Post Courier, Tuesday February 3, 2015

WATER

SHORTAGE HITS LAE CITY

FIRST IT WAS POWER, NOW ITS WATER: PAGE 3

PREGNANT MOTHER BURIED

IN LANDSLIDE

TWO OTHERS REPORTED MISSING: PAGE 4

BISHOPS CONDEMN POLICE BRUTALITY

School tragedy

Two-hour

walk to school on day one ends in ugly roadside death for two students

BY JOHNNY POIYA

THE first day of the school year ended in tragedy for two high school students in Kindeng, Jiwaka Province.

A third student is seriously injured and in coma at Mt Hagen General Hospital.

The three, from Roalka Tribe of Dei district of Western Highlands Province, were walking to Anglimp Secondary

School in Jiwaka Province yesterday morning when they were hit from the back by a speeding motor vehicle.

Grade 10 student Angra Simon and Grade 12 student Stanley Rangi died on the spot while Grade 10 student Junior Anton was rushed to hospital where he is fighting for his life.

CONTINUED PAGE 2

ONE of the students killed in the accident being rushed to the Mt Hagen General Hospital yesterday.

Picture courtesy of ALBERT JOSEPH

Enforce strict assessment for learning drivers

TWOfamilies and a tribe in the Jiwaka Province in the Highlands were in mourning last night as they struggle to come to terms with the tragic death of their children.

Another family from the same tribe could join them, if the prognosis given by doctors at the Mount General Hospital yesterday afternoon on the condition of the third student is any indication.

The three grade 10 and 12 students Angra Simon, Stanley Rangi and Junior Anton attend the Anglimp Secondary School and were – like thousands of other students throughout the country yesterday –on their way to school as the 2015 academic year got underway. Angra and Stanley were declared dead on arrival at the Mount Hagen General Hospital while Junior is in a coma with doctors not confident he will make it due to his injuries.

The editorial in yesterday’s edition of the PostCourier revolved around the rights of the children and the failure by the various agents of the state to address increasing child poverty and human rights abuse. Sadly, this morning the lives of two young Papua New Guinean men were taken by reckless drivers. Obviously they had no regard for pedestrian safety and the need to exercise caution when driving past a community.

The fatalities point to the dangers that our children continue to be exposed to on a daily basis in both rural and urban Papua New Guinea (PNG). Unfortunately, we continue to accept the status quo without question authority and holding the relevant state agencies responsible for the failures in the system.

We commend the police officers who acted quickly to rush the students to the hospital whilst capturing the driver of the Toyota Land Cruiser and his associates. There could have been three deaths if it was not for the quick action they took. However, fatalities on our roads could be avoided if the agency tasked to issue driving licenses – the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited or its provincial equivalent – strictly enforced the law. They should ensure those with a learner’s permit are put through a rigorous assessment and passed before they are issued with a driver’s license.

The deaths also raise questions about the Jiwaka police and whether they are conducting road blocks to check for vehicle roadworthiness. Frequent police roadblocks are often the best deterrent to drivers’ speeding, compelling motorists to think twice about driving above statutory speed limits. There is also a chance that the children were walking too close to the highway, consequently making them vulnerable to passing vehicles. Only a full police investigation can reveal who went wrong and what should be done to ensure the loss of lives along that stretch of road does not reoccur.

The next few hours will be long for the family of Junior, who will be hoping he does not succumb to his injuries and fights to survive. His testimony – if he gets through this one – will be essential to the police’s investigations and could result in the charging of the driver and his associates for the murder of his friends and school mates.

The bottom line

How to contact us

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REGIONAL OFFICES

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Kokopo: Grace Tiden

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

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NEWS

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School journey turns fatal

FROM PAGE 1

ACCORDING to eyewitnesses on the Highlands Highway in Kindeng, the vehicle, an open back Land-Cruiser, had gone off the road about a metre and hit the boys.

The tragedy came only days after four women were killed by a speeding bus in Togoba, outside Mt Hagen, last Thursday.

DEFENCE and other members of the legal fraternity braved the rain as they participated in the opening of the legal year yesterday.

Injia: Uphold rule of law

By JACOB POK

APPLY the rule of law in all conditions with care and due diligences

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia’s challenged members of the legal fraternity yesterday.

He issued the challenge when addressing them at the opening of the 2015 legal year at the Waigani National and Supreme Court premises.

In the early part of the morning, the members of the legal fraternity, including all judges of the National

and Supreme Courts braved the morning rain and marched from the Godwit Street next to the Australian High Commission to Sir John Guise Drive towards the court premises.

Sir Salamo and his deputy Justice Gibbs Salika led the way. Members of the three disciplinary forces marched ahead, followed by the judges and lawyers.

Sir Salamo addressed the legal fraternity, challenging them to “apply the rule of law in all conditions.”

He said PNG must take its place in the modern world, and those who help deliver justice “must be in the right frame of mind” when doing so.

His encouragement was that the country must be ruled by law while care and diligence were exercised by respecting the rights of every human.

He added that there was a need to improve in the performing of duties. He also challenged the other two arms of government to implement decisions of the court with care.

Roalka leader Samuel Rombil said the three boys were eagerly looking forward to the school year and had left their homes in Mugmamb across the Waghi River in Dei and had crossed into Anglimp-South Waghi when “reckless driving cut short two innocent young lives instantly”. The boys would have walked for two hours from their village to get to their school.

“The Roalka tribe is shocked. It’s a nightmare for the tribe to lose such lives.

“They would have contributed a lot in future had the driver of the vehicle drove at a reasonable speed. One man’s carelessness has destroyed a whole tribe,” Mr Rombil said.

He said the students were all relatives from the same tribe and they were confused and shocked.

Four men, including the driver, abandoned their vehicle and fled along the highway towards Anglimp when chased by angry locals.

A police vehicle, believed to be Kudjip-based Highway Patrol, arrived in time to rescue the four and drive them to safety.

Mt Hagen Hospital medical staff said last night, the sole survivor has serious internal injuries. The bodies of his fellow students are at the hospital morgue.

Sorority girls are more likely to have body image issues and dysfunctional eating behaviors than their peers.

WATER IS A VITAL NEED

MOST families living in the settlement areas do not have proper homes that come with indoor kitchens, bathrooms or laundry area. Seen here is a family doing laundry and fetching water outside their house at Konedobu in the nation’s capital. Picture: TARAMI LEGEI

Lae city hit hard by water shortage

BY MELISHA YAFOI

LAE’s power blackout woes are over for the time being as the city faces a major water crisis.

The country’s second largest city has been experiencing shortage since last week following the breakdown of a Water PNG’s bore pump caused by the frequent electricity blackouts.

Business houses, residents, government institutions and schools had all been affected.

Water PNG’s senior manager Vincent Raka said yesterday that the problem was the responsibility of both PNG Power and Water PNG to work together to solve.

Mr Raka said normally the

The bottom line

the drum

MORE RAIN

PORT Moresby has entered unchartered territory: second week of rain. The city is looking lush and green but its drainage system is in urgent need of maintenance.

WIRINGS

THE heavy downpour has also exposed live electrical wirings. If you see smoke coming out from the wiring, especially during rain, call PNG Power immediately. Curiosity by unsuspecting children can be lethal so act quickly and call professionals.

CAUTION

AND those intending to travel out to sea the next couple of days should take care. The rainy and windy condition continues in various parts of the country. If you do travel carry extra fuel and don’t forget the life jackets.

SCHOOL

WAKE up the holidays are over! Some parents got a rude awakening yesterday, it was the first day of school and the children were up bright and early. Those who tried to use the rain as an excuse to continue sleeping didn’t get anywhere.

COOKIE

THE start of the school year

At a glance

WATER SHORTAGE: Lae city has been experiencing water shortage since last week.

CAUSE: The shortage was caused by a breakdown of a bore pump as a result of the frequent electricity blackouts.

RESPONSIBILITY: The responsibility of both PNG Power and Water PNG to work together to solve.

water pumps or bores operate through three phases of power to supply an adequate supply to the city. If one of the phases fail, this would affect the capacity flow to the high and low pressure areas of the city.

“Therefore I would like to make a call to PNG Power Limited to provide a reliable power service so that it does not affect the pumps,”

Mr Raka said. He said two water pumps were down. However, one was restored on Friday but Water PNG needed the third one up and running to restore full supply to the whole city.

Currently, the two pumps were supplying 40 per cent of the city’s supply into the storage tanks at East Taraka so that the residents could

receive adequate water supply.

Mr Raka said Water PNG was planning to get new prime generators that would substitute the smaller duty standby generators that operate for six hours at a time.

These small standby generators cannot meet the city’s demands.

“We are trying to add one more bore using our capital expandable funds to help the people residing at back road and Bumayong area so that the pumps can share equal amount of percentage flow,” Mr Raka said. He said Water PNG expects to fix the problem soon, without indicating a timeframe.

Studies show that the most productive day of the working week is Tuesday

had an immediate impact on city motorists with long vehicle queues forming on some road lanes as early as 6.30 am. They say the early bird gets the cookie. Food for thought for working parents.

MORGUE

ANY truth in reports that the public has to buy fuel to run the morgue at the government-run district hospital at Bwagaoia station on Misima Island? Someone at the Milne Bay health division might want to shed more light on this.

DEADLY

MORE lives lost at what is now a deadly stretch of road in the Jiwaka Province. Two women were killed at the same location recently. Police have appealed to drivers to slow down but driver education is equally important.

MANUS

IT WAS perhaps the only time Manus Island featured at an international sporting event watched by millions. Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray were playing the men’s’ final of the 2015 Australian Open when anti-Manus protestors unveiled a banner on centre court.

PROTEST

Manus regional processing centre, where over 1000 male asylum seekers are waiting their refugee applications.

PENGEE: thedrum@spp.com.pg

THE banner read “Australia open for refugees” and was in reference to the Australian-funded

Two women die as floods wreak havoc in Kimbe

A PREGNANT mother of two children was buried in a landslide as heavy rain causing flooding wreaked havoc in Kimbe and West New Britain Province at the weekend.

The pregnant woman was among two deaths reported so far as heavy rain swept away bridges, washed out roads and flooded major shopping malls. Churches did not escape the wrath of nature as most were still under water and service conducted on higher grounds while police barracks and other residential areas were still under water as of yesterday.

According to initial reports, the pregnant mother of two children, a resident at Section 21 was standing on banks of the flooding waters when the banks gave way and was buried under the mud.

Her body was recovered and taken to the Kimbe Hospital.

Another death was reported at Section 10 when another young woman was swept away by the flooding waters.

Kimbe town resident and former PNGDF liaison officer Joshua Bailey told the P ost-Courier from Kimbe that heavy rains during the past few days caused flooding that is affecting the

At a glance

KIMBE: The capital of the West New Britain Province. It is a port town on the great Kimbe Bay which boasts more than 60 per cent of the coral species of the entire Indo-Pacific.

AFFECTED AREAS: Flooding has affected the whole Province after heavy rains during the past few days. Bridges have been washed away and roads washed out. Shops have also been affected.

DEATHS: A pregnant mother from Section 21 was killed when the banks of a river she was standing on gave way and she was buried under the mud. Another was a young women at Section 10 who was swept away by flooding waters.

whole province. Mr Bailey said most of the bridges linking Hoskins and Kimbe had been swept away by heavy rains. He said shopping centres and residential areas, including the police barracks, had been under water forcing families to brave it out.

The National Disaster office in Port Moresby said it has not received any reports from the provincial offices as yet and asked the PostCourier to contact individual centres for updates.

Treat cancer early, says new specialist

BY MELISHA YAFOI

THERE has been concerns raised over number of cancer cases reported at the Angau Memorial Hospital, says a cancer specialist.

New Angau Memorial Hospital chief oncologist

Deepak Raj Ghimire told the Post-Courier that 30 per cent of cancer cases could be prevented if they were diagnosed at an early stage.

He said that it was vital for every Papua New Guinean

The bottom line

support hospital cardiac team

BY MAUREEN GERAWA

A CARDIAC team at the Port Moresby General Hospital is the first in the country and they are committed to stick as a team.

Paediatric cardiologist Professor Nakapi Tefuarani, who has been involved with the Operation Open Heart program since the start, told this newspaper yesterday it needs a team to provide a successful cardiac service and there is already a highly trained team at PMGH that is willing to ensure this service is set up.

“Cardiothoracic surgery is a team work. It’s a whole lot of people who have been trained - we have 21 years of experience. We have operated 900 patients. We know our mortality rate is very low,’’ said Prof Tefuarani.

He said the training over a period of 21 years through OOH would continue because Australia’s OOH team and Singapore’s Sing Health would continue to come every year which would ensure the training of personnel for the unit continues and multiplies.

“It is growing and it will not stop,’’ he said of the nuclear staff that has already been formed to run the cardiac service.

He said PMGH has trained staff who can do cardiac surgery and provide intervention cardiology services such as angiogram when this unit is set up.

to note the warning signs of cancer so that the disease gets treated quickly.

Dr Ghimire explained that studies from the World Cancer Foundation had predicted that cancer would be the highest killer disease by year 2020.

The awareness is to broaden the knowledge of the people to know about how this disease could harm the human body and eventually kill a person, he said.

The common symptoms

that could lead to any form of cancer were:

White patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue that may be leukoplakia (a pre-cancerous area often caused by chewing betelnut, smoking or other tobacco use);

Sores (ulcer) that do not heal for example a long-lasting sore in the mouth could be oral cancer;

Unusual bleeding or discharge means coughing up blood may be a sign of lung

cancer while blood in the stool could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer;

Unexplained weight loss and fatigue;

Fever is one of the common symptoms which often happen after cancer has spread and also it can be an early sign in blood cancers like leukaemia or lymphoma;

Pain can be an early stage for bone cancers and if experiencing a headache which does not get better with treatment may be a symptom of a

brain tumour; and Thickening or lump in the breast or other parts of the body.

Dr Ghimire said the signs and symptoms listed above are few of the many common ones where people often face.

He said that if a person notices any disturbing change on their body for a greater period of time, they should consult a doctor to seek treatment at an early stage.

The Chief Translator for the European Parliament can speak 32 different languages fluently.

Prof Tefuarani is currently the executive Dean of the University of Papua New Guinea and School of Medicine and Health Sciences and informed this newspaper that as far as he knows there is no other well trained cardiac team in the country as that at PMGH.

He said the training of this team had been funded mostly by the business houses and the community through OOH and challenged the Government to wake up and make a commitment to support the set up of this unit.

HEAVY flooding hitting shopping centres in Kimbe.

Survivor free from bullet agony

BY DONALD WILLIE

SURVIVOR of police shoot-

ing at Hanuabada Village, Nou Karoho, has finally gone through successful surgery to remove a bullet that was stuck in his two ribs on his left side for seven days.

His family had gone back and forth to the hospital since the shooting as the Royal PNG Constabulary did not make payments until the Pacific International Hospital agreed to do an operation last week Thursday to remove the bullet.

He went under the knife on Friday to have the bullet removed, a surgery that took six anxious hours to complete.

PIH chief surgeon, Dr Alexander Paul, discharged him from hospital yesterday and he will be back for a review in a week.

Mr Karoho thanked the PIH for their intervention in having the bullet removed from his ribs as well as others who came forward with support including local MP Michael Malabag and this newspaper.

“If it wasn’t for Post-Courier, your editor Alex Rheeney and the PIH doctor Alex Paul, I’d still be suffering or possibly dead,” he said.

The bullet, key evidence in the investigations into the police shooting which left

Betelnut growers set sights outside Moresby

BY MEROLYN TEN

THE Mekeo people will now prepare themselves to trade betelnut with other provinces, especially those in the Highlands region through aircraft.

At a glance

SHOOTERS: Members of the police force were alleged to be involved in the indiscriminate shooting at the Hanuabada village two weeks ago.

CASUALTIES: Two Hanuabada villagers were shot dead and many others, including Nou Karoho, were injured.

FALLOUT: The villagers retaliated by chasing the shooters away and set up roadblocks that severed fuel supply to the city for two days.

two Hanuabada villagers dead and others injured, is currently in the possession of the family.

Motu Koita women leader, Mere Oala, told a press conference last Thursday that she wanted to draw attention to the injured as they had been kept in the dark during the crisis.

Meanwhile, Hanuabada villagers along with assistance of neighbouring Motu-Koitabu villages, have been collecting signatures for a petition to be presented to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

Those who wish to sign can do so at the Hanuabada Lahara mission station and the Elevala hall to support the cause.

Partners widen use of airfield

BY SHIRLYN BELDEN

PEOPLE in Hela Province are expected to see more business and development service opportunities as the PNG LNG Project’s Komo airfield becomes available for commercial flight operations.

This was made possible yesterday by the project developers ExxonMobil PNG and National Airports Corporation at an agreement signing at the Parliament House in Port Moresby.

The use of the airfield was extended to the NAC for commercial operations in the hope of boosting development opportunities

for the local people. Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, who witnessed the signing, announced that access to the Komo airfield would also support the disaster relief operations by the PNG Defence Force.

The agreement signed by Civil Aviation Minister Davies Steven and ExxonMobil managing director Andrew Barry was witnessed by Hela Governor Anderson Agiru and Komo-Margarima MP Philip Undialu.

“People in Hela and through the Highlands region will benefit from this agreement through increased business opportunities and greater peace

of mind when faced with potential natural disasters. There is further opportunity for business people to utilise the airport to get their produce to other centres.

“Komo is a strategic location for the delivery of relief supplies to the people in the Highlands in times of natural disasters,” Mr O’Neill said.

“Military and relief agencies will be able to factor Komo into their future planning as a potential distribution point to assist people in surrounding areas.’’

The airfield played a major part from the preparation to the first delivery of the LNG project last year.

This plan was announced by the MP for Kiruku-Hiri, Peter Isoaimo during the commissioning of the new district administration building recently in Bereina station.

Seeing that betelnut was a great income generator to the people of Mekeo and the entire Kiruku-Hiri electorate in the Central Province, Mr Isoaimo said the old Bereina Airstrip would be reopened purposely to trade betelnut with other provinces, besides the National Capital District.

“The NCD Governor has victimised us with his betelnut ban since 2014 and we have seen it as an unfair action to the people of Mekeo,” Mr Isoaimo said.

“If we are prevented from selling our betelnut in NCD and Central provinces, I will reopen the old Bereina Airstrip to transfer betelnut through plane to other provinces in the country.”

He said the selling of betelnut to other provinces would be part of this year’s Small Medium Enterprises plan for the people of Kairuku-Hiri.

The announcement was made in the presence of Member for Aitape-Lumi, National Alliance party Leader and Minister for Treasury Patrick Pruaitch and the MP for Gazelle and Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Malakai Tabar, along with other delegates who were also there to witness the grand opening.

Bishops slam police brutality, offer chaplaincy

BY GRACE AUKA SALMANG

THE Catholic Bishops Conference has condemned police brutality in any form, saying that in past few weeks Papua New Guinea has seen abuse of power by the police force. However, the bishops of PNG and the Solomon Islands said they could help by working closely with disciplinary forces like police by providing chaplaincy services to law enforcers.

“But we have not got enough support from the Government,” the conference general secretary Father Victor Roche said yesterday, supporting the call the previous day by United Church Moderator Reverand Bernard Siai for immediate improvement of chaplaincy services in the disciplinary forces.

Fr Roche told a media conference yesterday that the Government must have some plans in place to have Catholic chaplaincies in all provinces or police college to help conduct counselling sessions and help lift the morale of the policemen and women.

He said the involvement of policemen in the shooting death of a woman in Lae on January 1, sexual harassment in the police cells in Boroko and alleged killing of two men in Hanuabada village two weeks ago was a show of undisciplined police force.

“Police are supposed to be a disciplined force and not undisciplined. Human rights should not be abused,” Fr Roche said, adding that abuse was due to the poor governance and widespread corruption in the police force.

“Inadequate training coupled with poor living standards contributed to these shortcomings which must be addressed to build up the morale of the policemen and women,” he said.

The Catholic Bishop Conference suggested the following:

HOLD proper investigation of the recent alleged abuses and killing by the police, GIVE in-service to the police who had served for many years, HAVE proper and longer training in the initial stages of the police force, REVIEW wages and living conditions of the police, and get advice and INCREASE personnel from the Australian Federal Police.

“Rogue cop”

could be anyone and not necessarily the bad cop in the police force.

PETER O’Neill (far left), Davies Steven (centre) and Andrew Barry at the signing for the commercialisation of the Komo airfield at Parliament House.

VICTOR Roche

APPROXIMATELY 600 new and continuing students attending the University of Goroka this year were welcomed by UOG acting Pro Chancellor Jerry Tetega yesterday.

Mr Tetega told the new intakes that they were very fortunate to secure a place for themselves at UOG.

He said out of 16,000 grade 12 students who sat for the examinations last year, only 6000 were accepted into the six PNG university’s to get tertiary education.

“Whilst you are here at this University, make use of this opportunity made available to you. Utilise your time wisely, study very hard and make use of the best facilities that have been provided to you, to benefit your education and training,” he said.

He said the staff work hard to achieve the university’s aim in empowering students.

Students urged to study hard Teachers’ postings not confirmed

BY MICHAEL KOMA

SCHOOLS in Eastern Highlands Province did not start yesterday as teachers converged on the provincial capital Goroka to find out what schools they have been post to.

Uncertainties surrounding the appointment of the provincial education director had resulted in education officers not performing their delegated duties by posting teachers to schools on time.

Thousands of teachers were in Goroka yesterday to demand an official explanation from the education hierarchy.

There was an air of confusion within the provincial education office as two senior education officers were reportedly vying for the provincial education director’s (adviser) position.

