTS: Davai and Mary Lohia Rarua.

CLOSURE: Parents of slain villager said in an emotional message yesterday, that while they forgave the person who pulled the trigger, they need him to come forward so they can make peace and have closure.

MRS RARUA: They killed him like an animal. It really broke my heart, but forgiveness is something that God has given us.

lost and I am heart broken.

“That day we were supposed to go out for lunch together.

“Then we heard police firing tear gas and he said: Mum, I’ll just run down and see what’s going on and I’ll be back”.

“When he ran down he stopped, looked back and said: Mum, just wait for me, I’ll be back.

“Running down the steps he just ran out of my life. And when I went down he was already in his daddy’s lap, dead. He was gone, and I just dropped to the ground.

“All I had was his stained T-shirt that he wore, the bullet went through and I am still keeping it.

“They killed him like an animal.

“It really broke my heart, but forgiveness is something that God has given us,” Mrs Rarua said.

Villagers divided on decision

BY DONALD WILLIE

PAPUANS are known to be

understanding and respectful people and conclusions are usually influenced by these factors. The decision to remove the roadblock, which had brought feelings of anxiety over city residents, has caused a division of opinions amongst the villagers and other Motu Koitabuans involved.

In a meeting on Tuesday evening, Police Commissioner Geofrey Vaki had appealed for the removal of roadblocks into the village on the basis that investigations had commenced and he would do his best with his men to put behind

bars those responsible. He and others explained the impact of the roadblock on the whole city which could eventually affect the villagers themselves.

Effects caused by the roadblock on education, health and transportation were among topical issues that were argued over on a for and against open forum.

Some tertiary students raised concerns about their flights to centres outside Port Moresby, for registration.

Chairman of the working committee, Joshua Ako Kari, said some villagers are upset over the decision but accept it in respect of the mourning family’s wish to follow through with the

removal of the blockade.

A young mother interviewed in the village said there is more to this issue than just monetary compensation.

“We want the petition to include other demands like complete stop to police brutality and respect of the true landowners of the capital city,” she said.

Discussions on social media have also showed sentiments of opposing the decision to remove the road block. Others have suggested that the decision may have been politically motivated. However, most of those who have agreed to the removal of the roadblock have said sternly that it is not over.

Mr Zurenuoc said reports of relatives asking for compensation payments of K22 million and K10 million did not come from the grieving families.

He said they have only asked for a inquest and for justice to take its course.

Meanwhile, president of Women In Politics, Maria Ibai Hayes, has called for the resignation o f National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop over the deaths of the two Hanuabada men.

She said she agreed with the relatives that NCDC pay K10 million each to both families and also K10 million to the elderly woman who died last year as a result of the buai ban and many other deaths.

“While the so-called Governor’s police have been uncontrollable in the use of excessive force and indiscriminate use of firearm, the fact that the Governor is now denying that the shooting was related to the buai ban effort makes him a laughing stock.

“We all know his cronies have been confiscating buai and cigarette items and reselling them elsewhere in certain secret locations in the city.’’

Mrs Hayes said the ban has caused more pain and misery for the villagers who depend on the income that buai generates.

“Without due regard for their survival, the police entered the village and fired at random on the crowd which led to the deaths of the two young men.

“Just like that their lives were abruptly ended,’’ she said.

Former governor calls on Parkop to resign

FORMER National Capital District Governor Wari Vele has called on Governor Powes Parkop to resign over his mishandling of the betelnut ban, which has so far resulted in 12 deaths.

He has also welcomed the announcement of a coronial inquest announced by the Chief Secretary into the deaths, while conveying his condolences to the families and relatives of the two men killed by Police at Hanuabada Village last

weekend. Mr Vele said existing laws such as the Public Health Act and the Anti-litter Act were sufficient for NCDC to enforce to control litter and diseases such as TB in the city.

“There was no need in the beginning to introduce the buai ban law. All NCDC had to do was step up enforcement of the two existing laws and we would not have lost twelve innocent lives,” he said.

Mr Vele, who is the cur-

rent Rigo Coast local level government president, said Mr Parkop now has blood on his hands so he should resign in shame.

“It is good Mr Parkop is willing to pay compensation to the relatives of the two recent deaths, but he must also compensate the relatives of the buai smugglers who died in the Laloki River and the Goilala woman who was killed at Hohola when perused by police,” Mr Vele said.

Mr Vele challenged Parkop to explain to ordinary Papua New Guinean citizens why he is continuing to allow city rangers and the police

to apply intimidating tactics in barbaric style to enforce the ban and questioned whether they were properly trained or not.

“The trust our people had in mandating Mr Parkop to improve their lifestyle, their income earning opportunities and minimise law and order situation is not happening.

“Parkop has clearly proven to be incompetent therefore he must resign in disgrace,” he said.

Parkop has proven to be incompetent, he must resign...

WARI VELE Port Moresby

MARY Rarua, mother of slain Hanuabada villager Nicholas Rarua, say they have forgiven whoever it was who pulled the trigger that killed her son.

Ipatas: Enga capable of running own affairs

THE Enga Provincial Government has asked the national Government to decentralise more powers and functions to the province.

The call was made by the Governor for Enga Province

Peter Ipatas yesterday.

He said the province is ready and capable of managing its own internal affairs.

“The time is right for people to take ownership and responsibility of their lives, and the government should do this by decentralising more powers and functions to the province,” Governor Ipatas said.

More than 462,000 Engans do not seek to breakaway from Papua New Guinea but rather are requesting that the government should grant more powers and functions to them to enable the province to look after itself in the running of its own internal affairs.

“Enga Province is among some of the provinces in the country that has matured over the years and the people are ready to manage their province,” Mr Ipatas said.

The province has the capacity to take on more responsibility from the national government in order to improve the delivery of services to the people, the veteran governor said.

KEEPING SAFETY CHECKS

TENDER SALE

Anyone interested in purchasing the vehicles is advised to inspect the same prior to writing to the address below stating their purchase price with evidence of finance to complete and advise their contact telephone and or fax numbers. (Offers by email or fax will not be considered)

The successful bidder must provide evidence of finance available and will be required to:

1. Pay the 10% deposit within twenty four (24) hours notification of the acceptance of the tender.

2. Pay the balance of the purchase price in cash or by Bank Cheque within seven (7) working days notification of the acceptance of the tender.

Tenders Close 31 January 2015

The Regional Manager Northern Kina Finance Limited P O Box 682 LAE Morobe Province Tender Ref: KFL # 26508

Tenders can also be hand delivered to the office of Kina Finance Limited, Ground Floor, Nambawan Haus, Lae. For enquiries contact Terry Hall on telephone 472 8175 or 71978526

The company is not obliged to accept the highest or the lowest offer nor respond to all offers received.

Polye calls for quick processing of remandees

THE Opposition has again expressed concerns over the possible strain that the huge number of remandees puts on the availability of prison facilities.

“Like any other free person, prisoners have equal rights to the betterment of their welfare,” said Opposition Leader Don Polye when responding to a media report citing inmate population has exceeded the maximum holding capacity of 4366.

“Because they are in custody under gun barrels of the law enforcers, the government should not take it for granted.”

Mr Polye said as reported, the current inmate population is 4640, which means overcrowding in all the prisons by 274. He has commended the government for intending to address the overcrowding in the jails nationwide. He said, however, the Opposition, when or if, in power has a comprehensive policy targeting to improve the welfare of prisoners.

“The policy aims at improving the prisoners’ grievances is beyond what the O’Neillled government is doing.”

He has called on the Judiciary arm of the government to recruit more judges to speed up the court cases for remandees.

Gore referred to Public Prosecutor

BY GORETHY KENNETH

MINISTER for Religion, Youth and Community Development

Delilah Gore has been referred to the Public Prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office and over her Air Niugini “Do you know who I am” antics.

Ms Gore, who is the MP for Sohe in Northern Province, is the only woman Cabinet Minister in the O’Neill Government. She was referred by the Ombudsman Commission for alleged misconduct in office as confirmed by Chief Ombudsman Rigo Lua and Ombudsman Phoebe Sangetari yesterday.

Mr Lua said yesterday that the Ombudsman investigated

the alleged misconduct in office by Ms Gore, which stemmed from her failure in upholding her duties and responsibilities of office as required under

Section 27 of the Constitution and the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership.

“As required by Section 20(2) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership, the Commission notified Delilah Gore, MP, by a letter dated January 14, 2015, of its intention to refer the matter to Public Prosecutor,” Mr Lua said.

He said the Ombudsman was satisfied that there was a prima facie case that Ms Gore had been guilty of misconduct in office, and had decided to refer her to the Public Prosecutor for his independent deliberation.

Ms Gore yesterday welcomed

the referral but advised she would consult her lawyer on the matter. Ms Gore joins the list of at least five MPs, including Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, who had been referred to the Public Prosecutor by the Ombudsman Commission.

Ms Gore becomes the first woman parliamentarian to be investigated and referred by the Ombudsman Commission for breaches of the Leadership Code.

She is the second MP to be referred to the Public Prosecutor this year.

Last week, Mr Lua announced that the Ombudsman had referred Kagua-Erave MP James Lagea for Leadership Code breaches.

District court reinstates Lae city manager

BY FRANCO NEBAS

A COURT order has been issued by the Lae District Court to allow former Lae city manager Roy Kamen access to the office as the city manager.

Mr Kamen was dismissed by the acting provincial administrator Geoving Bilong last year because of disciplinary

matters in the public service. However, the Public Service Commission review committee findings revealed that Mr Bilong had erred in the application of proper disciplinary procedures for senior contract officers in the public service, contrary to the public services general order 9.29 to 9.35 and section 25.1 (a) and (d) of

the standard terms and condition for the employment of the senior officers in the national pubic service category B contract.

Mr Bilong was given a 30-day notice by the Public Service Commission to respond to their findings, however his failure to do so resulted in the court order being issued

against him. The Lae District Court on Tuesday issued an order pursuant to Section 22 of the District Court that the ex parte order of December 23, 2014, and the whole proceeding be dismissed for being frivolous.

This means Mr Kamen is allowed access to the office of the city manager.

DURING the festive season right into the new year, traffic officers have been busy setting up roadblocks to ensure that drivers are following the road safety rules and that their vehicles are registered and roadworthy. Pictured is a traffic officer and policeman checking a taxi along the Poreporena Freeway.

DELILAH GORE

Bishops create sex abuse policy

THE Catholic Bishops Conference in PNG and the Solomon Island is taking steps to address the sexual abuse and sexual misconduct of its workers.

The bishops said in a statement it had finalised a policy to respond to incidences of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct by any of its church representatives.

“With this policy in place, the church is asking people to report any priest, religious or church worker who has behaved inappropriately to contact a person within the diocese,” the conference said. After consultation, it had published what it called protocols and guidelines for right relationships in ministry.

“In this policy the training of contact persons is captured. Contact persons are established within the diocese to implement the church protocols of dealing with cases of sexual abuse by priests, religious and church workers.

“The contact person is also in many ways the face of the Church in its compassion and healing role.”

The protocols were published last year in response to incidents of sexual assault and sexual misconduct that have been reported for some time.

LIFE GOES ON

Court stops watchdog probe on PM

BY JACOB POK

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill’s lawyers have obtained an interim court injunction stopping the Ombudsman Commission from further investigating him pending interpretation of several constitutional questions by the Supreme Court.

The National Court yesterday also restrained the Ombudsman Commission from publishing the results of any investigation carried out by commission against the plaintiff Mr O’Neill.

The 36-page decision was handed down by Justice Catherine Davani at the Waigani in the presence of Chief Ombudsman Rigo A Lua, Ombudsman Phoebe Sangetari and other officers from the commission.

The decision was made following a motion filed by Young & William Lawyers, the law firm representing Mr O’Neill in the matter.

The motion requested that certain constitutional questions be referred to the Supreme Court pursuant to Section 18(2) of the Constitution concerning the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman Commission to investigate and subsequently publish any report relating to the Prime Minister’s alleged improper borrowing of $A1.239 billion loan from the UBS bank to buy 149,390,244 shares in Oil Search Ltd. The motion also sought for an inter-

Emergency power threat under fire

DEPUTY Opposition Leader

Sam Basil has slammed Public Enterprises and State Investment Minister Ben Micah for threatening to use his emergency powers to lift the Hanuabada roadblocks during the impasse early this week.

He should use his newly acquired State of Emergency powers under the Essential Services Act to ensure PNG Power fixed the Rouna power system, Moitaka station and even have reservoirs of fuel for emergency situations.

Mr Basil said that the PNG Power has recouped its monies and the list it used to enable Mr Micah with Emergency provisions was based on an arrears list that was outdated and obsolete. Therefore the whole exercise should be taken with caution.

It is almost a month and the rationale used was based on faulty arrears list with half or majority of defaulters being State agencies.

Mr Basil asked the National Executive Council to immediately end the State of Emergency because there is no need.

“We cannot allow individuals to turn into tyrants.”

He said that the Government seems focused at Hanuabada which is next to the police headquarters but it

must seriously stop adhoc decisions and statements about refresher courses, training and rules of engagement.

“This has been an ongoing problem that emanates when people do not respect the rule of law and do not want to maintain order. We seem to blame the policemen but there are many endless lists of law and order issues affecting the whole community. People have been shot in Lae, Wau, Tatana, Jiwaka and Hanuabada but these are those reported,” Mr Basil said “Police personnel have also been attacked in Mendi, Mt Hagen, NCD and elsewhere. It requires a total relook at the law and order issues. Even prisoners are escaping at will and there must be reasons that are deep rooted within the country and must be addressed.”

He said that the people of Motu-Koita are hurt and have shown their frustrations by blocking roads.

“We cannot threaten them with the use of Emergency Laws as proposed by Minister Micah to remove roadblocks.

The rule of law does not allow disciplinary forces to fire indiscriminately in a village. It appears that we are developing a norm to attack each other without respect and to follow the rule of law.”

im injunction to stop any further investigation by the commission pending the Supreme Court interpretation of the constitutional questions.

Lawyer Mal Varitimos, representing Mr O’Neill, made submission in support of the motion during the initial hearing.

According to the judgement, the lawyers representing the Ombudsman Commission were not present at the hearing despite being served with the notice of motion and informed of the hearing.

The court allowed Mr Varitimos to proceed with his submission in the absence of the defendant’s lawyers.

Justice Davani found that the question put to the Supreme Court by the plaintiff was lengthy and convoluted.

However, the judge found that the plaintiff’s lawyers, being familiar with their case, have framed the questions in such a way that would suit their client’s case and which would require the Supreme Court’s interpretation.

She therefore allowed the questions to be referred to the Supreme Court for its interpretation.

She also granted the interim injunction sought by the plaintiff for the Ombudsman Commission to be restrained from carrying out further investigations pending the Supreme Court matter.

TRADING in betelnut and other merchandise goes on amid the tension in Hanuabada village in Port Moresby. Picture: TARAMI LEGEI

with TB

BY GRACE AUKA SALMANG

PAPUA New Guinea ranks second in the Western Pacific Region, behind Cambodia, in terms of estimated tuberculosis prevalence, incidence and mortality, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 global TB report.

According to the report, in 2013, PNG had 3900 cases, however, vital statics were incomplete and recording system for TB required significant strengthening, meaning there were more deaths caused from TB but were not properly recorded.

“We need to seriously address this issue with urgency and arrest the spread of this disease,” Dr Niko Wuatai from the Health Department said yesterday.

Dr Wuatai said a positive increase in TB case notification rate had been observed following improvements in TB services with the expansion of DOTS implementation under the Global Fund round 6 grant support.

“There is an ongoing transmission of TB within communities and households,” he said this when giving a brief progress on the TB issue in the Nation Capital District.

He thanked Governor Parkop and Digicel for partnering in the fight against TB and said this was a battle that required the support and contribution from all stakeholders.

According to key findings from the NCDC TB Support Centre, demographics indicated that 62 per cent of confirmed TB cases were male while 38 per cent were women who were sharing houses.

For the types of dwelling; 55 per cent came from houses, 30 per cent from settlements and 15 per cent from villages.

Of the 30,313 people, 28 per cent of households said yes to have had TB in the past five years while 21 per cent had a family member with TB symptoms, 16 per cent didn’t know what TB was and about 6282 people were referred to TB clinics.

Support for local cardiac unit

LAE businessman Kandaso Napi has supported the call by Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika for the Government to set up facilities at the Port Moresby General Hospital to treat heart patients.

Mr Napi said it was time to have a cardiac unit onshore so that people can receive immediate and inexpensive treatment instead of making life-threatening overseas trips.

He commended Sir Gibbs for expressing his views on an important issue that affects the country’s educated and urban populace.

Mr Napi said there had been similar calls in the past but no action had been taken for a number of reasons but this time he believes the O’Neill Government, which prioritises health care, will do the right thing.

Heart specialist unit good for PNG

BY MAUREEN GERAWA

THE set up of a cardiothoracic unit at the Port Moresby General Hospital will help lift the standard of delivery of health care in Papua New Guinea.

Cardiac surgeon Dr Noah Tapaua said this when explaining the importance of having a cardiothoracic unit for heart patients. He said many countries use the set up of such a service as a yardstick to measure the standard of delivery of their health care.

“When we set this up, all other services like the pathology laboratory will

have to upgrade to meet the standard,’’ Dr Tapaua said.

Since 1993, about 900 heart patients were operated by the Operation Open Heart program for congenital heart problems as well as diseases like rheumatism.

The program led by a medical team from Australia saw the start of the training of Dr Tapaua, Dr Lister Lun and nurses, six of whom as well as two perfusionists and trainee interventional cardiologists are currently undergoing further training in Singapore.

Dr Tapaua said many countries where OOH team had been to were able to set up

their own cardiac or heart units after five to six years of OOH visiting them while PNG has yet to set up its own cardiac unit.

“PNG is still dragging itself,’’ Dr Tapaua added. He also said the training of a cardiac team never really got the support of the National Department of Health (NDOH).

Dr Weson Boko, who was the deputy physician for the highlands region, is currently undergoing training on interventional cardiology in Singapore. He completed one year of training paid for by the World Health Organization and is current-

ly seeking a sponsor for the second year of his training. He hopes to get support from NDOH. Attempts by this newspaper to get comments from NDOH about Dr Boko’s situation was unsuccessful.

Both Dr Tapaua and Dr Boko said it was expensive to train cardiac specialists as it costs between K250,000 to K350,000 to train just one cardiac specialist.

They both the PNG Government had saved between K102 mullion to K200 million in the last 21 years through OOH program which operated close to 900 patients for free.

PNG one of least insured countries

BY MEROLYN TEN

PAPUA New Guinea is one of the least insured countries in the world where the majority of the population have no life insurance cover at all.

Deputy governor for the Bank of Papua New Guinea and chairman of microfinance expansion project, Benny Popoitai, said this during a contract signing ceremony between the Life

Insurance Corporation (PNG) and the PNG Women’s Micro Bank yesterday.

Mr Popoitai said it is essential for every Papua New Guinean to have a life insurance cover apart from other insurance, in which they can sign contracts with an insurance company in exchange for their beneficiaries to benefit from their premiums.

“We cannot always talk about development and

other needs of people and leave out life insurance policy. Life insurance is very important as all citizens need to have a contract to benefit from,” He said.

On the same note, the general manager for Life Insurance Corporation (PNG) Limited, Raka Taviri said life insurance policy needs to be effective, awareness must be carried out to the rural areas so that individuals can be aware of its

prospects and understand its assistance.

Mr Taviri explained that life insurance is designed to provide financial protection for a given period of time, where premiums are level and guaranteed for that particular time.

“The goal of life insurance is to provide a measure of financial security for your family after you die, therefore it is very important.

“The policy would help

provide a general safety net for the beneficiaries and can also help ensure a family’s financial goals like school fees, mortgage, keeping a business running and so on,” Mr Taviri explained. He said for that reason, he encouraged every Papua New Guinean to get a life insurance policy considering their financial situation and their standard of living.

Mr Napi said not many working professionals had the means to seek treatment overseas, therefore the availability of a local specialist cardiology centre would truly benefit Papua New Guineans.

He said even if people had the means to travel overseas for testing and treatment of cardiac related diseases, the time taken to travel long distances would be catastrophic for those who may require urgent attention.

Marat challenges couples

RABAUL MP Allan Marat recently urged young people in his district to take responsibility over their lives.

He called on young couples to seriously think about what they were capable of achieving in terms of meeting their economic needs.

“The economic situation in these three areas of basic necessity (food, clothing and accommodation) begins to enter a new phase of complexity when the first child comes along followed by the second and the third and the fourth and the fifth like many of our PNG families,” he said.