The provincial administration had recently appointed Robert Kakao as the director while former adviser Thomas John Duo claimed the same position, saying the court had cleared him to occupy the position.

The controversy has indirectly triggered the delay in the selection of last year’s Grade 8 students for enrollment in Grade 9 classes in the province’s eight secondary schools, according to education insiders.

Many teachers, students and parents were frustrated over the delay in the posting of teachers and Grade 9 selection.

Principal thanks villagers for normalcy

BY GRACE SALMANG

DESPITE the recent conflict among police and villagers of Hanuabada, it was normal for the students attending Badihagwa Secondary School to begin the first day of the 2015 schooling year without hiccups.

Principal Bala Maru thanked the families and people of Hanuabada village for their understanding to lift the blockage and let normalcy return.

“The school is hidden in the back of the village that caters for nearly most of the Hanuabada children from grades 9 to 12 as well as students coming from around Port Moresby.

“As the principal of this school, I was worried that the situation between the locals and the police if not resolved would affect the start of the school, but I am very appreciative for the villagers having in mind the importance of bringing education to their children,” Mr Maru said.

OHE works to sort out student tickets

BY NELLIE SETEPANO

THE Department of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology has advised students on government scholarships that it is working around the clock to speed up the ticketing process for the 6000 of them travelling to various institutions all over the country.

Students had been frequenting the department or airline companies for their tickets for the past two weeks because many were already late for registrations at various institutions.

A senior officer within the

ADVISE: THE department of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology has advised students on government scholarships that it is working around the clock to speed up the ticketing process for 6,000 of them travelling to various institutions all over the country.

OFFICER: Agreed there was a slow processing system between the agent and airlines companies.

department dealing with scholarships has advised that the travel agent Global Travel Centre has a branch within the Department of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology and

has been contracted to liaise with airline companies for students’ tickets.

In Port Moresby yesterday, parents and students packed a small room and the queue of students extending right

out of the building, all trying to get an update advice on travel tickets and date of travel.

The senior education officer that did not want to be named agreed there was a slow processing system between the agent and airlines companies.

He said the department has already given names of students on scholarships to the agent but it was now the agent to fast track the process and issue tickets. He was aware of the slow process, adding that those responsible should come up with a faster procedure.

He said the school is made up of 1500-plus students and 27 teaching staff and this new year he aims for the students to be educated properly.

Mr Bala was saddened by the killings and shooting of the police recently of the Hanuabada men and sent his condolences to the families affected.

Mr Maru said grades 10 and 12 had no problems with registrations but the year 11 and Grade 9 were selected students, it would take this week to complete all registration.

The students were all sent back home yesterday due to the heavy rain in the morning.

When asked if the school was charging project fees, he said the project fees are omitted until further notice by the governing policy.

Schools throughout the country started this week and many students are still facing all sorts of problems despite the Government’s free education policy.

Children’s plight attracts good Samaritan

FIVE children in Gerehu will start the 2015 school year with hope and optimism, thanks to the kind donation of school uniforms and fees from Wasantha Kumarasiri.

Mr Kumasiri is the managing director of Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) but he help is coming from his own pockets.

The children are living in the Life PNG Care Family Home in Gerehu, an outreach home for children that are homeless and orphaned.

The personal donation by Mr Kumarasiri has given

three boys the opportunity to enter Grade 6 and two girls to enter Grade 8 at Waigani Primary School.

The children are part of the strongim pikinini education program run by Life PNG Care, and are just five of a total of 102 kids in the program seeking a new and fairer start to life through education.

National director Life PNG Care Collin Pake thanked Mr Kumarasiri for his kind donation and said that there is more needed to be done to provide assistance for homeless children in the

capital city of Papua New Guinea and appealed to others in similar positions to help to get disadvantaged children to school.

“In regard to the Life PNG Care family home at Gerehu we currently provide safe housing, meals and a stable caring environment for 19 children.

“These children have lost both parents and do not have the support of family. They are effectively homeless and abandoned,” Mr Pake said.

“It is sad that in a Christian country such as PNG with so much natural wealth there

are people falling through the cracks. There is not the social security safety net of more developed countries in Papua New Guinea.

“It is up to church-run organisations to fill the gap and often we do so without support from the Government.

“We rely on the generous support of kind-hearted people such as Mr Kumarasiri,” he added.

Mr Kumarasiri said that more needs to be done by many capable and wellpositioned individuals and business houses to support

organisations such as Life PNG Care.

“I have donated school uniforms and fees for five children. I wish I could do more. Perhaps my act will create awareness that will lead to more support for Life PNG Care and the outreach home in Gerehu,” Mr Kumarasiri said.

“I am calling upon those that are more fortunate to support the less fortunate. I know we all have our own families, however if we could all spare just a little time and money to support those that have nothing.”

UOG Pro Vice Chancellor academic and innovation, Associate Professor Dr Michael Mel addressing staff and students.

Lae project set to start

THE Government has already awarded Phase II of the Lae Tidal Basin which will cost K400 million, to kick start this year.

State Owned Enterprise Minister Ben Micah told the Post-Courier yesterday that the contract has been awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the same company that built the K800 million, Phase I of the Tidal Basin which was officially handed over last year.

“We have already awarded Phase II of the Lae Tidal

Basin to China Harbour Engineering, the company that was contracted to do Phase I and which completed and handed over last year,” Mr Micah said.

They are already on the ground, their equipment and facilities are already established so all they need to do is start working once they are ready,” he said.

He said CHEC successfully completed Phase I of the project and because of their commitment and effective, together with the state of the art facility, they were

also awarded Phase II of the Project. Phase II of the Tidal Basin is to build additional wharf facilities, which will cost K400 million and to continue from Phase I where its objective was to design and prepare the Tidal Basin phase I project to support the Governments overarching development strategy of export-driven economic growth, rural development, and poverty reduction.

The outcome was to increase the port capacity and efficiency at Lae port.

Lae is PNG’s commercial

‘capital’. It is a major outlet for the Highlands where almost half of the population lives. Increased capacity and services in Lae port, in conjunction with the improved Highlands highways which ADB is supporting, will drive the development of the Highlands highways.

The programing discussions in 2005 between the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) identified the development of the Lae port as

a potential project for ADB financing, and a project preparatory technical assistance (PPTA) was included in ADB s Country Strategy and Program Update 20052006.

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, other senior government officials, and representatives from ADB and the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) joined the people of Lae in December last year to celebrate the completion of the initial phase of the development project.

Bishop: Respect refugee rights

BY GRACE SALMANG

A CALL has been made to the PNG and Australian governments to respect the refugees and give full and efficient refugee status determination process in the Manus regional processing centre.

This call was made yesterday by the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and the Solomon Islands (CBC) which wanted both governments to provide safe and humane conditions for the asylum seekers, not force the asylum seekers to return to their country if they are not safe and to have a detailed policy on the resettlement of refugees in PNG.

General secretary Fr Victor Roche said that the rights of the refugees should be respected.

Father Roche said this after Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told the ABC News that most of the 1035 asylum seekers at the Manus Regional Processing Centre were not genuine refugees and would be sent home “within weeks”.

He said, talks were underway with Iran and Iraq to return the men home.

“If they do not feel safe at their place of origin, why send them back?

“If the Government knew that they would not cater well for these refugees, why did we accept them at the first place?” Fr Roche told a media conference yesterday.

Ramu 2 project study complete

BY GORETHY KENNETH

MINISTER for State-owned Enterprise Ben Micah yesterday confirmed that the final report of a feasibility study to explore options to increase hydro-electric power generation in the Ramu 2 project has been completed.

Mr Micah told the PostCourier yesterday that the report has already been presented to him by engineering consultants Parsons Brinkerhoff, who were supported by Kramer Ausenco.

“No need to go to Cabinet with this report, we will only go to Cabinet on the financing model of it,” Mr Micah said.

“The report was presented by the firm that was engaged by IPBC to carry out and its with me now,” he said. “This is the extensive and detailed

report which provides the blueprint for the progression of the Ramu 2 project.”

The report has also confirmed the prospect of boosting the entire Ramu hydroelectric scheme capacity by a further 180MW as technically feasible. “The extensive and detailed report provides the blueprint for the progression of the Ramu 2 project,” Mr Micah said.

He said as the lead agency to explore the generation

of increased capacity, IPBC needed to undertake economic analysis, develop an information memorandum, and work with the Government, PNG Power Limited and other stakeholders towards achieving a final investment decision before the end of 2015. He said that this Ramu 2

project will see the optimisation of water resources within the existing Ramu hydro-electric scheme to meet increasing demands, particularly from mining and industrial developments in the Highlands region.

The firm’s report also confirmed the prospect of boosting the entire Ramu hydroelectric scheme capacity by a further 180MW as technically feasible.

This improvement in the utilisation of natural water resources also aims to reduce dependence on diesel to generate additional power capacity. The existing Ramu hydro-power scheme is located at Yonki, Kainantu, in the Eastern Highlands Province. It currently generates 67 megawatts (MW) from an install capacity of 93MW.

Landowners receive new water supply

KURUMBUKARI landowners from Ramu NiCo Mine Project area relocated at Danagari Relocation Site have received a new water supply, thanks to Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Ltd.

The water supply was built after the nearby Marum River damaged the old supply in 2013 leaving the locals to walk

approximately one hour, 50 minutes to get water Imagil River. Raibus Engineering, a subsidiary company of Raibus Limited owned by the Project landowners, constructed the water supply with support from local hires. The construction began last November and completed on January 6, costing K30,000

funding from Ramu NiCo. Fifth-teen relocation houses are currently benefiting from the water supply.

Diesel water pump is used to pump water from Imagil River, about 600m distance to the 2x9,000 litres overhead tank which is 6m high for water storage before supplying to every relocation

households. Landowners now access clean water for cooking, washing and laundry from their house.

Micheal Kiagi and Rebecca Thomas the two relocated landowners were happy that they are now receiving water from their houses instead of walking long distance to fetch fresh water.

THE Lae Tidal Basin in the background.

“No need to go to Cabinet with this report...

BEN MICAH Port Moresby

Youths harass street sellers

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

A GROUP of youths have been harassing street vendors and beggars around Lae city and confiscating their items.

Lae lord mayor Koim Trilu Leahy said the youths were believed to be from Morobe Province.

He denied knowledge of the motive of their actions.

“Although we’ve warned street vendors and beggars to refrain from operating in public places, we have not made arrangements with any youth group to deal with such people,” Mr Leahy said.

He said such unauthorised action often led to unnecessary fights and arguments in the city.

The major fights that occurred on Friday and over the weekend in Lae’s top town and main market were believed to have been caused by street vendors who tried to pick-pocket items from the public.

Mr Leahy said he would be informing the provincial police office to look into the matter immediately.

“The nasty fight that occurred between the Morobeans and the Highlanders a few years ago eventuated from pick-pockets taking advantage of street sellers.

“We can’t allow history to repeat itself as there are harsher penalties that will be imposed on any street vendor harbouring pick-pockets,” he warned. Lae is renowned for petty crimes.

Skies open with legal year

BY SAMUEL RAITANO

THE official opening of the 2015 legal year yesterday coincided with the ground breaking-ceremony for a new National Court complex at the Waigani National and Supreme Court premises. The ceremony was officiated by Chief Justice Sir Salamo

Injia in front of all members of the legal fraternity, invited guests and members of the public.

Sir Salamo said the complex would hopefully be completed by May 2018, and should be in operation when the APEC summit is held in Port Moresby.

The complex will comprise

a new building housing the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, National Court, 14 courtrooms and other rooms for registry and administrative functions.

He said the detailed design of the facility would be completed in May this year and starting July, the main construction would commence.

With its completion in 2018, the existing court operations will move into the new building while the old building will be vacated for refurbishment.

Contracts for preparatory and temporary site facilities have been awarded to Global Construction and Avenell Engineering Services.

The National Budget allocation for the project for this year is K180 million.

The total estimated appropriation for the project over four years is at the tune of K610 million.

Sir Salamo also mentioned that Australia had indicated to assist with K100 million for the project.

Lawyers urged to be truthful

MEMBERS of the legal fraternity have been urged to execute their duty based on truth.

Anglican priest Father Klower Waimi of the Boroko Anglican Church told members of the legal fraternity at the opening of the 2015 legal year yesterday that truth was the essence of justice and must be applied at all times.

“If there is no truth, there is no justice,” said Fr Waimi, who also studied law and once worked as an associate to a judge during the pre-independence days before becoming a priest.

He said the main task of the judiciary was to uphold justice and maintain the rule of law.

He challenged the members of the fraternity to always maintain their duty to uphold the rule of law.

He said the law was derived from the bible and the office of judges and magistrates were tied to biblical history.

He said despite a lot of evil, crime and violence in the society, the law always stood tall to correct them. He said many people often questioned the whereabouts of God when there was so much crime, trouble and disorder in the society.

“Evil, corruption, violence and crime will always be there. They are there at the background so that we as law abiding citizens may stand out and correct them,” Fr Waimi said.

yesterday.

He gave an example, saying a teacher would not use a white chalk on a whiteboard but only on blackboard so that the writing would stand out.

“Similarly, the evil things would be there at the background and

we as law abiding citizens will stand out among them,” Fr Waimi said.

The priest also challenged lawyers and other officers of the judiciary to carry out their task well - always on truth.

MEMBERS of the legal fraternity braved the rain during the legal year opening

JUDGES leading the parade in the rain to open the legal year yesterday at the National and Supreme court premises.

Police question, arrest Governor

BY DONALD WILLIE WESTERN Province

Governor Ati Wobiro (pictured) has been arrested by the fraud and anti-corruption officers.

Mr Wobiro, 55, was arrested and charged yesterday on four counts of misappropriation of funds totalling up to K7 million along with eight other counts of abuse of office.

Other charges include four counts of abuse of office and four counts of conspiracy to defraud.

Director for fraud and anti-corruption directorate Matthew Damaru said Mr Wobiro was arrested last year by the mobile squad for a different matter, a case that was withdrawn but may resurface when police are ready.

The national fraud and anti-corruption directorate conducted the investigation upon complaints by the people of Western Province.

After the interview at the national fraud and anti-corruption office in Konedobu, Mr Wobiro was taken to the Boroko police station cells where he was locked up.

It is alleged that a Joint Provincial Budget Priorities

Committee (JPBPC) meeting comprising three Open MPs of South Fly, Middle Fly and North Fly convened on November 21, 2013 to approve projects. The three Open MPs denied attending that meeting.

Also in 2013, Mr Wobiro allegedly signed a memorandum of agreement with Norman May on behalf of Fly Care Foundation to use percentages of his PSIP, DSIP and LLGSIP funds to be paid into Fly Care Foundation in which Norman May is sole signatory to the account.

The list of projects underallegedly approved by the JPBPC on 21 November 2013 was referred to acting Provincial Administrator

Modowa Gumoi and instructed by the Governor to facilitate the funding of the projects by implementing the MOA between Mr Wobiro and Fly Care Foundation Inc.

Investigations conducted by the fraud squad officers revealed that many of the projects of which funding was channelled through Fly Care Foundation have not been implemented.

Investigations also revealed that these funds (PSIP, DSIP and LLGSIP) were public funds but were parked in a private account under the control of a private individual outside of the public accounting systems and not subject to public audit.

Channelling of public funds through a private business management and application of the funds were outside of the guidelines governing the disbursement of these funds and lack transparency and accountability.

Police said Norman May of Fly Care Foundation and May Field Distributors was arrested and charged on 22 January 2015 on similar charges.

More arrests are expected to be made in this matter, police said.

SCHOOL KICKS OFF

THE 2015 academic year started with the enrollment of students for schools throughout PNG and Bougainville was no exception. But Bougainville students, teachers and parents will have to wake up early and go to school early at 8am and finish at 3pm (7am to 2pm - PNG Time). Pictured are school students from Bairima Primary School walking to school to begin their first day. Picture: JACOB IENU

‘DRUNKS’ TO BLAME

THE recent Hanuabada killings reported by uniformed policemen are not triggered by betelnut but policemen on duty under the influence of alcohol. Powes Pakop’s betelnut ban policy in NCD is a wise and healthy decision and it is in the best interest of Port Moresby city and PNG.

PNG is not here for betelnut and alcohol, but for law abiding citizens. The only problem is management, drunken policemen and women must be discouraged from using firearms or take up positions in the constabulary.

Commissioner Geoffery Vaki, the ball is in your court and people are watching how you are playing it as killings and shootings are just happening right in front of your nose.

TRUTH WILL PREVAIL

THE recent findings by the International Tribunal arbitrating in the dispute between the PNGSDP and the PNG Government over PM Peter O'Neill taking over Ok Tedi thereby denying the people of Western their majority shareholding is interesting.

It is therefore welcome news for the people of Western Province and PNG as a whole. While the dispute findings are limited, it also goes to show how careless and callous the O'Neill Government has become in handling such matters. There is still a court case pending in Singapore and I expert O'Neill and his team will certainly be on their toes trying to w in some justice for themselves. Well, I believe the people of PNG stand for the real truth, nothing but the truth and if it hurts your government, so be it.

The people of Western Province look forward to the day when they will be f airly compensated.

i AM looking for a former schoolmate by they name of Derbie Samson. We were last in contact five years ago. If anyone knows her please get her to call me on this number - 72858578.

HELA provincial government has turned a blind eye to education in Hela Province. This has become a reality when only 11 Grade 12 students out of six hundred from three secondary schools in the province were accepted at University of Papua New Guinea and University of Goroka respectively. But that is not all, out of those 11 students who received offers, only four students were from Hela while the rest from other provinces.

Let’s have a rough guess that if 30 students of Grade 12 made it to other colleges, apart from the 11 students accepted at the universities, where will the 93 per cent or 559 of our 2014 Grade 12 students fit into? What fall back plan does Hela provincial government

have for its integral human development and its human resource capacity building? Where is your priority? Don’t tell me that in 10 years’ time Hela will have more social problems because of the dropout rate.

The type of results we got from our students were determined by how much we put into the learning of our students.

As parents how much time, effort and resources have we put in towards our children’s education? Which of these were your priorities; bride price, funeral expenses, compensation and tribal warfare or your children’s education? How much was your input? Parents’ lack of support lead to students’ poor performances. As the host

province of the huge LNG project in the country, Hela provincial government failed miserably by not prioritising and assisting education system in the province. Schools and their facilities were not funded and upgraded, teachers welfare were not well looked after, never assisted in recruiting and hiring of specialised teachers for each secondary schools and less attention was given to its department.

Hela provincial government’s true colour was revealed by their own students in the National Examination last year with the poor performances.

Yamo Pita, Morata

Daniel Pokoraija Tumbiari Piripu village, Tari

Swamp Ghost Daru Island

Governor’s right to ban buai

Letter of the day

THERE is much talk on going against the buai ban in the city by leaders and other citizens.

I as a Highlander residing in the city I support the governor of NCD.

Since the ban was imposed, there has been great improvement in the cleanliness of the city.

Port Moresby is the capital of PNG. Regardless of who owns the land on which it is built and what he\she does to survive, that is not to be discussed with the way the city is managed.

We have people all over PNG and abroad residing here. The beauty and cleanliness of the city is paramount.

The Papuan leaders including others who are against the ban are only doing it for political favour. That's true because, as they are saying, they cannot provide alternatives.

Other wise they would be the most benefiting.

They should draw up some strategies and provide alternatives for their people to participate and benefit from in the city. If they cannot do that then its a shame they can only talk.

Having said this, I see that people who break the buai ban law are the very sick people who are unfit to live in a city.

They are of no use in the city in terms of development. They only know how to sell buai. No matter how much effort you put, it means nothing to them.

You chase them away and the moment you leave, they are back and do exactly the same thing you asked them not to.

What economic benefit is this to the nation?

With due respect to the buai growers, those who are selling these nuts in the city are not Papuans rather most of them are people from particular provinces in the

Text us on 208

Highlands. Not all Highlanders do this trade. Its a specialised trade and only those who know how do it.

To stop this practice completely in the city, I suggest instead of involving city rangers and reservists, who can only keep the place clear during working hours I’d they rather organise a police unit who will not chase them with guns to help themselves to the confiscated nuts arrest them and on the same day or next deport them as they are, to their own province with a K20 for bus fare from the airport to their home.

That would be better for them to do buai sales in their home town and develop it with such practice. Don't blame NCDC for this matter.

NCD teachers’ cheque #036103 bounced

A GOVERNMENT cheque# 036103 of K69,291.35 raised by Finance Department was forwarded to a nominated travel agent on Monday January 26, 2015.

The cheque was then deposited into Westpac bank and was advised of a seven days clearance in NCD. Teachers waited until Monday morning (02/02/2015) and were told the cheque had bounced. Finance Department should admit there is no money in the government accounts or should tell the poor teachers not to pursue their claim as they would not be successfully served. This is embarrassing for our poor

10 years ago

teachers who deserved an upfront payment for the hard work they do in very trying conditions. Look at these poor teachers who are not privileged to have the following access:

1.An email account to communicate with the bosses on higher positions to address their grievances.

2.No Landline phones to call the bosses directly to get updates regularly.

3.Most of them are served on the counter, their complaints are served by receptionist and assume that their queries will be resolved.

NCDC HELLO...?

THERE is a betelnut market thriving at Waigani, in front of a small tyre service next to the TST supermarket. This place is also being used for playing cards (gambling) and beer drinking. The people who congregate here block off the footpath without any care in the world for others and to people who live in the residences at the back. It has become an eyesore and a total nuisance. Can something be done to rid this place of such activities? Waigani police cannot do anything because they are part of the problem; they are normally seen in the group buying buai and smoke from the illegal sellers and being friendly with them. Authorities should do something before it causes more problems.

SS Waigani, NCD NONDUGL TREKS ON

will take another 50 years to grow, the people of Nondugl are still pulling their vehicles out of the mud. This is a road constructed before you were even born and served the entire Western parts of Highlands. We understand Asian Development Bank had funded the sealing of the Highlands Highway from Kerowagi (Koronigle) to Okulbank. Most part has been sealed leaving Nondugl and Kerowagi side yet to be sealed. Minister Pok, please hold talks with Works Minister Francis Awesa to have the road sealed. Funding has already been allocated by ADB and you don’t need any of DSIP to carry out the construction. Your people from Nondugl really need the road infrastructure in place before 2017.

COMENDATIONS

4.They are always told to come back the next day, even if they can be served that same day.

5.Most teachers have 3pm to 4pm free. By the time they front up at either Education or Fin Corp offices its 4pm and they are turned away. Systems are built by men and I am sure if we all follow with the next escalating team, this issue will have been resolved. This happened right in front of the head office. I am not sure with all out other teachers from the outer provinces?

James Kiap. Pretty Sad.

PEOPLE in the Nondugl ared of North Wahgi electorate are still waiting to hear about the road from Dona to Bamne/Demang will be sealed. What we are hearing and reading in the media about our Member Fabian Pok is his wish to bring development to the electorate. The sawmills’ you have ‘donated’ to each tribe in North Waghi are doing well by keeping our youths involved. The foot bridge you funded and was built over the Wahgi at Kapalku collapsed during the opening ceremony. You now plan to put more foot bridges over Gan Nol and Hal Nol, rivers that rarely drown people. The currently constructed bridge over Gan Nol is under Mt Powlamp where there is less than five families living there. We hope this is a tangible and impact project under your leadership.

While the construction of foot bridges is taking place and the sawmill cuts away the trees that

I WOULD like to commend the family of the late Lenneth Rus for not demanding any form of compensation in relation to her death. I am sure it is very painfull for the family, but you have decided for justice to prevail and not to take the laws into your own hands. It is a tradition in the Highlands community to demand compensation or payback for such death especially when the deceased is a well educated women. But you are truly the real heroes. I pray that her soul will rest in eternal peace; and the good Lord will reachly and abundantly bless the family for taking a bold step to allow justice and law to take its course. It is a milestone and history making in itself for others to follow and allow justice to prevail. May the good Lord continue to bless you all.

memorial service to pay homage to victims of Asia’s deadly tsunamis had opened up old rivalries. PC, Jan 13, 2005

FOR the first time the delegates expressed that the sport had direction and stability and the promise of a better future.

SANDIS Tsaka, board chairman of PNGRFL speaking during the AGM in Wabag recently.

Kombulno Kip via email

Natare gwang gwang Mt Hagen

THE holding of a government -sanctioned inter-faith

Tisa Noifa via email

Extension for Kiunga city all set

KIUNGA will now be developed into a modern city according to North Fly District lands officer Alexander Karahure.

This was revealed yesterday during the launching and grounding-breaking ceremony for the city extension project.

Mr Karahure said the National Physical Board has approved the Kiunga city plan in 2013 with 14 kilometre radius and will be funded by district services improvement program fund.

He said Kiunga town extension project area is within the approved city planning area and as such physical planning application for subdivision has been carried out.

He said similar town planning approval has been received for Ningerum station to be further sub-divided into proper town plan and has been approved by National Physical Planning Board. He also said the

Kiunga Urban local level government is in direct consultation with the National Urbanisation Office to identify and encourage customary land leases.

Mr Karahure said all customary landowners within the project area of the 14km radius, namely Mepu, Mia, Hongas, and Maigase had been asked to complete registration of their incorporation of land groups (ILGs) which further requires voluntary customary land registration (VCLR), that will be the basis for formal subdivision design on which the town planning extension will apply.

He acknowledged the Hongas and Mepu clans who have registered their ILGs and have certificates and urged others to do the same.

He said the project will be administered by Kiunga Urban LLG and jointly supported by district lands office and North Fly district administration.

Landowners support city plan

LANDOWNERS of Kiunga have thrown their support behind the 14km radius extension plan and and have pledged to work with the government and stakeholders to see the project developed.

This was revealed by landowner representative Haro Genku of the Miagase clan during the ground-breaking and launching of Kiunga town extension plan, public cemetery and permanent road in Kiunga yesterday.

Mr Genku on behalf of the four clans of Hongas, Mia, Mepu Rankia and Miagase, said yesterday’s event marks a very important time in the history of Kiunga town particularly for the landowners.

“Since Kiunga being the provincial administrative and business nerve centre, the launching of this town extension project is very important to accommodate for more change and increase participation in formal and informal sector, to empower and liberate our people,” Mr Genku said. “After much negotiation between the government and landowners, we have decided to offer more portions of land for public services to reach our people.”

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Micro Finance to help farmers

BY FRANCO NEBAS

MICRO Finance will assist farmers access financial assistance to help them operate their micro-agro business.

National Housing Minister and Markham MP, Paul Isikiel, said this during the launch of the Markham District Micro Finance Roll Out program last Friday at Mutzing station.

Mr Isikiel said the pro-

Cocoa board embarks on replanting

BY FRANKIY KAPIN

IF the current output of cocoa production continues in Papua New Guinea, by 2020 PNG will have a shortage of one million tonnes.

Therefore, the National Government through the Cocoa Board of PNG (CBPNG) is embarking on a replanting exercise to cater for the shortfall that will affect the cocoa international market.

Minister for Agriculture Tommy Tomscol said this, adding that though 85 per cent of the PNG population depends on cocoa, coffee, rubber, oil and coconut, the production volume in PNG is at a decreasing rate since two years ago.

Mr Tomscol said since 2012, the CBPNG was insolvent and bankrupt until January 2014 when it started making profit. He said cocoa in PNG has been left outgrown past its 20 years life-span reaching 30 years and low in production yield.

Mr Tomscol said existing cocoa in PNG has reached 35-70 years, therefore, the Government has introduced a new cocoa replanting program that is high in productivity and quality as well.

The program is being trialled in East and West Sepik, Madang, Oro, East New Britain and Morobe provinces.

He said the reviving program is aimed at maintaining PNG’s status on the cocoa world market, such as its one per cent quality based rating of organic cocoa in the world.

Mr Tomscol said in PNG, cocoa contributes K320 million per year on average to the country’s revenue, of which K18 million comes from Morobe Province alone.

He said with the current project, one hectare of cocoa plantation will produce 1.2 tonnes incomparably of the current output of 300 kilograms in Morobe Province.

Naru urges need for growth centres

BY FRANKIY KAPIN

MOROBE has the manpower and land to be the leading agriculture province, says Governor Kelly Naru.

Yet its 334 square kilometres of land, which makes it the biggest province in PNG, lies idle and unproductive, Mr Naru said at the weekend.

He said with Lae recognised as the country’s industrial hub, there was the need to create growth centres, including the recently announced Umi growth centre in Markham District.

The Governor has made the call for Umi to be the first agriculture growth centre in PNG, receiving a nod from Prime Minister Peter O’Neill who was visiting the district.

“We have to work hard and work the land,” PM O’Neill said, adding that the National Government would fund water and sanitation projects for the Umi growth centre.

Governor Naru said Morobe Province was gearing to revive old projects as well as participate in new government-funded projects.

gram will assist farmers to buy their own equipment in terms of cocoa fermentation and coffee pulping machines.

He said the farmers will also have access to acquire tools and operating assets in enhancing their own agro business activities.

“Micro Finance will assist farmer’s access financial assistance from K1000 to K20,000 to help them operate their micro-agro businesses.

“The micro financial assistance is purely commercial and a banks loan criterion is fully applied here without any influence from my political office,” Mr Isikiel said.

He said with the success of this initial financial facility, the district will continue to roll out the next lot of funding to increase the collateral level.

“Perhaps a new threshold would be indicated, how-

ever, it all depends on our ability to utilized this current facility and make it a success both for the bank and for us as customers or borrowers, he added.

Mr Isikiel told the people that each household or family in the valley from OngaWaffa across to Umi-Atzera and Leron will be allocated with 625 cocoa seedlings each – equivalent to one hectare of cocoa farm to cultivate for their domestic

and household needs. He said this initiative is fully supported by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his Government. The aim is to empower the people to invest in agriculture.

“Therefore, the commodity boards such as the cocoa board and others should be fully equipped to drive the Government’s agenda forward in providing economic empowerment,” Mr Isikiel said.

PAUL Isikiel

If you have a story to tell, call us on 309 1042, or email bwaluka@spp.com.pg

LLG receives SME awareness

THE Ningerum local level government in North Fly district of Western Province for the first time has received small to medium enterprises businesses awareness.

This was the initiative of LLG president Kawuk Konmop to boost his people’s business knowledge to enable them to venture into creating small and medium businesses that will benefit them in the long run.

Mr Konmop said he wants to see people venture into businesses and use their own resources to develop rather than sitting down and waiting for the government to bring services to them.

Villagers want to rise up

BY MAUREEN GERAWA

CENTRAL Province’s Hula villagers, including the leaders such as the church pastor were glad the Rise Up program was taken there and have asked for the trainers to return later in the year.

According to them, it was the first of its kind in the village and they have asked for more of these programs to be conducted for the village youth.

The program, run by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), aims to empower young women to make informed choices and become change agents.

Five young men and women trained by YWCA as trainers of trainers ( TOTS) helped facilitated the Rise Up training for young women in Hula,

At a glance

PROGRAM: Rise Up program.

YWCA: Young Women’s Christian Association.

AIMS: Aims to empower young women to make informed choices and become change agents.

TRAINERS: Five young men and women trained by YWCA as trainers of trainers helped faciliated the program.

DIANNE KAMBANEI: General Secretary for YWCA.

Central Province, which was coordinated by YWCA young women’s coordinator Naomi Woyengu. General Secretary for YWCA Dianne Kambanei said it was a training for young women, but they had young men also included in the training so that they could be empowered and support the young women to be agents of change. A total of 19 young women and 10 young men participated in the training

“We train young women to train other young women so there’s a ripple effect,’’ said Ms Kambanei. She said the young women in Hula appreciated the information they received with many saying they did not know they had to say no to sex, they didn’t know their rights when it came to sexual reproductive rights and STIs. A team of three women have formed a Rise up team at Hula at the end of

the training, who will continue this training in Hula. There will be three month monitoring and evaluation by the Rise up Coordinator Naomi Woyengu in each village that YWCA Rise up will be implemented.

There are seven components in the training which are human rights, women’s rights, public speaking, leadership, gender based violence and sexual reproductive health and using our traditions to place value on women and girls

The Rise Up program begun in Solomon Islands by the YWCA Solomon’s in 2010 and seen 700 women undertake the training and because it has proven to be successful it has been rolled out to the YWCA PNG, Fiji and Samoa.

In PNG, Ms Woyengu has included one more topic

which is traditions and the aim is to help instill in young PNG women the knowledge that not all their traditions are bad as there are some aspects which need to be kept that place value on women and girls.

The five trainers in Hula village were Issac Elijah, Jinty Ila, Emma Lageo, David Rupa and Samuel Maila.

“We are excited to see Rise Up have impact on the lives of young women in PNG,’’ said Ms Kambanei. She said she hopes that the Rise Up program can reach all young women in the rural areas in the 22 provinces. The next village they will visit is Aroma in March

The program is being funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Ninegrum presents cheque to LLG projects

BY REUBEN TABEL

NINEGRUM Local Level

Government open this year with a total of K105,295 cheques presentation to constructors, schools, aid post and hardware house to help develop its infrastructure in the LLG.

The money comes under the Ningerum LLG Service Improvement Program (SIP) funds.

A total of K54, 370 was

presented to Ninegrum Transport sub constructor Dynamic Engineering Construction Limited for the building materials and maintainance of Mimingere

first aid building, Wogam Primary School, Kwiroknai Aid Post, Ok Tarim Aid Post, Hawanai Primary School, Runai Elementary School, and Pampenai Community School.

The cheque was presented to Dynamic Engineering

representative Orsonfeb Galandio in the presence of ward members of the respective villages and the district authorities after the budget session.

To promote local business K10,000 cheque was also presented to Hoam Business Group in ward 23 for the building materials of Senemrae Elementary School.

Another K50,925.62 was presented to North Fly

Building Hardware Supply to supply building materials, paints and roofing irons to Ramhoso Elementary School, Grehosore housing project, Mohomnai communty hall, Kungim community hall, Remkim 2 building material for aid post and community health worker house, Trakbits Primary School materials for classroom and Tmoknai local church building material.

On behalf of the Councilors LLG president Kawuk Konmop challenge them to use the money to implement projects in their wards and most importantly provide acquittals report to the LLG office.

He said more project would come if they continued to work together to bring better health and education services and infrastructure development to the doorsteps of the people.

He said the target groups are resource owners, interested business people, business groups and those who wish to improve their current business.

He said he has engaged a consultant who has sent trainers to the LLG to be on the ground to conduct training firstly to the councillors and their elected representatives and then they will continue from there.

He said the trainers are on the ground and will start conducting trainings in Ningerum High School dining hall.

He said since North Fly is developing very fast it is important for the people to know about current developments, especially in the SME sector, to boost local businesses that will enable them to be self reliant rather than being a spectator on their own land.

He said he will continue to help the SME sector to grow and support small businesses in whatever way he can.

He said SME is a new concept and most people might doubt it but it is better for them to be part of the training to receive first hand information on how small to medium enterprises should operates.

A family of people with blue skin lived in Kentucky for many generations.

The bottom line

PARTICIPANTS and trainers pose for a picture after graduation at Hula Rise Up training.

I want to see people venture into businesses and use their own resources instead of sitting down and waiting for government services...

KAWUK KONMOP Daru

Women leader promotes hygiene

BY SIBA MESA

DEPUTY president of National Council of Women and president of Provincial Council of Women Paula Mek has thrown her support behind cleanliness in town and the proper disposal of rubbish caused mainly by betelnut chewing.

“I am ashamed of throwing rubbish in town after Dr James Kintwa and his team took the initiative of cleaning the town last week,” said Mrs Mek.

“Why do we keep selling betelnut in every corner of the town to create more unwanted eyesore and then shamefully big people make an effort to collect the rubbish to beautify our town?.

“We must use our head to put the rubbish in the right places and betelnut selling must be banned like alcohol because I see an improvement in the streets of Mt Hagen and I now can sleep peacefully.”

Mrs Mek appealed to business houses to put rubbish bins in front of their stores so that the public going in and out will drop their rubbish directly into the bin instead of disposing blindly.

She also said the selling of pigs in the streets of Mt Hagen should stop as it is a city and not a compensation area and pigs should be kept in the villages.

She appealled to the Western Highlands Provincial government, MPs and everyone to have one mind to effectively impose a betelnut ban for the cleanliness of the province.

“Our land is a paradise and it is the country’s third city so we must keep our city clean for our pride,” Mrs Mek said.

Isolated people plead for services

THE 10,000 people of Mt Bosavi who have been without services for the past 40 years are now crying for services to reach them.

Mt Bosavi is situated right at the back end of Hela province and has been without a road connection to the Hela provincial capital of Tari.

Mt Bosavi LLG president Tepele Pape said for 40 years his people have been forgotten by the country.

“There is no road connection to the outside world.

Our people do not know what a trousers looks like.

“They do not know what a shoe looks like.

“They do not know what is a pencil or a school book.

Foundation donates ambulance to church

BY ANDREW ALPHONSE

THE Evangelical Church of Papua New Guinea (ECPNG)’s health services in the Hela region is the proud recipient of a new fully kitted ambulance from Digicel Foundation.

Mr Keith Kedekei, ECPNG health secretary, was lost for words when foundation CEO Beatrice Mahuru told him to go pick up the ambulance from Ela Motors in Mt Hagen last December.

Mr Kedekei said the new ambulance was delivered coincidently with the ECPNG’s 60th Golden Jubilee celebrations at

Halongoli mission station in Tari last month.

Mr Kedekei applied for the ambulance to Digicel Foundation years ago following a Church Health Council meeting in Port Moresby.

He thanked God that among the many applications from throughout the country, his was successful resulting in the delivery of the ambulance.

In thanking Digicel Foundation, Mr Keddekei said the new ambulance is a huge relief for the delivery of health care programs and services in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.

ECPNG health services cover some of the remotest and geographically isolated parts of Hela, Southern Highlands, Western, West Sepik and Enga provinces where accessibility is only viable by air. The ECPNG church has 13 health subcenters, two health centers and 14 aid post located in these remote parts of the country.

Mr Kedekei said these facilities are fully operational with over 100 health workers and support staff serving the sick and the dying in some of the secluded outbacks of the country. These facilities are like Mt

Bosavi sub-health center, Dodomona, Musula and Wesiwaito aid posts right on the border of Hela and Western and Ekali on the Strickland Gorge bordering Enga, West Sepik and Hela province. Other places include Beneria, Dauli, Ayaka Ipa, Malanda, Baguale, Para and Homa Pauwa in Komo Margarima district, Idawi and Walete in Tari Pori district, Sembirigi, Marorogo and Inu in Southern Highlands.

Mr Kedekei said the new anbulance would relieve pressure in transporting the sick and delivering an effective health care.

“We are a forgotten people even though our resources have reached the far corners of the world,” Mr Pape said.

He said the only road that has started from Komo to reach these forgotten people in Mt Bosavi has been initiated by the local MP Francis Potape.

“We heard that Francis Potape is building this Komo-Mt Bosavi road and work has started.

“We the people know that the road will lead to our dream to wear trousers, shoes, shirts and hats.”

With the news that MP Potape has been jailed, the people are shattered.

Their dreams also end with the jailing of the MP.

He said when the people look at the PNG map, they will not see Mt Bosavi as it does not have an airstrip or road connection but is situated somewhere in the back room of Hela Province.

“Our people are now wondering whether we are part of this country as our last hope through our MP has been stopped with his jailing,” Mr Pape said.

Simbu landslide wreaks havoc on gardens, houses

BY MICHAEL KOMA

A MASSIVE landslide has caused havoc to food gardens and houses deep in Chimbu’s Sinesine district on Thursday night. No casualty was reported as the disaster occurred at midnight during torrential rain. The Post Courier visited the site and learnt that food crops and houses belonging to three extended subsistence farmers in Kuguruma and Erimil villages (Suwai area) were cov-

ered by the landslide. Three kunai-thatched houses were buried with two live pigs in them.

One of the victims, Dominic Kirua said their attempts to remove the debris in a bid to retrieve the pigs and household items were in vain due to the magnitude of the disaster.

Mr Kirua said the families had spent the night in a neighbouring village when the part of Mount Sibikul gave way.

Nimaidugul (Suwai LLG ‘s ward 3) council-

lor Kaupa Dasti said he would petition the Sinesine district administration to aid the victims with relief supplies as their food gardens and houses were completely devastated.

Mr Dasti said the victims were taking refuge in fellow villagers homes.

Provincial disaster officer Michael Ire said he is still awaiting at report from the district administration in Kamtai in proportionate to the landslide disaster.

ONE of the landslide victims, Dominic Kirua and his son removing the landslide debris

In 2008 scientists discovered a new species of bacteria that lives in hairspray.

The

bottom line

HELA ECPNG mission health secretary Keith Kedekei (right) with excited nurses and health workers giving a thumbs up in front of their new Digicel Foundation donated ambulance at the ECPNG church head quarters at Halongoli in Tari yesterday.

Picture: ANDREW ALPHONSE

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LLGs get K400,000 surplus funding

BY JOSEPH DAWAI

THE Morobe Provincial Government has allocated a surplus funding of K400,000 to its 33 local level government councils.

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru revealed this to the people of Bulolo District during the official launching of a new vouncil vhamber and the Mumeng LLG 2015 project plans.

Mr Naru said the surplus funding was to accommodate the local level government services improvement (LLGSIP) funding slashed by the national Government.

He said the Government had cut down the LLGSIP to K100,000, so the Morobe Provincial Government had pumped in an additional K400,000 to each of the 33 LLG to accommodate the shortfall.

Mr Naru said the provincial government had decided to come up with the counterpart funding to ensure services are delivered to the 33 LLGs.

Mr Naru told the people that from the K45 million provincial services improvement program (PSIP) funding from the national Government, the provincial government had allocated K2.4 million to the six LLG in Bulolo District.

He gave his assurance to the people of Mumeng that 2015 would be the year of implementation of tangible developments.

He further stressed that the provincial government and the administration cannot control projects within the head quarter and the provincial assembly (Tutumang) as everything must go to the people.

“I will be physically moving to each of the 33 LLGs in the nine districts of the province to see what necessary services needed to be delivered,” Mr Naru said.

Morobe presents record budget

THE Morobe Provincial Government has presented its 2015 budget to the Minister for Treasury, Patrick Pruitch last Wednesday.

A record budget of K480.7 million was passed by the Morobe Provincial Government and was handed over to Mr Pruitch by the Provincial Executive Council, which consist of provincial minister for policy and planning Patrick Basa, church minister and leader of the government business Charlie Foike, Lae lord mayor, Truiley Koim, acting provincial administrator, Gioving Bilong, deputy administrator, Shila Haro and Masayang Moat. Mr Basa conveyed

RECORD BUDGET: Of K480.7 million was passed by the Morobe Provincial Government.

UNANIMOUSLY: The Provincial Assembly unanimously passed the budget on January 15. PATRICK BASA: He is the Morobe Provincial Minister for Policy and Planning.

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru’s apologies to the Mr Pruitch as he could not be available. He said the provincial assembly unanimously passed the budget on January 15.

“Our total budget is K480.76 million and comprises of Government Grants at

K327,217,700, Internal revenue, K118,550,00 and a carryover of K43,932,900 from last year’s PSIP and PIP balance,” he said.