Speaking in Rabaul during the opening of three impact projects at Nonga, the MP said he had to highlight this issue because a lot of couples do not think about this.

“We are living in difficult economic times. Begin to be responsible young people.

“If you want to share your life with another person, think very seriously about what you personally are capable of achieving for both of you in terms of meeting your needs,” MP Marat said.

A TOURIST to Pokpok Island off the coast of mainland Kieta taking a picture of children and their dad at the beautiful Pokpok island’s sandy beach. The island has become a must-visit location for tourists coming to Central Bougainville.

Picture: JACOB IENU

Policing partnership grows

BY LEONNIE WAYANG

THE upgrading of police infrastructures in Port Moresby and Lae through the Papua New Guinea-Australia policing partnership will total K13.5 million to date this year, says head of the Australian Federal Police in PNG assistant commissioner Alan Scott.

During the past 15 months since their arrival the AFP would have funded various projects through their wok wantaim program.

Speaking at the wall-breaking ceremony to mark the renovations of the Badili police station and barracks in Moresby South, Mr Scott said they were busy making a difference to policing through their projects.

“We are spending K300,000 on the renovations to the police station and another K1 million across police stations in the national capital here in Port Moresby,” Mr Scott said.

“I’m sure many of you

know the AFP is funding the construction of a brand new police station in Lae.

“That would bring the commitment to Badili to just over K1.5 million in these two projects and the overall commitment from the Australian Federal Police through the Australian aid program since we’ve been here in 15 months up to K13.5 million.

“We’ve been very busy with these projects across Papua New Guinea. They are making a difference to policing.

“They are making a real difference to the services that are delivered to the people of Papua New Guinea.

“And we are very proud to be standing here today with our colleagues delivering this wonderful new piece of infrastructure to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and through them to the people of Papua New Guinea.”

He was grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the wonderful partnership between AFP and PNG.

Govt will continue to buy vaccines

THE Government will continue co-financing the purchase of pneumococcal vaccines for children under five years old until such time when PNG can be able to sustain the program from an international donor.

This is according to a senior doctor in the Health Department. The doctor was responding to a media statement by Doctors Without Borders Australia.

The statement said a lot of countries, including PNG, will loose support from Global Alliance on Vaccines or internationally known as GAVI starting next year, after which they will be left to pay AUD$10 per child for pneumococcal vaccines, which is unaffordable for many.

GAVI estimates that when a countries loss access to GAVI’s $10 per-child- price, they could end up paying six times as much for pneumococcal vaccines.

Doctors without Borders said to fully vaccinate a child is 68 more times expensive it is now than a decade ago due to big pharmaceutical companies over charging donors and developing countries for vaccines.

Pneumococcal disease kills about one million children each year globally.

HEAD of Australian Federal Police in PNG

Assistant Commissioner Alan Scott.

WATCH FOR SCAMMERS

I WISH to call on Police investigators to investigate the scheme “Nicholas Mack Foundation” which is collecting K100 from individuals and promising them a return of K1 million to K2 million.

This organisation operates at the back of Boroko Post Office or Amini Park.

It has been operating for a number of years but the investors have been waiting for years. Others have even died while the so-called next-of-kin still follow up on the payments.

Can Police intelligence step in and save the unsuspecting citizens from being connived. The perpetrators should be arrested and charged or pay back monies owing to the investors. Finally, the public should be warned regarding this illegal scheme.

Concerned citizen

FIX THE PROBLEM VAKI!

I FAIL to understand what Geoffery Vaki is going on about on EMTV and the media. He should just get down to business and do his job to lead his troops and better the force to keep PNG citizens safe. Why is he telling everyone about the problems in the rank and file. Fix it! You're the chief, just fi x, plan, strategise and control your organisation.. that’s why you're there. Are you telling us 'you're not up for it?'

Orocash - Patriot

LEAVE GARY LO ALONE

GARY Lo, t found that the UK competition he was to play in was too low and he decided to come back is a sign of an analytical and matured man. The decision he took shows his leadership potential. Gary Lo is a leader of the future. He will bounce back. He will be the next Kumul captain.

Samatex Supporter

Looking for someone?

I AM looking for a Sinesine man namely James Keraga (Raka), who has been living in Madang town for many years. He is from Koge village in Sinesine, Chimbu Province.

If anyone knows him, please tell him to call me on my mobile phone: 72649666 or email: komam2245@ gmail.com

Michael Koma - Kundiawa

COMPENSATION claims towards the National government should be outlawed. For example, natural disasters. There is no defence against mother nature. This is clear cut so people must not take advantage by placing ridiculous claims, instead work with the disaster relief teams to ease the burden on their people.

Even in cases of human involvement like with our fellow countrymen in Hanuabada, where the police killed two innocent MotuKoitabuan sons, justice should be sought rather than compensation being at the fore of theagenda. They want K10 million from the state. Such claims, while understandable from the victims’ families due to their heavy losses, are

not the right way to deal with the issues. Asking for payment doesn't change anything and we are only promoting a culture of begging rather then conscience and understanding on what has taken place so we can mitigate such recurrences in the future. Justice must be sought so the victims deaths are accounted for and those responsible made to pay for their crimes. I believe the whole of PNG wants to see justice done. There have been many cases over the years but I'm just touching on these two examples to highlight my point.

In any case where a large influx of money has been injected into a community in PNG where compensation was paid for an incident,

whether natural or man-made, it creates more problems then solutions. The people, who are more often then not rural-based, have never seen such large sums of cash before and are victims of money itself with lack of understanding and proper financial management. When the money runs out they wait for the next disaster to happen and cash in. This breeds sinister mindsets among the people and hinders human and national development. People should be working for money and not depend on compensation to elevate their existence.

Derrick Nagul Capitol Hill

Fiji’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kabuabola during the opening of their chancery office at Hohola, Port Moresby.

Don’t mislead landowners

Letter of the day

I REFER to a press statement published on December 19, 2014, in the two dailies by an Elias Elkina as chairman of a purported clan referred to as Mohomal Kweptan clan of Kutimabip land in Tabubil.

I am a legitimate customary landowner of Ok Tedi mine and hail from the North-Fly district, Kiunga, Western Province.

As such, I have never heard of a Kutimabip land in the Tabubil area and I’m sure others from Tabubil would agree with me.

The statement was totally misleading because we the people of Tabubil are not fools and we are 100 per cent sure that Mohomal Kweptan clan of Kutimabip is situated in the Oksapmin village in the Telefomin district of West Sepik Province. It is not part of the Western Province.

The statement reflects the work of people with vested interest who

want to sneak their way in to claim ownership of other people’s land.

The tactic used these days where so-called landowners run to the media to make all kinds of statements to convince people on their position is not new to the people of PNG.

I would like to call upon whoever that Elias Elkina is and his purported clan not to confuse the good people of Tabubil and stick to your boundary because you are wrong.

According to official records, the Ok Tedi mine is situated in the boundary of North-Fly district and Kiunga in the Western Province alone.

The name Mohomal Kweptan clan is totally a foreign and unheard of clan.

It is situated in the Oksapmin area near Telefomin district in West Sepik Province, which is a separate province.

The author of the statement should bow his or her head in shame because he or she total-

Text us on 208

CLAIM OUTRAGEOUS

FISHY SELECTION

ly misled the people of Western, Sandaun and the entire country. Through further research, we found out that the purported clan went ahead and obtained an Incorporated Land Group (ILG) when it was not eligible to do so. The Fly River provincial government and the Sandaun provincial government are not aware of the ILG obtained by this purported clan.

I call on relevant authorities to investigate the manner in which this ILG was obtained and they be tested for re-registration to confirm if they are eligible to obtain an ILG. As a concerned customary landowner of Ok Tedi mine, I feel such activity amounts to fraud. This is illegal and whoever perusing this should be arrested and charged.

Police need leaders with good qualities

NO police service anywhere in the world can meet the high expectations and demands of the people they swore to serve and protect.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary is no different, however, statistics on the claims against the state for damages and atrocities in the past, and especially the recent killing of a mother in Lae and the Hanuabada incident allegedly by members of the Constabulary, show that the RPNGC has gone wayward in terms of how it is conducting police business.

Of all the issues that are contributing to the rise of this trend, none has a more devastating effect than

10 years ago

the issue of leadership within the entire organisation.

Most of the commanders, supervisors and leaders in the police service lack good leadership qualities. In the front line (public safety, traffic, response unit, mobile squad, etc) most of the section commanders and supervisors are old. They have not been keeping up with changes and so their knowledge about police work is outdated. Some of the younger supervisors, who you would expect to be of a better quality, are the same as their older comrades. Supervising a police unit is an enormous yet simple job.

In a nutshell, the tasks of a front-

line supervisor are as follows:

1. Define objectives;

2. Come up with a strategy;

3. Deploy resources;

4. Command and control;

5. Evaluate; and

6. Re-strategise if necessary.

The police-public relationship will not improve unless the RPNGC addresses its leadership problem immediately. We are here to protect and serve the public but we will continue to recycle bad behaviour until the Government looks seriously at the management and HR issues of the RPNGC.

Proud Motuan Aoteaora

FIRSTLY, I would like to pass my sincere condolences to the families of the two men who were killed during the confrontation between police and the villagers of Hanuabada.

I hope the culprits responsible are apprehended and brought to face the full force of the law. That said, I am a bit concerned with how the Government has come up with the decision of paying K22 million to the victims of this incident. Is this setting a precedent for police brutality cases around PNG? Are they encouraging people around PNG to hold the whole country to ransom so that they will have the bargaining power to ask for millions of unbudgeted claims? I think this decision should be revoked immediately with investigations carried out and the culprits sacked from the police force and put behind bars.

If the State wants to admit liability and pay compensation without any investigation then it should. But the figure should be seriously revised as people should not be encouraged to resort to blackmail by using compensation to make a fast buck.

Thank you,

WAIT FOR 2017

DeLion

IF LUCAS Kiap has some constructive ideas for the cleanliness and beautification of our city than he’ll have to wait for 2017. For the good of our city we must pay the price. Our mindset has not changed although millions of kina have been wasted trying to educate people. It is unfortunate that two young innocent lives had been lost through criminals in police uniform. Mr Parkop don’t back down, you are doing fine. I voted you because I believe in you. Come 2017 you will still have my vote. Parkop will not resign.

Henio Pege

I WOULD like to raise a concern at what I see as incompetency in the part of the NCD Grade Eight selection board.

I am a parent of a grade eight student and I am disappointed that although my child passed the pass mark (cut-off mark) and is eligible for a place in one of the NCD secondary schools, she did not get a placing. This is very disappointing and discouraging for some of us parents. And I not only speak for myself as there are many parents out there who would like to know why their child was not selected despite them passing the final examination. The examination coordination office and the NCD Grade Eight Selection Committee must explain this. I am calling on relevant authorities to investigate as I suspect foul play. This is not the first time it has occurred. On behalf of every affected parent, I sincerely ask Education Secretary Dr Michael Tapo to look into this matter which has been ongoing for many years.

I will be formally lodging this complaint with the Department of Education.

We have very incompetent officers or public servants in the system that need to be made redundant. We have been fronting up at the exam coordinator’s office but the office has been closed for the last two weeks.

Concerned Grade Eight parent NAME AND SHAME

IT IS with great dismay that we read about police brutality in our country. I dare the Police Commissioner to identify such officers through the media and put them through the courts with live media coverage until there is a sentencing. I don’t think they will be smiling when they enter Bomana. Tired of corrupt police

A father of three died after a crocodile overturned his canoe and took him underwater in Gulf Province. – Jan 5, 2005

Papa Graun Kiunga, Western Province

With PNG’s strong influence in the MSG (Melanesian Spearhead Group), it is the right time to restrategise and take our economic relationship to a new level.

Police governance starts at Konedobu

BY NEMO YALO

IN RESPONSE to the recent killings in Hanuabada Village Geoffrey Vaki Commissioner of Police says there is lack of “governance” at the lower command level within the police force.

There is lack of governance applied by station commanders and unit commanders. The Commissioner appears to point finger at the command structure below him and his deputies and the divisional command level.

But sir, if there is lack of “governance” or discipline meaning lack of command and control below the senior command level why is it so?

In November 2014 this writer published in the two dailies a commentary titled: “Disciplined Police Force is Fundamental to Democracy”.

The article spelt out the primary function prescribed by the Constitution as being: “(1) to preserve peace and good order in the country, and (2) to maintain and, as necessary, enforce the law in an impartial and objective manner”, Constitution Section 197.

The intention of the Constitution is that the public look up to the police force to enforce the law, protect them, their rights, freedoms and liberties and their property and keep order in the community.

Of course, in their line of duty the law allows the police to use reasonable force, but only under limited prescribed circumstances and not at wanton and at will.

Factions of the police force, in the minority, lacking regard for rule of law, civil rights and liberties is a clear symptom of weakness in its hierarchy and institutional decay caused by the lack of government’s attention to address them.

The government as the employer has the ultimate responsibility to re-instill discipline in the force.

It must first start with keeping politics and selfinterests out of the force. It must immediately address the inherent deep-rooted issues that are manifested in the symptoms we see on a daily basis.

Establishing ad-hoc task force is a joke to the daily public pain and grief. It will not help root out deeply entrenched culture causing institutional decay.

If the police pose a threat to the public then it is indeed the employer and its actions or inaction that is the real threat to the public, rule of law, our nationhood, and our democracy.

The current police motto: “Securing a Safer Community” has basis from the Constitution.

But the conduct of certain segment of the force is acting contrary to the motto and killing people and driving fear into the society. Think about allegations of policemen slashing off a student’s fingers with bush knife; slashing ankle tendons of multiple civilians; allegation of bashing up an academic, hospitalising him and stealing his personal belongings; terrorizing a person with canine police dog; chasing a wrong car, firing at wanton and shooting dead an innocent child along Waigani Drive; allegedly assaulting detectives for doing their work and terrorizing innocent families; drunken police dressed in civilian but possessing state-issued firearm pointed at a senior police officer and his family returning from weekend outing; assassination of Moana Pisimi in Lae; alleged shooting of unarmed person at Tatana; beating up suspects in full public view using used vehicle fan belts; picking up mothers (vendors) near PIH at Boroko in a marked police bus and sexually assaulting them for two long hours; and allegations of officers in uniform drunk and abusing and assaulting members of the public is a daily occurrence.

Rogue officers are acting as the investigator, prosecutor, the judge, the jury and

the executioner all at once. When will the police hierarchy with their usual promises of “zero tolerance” bring these officers to justice?

Before long the nation will hear about another wanton shooting and wounding or killing by police officers.

Mr Vaki and his Deputy Commissioner Operations should be commended for an immediate response to Moana Pisimi killing.

We expect the same for the Tatana and Hanuabada killings.

However it is unimaginable that it is taking a week in respect of Hanuabada killing and about three weeks for the Tatana Village killing before the suspected trigger-happy Port Moresbybased officer(s) are hauled in for questioning.

The frequency of such deadly criminal acts by the police is a fairly recent phenomenon.

These crimes were unheard of in the times of respectable Police Commissioners of yester years, namely Philip Bouraga, Ila Geno just to name a couple with equally respectable divisional commanders under them.

The killings by police officers have become more frequent in the last three years. Commissioner Vaki was out of the force for much of that time, but the number of such deaths has increased very recently.

This writer does not blame Commissioner Vaki for those deaths, but he must ask who is ultimately responsible for the lack of “governance” he refers to?

We have heard far too many promises to the public by police commissioners and divisional commanders that they will apply zero tolerance policy on police brutality.

These words intended to be warning to the rogue and ill-disciplined officers are having no practical effect.

The Police Commissioner has to ask why this is so. In a Utopian world perhaps, the police commissioner, his deputies and the respective divisional commanders will hang their heads in shame and resign.

Why? Because there is mounting evidence that they cannot instill command and control within the force.

That there is mounting evidence that the officers have no respect and regard for their authority.

In the recent instance the recent police killing has caused so much inconvenience to the city community and cost so much to businesses houses in the city. This is all as a result of lack of “governance” within the police force.

Finally, why should the rest of the nation through the national government and city authority pay com-

pensation for the deaths or for any unlawful police killing at any given time?

The police officers get away with these crimes because ultimately the rest of the public through the State is usually held responsible to pay compensation for burning and destruction to properties or for unlawful killings.

It is time to change this.

Where it is determined through a court of law that the officer concerned acted beyond his power and outside of his line of duty he should personally pay compensation and his unit commander and station commander should be held

equally liable. Their service entitlements should be forfeited to pay compensation. They should be terminated from the force.

The Parliament in its sitting next month should debate the issue of unlawful police killings and related issues such as liability and revisit the Police Act and other relevant laws to bring about command and control from Commissioner down to the Constable.

In the meantime, with the greatest respect, Commissioner Vaki should know that ‘governance’ starts in the brick building in Konedobu.

THE top brass at Konedobu, Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki and senior of fi cers facing the media. Right: The roadblock at Hanuabada village as a result of police brutality.

If there is a lack of “governance” or discipline meaning lack of command and control below the senior command level, why is it so

The Right Hon. Sir Rabbie Namaliu GCL, CSM, KCMG

YWAM Medical Ships Patron - PNG

wishes to sincerely thank all contributors to the

YWAM Medical Ships - InterOil Gala Event 21.11.14

Funds raised assisted with purchase of the new Training and Medical Ship to be deployed in PNG in 2015

MV YWAM PNG

Gratitude to the following special guests and contributors:

Guest of Honour, Hon. Charles Abel, Minister for National Planning

Mr. Chris Finlayson, Chairman, InterOil Corporation

Hon. Titus Philemon, Governor for Milne Bay Province

Hon. Ati Wobiro, Governor for Western Province

Hon. Kasiga Kelly Naru, Governor for Morobe Province

Hon. Kila Haoda, Governor for Central Province

Acknowledgement also to MC: ‘Shaz’ Rosemarie Botong, PNG FM

Auctioneer: Mr Jim Robbins

Donated auction items: Larry Santana, Jane Wena, Governor Naru, NRL Ltd

If you have a story to tell, call us on 309 1042, or email

Aust funds barracks upgrade

BY LEONNIE WAYANG

BADILI police barracks will be undergoing renovations after a wall-breaking ceremony was held yesterday to mark the start of the works to take place there.

The renovations will be carried out on the existing double-storey building at the Badili police barracks and will cater for the accommodation of 22 police officers.

The new design will include communal kitchens and laundry facilities on each floor with new toilet and shower facilities to be constructed in an extension of the existing building. Included in the reconstruction would be a spacious backyard with recreational facilities where officers could relax when they were off duty.

The reconstruction of the Badili police station and the barracks is a joint effort between the Australian Federal Police through the Australian aid program and Moresby South MP and Minister for Sports Justin Tkatchenko.

“It’s a great privilege for me to be here at this ceremony because it is the marking of something new in Moresby-South. The proposed

building will be something very special,” the head of the Australian Federal Police in Papua New Guinea, Assistant Commissioner Alan Scott said.

“We are very proud of this building, we are proud of the relationship that we have with the Minister and with the senior officers of the constabulary that have allowed AFP to fund the construction of this new building and beyond this building there’s further work to be done in the main police station,” he said.

The cost of constructing the new police barracks is K1.2 million while the AFP would spend an additional K300,000 to renovate the Badili police station. “The new police barracks that will be constructed with funding from AFP is an absolute blessing in disguise for our policemen, especially the 22 single police officers that will live at the barracks,” Mr Tkatchenko said.

The new police barracks is expected to be completed by May. Police officers who had been residing with their families in the barracks had already been allocated houses in the various police barracks and were expected to relocate soon.

City settlers urged to take care of water

BY DENYSE KALAU

PEOPLE residing at Talai settlement in the Moresby South electorate have been told to take full ownership of the new water supply project.

The call was made by MP for Moresby South Justin Tkatchenko at the ground breaking ceremony of the water supply project in Talai last week.

Speaking to the community at the opening of the water project, Mr Tkatchenko told them that the K658,966 water project delivered to them through the District Support Improvement Program (DSIP) funds is a great relief for the community who often struggle to carry water buckets to fetch water for cooking and drinking for the past 35 years.

The water project in Talai has taken years to be finally delivered to the doorsteps of the people and the onus is on them to take full

ownership and responsibility of the project so that the water project can serve the people in the long run.

The water project is a basic need of the community which was made possible by the local member with the support from NCD Governor and the board and management of Eda Ranu who have joined forces to deliver the project to the people on time.