Mr Basa told Mr Pruitch that the internal revenue for Morobe Province is expected to be K110 million for 2015.

K9.5 million from GST, K8.7million from motor vehicle registration fees and fines, K1 million from book makers, K2.5 million from liquor licensing, and K2.5 million from mining royalties.

“In regards to the expenditure, personal emoluments will cost K178.7 million, administration – K47.3 million, basic services delivery – K33.9 million, LLG grants

– K10.2 million, and development budget of K210.6 million,” Mr Basa said.

He said the restructure in the provincial government has received enormous funding for effective service delivery which constitutes 37 per cent of the recurrent component.

He said the development budget will complement key strategic national Government service programs through infrastructure, education, health, the economic sector and law and order.

He also thanked and acknowledged the national Government on its continued support and funding on significant economic projects in the province.

Road networks lacking in Finschhafen

BY ABRAHAM AVEDIBA

LACK of proper roads into the Yabem-Mape area of Finschhafen District in Morobe Province has prevented government services from reaching the people, says one local level government (LLG) leader.

Yabem-Mape LLG deputy president Ishmael Nozu said proper roads are the prime factor that leads other government services and developments into remote

areas. “It takes about nine hours for people in the area to reach either the main Pindiu Highway to travel to Finschhafen or down to the coast to travel to Lae,” he said.

“Because of the lack of proper roads, public servants such as teachers and health workers who once worked in the area have returned to their home Provinces leaving the buildings where they worked deserted.”

According to Mr Nozu, the

local MP had engaged engineers in 2010 to carry out feasibility studies in the area to prepare for road works to take place.

“However, there wasn’t any follow-up or feedback given to the people, on the progress of this work.

“It is a struggle that we continue to live with every year, travelling great distances to reach town, just so we can access store goods or seek proper health and education services,” he added.

Mr Nozu said Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Finschhafen MP Theodore Zurenuoc announced a commitment of K10 million during a meeting with the LLG heads in March last year.

“We are pleased that this year, a road will finally be built from the main Pindiu Highway to Makini Village, a remote area that is situated in the Yabem-Mape District.

“We’ve finally being notified by the provincial gov-

ernment that the K10 million funds have already been assigned to a contractor to begin work on the new road,” he said.

Mr Nozu thanked Mr Zurenuoc for the timely initiative. He said the completion of the project will ease their current hardship.

“Once proper roads link the remote villages to the main Pindiu Highway, public servants and government service will slowly return to the area,” Mr Nozu added.

THE cut down on the Local Level Government Service Improvement Program fund by the national Government has affected the project plans for most LLGs in Morobe and the rest of the country.

Mumeng LLG president Okam Paton said this during the official opening of a new LLG council chamber and launch of the 2015 LLG project plans in Mumeng station last Thursday.

However, Mr Paton said the provincial government has been supportive with counter funding that resulted in the LLG’s projects being implemented.

He said the national Government had allocated to the 33 LLG in Morobe Province K100,000 each with counterpart funding from the Morobe Provincial Government of K800,000 to be shared between the LLGs.

“We have given the Mumeng LLG administration K142,000 while committing K162,000 on various ward projects including the two roads – Sambio/ Waffi,Patep/Hambu and the Yanta footbridge.

“Other projects includes the Kumalu aidposts, and houses for teaching and other staff at a high school and primary school and others.

Mumeng launches plan Flood affects services

BY JOSEPH DAWAI

KUMALU River posed a major threat by stopping the flow of services and business between the Lae, Bulolo and Menyamya districts of Morobe Province.

Morobe Governor Kelly Naru raised the concern following the destruction caused by the river during recent heavy rains.

Mr Naru said the river had changed its flow of direction affecting business houses, institutions, the travelling public and locals.

“It is incredible how the river continues to change its direction when it floods,” he said.

Mr Naru said a contractor was engaged with the construction of the by-pass road up the river but what is needed immediately is a bridge.

He said the district is into the wet season therefore the roads need to be reliable and stabilised.

MOROBE leaders presenting the provincial budget of K480.7 million to the Minister for Treasury, Patrick Pruitch, at the Vulunpindi House last Wednesday. From left are acting Morobe Provincial Administrator Gioving Bilong, provincial church minister Charlie Foike, Lae lord mayor Truiley Koim, Treasury Minister, Patrick Pruitch, provincial policy and planning minister, Patrick Basa, budget of fi cer Ms Lynd and Deputy Administrator Shila Haro. Picture: PAUL MAIMA

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Women group in Kokopo launched

BY GRACE TIDEN

A WOMEN’S group in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, was officially launched to assist members with various activities and to look at issues affecting these women and their families.

Members of the Tomara Women’s Fellowship Association came together recently to launch the association programs and to celebrate the registration of the association with the Investment Promotion Authority.

The Tomara Women’s Fellowship Association Incorporated consists of members from Malapau, Tokolopep and Ranguna in the Raluana local level government area of Kokopo District. The women are members of the Malapau United Church Outreach Centre.

Provincial govt to study Sime Darby oil palm bid

BY NICOLE JOANNES

THE West New Britain Provincial Assembly has appointed a committee to look into the Provincial Government’s position on the offer made by Sime Darby to take over New Britain Palm Oil Limited.

The Committee members are; Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, Talasea MP Francis Marus, KandrianGloucester MP, Joseph Lelang, LLG Presidents of Mosa Dacca Wagai, as well as Talasea, Victor Narere,

Hoskins, Marcus Hendry and Provincial Administrator

Williamson Hosea.

The Committee is considering the offer and is in the process of making a decision soon.

The Provincial Assembly made the decision after the issues was raised by Governor Muthuvel for the Assembly to deliberate the fate of its 12 million shares in NBPOL.

Mr Muthuvel said the provincial government did not anticipate such a move but it has now been forced to

make a decision for the benefit of the beneficiaries which are the people of West New Britain.

He told the Assembly that from consultations made with experts and economic analysis made by the provincial administration, the Provincial Government has options to invest in other business entities which would generate higher dividends.

Mr Muthuvel explained that one such investment area which the Provincial Government can consider is

investing in the short term trust bond deposit with the Bank of Papua New Guinea, this will yield a 7 per cent interest that would be about K25 million bi-annually.

For long term investments of 15-20 years, the Bank of PNG is willing to consider a 15-16 per cent interest which would be about K50 million per anum.

The Independent Board of NBPOL directors after conducting their investigations have unanimously recommended to their shareholders to accept the offer in the

absence of any other superior offer.

Sime Darby one of the leading oil palm company of Malaysia is offering K28.79 per share.

As of December 5, 2014, the Company has already acquired 58.9 per cent share which gives it the direct management rights on the NBPOL Board.

Kulim Berhard, also of Malaysia, had the controlling end of 49 per cent had overwhelmingly accepted the offer made by Sime Darby.

The purpose of forming the association was to promote the expansion of the Malapau Outreach Centre and the spiritual wellbeing of its congregation in any small-to-medium enterprise activities, to raise awareness and promote environment protection and healthy community initiatives and to protect and conserve marine biodiversity along the Malapau Beach and in the district.

Association secretary Kapana Bilak said following the launching of their association, they were able to work with some stakeholders to assist them in achieving their objectives.

The group recently engaged forestry authorities which saw trees being distributed to the members for planting.

Mrs Bilak said they plan to continue working to achieve their four main objectives.

She said in all their activities, they will involve the youth, children and male groups in their communities.

ENB injects K1.5 million to promote tourism

THE East New Britain Provincial Government is very supportive of the National Government’s initiative to make Rabaul the tourism hub of Papua New Guinea.

Early this month, the provincial government released K1.5 million to the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTPA) to promote and expand tourism in East New Britain.

The funding will be used over a three year period.

PNGTPA commenced with a meeting in Kokopo over the weekend where it discussed several tourism aspects with stakeholders; Air Niugini, hoteliers, tour operators and other local business houses.

Project Manager, Kayleen Allen from TPA Australia, told participants that in order to make Rabaul the

tourism capital, it is important to work and train those in the industry up to the standard where they can take care of international guests.

She said TPA has a three year marketing plan to help Rabaul meet that standard.

However, she said it will be a waste of time and resources if there is no serious commitment from those within the sector.

“We need a holistic approach, hard work and commitment from everyone here in East New Britain. We must all work together to make this happen.” Ms Allen said The three year marketing plan covers everything from integrating campaign to training people and product development. She said this plan will be raising a lot of awareness, education

and motivation. It will also evaluate all tourism activities in East New Britain. Ms Allen said: “Over the three year period, we will be looking at how customer services are being provided here in East New Britain Province, the pricing structure at the hotel industry, tour packages, scheduling, expectations of customers, training, law and order and many other areas. We will

work with everyone to make this happen.”

During the meeting, participants were asked to list down strengths of Rabaul as a tourism spot as well as weaknesses and suggest ways to improve them.

Air Niugini earlier on made a commitment to support the Government’s initiative when it implemented the direct Rabaul/Cairns route.

THE Super Value Store Group of Companies and its partners rolled out the 37th and 38th SVS Supa V Stoas. This is the sixth and seventh SVS Supa V Stoas in East New Britain alone. Pictured, a choir group singing in front of the 38th SVS Supa V Stoa at Nonga.

MORE SVS SUPA V STOAS

Students get MP’s support

AUTONOMOUS Bougainville Government Member for South Nasioi Constituency in Central Bougainville John Ken has just sponsored the first batch of school students to further their studies in tertiary institutions around the country.

The funding came from the South Nasioi Student’s Foundation which was set for this purpose. Speaking at the farewell of the students he sponsored at the Aropa Airport on Saturday, Mr Ken said every constituency must adopt this model to help students in their area.

Mr Ken’s call was supported by his colleague Member for Kopii Constituency in Siwai District of South Bougainville Philip Kuhena, who was also at the airport to see off another group of students from his constituency which he also sponsored.

Lack of opportunities results in social ills

LACK of services and income earning opportunities contributes to social ills like drug and alcohol abuse, says Arawa police station commander Sergeant Herman Birengka.

Sgt Birengka said this after police arrested and charged three young women with being in possession of marijuana. The three, from Aita in Wakunai district of Central Bougainville, were arrested last year.

Sgt Birengka said Aita is known for cultivation of the drug due to its remote location in the mountains and bad roads and other infrastructure.

He said they know that

Tinputz gets vital facilities

BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS

THE communities of Tinputs district in Bougainville have witnessed the opening of two new infrastructures to provide and promote service delivery.

The joint opening of the new district administration block and the new police cell block took place last Thursday witnessed by members of the Bougainville Police Service (BPS), the ABG administration and development partners who have helped in rebuilding service.

District manager Blaise Vosivai said law and order is a big issue and to combat it they have built the cell block to help facilitate in the peace process as stated in the Bougainville Peace Agreement and deliver law and order services to the people in the village level. Tinputs once had a cell block before the Bougainville crisis and to open the new building puts in place the delivery of police services once again.

most young men in the area are known for cultivating and distributing the drug to other parts of the province and PNG also.

According to Sgt Birengka, most of the drug suppliers who have been arrested told the police that in such places like Aita where there is a lack of basic services like proper road links, marijuana is a very reliable income earning commodity.

“We have cocoa and other produces like garden foods, but carrying them and walking for hours is too much for us young people to bear if we are to bring them to market,” Sgt Birengka re-stated what most of the young peo-

ple told police during their investigations in the Aita area.

The three young ladies who were charged with the marijuana possession were also trying to earn their living by supplying the drug to the consumers because marijuana was easy and not heavy to carry around in such areas where other produce will use more energy but less income.

“I see that when we do not provide basic services through down to the communities, it create such problems,” Sgt Birengka said. “It is like all is connected. One leads to another.”

He said this is common

throughout the region where young people lacking basic services engaged in illegal means to generate their living.

He said home-brew alcohol and stealing are other such social ills resulting from lack of services in the area.

“This happening because government lack sure services as youth rehabilitation programs, farmers support and trainings to develop farming, small business projects, sporting activities and mostly youth engagement in development projects and infrastructure and education,” Sgt Birengka said.

Mr Vosivai said the government is the machinery and the power base of work and the administration funded the new building for the people to set the standards for the region and to ensure the public servants work effectively and facilitate service delivery for the people.

ABG Minister for Local Level Government (LLG), Joseph Nopei said the two buildings are vital pieces of infrastructure for the people.

“The issue of addressing law and order will now be a shared responsibility and all must work in unification as sixty (60) percent of our region’s population is made up of youths and that should be our primary focus in the communities,” Mr Nopei said. He said churches also have a responsibility and this year the government has allocated K2 million for them.

Momis allays ex-combatants’ fears in civil Buka forum

The Autonomous Bougainville Government faced off with former combatants in a civil debate on issues pertaining to Bougainville’s stability at the Bel Isi Park in Buka town on Friday.

The ex-combatants were led by former Bougainville Revolutionary Army strongmen Ishmael Toroama, Sam Kauona and Thomas Tari who were dissatisfied with the ABG’s current development priorities.

In letter to ABG President John Momis, the ex-combatants raised concerns on the replacement of the ABG’s Acting Chief Secretary, Chris Siriosi, the ABG’s involvement with the Torokina oil palm project, the benefit sharing arrangement of the Bougainville flagship MV Chebu and government ministers owning shares in POGE Bougainville Development. President Momis, who

bore the brunt of these accusations, down played them and explained that there was no foul play on the government’s part as they followed every legal procedure to develop these projects.

“There was a need for a change in the Bougainville administration in particular the Bougainville Public Service,” Mr Momis said.

“The appointment of the new chief secretary was done by an independent

body, as is stipulated in the Bougainville Constitution, that was free from political influence,” the President said.

On the matter of the Torokina oil palm project that was deemed to be failure by the combatants, Mr Momis again explained that the project was still ongoing and was proving to be a success in the light that progress on its development though slow was moving

with certainty.

Mr Momis also explained MV Chebu’s benefit sharing arrangement, where Hakau Limited and the ABG owned 50 percent of the management company Chebu Shipping Company Ltd.

“Hakau Ltd is managing the company as past experience has shown that we could not properly manage previous vessels owned by the government simply because we lack the capac-

ity to do so,” he explained.

Mr Momis also explained the reason behind ABG Ministers owning shares in Bougainville POGE Development were in fact as trustees only and that these shares were already transferred to the Bougainville Public Investment Company, the ABG’s business arm.

The 50 percent stake of the ABG in MV Chebu will also be transferred to the holding company.

SOME of the students sponsored by Mr Ken before they left Bougainville through Aropa Airport

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PNG ratings affirmed at ‘B+’ with stable outlook

THE Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (SPRS) yesterday said that it has affirmed its foreign and local currency long-term ratings on Papua New Guinea (PNG) at ‘B+’, and the respective short-term ratings at ‘B’.

The long-term rating outlooks remain stable. The transfer and convertibility (T&C) assessment remains ‘BB’.

The sovereign ratings on PNG reflect structural constraints inherent in a lower middle-income economy dependent on extractive industries and served by weak institutions.

In addition, the economy faces external and fiscal imbalances linked to bringing on line a US$19 billion (K50 billion) (118% of 2014 GDP) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

Once the LNG project is operational, we expect it to contribute to economic growth, enabling the unwinding of PNG’s related imbalances in the next few years.

The global credit risk analyst said PNG faces pressing development needs and had a per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$2,150 (K5635.6 billion) in 2014 and is ranked 157 out of 187 countries on the United Nation Development Program’s Human Development Index.

“Moreover, the prevalence of urban crime in the country deters investment in our view, while governmental institutions are a weakness. In addition, economic data inconsistency is another credit weakness. There are gaps and lags in economic and external data, as well as a lack of transparency in public-sector fiscal affairs,” the report stated.

SPRS said, PNG’s economic output will soon be boosted by as much as 20% with its new LNG plant. The integrated LNG plant will have a production capacity of 6.9 million tons per annum and is

There

STANDARD & POORS

Ratings Report

operated by ExxonMobil PNG Ltd., a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corp.

The report said; “although economic growth has slowed to 5.5%-5.8% in 2013 and 2014 as construction on the facility wound down, we note that it has averaged about 8% in recent years. We believe robust economic growth will continue after the project reaches full production capacity in 2015, to remain above average of economies at comparable stages of development.”

Nevertheless, the sheer size of the PNG LNG project, relative to the country’s economy, has generated economic imbalances.

Between 2010 and 2013, PNG ran current account deficits averaging more than 30% of GDP.

“We expect a double-digit current account deficit in 2014, before the current account balance shifts to surplus from 2015 as LNG exports accelerate. A combination of external debt and foreign direct investment has financed these deficits.

It was also stated that PNG’s net external liabilities have risen to more than 490% of current account receipts (CAR) in 2014 from 50% of CAR in 2008.

“We expect this ratio to have peaked and should decline steadily from 2014, in line with the project’s expected profitability and export performance, which will boost the denominator (current account receipts) by close to 90% in 2015 in US$ terms,” it further said.

Market Snapshot

$A bit weaker ahead of rates decision

SYDNEY: The Australian dollar is marginally weaker as a growing minority of traders doubt whether the Reserve Bank will cut interest rates on Tuesday. At 1700 AEDT on Monday, the local currency was trading at 77.81 US cents, down from 77.91 cents on Friday. The Australian dollar had dipped to 77.26 US cents during early morning trade, sinking closer to levels last reached in July 2009. But it recovered as an increasing minority of traders questioned whether the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) would actually cut rates, Easy Forex currency dealer Liam Moon said. “A lot of people think that the RBA may not cut rates as the RBA’s not really in the business of shocking the market,” he said.

Barrick receives recommendation of ‘hold’ on its stock listing

BARRICK Gold Corporation

(Barrick Gold), operator of the giant Porgera Gold Mine in the Enga province has received an average recommendation of “hold” from the twenty analysts that are presently covering the stock, StockRatingsNetwork.com reports.

Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the

The bottom line

company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $17.54.

Shares of Barrick Gold at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:ABX) opened at 12.78 last Thursday.

Barrick Gold has a 52-week low of $10.04 and a 52-week high of $21.45. The stock’s 50day moving average is $11.33 and its 200-day moving aver-

age is $14.37.

The company’s market cap is $14.884 billion.

A number of research firms have recently commented on ABX.

Analysts at Macquarie downgraded shares of Barrick Gold from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21.

Analysts at Barclays downgraded shares of Barrick Gold from an “equal weight”

rating to an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th.

Analysts at Deutsche Bank reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $13.00 price target (down previously from $16.00) on shares of Barrick Gold in a research note on Monday, January 12.

Finally, analysts at RBC Capital downgraded shares of Barrick Gold from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating and lowered

Bill Gates could give away 98% of his wealth and still be a billionaire.

their price target for the stock from $17.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 8.

Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:ABX) operates mines and advanced exploration and development projects.

The Company operates mines or projects in Canada, the United States, the Dominican Republic, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Zambia, Saudi Arabia and Tanzania.

At a glance

MACQUARIE: Downgraded shares of Barrick Gold from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note.

BARCLAYS: downgraded shares of Barrick Gold from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th.

PNG LNG plant site which was attributed in the rating.

are gaps and lags in economic and external data

Leave dumped in Abbott reboot

CANBERRA: Tony Abbott has vowed to buckle down and take the Liberals to the next election, as he used a speech to ditch controversial policies and sound a warning to disgruntled MPs.

The coalition has had a rocky three months, losing government in Victoria and Queensland and lagging well behind Labor in national opinion polls, with the prime minister blamed for much of the malaise.

Mr Abbott told the National Press Club in Canberra on Monday he had dumped his $22 billion paid parental leave scheme. He has also handed over responsibility for awarding knighthoods to an independent awards council, following the public backlash over Prince Philip’s Australia Day honour.

“Sure, we’ve had a bad patch, but what do you do when you have a bad patch?”

Mr Abbott said.

“You can buckle down to business or not, but failing to buckle down to business always makes a bad situation worse.”

Mr Abbott confirmed that on Sunday night he had spoken with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who is the frontrunner for the leadership should a vote proceed.

“She’s been a terrific deputy, a terrific minister. I believe I have her full support and I certainly look forward to continuing to have that.”

Ms Bishop, who will be involved in a two-day cabinet and outer ministry meeting this week to set the agenda for 2015, told reporters she supported Mr Abbott.

Mr Abbott said he also had the confidence of his party room, which meets next week when parliament returns.

At a glance

COALITION: Has had a rocky three months, losing government in Victoria and Queensland and lagging well behind Labor in national opinion polls, with the prime minister blamed for much of the malaise.

ABBOTT: Told the National Press Club he had dumped his $22 billion paid parental leave scheme. He has also handed over responsibility for awarding knighthoods to an independent awards council.

In a message directed to wavering MPs, he said any leadership change should be in the hands of voters.

“It’s the people that hire and frankly it’s the people that should fire,” he said.

Treasurer Joe Hockey, who sat at Mr Abbott’s table for the speech and would lose his job in the event of a leadership change, called on Liberal MPs to stop focusing on themselves.

“Any talk other than jobs, families and small business is a complete waste of time,” Mr Hockey said.

Another potential leadership contender, Malcolm Turnbull, brushed off questions, saying he would be concentrating on the prime minister’s speech.

Nationals leader Warren Truss said dropping the paid parental leave scheme and replacing it with a revamped childcare and family benefits system was the right call.

“It was expensive and ... and we’ve got difficult economic circumstances, so some things that might in themselves be good are not affordable at this time.” - AAP

SERVICE IN THE JUNGLE

New Westpac CEO makes changes

SYDNEY: New Westpac Group chief executive Brian Hartzer has announced a shake-up of the bank’s structure on his first day in the job.

Mr Hartzer has abolished the bank’s Australian Financial Services division, which will mean the heads of the Westpac Retail & Business Banking, St George Bank-

ing Group and BT Financial Group will now report directly to the group chief executive.

Meanwhile, David McLean has been appointed chief executive of Westpac New Zealand after acting in the role since August 2014.

And the group’s chief operating officer will now take re-

Quick news

SEASONAL WORK

Fiji and New Zealand have today formally launched Fiji’s participation in the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme. Under the scheme Pacific Islanders are brought to New Zealand on limited visas to work in the horticultural and agricultural sectors. Fiji had been excluded from the seasonal worker scheme because the country was under military rule until the elections in September last year. Now an initial group of 30 workers has been selected with the first expected in New Zealand before the end of this month.

FIJI REVENUE

Tax reforms implemented by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) and improved tax compliance contributed to an increase in 2014 revenue collection of $75.3million (US$36.5 million). FRCA chief executive officer Jitoko Tikolevu said they were pleased with last year’s collection of $2.115billion (US$1.027 billion), which surpassed their original annual revenue target of $2.039b (US$990 million).

He said this was an improvement of 13.7 per cent over collections in 2013. “The back to back significant levels of revenue growth rates of 7.1 per cent in 2013 and 13.7 per cent in 2014 shows increased economic activity,” Tikolevu said in a statement. “The performance is indeed pleasing and is a clear reflection of the continued growth of our economy.

AMERICA’S ROADS

US President Barack Obama plans to close a tax loophole that allows US firms to avoid paying taxes on overseas profits, the White House says. His 2016 budget will impose a one-off 14% tax on US profits stashed overseas, as well as a 19% tax on any future profits as they are earned. The $238bn (£158bn) raised will be used to fund road projects in the US. The proposal is one of the main components of Mr Obama’s latest budget, due to be presented on Monday.

MARKET BOOSTED

sponsibility for retail product development, marketing and analytics functions, which previously fell under the Australian Financial Services division.

Mr Hartzer has taken up the CEO role following the retirement of his predecessor Gail Kelly. - AAP

The Australian share market has closed higher for an eighth session in a row as a lift in the price of oil boosted the energy sector, and investors speculated on a cut in the official interest rate on Tuesday. Crude oil prices have rebounded from a six-year low. Phillip Capital senior client adviser Michael Heffernan said the Australian market had enjoyed a good day.

Venezuela jails store owners accused of creating queues

VENEZUELA has jailed the owners of an unnamed chain of shops accused of engineering queues to whip up anger with the socialist government, president Nicolas Maduro says.

Chronic shortages of basic goods, including flour, chicken and nappies, have triggered massive lines that sometimes stretch around blocks and have become a nightmare to navigate for Venezuelans.

Most economists blame the

scarcity on currency controls that restrict dollars for imports, as well as falling domestic production.

Mr Maduro, however, accuses a rapacious business elite of waging an “economic war” to bring down his administration.

“We detected that a famous chain of stores was conspiring, irritating the people,” he said.

“We came, we normalised sales, we summoned the owners, we arrested them and

they’re prisoners for having provoked the people,” he said, adding that the state would take over the food stores.

The stores purposefully reduced the number of cashiers to create lines, Mr Maduro said, likening the strategy to a “guerrilla tactic”.

Authorities are also pressing charges against Venezuelan pharmacy chain Farmatodo for not opening enough check-out counters. Its executives have been summoned for questioning.

The government has jailed businessmen in the past for raising prices, and has launched several campaigns designed to combat contraband of price-controlled goods flowing to neighbouring Colombia.

“Those who use their stores to hurt the people will pay with jail time,” he said. Critics say cracking down on businesses risks aggravating shortages and further deters investment. - ABC

PETROL is seen for sale at a jungle smallholding in Hulu Langat, Malaysia. - BBC

VENEZUELA’S president has accused some store owners of deliberately creating long queues. - Rueters

Bank South Pacific launches new subsidary

APEC turns focus to income inequality, inclusive trade

PAPUA New Guinea’s leaders in innovative banking and financial solutions, Bank of South Pacific (BSP) launched its newest subsidiary BSP Finance (PNG) Ltd (BSPF) in Port Moresby yesterday.

BSPF will offer the people of Papua New Guinea a new and better alternative for their asset finance needs, says BSP chief executive officer Robin Fleming.

Speaking at the media launch, Mr Fleming said the bank management is confident that customers will find BSP Finance a helpful and open minded business partner. “We are also confident that it will offer a better alternative to the PNG Market with an expanded product range, which includes term deposits, finance lease and commercial loans,” he said.

Mr Fleming also explained

At a glance

NEW SUBSIDARY: BSP launched its new subsidary, BSP Finance (BSPF) in Port Moresby yesterday.

BSPF OFFERS: Competitive interest rates, fast approvals and fast turn-around times which BSP has identified is essential in the Asset Finance market and critical to client’s needs.

PROVIDES: An additional distribution channel supporting its existing customer bas and growing market share.

that BSP Finance is not able to offer a full banking package on its own, but compliments BSP in the areas where BSPF sees opportunities currently available to support our existing and potential new clients.

“BSPF will be in a position to engage the assistance of the Bank’s existing Asset Finance team to assist with restructuring, refinancing and offer new and innovative ways to improve its custom-

er’s asset finance business for more complex transactions,” said Mr Fleming. BSPF will offer competitive interest rates, fast approvals and fast turn-around times which BSP has identified is essential in the Asset Finance market and critical to client’s needs.

In the last few years, BSP has shown to the market the progressive nature of the Bank – with expansion into the South Pacific and an exten-

sive commitment to expand and improve services within Papua New Guinea – BSP is determined to bring a new level of understanding and service to our customers.

“I am delighted to confirm that BSP Finance’s flexible policies will provide a finance alternative to those who don’t meet the traditional guidelines for commercial banks or who need the fast turnaround times to meet their needs,” Mr Fleming added.

BSPF will not only complement BSP’s existing product offering, it will also provide an additional distribution channel supporting its existing customer base and grow market share in Fiji and Papua New Guinea. With the acquisition of the Westpac business’s in Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands and the Solomon Islands, it gives

BSP the opportunity to take this product to other pacific islands.

BSP Board chairman, Kostas Constantinou, who also serves as BSPF’s Board chair, said with the launch of BSPF, BSP is reinforcing its strength as a major player in the banking and finance industry and the expansion into other South Pacific island countries is on the horizon.

“BSPF is a step in the right direction for the Group.

This strategic move will allow a far broader spectrum of clients to enjoy the services from the BSP Group,” he said and reaffirmed that the formation of BSPF stemmed from the need to develop a strong, portable, asset finance capability within the BSP Group and the move is supported by the BSP board of directors.

EMERGING market

economies will be driving the global trade talk agenda in APEC through 2020 and the group must tackle a widening gap in incomes and try to restore the faith of people that trade will bolster prosperity in the region, APEC secretariat executive director Alan Bollard said in an interview with the South China Morning Post

“We are seeing increasing inequalities in a range of quite different economies –while economies are getting closer together in terms of their wealth and income, people within economies are getting further apart, and some are losing faith in the idea of growth because they are not getting it,” Bollard said, referring to the scenario sketched out by economist French Thomas Piketty.

The agenda will be driven by the hosts of the next APEC meetings and that will be significant in driving the agenda of smaller countries, he said.

After the Philippines, the chair will go to Peru, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand and Thailand. APEC accounts for nearly half of world trade and approximately 57 per cent of global GDP. Its members include countries such as the US and China, the world’s two biggest economies, and developing nations such as Papua New Guinea and middle income countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia among others.

From January 28 and for the next 11 days, some 1700 Apec officials and technical experts will be meeting at the former US military bases of Clark and Subic north of the Philippine capital of Manila to discuss the initiative of creating “inclusive economies.” “A ‘new normal’ has set in for Asia-Pacific economies,” explained Bollard in a statement ahead of the meeting in the Philippines. The officials will also hear policy recommendations generated by senior private sector executives from the Apec Business Advisory Council, known as Abac, who will be having their own meetings in Hong Kong.

Deloitte strategises for economic growth

ACCOUNTING fi rm Deloitte has announced few changes at its management team.

Pete Forrester, the regional office managing partner for Deloitte Australia including PNG, the Solomon Islands and East Timor has announced the changes in the PNG Deloitte fi rm arising from the rapid growth in that practice.

Mr Forrester said, “I am pleased to announce that Helen Hamilton-James has joined the PNG practice as the new managing partner

for the PNG practice including our Solomon Islands business.”

Mr Forrester said Ms Helen was previously the leader of the Deloitte audit practice in the fi rm’s Western Sydney and Canberra offices and has moved to Port Moresby with her young family. She has previously been lead partner for some of its largest Australian clients and has experience in audit, due diligence and fi nancial reporting.

The previous managing

partner, Lutz Heim, has taken on the role as head of clients and markets and remains committed to the PNG practice for the foreseeable future.

“As well as fi lling this role, Lutz will maintain his involvement in the tax practice and act as the leader of our corporate fi nance team.

Lutz has significant experience in the PNG market and is well placed to build this team up to assist clients with all aspects of mergers and acquisitions,” Mr For-

rester added. He also said that Deloitte PNG was investing significantly in their audit practice to ensure that the fi rm can offer a strong audit and advisory service to their clients even with the expanded work flow.

Ben Lee has joined the fi rm recently as an audit partner. Ben was previously in the Deloitte Melbourne office and is highly respected within the fi rm for his technical abilities. The audit practice has been further strengthened by the

arrival of Juanette Grobler, a director from the Deloitte Adelaide office.

Additionally, Andrew Harris has also joined the PNG fi rm recently as a tax principal. Andrew has joined from Deloitte in Tasmania and has vast experience in all areas of taxation including a background in Australian technical tax issues and also developing country experience in Africa and the Pacific. Andrew will be working closely with Noel Smith and Lutz Heim to

deepen the depth of the PNG tax expertise.

Mr Forrester stated that he believed the PNG and Solomon Islands practices were now well placed to contribute to the further growth Deloitte believes is occurring in the PNG economy.

The PNG Deloitte practice can offer clients services in a wide range of areas it has traditionally operated in, including audit and advisory, taxation, accounting and business services, risk and consulting.

BSPF team after the launching yesterday. Picture courtesy of BSP

Vessels grace harbour

Greece to avoid tax clash with shipping tycoons

WHILE Greece’s new leftist government seems set on a collision course with the European Union, it is likely to steer clear of confronting the country’s critical shipping industry.

The Syriza party of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, which swept to power last Sunday, once promised to take on shipowners and their generous tax allowances. But in recent months, it went quiet on tackling an industry which, along with tourism, is one of the few in which Greece remains globally competitive. Since forming a coalition, Syriza has confronted fellow EU

governments with radical plans to renegotiate Greece’s debts, overturn austerity policies and cancel privatisations. Its stand on shipowners, by contrast, has been decidedly conciliatory.

“We are here to solve problems, not to create new ones,” said Economy Minister George Stathakis, who oversees the shipping portfolio. “There will be dialogue, discussion, and we will look for the best possible solution,” Stathakis, an economist who comes from a shipping family, said during a handover ceremony at the shipping ministry.

This attitude may reflect re-

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alities of the industry. While Greek shipping magnates generally operate from the Athens suburbs or the port of Piraeus, their companies are largely registered in the likes of the Marshall Islands and the Turks & Caicos. The fi rms are often listed on stock exchanges abroad and their ships often fly foreign flags such as Liberia’s.

Any attempt to impose heavy taxes after decades of virtual fiscal freedom could provoke an exodus of oligarchs and businesses which are major employ

Source: Reuters

AND VALUERS

AND BUSINESS SALES

AVAILABLE ASSETS OF SKYTRANS REGIONAL AIRLINE “OFFERS INVITED IN WHOLE OR IN PART”

Under Instructions from Tracy Knight and William Fletcher of Bentleys Chartered Accountants in the matter of Skytrans Pty Limited (Administrators Appointed) ment ve

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For further details contact Matt Currie on (07) 4051 0300. Inspection by appointment only. Information Memorandum available on our website www.dmsdavlan.com.au

The Vendor reserves the right to withdraw any package from sale and may add additional packages.

VESSELS of different sizes are seen anchoring in Fairfax Harbour over a week ago. The boats were either waiting for berthing space at the Port Moresby Wharf area or waiting for their next time of sail out of Port Moresby. Picture: TARAMI LEGEI

CRUISE SHIPS SAILS IN

world. Caledonian Sky is the first of many to visit the PNG Ports Corporation Limited owned and operated port this year. MS Caledonian Sky arrived from the Solomon Islands with a brief stopIover at the picturesque Bonarua Island in Milne Bay.

EXPRESSFREIGHTMANAGEMENT SOFRANASAILINGSCHEDULES-Week06

NEW ZEALAND - AUSTRALIA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA & SOLOMON ISLANDS SERVICE

New dockside development for Motukea

CIVIL engineering fi rm Curtain Bros has big plans for Motukea Island, as it prepares to build new dockside facilities alongside the soon-to-be relocated Port Moresby Port. General Manager Justin McGann outlines the Motukea plans, and other new company projects, to Business Advantage PNG

Motukea Island in Fairfax Harbour, just 11 km north-west of Port Moresby, is the PNG home of the Curtain Group and activities on the island include shipping, wharfage, ship repair and a range of building and civil engineering activities. One of its larger operations is Papua New Guinea Dockyard which has been operating since 1999, repairing a wide range of vessels up to 110 metres in length and weighing up to 4000 tonnes.

‘The vessels are lifted by a wedge car system and when clear of the water are transferred to various holding bays where up to seven 100 metre ships, or multiples of that number in smaller vessels, can be accommodated for repairs,’ says Curtain Bros General Manager, Justin McGann.

“The shipyard has also constructed quite a number of ‘new build’ barges up to 1000 tonnes capacity.

The company has almost completed a deal to sell the wharf for about K725 million including the transfer of some 60 hectares of land to PNG Ports Corporation (PNGPC).

‘Letters of Intent have been exchanged, with the sale expected to be completed early in 2015,’ says McGann.

‘After completion of the sale, negotiations are expected to cover the construction of extra facilities to allow PNGPC to move the entire Port Moresby operation of PNG Ports to Motukea.’ Expansion plans include building various facilities for portrelated operations, including an examination scanning facility already underway for PNG Customs.

In the capital, Curtain Bros has been developing Harbour City, and a number of commercial and residential buildings, with plans for more. It is also involved in building a venue and facilities for the 2015 Pacific Games.

‘We’re currently building the 20,000-seat Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, in downtown Port Moresby.

‘We’re also linking Ela Beach around Paga Hill back into the esplanade via a four-lane road.’

AUCKLAND14-Feb27-Feb11-Mar22-Mar4-Apr16-Apr27-Apr10-May

‘“With the shipyard settled into a steady routine, the company has decided to expand into larger ship repair by building a very large dry dock. ‘It will be 300 metres length, with a door width of 44 metres, and a sill depth of 10 metres at mid tide.

“This facility will be able to accommodate vessels up to some 100,000 DWT capacity.

“We’ll have our dry dock for Panamax repairs, and we’ll have our shipyard where we want to build new ships. For example, we’d like to build defence force ships for PNG.”

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Port expansion

Mining and roads

Curtain Bros was involved in helping develop the now governmentowned Ok Tedi copper Mine in the mid-1980s.

These days, its involvement in Ok Tedi is limited to pit services work and maintaining the main road between Kiunga and Tabubil.

‘We’re also doing the Kiunga sewerage project and we’re building a road from Aiambak to Lake Murray in the Western Province, to the east of the Fly River.

www.bapng.com

LAST week, the port of Port Moresby hosted the cruise ship Caledonian Sky, with tourists from all over the

Bismark into expansion mode

DOMESTIC and international expansion is on the cards for Bismark Maritime as Papua New Guinea’s shipping sector delivers opportunities for additional players. CEO Jamie Sharp tells Business Advantage PNG of the company’s plans. Emerging players like Bismark Maritime Ltd can only be a positive for Papua New Guinea’s shipping sector as crucial industries, such as oil and gas, continue to develop, according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Jamie Sharp.

Over the past seven years, Bismark’s capacity has more than

doubled to 13 vessels as demand for its liner and charter services has risen substantially off the back of growth in oil and gas, as well as the mining and food and beverage sectors.

While much of Bismark’s capacity has been utilised between Port Moresby and Lae ports, the wholly PNG-owned company continues to extend its reach to new destinations along the country’s coastline, establishing a well-equipped company in a PNG industry long dominated by Steamships Trading Company Ltd.

‘We’ve managed to break through in those places, which is good for everyone,’ Sharp tells Business Advantage PNG.

In oil and gas, Bismark has provided services to the likes of Talisman Energy and, indirectly, ExxonMobil and Xstrata, while other regular clients have included Coca-Cola Amatil and Nestlé.

‘There are always issues with productivity on the wharves; comparatively, the costs here moving cargo over the wharves is a lot higher than overseas. With fuel prices going the other way that

will certainly help things.’

Sharp says that Bismark was working towards servicing the complete range of ports in PNG with companies such as these and, hopefully, new clientele.

‘We would really like to continue to improve our profi le and image. I think we are still regarded as a fairly small player in PNG but we would like to get more of an international reputation—that’s something we strive for,’ Sharp said.

International scope

Bismark has already started to make its mark internationally,

ASIA PNG ASIA SERVICE

VESSEL PKGSINJKTLAEPOM

MACAUTRADER22-Jan25-Jan29-Jan14-Feb23-Feb

having undertaken charters to or from South-East Asian countries like Malaysia and the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. He believes the PNG Government’s stance towards foreign investment would likely guide its growth, both international and domestically.

‘Things can change quickly here. A lot depends on how stable the government is, especially with a country that relies on foreign investment,’ Sharp says.

CONTINUED PAGE 26

‘THIS IS HOW WE ROLL’

YOUNG players of Ioro United taking time out riding around the Buka passage over a week ago at the same time jumping and swimming while the boat was running through the waters. This type of past-time is popular in the Buka passage area. Picture: ISHMAEL PALIPAL

MACAUTRADER24-Feb26-Feb1-Mar3-Mar12-Mar

Connecting Services From/To: 0415N

Indonesia, China Ports, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia (East & West), Bangladesh, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Taiwan, Korea and India

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doc1@pngexpressline.com Fx: 323 6685 beven.otari@pngexpressline.com inbound@pngexpressline.commavis.ipai@pngexpressline.com

AnnouncemeALL EMPTY EQUIPMENT RETURNS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ORIGINAL EIR (ie. Empty Return Docket)

ISSUED BY PEL AT TIME OF IMPORT RELEASE & EMPTY RETURNED BACK TO PAM LOGISTICS DOGURA DEPOT (6 MILES) - 3257788 DND WILL BE APPLY FOR THE LATE CONTAINER RETURN

Shekou(05-Dec)(30-Dec)(10-Jan)(06-Jan)(15-Jan)(14-Jan)(23-Jan)31-Jan(25-Jan)05-Feb

Huangpu(05-Dec)(30-Dec)(10-Jan)(06-Jan)(15-Jan)(14-Jan)(23-Jan)31-Jan(25-Jan)05-FebPasirGudang22-Feb16-Mar07-Apr29-Apr21-May HongKong(05-Dec)(30-Dec)(10-Jan)(06-Jan)(15-Jan)(14-Jan)(23-Jan)31-Jan(25-Jan)05-FebPenang25-Feb19-Mar11-Apr02-May25-May

@carpenters.com.pg SriRachadirectportofcall,otherwiseexLaemChabangtranshippedoverSEAport.Phone:3024000Madang4220961csamad@carpenters.com.pg *WesterburgreplacedHeleneRickmerstoperformvoyage1503Fax:3235330

*HeleneRickmers1501NexportcargofromPNGtransfertoNinghai1502N. **HeleneRickmers1501S-Rabaul&Madangtot/shipoverLae.Pleasecontactlocalofficeformoredetails.

IssueDate:29January2015

Enough projects in pipeline; oil and gas included

remain mixed

FROM

PAGE 25

‘There’s certainly enough projects in the pipeline, especially in oil and gas, and even with other commodities. We are being optimistic—when they get off the ground, I think we will be in a pretty good position to benefit from them.’

Fuel relief

Sharp expects Bismark to benefit greatly from lower fuel prices as it pursues expansion. However, he says the usual PNG business challenges were impacting Bismark.

“There are a lot (of challenges) and they aren’t just specific to us,’ Sharp said. ‘Most businesses are feeling

it—the escalating costs here, infl ation, cost of living, cost of accommodation.

‘“There are always issues with productivity on the wharves; comparatively, the costs here moving cargo over the wharves is a lot higher than overseas. With fuel prices going the other way that will certainly help things.”

Sharp is the fourth generation of his family to be involved in the shipping industry, saying that he still regards Bismark as a family business despite its growth, with two generations currently part of the company.

www,bapng.com

THE current state of the Aframax tanker market remains a mixed bag of trends, as the increase of crude exports in eastern trades, is translated into lower exports in the western markets. In its latest report, shipbroker Gibson noted that “for a long time Russia has harboured the ambition to develop a trade relationship with the East in a multitude of industries, not least oil and gas. When it comes to energy ties, a lot has been achieved over the past five years, most notably the start-up of the East Siberia Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline. The ESPO line connects major oil fields in East Siberia with the Kozmino terminal on the Pacific coast, capable of exporting 0.6 million b/d of crude and includes a pipeline spur into China, with capacity of a further 0.4 million b/d”.