“Water is essential to the livelihood of the people and with the opening of the project, the community will no longer have to experience the hardships of having to carrying water buckets which they normally do in the past, simply because the water project is built in a central location where everyone from the area can have access to reliable water.

“The biggest challenge now is for the people to maintain the project which the whole community will benefit from it,” he said.

Missionary to visit Moresby

FOUNDER and president of Christian Mission Fellowship International (CMFI), Rev Suliasi Kurulo will be visiting Port Moresby from February 4-9, for a two day passion for mission leadership summit and night meetings at the Rev Sione Kami Memorial Church.

Rev Kurulo hails from Vanua Levu in Fiji, and PNG has a special place in his life because it is the mission field where his great grandfather died as a missionary in the 1870s.

Rev Kurulo has carried on with his great grandfather’s legacy with passion beyond the Pacific, travelling extensively around the world proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. He heads one of the fast-

est growing church-planting, world mission-focused movements which is currently established in more than 100 nations around the world. Under his leadership, many Papua New Guineans have also been trained and ordained as Pastors and missionaries and are currently serving within the nation and also abroad.

During Rev Kurulo’s visit, he will be the guest speaker at a Prayer & Breakfast gathering at Holiday Inn to raise funds to support the mission of the church around the world. Rev Kurulo has a global vision specifically focused on reaching the most unreached communities with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

MORESBY South MP Justin Tkatchenko third from left, NCD Metropolitan Suprintendant Andy Bawa with some of the AFP officers during the wall breaking ceremony of the Badili police barracks.

If you have a story to tell, call us on 542 2602, or email posthagen@spp.com.pg

Top cop blames licensing process

BY JOHNNY POIYA

THE Western Highlands Provincial Liquor Licensing Board has been blamed for issuing licences to trade stores and tucker shops.

Highlands divisional police commander Teddy Tei yesterday opposed the idea for liquor ban in the province and called on the provincial administration to strictly control the issuing of licences.

CHURCH CONVENTION

Unlawful land grab on the rise in Hagen

BY JOHNNY POIYA

ILLEGAL land grabbing within Mt Hagen city by so-called traditional landowners is on the rise, city authorities warn.

There has been a surge in illegal construction of permanent structures and fencing of all sorts mushrooming all over the city’s vacant state lands, allegedly by individuals with fake land titles, say Mt Hagen City Authority’s Pious Pim and physical planner Wak Kewa in a letter to Governor Paias Wingti last year.

They said two of the biggest parks or reserves in the Highlands region – Pope’s Oval and Queen’s Park – are slowly being taken over as the Western Highlands Provincial Government has no gazetted Lands Board in place to address the issue.

The two parks were named after the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1984 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1974.

In the letter the two men said the illegal occupation of state land and construction of structures was becoming a routine in the city.

The two said since there was nobody with the title to the two parks, it would be better to comply to physical planning requirements and plan developments on the lands quickly to prevent further grabbing.

They said there were no sub division and issuing of titles made or approved by both the national and provincial land boards for the two

parks and requests for fences and structures to be dismantled with the assistance of police.

The rush in land grab has forced Messrs Pim and Kewa to travel to Port Moresby to raise the issue with the national Department of Lands for a quick decision on the appointment of the provincial Lands and Physical Planning Board, which was presented by the governor in 2013.

The Kerebug dump site outside Mt Hagen is another state land the Mt Hagen City Authority has raised concerns over regarding occupation and development by individuals with dubious land titles.

While the most notable land claimed to be held by fake land tittles are identified as the Pope’s Oval, Queen’s Park and Kerebug, other lesser land in the city are being taken over by so called locals at an unprecedented rate.

They said most part of the Warakum area as well as several other areas in the city are now in the hands of traditional landowners as well as individuals with fake land titles.

The city authority said the appointment of Provincial Land and Physical Planning Board should be gazetted and effected immediately to defuse the surge in land grab and regain all state land back.

They claimed individuals within the Lands Department collaborated in the land grab, which was getting out of hand.

“It’s good for a ban as it could decrease alcohol related law and order issues but, there would be more crime and problems,” he said.

“People travelling out of the province in search of alcohol may end of dying in road accidents, there will be increase in drug and homebrew consumption.”

“The Jiwaka and Western Highlands provincial governments called for a liquor ban because the Provincial Liquor Licensing Board is being bribed and licences are being issued to any Tom, Dick and Harry. They don’t care whether it’s a trade store, tucker shop or quality lodge,” Supt Tei said. He said every time his men appeared in court with owners of trade stores selling alcohol, they produced their licences and made his men look like fools.

A ban imposed on Jiwaka and Western Highlands as of the 19th of this month was stayed by a court order from one of distributors in Mt Hagen – it is now normal operations.

Meanwhile, Mr Tei said he has directed Eastern Highlands provincial police commander John Kale to investigate and get to the bottom of an incident involving drunken policemen in civilian clothes who pulled a gun on Jiwaka provincial police commander Joseph Tondop at a roadblock on Saturday night in Barola, Eastern Highlands Province.

Opening of the Legal Year 2015

Judges, Magistrates & Lawyers are to be robed for the service.

The Combined Police & CS Band will lead the Judges, Magistrates & Lawyers from the Godwit Street, Gordons next to Australian High Commission on to the Sir John Guise drive and Independence drive to the Waigani National Court premises. These roads will be closed to the Public between 8:30am – 9:30am for the reason.

There will be a Guard of Honor Parade to be inspected by his Honor, Chief Justice. Refreshments will be available after the Service, which is expected to finish by 10:45am.

The Courts in Boroko, Port Moresby and Waigani will be closing during that morning.

The 2015 Legal Year church service will be held at the main podium Waigani National Court premises – at 9:30 am on Monday 2nd February 2015. It will be lead by St Martin’s Anglican Parish.

This is an Ecumenical service to which representatives of all church congregations & the Public are invited to attend.

The service is for the Legal Profession and Law & Order Sector but members of the Public are cordially invited.

There is ample parking at Waigani court premises & the main road. Organised & Arranged by:- National Judicial Services & PNG Law Society Phone: 324 5868 / FAX: 325 7732

Issued by:

ABOUT 1500 members of the SDA church flocked to Sinesine’s Koge village to take part in a week-long evangelistic meeting sponsored by the Kumul district. The guest speakers are pastors Benjamin Kola, Agnes Kola and Albert Robert. Apart from gospel presentations, other subjects like global warming, business projects, law and order, health and agriculture were also discussed. The meeting will wind up this Sunday. Picture: MICHAEL KOMA

If you have a story to tell, call us on 472 4166 or email postlae@spp.com.pg / or call 422 3120, email postmadang@spp.com.pg

Lae gas turbines ready for tests

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

TESTING work is currently being carried out on the newly-installed gas turbines in Lae, says a PNG Power mainland New Guinea region executive.

PNG Power Lae gas turbine project manager Vele Kila said technical work on the gas turbines had commenced in October last year and is currently in its final stage.

“PPL and the contractor have being carrying out testing for the past few weeks now.

“We plan to start the performance testing work on the 5th of February,” Mr Kila said.

According to Mr Kila, there are a few challenges that the project is currently dealing with and he explained that the commissioning may be scheduled for a later date.

“One of the challenges that we’ve faced during the installation stage is the delay in suppliers delivering materials on time,” he said.

“The other major issue that we’re going through is that the pump that pumps fuel from Mobil’s fuel tanker to our fuel tank is experiencing problems,” Mr Kila

Deal signed for rural hydro project

By MELISHA YAFOI

A MEMORANDUM of understanding was signed on Monday between the Morobe Provincial Government and the University of Technology to build a hydro power station in Pindiu, a remote village in Finschhafen district of Morobe province.

said. He said since there has not been any gas delivered to the turbines, PNG Power will be using diesel generators to power the gas turbine.

“One of the electricity current transformers at the Milfordhaven power station blew up last week and was replaced with a new one.

“After this is installed, our test engineers will move in to conduct necessary tests and we should energise the new transmission lines this Saturday,” Mr Kila said.

PNG Power’s mainland New Guinea regional acting manager Stanley Gogorea thanked the contractors and PNG Power’s technical team as the work has reached its final stage.

“It’s being one of the major tasks that we’ve ever carried out considering the fact that gas turbines are a new innovation in the country.

“PPL is confident that once these gas turbines are up and running, Lae city residents will no longer experience power blackouts or other power interruptions, when there’s less supply coming down from Yonkey,” Mr Gogorea explained.

The gas turbines will act as a stand-by alternative during power shortages.

A SEASIDE stop over fish market at Malasiga village, Finschhafen district of Morobe province where passengers traveling between Lae, Finschhafen, Tewai/Siassi and Kabwum stop to buy smoked fi sh and sago before continuing their journey to their destination. Since the liquidation of Lutheran Shipping passenger services, local villages especially those between Lae and Finschhafen have benefi ted well through the sale of food and other items to travellers. Picture: FRANCO

Equipment to ease power woes

MADANG residents will no longer have to worry about low power voltages thanks to the new STATCOM equipment currently in operation, say PNG Power executives.

PNG Power Momase regional manager Albert Nanako said the equipment was purchased at a cost of

K4 million and is the third one they have installed in the country.

“Work on the setting up and testing of the equipment commenced in October last year and it was finally completed in over the weekend.

“Now that we have the STATCOM in place, it will

help to maintain the voltage and minimise power loss during distribution of electricity,” Mr Nanako said.

The equipment was set up at the Mero sub-station in Madang.

The Madang Chamber of Commerce praised PNG Power’s initiative.

The Appropriate Technology and Community Development Institute (ATCDI) of the university has been given the task to implement the project.

ATCDI will work as networking partners to construct the Mongi hydro power project in Pindiu and ensure that the project is carried out until its completion.

ATCDI director John Dujambi said the project will be in the upper and lower Mongi areas where there is road access.

Mr Dujambi said since the road would be the major obstacle, the only means of transportation would be by air to move materials to the project sites.

He said despite the difficulties with the road network ATCDI had already completed several projects in other districts of the province and hope to do the same in Finschhafen.

“We are prepared to take on this project with that in many other aspects, the provincial government needs to support other joint activities and work in partnership with other stakeholders to bring development that is beneficiary for everyone,” he said.

Blackouts affect water supply

BY MELISHA YAFOI

SEVERAL parts of Lae city have been affected with low water pressure following the ongoing power black outs experience in the city last week.

Water PNG senior manager Vincent Raka admitted yesterday that the low water pressure was result of a bore pump experiencing a mechanical problem following the power outage experience in the city.

Mr Raka said there are six operational bores that supply water to the entire city but since one of the bore is below producing its water capacity. He said this means that it cannot generate the pressure as expected and this is affecting the flow of supply to the entire city. “At the moment we will be negotiating with PNG Power

At a glance

ISSUE: Parts of Lae city affected with low water pressure.

CAUSE: Result of a bore pump experiencing a mechanical problem.

OPERATIONAL BORES: There are six operational bores that supply water to the entire city.

PLAN: Water PNG also has plans to improve the water supply system by anticipating getting another additional bore hole drill to replace the old that no longer working.

VINCENT RAKA: Water PNG senior manager

Limited (PPL) to fix the continuous blackouts, the low voltage of power and also ask them to upgrade the current system

PPL is using to supply electricity in the province,” he said.

He said Water PNG also has plans to improve the water supply system by anticipating getting an additional bore hole drill to replace the old one that is no longer working.

“We will replace this old one this year and also put up an additional contact tank for the treatment plant that is located at West Taraka,” said Raka.

He said Water PNG is trying to get prime generators because the current ones can run continuously on a maximum of 4-6 hours which gives us the problem of people receiving low water pressure.

Raka has given his assurance to the people of Lae city that by this Friday all the low pressure of water they are having will be restored.

NEBAS

FISH AND SAGO BY THE SEA

MP slams petty politics

RABAUL MP Allan Marat has lashed out against the O’Neill/Dion Government, the Central Bank and leaders for continuously playing petty politics and denying organisations and the people of Rabaul District to realise the Government’s policy of economic empowerment.

He said this because the only microfinance company in the Rabaul District – Mataure Rabaul Microfinance Limited (MRML) is yet to be issued a banking licence.

He said the demand among individuals and groups within Rabaul for assistance from the Government to enable them to be economically empowered are very high.

However, Mr Marat said the current Government, through its agent – a particular known officer within the Central Bank in collusion with other so-called leaders, have seen fit to play petty politics against the people of Rabaul.

The MP, who officiated at the opening of Rabaul District’s first SVS Supa V Stoa at Rabuana Ward in the Kombiu LLG area last Friday, said this particular officer was a hindrance to effective implementation of this, now seemingly, self defeating government policy of economic empowerment by some wee-brained people occupying high government offices.

He said the people want

Leave fares cause hassle

A TEACHER and his family in East New Britain Province were not able to travel home for holidays due to the unavailability of their airline leave tickets.

At a glance

ASSISTANCE: Demand among individuals and groups within Rabaul for assistance from the Government to enable them to be economically empowered is very high.

ALLAN MARAT: He is the Rabaul district’s MP, he also officiated at the opening of Rabaul District’s first SVS Supa V Stoa at Rabuana ward

access to funds to enable them to get into business activities such as the SVS Supa V Stoa business and other small to medium enterprises.

“But this particular officer within the Central Bank thinks my people in Rabaul, Gazelle, Kokopo and Pomio are not worthy of assistance and so keeps denying recommendations by his own inspection officers on two separate occasions to issue a banking license to Mataure Rabaul Microfinance Limited.

“The only people’s microfinance company in Rabaul District, started by the people of Rabaul District themselves so that borrowing can begin,” he said.

He said MRML was started well before the group ‘Women in Business’ and that recommendation was made to issue a licence to this group soon after it started.

Women urged to use BSP

BY GRACE TIDEN

WOMEN vendors at the new Nonga market in Rabaul District, East New Britain Province were encouraged to make use of banking services that will be provided through the recently opened SVS Supa V Stoa at Nonga.

Project manager Patricia

Community takes part

BY GRACE TIDEN

THE recently launched natural rainforest conversation project in the Baining Mountains of East New Britain Province is the first project to be rolled out under the New Britain Community-Based Forest and Coastal Conservation Resource Management Project.

Project coordinator Raymond Unasi said the CosmoARM Natural Rainforest Conservation Project involving three wards in the Sinivit LLG area of Pomio District was taking the lead.

He said more than 20 communities on the island of New Britain have also made submissions to be part of the Community-Based Forest and Coastal Conservation Resource Management Project under the

Department of Environment and Conservation.

However, they are yet to go through the submissions as the focus will now be on the CosmoARM Natural Rainforest Conservation Project and how well it is implemented.

Mr Unasi said the CosmoARM project was a livelihood project to empower the communities of Arabam, Raigel and Maranagi (ARM) to conserve their natural rain forests and at the same time support sustainable agricultural and farming activities to benefit the people.

This community based organisation was formed to conserve the headwaters of Warangoi River and to protect and conserve a rare and native species of wild dog.

The project is partly funded

Kassman urged women to save their money with the Bank South Pacific so that SVS will support women who wish to purchase items such as sewing machines.

She said the store’s banking services will allow people, especially women, to apply for a minimum loan.

She told people who gath-

by the Cosmos Oil Company of Japan and managed by the Japanese-run Organization of Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA).

Just recently, the project received funding from the United Nations Development Program and from the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Speaking during the launching of the Cosmo-ARM project recently, Mr Unasi told landowner leaders that other communities will see how well people in the three wards implement the project.

He also said there will be training programs as well to up skill and empower people in the three wards and he urged the leaders to involve women and youths in the project.

ered to witness the opening of the shop that they do not necessarily have to go to Rabaul Town to do their banking.

The opening of SVS’ 38th Supa V Stoa, which is the second for Rabaul district, coincided with the commissioning of the Nonga market and ablution block over the weekend.

Andrew Kariva, a teacher at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Vunapope Secondary School in Kokopo, said he spent the Christmas and New Year period checking on his leave entitlements to travel home to West New Britain Province.

He said teachers from other provinces working in ENB received their entitlements when they went to check at the Division of Education office in Kokopo.

However, he said he went to check on his tickets but was told to check at the Air Niugini office in Kokopo. Mr Kariva said he was given a copy of the cheque number (15065) which he was told was already paid to Air Niugini. However, he said when he went to check at Air Niugini, he was told the airline office did not receive any cheque from education authorities. The cheque was raised on December 10, 2014, totalling K4467.80.

He said he will not be able to go for holidays because they resumed work this week.

Division of education adviser Pius Gawi said Mr Kariva’s case was unfortunate because the cheque that was given to the airline company was misplaced.

He said they have started following up to find out what had happened adding that Mr Kariva was entitled to his leave fare entitlements.

MS PATRICIA Kassman (right) officially handing over the key for the newly opened SVS Supa V Stoa to Mrs Helen Pineri.

If you have a story to tell, call us on 982 9186, or email postrabaul.spp@global.net.pg / or call 973 9188, email

Women paticipate in farming course

FOUR women were among 27 participants of Central and South Bougainville who undertake cocoa and a financial management course in Arawa.

Arawa top cop proposed to work with the community

BY ISHMAEL PALIPAL

THE Arawa Police Station Commander Sergeant Herman Birengka has been urging the public to work closely with the police. He believes that by working together, both police and the public can create safe and peaceful community.

Sgt. Birengka strengthen his words of networking with the chiefs, veterans and ex-combatants after a recent escapee from Damaosi in Kieta District of Central Bougainville Martin Domi surrendered willingly to the police after the chief and police negotiated on this matter days ago.

The escapee who was a murder suspect escaped from the police detention

cell at Arawa police station with other seven detainees on January 16th. The others, mostly from Bana District in South Bougainville who were charged with homebrew cases are still at large.

“I would like to appeal to all the chiefs in Central and South Bougainville that they must work together with the police to bring forward those law breakers,” appealed Sgt Birengka.

“We must know that if we are entertaining such law breakers in our communities, we are also aiding them go against the law.”

Sgt. Birengka stated that, since the escapee surrendered himself in, he will drop the charges charged for escaping from the detention and also willing do that to

others who have escaped if they surrender themselves willingly to the police to wait their court sitting for the final decisions.

Thus, he urged the public, chiefs, veterans and ex-combatants to come forward and surrender those law breakers who are at large and still hiding around the communities if they know their where-abouts.

He acknowledged the Chief Thaddeus Taviora and Joseph Kareari for understanding the importance of law and order in the community and bringing the murder suspect to the police station in Arawa.

“This is the kind of example I want the community and the chiefs all throughout Bougainville to follow

and help police in their work to keep the law and order in the communities,” said Sgt. Birengka.

“Law and order is everybody’s business. If we work together like this, we will create a safe and peaceful community.”

He stated that his police officers need more support from the community because they do not want to work with guns but with the community, especially community leaders like chiefs to work alongside them through peaceful means. He stated there is no need to carry guns around the community looking for criminals if we work together.

“Guns are no use because we are one good people. Even the Bougainville Peace

Agreement directs us not to carry guns and I strongly agree with that, thus I am appealing to the community to build good network with us to keep our Island peaceful,” urged Sgt. Birengka. “This act by Damaoisi chief and his people is a very good example that other chiefs and people can follow to bring to justice those law breakers hanging around our communities.”

Sgt. Birengka wants a bottom up approach for the community leaders assisting and working alongside police to enforce law and order in the community and also urged the Government Members to fund and run more law and order awareness throughout the region.

Infant needs urgent financial help

BY ROMULUS MASIU

WILSON, a one-week-old infant, needs urgent financial help for immediate surgery to remove a huge lump on his buttocks.

Yesterday, Wilson’s mother Maria Tanda walked with Wilson all the way from Sirovai village of Paruparu, Eivo Torau Constituency in Kieta District of Central Bougainville, to seek medical attention at the Arawa Health Centre.

Soon after arriving Dr Joe Vilosi took the mother and baby to the Kieta district treasury office – this

The bottom line

is where the government keeps and releases money for the people of Central Bougainville – for the officers to see for themselves and allocate immediate funding for Wilson to go for further medical checkup and possible surgery to remove the lump.

According to Dr Vilosi the baby needs to get this lump removed as soon as possible at a big hospital in Port Moresby or Lae. However, the mother and son don’t have that money and Dr Vilosi has made it his priority to seek funds from any donors or government.

The first stop over was at the Kieta district treasury office where Wilson and his mum Maria were caught yesterday evening sitting outside the district’s money house.

Anyone wishing to help could contact Dr Vilosi on phone 72647991.

The Vietnam war was the longest war in which the United States took part.

The five day course, whereby three days went to cocoa management and two days for financial management was presented by UPNG open Campus under their community project component programs. They also provided materials for the courses. The courses were facilitated by Arawa-based Cocoa and Coconut Institute (CCI) area facilitator and liaison manager Jerry Tunsio. The management courses were funded by Regional MPfor Bougainville Joseph Lera.

Mr Tunsio said the management courses involved demonstrations on how to look after cocoa blocks and also to get the participants to be involved in and treat their cocoa plots as a business entity.

“Farmers will use and compliment financial management to cater for their cocoa blocks as the management courses come in line,” Mr Tunsio said adding that participants were very happy and looked forward to more of such trainings in the future.

Thomas Koitau, one of the participants at the course praised this workshop but said more needs to be done adding that the courses needed to go right down to the Village Assemblies where the bulk of the population is and are faithful cocoa farmers.

He added that the five day course is not enough and Regional MP and other MPs should pump more money into such courses as it is a good way to address the cocoa pod borer issue.

“More of such awareness, trainings and management courses needs to be channelled down to the village assemblies and rural areas as awareness and information are very important and vital.”

Meanwhile, this week Mr Tunsio will carry out trainings at Kokoda, South Nasioi and North Nasioi after receiving funding from Jimmy Miringtoro’s DSIP funding. There will be on the site training at cocoa blocks. The cocoa management is a new technology to cocoa farmers in the region.

Mr Tunsio believes next year parliamentarians will chip in with more funding for cocoa trainings and awareness to local cocoa farmers in Bougainville.

SEARGENT Herman Birengka taking time to thank chief Thaddeus Taviora and Joseph Kareari and the escapee (second from left) at the Arawa police detention area for willingly surrendering. Picture: ISHMAEL PALIPAL

BABY Wilson and mum Maria sitting outside of the Kieta District Treasury Office hoping for some funding from the government to go for further scans and surgery of the baby’s lump on his buttock.

If you have business story to tell, text or call us on 3091028, or email ptwundai@spp.com.pg

Aussie think tank doubts PNG govt debt strategy

BY PATRICK.T.WUNDAI

AN Australian development policy think-tank has assessed that PNG has not been able to raise sufficient funds to finance the 2014 deficit from domestic markets.

Paul Flanagan from the Australian Development Policy Centre in his detailed assessment and rating of the PNG Government’s 2015 National Budget’s deficit financing strategy published in early December 2014 stated; “undersubscriptions on government debt means the central bank (BPNG) has started printing money to cover the deficits leading to a significant risk of higher rates of inflation.

“The almost magical answer for this problem is an assumed K2.5 billion in funds from asset sales. This is from a possible sale of part of the PNG LNG project to landowners. It is not clear if such a sale can be put in place in 2015 – even local accounting firms have reservations about this being possible and indicate only half the sale is allocated to debt reduction,” Mr Flanagan who was a former Treasury advisor to the PNG Government said.

Mr Flanagan whose warning to the PNG Government to adjust the Budget in light of the falling global oil prices which he was heavily criticised by the Government, continues to assess that the valuation for such a sale is also very large stating, “the 2014 budget had the sale listed as being worth K600m (and so this is the figure that has been included in the ‘conservative’ and ‘realistic’ debt analysis above),” he said.

Mr Flanagan however stated that possibly other asset sales are planned. “As long as competition policy is given sufficient focus when selling natural monopolies, this is appropriate. But nothing is mapped out in the budget to this effect. Essentially, the budget places most of its eggs in this one basket of asset sales of part of the PNG

LNG project without providing convincing information as to its value or its timing. Interest costs also appear significantly underestimated as the rollover of government debt will need to be financed at interest rates which have nearly doubled since the last budget. So if one considers that the K2.5 billion in asset sales will proceed while overall a ranking of ‘C’. If asset sales in 2015 of K600m are judged as more realistic this is an ‘E’,” Mr Flanagan added.

According to Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch in his Budget speech, the 2015 Budget deficit of around K2.3 billion, or 4.4 per cent of GDP will be more than offset by proceeds from the sale of equity in the LNG project to landowners.

Mr Pruaitch said, “the decision by the Government to proceed with the transaction and use the

proceeds to retire debt this year means that the estimated level of debt will fall by K228 million to K14.26 billion by end 2015.

“This will have a positive impact on reducing the Government and private sector interest borrowing costs.

“In 2015, and pending the timing of the finalisation of the sale process, Treasury will continue its task of raising funds from the market to finance the deficit. Next year’s National Budget will be financed through a combination of loans from our development partners (K0.8 billion), who continue to provide valuable assistance to PNG, and the remainder through our domestic market (K1.5 billion). Domestic debt will be retired as soon as the Government receives the proceeds from the equity sale,” he added.

The Treasurer stressed that the Government has always had a strong preference for utilising the domestic debt market where possible saying; “but the time has now come for the Government to explore ways to increase its investor base and range of financing options.”

“A growing economy needs to be supported by an equally vibrant and mature debt market capable of meeting PNG’s future needs to fund projects and its development needs. The Government’s goal of achieving balanced budgets from 2017 onwards provides the appropriate platform to further reduce the level of debt to GDP ratio. This key measure of debt sustainability is expected to fall to 27.8 per cent next year (2015), rise slightly to 28 per cent the following year and fall to 23.6 per cent by 2019.”

Expert queries transparency of 2015 national budget

BY PATRICK.T.WUNDAI

AN AUSTRALIAN policy expert has ridiculed that PNG continues to produce a budget filled with good information yet sufficiently not transparent, particularly on the Government owned businesses and revenues in the resources sectors.

Former treasury adviser to the PNG Treasury Department and current policy think-tank at the Australian Development Policy Centre Paul Flanagan, however said, PNG should move from the 1986 to the 2001 accounting standards to better understand what is going on in the budget.

“The loss of detailed information on the value of individual stateowned enterprises is a step backwards and adds to the issue below

of K3.3 billion in mineral revenue simply disappearing from the budget books with little explanation.

“There is still no integration of budget information across the national, provincial and district levels (this used to be provided in the budget),” Mr Flanagan published on the policy centre’s blog last December.

Mr Flanagan also rasied doubts as to whether there is a dearth of performance information on major new programs such as the Services Improvement Programs.

“These have been the largest funding initiative of this government but little information is provided. Better project planning processes are outlined and hopefully these will help provide better decisions and information in future years,”

he said..

The policy expert also raised questions as to know how assets will be treated, including updates on the sovereign wealth fund (SWF) and Kumul arrangements and their impacts on revenues.

“There is good new information included on the flow of funds into and out of the proposed Stabilisation and Savings Funds of the SWF. Some of this may require technical clarification but is a positive step forward and would rate as B+.

“However, there is almost no information provided on the Kumul arrangements. Digging into the numbers produces a very worrying story. From 2016 to 2018, using the 2014 budget as a base, it appears that 60% of all PNGLNG/mining dividends disappears (K1,646m) as

Market Snapshot

does 25% of all mining and petroleum taxes (K1,708m).

“It is extremely worrying that over K3.3 billion is no longer flowing through the budget to support development.

“The SWF may be established, but its purpose is undermined by such a diversion of revenue. Presumably these funds will cover the costs of items such as the UBS loan for the Oil Search shares purchased in March, as well as other possible Kumul Holdings adventures such as financing any new stage of Ok Tedi which, using 1986 standards, are treated as off-budget expenditures. No information is provided on how funds will be obtained for recent adverse court rulings on the IPIC loan and Nautilus,” Mr Flanagan stressed.

$A rises on surprise inflation jump

SYDNEY: The Australian dollar is firmer as a stronger than expected jump in inflation made a near-term rate cut look less likely.

The currency shot up by almost one US cent to above 80 US cents after official data showed a surprise inflation increase. By 1700 AEDT on Wednesday, the local unit was worth exactly 80 US cents, up from 79.42 cents on Tuesday.

The underlying level of inflation, which currency traders focused on, rose by 0.7 per cent in the December quarter. It was greater than the half a percentage point increase forecast by economists. This convinced traders the economy wasn’t doing as badly as thought, diminishing the chance of a near-term interest rate cut, Easy Forex currency dealer Liam Moon said.

“A lot of people thought it was in a worse state than it is,” he said.

“The last few weeks, the Aussie dollar has been over sold.

“It only takes a bit of good news to get the markets back into the buying mode.”

Core inflation rose by 2.25 per cent in 2014, compared with a consumer price index increase of 1.7 per cent with cheaper petrol factored in.

A weaker greenback ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s January meeting also helped the Australian dollar, with traders now expecting it to keep rates on hold.

At 1700 AEDT the Australian dollar was at 94.46 Japanese yen, up from 93.93 yen on Tuesday, and at 70.46 euro cents, down from 70.67 euro cents.

Meanwhile, bond futures prices weakened. Commonwealth Bank head of debt research Adam Donaldson said the inflation numbers made a nearterm interest rate cut appear less likely.

At 1630 AEDT on Wednesday, the March 2015 10year bond futures contract was trading at 97.435 (implying a yield of 2.565 per cent), down from 97.470 (2.530 per cent) on Tuesday.

The March 2015 three-year bond futures contract was at 97.890 (2.110) from 97.960 (2.040 per cent).

A SMILING Treasurer Patrick Pruaiatch presenting the 2015National Budget at the Budget Press Lock-Up in November. Siting left to right are Treasury Secretary Dairi Vele and Finance Secretary Dr Ken Ngangan.

Ramu 2 feasibility study released

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

CONSULTANT,

Parsons

Brinkerhoff who was engaged for the a feasibility study on the PNG Power Limited’s (PPL) Ramu Scheme yesterday submitted its final report to the Minister for Public Enterprises & State Investments Ben Micah through the Investment Public Business Corporation (IPBC) at a media conference in Port Moresby.

After following due governance process, IPBC appointed leading world-wide engineering consultants Parsons Brinkerhoff as the lead agency supported by Kramer Ausenco as a local counterpart

The National Executive Council appointed IPBC as the lead agency to explore options to increase hydro-electric power generation in the Ramu Scheme.

The extensive and detailed report provides the blueprint for the progression of the Ramu 2 project.

Mr Micah said the purpose of the Ramu 2 project is to optimise the water resources within the existing Ramu hydro-electric scheme to generate additional capacity and meet increasing demands, particularly from mining and industrial developments in the Highlands region.

Improvement in the utilisation of natural water resources will also reduce dependence on diesel to generate additional power capacity.

The existing Ramu hydropower scheme is located at Yonki, Kainantu, in the Eastern Highlands Province and currently generates 67 megawatts (MW) from of an install capacity of 93MW.

The prospect of boosting the entire Ramu hydro-electric scheme capacity by a further 180MW is now confirmed technically feasible.

At a glance

PURPOSE: The Ramu 2 project is to optimise the water resources within the existing Ramu hydro-electric scheme to generate additional capacity and meet increasing demands, particularly from mining and industrial developments in the Highlands region.

MILESTONES: From 20102012: project definition and prefeasibility studies commenced in Q1/ 2010 and ended Q3/ 2013. The study confirmed the project as technically feasible.

Implementing and managing agency IPBC has commissioned the feasibility study through a consortium comprised of leading worldwide engineering consultants Parsons Brinkerhoff as the lead contractor.

Also in the consortium are Douglas Partners (Geotech Specialists) and Kramer Ausenco (Environmental and Social Reviewer).

Other supporting activities were sub-contracted to Websters Drilling (Drilling Contractor); G4S (Security Services); Heli Niugini (helicopter services); and various landowner companies (labour mobilisation).

Ramu 2 Project milestones to date have been from 20102012: project definition and pre-feasibility studies commenced in Q1/ 2010 and ended Q3/ 2013. The study confirmed the project as technically feasible with strong recommendation to proceed to full feasibility.

2013-2014: Full feasibility study undertaken by Parsons Brinkerhoff-led consortium.

The study includes FEL 2 design and drawing, drilling of 13 holes with 1.5km aggregate depth along the proposed 7km tunnel; as well as environmental impact assessments.

Miner urged to be technically competent

CHINA Metallurgical Group Cooperation (MCC-Group), the financer in the Ramu NiCo Project and the major shareholder is pushing Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Ltd to be technically competent and problem solving oriented during the Project ramp-up period so it achieves 83% design capacity this year as expected.

Ramu NiCo chairman, Zong Shaoxing conveyed MCC-Group’s requirement during the Ramu NiCo 2015 Annual Work Report Conference held via video conferencing involving Beijing, Madang Base, Basamuk Refinery and KBK Mine on Monday attended by line management team.

He said in the operation performance appraisal signed with MCC-group, three special appraisal indexes were added to ensure Ramu NiCo delivers the

ZONG SHAOXING Beijing, China

project soon while being technically competent.

“One of them is the completion rate of technical rectifications. Through this appraisal index we can see that MCC hopes Ramu NiCo should be problemsolving-oriented to solve the shortcoming of process and equipment to eliminate the gap which may influence nameplate capacity achievement,”

“So in 2015, technical rectifications will be the main task for us, and we shall

be strict with performance appraisal in this field,” Mr Zong said.

He highlighted that MCCGroup in its annual meeting also mentioned a lot on the expectation of the development of Ramu NiCo project and urged to see the only nickel and cobalt project in PNG escapes from the current difficult situation and makes profit soon. MCCGroup made its commitment to support Ramu Project delivers soon.

“Currently as the core project in MCC resources working scope, Ramu NiCo undertakes the historic mission to promote the four core business lines and eight essential work scopes,”

“We have to fully understand that we are facing a small profit and economic downturn. The main challenge is the severe competition. The main task is to

reach nameplate capacity and eliminate deficit,” Mr. Zong said.

He identified the shortcoming of the Project including lack of funds, technical manpower and weak management basis.

“However, we must be realistic, take the responsibility, overcome difficulties to be the best, strongest and largest enterprise and increase competitiveness in the market,”

“Only we do this, can we survive and develop and can we be MCC’s overseas demonstration project, can we bring benefit to our shareholders and stakeholders,” Mr. Zong said.

He strongly challenged the Company management to tighten its management skills to be profit oriented while the Project is leading up to achieving 83% capacity this year.

Public opt to travel by sea due to cheaper fares

IT HAS become evident that the majority of airline passengers are now resorting to shipping services to travel from Lae to the New Guinea Islands (NGI).

Chebu Shipping managing director Fabian Chow said there is still a huge competition between the airline and shipping companies but affordability is what makes the shipping industry stand out.

“During peak and off-peak seasons, we often notice customers who travel between Lae and the NGI, with large families or as individuals.

“Many of these people experience difficulties in affording what airline companies would refer to as cheap fares from one province to another,” Mr Chow said.

According to Mr Chow, hundreds of passengers travel

between Lae and NGI on passenger ships for holidays or business but despite this increase, his management has strictly discouraged overloading.

He stressed that cheap travelling fares that shipping companies are providing doesn’t mean that they will overlook the maximum number of passengers that the ships can carry.

“The tragic incident that occurred in 2012 to one of Star Ships boats has caused the entire industry to be very critical when it comes to passenger safety.

“Despite the low fares, we have made strict regulations that the ship carries only the required number of passengers and cargoes” he added.

Mr Chow further stated that there has also been an in-

crease from individuals and businesses wanting to ship their goods over.

“As a result of this we’ve introduced a huge chiller on MV Chebu to cater for this demand,” he said.

Salome David, a local trade store owner from Kimbe, said it is quite challenging to have bulk goods from Lae shipped over to Kimbe.

“Small business operators

in Kimbe, Rabaul and Buka often have to deal with the high cost of air freighting chilled goods from Lae.

“With the cheap fare of 90 toea per kilo for frozen goods, we are able to ship the majority of our goods, all at once.

“The outcome of such an arrangement has been very benefiting to SME’s in the NGI,” Mrs David said.

MR ZONG Shaoxing addressing Madang base, KBK Mine, Basamuk Refinery and Beijing Officers from Beijing via video conference while President Wang Jicheng looks on.

So in 2015, technical rectifications will be the main task for us...

POSING FOR DONATIONS

Apple posts biggest quarterly profit in history

US TECHNOLOGY giant Apple has reported the biggest quarterly profit ever made by a public company.

Apple reported a net profit of $18bn (£11.8bn) in its fiscal first quarter, which tops the $15.9bn made by ExxonMobil in the second quarter of 2012, according to Standard and Poor’s.

Record sales of iPhones were behind the surge in profits.

Apple sold 74.5 million iPhones in the three months to 27 December - well ahead of most analysts’ expectations.

In a conference call with financial analysts Apple’s chief

executive Tim Cook said that demand for phones was “staggering”.

However, sales of the iPad continued to disappoint, falling by 18% in 2014 from a year earlier.

The demand for Apple’s larger iPhone 6 Plus model

appeared to help boost profits and increase the iPhone’s gross profit margin - or how much Apple makes per phone - by 2% to 39.9%.

However, Apple did not give a breakdown of sales for the iPhone 6 and other models.

Apple shares rose more than 5% in trading after the US markets had closed.

Buster Hein, who edits the “Cult of Mac” website, told the BBC that iPhone sales had surpassed expectations.

“Oh my gosh, it’s unbelievable,” he said. “I mean, a lot of us were expecting good iPhone sales during the holidays, but I don’t think any-

body really thought Apple was going to blow past 70 million units sold,” he said.

“Apple became the number one smartphone company in China in the last quarter, which was just huge for them,” he added.

Apple’s revenue grew to $74.6bn in 2014 - a 30% increase from a year earlier.

However, on a conference call to discuss earnings, Mr Cook complained of “fierce foreign exchange volatility”, which added Apple to a growing list of US firms who have been hurt by the strong dollar abroad.

Apple said that currency

Quick news

AGL UNDER WATCH

SYDNEY: NSW Premier Mike Baird has warned that authorities will “come down like a ton of bricks” if breaches have occurred at a gas field where dangerous chemicals were detected. AGL Energy has suspended operations at the Waukivory pilot project near Gloucester, and an urgent investigation has been launched, after benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) were discovered in flowback water from four drilling wells and in a storage tank. “We need to ensure that any coal seam gas (extraction) that is undertaken in this state is done in the safest possible way,” Mr Baird told reporters. Resources Minister Anthony Roberts says officers from his department had joined inspectors from the NSW Environmental Protection Authority at the mid-north coast site.

NO CHARTER

The first proposed chartered flight to schedule to take Solomon Islands Government (SIG) sponsored students studying in Fiji was cancelled Tuesday after the plane failed to make it back to the country. Reports reaching Solomon Star revealed the airlines airbus was grounded in Nadi, Fiji due to electrical faults developed by the plane. “Engineers identified electrical faults on Sunday morning. “The aircraft was due to return from Nadi on Sunday but was unable to do so. “This has also impacted other flights such as flight IE700 from Honiara to Brisbane (scheduled for Sunday) and flight IE701 from Brisbane to Honiara (scheduled for Monday morning). The airlines advised the public that replacement parts have been secured from the United States and are awaiting delivery to Nadi for a fix to be completed.

AIR SERVICES DEAL

fluctuations shaved 4% from its first-quarter revenue.

Sales in greater China hit $16bn in 2014 - a 70% increase from a year earlier, and almost equalling the $17bn in sales the company recorded in Europe last year.

A report by research firm Canalys released on Tuesday said that Apple had overtaken competitors to become China’s number one seller of smartphones by units shipped in the fourth quarter of 2014. Apple also said that its newest product, the Apple Watch, was still on schedule and would begin shipping in April. - BBC

Samoa Air and Coral Sun Airways have announced their intentions to provide for Regular weekly Air Transport services between their two countries as well as offering charter services across the Pacific. The service will operate by way of a stop at Funafuti Airport in Tuvalu and so provide for a connection from Tuvalu to both Samoa and to Kiribati direct. None of these routes is being currently serviced and Tuvalu and Kiribati have been without a direct link for many years. This is a joint venture between the two airlines which are both national carriers and are both private enterprise operators locally owned and operated in their respective countries.

Global tourist numbers up in Asia Pacific

INTERNATIONAL tourist arrivals rose by 4.7 percent to 1.14 billion in 2014, with the Americas and Asia posting the strongest growth, but will rise at a slower pace this year, a UN body said Tuesday.

“Over the past years, tourism has proven to be a surprisingly strong and resilient economic activity,” the Madrid-based World Tourism Organisation’s secretary

The

general, Taleb Rifai, said in a statement.

The UN body had forecast tourist arrivals to rise by 4.04.5 percent in 2014. It sees international tourists arrivals growing 3.0-4.0 percent this year as falling oil prices have a mixed impact on the sector. “This will lower transport costs and boost economic growth by lifting purchasing power and private demand

in oil-importing economies.

Yet, it could also negatively impact some of the oil-exporting countries which have emerged as strong tourism source markets,” Rifai said.