According to the London-based shipbroker, “for the crude tanker market this naturally translated into a significant increase in

Aframax trade in the East. Crude shipments out of Kozmino began in late 2009, with exports reaching just over 0.5 million b/d in 2014. However, this also resulted in a significant drop in seaborne crude trade in the West. The decline in exports to Western customers was disproportionally bigger, as more crude was not only refined domestically but also exported via the China spur. Total FSU seaborne crude exports out the Black Sea, Baltic, Mediterranean and the Arctic last year averaged some 1.1 million b/d less than 2009. The biggest drop in shipments was out of the Black Sea, which declined approx. 0.6 million b/d, while crude trade out the Baltic ports fell by around 0.3 million b/d in 2014 compared to 2009 levels”.

Gibson added that “as shorthaul crude trade in the West is one of the main markets for Aframaxes, ordinarily such a dramatic drop in FSU crude ex-

ports in the West would have applied considerable downwards pressure on freight rates for this size group. However, this was not the case. Last year Aframax earnings on the main routes in the Baltic and the Mediterranean reached their highest level since 2008. The Aframax sector was supported by supply side developments as well as the general strength of the tanker market, which more than offset the weakness in demand. The Aframax/ LR2 fleet declined last year, reaching its lowest level since 2010 following limited investment in new tonnage between 2009 and 2012 and healthy demolition activity. In addition, we also witnessed a round 30 tankers in this size group switching from dirty to clean in 2012/13, tightening crude Selected Seaborne FSU Crude Exports tonnage supply even further”.

www.hellenicshipping.com

BISMARK Maritime’s liner service.

Left: Cargo set. pictures: Bismark Maritime.

Abbott: No intention of quitting

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister

Tony Abbott says he has not considered resigning, despite a slump in popularity and growing questions about his leadership.

In a major policy speech, he confirmed the scrapping of a paid parental leave scheme, one of his signature policies.

Mr Abbott admitted he had suffered a couple of months of “hard times”.

He has faced criticism for awarding a knighthood to Queen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Philip and suffered a shock defeat in state elections.

But he told journalists at the National Press Club in Canberra he believed he was still the best person to lead the country and had not considered quitting.

-BBC news

Referring to the previous Labor government, which struggled with infighting, Mr Abbott said his party was elected in 2013 because “the Australian people rejected chaos”.

Illegal businessman could face closure

FORMER car wrecker Craig Skilling knew they would come for him eventually.

For two years the father of three has run an illegal, under-the-radar, accommodation business housing up to 20 people on land he owns in a light industrial area near the former AMI stadium.

The accommodation is nothing flash - some might say squalid - but it has a certain market and potentially earns him $2800 a week before expenses.

“Everything is off Trade Me,” says the unapologetic Skilling as he points to small huts, cramped caravans and converted buses on his land in Raycroft St, Waltham, where he used to run a car wrecking business.

He lives on the premises with his partner, three children and two large dogs that protect the family.

About a week ago, Christchurch City Council

inspectors called and discovered breaches of the City Plan and the Building Act.

Skilling said the accommodation business was not planned. After his wrecking business became uneconomic he was asked by “one guy for somewhere to live. Then another and another and I said, ‘Let’s carry on without telling anybody’.”

Skilling said he knew he was not allowed to run the business in an industrial area but he had got away with it for two years. He was thinking of stalling the closure by applying for a consent. “They know and I know I won’t get it but I can stall the system.”

The section could accommodate about 20 people and provided him with an income so he did not have to work.

“I called myself semi-retired because I knew this day would come and the council would catch up with me.”

Skilling said the council was

most worried about him not having consent to drain grey water from the shower and kitchen area into the sewerage system.

For $140 a week, plus $20 for power, tenants get a caravan, a bus or a small hut, all with beds. Converted containers house two kitchens and two showers. The section has about eight portaloos.

He believed he provided a good deal for his tenants. “Can you you live in a caravan park or a house for 20 bucks a day?” No women or animals are allowed on the premises and no visitors are allowed after 10pm.

A tenant called Tony helps keep the area clean and tidy for a reduced rent.

Skilling said he housed people “no-one else wants” but did not do it out of charity.

“I have no problems because I run it like a jail. The tenants ring the police on me. I have had the cops down here with

guns to my head and everything. I’m not doing this for no c... except me. It’s called survival.

“I’m the one who is going to lose the most. I don’t care where they go. These people don’t care about me. I don’t care about them. I’m providing a service.”

He said running the operation required him to develop a different personality to deal with his tenants.

“I have to go out my door and flick a switch in my brain and turn into a totally different person.

“There can be 20 people here. Why would I let them walk over me?

“If I let one walk over me, the rest will do it. I have to show who the boss is.”

He said tenants were turfed out if they did not pay - he was chasing one for $500. “The amount Work and Income give these c...s is unreal. Do you think I want to associate

DOBBER SUPPORT

THE Solomon Islands prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, says he will be calling on members of the public to report instances of corruption within the public service directly to his office, Radio New Zealand International reports. Mr Sogavare says this latest initiative is the first of several major measures to be put in place as part of his zero tolerance approach to the misuse and or mismanagement of public funds and assets. He says this is the stance he announced when he launched his government’s policy statement last Tuesday. He also plans to start the debate on starting the country’s first independent commission against corruption.

PENSION CHANGES

NIUE’S high commissioner to New Zealand, O’Love Jacobsen, says she welcomes changes to New Zealand pension portability expected to come into effect this year. The change will allow those wanting to retire in the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau to go there 10 years earlier and remain eligible for the pension. Mrs Jacobsen says it is a significant move because Niue struggles with a declining population and the changes will be a draw card to Niueans thinking about returning home as they get older, RNZI reports.

UAE AIDS PALAU

with these people? I don’t even know their names, don’t want to.”

He was selective about who was allowed in. “I only let people in who I know I can control.”

His no-nonsense style is reflected in tough signs. As tenants leave the front gate, a sign tells them to “pay your f.....n rent”. A sign in the kitchen exhorts users to “clean up your f.....n mess”.

Most tenants stayed only for a short time but two had stayed for over a year.

The council’s enforcement manager, Anne Columbus, said the council had recently received two complaints about the property and was working with Skilling regarding City Plan and Building Act requirements.

Possible breaches related to residential units, car-parking, street scene setback rules and consents for structures.

-Stuff news

Aussies unveil cutting-edge microscope

THE “secrets of life” could be revealed by a powerful new microscope, the only one of its kind in Australia.

The $5 million, three-metre tall microscope, unveiled at Monash University in Melbourne, allows researchers to see molecular structures at very high resolution.

“This is one of the most exciting days of my life,”

said Professor James Whisstock, the Australian Research Centre’s director of advanced molecular imaging.

Professor Whisstock hopes the microscope will lead to better treatments for diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

“Understanding our immune system is central to fighting cancer, infectious

diseases such as malaria, and auto-immune diseases such as diabetes, rheumatism and multiple sclerosis.

“The key to understanding and treating these diseases lies in understanding how proteins and cells interact at the molecular level.”

Professor Whisstock said the instrument highlights how physics and engineering together can be used to

answer biological problems.

“We need physicists and engineers to be able to build these devices that can see the secrets of life.”

Until now Australian scientists had to travel to Europe, the UK or the US in order to access similar microscopes.

“The problem with that is transporting biological material internationally is quite hard.”

The Dutch-made Titan Krios instrument works by firing electrons through a sample. -

Some of the electrons in the beam are deflected and these rays can be used to create a 2D image of the sample. Multiple 2D images can then be automatically pieced together to create 3D images of molecules. -AAP

PALAU is to receive a renewable energy project valued at up to US$5 million (K13.3m) from the United Arab Emirates, the Marianas Variety reports. It reports that under a grant from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, technical experts will work with Palau Public Utilities Corporation to set up a 100kW solar photovoltaic installation. They will also deploy two 75kW low-load diesel generators in order to maximise the amount of solar energy fed into the grid, and build a water treatment system capable of producing 50 cubic metres of potable water a day.

PEST FIGHT VITAL

A TEAM in Hawaii working on eradicating a beetle that threatens to destroy palm trees and other crops says it could be up to 10 years before being anywhere near eradicating the pest. The adult coconut rhinoceros beetle bores into palm trees to feed on the sap, weakening the tree, and eventually killing it, RNZI reports.

The head of the Hawaii coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication programme, Rob Curtiss, says it has been 13 months since the beetle was first discovered on Oahu. It actually will damage and kill a lot of other palms, and crop plants.

CLERGY TAXED

THE American Samoan tax office says it will now be taxing church pastors, priests and other clergy who earn income. Tax office manager Richard Jimmerson says it will be the first time the government will be collecting taxes from church ministers. Jimmerson says money that parishioners give to the church is still exempt and pastors who take a vow of poverty will be exempt. He says his office has visited most of the churches to explain the changes, RNZI reports.

THE speech was seen as a make-or-break moment for the Australian leader. BBC

AirAsia captain left seat

THE captain of the AirAsia jet that crashed into the sea in December was out of his seat conducting an unorthodox procedure when his copilot apparently lost control, two people familiar with the investigation say.

According to reports by the Reuters news agency, the two sources said by the time the captain returned to the controls of flight QZ8501 it was too late to save the plane.

The ABC has been unable to independently verify the reports.

The Airbus A320 jet plunged into the Java Sea while en route from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore on December 28, killing all 162 people on board.

This week, Indonesia’s lead investigator into the crash said the French co-pilot was at the controls just prior to the accident.

But Indonesian officials have so far stressed publicly that it is too early to draw any firm conclusions on why the plane went down.

The jet had been suffering maintenance faults with a key flight control computer for over a week.

One person familiar with the matter said the captain had flown on the same plane with the intermittently faulty device just days before the crash.

AirAsia said it would not comment while the matter was under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) of Indonesia.

Reuters reported this week that maintenance problems on the Flight Augmentation Computer (FAC), and the way the pilots reacted to them, were at the heart of the investigation.

After trying to reset this device, pilots pulled a circuit-breaker to cut its power, Bloomberg News reported on Friday.

People familiar with the matter told Reuters it was

Japan mourns slain journo

the Indonesian captain Iriyanto who took this step, rather than his less experienced copilot Remy Plesel, who was flying the plane.

The outage would not directly upset the aircraft but would remove flight envelope protection, which would prevent a pilot from taking a plane beyond its safety limits, leaving the junior pilot to fly the jet manually in delicate high altitude conditions.

The decision to cut off the FAC has surprised people following the investigation because the usual procedure for resetting it is to press a button on the overhead panel.

“You can reset the FAC, but to cut all power to it is very unusual,” said one A320 pilot, who declined to be identified.

“You don’t pull the circuit breaker unless it was an absolute emergency. I don’t know if there was one in this case, but it is very unusual.”

It is also significant because to pull the circuit breaker the captain had to rise from his seat.

Data already published on the plane’s trajectory suggest it may have been difficult for someone to move around the cockpit in an upward-tilting and by then possibly unstable aircraft, but there are so far no confirmations of the cockpit movements.

“The co-pilot pulled the plane up, and by the time the captain regained the controls it was too late,” one of the people familiar with the investigation said.

Tatang Kurniadi, chief of Indonesia’s NTSC, said there had been no delay in the captain resuming control but declined further comment.

Although more is becoming known about the chain of events, people familiar with the investigation have warned against making assumptions on the accident’s cause, which needed more analysis. -ABC news

Korean air chief scolded daughter

THE Korean Air chief, Cho Yang-ho, has told a court he scolded his 40-year-old daughter for ejecting an air steward in a now infamous “nut rage” incident. Both father and daughter apologised to the court for the incident, which erupted when Cho Hyun-ah was served nuts in a packet rather than on a plate.

Ms Cho appeared in green prison overalls, her hair falling over her face and speaking in a whisper.

She could face 10 years in jail.

She has denied forcing the flight attendant and the cabin crew chief to kneel and beg forgiveness while she shouted abuse.

In court, the attendant who mis-served the nuts said she was pushed by Ms Cho, a push now alleged to amount to a criminal assault.

Ms Cho is also accused of interfering with the execution of duty and coercing employees to give false testimony.

The case has sparked a storm in South Korea, highlighting nepotism within the country’s mighty conglomerates, or “chaebol”, and the perceived arrogance of the offspring of chaebol chiefs.

Ms Cho and her siblings have all served as executives with Korean Air.

Plenty of humble pie is being eaten by some of South

HUNDREDS of people have gathered outside the Japanese prime minister’s office in Tokyo to hold a silent vigil in honour of journalist Kenji Goto, who was executed by Islamic State militants.

In a video released online, IS claimed it had killed the 47-year-old journalist - the second purported beheading of a Japanese hostage in a week - but made no mention of a Jordanian pilot it had also threatened to kill.

Japan has said it was “highly probable” that the video was authentic.

Mr Goto, 47, had devoted his life to giving a voice to victims, particularly children in conflict zones.

As the country mourned, some 200 people rallied outside the office of prime minister Shinzo Abe, who condemned the killing as “heinous and despicable”.

They held signs reading “I am Kenji”, mourning the intrepid journalist by echoing the catchcry of mourners of victims of the shooting at the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo in early January.

In a show of defiance after the killing, Mr Abe vowed to increase Japan’s humanitarian aid for countries fighting IS militants.

“We will never forgive terrorists,” Mr Abe said, appearing to fight back tears as he spoke.

Korea’s most privileged people in the aftermath of this incident, says the BBC’s Steve Evans in Seoul.

“It was wrong to get a crew member off the flight no matter what the reason,”

Mr Cho told the court, during his first appearance in the witness box, according to Reuters news agency.

“I have scolded her for not controlling her emotions and [for] expelling the crew member,” he said as his daughter appeared to wipe away tears.

He apologised to the crew chief whom Mr Cho forced to leave the flight, and promised he would face no reprisals if he chose to stay in his job. -BBC news

“The government has been working with the utmost efforts on the issue - I deeply regret that this is the result.”

Mr Abe said Japan would never give in to terrorists and would continue to work with international partners to bring them to justice.

“We will cooperate with the international community to make them atone for their crimes,” he said.

Mr Goto’s mother, Junko Ishido, who earlier appealed for his safe release, appeared before the media in Tokyo after the video was released.

She tearfully pledged to continue her son’s efforts towards making “the world a place without any wars, and to save children from war and poverty”. -ABC news

Bali Nine pair in next group to face firing squad

ANDREW Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, two Australian members of the so-called Bali Nine drug smuggling ring, are to be among the next group to face an Indonesian firing squad, Indonesia’s attorneygeneral says.

han and Sukumaran filed requests for their sentences to be reviewed last week after their requests for clemency were denied.

Among the documents filed to the court were letters Chan

and Sukumaran wrote to Mr Widodo and the chief justice of the supreme court begging for mercy. However, a spokesperson for attorney-general Muhammad Prasetyo said that would not stop the Bali Nine ringleaders being executed. The two Australians have been in jail in Indonesia since 2005 after they were arrested with seven others while trying to smuggle heroin out of Bali.

There has been no decision on when the executions will happen, but the pair could get as little as 72 hours official notice of their execution.

Earlier, Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia said he had met with Australia’s “highest official” and explained there was nothing Australia could do to save Chan and Sukumaran from the firing squad.

Ambassador Nadjib Kesoema was in Jakarta for a briefing with president Joko Widodo,

who rejected the Australians’ request for clemency.

Mr Kesoema told journalists he was asked by the “highest” Australian official if there was anything else that could be done to change the verdict.

The ABC understands that Australian official was Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Mr Kesoema said he explained that all avenues had been exhausted, and there was nothing else that could be done. -ABC news

Consistency in applying prescribed penalties is basically to deter the commission of the same offence in the future.

The bottom line

MS Cho has consistently adopted a posture of childlike repentance in a country known for filial piety and generational hierarchy. Picture: BBC

ANDREW Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are on death row in Indonesia. Picture: ABC/REUTERS

Pro-democracy protesters back on Hong Kong street

THOUSANDS of pro-democracy activists have returned to the streets of Hong Kong for their first big rally since mass protests last year.

But the number of protestersput by organisers at 13,000 but by police at half that figure - was far lower than the earlier demonstrations.

Their key demand is fully democratic elections for the territory’s leader.

A large police presence was in force to prevent demonstrators from occupying key areas of Hong Kong.

But the protesters did not carry out a repeat of the occupations that shut down parts of the city for more than two months last year.

Last year’s Occupy demonstrations at their peak were attended by tens of thousands of people from all walks of life. There were later violent clashes with police, and the final protest camp was dismantled in December. -BBC news

China executes cult killers

BEIJING: A father and daughter have been executed in China for murdering a woman who had refused to join their cult during an altercation at a McDonald’s outlet.

Zhang Fan and her father, Zhang Lidong, were executed

after the Supreme People’s Court approved the death penalty, the Yantai Intermediate People’s Court in the eastern province of Shandong said in a statement on Monday.

It didn’t say when the executions took place.

The two were convicted and sentenced in October along with three other women, who received sentences from life imprisonment to seven years.

The court said the group had called the woman “an

evil spirit” and a “demon” before beating her to death one evening last May while at a McDonald’s restaurant. She had refused to give them her number so that they could recruit new members into the “All-powerful Spirit” group,

Police probe

Bangkok mall blasts

POLICE in Thailand are investigating two bomb blasts outside a luxury shopping mall in Bangkok.

One person was injured in Sunday’s blasts, but the small homemade devices were not intended to kill, police said.

They were detonated on a walkway connecting an overhead train line to Paragon shopping mall.

It is the first such incident since a military coup in May and comes days after former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was impeached.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ordered security to be ramped up in the capital following the blasts.

“I have ordered security to be tightened because this case involves the well-being of the people,” he told reporters according to Reuters news agency.

“This case shows that we still need martial law ... there are still bad people disrupting the peace. We must find ways to severely punish them.”

which China considers an illegal cult.

The anti-Communist sect believes Jesus was resurrected as a Chinese woman.

China’s Supreme People’s Court must review and approve all death sentences.

Police said the steel pipebombs were hidden behind electric controls on the elevated walkway and were set on timers to explode at about 20:00 local time (13:00 GMT), the busiest time for shopping and dining out in the area.

-BBC news

SEVERAL thousand protesters marched through the city’s upmarket shopping and financial districts. Picture: BBC

Balloonists complete Pacific tour

TWO pilots in a helium balloon have completed their crossing of the Pacific with a sea-landing off Mexico, setting new milestones on a six-day trip.

American Troy Bradley and Russian Leonid Tiukhtyaev landed safely, their Two Eagles Balloon team said.

They claim to have beaten the world distance and duration records by flying for more than 137 hours and travelling more than 5,209 miles (8,383km).

To set the records the team needed to beat the existing records by 1%.

“The Two Eagles balloon team is pleased to report the Two Eagles balloon has landed safely just off the Baja coast near La Poza Grande,” their team said in a statement.

“The pilots made a controlled descent to a gentle water landing about four miles off the Baja coast. The balloon is stable and still inflated and the pilots are fine.”

The two pilots left Japan on Sunday and had aimed to land in Canada or the US. However, weather forced them to change course towards Mexico. -BBC

Toddler shoots parents

A three-year-old boy has shot and wounded his father and pregnant mother with a handgun which he pulled out of the woman’s handbag while searching for an iPad, US police say.

Both parents needed hospital treatment for non-life threatening injuries after the bullet went through his

father’s buttocks and into his mother’s shoulder, Albuquerque Police Department officer Simon Drobik said.

The boy’s mother, who is eight months pregnant, was kept at the hospital for observation. The father has been released, said Mr Drobik, who was first to arrive at the scene of the incident at an Al-

buquerque motel on Saturday afternoon (local time).

“On the kid’s side, it’s a horrible accident that happened, but the parents are still culpable,” Mr Drobik said.

“They should have secured the gun.”

The couple could face felony negligence charges but the child will not face criminal

charges, Mr Drobik said. He said the woman told police she had purchased the 9mm gun the day before the incident.

The man is not legally allowed to have a firearm because he has previously been convicted of a felony crime.

The family, including a twoyear-old girl and the chil-

dren’s grandmother, had been living in a motel for about a week with their two pit bull dogs when the incident occurred.

Following the shooting, the children were placed with child protection services for at least 48 hours.

The dogs were taken by animal control staff. -ABC news

Venezuela’s leader jails shop owners

VENEZUELA has jailed the owners of an unnamed chain of shops accused of engineering queues to whip up anger with the socialist government, president Nicolas Maduro says.

Chronic shortages of basic goods, including flour, chicken and nappies, have triggered massive lines that sometimes stretch around blocks and have become a nightmare to navigate for Venezuelans.

Most economists blame the scarcity on currency controls that restrict dollars for imports, as well as falling domestic production.

Mr Maduro, however, accuses a rapacious business elite of waging an “economic war” to bring down his administration.

“We detected that a famous chain of stores was conspiring, irritating the people,” he

The bottom line

said. “We came, we normalised sales, we summoned the owners, we arrested them and they’re prisoners for having provoked the people,” he said, adding that the state would take over the food stores.

The stores purposefully reduced the number of cashiers to create lines, Mr Maduro said, likening the strategy to a “guerrilla tactic”.

Authorities are also pressing charges against Venezuelan pharmacy chain Farmatodo for not opening enough check-out counters.

Its executives have been summoned for questioning.

The government has jailed businessmen in the past for raising prices, and has launched several campaigns designed to combat contraband of price-controlled goods flowing to neighbouring Colombia.

-ABC news

VENEZUELA’S president has accused some store owners of deliberately creating long queues. Picture: ABC/REUTERS

Insolvency occurs when firm’s liability exceeds its assets.

US mulls Ukraine arms

WASHINGTON: NATO and the US appear to be considering sending defensive weapons to forces fighting pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, according to The New York Times.

Though President Barack Obama has not yet decided whether to dispatch “lethal assistance”, his administration is reviewing the issue after a surge in fighting between Kiev and Kremlin-backed rebels, the paper says.

NATO’s military commander General Philip Breedlove now supports providing defensive weapons and Secretary of State John Kerry is open to fresh talks on the subject, it says.