International tourism arrivals rose at the fastest rate in the Americas, where numbers grew by 7.0 to 181 million with Mexico posting doubledigit growth of 19 percent from January to November, a

spokesman told AFP.

The Asia-Pacific region saw the number of foreign overnight visitors rise by 5.0 percent to 263 million.

Europe remained the most visited region with 588 million arrivals, more than half of the global total and a 4.0 percent rise over the previous year. “International tourism in the Middle East shows signs of rebound with good

results in most destinations,” the UN body said.

The region attracted 50 million international tourists, a 4.0 percent rise over 2013.

Figures for spending on travel abroad in 2014 will not be released until April, but the UN body said growth in international tourism receipts is expected to be “fairly close” to the percentage increase in arrivals.

“A pickup in expenditure on international tourism from traditional source markets compensated for the slowdown of the large emerging markets, which had been driving tourism growth in previous years,” it said. Tourists spent US$1.187 trillion on travel abroad in 2013, the last year for which figures are available. - AFP/

In 2004, The Japanese Ice Cream Association promoted “raw horse flesh” ice cream in hopes that it would boost the popularity of ice!

MEN dressed as the Statue of Liberty look for tourists to pose with them for pictures in exchange for donations in New York’s Times Square.

iPhone sales had surpassed expectations ...

BUSTER HEIN America

Your dream offer

66 new houses are being built, half already SOLD and another 10 taken with deposits. Start with K250,000 to make your dream come true. Redlynch land now selling stage 2: A$1,000 deposit. With 30 years practice, check and see.

CAIRNS safe and secure offers with a prosperous and blessed New Year starts with educating yourself to create money while you sleep. This is aassured by Robert Smith, Australian First Realty Founder who wants to build your ‘Dream Home’ in Cairns. Start with a four bedroom home with air-conditioned bedrooms, master bedroom with ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, media/theatre room plus fully landscaped - Built in less than four months by the AFR builder.

House packages stages 1, 2 and 3 have all sold out. Now the final stages 4 and 5 are selling fast! Do yourself a favour for for your family and create wealth for future education. Buy your house and land package today with AFR. Close to schools, hospitals, James Cook University and only seven minutes to Cairns City Centre. ‘One Stop Shop’ - Call or email Robert Smith for an information pack. Be very quick, wantoks to build your dreams.

A$1,000 deposit and you choose your land and house plan, we then open up an Australian bank account. You are in control, always 100 percent transparent and confidential. Our very successful ‘New House & Land Package Plans’ are available with a total input of K250,000

That is all you need to Invest in Cairns. Remember that the market is on its way up.

AFR is a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ be it Wealth Creation for the future and the education of your children or ‘New House & Land Package’. Either FIRB approved commercial properties or acreage subdivisions, we do it all with our network of builders, lawyers, bankers, immigration agents and opening up an Australian bank account. You can even enrol your children in school in Cairns. Cairns is Port Moresby’s and PNG’s closest trading partner.

Cairns has hit the jackpot with future the A$8.5 billion Aquis Resort planning to go ahead in the region. Robert Smith says get ready to make money in Cairns but be quick, very quick. Build your dream home in Cairns at Redlynch Gateway Central, across the road from shopping centre, sports centre, public transport and minutes away from public and private schools, beaches and thw Cairns CBD.

66 new houses are being built, half already SOLD and another 10 taken with deposits. Start with K250,000 to make your dream come true. Redlynch land now selling stage 2: A$1,000 deposit. With 30 years practice, check and see.

Your agent has experience!

With AFR, you will be the winner. Our AFR clients who are PNG nationals have testimonials to back up our AFR history which spans 30 years. The Guru of Real Estate Donald Trump USA told Robert “Money while you sleep”. AFR will get you on the right track as Robert Smith has been travelling to PNG centres for over many years helping wantoks. Create wealth for future generations – Most of all, education.

Contact AFR now for more information on gathering ‘Tools for your Success’.

Contact Robert Smith direct: Email: admin@australianfirstrealty. com.au Office: +617 4031-1770

Mobile: +614 1877 2221

AFR headquarters is located at 171 Bunda St, Cairns - opposite the railway.

Next time you are in Cairns, call in and discuss your wealth creation deal over PNG coffee with Robert himself or call him direct on: 72173866 –The Founder says: ‘Money While You Sleep’.

PROPERTIES FOR RENT as of 26/01/2015

Location Properties

Newly renovated 1x2 Bedroom units available for rent now. Fully furnished with all white and brown goods, securely fenced and 24hrs security with back-up facilities. Close to Manu market, bus-stop, 3mile hospital and other amenities.

Airvos Avenue

(Town) These gorgeous and cosy 2 bedroom double storey apartments are located on the famous Airvos Avenue Drive. These apartments are newly renovated with modern features. It comes fully furnished with modern white & brown goods, all backup facilities provided, reinforced concrete paved driveway, fully fenced property with 24 hour security. This is a NOT to be missed. Call now for an inspection

Six Mile, Air Niugini Village

K2,000.00 /week

Attractive duplex stand-alone house with 3 Bedroom each with en-suite & it’s ideal for family of five or six. It has a wind house outside were the family can enjoy the breeze. Fitted with all brown and white goods and securely fenced.

K2,500/week upstairs K1,500/week downstairs

Port Road (Town)

A spacious 3 bedroom standalone house in a secure compound is suitable for a small family. It comes fully furnished with Morden white & brown goods, air-con in all rooms, backup genset & reserve water tank provided, and reinforced concrete paved driveway. Within minutes to CBD, Waterfront, Harbour City, Hubert Murry Stadium and Aviat Club.

For more details and inspection, please contact the sales team.

Phone 325 4144/325 4129 & Ask for:

Beverly Kipla: Digi# 7267 1616,

Or Rose Wawai/ Weron Kiliria on 7218 5239 Email: bkipla@kenmok.com.pg/wkiliria@kenmok.com.pg Website: www.kenmok.com.pg

Newly renovated

IN the heart of Boroko right behind Coronation Primary School is a quiet peaceful family home setting with eight town houses containing four bedrooms. Two joined houses separated in the middle with four bedrooms each on the top floor with the main bathrooms while the downstairs contains a spacious living room, kitchen and dining area.

All four houses are fully furnished with white goods provided with smooth tiles to cool the homes in the hot sunny day making it more suitable for the Moresby climate.

The property is up for rent at K2, 5000 per week both cooperate clients and individuals excepted. The backwards will contain swimming pools and Hauswin barbecue areas for tenants to use at their convenience.

The property will also contain backup tanks and genset to avoid problems that might arise in case of water or power break down. The houses are also on the markets for people who are in town for business or pleasure for certain duration of time and looking for a comfortable, convenient and quiet location.

For inspection please do not hesitate to contact Sheila of Bruff Ltd on mob# 72324839 Email: renwuatai@gmail.com

Location matters

NOW available for immediate lease on Valvai Avenue is a large 3 bedroom unit. The property is located within walking distance from St. Joseph’s International Catholic College, Port Moresby Medical Clinic, Boroko Market and Four Mile. The unit is fully furnished with back up water, genset and 24hr security.

Asking: K 3,000.00 per week.

To inspect this Unit, Contact: Mutien Mays of Strickland Real Estate on Phone: 320 0944, Mobile: 7005 3289 or email: mmays@sre.com.pg

Gardenia Apartments, a newly completed project have fully furnished 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom unit to cater your needs.

The building has many to offer and one notable mention is the state-of-the-art rooftop garden that has unobstructed panoramic sea view.

Our facilities include:

- Swimming pool

- Children playground

- Outdoor BBQ area

- Garden with reflexology settings

- Lifts

- Theatre room

- Indoor gym

- Multifunction room

- Additional storage area

- Undercover car park

- 24/7 security guard

The apartment is located in the centre of the down town, steps away from Ela Beach, Ela Beach Hotel, Public Transportation, Mobil gas station and convenient stores. Restaurants, Waterfront Shopping Mall, Hospital, School, Church and Koki Market are within short driving distance too. Service apartment is also available upon request.

Interested parties please email Ela Vista Management at gardenia@glorygrouppng.com

Or call us at: Tel: 323 8818/ 325 9619

B-mobile: 7668 8860

Digicel: 7060 2000

Toll Free: 180 2215

NOW available, is this two bedroom apartment with extsive views of Ela Beach and beyond. Back ups and 24 hour security provided, the compound also has a pool and barbeque area for those who also enjoy this comfort. We are asking: K 2,000.00 per week.

inspections Mutien Mays of Strickland Real Estate on Phone: 320 0944, Mobile: 7005 3289 or email: mmays@sre.com.pg

Enjoy harbour views

IMMEDIATELY available for lease and situated in the heart of Port Moresby’s CBD.

A three bedroom – Executive Apartment. From Fairfax you can: walk to work, the shops and anywhere in down town, knowing that your home is just...a few footsteps away. Fairfax gives you and your guests a foyer entrance that leads to the entertainment area that is complemented with a bar fully fitted for your weekend functions and complete with a well maintained swimming pool. At the Fairfax back ups, basement car parking and 24 hour security provided. Lift access throughout complex. ASKING K 6,000.00 Per Week. DEMAND LOCATION MAKES “FAST “ ACTION A

Act fast. Call Now!

Contact Mutien Mays of Strickland Real Estate on Phone: 320 0944, Mobile: 7005 3289

Seriously affordable

SABO PROPERTIES LDT

Third Floor, Ori Lavi Building, Turumu st. P.O Box 4518, BKO, NCD; Email: sabopropertiessbl@gamil.com

June Valley 1x3 brm duplex, f/f, s/f K950pw Ensisi 1x3 brm tri-level units, f/f K1500pw 1x3 brm unit upstairs K1000pw Rainbow 4 brm s/a house K1400pw 3 brm tri-level exec.units K3000pw

Gerehu 1x3 brm new unit, f/f (stg.3) K1000pw

brm unit (stg.3) K650pw

brm tri-level unit (stg.3) K800pw

brm units, f/f K1700pw

brm units, f/f , a/c + b/u K1300pw 1x3 brm s/a, f/f, s/f K1000pw

Land Registration (Amendment) Act 2009

Notice of Invitation for Objection under Section 34G

This Notice serves to notify the General Public and Customary landowners within the UMI ATZERA Local Level Government (LLG) that YARU Incorporated Land Group (ILG) is intending to conduct a survey to register their Land known as “IMPU NO.3”.

The Department now invites any persons who may have an interest in the designated land area to access the sketch survey plan from the office of Surveyor General, Regional Surveyor’s Office and Office of the Director Customary Land Registration.

Interested persons who wish to object the sketch survey plan is advised to lodge their objection in accordance with Section 34(I) to the Office of the Director Customary Land Registration within the period of not more than ninety (90) days from the Date of this Notice.

If no objection is received within the prescribed period then the survey would be deemed correct and final registration of the survey will be effected.

School expands to major centres

PNG Education Development Services Secondary School was first established at Avi Block, Anglimp District in the Jiwaka Province in 2011.

In 2014, the school established 3 new campuses in Mt Hagen, Lae and Port Moresby. The school is fully permitted private and registered school offering PNG Secondary School Curriculum to students from grade nine to 12 and Grade 12 upgrade programs.

The school is recognized by the National Education Department and Office of Higher Education and af-

filiated to overseas universities. It also provides Small Medium Entrepreneurship (SME) courses for students who want to start their own Small Businesses.

In 2013 its first pioneer Grade 12 students sat for Grade 12 national examinations and were certified with original grade 12 upper secondary school certificates. Many of the students were selected through OHE selections as school leavers and non school leavers.

The school is run by 42 qualified and experienced University lectures, teacher college lectures and second-

ary school teachers.

The school has more than 1200 students in the four campuses and more than 80% of students who have passed

through have been selected to study in tertiary institutions in PNG and overseas scholarships including New Zealand, USA, Philippines,

China and Fiji since 2011. Amongst these students is Paru Kongi from the Berepka Tribe of Tombil village in Minj Jiwaka province and Dickson John from Yaken village in the Imbongu district of Southern Highlands province.

Paru Kongi was accepted for a four years New Zealand scholarship in 2014 to study Bachelor in Climate.

Paru was a Grade 12 dropout form Fatima Secondary school in 2013, and won the scholarship through the school’s effective marketing and commitment to student’s needs.

Dickson John from is accepted to take pilot studies in the Philippines this November. Special thanks to Honorable Member Francis Awasa for supporting Dickson with school fees in Philippines.

He said his dream to be a pilot is about to be a reality. He thanked Mr Rumints and PNG Education Development staff for helping him realizing his dream and helping him through after dropping out saying the school is definitely for unfortunate students like him to pursue their dreams through available means like this.

PARU Kongi DICKSON John

STAFF and students of Bahor Primary School smile for the camera upon receiving school materials that were donated to them last year.

Picture Courtesy: CHRIS PAPIALI.

JOY AT BAHOR PRIMARY

death do us part

SUPPLEMENT

The truth about death

PORT MORESBY GENERAL HOSPITAL

PAUPERS BURIAL NOTICE

No.01/2015

The Port Moresby General Hospital in conjunction with NCDC will be conducting a Mass Burial for unclaimed corpses stored in the Hospital Morgue. The Morgue is again full to capacity. The general public is urged to come forward and claim your relative/friend for a decent burial. A grace period of 2 weeks is given as of the date of this notice.

For more information, contact the Morgue Manager on 324 8155 or 324 8200.

List of Unclaimed bodies of Adults as of 05/09/2014 – 31/12/2014

DEATH is the termination of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include biological aging (senescence), predation, malnutrition, disease, suicide, homicide, starvation, dehydration, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury. Bodies of living organisms begin to decompose shortly after death.

Death has commonly been considered as a sad or unpleasant occasion, due to having a bond or affection to the person who has died, or having fear of death, necrophobia, anxiety, sorrow, grief, emotional pain, depression, sympathy, compassion, solitude, or saudade.

The most common cause of human deaths in the world is heart disease, followed by stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases, and in the third place lower respiratory infections. The subjects of death and religion are inherently linked. If something does await us after we die, a supernatural being like a god must be involved. It stands to reason, then, that we should look to religious texts to find information about death.

However, there are many religious texts available today, and they do not all say the same thing about death. In fact, one of the reasons there are so many opinions about death is the diverse array of religious doctrines on the subject. So how do we know which text, if any, will guide our search correctly?

First, we must look for a text that claims to be directly from God. After all, if God holds the answers to death, then any real answer must come from Him. This singular principle narrows the selection of texts considerably. For example, the Buddhist texts contain many spiritual insights, but Buddha himself never claimed to be God, or to speak on God’s behalf. Thus, the insights contained there are Buddha’s, not God’s.

In reality, there is only one collection of texts in existence that makes the bold claim to contain direct communications from God: the collection we call the Bible. Over and over again, it records God speaking directly to mankind; in fact, the Bible itself claims that the Holy Spirit of God communicated the contents of the Scriptures to God’s prophets on earth, who wrote them down. Thus, the true author of the Bible is God Himself.

Though some other religious texts also claim to be from God, such as the Koran and the Book of Mormon, they do not claim to supersede or replace the Bible. The Muslim faith claims its prophet, Mohammed, was a descendant of Abraham’s son Ishmael, a character found in the book of Genesis; the Book of Mormon claims that it is “another” testament of Jesus Christ. Thus, both texts and the faiths that view them as authoritative ultimately acknowledge the Bible as a communication from God. We should look to the Bible, then, for answers about death.

www.truthaboutdeath.com

Dying is inevitable

THERE is some truth to the old saying, “There are only two things you can count on in life: death and taxes.” Everyone experiences death. Death and dying are an inevitable part of human life.

Some people know ahead of time when their death will occur.

Terminal illnesses, when diagnosed ahead of time, allow a person to set his or her affairs in order, make relationships right, and say goodbye to loved ones. In these cases, every person involved has a chance to gradually adjust and make peace with death, as much as possible. No one is promised tomorrow. The only thing we can count on is today.

MOTU KOITA ASSEMBLY

CHAIRMAN’S SPEECH - Dated 26/01/15

I want to express my sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased young men who we lost so tragically. I also hope for a speedy recovery for those that were injured in this terrible incident.

I also want to advise my people that I, as your Chairman and Leader have not been sitting idle and not doing anything. I have been liaising with the NCD Governor, Hon. Powes Parkop; I spoke with Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki today, and I have since yesterday been trying to contact the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Hon. Peter O’Neill.

Commissioner Vaki has assured me that a full investigation will be carried out and the perpetrators brought to justice. We just need to give Police access to the village so that they can carry out their investigations.

Governor Parkop has also assured me that he will assist the investigations in whatever capacity he can and to provide us with information from his end.

Late this afternoon, the Prime Minister responded to my efforts in trying to seek an audience with him to discuss our situation. He is currently out of the country but he also assures me that a full and thorough investigation will be carried out. He also sends his condolences to the families of the young men we lost, and that he will personally assist the “haus krais”.

I also appeal to you, my people, not to politicise this issue and to respect those we have lost and suffered because of this whole debacle.

An Assembly Meeting was convened today and the following resolutions were passed:

(a) The demand of K10 million made by our people during last Friday’s protest march to Konedobu when we lost one son is fully endorsed by the Assembly. On Friday night, we lost another son. That mean we increase our demand by another K10 million. We also demand reasonable compensation for those who have been shot and injured. These additional demands will form the basis of a petition which will be spearheaded and come under the authority of the Motu Koita Assembly;

(b) In Tatana village, another one of our sons was brutally shot by Police and lost his life. Suspect or not, he should not have lost his life because of police negligence and the excessive use of firearms in our communities. If investigation prove this to be the case, we will demand K10 million for the deceased at Tatana village.

(c) There will not be any protest march tomorrow as a protest march was already made last Friday. A Petition under the auspices of the Motu Koita Assembly will be formalised and presented to the relevant State Authorities. Dialogue has now been established with the Police. Let us use that relationship to expedite the investigations and come to a closure, not only for us as a community, but more particularly the families and loved ones of the young men we lost.

(d) As a result of our demands being presented to the State, all roadblocks will now be removed and access given to the police to carry out their duties, and the general public to move freely in and out of the village. Remember too that school starts next week.

(e) When we remove the road blocks, the buai market will still remain closed. No betelnut selling or buying in this village will take place. It is because of the buai ban that this unfortunate incident has taken place. Please respect this. Outsiders will be monitored carefully so that these bans are enforced including the informal sector by outsiders.

Despite our frustrations, anger, and anxieties, I want us all to work together and come to a solution for all parties concerned.

Hon. Miria N. Ikupu Chairman

Getting pre-approved for a car loan is the closest you can come to the perks of paying with cash while not having to save up for months or years in advance.

DRIVING

RSAPNG offers GPRS tracker

ROADSIDE Assistance PNG (RSA PNG) is a subsidiary of the Tasion Group of Companies and we are locally owned. RSA PNG provides everything in one package making it convenient for all car owners. Our vehicle is fitted with tools and equipments to get your car going in the quickest amount of time. Apart from Electrical and Mechanical Services we also provide armed hold up response and pick up (monitored by JSM Investment).

We also install the latest Global Stablest GPS/GSM/GPRS Vehicle Tracker. This is a must have and it comes with User Friendly mobile applications.

Some of the features and functions of the GPS tracker include track on command or by time interval or by distance.

You can arm/disarm by SMS or phone call and be able to check the cars real physical address like the city and street name including online website tracking by GPRS

MVIL ensures you have the right licence for the right vehicle

TO drive cars and trucks in Papua New Guinea, you must have a licence to show that you can drive a particular type of vehicle properly.

Before you can learn to drive on a public street, you must have a Learner’s Permit. To obtain a learner’s permit to drive a car, a utility or a motor cycle, you must be at least 16 years and 9 months old. To obtain a learner’s permit for any other class of vehicle you must be 21 years old and have already had a driving licence for one year.

You cannot get a driver’s licence until you are 17 years old. Until you are 21 years old you can only drive cars with less than 8 seats and other vehicles weighing two tonnes or less.

When you pass your driving test, you will be issued with your Provisional Licence for the fi rst one year and you must have a ‘P’ plate on both the back and front of your car when you are driving. You must obey road laws and observe them very closely or your licence might be taken away from you by the superintendent of Motor Traffic.

To drive an ordinary motor car, you must have a Class One Licence and, with that licence you cannot drive a car that can carry more than 8 passengers. This licence also allows you to drive a truck if it is not heavier than 2 tonnes before it is loaded.

To drive a car which cannot carry more than 8 passengers (a taxi for example), but which carries passengers for money, you must have a Class Two Licence, with PMV permit. With this licence, you may also drive the same as for a class one licence.

A Class Three Licence allows you to drive motor trucks of any weight except articulated vehicles and large trailer combinations. It also covers class one vehicles.

With a Class Four Licence, you can drive all the vehicles in classes one and three as well as semi-trailers and large trucks with trailers behind them.

A Class Five Licence is for driving motor cycles only.

A Class Six Licence is for all passenger vehicles with more t han 8 seats and any other vehicles not covered by the other classes of licence.

A Class Seven Licence is for motor tractors and prescribed vehicles.

Source: Motor Traffi c Driving Rule Handbook.

data network.

It also has over speed alert, Geo fence alert, movement alert which can be use as an alarm with voice monitoring and the car engine can be cut off to stop it safely by SMS/ GPRS with an in- built shock sensor for power saving and triggering alarm.

The tracker also has a built-in rechargeable backup battery and when the car battery is cut off or low enough the system will send out power failure alert immedi-

ately. A support SOS button is optional and it also has a support analog input for fuel monitoring

The GPS tracker can also upgrade the normal car alarm with remote alarm function. It has a wide working voltage range from 6V-45VDC, suitable for car or big truck with a friendly SMS operation commands with SMS contents in different languages (English, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, and Spanish). There are 3 types of working mode for power

saving flexibly on the tracker including 8Mb offline data logger, it can store 8192 waypoints. For more Information on the GPS Tracker and on how to become a member of RSA PNG, please do not hesitate to drop in to our Head Office.

We are located at the Freeway Motors Head Office at 4mile (next to Big Rooster)

Telephone: (+675) 323 1733 Fax: (+675) 311 2627 Email: rsapng@ freewaymotors.com.pg

THE RSAPNG offered GPS kit.

safe & secure

Firms approved to train security guards

THE Police Commissioner and Chairman of the Security Industries Council Geoffrey Vaki last Thursday approved two private security training companies to re-train the current 25,000 plus semi trained and untrained security guards employed in over 500 licensed security companies across the country including any persons intending to be trained as guards.

The approved security training companies are Works Skills Training Academy Ltd and OSSOregon Ltd.

The two companies were selected from a total of 10 companies that responded to the media advertisement made in 2014. After thorough screening by the Security Industries Council to ensure they were IPA and GST compliant and that facilities to train guards were up to standard.

A Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) has been signed with the first of the two companies (the Works Skills Training Academy Ltd to immediately start the training based on the syllabus and the Code of Conduct developed by the Security Industries Authority in consultation with the National Training Council.

Since the government established the Security Industries Authority (SIA) in January 2006 to regulate the private security companies and issue security providers license and guards permits, the authority never established any security training institution on its own or grant approval to a private training company to train the guards. This is despite the Security (Protection) Industries Act allowing for one or more to be set up to train security guards.

As a result, no training facilities were set up resulting in private

security companies doing their own training which the Security Industries Authority has no control over.

The companies only trained guards which they employed but not training them to seek employment elsewhere.

“Today we want to change that whereby we have now granted approval for two full time companies to train guards to seek employment in other

BANK OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

security companies, government agencies, NGOs, or any private organisations,” Mr Vaki said. These two security training companies will be based in Port Moresby, Lae and other regional centres to run their training programmes where most guards are located and to reduce costs and bring services closer to them.

It is anticipated that they will produce sufficient,

PUBLIC NOTICE

well educated, disciplined and a professional security work force with high ethical standards to support police by providing secondary role security duties in the up coming South Pacific Games in July 2015 and the 2018 APEC Meeting.

And also to provide long term quality security services to the PNG government, NGOs, foreign embassies, private citizens and companies by protecting life and property to reduce crime and make PNG safer to live in.

This will in turn create conducive business environment for companies to operate and thus support the PNG Government’s Vison 2050

Development Initiatives

To cater for this training all current semi trained or untrained security guards have been granted an amnesty (grace) period of one year effective February 5, 2015 to

BEWARE OF MONEY SCHEMES & SCAMSUSE YOUR MONEY WISELY, DURING 2015. DON’T LOSE IT TO FRAUDULENT MONEY SCAMS.

The Bank of Papua New Guinea (the Bank or Bank of PNG) continues to warn the public to be cautious and avoid placing their hard earned cash with promoters or agents of fast money schemes and scams. These fast money schemes/scams are illegal and fraudulent. People who place their money with promoters or agents of these money schemes/scams risk losing their hard earned cash. Be smarter than them, and use your money wisely during the festive season.

The Bank is aware of certain individual(s), agents or groups operating in many parts of PNG who ask innocent individuals to invest their cash in their operation with a promise for a hefty return of 100-2000% on their investment. They also claim that a huge sum of their money, gold or investments in Treasury bills and bonds (often in billions/trillions) is held by the Bank of PNG and is awaiting clearance for immediate payment.

The Bank is also aware of recent scams using mobile phone text and email messages, fraudulent documents with the signatures of Governor of the Bank of PNG, name of the prime Minister, Government Ministers and politicians, winning of lotteries and prizes, request for upfront fees for facilitating access to funds held in offshore accounts and other fraudulent means. These are all different types of scams which are illegal and fraudulent.

Be advised that the Bank of PNG does not deal with financial transactions for any individuals or private groups. The Bank only deals with financial transactions for the Government and licensed financial institutions in

February, 5 2016 for all of them to attend either of these two security training institutions to qualify for a security guard permit from the Security Industries Authority to gain employment in any private security companies in PNG. No untrained security guard(s) will be issued a security guards permit by the Security Industries Authority to enable them to be employed with any private security companies after the one year grace periods ends.

Unless they are first trained with either of these two security training companies to comply with section 31 of the Security (Protection) Industries Act 2004 as penalties will be charged against private security companies employing unpermitted or untrained security guards as mandated by section 51 of the Security (Protection) Industries Act 2004.

PNG. Do not send money for upfront fees to any nominated accounts locally or overseas, and avoid giving money to individuals and groups that promise to pay high returns.

If you have given your money to these schemers, you should report those individual(s) to the Police, or demand your money back from them.

REMEMBER: DO NOT PLACE YOUR MONEY WITH ILLEGAL FAST MONEY SCHEMES AND SCAMS. YOU SHOULD USE THE SERVICES OF LICENSED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY. BE SMART,USE YOUR MONEY WISELY DURING 2015.

WISHING ALL THE PEOPLE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA A PROPEROUS HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

GOD BLESS PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Authorised by:

Loi M. Bakani Governor

GEOFFREY Vaki, Commissioner of Police and Chairman of the Security Industries Council.

Australia launches scheme to tackle domestic violence

AUSTRALIA plans to set up a national scheme to address family violence and violence against women.

The aim is to establish uniform guidelines for prosecuting domestic violence cases across all states.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has urged the Council of Australian Governments, the peak inter-governmental forum, to reach agreement on a plan this year.

One Australian woman dies every week as a result of domestic violence, according to government statistics.

Mr Abbott’s announcement comes three days after a campaigner against domestic violence, Rosie Batty, was named Australian of the Year.

Ms Batty’s son Luke was killed in public by his father last February while playing cricket.

After her son’s death, Ms Batty emerged as an articulate and powerful advocate for the rights of women and children living in violent relationships, giving new force to efforts to prevent family violence across Australia.

Activists say Ms Batty’s ability to explain why so many women struggle to protect their children from violent partners helped make family violence a key campaign issue for all political parties in last November’s Victoria state election.

Mr Abbott said at a press conference on Wednesday that Ms Batty’s advocacy had played a

role in his decision to establish the national scheme. He said she was advising the government on how to make it easier for women to get help from the authorities.

He added that he did not want Ms Batty’s Australian of the Year award to be just symbolic. Rather, he said, she wanted “us to act as a nation to make a difference to reduce the scourge of domestic violence”.

He said a national scheme would mean a domestic violence court order against an alleged perpetrator in one jurisdiction would hold in another.

The violence should not be allowed to follow women from state to state, he said.

“I am a father of three daughters, and the brother of three

sisters,” he said. “The last thing I want to see is violence against women and children.”

Mr Abbott said one of the issues that would be addressed was greater co-ordination between police, social services and mental health bodies.

The government would also consider launching a public awareness campaign similar to those launched to address illegal drink driving.

“If you are a repeat drink driver, you really have the book thrown at you,” said Mr Abbott. “But if you breach a domestic violence order, often there are hardly any consequences.”

“I tell you just because terrible things are happening behind closed doors doesn’t mean they are not terrible things.” -BBC

Ex-Gold coast police under misconduct cloud

THE former chief of police on the Gold Coast left the Queensland Police Service (QPS) last year with unresolved findings of misconduct against him for inappropriately disclosing confidential police information.

The ABC can reveal Assistant Commissioner Paul Wilson was facing a Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) recommendation for disciplinary action when he left the service in January 2014, with a formal send-off and a Commissioner’s Award

for Meritorious Service.

The ABC understands he also received a significant severance payout.

Court documents show that three weeks before his departure, the CMC found Mr Wilson had inappropriately disclosed police information, leading to the identification of a Crime Stoppers informant.

The documents, which emerged in civil litigation in the District Court in Brisbane, include a letter from the CMC describing an

SHOOTING PROBE STALLS

THE Indonesia researcher for Amnesty International says there is little sign of progress being made in the investigation into five students who were killed by the military in West Papua, Radio New Zealand International reports. Last month, security forces opened fire on about 800 protesters gathered outside a police station in the town. Five people were killed, and at least 17 others – including children – were injured. Josef Benedict says three investigations were launched and the president Joko Widodo condemned the shootings. However, he says little progress has been made since then.

MSG IN BUSINESS

THE foreign ministers of the Melanesian Spearhead Group have agreed to the establishment of a commercial arm for the sub-regional body. This follows a meeting in Vanuatu last Friday. The director of operations at the MSG secretariat, Jean-Pierre Nirua, says the new outfit will be called Melanesian Solutions and could become an important part of the MSG’s programmes, RNZI reports. The Port Vila meeting, which was chaired by Michael Forrest, who is the permanent secretary of New Caledonia’s FLNKS, was attended by the foreign ministers of Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

NEW CANNERY OPENS

A NEW cannery, Samoa Tuna Processors has opened in American Samoa. The high-tech facility is a US$70 million (K186m) investment by the parent company Tri Marine International. The cannery is fully air conditioned and the owners say it will not smell because it will have a filter of coconut husks that will absorb odours. RNZI reports that 300 workers have been hired and at full production, the cannery will have 2,000 employees. Production has been delayed because key components of the plant have been delayed by a shipping strike on the US West Coast.

BROADCAST CHANGE LOOMS

THE Vanuatu government says the review of the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation should get it to have people with the right technological skills to move the company forward. The government has set up a committee to review the company, with plans to retire or make redundant about a third of the staff, and it is looking for a new VBTC general manager. A taskforce is also looking at separating the dual functions of VBTC, regulation and broadcasting, as well as how the corporation can move from analog to digital broadcast, RNZI reports.

LEGALISE DOPE CALL

A BILL to legalise marijuana for medicinal purposes in the Northern Marianas has been pre-filed by senator Sixto Igisomar. Senator Igisomar says such legalisation is now less controversial than a few years ago as Colorado and Washington have joined other states in approving marijuana for recreational use. There are 24 states, including the territory of Guam, that have enacted laws to legalise marijuana. In 2012, a bill to legalise marijuana also pointed to potential revenues for the CNMI in addition to medical benefits, RNZI reports.

WMINISTER FACES AXE

THE Samoan prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has called on the associate education minister to resign. Talamua online reports that during a clash in parliament, the PM told Tu’u’u Anasi’i Leota to stop asking stupid questions, and said he was out of order for interjecting during a debate. Leota is a former cabinet member, now sitting on the back bench, and has been a vocal supporter of the recommendations of the parliamentary committee reports on the auditor’s report, which include legal action against those accused of corrupt practices and collusion.

POLL CASE ADJOURNED

AN ELECTION petition filed against Tonga’s former deputy prime minister, Samiu Vaipulu, alleging bribery and corrupt practices during last year’s election, has been adjourned until February 10. Matangi Tonga reports that Tomifa Paea, who filed the petition, asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to adjourn the case. Mr Paea lost to Mr Vaipulu in the race for the Vava’u Number 15 people’s seat.

TWO TEENS ARRESTED

investigation into allegations Mr Wilson had abused his position as a senior officer to gain an advantage in a bitter family dispute over his mother’s estate.

They show other senior QPS officers became involved in an investigation of Mr Wilson’s brother Robert after anonymous complaints to Crime Stoppers that Robert Wilson planned to murder his mother to get his hands on her money, and had previously murdered his father.

POLICE in New Caledonia have arrested two teenagers over last week’s shooting in Canala where two policemen were injured by gunfire, RNZI reports. One of the officers was hit in the head and the other in the neck, prompting their transfer to Noumea’s hospital. The two teenagers were taken into custody on Saturday. The 18-year-old, who is believed to have been the gunman, has been transferred to the prison in Noumea. The 14-year-old presumed accomplice has been taken into care.

VANUATU CONFIRMS STANCE

VANUATU has reconfirmed its support for New Caledonia’’s and West Papua’s decolonisation. The prime minister, Joe Natuman, has told a heads of mission meeting in Efate that Vanuatu is committed to assist the two colonised Melanesian people to gain their independence. Vanuatu is the only country to back the two proindependence movements in the French territory and the Indonesian province.

THE new scheme will include a public awareness campaign to tackle domestic violence. PAUL

Abe slams ‘despicable’ Islamist execution threat

AN angry Japanese prime minister has slammed as “utterly despicable” an Islamist militant threat to kill both a Japanese hostage and a Jordanian pilot unless Amman releases a jihadi bomber.

The clock was ticking towards the 24-hour deadline Islamic State (IS) militants set in their latest chilling video, which warned they would execute freelance journalist Kenji Goto and airman Maaz al-Kassasbeh if they did not get their way.

“This was an utterly despicable act, and I am appalled,” Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe told reporters.

Japan’s deputy chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato indicated the government believed the video was genuine. Mr Abe earlier said Japan’s parliament would do its utmost to save Goto.

“While we are in an extremely severe situation ... I have instructed all ministers to work together for the early release of Mr Kenji Goto,” he said.

“The government ... has been asking for the Jordanian government’s cooperation towards the early release of Mr Goto, and this policy remains unchanged.”

After initially demanding a $200 million ransom for the release of the two Japanese men, the Islamist group said it wanted Jordan to free Sajida al-Rishawi, a would-be suicide bomber who has been on death row since 2006.

In the latest video, Goto is seen holding a photograph of Mr Kassasbeh, while a voiceover, purportedly spoken by the Japanese hostage, warned that Jordan was blocking his release.

Mr Kassasbeh was captured by IS on December 24 after his F-16 jet crashed while on a mission against the jihadists over northern Syria.

The narrator said both captives would be killed within 24 hours if al-Rishawi was not freed, and urged the Japanese government to put pressure on Jordan.

Analysts said the changing demands were an attempt to divide close allies of the USled fight against extremism in the Middle East.

Teen murderer ‘wanted to kill’

TOKYO: A 19-year-old Japanese college girl says she murdered an elderly woman with an axe and a scarf because she “just wanted to kill someone”.

They say the IS group is forcing Jordan, a moderate Muslim country, into the position of trying to balance strong domestic pressure to bring its airman home with wariness of harming its important relationship with deep-pocketed Japan.

Meanwhile, Tokyo has thrown itself at the mercy of Jordan since a video emerged at the weekend in which the extremist group announced it had murdered Haruna Yukawa, a self-employed contractor it had kidnapped in August.

Tokyo on Tuesday appeared to be laying the ground for what it hoped could be the release of both men, adopting the freedom of the Jordanian pilot as a cause it was working towards.

“Both countries are closely cooperating towards the return of each of them to their countries,” deputy foreign minister Yasuhide Nakayama told reporters in Amman.

Jordan’s King Abdullah pledged full cooperation with Japan during a meeting with Mr Nakayama to ensure Goto’s release, Tokyo said.

Tokyo is likely to face resistance from Washington over any kind of swap.

Asked about recent developments, US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said a prisoner exchange was “in the same category” as paying a ransom.

Several hundred people, including relatives of the Jordanian pilot, gathered in front of the office of Jordan’s prime minister late on Tuesday, urging the authorities to meet the demands of IS to save the young pilot’s life.

Al-Rishawi, who is Iraqi, was sentenced to death by a Jordanian court in September 2006 for her part in triple hotel bombings in Amman the previous year that killed 60 people, mainly Jordanians.

The IS group has previously beheaded two US reporters, an American aid worker and two British aid workers, and committed numerous atrocities, including mass executions. The killing of Yukawa was the first time a Japanese national has been targeted.

-ABC news

JAPAN says it believes a new video posted on YouTube showing Japanese hostage Kenji Goto is genuine. Picture: ABC/AFP

North Korean leader to visit Russia

RUSSIA says North Korea’s leader has accepted an invitation to Moscow in May, South Korea’s Yonhap reports.

The news agency cites a written response from the Kremlin, but says it does not mention Kim Jong-un by name.

Yonhap quotes a Unification Ministry official as saying the reference to the leader could be ambiguous, as Kim Yongnam is the nominal head of state.

any overseas visits since taking power in North Korea in late 2011.

His first destination will have been keenly watched for what it might indicate about his policies and strategy.

Earlier this month, reports emerged suggesting Russia could be the recipient of Mr Kim’s first official visit.

anniversary of the end of World War Two.

He said that the “first signal was positive” from the North Korean government.

The student from the prestigious Nagoya University hit 77-year-old Tomoko Mori repeatedly with the axe and then strangled her “because she wasn’t completely dead”, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said.

The young woman was arrested on Tuesday, and reportedly told investigators:

“I have just wanted to kill someone since childhood. It could have been anybody.”

Mori had become acquainted with her alleged murderer when she tried to persuade the young woman to join a religious group.

The killing allegedly occurred at the student’s apartment in Nagoya, central Japan, with an axe the suspect had acquired as a junior high school student, Jiji Press reported. -AAP news

Pair on next execution list

MR Prasetyo said the next executions would likely again be held on the Central Java prison island of Nusakambangan, but there had been issues that needed attention.

“There were obstacles,” he told the committee.

“The intrusion of human rights activists, the efforts of our electronic media reporters, trying to disguise themselves as fishermen.

“We can prevent them from getting close to the execution location. These are all being evaluated.”

Lawyers for Chan, 31 and Sukumaran, 33, are in Bali preparing to lodge a final court appeal.

The pair were ringleaders in the 2005 Bali Nine heroin smuggling plot. -AAP news

MH370 report in March

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will release an interim report on its investigation into Flight MH370 on March 7, a day before the first anniversary of the jet’s mysterious disappearance.

as we continue a process of confirming the attendance of those invited,” Yonhap reported.

However, deputy transport minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi declined to comment on whether the report would contain any revelations on the fate of the Malaysia Airlines jet. “It is a report by the investigation team. It will be a lengthy report of a few hundred pages,” he said.

Kim Jong-un has not made

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists on 21 January that Russia had invited Mr Kim to the 9 May celebrations to mark the 70th

Yonhap news agency said the response from the Russian presidential office confirmed that North Korea’s leader was among heads of state from 20 nations who had confirmed plans to attend.

There has been no statement from North Korea. Kim Yong-nam, whose official title is president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, has more traditionally represented North Korea at overseas events.

Visits by Kim Jong-un’s late father, Kim Jong-il, were never announced ahead of his departure. -BBC news KIM Jong-un

But the response did not specify Kim Jong-un by name and said: “The list of attendees has not been finalised yet,

The report is being compiled and released by the Department of Civil Aviation and is required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) one year after air accidents, he said. MH370 vanished on March 8 of last year with 239 passengers and crew aboard en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in what remains one of history’s great aviation mysteries. -AAP

Face blurring controversy

SAUDI Arabian officials have denied Michelle Obama’s uncovered head was blurred in a state television broadcast of the meeting between her husband and the country’s new king.

President Barack Obama and King Salman briefly met on the sidelines of the funeral of King Abdullah, who died last week.

Saudi television showed King Salman welcoming Mr Obama and his wife at the bottom of

a red-carpeted ramp before a military band played the US and Saudi national anthems. In contrast to Saudi women, who are required to dress headto-toe in black, Ms Obama wore dark slacks and a blue top with her hair uncovered.

A video shared on social media sites purported to show the first lady’s image blurred out, and some users criticised her for not wearing a headscarf. However, the Saudi Embassy in Washington denied Ms

Obama’s image was obscured. The embassy also shared a tweet by CNN correspondent Hala Gorani which said: “Our Nic Robertson in Riyadh telling me footage he saw on Saudi TV did not show a blurred Michelle Obama.”