The United States has accused Russia of conducting a proxy war in Ukraine but has so far ruled out arms deliveries to Kiev.

The White House has instead limited US assistance to “non-lethal” aid that includes body armour, medical equipment and radar to detect mortar fire. “Although our focus remains on pursuing a solution through diplomatic means, we are always evaluating other options that will help create space for a negotiated solution,” National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan told the Times. -AAP news

THE Two Eagles balloon is capable of staying aloft for up to 10 days. Insert: The pair left Japan on Sunday and had aimed to land in the US or Canada.

Picture: BBC

UK celebrates Magna Carta

FOUR surviving original copies of the Magna Carta are on display in London as Britain begins 800th anniversary celebrations of the globally significant contract.

Considered the cornerstone of modern democracy, liberty, justice and the rule of law, the 1215 English charter forms the basis for legal systems around the world, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the US Constitution.

Ebola vaccine trials to begin in Liberia

THE first large-scale trials of an experimental vaccine against Ebola are due to begin in Liberia. The potentially preventative medicine was taken under strict security to a secret location in the West African country.

Scientists aim to immunise 30,000 volunteers, including front-line health workers.

More than 8,500 people have died in the Ebola outbreak, the vast majority in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The total number of reported cases is more than 21,000. In Liberia alone, more than 3,600 people have died from the disease.

The trial beginning on Monday will involve injecting a small amount of the a strain of the Ebola virus into 12 volunteers in order to trick the body into producing an immune response.

But it is not yet clear whether this will really offer protection against the disease.

The senior Liberian scientist involved in the trials, Stephen Kennedy, told the BBC the volunteers were safe.

“There is no danger because the piece of the Zaire strain that has been put into the vaccine. It is a weak strain and it can not and will not cause Ebola, so it is impossible that anyone of the volunteers will contract Ebola from the vaccine,” Mr Kennedy said.

The BBC’s Mark Doyle in Liberia says that the scientists are well aware of how important it will be to work with the local people if this trial is to work.

Community nurses are being trained in how to monitor volunteers in the months after they have had their injections.

In the meantime, our correspondent says that parts of the largest Ebola treatment centre in the world, on the edge of Monrovia, are being knocked down.

The number of Ebola cases in Liberia has been steadily decreasing - in recent months, there have only been five confirmed cases across the country.

The World Health Organization says the epidemic has entered a “second phase” with the focus shifting to ending the epidemic.

The survival rate of the current outbreak is around 40%.

About 1,200 people, drawn from a ballot, have won the chance to see the unification event at the British Library, which brings together its two originals with those of Lincoln and Salisbury cathedrals. The four parchments will then be on private display in the UK parliament, marking the start of a year of celebrations for a document that still has resonance eight centuries later.

“No free man shall be taken or imprisoned or disseized

or outlawed or exiled or in any way ruined, nor will we go and send against him except by the lawful judgement of his peers by the law of the land,” the document states in Latin.

“To no one will we sell, to no one will we deny or delay right or justice.”

In June 1215, the wayward King John agreed to the demands of rebellious barons to curb his powers and sealed the charter at Runnymede, a meadow by

the River Thames west of London.

Although nearly a third of the text was dropped or substantially rewritten within 10 years and almost all the 63 clauses have been repealed, Magna Carta principles have become “a potent, international rallying cry against the arbitrary use of power”, the British Library said.

One of Britain’s Supreme Court judges, Anthony Clarke, said it was still im-

portant for governments seeking a balance between issues of security, individual rights, the rule of law and the “principles of justice that lie at the foundation of society”.

He said the principles that justice should be available to all, the law applies to all equally and leaders can only exercise power in accordance with the law continue to be fought for in many parts of the world.

-ABC news

SP SPORTS AWARDS 2015 NOMINATION FORM P NOMINAMINATIONFORM M SPORTS AWARDS NOMINATION FORM

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:

1. Male Athlete of the Year – Best International Performance by a male athlete in 2014

2. Female Athlete of the Year – Best International Performance by a female athlete in 2014

3. Team of the Year – Best International Performance by a team in 2014

4. National Performance of the Year – Best National Performance by a male athlete, female athlete, or team in 2014

5. Community Sports Initiative – Best use of sport to help address social issues at a community level in 2014

6. Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Best Performance by a male athlete who was 18 years and younger in 2014

7. Junior Female Athlete of the Year - Best Performance by a female athlete who was 18 years and younger in 2014

8. Best Sportsperson with a Disability – For athletes with a physical or intellectual disability who have performed outstandingly 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

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:

MAGNA Carta has been revered as the “birth certificate of freedom” for centuries.

Picture: ABC/REUTERS

More than 3,600 people have died from Ebola in Liberia. Picture: BBC

Join the Safekidz gang

HEY Kidz! Wazzup? Have you tuned into TVWAN lately? Series 1 of the locally produced show, SafeKidz Gang, is airing every morning at 8:00 am! It’s a little bit fruity, a little bit nutty and totally fun – kind of chocolate… only not so fattening!

LOL.

SafeKidz Gang started about four years ago – as a live show Digicel sponsored as part of the One Earth,

One Vision campaign. It’s now a popular television production aiming to inspire our nation’s youngest viewers. Actively celebrating cultural diversity, it is the first children’s TV series to come out of the Pacific. The cast includes puppets and humans, with all members sharing a strong connection to PNG. The boys and girls presenting the show were either born

or raised in PNG and many of the puppets are modelled on iconic local charactersincluding two Highland market meris, a baby albino buka and a very cheeky, highly competitive bird of paradise puppet named Cracka.

Jazzy, an intelligent 11 year old human cast member (who moved to PNG when she was only 5 weeks old) said, “ TheSafeKidz

Gang is a huge part of my life. PNG is my home. I love PNG and I love the SafeKidz Gang because I know we are teaching kids to read, respect different cultures, care for the environment, stay fit and healthy and have fun too!”

Fourteen year old Bex, originally from New Zealand added, “The thing I love most is the way that all of us kids are like one big family!

We have so much fun together during filming and also after all of the cameras are turned off! All of the kids are so awesome, and we all have great respect for each other.”

Joey, who recently turned six, loves being involved in the show as well. “I especially love Adventure Time because we get to meet new people and go to some really cool places”, he said.

All the SafeKidz cast are looking forward to filming Season 2 of the popular show, which, as Jazzy explained, will be “… traveling to some remote parts of PNG where we can make new friends.” She can’t wait to share the show with children all over the country and as Digicel Play continues to extend its reach throughout PNG, it’s likely her wish will come true.

KID actors from Safe Kids Gang (L-R) Bex, Ty, Jazzy, Joey, Sammy, Elly, and Netsta.

The loft to spice up Boroko night life

BOROKO wake up, the Club De Vegas Loft is in your part of town. The monotonous and outdated night life in Boroko CBD is set to change forever thanks to Loft. Boroko town comes alive in the night due to its fast food, entertainment centres and night clubs. This is the only part of town in the nation’s capital Port Moresby which is buzzling for 24 hours. The fast food, the clubs all open to customers but yet

again lack the quality service.

Tonight and onwards the Loft has come into town to provide luxury entertainment and beyond that – it has a bar and bistro. It is a luxury on its own, primed to deliver the best service ever in PNG.Yes and the team led by Guyven Teh are hell-bent on providing the edge in entertainment business.

The club is situated next to Stop N Shop called the former Centre Point. The club pro-

SNAPSHOTS ... SNAPSHOTS ..

vides live band with premium drinks (imported spirits) and local beers plus a pool table which is on the top floor. The club is for soft only to keep the guests entertained and no dancing.

The bottom floor covers pokies with private rooms pokies. These private rooms have their own toilets as well.The whole club is on carpet.

All waiters and waitresses are given a handset with ear

Yamaha PA Pack

piece to communicate directly with their managers or colleagues.

Club De Vegas – The Loft is an entertainment concept never done before in PNG. Go and see for yourself.

The Boroko life will be buzzing again with so if you want to enjoy and capitalize the night life in Port Moresby –visit Loft now.

Read more in PNG Weekender this Friday.

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RHYS Big sister Grace loves hanging out with baby brother Namuga Wolu

THIS kids are having in the jungle.

JM & Aunty Mae Posing for the camera.

THE bar tenders are ready for duty.

THERE is also private room where you can have your food

real estate

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SUPPLEMENT

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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

Solution to puzzle SL0843

stars

ARIES

March 20 - April 19

The last thing you’re interested in is decluttering your life. You’re impatient about new plans and eager to get things moving. They will, but not until after your ruler Mars moves into Aries on the 20th. Until then, your time’s best spent considering who and what you can do without.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 19

Sentimental feelings about changes in elements of your work or lifestyle are natural. Yet there’s no question in your mind a reorganisation is timely, if not overdue. The challenge is to be brave enough to say farewell to familiar habits, as well. This frees you to explore exciting new options.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

The retrograde Mercury triggers considerable confusion. What’s more, because it’s your ruling planet, you sometimes feel you’re responsible, even for others’ problems. By no means is this the case. Still, because you’re aware of this tendency, you’ll want to discuss and clarify any such concerns the moment they appear.

CANCER

June 21 - July 21

It’s not often mentioned, but you have a stubborn streak, especially when you’ve been treated badly or your feelings have been hurt. Worse, you’re unwilling to discuss this with those who could be of assistance in untangling those problems. Although you have good reasons, your attitude will only lead to tears.

July 22 - August 22

Your initial reaction to sudden, and unwelcome, changes will be to fight them. Before you go into battle mode, ask a few questions. What you learn won’t just be informative, you’ll realise why you’ve been having such difficulties recently and, worse, that certain individuals have deliberately concealed vital facts.

August 23 - September 22

Obviously life is easier when you can get things organised. But with the Full Moon heightening everybody’s emotions, including yours, what you organise is more likely to be based on feelings than fact. Knowing that, do something out of character and make vague plans. Or, perhaps, make no plans at all.

September 23 - October 22

Being inspired about the future and the goals you want to achieve isn’t just important, it shapes your priorities and, in turn, your daily plans. And with your ruler Venus powerfully aspecting both visionary Neptune and the expansive Jupiter, it’s the ideal time to dwell on exactly such thoughts.

October 23 - November 22

With the retrograde Mercury accenting domestic and family matters, you’ve been facing numerous minor errors, one or two major ones and misunderstandings from the past. While this has been a lot to deal with, what you’ve learned will explain, and resolve, issues you thought you’d just have to live with.

November 23 - December 22

There’s a difference between being enthusiastic, which is a characteristic you’re proud of, and being overly emotional. These feelings have been triggered by the Full Moon, and meant others said more than they should have. Or so it seems. Reflect on their words and you’ll realise how wise they were.

December 21 - January 19

As a Capricorn, you’ve an instinctive knowledge of the vital importance of timing in achieving success. Yet since late December, when your ruler Saturn moved into the most strategic and, indeed, reflective portion of your chart, you’ve struggled with doubts. Explore these. It won’t be easy but it will be amazingly informative.

January 20 - February 17

If the past couple of weeks have been complicated, it’s no surprise. While everybody’s influenced by the errors typical of Mercury’s retrograde cycle, the fact it’s in your sign means many accent personal matters. While some involve practical issues, those that address persistent concerns or inner doubts could prove astonishingly informative.

February 18 - March 19

By no means are you stubborn. Yet your commitment to certain arrangements or, perhaps, certain individuals who are in some way involved, is so powerful that you’d never consider giving up. You should. While you won’t necessarily need to withdraw, simply conducting a review will result in long overdue changes.

Post-Courier

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

PUBLIC NOTICE

POSITIONS VACANT

“Happy 2nd B/day to Natasha Molly Kuk 03/02/2015. Best wishes from family & friends of Kavieng & relatives of NCR -Rabaul.”

IN MEMORIAM

]IN LOVING MEMORY OF LATE VAVINE. I. GODUA. This day 03/02/2014. You left to be with our good Lord. Rest In peace.

The Diocese of Bougainville invites expression of interest from suitably qualified persons for the following positions for commencement at the earliest time possible:

Diocesan Lands Secretary

The Lands Secretary is responsible for all matters concerning land. Experience in land mediation would be of advantage. His/her main responsibilities are as following:

- Identify all land belonging to the Diocese of Bougainville and clarify the legal status.

- Liaise with local communities and negotiate in case of land disputes and urgent pending land issues

- Take appropriate action when land of the Diocese is affected by trespassing or land grabbing

- Executive the role as executive officer of the Diocesan Lands Board

- Maintain good relationships through regular exchange with Government offices and create good understanding of all members and problems concerning land of the Diocese

- Carry out regular public awareness regarding land issues in general and Diocesan land issues

- Elaborate and apply clear and appropriate rules and regulations regarding handling, disposal/distribution of Diocesan land.

- Represent ad uphold the interest of the Diocese at any time and in particular in any meeting, court case, awareness concerning land of the Diocese

Traditional Health Programme Officer

The Traditional Health Programme as part of the Catholic Health Office in Bougainville and has the purpose to support Traditional Health in Bougainville.

The Officer is responsible for the implementation of the programme with the following main tasks:

- Network with stakeholders in health issues to support the integration of traditional medicine into the formal health system.

- Liaise with relevant diocesan agencies, governmental and non-governmental institutions in and outside of Bougainville to implement objectives of THP.

- Seek funding support for THP as well as partner organisations and report for funds donated.

- Support the work and build up capacity of partner organisations.

- Represent the THP in relevant committees and meetings

- Maintain accurate and timely filing arrangements and reporting.

- Be responsible for the maintenance and control of the Diocesan THP compound and assets

Trainer Medicinal Plant Gardens

Part of the Traditional Health Programme (THP) is the establishment of Medicinal Plant Gardens throughout Bougainville for instance in schools.

The Trainer Medicinal Plant Gardens is responsible for that part of the programme with the following main tasks:

- Promote cultivation and use of medicinal plants.

- Carry out teacher training workshops.

- Support improvement of trainings and elaboration of teaching materials.

- Maintenance the medical plant demonstration garden at the THP site in Hahela.

Chef (Cook) Diocesan Conference Centre Hahela

The Diocesan Conference Centre in Hahela is providing a meeting venue for up to 80 persons. The chef will be responsible

- to cook for courses, workshops and cooperate evenings (together with ancillary kitchen staff)

- to cook for “take away’ and transit visitors

- for the management of the kitchen

- to organize the procurement of goods

- to actively work on the ways to use local products

Applicants must have a sound knowledge in cooking and catering with at least three years of relevant experience.

Please send applications including CV to the Diocesan Administrator, P.O. Box 85, Buka, Bougainvile or by email to longa.julius@gmail.com and siedersleben@gmail.com.

A special General Meeting and Election for the Lae Squash Racquets Association will be held at the Chinese Club on Tuesday 17th Feb at 5:30pm

PAPUA NEW GUINEA NATIONAL MUSEUM & ART GALLERY

POSITION VACANCIES

The National Museum & Art Gallery is a scientific and cultural institution charged with the duty to secure Papua New Guinea’s cultural future through preserving our historical past, conserving our natural heritage and to promote our contemporary culture. We want to be the leading and the responsible cultural institution instigating greater respect and deeper appreciation of Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage through scientific research and education. We want to be a cultural pillar of nation building by promoting - through research and education - knowledge and admiration of Papua New Guinea’s modern history and our rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage. Rising out of the ashes of administrative debacles of yesteryears and forging ahead under the aegis of a new leadership and management, the National Museum & Art Gallery is seeking to employ a fresh team of recruits to fill up its existing vacancies in its various branches and sections. Working for the National Museum & Art Gallery can be both a challenge and an inspiration and we especially seek those individuals who have the fire of enthusiasm and self-starting in their veins and those who can work with us as a team player.

Written applications must consist of your name and contact details, provide three referees and their contact details, please refer to the job descriptions for requirements on our website at www.museumpng.gov.pg or contact the Human Resource and Administration

on 325 2422, 3252458, or 325 2405 for copies.

Please note that Salary grade 15 and above are contract positions and therefore attract specific terms and conditions of employment. All applications must be submitted in triplicates to:

DIOCESE OF BOUGAINVILLE

PLANNED POWER OUTAGE NOTICE TO NCD CONSUMERS

PNG Power advises consumers that it will carry out power interruptions to allow workmen to do urgent maintenance work on;

Date: FRIDAY FEBRUARY 06

Time: 9:00am - 2:00pm.

Areas Affected: Erima Shopping Centre, Funeral Home, Erima Wildlife Settlement, Crash Landing Housing Estates, Mc’Gregor Police Barracks, Parts of 9 Mile and nearby areas.

Date: SATURDAY FEBRUARY 07

Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm.

Areas Affected: Waiagni Dr, Waigani Heights, Patrs of Tokarara, Ensisi Valley, Laguna Hotel, North Waigani and nearby areas.

PNG Power regrets any inconvenience caused to consumers

Papua New Guinea Companies Act 1997

Act, Sections 378(3) Company Number 1-2637

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO REINSTATE A COMPANY REMOVED FROM THE REGISTER OF REGISTERED COMPANIES

I, BRIAN PATRICK FRASER of RIVERSIDE COFFEE LIMITED, LAE, MOROBE PROVINCE give notice that I intend to apply to the Registrar of Companies to reinstate RIVERSIDE COFFEE LIMITED, a company that was removed from the Register of registered companies on 13th May 2011 and give notice that my grounds of application will be that

1. I was and am a Director of the company at the time of the removal of the Company from the Register; and

2. The Company was still carrying on business at the time of the removal of the Company from the Register; and

3. The Company should not have been removed from the Register

Dated 21st day of November 2014

Administration Manager: New Zealand High Commission, Port Moresby

The New Zealand High Commission in Papua New Guinea is seeking an experienced Administration Manager to manage the Port Moresby office. This rare leadership opportunity would suit someone with over ten years’ administration/management experience.

From diplomacy and trade to development and disaster relief, our work is diverse and fascinating. With 23 staff in the Port Moresby office, your job would be to manage the office to ensure the smooth operation of our post and the provision of consular services to New Zealanders.

As a member of the post management team, your responsibilities will include:

managing human resources, finance, property,

This is a great opportunity for an experienced manager and administrator wanting to contribute to New Zealand’s representation in Papua New Guinea. The right person for this role will be energetic, pro-active and innovative with good attention to detail and a strong customer focus. They would be an excellent people manager, able to get the best from their team and they would be familiar with working in a public sector environment. The ideal applicant would have good knowledge of Papua New Guinea and be well organised, efficient, a good writer and have strong finance skills. Tok Pisin language skills would be an advantage.

This is a locally engaged position based in Port Moresby. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a New Zealand Government security clearance. The Mission does not provide any assistance with airfares or accommodation. The Mission will provide the successful applicant with a letter in support of a work permit application. The position is full time and open tenure.

For more information go to www.nzembassy.com/papua-new-guinea or https://www.facebook.com/nzhcpng

A completed application form, covering letter, and CV should be sent to denise.ruha@mfat.govt.nz

The closing date for applications is 4pm on Monday 9 February 2014. Shortlisted applicants will be notified.

BRIAN PATRICK FRASER

This Notice has been approved by the Registrar of Companies

Dated 21st day of November 2014

_________________ Alex Tongayu Registrar of Companies

NOTE: A person may within one month after the publication of this Notice, lodge with the Registrar of Companies an Objection and reasons thereof to the reinstatement of the defunct company in accordance with Section 378(3)(d) of the Companies Act 1997.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA Association Incorporation Act 1966 Reg Sec. 2. Form 1

I John Simoka of Mamarego Village c/o – ABG Department of Mining PO Box 289 Buka, AROB, Chairman a person authorized for the purpose by the Committee of the association known as Coastal Corridor Mine Tailings Associations, give notice that I intend to apply for the incorporation of the Association under the Associations Incorporation Act 1966.

The following are the details of the prescribed qualifications for incorporation as specified in section 2 of the Act:

1. The association is formed or (is being formed or is operating) for the purpose of:

a) To equitable distribute the royalty receipts among the members of coastal Corridor Mine Tailings Landowners Association Members.

b) To support the members of the Association to participate and take ownership of any economic opportunities arising from resumption of mining activities at Panguna.

c) To closely monitor the Environmental impact of the Panguna Mine Tailings and negotiate the developers for effective amelioration a remedial measures.

d) To vigorously push the better development deals for its members through a partnerships approach with investment partners.

e) To protect the interest and welfare of members of the Association.

2. The association will apply its profits (if any) or other income in promoting its objects; and

3. The association will prohibit the payment of any dividend or payment in the nature of dividend to its members.

Dated 3rd of December 2014

This notice has been approved by the Registrar of companies.

Date .............../.............../2014

.................................................Registrar of Companies

Note: A person may within one month after the publication of this notice, lodge with the Registrar an objection to the incorporation of the proposed association in accordance with Section 4 of the Act.

PLANNED POWER OUTAGE NOTICE TO MADANG CONSUMERS

PNG Power advises consumers that it will carry out power interruptions to allow workmen to do urgent maintenance work on;

Date: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 08

Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm.

Areas Affected: KK Builders, Divine Word University, Madang Technical College, Binnen Point and Tawai Timbers.

Date: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 08

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm.

Areas Affected: Walium Station.

PNG Power regrets any inconvenience caused to consumers

Land Groups Incorporation (Amended) Act 2009

NOTICE OF LODGEMENT OF AN APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION AS AN INCORPORATED LAND GROUP

File No: 18180

Pursuant to Section 33 of the Land Groups Incorporation Act, notice is hereby given that I have received an Application of a customary group of persons as an incorporated land group by the name of ANUPAGOLOHAZUHA LAND GROUP INCORPORATED

The said group claims the following qualifications for recognition as an incorporated land group.