It appears the blurred version was a modified version of Al Saudiya’s broadcast that emerged on YouTube and was quickly shared.

A video taken from Al Saudiya’s livestream of the visit

showed Ms Obama without any blur.

During the four-hour trip, Mr Obama held talks with King Salman at central Riyadh’s Erga Palace, the king’s private residence.

A senior US official said the leaders discussed “the campaign against the Islamic State ... the need to continue providing support to the opposition in Syria [and] the need to promote unity in Iraq”.

-ABC news

Bank chief warns of pandemic threat

THE president of the World Bank has warned that the world is “dangerously unprepared” for future deadly pandemics like the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

SP SPORTS AWARDS 2015 NOMINATION FORM P 201 NOMINATIONFORM OMIN M M NOMINATION FORM

NOMINATE NOW!

Conditions of the SP Sports Awards

2015

Nominations will only be accepted on this Official Nomination Form in respect to performance and achievements during the period January 1st to December 31st, 2014.

There are twelve categories in the SP Sports Awards 2015, of which the following eleven can be nominated for:

Athlete of the Year – Best International Performance by a male athlete in 2014

Year – Best International Performance by a team in 2014

National Performance of the Year – Best National Performance by a male athlete, female athlete, or team in 2014

9. Sports Official of the Year – For individuals who have excelled as a Coach, Referee/Umpire or Administrator in 2014

10. Sports Photo of the Year – For best photo taken in 2014 capturing a sporting moment at any level of sport

in 2014

11. Sports Media Award – For media coverage of sport or a sporting event in 2014 by an individual, programme, organisation or online site

*People’s Choice of the Year - Public to be given opportunity to vote on which finalist from the first four categories they feel deserves to win this award Nominations can be submitted by anyone including national sporting associations, individual sportsmen and women, coaches, administrators, clubs, sports officials, the media and the public for any of the above awards.

The SP Sports Awards are for all sporting persons and bodies. The decision of the Awards Selection Committee is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Closing date for nominations in all categories of the SP Sports Awards 2015 is Wednesday 25th February, 2015.

Additional information on terms and conditions or criteria can be obtained from the:

PNG Olympic Committee Inc. on:

Telephone: (675) 323 0114 323 0108 or 71001063

Facsimile: (675) 325 1851 Email: alepani@pngoc.org.pg

Location: Telikom 4-Mile Compound, Boroko NCD

NOMINATION DETAILS

I would like to nominate________________________________________ (name) Of _________________________________In the category of_____________________________________________________ (eg Male Athlete of the Year)

IMPORTANT

Nominations MUST include supporting documentation describing major achievements in 2014 to enhance your nomination and forward to:

PNG OLYMPIC COMMITTEE INC.

PO BOX 467, BOROKO, NCD. 111, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Location: Telikom 4-Mile Compound, Boroko. NCD

DETAILS OF PERSON NOMINATING ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Name ________________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________________

Phone/Contact Number ______________________________________________

Jim Yong Kim, speaking in Washington, said it was vital that governments, corporations, aid agencies and insurance companies worked together to prepare for future outbreaks.

He said they needed to learn lessons from the Ebola crisis.

More than 8,500 people have died, most in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

“The Ebola outbreak has been devastating in terms of lives lost and the loss of economic growth,” Mr Kim told an audience at Georgetown University.

“We need to make sure that we get to zero cases in this Ebola outbreak. At the same time, we need to prepare for future pandemics that could become far more deadly and infectious than what we have seen so far with Ebola. We must learn the lessons from the Ebola outbreak because there is no doubt we will be faced with other pandemics in the years to come.”

Mr Kim said the World Bank Group had been working with the World Health Organisation (WHO), other UN agencies, academics, insurance company officials and others to work on a concept of developing a financial “pandemic facility”.

He said he expected a proposal for this to be presented to leaders of developed and developing countries in the coming months.

Mr Kim said the proposal would probably involve a combination of bonds and insurance plans but that, in some ways, the facility could be similar to a homeowner’s insurance policy.

“This could work like insurance policies that people understand, like fire insurance,” he said.

“The more that you are prepared for a fire, such as having several smoke detectors in your house, the lower the premium you pay.

“The more that countries, multi-lateral institutions, corporations and donors work together to prepare for future pandemics - by building stronger health systems, improved surveillance and chains of supply and transportation, and fastacting medical response teams - the lower the premium as well. -BBC news

Jews boycott memorial

JEWISH groups in Argentina have boycotted the government’s Holocaust commemorations a week after the mysterious death of the prosecutor Alberto Nisman.

Mr Nisman was investigating the bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires in 1994.

He accused the government of covering up Iran’s alleged role in the bombing in which 85 people died.

Jewish leaders said the government had lost focus on the investigation.

Some leaders said they were upset by a long televised address by Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in which, they say, she showed little sympathy for Mr Nisman or the victims of the 1994 attack.

President Fernandez rejected the accusation of a cover up involving Iran, saying the country’s powerful intelligence services may have been manipulating Mr Nisman, feeding him false information, in order to conspire against her government.

On Monday she announced plans to disband Argentina’s intelligence agency.

-BBC news

BARACK and Michelle Obama listen as US secretary of state John Kerry speaks with new King Salman. Picture: ABC/AFP

Solution to puzzle SL0840

stars

ARIES

March 20 - April 19

Often obstacles are no more than that. But judging by the current planetary setup, if you do a little investigation, those dilemmas can be very revealing. The trick is to ask more questions than, strictly, is necessary. Gradually the answers will fill out the picture in an unexpectedly informative manner.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 19

Because the Full Moon, early next week, accents the structure of your life, it’s time to deal with certain changes. You’ve discussed them, their promise, potential problems and the timing with anybody who’d listen. What you haven’t done is actually committed to a plan. Events are about to force your hand.

May 21 - June 20

Being an air sign, you’ve an instinctive understanding of others’ emotional ups and downs. But that doesn’t mean you think it wise to discuss those feelings in detail. Still, at the moment, somebody you care about is struggling and needs for you to listen. That, and no more, is all that’s necessary.

June 21 - July 21

Although it may not seem likely at the moment, you’re still benefitting from the influence of the bountiful Jupiter on your financial or business life. It remains in this portion of your chart until midyear. Between now and then a number of remarkable, and profitable, ideas and offers will appear.

July 22 - August 22

Sometimes minor differences are no more than that. However, with so much changing so swiftly, simple misunderstandings can easily be neglected until they blossom into more serious issues. The minute you catch confusion of any kind, instead of ignoring it or hoping it won’t matter, make untangling it your first priority.

August 23 - September

When you’ve things to do, you persist until everything is finished. And if there’s more the next day, and the next, you don’t even consider stopping. Yet not only should you, when you take a break, you both rest and gain a much needed fresh perspective on those tasks.

September 23 - October 22

Turning down requests that mean a lot to others is never easy. This is all the more difficult because you hate disappointing them. In one particular case, in fact, the individual in question mistook your response for a positive one. Clear that up now, and this time you’ll need to be blunt.

October 23 - November 22

Everybody faces a confusion when Mercury is retrograde, as is now the case. Yet because you’ve remained silent about certain plans, you may not hear about the changes triggered by this cycle as swiftly as others. Discuss what you’re doing more openly and, in turn, others will ensure you’re updated.

November 23 - December 22

Making plans swiftly may be efficient. However, with so many individuals organising things, then rethinking them, often within days, the foundation on which arrangements is shifting, and often. The solution? Ensure everything is flexible. While more time consuming initially, this will make your life a lot easier in the long run.

December 21 - January 19

In late December your ruler Saturn moved into the most thoughtful and strategic portion of your chart. It would be fair to say you already analyse anything you undertake in depth. Still, this variety of analysis is very different. While somewhat confusing initially, you’ll learn a great deal from it.

January 20 - February 17

It’s easy to blame the retrograde Mercury for all sorts of problems that would have arisen anyway. At the same time, you’re aware certain misunderstandings were inevitable, and are in fact, relieved that they’ve surfaced. These, too, are due to the influence of Mercury being in reverse motion.

February 18 - March 19

Having invested time in organising plans that are both promising and exciting, you must now focus on the practicalities. True, these are dull and worse, could mean rethinking some of what’s most inspiring. Still, these are better dealt with now, while it’s easy, than when in the midst of a crisis.

It’s your special day today! big luv from family in pom/goroka.

Special one frm yr da,emy.

MADANG REAL ESTATE

For Hire McRaah Hire Car,Sedans @ K250/ day.Mob: 71299984

AOG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY & AOG SECONDARY SCHOOL

POSITIONS VACANT FOR TEACHING & ACCOUNTS AND ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN IN; PRESCHOOL, ABC, ACE CURRICULUM, GRADES; 9, 10, 11 & 12 (PNG CURRICULUM).

Central Assembly of God (formerly Assembly of God Lae, Eriku) seeks to employ suitably qualified personnel in its education ministries – AOG Christian Academy and AOG Secondary School. The schools are located at Eriku and the Okari Conference Centre (Okari Campus) in Lae, Morobe Province.

1. Accounts Officer

We require the services of a skilled accounts officer with the following qualifications and experience;

(1) Diploma in Accounting from a university or college in PNG

(2) Five (5) years minimum MYOB experience

(3) Experience in general ledger reconciliation and preparing accounts to at least trial balance stage

2. Teachers

AOG Christian Academy requires Christian role model teachers to work with children of ages 4 to 14 years. Interested teachers with good spoken and written English language skills, experiences in Christian school and willingness to be part of a team sharing abilities and workloads may apply for teaching positions in preschool, ABC and upper levels following the Accelerated Christian Education syllabus.

AOG Secondary School is a new registered school commenced in 2011. Interested teachers (Levels 3 & 4) may apply for teaching positions in secondary level with experiences in teaching grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. AOG Secondary School emphasizes Christian character in students, if you are energetic and seeking challenge and has the enthusiasm to contribute then this opportunity can be your.

Applications for all positions with supporting documents should be submitted by post with to the address below or hand delivered to the School office at Central AOG Church (Eric Woo):-

The School Board Chairman

AOGCA – Secondary Level

P.O. Box 1330

Lae, Morobe Province

3. Enrolment Enrolments NOW open for 2015 classes; Preschool & ABC – Many spaces available

Grades 9 & 11 – 70 spaces available each grade

Enquire at School Office located in Central AOG Church (Eric Woo)

This notice is authorized by the School Board Chairman Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

WANTED CARPENTERS

WELDER/METAL FABRICATOR

Must be able to work under minimal supervision. Good pay offered for honest, hard worker.

Apply to:

Positions Vacant

P O Box 1854

Port Moresby, NCD

Ela Medical Centre - Radiology Services

Ela Medical Centre is looking to employ two (2) qualified and fully registered Radiographers to immediately join the professional and friendly team at their busy medical practice located at Ela Beach, Port Moresby. Experience in operating a Quantum Medical Imaging System and use of the Carestream Imaging software is preferred but not a prerequisite. You must be prepared to do shift work including after-hours cover. You will need to be reliable, demonstrate a high standard of work ethic, a self-starter and be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

An attractive remuneration package is on offer for the right candidates to fill the two available positions.

All applications to be addressed to the Practice Manager, Ela Medical Centre via email lepasefikahc.ac@gmail.com or PO Box 863, Boroko, NCD.

Applications close Fri 6th February 2015.

Independent State of Papua New Guinea SECURITY INDUSTRIES AUTHORITY

POSITION

VACANT

MANAGER LICENSING & COMPLIANCE

The Security Industries Authority (SIA) is a PNG government agency established by the Security (Protection) Industries Act of 2004 to regulate the operations of licensed private security companies nationwide. The Authority now invites interested individuals to apply for the position of the Manager Licensing & Compliance.

Total Salary Package: K119,040.00 per annum

Responsibilities

1. It’s a three (3) years contract position based in Port Moresby and the successful applicant will be reporting to the Registrar to implement the Security Industries Council resolutions.

2. To help develop policies and initiatives in consultation with the private security companies and interested stake holders to support the long term growth of the security industry in PNG.

3. Supervise the four (4) regional Security Inspectors (MOMASE, Highland, NGI and Southern) to efficiently audit private security companies in their area of operations and to ensure outstanding guards permit and security providers license fees are fully collected on time.

4. Ensure granting of guards permits and security providers licenses are properly cleared before the Registrar signs the instruments

5. Investigate any misconduct by private security firms and furnish report to the Registrar and where necessary refer the matter to the Board of Complaints for determination

6. Ensure monthly reports of each Regional Security Inspectors are furnished on a timely manner and forwarded to the Registrar

7. Ensure holders of a security providers license furnish their Annual Returns for the period ending 31st December for preceding year on or before 31 March each year

8. Develop and compile annual budget for the licensing and compliance division and forward to Finance & Administration Division to consolidate

9. Ensure to do staff appraisals for the first six months and yearly done and submit to Registrar on a timely manner

10. Perform other related tasks as required by the Registrar

Requirements

1. Grade 12 or above with good results in English and Mathematics

2. Attach the latest A4 size photo with detailed CV supported by copies of educational qualifications

3. Have job experiences in security industries, law enforcement or related field.

4. Must have basic knowledge in PNG law especially the Security (Protection) Industries Act of 2004, andthe basic criminal laws.

5. Shall possess good report writing and communication skills

6. Shall be computer literate and be versed in spread sheet, Microsoft and Excel program

7. Be mature, sober, self discipline, punctual, hardworking and can work without supervision

8. Have a minimum of 5 years of experience at a supervisory level

9. Provide at least three current referees with current contact details

10. Must be willing to work after hours and travel extensively around the country

11. Must not have any criminal record with police

12. Be a holder of a current Class 1 driving license

Applications must be addressed to;-

The Registrar Security Industries Authority

P.O Box 80

PORT MORESBY

National Capital District

Applications can be also hand delivered to the 3rd and 2nd Floor of the Watkins Mall Orkari Street BorokoNCD.

All applications close at 4.06 PM on the 16th February 2015. (Previous applicants for this position are not required to re- apply)

Authorized by; PAUL

POSITION VACANT

Boinamo Enterprises have positions vacant for an experienced tradesman Electrician to be employed in the servicing, repair and maintaining of the electrical equipment in our operation.

Applicants must be Trade qualified, and with several years’ experience in Industrial electrics, switchboards, motors, etc.

You must have your own tools and be prepared to work with little supervision.

Successful applicants shall be offered a competitive salary, ongoing job security and depending upon experience, staff housing after a qualified period.

If you are honest, and feel you are suited to such a position, please make written application to:

Human Resource Supervisor

Boinamo Enterprises Limited

P.O. Box 1799 Lae PH: 472 4695 OR, email to marioc@global.net.pg

Act, Sec. 24, 36,46,55,73 & 88 FORM 9

Reg. Sec.7

APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TERM OF A TENEMENT

Application for: EXPLORATION LICENCE

Tenement No: 1365

Name of Applicant: NVL PNG Ltd

Address

Period

Date

Schedule

The land over which the tenement has been applied for is bounded by:-

POSITION VACANT

VACANT POSITION

The law firm has a vacancy for a Civil Litigation Lawyer. Interested Applicants may apply, and must meet the following requirements:

CIVIL LITIGATION LAWYER

Admitted to the Bar to practice as a Lawyer experiences

The terms and conditions of Employment will Application will close on the 13th February, 2015

THE PRINCIPAL Sam Bonner Lawyers P.O Box 4518 BOROKO National Capital District

being the point of commencement comprising a total area of 143.22 sq km. (42 sub-blocks).

I certify that I have examined this application as required under section 101 of the Act, that I am satisfied that the requirements of this section have been met and that I have complied with the requirements of sections 103(a) of the Act. The last date on which objections may be lodged with the Registrar under section 107(1) is 17/03/2015 Warden's hearing:-

TRUCK

The

Pacific

APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT DIVINE WORD UNIVERSITY (DWU)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Divine Word University seeks an appropriately qualified person for appointment to the position of President. It looks to the appointee to lead the University into its future.

DWU is a national Catholic University that is co-educational and ecumenical, and operates under a Charter formulated by the Society of the Divine Word and the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit. The University is open to all qualified applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, or gender, who share its vision to engage with society through teaching, research and community engagement in a Christian environment. It has a special interest to advance opportunities for those who will build the economic and social capacity of the South Pacific Region.

The University is heavily committed to working with government and Church towards the positive development of PNG. It is in continuous dialogue and partnership with all levels of community, business, government, and Church, to promote the Mission of the University.

The person the University seeks must have tertiary qualifications, and sound professional experience in the administration of higher learning institutions or other relevant agencies. He or she must have an unequivocal commitment to Catholic values, and show sensitive understanding and appreciation of the needs of Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific Region. Personal and professional commitment to the Mission of DWU is a pre-requisite.

Appointment is for three (3) years initially, with the opportunity for renewal, following performance assessment. Salary level is open to negotiation, and there is the opportunity for performance increments, pending evaluated success in the position.

The closing date for applications is 28 February 2015, and the successful applicant is expected to take up appointment before December, 2015.

Expressions of interest should be addressed to the:

Director of Human Resource,

Email: hrm@dwu.ac.pg

DWU Madang Campus

P O Box 483, Madang, PNG after which an application package will be sent. Confidential inquiries may be addressed to:

Archbishop Douglas Young

Chair of DWU Council

Email: dyoung@dwu.ac.pg

DWU Madang Campus

P O Box 483, Madang, PNG

The University reserves the right to appoint by invitation.

OUTAGE NOTICE TO RABAUL CONSUMERS

PNG Power advises consumers that it will carry out power interruptions to allow workmen to do urgent maintenance work on;

PLANNED INTERRUPTION

Date: TUESDAY FEBRUARY 03 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 04

Time: 8:00am - 4:00pm.

Areas Affected: Tavui No: 2

Date: TUESDAY FEBRUARY 03

Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm.

Areas Affected: Sunam Settlement & Laup.

Date: WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 04

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm.

Areas Affected: Sea View, Rapopo Resort, Kabakaul, Bitapaka, Ralubang, Ulaveo, Nu Work Plantation & Ulaveo Plantation.

Date: THURSDAY FEBRUARY 05

Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm.

Areas Affected: Rakunai, Ramalmal, Ramale & Vunavutung

PNG Power regrets any inconvenience caused to consumers

I certify that I have examined this application as required under section 101 of the Act, that I am satisfied that the requirements of this section have been met and that I have complied with the requirements of sections 103(a) of the Act.

The last date on which objections may be lodged with the Registrar under section 107(1) is 02/03/2015 Warden's hearing:-

30' S 144° 27' E being the point of commencement comprising a total area of 102.3 sq km. (30 sub-blocks).

I certify that I have examined this application as required under section 101 of the Act, that I am satisfied that the requirements of this section have been met and that I have complied with the requirements of sections 103(a) of the Act. The last date on which objections may be lodged with the Registrar under section 107(1) is 18/02/2015

Warden's hearing:-

Time Date Venue

10:00 am 10/03/2015 Kotna Dist

Dated at Konedobu this day 22nd of January 2015

STAN NEKITEL Registrar

PAPUA NEW GUINEA Association Incorporation Act

Reg.,Sec.2. Form 1

I, DR JEROME POLONIO, PhD of PO. Box 732, Gordens NCD

Sec 11 Lot 20, ORORO CRESCENT, BOROKO, NCD, person authorized by the committee of the Association known as The CORDILLERAS ASSOCIATION for DEVELOPMENT EXCHANGE in PAPUA NEW GUINEA, INC. (CADEX PNG)

Give notice that I intend to apply for the Incorporation of the Association under the Association Incorporation Act.

The following are the details of the prescribed qualifications for incorporation as specified in Section 2 of the Act:

a) The association is formed (or is being formed) (or is opening) for the purpose of:

1. To faster unity and camaraderie amongst all Filipinos Cordilleras living and employed in Papua New Guinea

2. To provide Technical assistance and services for holistic social and economic enterprises of business and community developments, people empowerment and other professional services to schools, companies, NGO’s, Government Organisation & Agencies, CEOs, FBOs, PVOs, Churches & Church Organisation, Cooperate Societies, Micro-finance Institutions and Local Level Government Units

3. To establish and institutionalize the CADEX PNG Towards a ‘resource centre’ that will housed and served as the main delivery and contact point for all services rendered by associations.

4. To provide and assist PNG Students and professionals to gain and develop more skills, access and further their education & develop locally and internationally;

5. And implement these others that are stated in the Constitutional of CADEX PNG before attached.

b) The association will apply its profits (if any) or other income in promoting its objects; and;

c) That the association will prohibit the payment of any dividend or payment in the nature of a dividend to its members.