(1) Its members belong to Anupagoloha Clan in Aratiufa Village.

(2) Its members regard themselves and a regarded by other members of the said clan as bound by the common customs and beliefs.

(3) It owns the following customary land and properties in Gahukul Local Level Government, Goroka District, Eastern Highlands Province.

Property Description

1. Sonomuka River

2. Utiliza Mountain

3. Huhulikuka Land (Water Intake)

4. Zagohak Creeka

5. Golikohalika Mountain Edge

6. Hatupauka Creek & Land

Dated this 28th day of January 2015.

Note: A person(s),group, the District Administrator or the village court within the local level government of this particular land group may within 30 days of publication of this notice, lodge with the Registrar of ILG an objection and reason therefore not to register this land group in accordance with Section 6 of ILG (Amended) Act 2009.

IRUNA G.ROGAKILA Registrar of Incorporated Land Group

ATTENTION ALL SECURITY COMPANIES & BUSINESSES EMPLOYING SECURITY PERSONNEL

It is a breach of the Security Industry (Protection) Act for any Company/person/entity to engage an unlicensed Security Company for business purposes.

As per the Security Industry (Protection) Act, the Security Industries Authority requires all PNG registered Security Companies to have any person performing a security role trained and certified to a standard level by an approved Training Institution. Compliance is a legal requirement and affects the entire Security Industry throughout Papua New Guinea.

This means that all Security Officers and Security Guards are now required to complete Training at one of the two (2) Security Industries Authority approved Training Institutions. Work Skills Training Academy (WSTA - PNG) is one of only two authorised providers of this training and have developed a 3 week intensive Certificate II in Security Operations in consultation with the Security Industries Authority and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. The training meets both Papua New Guinea and International standards and is SIA approved and registered with the National Training Council of PNG.

The Security Industries Authority previously identified reasons behind the need to professionalise the Security Industry and highlighted numerous associate benefits for both end-users and PNG as a whole. Certified training will also realise increased self-esteem and heightened morale within the workforce and employers will likely benefit from a significant reduction in staff turnover and Client dissatisfaction.

Legal compliance and professionalisation of Guard Forces will also better position Security Companies in their pursuit of future contract awards, including the upcoming XV Pacific Games in July 2015, the 2018 APEC Summit and major contracts with Multi-National and Global Companies and Governments that have strict contract qualification criterion.

The team at WSTA are very excited to be a major player in the professionalisation of the Security Industry and look forward to achieving that in collaboration with the RPNGC, SIA, PNG Security Companies and end-users for the betterment of Papua New Guinea. WSTA has Training Centres in POM and Lae and has mobile Regional Training Teams able to meet Provincial training requirements.

Course enrolments are currently being accepted. As classes will likely fill fast and due to the limited 12 month time frame for compliance, we recommend you contact WSTA at the following e-mail address for an enrolment package;

enrolment.wsta@gmail.com or Telephone: 70932142 www.wsta.com.pg

First Seal given quiet barrier trial

HORSE RACING

TALENTED filly First Seal impressed onlookers in her first public appearance since the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival to finish second behind Atmospherical in the sixth barrier trial over 800 metres at Royal Randwick yesterday Atmospherical took up the running in the early stages of the trial, but was quickly challenged by both Muscovado and Fontelina, while First Seal was settled in fourth position just behind the leaders.

First Seal was taken to the outside of the field by jockey Blake Shinn and worked home strongly despite being kept under a heavy hold, but Atmospherical recorded took out the trial after being shaken up by jockey Tim Clark.

Northam faces defining week

BIG Money returns to training today, Voodoo Lad commences his Country Championships campaign at Wyong on Thursday, and Odyssey Moon puts his unbeaten record and Golden Slipper credentials on the line at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

This could be a defining week for the autumn carnival ambitions of Scone trainer Rod Northam and his three stable stars.

By Saturday night, Northam will have a better idea of his feature race chances, particularly when Odyssey Moon, a starter in the $250,000 Inglis Classic (1200m).

Odyssey Moon, a well-bred colt by champion sire Snitzel, was outstanding on debut, winning the Inglis Nursery at Randwick back in December.

Northam maintains Odyssey Moon is fit enough to complete the lucrative Inglis race series double despite miss-

ing a crucial barrier trial at Scone last week. “Odyssey Moon was supposed to trial last Wednesday but they were washed out,’’ Northam said.

“But he had a nice jump-out with Voodoo Lad on the course proper at Scone Friday and he has pulled up well so we are ready to go.

“I’m really happy with his fitness and missing the barrier trial is probably a good thing because I didn’t want to start him on a heavy track.’’

Northam has always had a high regard for Odyssey Moon, having purchased the colt for $25,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale before the colt went through the Inglis Ready2Race Sale where he was then purchased by James Harron Bloodstock for $120,000 before being sent back to Northam to train. “I told James ‘you’ve just bought the Slipper winner’ and he said ‘I hope so because you’re training him,” Northam said.

Mossfun won the Inglis Nursery-

Golden Slipper double last season and Northam believes Odyssey Moon has the natural ability to feature in the world’s richest juvenile at Rosehill on March 21.

“We will get through Saturday first and then look at the better two-yearold races,’’ Northam said.

“He is by Snitzel and being a colt we need to give him his chance .’’ Voodoo Lad, a winner of three of his four starts, will contest a 1200m benchmark 70 race at Wyong on Thursday as Northam prepares the promising young sprinter for the $300,000 Country Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 5.

Northam said he is using the Wyong race to ensure Voodoo Lad is at his peak for the Country Championships Preview (1300m) at Scone on February 23.

“I can’t win more than five races with Voodoo Lad or he can’t run in the Country Championships,’’ Northam

said. “So, my plan is to run at Wyong Thursday then go to Scone for the qualifier over 1300m. “I just want to get him to settle so he will run the 1400m at The Championships.’’

Big Money is Northam’s best galloper and returns to Northam’s Scone stables today after a summer spell following his brilliant wins in the George Moore Stakes and Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben back in December.

Northam said he has kept a very close watch on his outstanding chestnut sprinter, winner of nine of his 15 starts and nearly $600,000 prizemoney.

“He has been in my front paddock so I have seen him every day and he looks great,’’ the trainer continued.

“I’m not sure if there is a suitable race for him in Sydney during the autumn but ultimately I hope to have him ready for the BTC Cup, Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke Handicap.’’

First Seal stamped herself as a filly to watch when she upset Winx and Earthquake to take out the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on September 20 and she proved that performance was no fluke when she recorded a dominant win in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on October 4 before she was beaten by Hampton Court in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) a week later.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock is set to return to racing in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 and will contest both the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 and the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14 before she potentially pushes on to races like the Group 1Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 4 and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) a week later. Atmospherical was having her second barrier trial this preparation and looks on track for a returning to racing in the next fortnight after hitting the line well.

The Northern Meteor mare took out the Canterbury League Club Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Two jump outs for Rupee before Lightning stakes

HORSE RACING

TRAINER Mick Price has confirmed that leading sprinter Lankan Rupee will have two jump-outs at Flemington over the coming fortnight before he returns to racing in the 2015 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington on February 21.

Lankan Rupee has now been back in work for over two months and Price admits that the Redoute’s

Choice gelding is still carrying some of the weight that he put on during his stint in the spelling paddock, but is confident that the five-yearold will take plenty of benefit from barrier trials at Caulfield on February 3 and February 10.

“He is great,” Price said.

“He has a little belly on him, but he trials Tuesday and then the following Tuesday and then he is off to the Lightning first-up.

“His feet are fantastic, he has the normal plates on with no quarter cracks and they have all grown out.

“The horse is super in himself and I am super happy.”

Lankan Rupee is set to press on to the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) for clash with Terravista and Chautauqua at Flemington on March 14 before he returns to Sydney to defend his title in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Roy-

al Randwick on April 4.

The gifted galloper has shown plenty of talent since he made his racing debut with back-to-back wins during the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival, but it wasn’t until he was gelded at the end of his autumn campaign in 2013 that he developed into one of the best sprinters in the world.

Lankan Rupee stamped himself as a genuine Group contender when he took out

both the Listed Earl Grey Stakes (1000m) and Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1200m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival and he was named Australian Horse Of The Year after he won the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m), Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m), Group 1Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) during a flawless autumn campaign.

ever been to a horse race, you probably know that most horse names are ridiculous.

bottom line

LANKAN Rupee

HORSE RACING

BIG Money (L) wins with Robert Thompson on board from Whiskey Allround.

Devils exact revenge on Foxes

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

MANCHESTER United’s 5-3 capitulation at Leicester in September was, Louis van Gaal confessed on Saturday, his darkest day in charge at Old Trafford.

‘It’s still a mystery,’ wrote the United boss in his programme notes ahead of the rematch with the Premier League’s bottom club.

If he was looking for answers, Van Gaal got them all before half time here.

Three goals were more than enough on this occasion, United’s 3-1 lead never looking like the prelude to another dramatic collapse, in spite of the way they sleepwalked through the second half at times. Indeed, Van Gaal’s only criticism on Saturday was that they ‘killed the game too much’.

‘We lost the away match and we have taken revenge,’ he said. ‘We have dominated, especially in the first half.

‘In the second half, I want to kill the game but I have to admit my players did too much to kill the game. We have played more balls backwards and wide than forwards. you have to play forward without risk. ‘But I am very pleased. I have seen here a team that is playing more like a team.’

Van Gaal had demanded goals after seeing United score a mere five in their last six games and he could have few complaints at the response.

Just as he did at Leicester in September, Robin van Persie was the man to set the ball rolling after an awfully dour opening in which he was guilty of spooning one of precious few chances 10 yards into the air.

The Dutch striker made no mistake when opportunity knocked again in the 24th minute courtesy of great work by his international teammate Daley Blind.

United’s summer signing from Ajax picked Andrej Kramaric’s pocket in midfield as he anticipated a pass out of defence and instantly floated a pass over the top of the Leicester defence.

Van Persie looked suspiciously offside as he raced to meet it but the first-time finish was outstanding, driving the ball beyond Mark Schwarzer with his weaker right foot.

‘The first goal was offside but they are honest mis-

takes,’ said Leicester boss Nigel Pearson, perhaps too graciously. ‘Sometimes they go for you, sometimes they don’t. It’s unhelpful to have decisions go against you but that’s how it is.

‘But it would be wrong of me spending too much time pointing out one decision in a game against a team who played exceptionally well.’

Having scored the first, Van Persie set up United’s second five minutes later.

lack of pace was ruthlessly exposed again as he spotted Angel di Maria’s overlapping run and played the ball into the Argentine’s path as he accelerated away from Wes Morgan.

Di Maria’s low shot was saved by Mark Schwarzer but Radamel Falcao was ahead of Ritchie de Laet and Marcin Wasilewski to bundle the ball home from close range and claim his fourth goal for United. Van Gaal said: ‘I am more happy that Falcao was scoring because Robin has already scored enough goals. Falcao needs that goal more than Robin. It is fantastic that they scored and beautiful goals also.’

United made it 3-0 a minute before half-time when Adnan Januzaj —making his first league start since early November — forced a corner from the left.

Blind met Wayne Rooney’s cross with a glancing header and Morgan couldn’t get out of the way fast enough as the ball ricocheted off his head and into the net.

Even the Leicester fans who sang ‘we’re going to win 5-3’ knew lightning would not strike twice. ‘The pure maths of it,’ said Pearson. ‘Three down and people can smell a heavy defeat.’

However, the second half developed into something of a procession for United and it was only when they switched off that Leicester got even a glimpse of goal.

Leonardo Ulloa threatened to race clear of Marcos Rojo just after the hour mark as he broke from halfway and then slipped in the box, with referee Martin Atkinson unimpressed by his claims for a penalty.

Then substitute David Nugent was presented with half a chance by Phil Jones’s lackadaisical backpass to David de Gea, and the goalkeeper had to be alert to block Nugent’s effort from a tight angle.

NRL may bring 1 or 2 teams for 2018

RUGBY LEAGUE

A CONSERVATIVE NRL has pushed expansion and the referee bunker system back a year as they do further reviews of their worth to the code.

Prospective NRL teams, whose creators have poured thousands of dollars into their bids already, will remain clueless about their chances of a license for at least another 12 months.

NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said the expansion review would actually begin next month and take at least 12 months to complete.

A team in south east Queensland is considered a near certainty for expansion with a Western Corridor bid competing against the Brisbane Bombers and Brothers for a licence.

The NRL had pledged to address expansion at the end of 2014 however the review has not started.

The NRL is still interested in bringing one or two new teams into the competition for the 2018 season when the new broadcast deal starts. However, the delays in even naming the contenders mean some bids may not have enough time to organise their structure.

League officials want bid teams to enter sides in lower tier competitions before joining the NRL, which will disadvantage locations such as Perth, especially if there is late notice.

ARLC chairman John Grant said in 2012 expansion would be reviewed following the 2014 season.

Holmes joins Reds’ walking wounded list

SUPER RUGBY

THE Queensland Reds’ preseason injury crisis has claimed another victim, with veteran prop Greg Holmes ruled out for two months after a routine lineout drill at training went awry.

Holmes tore a ligament in his left thumb at training last week while lifting in a lineout and had surgery on Friday to repair the damage.

The 31-year-old was recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered during the National Rugby Championship and was poised to face the Crusaders in the Reds’ second pre-season clash this weekend, but is now unlikely to return until around the start of April. His absence will compound coach Richard Graham’s summer headaches on the back of a recent training mishap that claimed Quade

Cooper (collarbone), while a further nine players are also restricted by injury less than two weeks from the start of the Super Rugby season.

“Whilst it’s always disappointing to lose a player of Greg’s experience, the young front row were outstanding in our pre-season match against the Rebels last night and provide us with a lot of confidence entering the season,” Graham said.

“Sam Talakai and Sef

Faagase performed well for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship and will continue to develop on the back of a strong performance in Cairns last night.”

Queensland fielded a depleted side against the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday night in their first proper outing of the year and fell 28-13 to the Melbourne Rebels at Barlow Park in Cairns.

There are currently 16 Super Rugby teams but only 15 of them play in the tournament annually.

Kiwi recruit Adam Thompson and injured trio James O’Connor, Ben Daley and Ed O’Donoghue are all expected to play in the Reds’ next pre-season clash against the Crusaders at Ballymore on Friday night.

But newly-appointed Reds vice-captain Rob Simmons has nerve damage in his shoulder and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines along with back-up lock Dave McDuling.

GREG Holmes has been sidelined with a thumb injury.

RADAMEL Falcao looked delighted after adding to his United tally against the Premier League strugglers. Inset: RED Devils captain Rooney congratulates Falcao following his first-half goal at Old Trafford.

ANTHONY Yogiyo from the Goroka Bowling Club lets one go during the semi-final of the national men singles at the Lae Bowling Club on Sunday.

Picture: JOSEPH DAWAI

Yogiyo claims singles crown

BY JOSEPH DAWAI LAWN BOWLS

GOROKA’S Anthony Yogiyo is the 2015 national bowls men‘s singles champion. The Eastern Highlander beat local bowler Matu Bazo in the grand final at the Lae Bowling Club on Sunday.

Yogiyo, a seasoned player

PNGRFL hosted AGM, a success

RUGBY LEAGUE

PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League will now push towards making the establishment a more professional, modern day organisation following some major decisions at its Annual General Meeting at the weekend.

In what was a first for the PNGRFL, by taking the AGM to a place away from the major centres, over 60 affiliates will also remember that they were part of a historic accomplishment when they adopted a new Constitution.

The members from leagues around the country who attended the one-day meeting at the Wabag Cutural Centre were provided with the PNGRFL Annual Report and endorsed and accepted changes to the PNGRFL Constitution to put the national league more in tune with modern day successful National Sporting organisations and the changes in the game on the international scene.

had too much experience to win 22-19.

He starting off well in the opening ends scoring vital points to set the pace.

At one stage, Bazo took the lead but Yogiyo held his nerve to score vital points on the remaining ends to grind his way back to the front again to secure the win.

National Bowls co-ordinator

Albert Barakeina commended the bowlers that participated in the two day event.

Barakeina said the event is part of the PNG bowls squad preparations for the Pacific Games set for July.

He added that four of the finalists are in the train –on squad. “I was happy with

their performance and they lived up to expectations during the singles championship,” he added. The bowlers that took came from Bulolo, Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Madang, Port Moresby and Lae.

Barakeina said there will be a lot of time for the team to complete in all the four disciplines of singles, pairs,

triples and fours. He said that from the current squad, selectors will drop five each from the men and women to make the final team to represent the country.

Barakeina further applauded the organisers for successfully hosting the PNG national men’s singles championship without any hiccups.

PNGRFL congratulates Cabramatta 9’s

RUGBY NINES

PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football Chairman Sandis Tsaka yesterday congratulated the Chairmans XV team and staff which took part in the Cabramatta 9’s tournament in Sydney over the weekend.

“I and everyone at the PNGRFL is very proud of our young boys and our staff who looked after them in Sydney. They went through their pool unde-

feated before going down in a very physical and close quarter final match 18-14. We intentionally sent a very young side with some as young as 18 years old so that we could further test them against bigger men in a tournament which featured 32 teams from Australia and internationally. The boys came up against NSW Cup and some fringe NRL players and was the perfect platform for us to asses them ahead of the Pacific Games later this

year.” The 9’s program is important to the PNGRFL, not just because of the Pacific Games in July this year but also as a long-term project for the PNGRFL said Tsaka;

“Giving our young boys experience is vital so we can see who stood up and who didn’t. These tournaments, plus national and international form of players will be the basis of who is eventually selected to represent PNG at the 9’s. It is expected to be a gold

Chan commends Sios, Lam move

RUGBY LEAGUE

NAMATANAI MP Byron

Chan has congratulated businesswoman Janet Sios and former Kumul Adrian Lam for their initiative to introduce rugby league in the electorate.

Chan said such an investment in the sport of rugby is welcomed in the electorate especially for the youth.

“I must commend Sios and Lam for the idea to

venture into such worthwhile investment in rugby which will benefit the people especially the youths of east and west coast of Namatanai and the province as a whole,” Chan said. He said sporting activities of this nature has been promoted in the District over the last 10 years.

“People of Namatanai descent have achieved the highest success in their careers and it’s

good to see them engaged and share their experience in so far as actively participating in developing youth potential in our electorate,” he said.

“Namatanai has always had its district program with sporting activities and we’ve always struggled to get our young people compete in different codes of sport at the district, provincial and national level.

“I hope this new move in rugby in the electorate

takes off in a good way,” Chan added. He said he has already engaged the district sports council to host the annual Darren Lockyer rugby league cup. A program that has been recently initiated with the people of the remote Anir Islands in the electorate. Hopefully through the process we will bring out the best local raw talents for the PNGRFL to consider, he added.

medal event for PNG so we have a responsibility to pick our best team possible from our pool of young players, Digicel Cup, Hunters and International players identified. The 9’s is a long-term project for us. We want to have a strong program and be at the forefront of the game to capture any opportunities that present themselves in future such as potential possible inclusion in the Auckland NRL 9’s or International tournaments.”

226730 8 inches (20cm)

K65

217625 16 inches (40cm)

K155

217626 20 inches (50cm)

K179

All attendees were also provided with the PNGRFL strategic plan for that sets out the “Roadmap” for the game over the next three years. The strategic plan and constitutional amendments were necessary after a whole of game review was undertaken by the PNGRFL in partnership with the NRL, said Chairman Sandis Tsaka;

“It is important that we action the recommendations from the whole of game review conducted, which is vital to the long term success and stability of the organisation. It is critical we take the steps outlined to ensure we are a credible organisation with strong governance, strong financial policies and accountability and a constitution that is in line with modern sporting and commercial organisations. We have to look at Rugby League as a business and unless we don’t have a strong base then we cannot capitalise on commercials opportunities that will make the game stronger in PNG and internationally. We want to be a credible organisation and we have come a long way towards achieving that over the past 12 months and particularly with the decisions made today.”

PNG 7s dare

PNG pooled with New Zealand, England Canada

team for the past eight years.

THE Papua New Guinea Sevens team needs to make an impression.

The last time PNG attended the Wellington Sevens was in 2007 and it has been a long road back to return back to Westpac Stadium in New Zealand.

The PNG Sevens team left on Sunday to acclimatise themselves before the action begins on Friday.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) World Sevens Series circuit has eluded our national

This time, a new crop of players under new management did the job to make qualification at the Noosa championships last year

Not only in PNG back at Wellington, but also at the world reknown Hong Kong Invitational Sevens.

This opportunity doesn’t just come around for non-core teams on the circuit.

With only the well versed Henry Liliket and Eugene Tokavai having experienced the ‘cauldron of death’ atmosphere, it

will be a baptism of fire for the others with up to 30,000 plus people in the audience.

They will all need to especially get used to the playing conditions and the competitive nature as the audience numbers will be doubled and the atmosphere more electric than ever in Hong Kong slated for March 27-30.

Rugby PNG yesterday confirmed that coach Fereti Verebula did not travel with the team due to personal reasons.

Due to the short-notice, team manager and former sevens coach Billy Rapilla will take

care of the team and board director Graham Osborne will manage the team.

Rugby PNG board chairman Richard Sapias said the sevens team is going through some trying times but added the team has been well prepared over the past eight months to face the challenges ahead of them.

The PNG Sevens team: Terence Uvau, Wesley Vali, Max Vali, Henry Liliket, Eugene Tokavai, Hensely Peter, Arthur Clement, Leo Tikot Jnr, Butler Morris, Hubert Tsereha, Clint Kut, Dondon Xavier.

MEMBERS of the PNG Sevens team in training pior to leaving for the Wellington Sevens on Sunday. RUGBY SEVENS