Dated 20th Sep, 2014

This Notice has been approved by the Registrar of Companies.

NOTE:- A person may within one month after the Publication of the Notice Lodge with the Registrar an objection to the Incorporation of the proposed association in accordance to Section 4 of the Act.

PUBLIC NOTICE

UNCLAIMED ITEMS

Owners of these items are requested to claim them form within 14 days from the date of publication of this notice. Failure to claim these items will result in forfeiture of these items to the Company to offset against material and storage costs.

Details of these items are as follows:

# Customer Details

1 Gaman Holdings 5xsingle lounge seaters

Please contact Sales on telephone: 472 0488/ 7341 2196 for collection of these items

OUTAGE NOTICE TO LAE CONSUMERS

PNG Power advises consumers that it will carry out power interruptions to allow workmen to do urgent maintenance work on;

PLANNED INTERRUPTION

Date: SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14

Time: 9:00am -3:00pm.

Areas Affected: East West Taraka, Bumayong High School, Bumayong Shopping Centre, Tent City, Telikom College, Unitech and Low Costing Housing area, Taraka Police Station, Taraka Primary School and Igam Barracks.

Date: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 15

Time: 9:00am -3:00pm.

Areas Affected: East West Taraka, Bumayong High School, Bumayong Shopping Centre, Tent City, Telikom College, Unitech and Low Costing Housing area, Taraka Police Station, Taraka Primary School and Igam Barracks.

PNG Power regrets any inconvenience caused to consumers

BOYS TOYS HAVE RELOCATED

WE HAVE MOVED TO A NEW LOCATION ON SPRING GARDEN ROAD, JUST BELOW THE WAIGANI OVERPASS TUNNEL AT SECTION 58 LOT 13 SPRING GARDEN ROAD GORDONS. ACCESS IS GAINED ALONGSIDE THE POREPORENA FREEWAY AND WE ARE NOW BACK IN FULL OPERATION.

WE DO APOLOGISE TO OUR LONG STANDING CUSTOMERS FOR ANY INCOVENIENCE CAUSED AND APPRECIATE THEIR PATIENCE DURING OUR MOVE.

OUR WORKSHOP IS NOW BIGGER AND BETTER WITH HIGHER SERVICE STANDARDS.

BOOKINGS CAN BE MADE BY PH:325 2495/ 325 0129 OR EMAIL (admin@boystoyspng.com) AND TRY OUR SAME DAY SERVICE OFFER.

I certify that I have examined this application as required under section 101 of the Act, that I am satisfied that the requirements of this section have been met and that I have complied with the requirements of sections 103(a) of the Act.

last date on which objections may be lodged with the Registrar under section 107(1) is 11/03/2015.

Pulsan: Powerlifting will not let PNG down

POWERLIFTING

THE National Capital District (NCD) powerlifting team has been hard at training at the High Performance Training Centre.

This is despite not having any coach, the team is led by senior lifter Linda Pulsan.

“We train from Monday

Hekari concerned over NSL uniforms

SOCCER

THE manager for Hekari

United Vonnie Kapi-Natto is concerned over the sizes of uniforms provided for their team by the Telikom National Soccer League (NSL).

She questioned NSL competition manager Simon Koima as to why the sizes that were provided by the club were not adhered too.

“Our uniforms do not fit the boys, half of the players cannot fit into the uniforms and the sizes are small and medium,” she said.

“If they were Australian and New Zealand brands, they would fit, I cannot work with the boys wearing the uniform, and the worst part of it is that the uniform did not have the clubs sponsor printed on as well,” she added.

“Im sorry to say that but Hekari will not use the uniforms given to the club by the NSL as it does not fit,”Kapi-Natto added.

In support of Hekari, Admiralty FC Manager Elizah Selan also expressed concerns that their uniform was a problem with the team as well and the club has to now resort to using their old uniforms.

Koima in response said the uniforms arrived early and didn’t realize the uniforms were not given according to the sizes as requested.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused to the teams and we have noted the problem and will look into it,” Koima added.

to Friday 11am to 1pm and we have worked hard on our training and are looking forward to the Pacific Games,” she said.

“We are used to training without a coach and while it is hard we are okay,” added Pulsan.

Papua New Guinea is ranked number one in the region and proved that at

the 2011 Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia where they finished on top with a total of 10 medals.

“We won six gold medals including my category in the 72kg class,” she added.

“As usual PNG will face great competition from New Caledonia and Samoa who are always a threat for PNG,” Pulsan said.

Before the announcement of the team, there will be a training camp from February 12-19 and on February 21 the National Championships will be staged in Port Moresby to finalise the PNG team.

The championships will see powerlifters from around the country compete for positions in the Games

squad, she added.

“There are always 15 members of the national squad selected,” she said.

There will be eight males and seven females.

A confident Pulsan further said that powerlifting will not let Team PNG down. “I am confident we can pull off at least seven gold medals this year,” added Pulsan.

Karate to trim down squad

KARATE

THE PNG karate team of 31 (17 males and 14 females) will be announced this weekend to prepare for the Pacific Games.

After a two week training camp for the train-on squad in Port Moresby, there are likely to be a host of new faces in the final team.

President of Karate

PNG Carl Mari said that the team will consist of fighters competing in the individual and team kumite and kata categories.

“We have about 109 members of the squad and have trimmed down the squad to 60 before the PNG Games, which has actually brought in new talent into camp,” he said. The team officials are Sensei Trevor Roberts (head coach),

Sempai Willie Leslie (kata coach), sensei David Wallace (kumite coach), Sempai Bernard Soari (assistant coach and trainer), Francis Mairi (manager male) and Gorethy Maru (female manager).Mari also hinted that the team of 31 could be further reduced.

He said this will only happen when a fighter is capable of competing in both the kumite and

kata. Ä total of 12 divisions will be contested for both the male and female divisions.

In the female division the team will take part in kata ( individual and team) and in the 50kg, 55kg, 61kg, 68kg, 68+kg, and open kumite divisions.

In the male division they will compete in the 60kg, 67kg, 75kg, 84kg, 84+kg, and open kumite events.

THE 2011 Pacific Games gold medalist and senior power-lifter Linda Pulsan hard at training at the HPU centre at Boroko. Picture: MARK TALIA

VONNIE Kapi-Natto

LAE Bowls Club astion on Saturday.

Bowls squad named

THE Papua New Guinea lawn bowls train-on-squads for both the men and women was announced in Lae on Saturday.

The squads are preparing for the Pacific Games in Port Moresby in July.

Bowls PNG president John Boino when announcing the squad express his confidence that the final team will represent the country as well as past teams have.

Sinesine enters Ipatas Cup

RUGBY LEAGUE

BY MICHAEL KOMA

SINESINE’S representative rugby league team, Suwai United is making a second bid at the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup challenge.

United will play Gumine Spartans in the opening encounter at Kundiawa’s Dicksons Oval on Sunday.

The team: Robin Sipa (fullback), Simon John (right winger), Iceman Kaulage (outside center), Ben Joe (inside centre), Moses Bagle (left winger), Toto Sine (five eight), Skene Kaupa (half back), Hercules Like (prop), John Kombukon (hooker), Jayjay Hosea (prop), Scott Temai (second rower), Jackin Mark (second rower and Moses Olam plays the lock.

In the reserve bench are: Rex Mungul, Lucas Maina, Jacob Kola and David Kaupa.

The team officials are: Mozo Olam ( coach), John Kombukon (trainer), Kale Garap (manager) and the team doctor is Donna Karao.

Kombukon said the players are raw talents from the village whom they hand picked to expose them to a higher level of the game.

“It also moulds the youths to be disciplined to become lawabiding citizens,” Kombukon said. In our contemporary society consumption of illicit drugs and home-brewed beer is escalating simply because the government does not fund projects that can preoccupy the youths, he said.

The Sinesine/Yongomugl district planning committee did not allocate funding for sporting activities this year.

The team is made up of experience and several new bowlers, he said.

“I believe this squad’s chances are better than our past prospects have been,” he said.

Boino said bowls being a non-contact sport hinges its success on intelligence levels and of course the amount training and game experience endured by individuals.

“Not by physique and brute force but by brains,” he added.

He also pointed out that the women folk have been missing out in participating at the international arena due to administrative issues.

However, Boino have every confidence in the selectors for naming the teams and are now looking forward to seeing what the players are capable of producing.

He said the team lists will go through the justification committee to formulise selections.

“With respect to the select-

ed players there remains no other ground for inclusion or a revised team list to be made unless someone gets dropped for health and personnel reasons,” he said.

As the Games draw nearer, five players will be dropped to make the final team.

The men’s train-on-squad are: Lucas Roika (Mt Hagen), Enos Timo (Mt Hagen), Peter Juni (Goroka), Tony Yogio (Goroka), Polin Pomaleu (Lae), Matu Bazo (Lae), Gariga Babona (Defence-Lae), Ju-

das Kavoi (Defence-Lae), Pomat Topal (Madang), Soling Tiba (Bulolo), Harry Doutara (Bulolo), Henry Kabug (Madang).

The women’s team is: Cesley Simbinali (Lae), Angela Simbinali (Lae), Monding Tiba (Bulolo), Catherine Wimp (Mt Hagen), Ju Carlo (Bulolo), Grace Walsh (Defence), Espina Mcnai (Defence), Daisy Akis (Mt Hagen), Lynna Boino (Lae), Nina Wewah (Goroka), Kim Evi (Madang), Dorcas Timo (Mt Hagen).

Law firm backs the Matiroko Chiefs club

RUGBY LEAGUE

BY BRIAN JEMEJEME

ALFRED Manase – the owner and principal of Manase & Associate lawyers has gone to the streets to support the Matiroko Chiefs rugby league club.

The club mostly made up of unemployed youths living around Badili, Koki and up 2 Mile Hill in Port Moresby, were overwhelmed by the support by Manase.

The lawyer came to their aide with a set of jersey’s

The bottom line

to take part in the Southern Leg of the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup Challenge (CCIC) in Port Moresby.

In a brief presentation on Friday at the Sir Williams Skate oval at Kaugere, Manase said it is for a worthy cause.

“Rugby league is our national sport and I see there is a need to support local and unemployed youths so they can participate in such organised sports keep them busy instead of creating problems,” he said.

Manase presented the jerseys to team manager Johnson Hebe.

“I want to encourage the players to play hard and clean. It is the law firm’s name you will expose out there so the kind of performance you portray on and off the field will reflect back to the sponsor so be mindful during the competition,” he said.

Meanwhile coordinator James Ngune has encourage Chiefs to portray clean football so others can follow.

Soccer is about 90% thinking and 10% physical.

Teams confirmed for participation for the CCIC southern leg are: Parisco Brothers, Warako Dust, Chiefs, Pom Diwai, Toks Mix Dogs, Bomai Yal, Freeway Bumpers, defending premiers 6 Mile Storms, KG Brothers, Kay Juniors, Raiders Namona, Pom Muruks, NCC Carpets, 9 Mile Giants, Tia Broncos, Bang 36 North-East and Dep Eels.

Trials at McGregor Police Barracks at Moitaka outside of Port Moresby will get underway this weekend.

BRING it on! Matiroko Chiefs in their new jumpers sponsored by Manase & Associate Lawyers.Picture: BRIAN JEMEJEME

LAWN BOWLS

SUWAI United club president Joshua Bagle (left) and trainer John Kombukun

PNG men’s basketball train- on squad.

Hoopsters on tour

BASKETBALL

IT’S make or break time for 25 members of the Papua New Guinea men’s basketball train-on squad.

They flew out of the country yesterday to take part in several exhibition games with teams in the Queensland

O’Neill upbeat on PNG facilities

RUGBY LEAGUE

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has expressed confidence that the new Papuan Rugby League (PRL) sporting facilities may one day host a National Rugby League (NRL) or a State of Origin game.

O’Neill was in Canberra on Monday where he held discussions with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on the Manus detention centre, development support, Australian Federal Police program, National Youth Service and rugby league.

The Prime Minister said he also discussed sporting engagement between the two countries with his counterpart, in particular the progress of the SP PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup competition and plans for expansion.

“Prime Minister Abbott and I are keen followers of rugby league and sport generally through both Australia and Papua New Guinea,” O’Neill said on his return.

“Hopefully one day with the improved PRL facilities in Port Moresby we might host an NRL game or even the QLD Maroons and New South Wales Blues State of Origin game. That will be memorable for Papua New Guinea,” he added.

“We will look to convince rugby league officials that Papua New Guinea is a destination to host such an event,” O’Neill said.

He said this while construction work is progressing at the PRL ground and facilities which are funded under the Oil Search tax credit scheme.

Basketball League (QBL) in Mackay, Brisbane.

The tour will also serve as a selection trial for the Pacufic Games, under the watchful eye of Brisbane-based national coach Joel Khalu, assisted by Morris Asiba and Bernard Elavo. PNG Basketball president Nick Daroa said that the

coaching team and independent coaches from the QBL will assist in selecting the final 15.

“Players from Port Moresby left yesterday morning while players from Australia will meet the team in Mackay,” he said. “Head coach Joel Khalu will be with the team and our

aim after the selections is to continue to the build-up,” Daroa added.

Daroa said they have planned a further tour to the Gold Coast as well in April to give the final squad match time with quality opposition.

“Those details will be finalised in due course,” he said.

After missing the Australia Day carnival over the weekend due to visa problems, Daroa said the games will be against Rockhampton and the Mackay Meteors.

The team returns on February 4. The final 15 will be announced at the same time as well.

Redeyes Eagles to soar in Gaibodobu finals

RUGBY TOUCH

REDEYES Eagles are looking to claim the maiden touch rugby title in the finals of Gaibodobu touch and volleyball competition at Tokarara, Port Moresby this Sunday.

The Eagles however must first overcome a much more determined Panthers in the semi-final rematch on Saturday before they can advance to the grandfinal.

Both teams played each other last weekend and drew level but due to lighting problems could not continue into extra time. Likewise in the other elimination semi-final rematch Springboks will take on Reds to play the winner of the Eagles

The bottom line

and Panthers in the grand-final.

In the women’s volleyball grand-final, Springboks will play KB Stones Studio Sharks in the A grade division and Dragons taking on Corner Chargers in the B grade.

In the touch-rugby, Redeyes Eagles skipper Cyril Boino, Martin Lai, Michael Ake, Richard Mou and Ezzton Kulex are the favourites.

Panthers has some strike power and will look towards Jason Agili, Denovan Oropa, Titus Kuatowa and flying winger Stanley Mou to cause an upset.

The competition was initiated by the residents of Gaibodobu Street in Tokarara to keep their youths out trouble during the festive period.

Rugby league was first played in England in 1895, and was originally called Nothern Rugby Football Union.

REDEYES Eagles players and supporters pose for team photo before their quarter finals match against Manoka Knights on Saturday.

PRIME MInister Peter O’Neill

Lae to host double header

NATIONAL SOCCER LEAGUE

DUE to limited venues the Telikom National Soccer League (NSL) will play round four this weekend.

PNGFA and NSL competition manager Simon Koima said due to the issue pending with the venue in Port Moresby, the Board has decided to defer round two and stage the fourth round. Koima said it is regrettable but it something beyond their control and they are working around the clock to resolve the issue.

“It is unfortunate but the issue stems from an incident that occurred last year and the PNG IPA just wants to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” he said.

Koima said once the NSL and the PNG IPA resolve the matter with better dialogue in place, they are hopeful of using the facility.

Another Apisah stamps her mark

BY MIRIAM ZARRIGA

TENNIS is synonymous with the Apisah’s.

Well known Papua New Guinea number one and number two female players

Abigail and Marcia TereApisah are dominating the scene like their parents.

Now there is another, their niece 14 year old Violet Apisah, ranked number three female in the country. The Apisah’s…one, two and three.

22 year old Abigail has

achieved a lot in her career as she continues to strive for a professional ranking in the Womens Tennis Association (WTA).

Marcia is in her second year at the Georgia State University (GSU) as part of a tennis scholarship and has improved immensely. While relatively unknown Violet has since broken into the Australian Open Women’s Junior Singles scene with a wild-card entry.

Violet won her first match but lost in her second to a Russian.

Head coach of Tennis PNG Kwalum Apisah is a proud father (Abigail and Marcia) and grand-father (Violet) who looks forward for them competing in the XV Pacific Games in July.

He is confident of all three Apisah girls doing well.

“Violet has never been keen on tennis but since she picked up a racquet she is showing some traits of her grand-mother,” Apisah added.

“Her game is out-standing but she is still young but can go the distance,” he said.

“Some may say that tennis was forced on the girls because I am the coach, but it wasn’t the case, Violet just use to join her father when he took others for training and from there she became a part of the game that is plays a huge part of our lives,” he said.

“For my daughters Marcia and Abigail, tennis is a part of their life so much so they decided to take that step and leave home at a young age to improve their games.”

“All three are now the top three players in the country

because of their dedication and success on the court,” Apisah added.

“They have a lot on their shoulders and should they continue their current form, there is no doubt that a gold medal will be around the their necks come July,” he said.

All three are part of Team PNG women’s train on squad which includes Patricia Apisah, Lorish Puluspene, Martina Asimba, Bianca Terra, and Omega Ivuyo.

The final team will be made known next month.

The round one matches in Port Moresby are considered ‘washed-out’ and will be played at a later date, said Koima.

This means Lae will host a double header at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium on Saturday.

Glamour team Hekari will finally play their first match against local favourites Lae City Dwellers in the match of the round at 12.30pm. This will be followed by Besta versus Oro at 3pm. While at the Laiwden Oval in Madang, it should be a lively encounter for members of Team Manus and Team Madang meeting each other again after the PNG Games last year.

Admiralty will play Madang in what is looming to be an action filled matchup with some old scores to settle.

Distance runners head to Adelaide for championships

ATHLETICS

NINE members of Athletics

PNG’s middle and long distance squad left yesterday to take part in the South Australian Track and field Championships.

Athletics PNG president Tony Green said the team accompanied by distance coach Bernard Manau will take part in a series of local competitions culminating in the South Australian Track and field Championships at the end of the month in Adelaide.

Head middle and long dis-

The bottom line

tance coach for the Pacific Games Peter Deane will welcome the athletes to his home town where he has a varied and interesting training and competition program lined up for the athletes.

Adelaide has lots of parklands and trails which provide a stimulating training environment for distance runners, Green said.

The athletes are Kupsy Bisamo, Skene Kiage, Simbai Kaspar, Veherney Babob, Jenny Albert, Mary Kua, Ongan Awa and Miriam Goiye.

They will be joined in Australia by veteran Sapolai Yao who has just returned from the USA.

Several other members of the squad are expected to join this group towards the end of next week once their travel documents are finalised.The athletes have been in camp at the National Sports Institute (NSI) since December except for a short break at Christmas.

“They are looking forward to taking part in some good competition,” added Green.

In a recent progress report from Deane, on the squads

preparation he said he was pleased with the way the team was shaping up and is looking forward to seeing them compete.

Deane made special mention of Goiye who he said has shown excellent leadership qualities during the camp and has been a great role model for the young athletes.

The 30 year old mother of three made her international debut as a fifteen year old at the Oceania Championships in Adelaide, just prior to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Table tennis was develpoed as an after- dinner game played by upper class English

RISING PNG tennis prodigy Violet Apisah.

DISTANCE runners in action during the 6th PNG Games

famillies in the late nineteenth century.

TENNIS

Paraka steps up

PNG man breaks into Qld Reds

TWENTY-ONE year old Pettowa Paraka is not in the starting 15, but is likely to get a shot from the bench for the Queensland Reds pre-season opener with the Melbourne Rebels in Cairns on Saturday.

Paraka who is among a host of emerging talent that Reds head coach Graham Richards has on his extended roster, is just buoyed that he has made the 22.

With the Reds preparing in earnest for the Super Rugby season, Paraka has high hopes of making the grade.

Speaking from Brisbane, Paraka said it’s just part of his progression to be recognised amongst top company that includes current Wallaby front-rower’s Ben Daly, James Hanson and Reds skipper James Slipper that are in front of him.

Paraka said if he gets a chance in Cairns, he will make the most of it.

The young man from Baiyer River in the Western Highlands said he is still biding his time and it is a work in progress towards making use of any opportunity that arises.

The young man has been tailor made to play in the top grade after being a regular in the front-row for the Australian Under 20’s for past two years and was knocking on door with credible performances with the Reds A and finished the year on a high with a spirited effort for Brisbane City in October.